College Football - week 10 - in just two years Nick Saban is the Crimson Tide # 1 in the nation

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Goodbye Texas. Hello Alabama. It is now the Crimson Tide that have become the No. 1 coveted target in the nation for big-time college football programs in America.

The Texas Longhorns, who were No. 1, took on their 4th top-ranked team in consecutive weeks and came up short on the road Saturday (11-1-08) in Lubbock to No. 6 Texas Tech 39-33 on a scoring play that never should have happened with 1 second left.

In a Texas-style shootout, the Longhorns trailed 19-0 and rallied to take a 33-32 lead on Vondrell McGee's 4-yard touchdown run with only 1:29 to play. That gave just a little too much time left for the Red Raiders' Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree, two gifted athletes on a mission few others would dare to take.

With virtually no time left and 28 yards from pay dirt, Harrell found himself surrounded by nasty Longhorns and out of time with Crabtree in double coverage and no room to even turn around. So what does a great quarterback do? He throws high into double coverage, hoping his All-American wide receiver is as great as Harrell thinks he is.

Michael Crabtree does not disappoint either his teammates or himself. He rises to the challenge, grabs the rock with sure hands, breaks the wannabe arm tackle of a sophomore cover back trying to strip the ball, and takes a couple of steps into the end zone and the game clock shows 1 second left.

Amazingly, Crabtree stays in bounds as thousands and thousands of screaming, delirious fans pour onto the field of play. It is sheer bedlam as fans begin to rip down the goal post at one end of the field, and the officials on the field try to restore order for the extra-point attempt and final kickoff to Texas to eliminate the one second left on the clock.

This is college football in America on a Saturday afternoon. A major university with thousands of fans who have suffered through the dominance of Texas and Oklahoma teams for too many years. This is their moment of glory and they will not be denied. It is the competitive spirit of America in its finest hour, their years of hardship and agony are over and their 15 minutes of fame and glory have arrived.

All of the Texas Tech fans, players and coaches need to party down big-time because Texas Tech's season is not over. The Red Raiders will now run a gauntlet somewhat similar to the one that the Longhorns faced as 8-1 Oklahoma State and 8-1 Oklahoma lie ahead and a lesser-light Baylor team lurks in the background.

The drama of this game could not have been higher. Texas Tech only needed a field goal to win the game, but could not rely on its kicker to convert from some 40 yards out. Not only was Harrell's pass into double coverage over the top, and even though Crabtree made a great catch, had he been tackled short of the end zone or gone out of bounds, it is unlikely in the moment that the Red Raiders could have called a time out and still had enough time to set up for a game-winning field goal try.

"All we needed was a field goal, but a touchdown's even sweeter," said Raider quarterback Graham Harrell after the game. "If you're a quarterback and don't want to be in that situation, you should change positions." Harrell finished with 474 yards passing and 2 touchdowns while completing 36 of 53 attempts.

Was this really THAT big of a win for Texas Tech? Yes it was. The Red Raider win over Texas was the biggest win in Texas Tech history and its first win against a No. 1-ranked team. The victory gave them command of the Big 12 South and put them smack in the middle of the race for a spot in the national championship game.

And just how close was Texas to winning? How about 1 second among 60 minutes of play? Or the fact that on the play prior to Crabtree's winning 28-yard TD catch, freshman safety Blake Gideon dropped what would have been a game-ending interception on a tipped pass. That single drop meant Harrell could make the dangerous decision to throw into double coverage to Crabtree. The rest is now history.

The win vaulted No. 6 Texas Tech past Penn State, Florida and Oklahoma into the No. 2 spot in this week's AP Top 25 Poll. For Texas Tech fans around the world, this rise to prominence came none too soon.

The reason Alabama vaulted from No. 2 in the AP rankings to the top spot is because the Crimson Tide shut out Arkansas State Saturday 35-0, scoring in every quarter and looking every bit as if they should be No. 1.

Coach Nick Saban has quickly become better than the gold standard in Alabama. Saban has taken the Crimson Tide to the No. 1 ranking in the nation in only his second year at Tuscaloosa.

Saban is the highest paid coach in college football ($32 million for 8 years). Many fans and boosters at Alabama believe Saban is worth every penny of it and now you know why.

Saban turned around Michigan State's program in one year and went to 3 bowl games in his first 3 years. He turned around Louisiana State's program in one year, won or shared 3 SEC titles, went to bowl games all 5 years and won the National Championship in 2003. He turned around Alabama in his first season last year and went to a bowl game. Now his Crimson Tide players are 9-0 and in the hunt for a spot in this year's national championship game.

No. 5 Florida recorded a huge win on the road at No. 8 Georgia, putting some major hurt on the Bulldogs, 49-10. Since their unexpected lack of focus and 31-30 loss to Mississippi, Coach Urban Meyer's Gators have gone ballistic croc hunting, ripping apart Arkansas 38-7, LSU 51-21 and Kentucky 63-5 before hosting Georgia.

Apparently the Gators have become so savage that they will rip apart their victims but also drink their blood in their quest to get into the national championship game. The next victim to visit Gainsville this coming Saturday is the Vanderbilt Commodores, who had better order up tons of anti-crocodile spray. The Gators mean business.

Both Texas and Georgia lost to top-ranked teams. Texas Tech, Alabama and Florida were among 13 of the 20 AP Poll teams to win this week, 7 others-including Texas and Georgia which played top-ranked teams--lost and 5 teams were idle. No. 3 Penn State, No. 13 Ohio State, No. 18 Ball State, No. 21 North Carolina and No. 25 Maryland were all idle.

The other ranked teams which won big and made a statement included:

No. 4 Oklahoma at home in a waltz over Nebraska 62-28 (the Sooners led 62-21 after 3 quarters), No. 7 Southern Cal on the road shut out Washington 56-0 (the Huskies are dead and waiting for fired head coach Tyrone Willingham to get on down the road), No. 9 Oklahoma State at home over Iowa State 59-17 (the Cowboys scored in every quarter), No. 11 Boise State at home shut out New Mexico State 49-0 (the Broncos scored in every quarter against what we think is a team in the southwest), No. 12 TCU on the road over UNLV 44-14, and No. 15 LSU at home over Tulane 35-10.

Four other ranked teams won but were hardly impressive. They included:

No. 10 Utah on the road over weak, unranked New Mexico 13-10 (the 9-0 unbeaten Utah Utes are overrated big-time and may find that out this week when they clash with 9-1 TCU), No. 14 Missouri on the road over unranked Baylor 31-28 (the now toothless Tigers take down a 3-win Baylor team), No. 17 BYU on the road over weak, unranked Colorado State 45-42 (the Cougars are hardly ferocious, they gave up 32 points to TCU, 35 to UNLV and now 42 to Colorado State after beating a winless 0-8 Washington team 28-27 earlier in the season), and No. 22 Michigan State at home over Wisconsin 25-24 (it's true that Wisconsin may well be the best 4-5 team in the country, but the Spartans should have won by two touchdowns).

Five other ranked teams committed the unpardonable sin of losing to an unranked team. They included:

No. 16 Florida State lost on the road to Georgia Tech 31-28, No. 19 and unbeaten Tulsa lost on the road to Arkansas 30-23 (Tulsa is the newest most overrated team in 1-A football, Illinois lost that title by promptly losing 4 games), No. 20 Minnesota lost at home to Northwestern 24-17, No. 23 Oregon lost on the road to California 26-16, and No. 24 South Florida lost on the road to Cincinnati 24-10.

Dropping out of the AP Top 25 Poll on Sunday (11-2-08) were Minnesota (the Golden Gophers are 7-2 and a real surprise in the Big Ten), South Florida (overrated all season), Oregon (overrated all season) and Tulsa (grossly overrated all season). Good luck to all on your way out the door.

Playing their way back into the AP Poll this week were the No. 20 West Virginia Mountaineers (they beat Connecticut), the No. 21 California Bears (they beat Oregon), the No. 22 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (they beat Florida State) and the No. 25 Pittsburgh Panthers (they beat Notre Dame 36-33 in the 4th overtime).

The only 6 unbeaten teams remaining include Alabama, Texas Tech, Penn State, Utah, Boise State and Ball State. In other games of note this week:

Oregon State barely beat Arizona State 27-25 in a really nasty, tough, sometimes dirty Pac 10 encounter. A 2-8 Idaho team put 24 points on the board and only lost by 6 points to a 6-3 San Jose State team. The Idaho Vandals are not the worst team in America, that title belongs to the 0-9 winless, hopeless Washington Huskies followed closely by the hapless, beyond hopeless 1-8 Washington State Cougars.

Also formerly winless North Texas posted its first win of the season on the road over 1-AA Western Kentucky 51-40. The Purdue Boilermakers did the entire Midwest a favor by whipping Michigan 48-42, ensuring that Michigan will have to suffer through its first losing season in 40 years and an end to its streak of 33 consecutive bowl game appearances.

From my perspective as a Michigan State graduate, any week that Michigan State wins and Michigan loses is a glorious week, thus far that glorious occurrence has happened 5 times this season and could happen twice more "Lord willing and the creek don't rise".

Copyright © 2008 Ed Bagley

Read my other detailed, knowledgeable, interesting articles on college football, including:

"College Football - Week 9 - Texas Handles Unbeaten Oklahoma State, and Penn State Whips Ohio State"

"College Football - Week 8 - Top 6 Teams Remain on Top, Led by Unbeaten Texas, Alabama & Penn State"

"College Football - Week 7 - Only 10 Undefeated Teams Remain - Oklahoma, Missouri and LSU All Lose"

"College Football - Week 6 - AP's Top 25 Welcomes North Carolina, Michigan State, Pittsburgh and Ball State"

"College Football - Week 5 - 9 AP Top 25 Teams Lose, 6 to Unranked Teams, No. 1 USC, No. 3 Georgia & No. 4 Florida All Lose"

"College Football - Week 4 - 14 Teams Suffer Their First Defeat - Auburn, East Carolina, Oregon & Florida State All Lose"

"College Football - Week 3 - Let There Be No Doubt: USC Crushes Ohio State 35-3 and Is Clearly No. 1"

"College Football - Week 2 - East Carolina Smacks West Virginia, Upsets Its 3rd Straight Ranked Team"

"College Football - Week 1 - No. 24 Alabama Stuns No. 9 Clemson, East Carolina Upsets No. 17 Virginia Tech"

Find my Blog at:
http://www.edbagleyblog.com
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/Sports.html

A brief history of Alabama football

Alabama Crimson Tide football is tied with Notre Dame, as well as the University of Southern California for more College record national championships with a dozen. Needless to say, many of these titles under the leadership of the legendary coach of Crimson Tide "bear" Bryant have been collected.

Bryant-Denny Stadium comes from coach Paul "bear" Bryant, as well as the former Alabama President George Denny. It is the most significant fourth structure sec, as well as one of the best stadiums sec.These days, Bryant Denny can easily seat as well as 101,821 and is the second largest stadium in the SEC, the fifth largest stadium in the nation, as well as the eighth largest stadium in careers not by made simple mundoEl seats in each game unique source of Alabama football has been a sellout since 1988 is surprising.

Alabama Crimson Tide football is simply the best in the history of SEC footballThey have SEC football more than anything else (21) securities (4 others before they formed SEC) .Alabama has provided more than Super Bowl winning quarterbacks that every other University football program. They are the following:

Bart Starr (Green Bay Packers) won the Super Bowls I and II, Joe Namath (New York Jets) captured Super Bowl III and Ken Stabler with the Oakland Raiders who had Super Bowl XI.It is the only team to win five consecutive titles (1971-1975) SEC football sec.

In terms of players, Alabama had 92 the primera.Hasta team all-Americans now nineteen players and coaches tidal above to become a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.They are halfback, Johnny Mack Brown (1923-25) and linebacker, Cornelius Bennett (1983-86) players .Muchos previous Alabama proceeded to have great career of the NFL.En reality, most of the University of Alabama quarterbacks have won the Super Bowl than any other school quarterbacks.

Michael is a big fan of Alabama.venir football to visit its most recent site http://www.crimsontidelive.com you will find more information and news of recruitment for Alabama football here.

Penn State Football 2010 list has many great match UPS

2010 Soccer program Penn State has been released, which means that the Nittany Lion football fans can begin comprehensive assessment of where WINS and losses come procedure and also begin to organize their gameday travels to Happy Valley too as road trips. Schedule this season is characterized by its normal amount of time big Big 10 Conference match ups, some poor Conference match-ups and a clash of single absolute Monster.

Penn State plays 10 standard Big opponents.This year will find Big 10 games at home State College vs. Illinois, Northwestern and Michigan State (which continue to pose a threat power supply) .Illinois will be on October 9, the homecoming game which should be the perfect time of year to be in Happy Valley.

Power supply gets away from games in the Conference against Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan and Ohio State.Uno could claim that stricter games are on their way in big 10 this year.Lions ignored Wisconsin this year is a leap.

About great development programming is the game of Indiana, who was going to get on the road, will now play at FedEx Field in Landover, MD (outside of Washington, DC) .in essence, Indiana took a significant pay day to allow 80,000 fans of Penn State to see the game closer to home, in the DC region.

September 11 is undoubtedly vs. Alabama game signature in the season. Penn State vs. Alabama football ticketswill be one of college football tickets more difficult to obtain at the beginning of the season as these double-decker football programs coincide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Game Center vs power supply ensures that you one of the prestigious matchups principles of college football season. Is obviously likely to be a game really complicated for the State of Pennsylvania, Alabama will be national returning champion and guarantees to be extremely good next year.

The rest of the programming of Penn State 2010 could say that it is incredibly weak.You can find out-of-Conference games versus State of Youngstown State, in the County of Kent and the temple, all at home.Granted was a last year Bowl team, but none of those matchups guarantee to become contests.

Obviously with all the Big Ten Conference on expansion, the conversations happening, listed futures football power supply programmes could start to look incredibly, very diverse.The possibility of rival teams of inside of the State of Syracuse, Rutgers, questioned and power past Pitt suddenly can return as opponents of Conferencia.Que certainly shake things and for one create an unbalanced schedule that would mean additional computer programming one year rotation to another.

All round, is a good programming to 2010.Tienen Alabama game power to get through several difficult road games 10 Big and controllable property in the Big games 10. game in the Fed Ex field is intriguing and make for fun for fan base, and will probably be good for the engagement in a region that has been beneficial for them.

Get excited a year fresh Penn State Football!

Looking for tickets Alabama Penn State Football or any other game? discover http://www.PennStateCentral.com fan shop and all the Nittany Lion sports for all Penn State Sports included in the list of the latest 2010 Penn State football.

Alabama football

Alabama football has a rich history that dates back nearly 70 years. They have been dominant program in college football during that time. They have won the most of any football NCAA Team Championships in the history of the game with 12. Football is a religion in Alabama and the "roll tide" is in the Centre of attention in any given Saturday.

Alabama came into national prominence when the program was taken by coach in Chief Wallace Wade. Wade was a Brown, who took charge of a programme which had struggled in recent years alum. However, with dexterity as coach Wade and the help of his sports director, school brought athletes across the country and not only of Alabama. It's a trend that became very popular with schools throughout the country and a trend that continues today. Wade brought to school to two national championships during his eight years as head coach head in Alabama, however, was the first championship in 1926 that put your computer into the map and they have remained ever since.After stop Wade, was almost a revolving door of coaches; however, managed to win four national championships more with Athletic Director George Denny, for whom the Alabama stadium is named, at the helm on the football program.

Alabama fought in the early fifties and they were beginning to lose credibility as a power of college football, however, that all changed in 1958. In 1958, Paul "bear" Bryant took charge of this program of struggle and made them in arguably the most successful football team in the history of the NCAA football program. Bryant would be the coach for 24 years before retiring in January 1983. During his time as head coach of the Alabama football seemed almost unbeatable. Won 6 National Championship and Conference 13 Championships during his time as coach head. Alabama teams won 232 games during his 24 years as a coach in Chief. Bryant retired after the 1982 liberty Bowl as it could be said that the greatest all-time college football coach. Ironically enough when asked what he would do now that he was removed;He said that he would probably croak in a weeks semana.Cuatro more Bryant later died of a heart attack. However, the legacy of Bryant still lives today and all Alabama coaches have been compared with him.

From Bryant left the Crimson Tide there have been many coaches who have tried to create the greatness that brought the programme of Alabama, however in the 27 years since his departure have only won a national championship and two Conference Championship, with no national titles since 1992. However, with the hiring of Nick Saban in 2007, the school has new unseen confidence since the days of Bryant.The Crimson Tide is still one of the most respected teams in all of college football and will probably due to the impact that Bryant was in the program.

Writer and editor, Freddie Brister, is a former secondary 25 years school football coach.His love for the game of football is reflected in his words and memories growing up in southern football and playing in the backyard with his brother, cousins and neighborhood amigos.Su greater thrill is watching former secondary school players he has trained to play level universitario.Su favourite pastime is watching tv and attend college football games in person all possibilities obtiene.Freddie Brister is a big fan of the SEC and Alabama.Retirar Crimson Tide his Alabama Crimson Tide T-shirt or his Alabama Crimson Tide Swimwear or their clothes of for Alabama Crimson Tide.

Alabama Crimson Tide football - players of fans who idealize them

The Crimson Tide, the team of many names, referred to the Crimson white, the thin red line as even elephants network. With so many names, how do I tide fans know that you are talking about? The tradition of the tide, this is the way. Alabama fans are proud of their past and passed their traditions to their children at as young an age, as you can understand it! Roll tide is a phrase praised as a child while the term War Eagle considers right there next to close up and head-butt. Yes, the tradition is a special part of Alabama experience that fans love to relive the day of the games and to walk across campus on a sunny autumn day. Girls dressed in line with their hopes of one day being a Cheerleader of Alabama. Young boys that runs on the quad-play your own game of football before the start of the actual game. Grandparents, count Center stories back in its glory days with the bear as coach and times when was a shoe-in for the National Championship title.

Some are passed players bear and seem to always sit in the sights, or in other places last once when they step inside of Bryant Denny Stadium even if played in the field of the Legion. The only thing that matters is where the tide calls home. Today, is that named the legendary Paul w. Bryant-Denny Stadium Bear Bryant whose name which can be found in various places throughout the city and Denny Chimes, who also has his legacy throughout the campus. Honoring them before were even museums, monuments and street names, but having coined after stadium was an honour for the respective families.All you have to do with the Alabama football has a serious than defender.Con reputation more national championships, SEC Championships, Bowl appearances Bowl win, win the Conference at the SEC and most consecutive Conference SEC Championship that any computer of the NCAA, the Crimson Tide and its players are seen by fans to continue this tradition and the team to beat in the coming years.

Lists historical and wizards of Alabama current games include Kenny, Stabler, legendary Joe Namath, Snake, Barry Krause. Stable, Namath and forty-one hundred and five others are eternally remembered of the walk of Fame in Denny Chimes. A tradition since 1948, Immortalizes spectacular players like no other computer and the tradition of doing so, therefore, is one of the most important in the history of Alabama. Tide players can be found on occasion greeting fans at Bryant Museum, Paul w., signing autographs and sometimes even sitting next to fans of luck in games. The University of Alabama, deals with all fans and Alabama Football experience.Can ensure student tickets will be sold in the first thirty minutes made is available, and if you want to get their hands on one, will not be a purchase barata.Los tide fans engaged, and some of the best college football fans there were! Roll tide!

Writer and editor, Freddie Brister, is a former secondary 25 years school football coach.His love for the game of football is reflected in his words and memories growing up in southern football and playing in the backyard with his brother, cousins and neighborhood friends.His greatest thrill is watching former secondary school players he has trained to play level universitario.Su favourite pastime is watching tv and attend college football games in person all possibilities obtiene.Freddie Brister is a big fan of the SEC and Alabama.Retirar Crimson Tide his Alabama Crimson Tide goods in Alabama Crimson Tide belt or its Georgia Tech Grill Cover

2007-6 Top 25 college football teams lose and Nosedive, 4 others to join the Top 25 poll

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As predicted, no less than 6 AP Top 25 teams lost in college football's third week, two of them-Louisville and Nebraska-dropped in the rankings and four others-UCLA, Georgia Tech, Arkansas and Tennessee-dropped right out of the poll. Life in big time college football can be a little unsettling.

Four more-Alabama, Kentucky, South Florida and Missouri-moved into the Top 25 for the first time.

No. 9 Louisville finds itself now No. 18 after being upset by Kentucky 40-34. Kentucky is now 3-0 and No. 21 after its victory, the Wildcats' first win against a top-10 team since 1977, 30 years ago. The loss by Louisville should come as no surprise. The Cardinals beat up on AA Murray State 73-10 (as they should have) and then gave up a whopping 42 points to Middle Tennessee before winning 58-42 (that is a porous defense).

Louisville is still overrated. If you do not think so, check this out: Middle Tennessee was rated No. 141 among 119 Division 1-A schools by Sagarin going into its game with Louisville. Good grief, talk about beating a lousy team. It makes you wonder, how good is Kentucky?

No. 14 Nebraska is now No. 24 after being dominated by USC on the Cornhuskers' turf, 49-31. USC gained 313 yards rushing and held Nebraska to 31. USC remains No. 1 in all polls from here to parts unknown.

No. 15 Georgia Tech was upset by No. 21 Boston College 24-10 and fell out of the poll.

No. 22 Tennessee was swamped by No. 5 Florida 59-20 and dropped out of the poll.

Moving into the AP Top 25 this week was No. 16 Alabama which tuned back then No. 16 Arkansas, 41-38, after twice blowing 21-point leads. It was a dramatic win for the Crimson Tide, who put on a defensive stand and a last-minute drive culminating in a final, 4-yard, game-winning touchdown pass with 8 seconds left.

I have said to keep your eyes peeled for Nick Saban, a quality coach in his first year at Alabama. Saban led LSU to the 2003 BCS National Championship while competing in the same SEC conference. Moving into the Top 25 was the No. 24 South Florida Bulls who were idle this week after beating AA Elon 28-13 and upsetting then No. 17 Auburn on the road, 26-23, in overtime.

I have already taken Alabama and South Florida off my list of teams that will be in the Top 25 before the season is over. Last week I predicted that Alabama, South Florida, Washington, Arizona State and Michigan State will crack the AP Top 25.

Missouri beat Western Michigan 52-24 for its 3rd straight win and moved into No. 25 in the poll. The Tigers have also beaten Illinois 40-34 and Ole Miss 38-25. After this weekend's games, Sagarin rated Illinois No. 63, Ole Miss No. 75 and Western Michigan No. 111. I will let you know if Missouri is any good after they play and beat a team worth beating. Washington, still unranked, led No. 10 Ohio State 7-3 at the half and had the momentum to pull off an upset for the second straight week (the Huskies upset No. 22 Boise State a week earlier).

Unfortunately, a 39-second stretch in the 3rd quarter cost Washington dearly. First, the Buckeyes' Brian Robiskie beat freshman cornerback Vonzell McDowell down the sideline for a 68-yard touchdown.

Then another freshman, Curtis Shaw, fumbled on the ensuing kickoff return trying to get more yardage after the initial hit. Ohio State scored on the turnover, taking a 17-7 lead and eventually winning 33-14 in a game that was much closer than the score. I believe Washington is still a team on the rise and will bounce back this week as it starts Pac 10 play with a road game at UCLA. UCLA was ranked No. 11 before playing Utah over the weekend and getting the snot kicked out of it, 44-6, and falling out of the poll.

Arizona State, still unranked, won its 3rd straight by moving by San Diego State 34-13 (rated No. 106). First year Coach Dennis Erickson has also topped San Jose State 45-3 (rated No. 147) and Colorado 33-14 (rated No. 67). Arizona State starts its Pac 10 campaign this weekend at home against Oregon State.

Another first year coach, Mark Dantonio at Michigan State, won his 3rd straight game in hand-to-hand combat with Pittsburgh 17-13 (ranked No. 53). The Spartans led 14-7 at the half but frankly underwhelmed me with their performance.

After watching Michigan State sprint to a 42-0 lead in their opener midway through the second quarter in a 55-18 thrashing of UAB (ranked No. 125), scoring touchdowns in their first 6 possessions, I expected more against Pittsburgh. They got by Bowling Green 28-17 (ranked No. 65) in a not-so-impressive showing, but should have done more.

Pittsburgh brought some defense to the game. Remember that the Panthers' Head Coach Dave Wannstedt was an offensive tackle at Pitt and former NFL Head Coach of the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins, both known for their defensive teams. For Michigan State to remain on the rise, the Spartans needed to best Pitt by two touchdowns and to be impressive they needed to beat them by four touchdowns. Neither happened.

MSU travels to Notre Dame on Saturday (9-22-07). The Irish are winless in 3 games and currently one of the worst teams in the nation. They have yet to score an offensive touchdown this season, have allowed 23 sacks (46 teams did not allow 23 sacks in all of last season), and rank dead last (119th) in 3 categories among Division 1-A teams--rushing, total offense and scoring offense.

The Lord will have to help Michigan State more than Notre Dame should the Irish upset the Spartans. So who is moving up impressively this week? Try Steve Spurrier's South Carolina Gamecocks, from No. 17 to No. 12 by leveling AA South Carolina State 38-3; and the Oregon Ducks, from No. 19 to No. 13 by ripping Fresno State 52-21.

So who remains vastly overrated? Try No. 7 Texas. The Longhorns topped Arkansas State 21-13 (rated No. 74) at home, defeated TCU 34-13 (rated No. 39) at home and then barely got by UCF (University of Central Florida, rated No. 64) 35-32 on the road. Texas spotted UCF 32 points (this is defense?) and won by a field goal.

Another overrated team is No. 9 Wisconsin. The undefeated 3-0 Badgers' big time wins came against Washington State 42-21 (rated No. 48), UNLV 20-13 (rated No. 96) and AA The Citadel 45-31 (rated No. 129). They gave up 31 points to a AA team going nowhere.

Wisconsin is going down, it is just a matter of time. Soon the Badgers will be playing Michigan State, No. 10 Penn State at Penn State and No. 8 Ohio State at Ohio State. I want to see this ferocious Wisconsin offense against the Buckeye defense, ranked No. 3 nationally in total defense and No. 5 in scoring defense.

For the record, No. 1 USC is currently ranked No. 41 in total defense and No. 45 in scoring defense. This helps explain why the Trojans handled Idaho 38-10 (rated No. 116) and No. 24-ranked Nebraska 49-31 (rated No. 18). No. 2 LSU is ranked No. 1 in total defense and No. 1 in scoring defense. This helps explain why LSU has stomped Mississippi State 45-0 (rated No. 46), then No. 9 Virginia Tech 48-7 (now rated No. 31) and Middle Tennessee 44-0 (rated No. 109).

So what else is noteworthy? Indiana, Connecticut, Purdue, Penn State, Texas A&M, Rutgers, Florida, Kansas, Arizona State and Hawaii have all gone 3-0 against either cupcake teams or weak competition. The jury is out of these teams until they actually play a decent or worthy opponent.

In other results, the Duke Blue Devils ended their 22-game losing streak, longest active in Division 1-A, by edging Northwestern 20-14. Florida International now has the longest losing streak with 14 after losing to Miami (FL) 23-9.Boise State hosted Wyoming and won by 10, 24-14. Good for Wyoming, losing by only 10 in an away game to the mighty, high-scoring Boise State Broncos.

Mike Price's UTEP team was outscored in the 4th quarter and lost to New Mexico State 29-24 to go 1-2 on the year. It is a real blessing that we will be getting into conference play this weekend so we can really begin to access who has it going on and who does not.

AA games may be interesting at times (like Appalachian State's 34-32 upset of Michigan in their Big House), but it tells you little about a team. Now the nonsense slows to a trickle and we get down to business.

Copyright © 2007 Ed Bagley

Ed Bagley's Blog Publishes Original Articles with Analysis and Commentary on 5 Subjects: Sports, Movie Reviews, Lessons in Life, Jobs and Careers, and Internet Marketing. My intention is to inform, educate, delight and motivate you the reader.

Read my articles on "How to Predict When Teams Are Overrated and Due for an Unexpected Loss", "The Sagarin Ratings: What They Are, How to Read Them and What to Do With Them" and my 14 consecutive weekly wrap-up articles on the 2007 College Football Season Find my Blog at:
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Notebook College football (11/10)

I have always believed that the number zero is the definition extremely! In the world of sport, as in real estate, it is "location, location and location!" A zero in the right column of the classification of the loss of livestock is that a very good thing, while one in the left column is not so good!

As college football enters its stretch run, anyone remotely associated with the game is very aware that the USC, Texas and Alabama (listed in order of BCS rankings team), remain solitary unbeaten teams in the nation. However, there are some other computers with a zero in that column on the right, when it comes to positions of the Conference.

West Virginia in the big East, easily cared for Cincinnati on Wednesday night, turning to 5-0 in League play.Mountaineers still have remaining games from November 24 to Pittsburgh in Morgantown) and December 3 in the South of the mountaineering Florida.Los had the title of this great effort last year, but lost at home to Boston College 36-17 and in Pittsburgh (16-13), to finish the year. Team this year shows no signs of implosion, but one never knows

TCU has already obtained the title of the CTM, in his first year in the League.Horned Frogs easily sent from Colorado State Saturday past (33-6), obtaining his first open Conference school since he won the SWC Crown in 1958.En 7-0 at the MWC, frogs with horns (29-point Favorites!) only need to beat UNLV in Fort Worth on Saturday to end at 10-1 overall and 8-0 in League play. Ironically, the only defeat of the team in 2005 came against a former rival SWC, SMU. Just a week after the opening of the season by winning 17-10 Norman versus the Sooners (as almost four-TD ylos), 21-10 lost TCU in SMU, a computer that is only 3-6 year.

At least one of the seven College football remaining Conference unbeatens HAS lost the end of this State and Fresno State (both 5-0), WAC semana.Boise gather Thursday night on ESPN. Boise State entered the WAC in 2001 and in that first year, ended 17-game home streak of Fresno with a victory for 35-30 as a point of 16 underdog.después losing in the Tech later that year, Boise started a Conference winning streak that has reached 31 games! During the running, the Broncos are an ATS impressive 21-10.

While Boise owns that long Conference win streak and Fresno beaten all four meetings since its incorporation to the Conference (an average score of 41-21-goings of ATS 4 - 0 win), the Bulldogs are solid favorite (rather than a TD) the jueves.Fresno game State is not surely slouch as the Bulldogs are its 38-5 at home since 1998 and enter in its confrontation with the Broncos 7-1 (only loss in Oregon 8-1, 37-34) and ranked number 20 in the access point (the current ranking of BCS is 22).

The winner of Thursday's confrontation will probably win - out the rest of the way in the work of the Conference, but it is not 'block'. Boise Gets an easy game at home to Idaho, but must play in the Tech (7-1 SU at home since 2004). In Fresno, after traveling to USC, December 19, for a non-conference game the Bulldogs should go to Reno, Nevada, where has gone SU and ATS 9-2 in their last 11 games.Fresno ends the season with a match against the technology in the home.

Turning to the three best teams in the nation, USC faces the one school that has given them most problems for years. USC takes a streak of your Cal game 31-game as well as a 14-game road winning streak and a streak of PAC-10 21-game this Saturday.CAL was the last team to defeating USC, 34-31 in triple OT in 2003.Cal almost defeated Trojans in Los Angeles last year losing 23-17, and in 2003, lost 30-28. Add some more drama to the mix, a victory of USC ATE Pac-10 record streak straight set from 1947-50 22 CAL. USC is a favorite of 18 1/2 point and closes year with matches against Fresno State and UCLA (Trojans have earned 25 directly in the Colosseum).

Texas team nation not. 2, goes by his 17TH straight victory in Austin, Texas this Saturday against Kansas.Mientras both Texas and USC have won games by similar margins, Texas their opponents 48, 3-14, 3 with USC outscores beating his opponents by an average of 49, 9-20, 6, the Longhorns are 8-1 ATS Trojans are only 4-5! Texas is a favorite of 33 points over Kansas and ends its regular season with a visit to College Station, where the Longhorns face disappointing Aggies.Colorado, a team that defeated Austin in Austin 42-17 back on October 15 is the likely opponent of Texas in the Big 12 title game.

While few people think USC or Texas face in the leg, team no. 3 of the nation, Alabama (but only 3-6 ATS), finds a home 'dog' (más-3) this Saturday to no. 5 LSU.Desde lose WR Tyrone Protho, tide have scored only a TD in his latest SEC three juegos.Sin embargo, Alabama owns no. 1 has been classified as defense score nation (8.2 PPG) and should not be counted out of any game.If escapes from Alabama against LSU, tide play at the "Iron Bowl" Auburn December 19 in Auburn.Likely SEC title game opponent (if the computer does now) Alabama is Georgia or Florida.

SEC saw Auburn go 12-0 last year but get left out of play for the BCS title and it seems likely that Alabama could end 12-0 in 2005 and also get left out.USC has increased his lead over Texas in the latest BCS standings and lead Texas on Alabama is important! the story of the BCS says that both teams ranked first and second place in the initial BCS survey season (this year was USC and Texas), never happened in that year's BCS title game.However, USC and Texas have already made history BCS in 2005, as the same two teams have never before been either one or two in each of the classification of BCS first and four season.Maybe USC and Texas are destined to meet in Pasadena?

LOVABLE LOSERS

I can not close without list of teams from Victoria, that with zero in the wrong place! Temple is 0-10 (4-6 ATS) in 2005, but gets the week of closed his season December 19 in the Armada.Estado again Mexico is 0-9 (2-7 ATS) and is home to Nevada, where the Aggies are adversities of 9 1/2 punto.Buffalo, 0-9 (5-4 ATS) is also at Kent State and the Bulls can really have an oportunidad.Los flashes of are not gold-so only 1-8 in 2005, but are favored above a TD.Nota: Los Buffalo also has longest current streak road the nation with 22 straight losses.

Rice (0-8 SU and ATS 1-7) in 2005 and owners of nation's longest current losing streak at age 14, plays your game homecoming this week against Tulane 2-6. owls are truly a ONE-POINT favorite! is it possible?, incidentally, including Buffalo, the State of New Mexico and rice (Temple is playing this year in Independent), yet there are 13 schools are still a conference game going into action this weekend.

Larry Ness is member documented handicap.Leer Professional League all his articles in [http://www.procappers.com/Larry_Ness.htm]

Crimson Tide University of Alabama (Center) football players has made in the 2010 NFL Draft

There were a total of seven players of football for the University of Alabama (Center) Crimson Tide adopted draft NFL 2010 was held at the end of April 2010. The breakdown of the rounds the players were taken is as follows: two in the first round, two in the second round, one in the third round and two in the seventh round.

The first two players of Alabama adopted were linebacker Rolando McClain of Decatur, Al the was selected with the General number 8 elect by the Oakland Raiders and Kareem Jackson in Macon, Georgia, who arrived in the middle of the first round, like choosing general.Kareem 20th was chosen by the Houston Texans to carry their work cornerback for the secondary Texans.

Once the two first round players (McClain and Jackson) were taken on the first day of the NFL draft three additional players from the University of Alabama were selected in the course of the next two rounds of the2010. Players three through five selected by the NFL teams, the University of Alabama are as follows:

Javier Arenas is a defensive back who was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round with the General number 50 choose.Terrence Cody is a 6'5 "pound 365 defensive lineman Baltimore Ravens took 25 position in the second round (# 57 general) .Mike Pensacola, Florida, Johnson plays the offensive line and was picked up last drafted in the third round (98th in general)." On the last day of 2010 NBA Draft from the University of Alabama had two most selected players in the seventh and last round of the televised event. Seventh round who previously played college football at Alabama selections were:

Marquis Johnson was prepared by the Rams from St. Louis to play at cornerback.It was drafted 211o.Brandon Deaderick is a lineman defensive Kentucky which was taken in the seventh round with the 247th General by the players of the University of Alabama in 2010 seven New England Patriots.Con in NFL Draft the only school that had more players selected was the University of Florida, with a total of nine.Alabama tied ranked number two, behind Florida with the University of Oklahoma and the USC.Oklahoma and USC also had seven elected their lists players.

255 Players that were taken at the 2010 comes from 2.7% of the University of Alabama NFL draft and a total of 11.8 per cent of all selected players came from four schools in Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, and USC.

Jeff, the author of this article, imagine the transition from novice to intense will center players eager to obtain through trainings and back home where can fall into comfortable slippers of the University of Alabama .If anyone taken seven children no longer it has this essentially part of footwear is recommended to pick up a pair of slippers for Alabama Crimson Tide before training camp.

Top 3 SEC football teams for 2009 season College football

At present, the Florida Gators are winners insurance tomas sec with not a single team in view you can compare them.

There are, of course, LSU, Alabama and OLE Miss LSU and Alabama is the best team in the batch but Ole Miss might have a breakout season this year.The possibilities are not that great though for OLE Miss Georgia is another team care with Mark Richt guiding them enunciados.Sin embargo, it is highly unlikely that any of these teams would be able to exit with the title by defeating the Gators.

Therefore, it is now safe to predict the Gators will win the trophy in this time making it the second time in a row. what happens with the rest of the classifications is really what is interesting now.? Let's take a look at the Gators and two other teams in the top 3 for SEC this season.

The Florida Gators - there is nothing much to say about this computer except for how dominated completely to the Conference. Completely routed LSU, Georgia and Alabama on his way to dramatically defeating Oklahoma to win the national title.Those who think that this incredible performance may not be repeated must think nuevamente.Todo team 2009 is the same as 2008 with Percy Harvin, time being the only exception. That means Tim Tebow returns to the position of quarterback and all incoming Yes each and every one of them returning this season. Just a sudden change can stop them now.

LSU Tigers - will not be able to stand against the Gators but are many chances of winning the oeste.Suyo is a team that has weaknesses comparatively less than the rest of the teams below them in the Division.Its Jordan Jefferson quarterback has been a great last season and could do an output with the help of players like Brandon LaFell wideout season 2009 and tailback Charles Scott actually make things happen for the Tigers.The defensive part of the team is quite good with Harry Coleman on your computer yet.While improving their offensive, are very likely to go for the title of the West is currently in the hands of Alabama.

Alabama Crimson Tide - all completely in awe of Nick Saban and many now believe to the Crimson Tide is going to be a great team from now up to come from the Reino.Olvidan an important fact aquí.John Parker Wilson (quarterback), Andre Smith (offensive tackle) and coffee from Glen (tailback) have left this temporada.estos were major artists of the last year and Saban to replace the tres.A weigh that man has been big in recruiting in recent times, it is unclear whether Alabama will retrieve all the strength of the pérdida.puede win West SEC title but have to play much harder now.

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Alabama - The Crimson Tide "bear" Bryant

From playing her first college football game in 1892, Alabama Crimson Tide football program has become one of the of the College football more successful. With thirteen national titles and eight Championships consensus of coaches to your credit or access point, Alabama program has constantly remained among the elite of the NCAA football skills. Almost half of the National Championships in the program were obtained during the tenure of an Alabama - "Bear" Paul Bryant, legendary coach who led Alabama teams from 1957 until his retirement from the 1982 season.

Arrival of bear

When Bryant arrived in Alabama from Texas A & M, the program had been suffering for a period of four straight losing seasons. Arrival of bear seemed to spark the tide is necessary to activate the program around, and equipment that year the posted a record of five wins, four losses and a tie. Unique style Bryant as coach and masterly sporting discipline provides the foundation that the program needed to enable players begin to operate as a team and ascend towards its potential. In his fourth campaign with the program, Bryant had the Crimson Tide in national championship contention. In fact, went on to win the national title that year, on the first voyage of Bryant a bowl with its new computer game. It was a feat that team is often repeated during his tenure as coach, since the program became one of the most dominant in the NCAAs.From 1961 onwards and ending with the 1966 season the Crimson Tide was able to accumulate 60 total victories with only 5 losses.During that same period, won three national championships, SEC titles and were invited to six matches of Bowl. in two of those seasons, the team went undefeated. Alabama football was back!

1970S and beyond

The next decade belonged to Bryant marea.Equipos took the SEC Championship eight of those ten years, and won another three national titles as well.That period also saw another first for the Alabama team and happened during a rematch of the tide USC loss in 1970.During the game between the two schools next year, Bryant took the fateful decision to allow the American player John Mitchell to start your computer.Although Alabama won the game for a touchdown, is best known for being the first instance of a black player to start a game of Alabama.

The end of career Bryant came after more than two decades as coach of Alabama and was - in a timely manner, some would say - a victory for its tide 1982.Bryant Liberty Bowl game left the sport with a total of 323 WINS, which was at that time the most ever recorded by a College of 25 entrenador.Sus full seasons with the tide still represent the gold standard for training of college football, and many are coaches who since then have said bear as its source of inspiration. Bryant died in 1983, a mere month after his last game training.

Writer and editor, Freddie Brister, is a former secundaria.Compruebe school coach his Alabama Crimson Tide Watch or your Chicago Cubs Watch

College Football - Top 25 Poll - week 14 - Guess Who the # 1 again?

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Alabama, Texas, Cincinnati, Oregon and Georgia all won major conference championships recently and earned key spots in 4 of the 5 upcoming, coveted BCS bowl games.Here is how their victories have changed my Top 25 Poll rankings for college football's 14th week.

(1) Alabama (13-0) – Beat Florida, last year's national champion, 32-13 to win the SEC Conference Championship and the right to play Texas in the National Championship Game. There is a reason why I have had Alabama ranked No. 1 for the last seven consecutive weeks.Now you know why;the Crimson Tide players are better than the Gator players this year.

(2) Texas (13-0) – Almost got upset by a tenacious Nebraska defense, but used 1 second left on the clock to kick to 46-yard field goal and win the Big 12 Championship, 13-12, and the right to play Alabama in the National Championship Game.

(3) Cincinnati (12-0) – Came from 21 points down to outlast Pittsburgh 45 - 44 and win the Big East Championship, and will face Florida in the Sugar Bowl.I like Cincinnati's high-powered, spread offense, and its unbeaten record, but not its defense.Then again, Florida's outstanding defense gave up 32 points to Alabama.

(4) Texas Christian (12-0) won the Mountain West Conference title, and will now face fellow unbeaten Boise State (13-0) in the BCS Bowl party. Marks the first ever BCS game with two mid-major teams.

(5) Boise State (13-0) – won the Western Athletic Conference title, and will now face unbeaten Texas Christian in the Fiesta Bowl.

(6) Florida (12-1) - Lost SEC title to Alabama 32-13, and lost the right to defend its national title game. Will face unbeaten Cincinnati in the BCS Sugar Bowl.Florida fans, please shut up.There is a difference between wanting to win, playing to win, thinking you are going to win, and winning.Z'nuff said.

(7) Oregon (10-2) - won slugfest against Oregon State 37 33 to win the Pac-10 Conference title, and a trip to the BCS Rose Bowl to face Ohio State. Played much tougher competition than Atlantic Coast Conference and even Big Ten teams.

(8) Ohio State (10-2) - won the Big Ten title outright, and will face Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Played much tougher competition than Atlantic Coast Conference teams.

(9) Georgia Tech (11-2) - Beat Clemson 39-34 to win the Atlantic Coast Conference title, and will play Iowa in the BCS Orange Bowl.

(10) Iowa (10-2) - Runner-up in the Big Ten with Penn State, but beat the Nittany Lions head on, and the Hawkeyes take their better defense to the Orange Bowl against Georgia Tech.

(11) Penn State (10-2) - Runner-up in the Big Ten with Iowa. Will meet Louisiana State in the Capital One Bowl, the next most prestigious bowl game after the 5 BCS bowl games.

(12) (9-3) - LSU Finished as runner-up to Alabama in the SEC West Division. Will face Penn State in the Capital One Bowl.

(13) Pittsburgh (9-3) - Cincinnati Gave all it wanted and more before it lost to the Bearcats 45-44 in the Big East title game. Will face North Carolina (8-4) in the Meineke Car Care Bowl game.Pitt should have merited a better bowl game.

(14) Nebraska (9-4) - Got little notice as the Cornhuskers struggled earlier in the year to find an offense that could win games. Darn near Texas upset for the Big 12 Conference title.Will meet Arizona (8-4) in the Holiday Bowl. This should be an excellent bowl game because these are two very worthy teams with much better than average defenses-Nebraska ranks 11th nationally in total defense, and Arizona 22nd among 120 major college teams.

(15) Oregon State (8-4) - Oregon Gave all it could handle in the Pac-10 title game before losing, 37-33.The Beavers are dirty, one mean team headed to the Las Vegas Bowl to face Brigham Young (10-2). It tells you something when a 10-2 team faces an 8-4 team in a bowl game. The Cougars had better make sure they bring their helmets to this one, otherwise, the Beavers might knock them silly.

(16) East Carolina (9-4) - Whipped Houston (10-3) for the mid-major Conference USA Championship, 38-32, and earned a trip to the Liberty Bowl to face Arkansas (7-5), the team absolutely nobody wanted to play in the SEC.Arkansas Georgia took to the max, beat Texas A & M, Auburn and South Carolina, and lost three away games to Florida, LSU and Mississippi, all by a single field goal. Yikes. This should be really interesting for East Carolina; There is no question it will be interesting for Arkansas.

(17) Stanford (8-4) - Could be the second best 8-4 team in the country. Played the 19th toughest schedule in its climb back to national recognition.Will face Oklahoma (7-5) in the Sun Bowl. Oklahoma might be the best 7-5 team in the country.

(18) Brigham Young (10-2) - Was runner-up to TCU in the Mountain West Conference.Will face Oregon State (8-4) in the Las Vegas Bowl.

(20) Utah (9-3) - Finished 3rd to TCU and BYU in the Mountain West Conference. Will California face (8-4) in the Poinsettia Bowl.

(21) California (8-4) - season's best candidate for the yo-yo award-had wins against UCLA, Arizona State, Arizona and Stanford, and huge losses against Oregon, Southern California, Oregon State and Washington.Will face Utah in the Poinsettia Bowl; two teams that deserve each other.

(22) Houston (10-3) - Lost to East Carolina (9-4) in the USA Conference championship game, 38-32, despite having the nation's most explosive scoring offense.The fact that the Cougars are relegated to playing Air Force (7-5) in the Armed Forces Bowl shows you what the people who really count think about Houston.

(23) Southern California (8-4) - The season's most surprising fall from power, losing to Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Stanford.The Trojans had at least 11 wins and BCS bowl game appearances for 7 consecutive years-the most successful football program in the country during the streak that was broken this year.Will face Boston College (8-4) in the Emerald Bowl.If USC does not beat Boston College, its image will take another major hit.

(24) Central Michigan (11-2) - Beat Ohio (9-4), 20-10 for the Mid American Conference Championship, and will face Troy ((9-3), the Sun Belt Conference Champion, in the GMAC Bowl.)

(25) No other teams impress me enough to even merit my 25th spot.Fill in your own favorite because it doesn't make a nickel's worth of difference to me.

This is not my last Top 25 Poll for this season.The next and final one will be posted after the National Championship Game between Alabama and Texas on Jan.7 Until then, enjoy the 34 bowl games

Copyright © 2009 Ed Bagley

Read more of my football coverage, including:

"Ed Bagley's Top 25 Poll" for Week 14 - you get rankings plus humour.Would you believe that Florida is ranked 6th and Southern California 23rd?Don't laugh, find out why.

"Why Bowl Games Are Such a Big Deal: They Bring Prestige and $139 + Million"

http://www.edbagleyblog.com

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How is a Tough Alabama football coach Thriving Alps?

College football in the region more difficult in the United States as coach of the Giants of Graz Turek of the Football League of American Austria, regarded as one of the toughest football leagues in Europe, to become Austria, secondary school and Rick Rhoades national team coach journey as a football coach football training has been colorful and filled with a consistent pattern of success. And as it is the case with many coaches success, however, Rhoades is sincerely modest about his success.

His record in high school, University pro levels is sorprendente.Sin embargo, you any other good coach would have had the same success that in the circumstances.

Rhoades is entering his fourth season as coach of the Giants of Graz.Desde Austria arrival in 2007, he has taken his team to the Austrian Bowl Championship game) each year, winning it in 2008 and has been classified in the first three in Europe during the past two years. In 2008, the Giants won EFAF Cup.

"We could not have achieved this without launching by the club of the Giants, the building blocks", says coach Rhoades."Our President has launched youngest development programmes, and therefore Austrian soccer in our team players have learned the basics at an early age."

Played in Central Missouri Guard before discovering his passion for the game of entrenamiento.Ha continued since then coach that is over 40 years of experience. It was high school in Alabama football coach before becoming Troy State (NCAA II) in Alabama, where team won two national championships (1984 and 1987) and Rhoades was named coach of the year of the national head coach.

It was a very special team with a very special group of players who grew up close in the course of four years, said."We win 45 games and I think that somewhere between 25 and 30 players came to become trainers."

Then spent at Southern Illinois before becoming the offensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky for three years.D. was at Nicholls State (1993-94 coach) and Pelham H.S. (1996-2000 coach), as well as Stephen Austin University (1996 linebackers coach) and spent one season in the professional XFL with the Birmingham Bulls.

Then took as head coach in Chief of the Delta State University (2002-2006) before reaching Austria, where he spent five seasons highly successful to guide the team to number three General United States second division football coach.In fact, as a coach or its Rhoades Wizard has been part of a State Championship team coaching high school, six teams from four finals, a team of the SEC Championship and two teams championship nacional.Se is an amazing record.

Now also responsible for the Austrian national team Rick has turned his attention to win the European Championship Football American Alemania.Esto July 2010 means that going to work on one platform across the continent with the attention of pressure and a país.Y media however, attentive to the coach that has developed through his four decades apart from football philosophy will continue to bring you:

"Training is really about people that shares his experiences con.A regret that such relations do not always easy or soft, are what makes the trip worth alleged pena.Por Championships and great teams are always special, but the real payoff in training is to see players and teams reach their full potential".

These wise words sound certainly true for Rick Rhoades to Yes mismo.Y explains why players and coaches respond to it and manage to achieve the highest level of success.

My name is Roger Kelly and I have the largest of its kind in the world Web site to help football players and coaches are football teams in Europe - http://www.europlayers.com - and now we have teams of 750 throughout Europe to more than 15,000 members registered on the site.

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The religion of football

Here in Alabama, there are three kinds of people: fans of Alabama Crimson Tide fans Tiger Auburn and atheists. Two of the three will go to hell when they die. That two depend entirely on that ask.

Are called Alabamians who like football but do not have any special equipment, preference "agnostics." It is the faithful hope that one day these poor, pathetic souls will buy a jacket of Alabama or give a plug of Auburn and experience the joy of committing to a particular computer.Until then, are considered to be social outcasts and recreativos.A pray for them is that we can do.

Why all the religious references a column that is supposed to be about football? because religion and football are closely interlinked, my friend, far more in common can pensar.Tenga account this passage from the great guide of San Adanes, recently discovered in a dark basement on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.

The step reads: "And on the seventh day God created football and everything was right with the world... until Satan brought the referees..."

It is impossible to believe in college football without also believe in a higher power. Here in Alabama - and a lot of other places - football is a religion. For some, is the only religion.Blasphemy, you say?Creo.Oraciones more was said and answered during the match average college football in most churches during a month of the domingos.Esto explains why evangelists love to celebrate revivals in football stadiums. Mood has already been established. The Congregation has season tickets.

Consider this: Alabama has been a lot of national press lately due to two things:

(1) The quality (or lack thereof) of the University of Alabama football team and (2) morality is taking and battles legal libra by Alabamians on the separation of Church and State. Football and religion religion and football. And for us.

Playing God in Alabama offense are people as students of secondary school who walked out of class as a moment of prayer was not allowed by a test of matemáticas.Personalmente, I prefer to have my teens saying prayers in the classrooms of school who sing rap songs and riding around in heavy cars. I believe that these young people are limited, however. When I was in school we prayed before of each test, not only in mathematics.

Then is Judge Roy Moore, one of the captains team of God, if you want. Moore is the Alabama judge that has ten commandments plaque hung on the wall in her courtroom. The Supreme Court has ordered the Board to be decommissioned, but our beloved Governor FOB "I am the law in these elements" James, has said that we will send in the National Guard to ensure Board kept up. You can call this opting for the defence.

What opens another question: If Alabama secedes from the Union due to the oppression of the ACLU and NCAA, which makes FOB our King?If so, I think that it is more than enough reason to not be separated. King FOB. Sounds as a giant Gorilla with a voice, impediment is not the case.

Return to the present topic, I believe that football has become a religion reach more opinion is attested by the fact that still nobody tried to push a legal lever between organized religion and organized College football.Perhaps give account of how useless would be their efforts.Or perhaps only fears of divine retribution.I understand Bear Bryant and Shug Jordan were not men be crossed while here on Earth.God forbid some heretic, ACLU lawyer upset them now.

When the University of Alabama and Auburn play among themselves as did them the past weekend, the faithful drop everything you do and attend the game as sages chasing star distante.Todo State is todavía.Intente find a washing machine repairman or a medical emergency during a game of Alabama/Auburn.Son room be found by any parte.Usted may die in dirty clothes, but it is what you get for not attending the big game.

End of Iron Bowl this year was, as always, proportions apocalípticas.En final moments of the game, just before the famous Bell to indicate the end everyone's faith was put in prueba.Como marked clock down-... 5 6...4... 3... 2... 1...they were either devoutly to Alabama or completely gave his life to Auburn.

There was no "Atheist" section in these media.

Amen.

Tim Knox, entrepreneur, author, President, founder of host of radio club insider, Giving You The Power To start Your Business Today www.theinsidersclub.com more selling author of: "Everything know about Business learned from My Mama" www.timknox.com

History of stands - What have retired From The Game - Janssen learned Nebraska Football players

THE BALLAD OF AN ANONYMOUS HERO

If you are a fan of devout husker, exit the tape of the 1972 national championship game with Alabama.Fast foreword to the last play of the first quarter and you will find Johnny Rodgers to galloping down the field to a courtyard 77 Nebraska.Observe touchdown carefully as forms of wall and "put 'em in the corridors" husker three defensive linemen out seven players of Alabama and Johnny spring for another of his famous runs.

But today is day of Johnny.Belongs to one of these three linieros.Su numbers were 55 and his name is Bill Janssen. Bill fails to finish this game because sprained an ankle in the second quarter.

Janssen arrived in Nebraska in Red River High School in Grand Forks, North Dakota.His father was in the air force Unidos.Bill States was a 6'4 ", pound 215 giant and learned his skills soccer in Texas in other air force assignment."

"When I moved to North Dakota, was out of interest in sports," recalled Janssen.Hockey was great sport and I didn't know anything about.

No problem.

Nebraska took notice of a very talented soccer player in hockeyland.Una Husker Carl Selmer coaches visit and Monte Kiffin, apart from a small arm twisting of brother Bill, Carl, who played football for the Air Force Academy took the easy decision. Bill became a husker.

One of his first memories of Nebraska Football was in a rookie at the meeting with coach Bob Devaney.

"Coach Devaney walked in the dressing room of the House and began asking lots of questions," said Bill.

"How many of the guys played on computers where won more games lost?" Devaney requested.

"Perhaps one-third of boys erected their continuation armas.A, Devaney wanted to know how many guys played on computers where they lost more games that won."Once again, went up a third of the hands.Then asked what a coach of high school who told us how many of us had was too bad we lost because we play so well?"All hands went up."

"" Well this bullshit, "told Devaney."His coach does not tell the truth.Football is a game of errors. When you make fewer errors than the other guy, you win. Eliminate errors in Nebraska. That is why we won in Nebraska. "

"But there was a time or two when you didn't win Nebraska.""" You'll learn even more from those days ", said Janssen." I remember that very long, flat ride bus home from California when UCLA below of the arm of Mark Harmon, beat us 20-17 in 1972.Fullback, McAlestar, flew just above me in a work where needed some large yardage to stay at ella.Doug Dumler and I were captains when our streak game 31 came to an end. "This was not fun."

"Your best memory is the second national championship against Alabama game."My best performance was that first fourth comeback against Alabama punt. I am very proud of what we did on this play.Kiffin told us that it might be available to us and sure enough, when provisions we arrive to and enabled Johnny Juice, fue.Creo who broke the back of Alabama.We were 13-0 to another national championship.That was a fun ride home."

Janssen was drafted in the eighth round of the by Pittsburgh but pro football was simply not as fun as a schoolboy he.

"Football takes a toll on you and was taking a toll on me," said Bill."Is time for me to proceed."

Its harder assignment came almost at the same time.He and his wife were expecting twins.Twin daughters, Monica and Heather were born three months premature.Heather only survived during a day.

"Had only 24 and treated," said as a softness has over their eyes."Clear is that his daughter Heather took much of his father's heart special elsewhere."I committed to be the best father I could be

"If they meet Bill Street, probably wouldn't know about his football days.""" Not driving with that"said.""I even thought long and hard envelope if I do this," he said as he makes note of the large ring of gold in his right-hand with large red stone and a diamond in the centro.Es 1971 national championship ring.

"Is large, and some would say, a little sad, but taking into account the bruises and broken bones, I guess I've earned the right to usar.Me imagine that I will always be proud that I was anonymous heroes one Nebraska."

In fact, you are a hero, Mr. Janssen.De done you are.

Kenny Miller has been in the creative business for over 30. He has created two advertising agencies and is the author of two books: the last flight of Kilo Mike; and a visit to Hartington.Kenny is also a highly experienced professional pilot; published; photographer and a big storm chaser.Kenny also writes a column of sports, A history of booths, which tells the stories of former players from Nebraska and learned playing football. your site is [http://www.nebraskawriter.com]

Best Alabama Crimson Tide Football tickets

Get the best tickets Crimson Tide football? If you follow Alabama and seek Alabama entries so that you can animate your team to victory, the best place to get them is to go online. When you order to your University of Alabama tickets online, you can take your selection of the best seats available for the best games.

You may think that you have to pay big bucks to get tickets Alabama. Alabama Crimson Tide is one of the main teams in the Western Division of the SEC. Playing games each year against Auburn, Arkansas, LSU, Ole Miss and Mississippi State.Also play three teams that rotate each year from the Eastern Division of the SEC.Hay plenty of games to choose from when you are looking for tickets for matches of Crimson Tide.

When accessing the Internet to purchase tickets from Alabama, you can take your selection of games that are available, as well as the best asientos.Se can expect to pay much less for tickets by buying online as you would if you bought someone standing outside of the stadium. And you can make your football tickets delivered to your door.

Today most people are learning that the internet is the way forward when it comes to buying tickets for any type of event, especially for events deportivos.Esto applies in get tickets for the games of the SEC and Crimson Tide inputs.If you're a big fan of this computer and think that obtain tickets are too expensive or too difficult, I think that once again.If you take a few minutes and buy tickets right Alabama online, you can get a good price and decent seats.

Don't miss another game - go out and support your favorite college football team! the Center tickets are hot, but not so hot that cannot get their hands on ellos.Inicie log on to the computer and leave the mouse to do all the work by usted.eche a glimpse of games you want to see and choose the best tickets for Alabama Crimson Tide usted.Y if you know these entries Alabama Crimson Tide fan to make the perfect gift!

If you follow the Crimson tide of Alabama for yourself, or if you simply want to be a fan of this happy high school football team, you can purchase Crimson Tide tickets online at the best possible price going to Alabama Crimson Tide football tickets or all-time best sports tickets.

The five select higher project ever made from the University of Alabama Crimson Tide

The University of Alabama has a tradition of football rich goes back to the first part of the early 1900s. The Crimson Tide have participated in some of the best games in the history of college football. They have also sent some truly great players playing in the NFL. However who were five players drafted more height in the history of the NFL outside of Alabama?

Harry Gilmer - QB/HB
Harry Gilmer played quarterback and halfback for eight years in the NFL. It was drafted with the first pick in the NBA draft by the Washington Redskins in 1948 after Alabama quarterbacking.Played six seasons in Washington before playing their last two years for the Detroit Lions, and then withdrew after the 1956 season.Nine years later he returned to prominence as became the head coach of the leones.sería only two seasons but after you make a record of 10-16-2.Gilmer was elected in 1993 College Football Hall of Fame.

Joe Namath - QB
Possibly the most famous player in the history of Alabama Crimson Tide, Joe Namath acted not only in Alabama, but also with the New York Jets to him with the first position overall in the 1965 chose NFL.Namath Draft played 13 seasons in the NFL, but none more important that when he led the jets to an upset victory in Super Bowl on the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl of 1968, putting the American Football League in the map. 12 Years in New York, Namath would last season with the Los Angeles Rams NFL from hang it. In football, Namath dabbled in broadcasting and acting.

Riley Smith - QB HB/LB K
Riley Smith starred for the University of Alabama in the 1930s and was then prepared with the second position in the NFL Draft in 1936.This was the first ever pick NFL history and Smith was the first player from drafting to sign a contract.Played three seasons in the NFL, first Boston, and then two seasons before the team moved to the capital of the country and became the Washington Redskins, before the injury ended his carrera.Más late afternoon would enter training and serving in World War II.

Cornelius Bennett - LB
Cornelius Bennett appeared to Alabama in the middle of 1980, prior to being drafted in the first round with the third overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 1987.Él never there was adequate for the Colts though that season as before that began the year was involved in a three-way trade before Eric Dickerson Indianapolis and envoys from Bennett to Buffalo, where he worked for the Bills to a number of years, including those contained in four straight Super Bowls.While in Alabama, Bennett was named all-American three times, won the Lombardi Award in 1986 and was the player of the year 1986 sec.In 2005, Cornelius Bennett was voted the College Football Hall of Fame.

Chris Samuels
In 2000, the Washington Redskins had drafted offensive tackle Chris Samuels outside of the University of Alabama with third place overall in the first ronda.Samuels was born and raised in Alabama, and then went on to become one of the best blockers in the history of Crimson Tide. Comenzó each game early during his rookie season until his final game as a senior and never renounced a sack of quarterback.Samuels became a very successful career in the NFL with the Redskins, making six Pro Bowls in only its first ten years in the League.

More great football facts can be found at IQFB.com! could even as this little more in detail in the history of school project and other Alabama Crimson Tide trivia.Utilizar knowledge found there to impress your friends, win bets, or even only for general information.Football Trivia is very popular with a lot of people that are fans of the NFL, League, football arena, Canadian Football, College Football or any other level of the juego.IQFB... did football Get Smart.

Mark Ingram is the Crimson Tide only Heisman Trophy winner for the University of Alabama (Center)

Mark Ingram is the only Heisman Trophy winner to quit football team of the University of Alabama (Center) in spite of the storied football history school based Tuscaloosa, Alabama Crimson Tide. Mark Ingram won the first Heisman Trophy of the University of Alabama on December 12, 2009. Curiously then not students won the award for the early years of 72 aired Ingram became the third second consecutive win award after Tim Tebow from the University of Florida in 2007 and Sam Bradford from the University of Oklahoma in 2008.

The University of Alabama started playing college football in 1892 and in more than a century of game football program has accumulated an impressive résumé achievements.The most prominent achievements is 13 national championships with the latest from one on January 7, 2010 in a victory for 37-21 on the University of Texas at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.La production of 44 players all-American consensus, winning 26 Conference titles and occurs in 31 postseason Bowl victories all speak volumes of the calibre of play at the University of Alabama.

The consistent track record of success team exhibited by the Crimson Tide makes more peculiar to that school has never had a winner of the Heisman trophy by December 2009.The Heisman is commonly accepted to be the most precious individual award all the Universidad.Durante football 75 years the Heisman Trophy has been awarded annually to the nation's top college football player.
For a football program as Alabama to just one recipient of the prize, while other institutions hallowed as the University of Notre Dame, Ohio State University and the University of California southern all have seven each is rather surprising to most sports fans.

Earlier Mark Ingram ensure Award for the Crimson Tide eight players school in nine occasions had finished runner-up in the top five vote.
Nine players are:

Joe Kilgrow (1937) finished 5th at running backHarry Gilmer (1945) finished 5th as running back Harry Gilmer (1947) finished fifth at running backPat Trammell (1961) finished 5th quarterbackLee Roy Jordan (1962) finished fourth as a linebackerJohnny Musso (1971) finished 5th as running backTerry Davis (1972) finished 5th as quarterback David Palmer (1993) he finished 3rd as a wide receiver Jay Parker (1994) finished 5th quarterback

While the University of Alabama football fans involved mainly win championships if they all support or not people that joy in Crimson and grey are grateful that the Heisman Trophy drought was finally brought to an end thanks to Mark Ingram.

Kim, the author of this article, it is expected that when Mark Ingram signed its first NFL one of their first purchases could be the University of Alabama golf bag .Antes being selected as the number one overall 2010 NFL Draft Sam Bradford, the second winner of the Heisman Trophy which immediately preceded Ingram, saying the University of Oklahoma golf bag was something that looked forward to buy one of their first purchases to be paid by his new contract for the NFL.Los fan whereas the possibility of purchasing a golf school-themed bag are encouraged to remove links in the previous two sentences.

2007 - College football There Are Poll Pretenders, 9 25 main teams get a reality check

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(Editor's Note: All rankings used in this article are from the AP Top 25 Poll and all team ratings used are from Sagarin, the gold standard among rating services.)

In the world of college football there are pretenders and contenders. Nine of AP's Top 25 teams and 3 of the top 5 were given a reality check over the weekend.

Was I surprised at this annual occurrence? Hardly. When you start analyzing how some of the teams started the week at 4-0 and ended it at 4-1, it is as easy to see as your face in a mirror. Reality has a way of revealing all of the wrinkles and weaknesses.

For openers, there are the No.3 Oklahoma Sooners who lost a Big 12 Conference game 27-24 by a last second field goal in Colorado to the Buffalos. Oklahoma dropped to No. 10 in the Top 25.

The Sooners got to their lofty No. 3 ranking by beating No. 170th rated North Texas, No. 145th rated Utah State, No. 58th rated Tulsa and No. 44th rated Miami (FL). Their offense ran up big scores on everybody, but their strength of schedule was only the 100th best in the country.

Urban Meyer and his defending national champion Florida Gators fared no better. They lost 20-17 by a field goal at home to Auburn in a SEC Conference game. Florida was behind 17-3 going into the 4th quarter.

The loss snapped an 11-game winning streak for the Gators who suffered their first home loss under Urban Meyer. Meyer's team had won 18 in-a-row at home, 17 since Meyer took over in 2005.

The Gators got to their No. 4 ranking by getting the best of No. 110 Western Kentucky, No. 85 Mississippi, No. 77 Troy and No. 32 Tennessee, an SEC opponent. Beating Tennessee is what vaulted Florida up in the rankings. Florida dropped to No. 9 in the rankings.

No. 5 West Virginia ran smack into No. 18 South Florida in a Big East face-off in South Florida and lost 21-13. Coach Jim Leavitt and his South Florida Bulls are quickly becoming the team no one wants to face, and THE story of the college football season.

West Virginia dropped from No. 5 to No. 13 in the rankings while South Florida moved up from No. 18 to No. 6.

West Virginia got to its No. 5 ranking by taking down No. 129 Marshall, No. 94 Western Michigan, No. 74 East Carolina and No. 51 Maryland. Mountaineer fans who expected West Virginia to go undefeated this year and win the national title need to regroup.

No. 7 Texas got really found out and embarrassed at home against Kansas State in another Big 12 game as the Wildcats dumped on the Longhorns, 41-21. I have been questioning Texas' stature since the beginning of the year, and now my suspicions have been validated.

Texas got to 4-0 by defeating No. 162 Rice, No. 100 Arkansas State, No. 73 Central Florida and No. 54 TCU. Particularly telling was Central Florida, which Texas beat by a field goal while giving up 32 points. Texas, who is rated No. 25 by Sagarin, dropped to No. 19, a much more realistic place for the Longhorns to lounge.

No. 10 Rutgers, the darlings of the Big East, were upset at home by Maryland 34-24, and dropped to No. 21. I believe Rutgers will soon drop out of the Top 25 as two 5-0 teams in the Big East-No. 20 Cincinnati and unranked Connecticut--are being overlooked.

Rutgers rose to No. 10 by whipping up on No. 208 AA Norfolk State, No. 142 Buffalo and No. 68 Navy. Good grief, talk about a lame schedule. They deserve what they get.

Sagarin rates Rutgers at No. 38; even that seems high to me at the moment.

No. 11 Oregon played host to No. 6 California in a Pac 10 matchup and led 14-10 going into the 4th quarter but the Bears scored three touchdowns in the last 15 minutes to put them away, 31-24.

Worse yet, the Ducks' Cameron Colvin scored what appeared to be the tying touchdown in the final seconds but he fumbled and the ball went out of the end zone, giving California a touchback and a victory when the play was reviewed. Duck fans in Autzen Stadium realized the errant play may have cost them a national championship down the road.

Oregon dropped to No. 14 in the Top 25 and California rose from No. 6 to No. 3.

No. 13 Clemson traveled to Georgia Tech and saw its dream season begin to unravel as the Yellow Jacket defense held the Tigers to a field goal in winning, 13-3. Clemson dropped to No. 22.

The Tigers got into the Top 25 by handling No. 154 AA Furman, No. 133 Louisiana-Monroe, No. 87 North Carolina State and No. 21 Florida State. Clemson rose in the standings by beating No. 21-rated Florida State 24-18 in its opener.

Sagarin rates Clemson No. 34, no where near the Top 25. Clemson could drop out of the Top 25 in a heartbeat.

Joe Paterno's No. 21 Penn State Nittany Lions started the season at 3-0 before losing to a rejuvenated Michigan in the Big House, 14-9, and now loses his second Big 10 game to Illinois 27-20 at Illinois.

Going on the road in Big 10 Conference games has suddenly become hard for Penn State as it dropped right out of the Top 25.

Again, Penn State started its season by running up scores on the worst Division 1-A school in college football, No. 171 Florida International, the 7th worst team in Division 1-A, No. 142 Buffalo, and the apparently hapless No. 95 and winless Notre Dame. What were those fans in Happy Valley thinking? A national championship? Think again.

No. 22 Alabama was the 9th of the Top 25 teams to lose when first year Coach Nick Saban and his Crimson Tide paid a visit to Florida State and lost 21-14. Alabama dropped right out of the Top 25 after arriving just a week earlier. Sagarin now rates Alabama at No. 39.

I thought Saban might have kept Alabama rising; I now have to readjust my expectations for the Crimson Tide.

And so the nasty 9-Oklahoma, Florida, West Virginia, Texas, Rutgers, Oregon, Clemson, Penn State and Alabama-all fell but the No. 1 USC Trojans managed to escape by barely defeating Washington at Husky Stadium by a field goal 27-24.

USC committed 16 penalties, threw 2 interceptions, lost a fumble and suffered a blocked punt and yet prevailed to retain its perfect 5-0 record. The 2-3 Washington Huskies are not exactly a powerhouse yet are rated No. 27 by Sagarin, not too shabby.

By being so unimpressive, USC slipped to No. 2 as the LSU Tigers took over the top spot.

LSU blew past No. 144-rated, in-state rival Tulane, 34-9, after ripping apart No. 57 Mississippi State 45-0, No. 28 Virginia Tech 48-7 and No. 125 Middle Tennessee 44-0. LSU's best win came at home against No. 17 South Carolina 28-16. Sagarin rates LSU No. 1 in the country.

Only one other game really caught my attention and that was No. 9 Wisconsin spotting Michigan State 34 points and then winning by a field goal at home. The Badgers rose to No. 5 among the Top 25.

I still think Wisconsin is not that good. Sagarin rates Wisconsin at No. 24. The Badgers still have away games at Illinois, Penn State and Ohio State, then host Michigan. After those 4 games I doubt Wisconsin will be 11-0 going into their last game at Minnesota.

Teams in the Top 25 start losing at this point in the season because they purposefully schedule weak teams early on to give their players confidence, rise in the Top 25 rankings, give their boosters hope, and bring attention to their programs.

Once conference play starts, the messing around is over, as the nasty 9 found out over the weekend.

Copyright © 2007 Ed Bagley

Ed Bagley's Blog Publishes Original Articles with Analysis and Commentary on 5 Subjects: Sports, Movie Reviews, Lessons in Life, Jobs and Careers, and Internet Marketing. My intention is to inform, educate, delight and motivate you the reader.

Read my articles on "How to Predict When Teams Are Overrated and Due for an Unexpected Loss", "The Sagarin Ratings: What They Are, How to Read Them and What to Do With Them" and my 14 consecutive weekly wrap-up articles on the 2007 College Football Season.

Find my Blog at:
http://www.edbagleyblog.com
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/Sports.html

College - football Look Out SEC - Alabama recruitment rates 1 as Saban prepares to go to war

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If you think football in the Southeastern Conference is just a game that generates a ton of money for the schools and the NCAA that regulates it in a highly publicized environment, you do not understand what success is about in the SEC.

SEC games are not battles between teams, they are outright warfare with a fight to the last man standing won by heavy artillery (talent). That is why Wednesday's (2-6-08) first day of signing letters of intent by high school seniors was so significant. According to several analysts, Nick Saban and Alabama ranked No. 1 with the nation's best class of talent.

Among Rivals.com Top 50 prospects, Alabama picked up No. 4 Julio Jones, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound wide receiver from Foley (AL); No. 28 B. J. Scott, a 6-foot, 195-pound wide receiver-super athlete from Vigor (AL); No. 30 Tyler Love, a 6-foot-7, 290-pound offensive lineman from Mountain Brook (AL); No. 34 Jerrell Harris, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound linebacker from Gadsden (AL); and No. 35 Alonzo Lawrence, a 6-foot-1, 190 pound defensive back from George County (MS).

Add to that distinguished list No. 55 Mark Barron, a 6-foot-2, 202-pound athlete from Mobile (AL) and No. 60 Barrett Jones, a 6-foot-5, 271-pound offensive lineman from Memphis (TN), and no school in America had 7 of the Top 60 Rival.com prospects except Alabama.

Southern Cal had 6 in the Top 60, Ohio State had 5 and Notre Dame had 5. Notre Dame's recuiting class was rated No. 2 by Rivals.com, Ohio State's No. 8 and Southern California's No. 10.

Nick Saban, the highest paid college coach at about $4 million a year, earned his pay. Saban was able to sign 7 of the top 11 prospects in Alabama. Auburn did not have a single recruit among Rivals.com Top 100 prospects; the Tigers came up sucking pond water.

Look for Saban and the Crimson Tide to start a concerted march to a higher place as a current Division 1A powerhouse and national title contender. Should the Top 60 picks stay injury free and reach their potential on the college turf, they will most certainly be playing in the NFL on Sundays.

If you are not stoked about Alabama football you need to live in another state.

Three other schools catch my personal attention because I have ties to Washington, Arizona State and Michigan State.

Ty Willingham's Washington Huskies had the highest Rivals.com pick among these 3 teams with No. 57 Kavario Middleton, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound tight end from Lakewood (WA). Middleton was joined by his teammate, Jermaine Kearse, a 6-foot-2, 175 pound wide receiver.

Washington also signed Everrette Thompson, a 6-foot-6, 255-pound defensive end from Burien (WA); Alameda Ta'amu, a 6-foot-4, 330-pound (yes, 330 pounds!) offensive guard from Seattle; Allen Carroll, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound offensive guard from Oakland (CA); Chris Polk, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound running back with 4.5 speed from Redlands (CA); and Jordan Polk, 5-foot-10, 170-pound wide receiver with 4.46 speed from Portland (OR).

Washington's catch is being called the best recruiting class since Reggie Williams and Charles Frederick in 2001.

The Huskies also picked up some speed with linebacker Kurt Mangum (4.59), cornerbacks Adam Long (4.45), Anthony Gobern (4.4) and Justin Glenn (4.5), safety Johri Fogerson (4.55), and running backs Demitrius Bronson (4.5) and David Freeman (4.4). Let me be the first to dub Kurt Magnum as Magnum P.I. (Personal Intimidator) and Demitrius Bronson as Death Wish Bronson.

All of this comes as a surprise as Ty Willingham, unlike Nick Saban, does not have a rep as a recruiter. The fact that redstart freshman quarterback Jake Locker started last year and impressed almost everyone with his agility, speed and savvy probably did not hurt a lick.

Scout.com rated Washington's recruiting class as the 14th best among the NCAA's 119 Division 1A schools. Look for the Huskies to finally win more games than they lose next year. If they do not, Willingham may be looking for another job.

Scout.com rated Dennis Erickson and his Arizona State Sun Devils class as the 17th best nationally. Among Erickson's top prospects was Jack Elway, none other than the son of NFL Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway.

Jack Elway has his father's arm but apparently not his speed. Nonetheless, he comes from an excellent gene pool. In addition to his dad, his mother Janet was an outstanding college athlete as a swimmer for Stanford University.

Here are two facts you may not know about John Elway. 1) He may have played football at Stanford University but he was born and raised in Port Angeles (WA). 2) He had 47 career game-winning or game-tying drives in the 4th quarter, an NFL record.

Mark Dantonio and his Michigan State Spartans (my alma mater, Class of 1966) did not fare as well as Washington or Arizona State. Other than any local coverage in Michigan and a little among Big Ten teams, the Spartans received zero national attention.

That tells me they ended up with the short end of stick, and that is indeed bad news.

Dantonio knows that Jim Tressel and his Ohio State Buckeyes are only going to get better; Dantonio was the defensive coordinator for Ohio State's undefeated (14-0) national championship team in 2002. Tressel also won 4 Division 1AA national championships at Youngstown State, and his won-loss record as head coach at Ohio State is a stunning 83% (73-15).

If Ohio State is not enough competition for Michigan State, Michigan will cause the Spartans headaches as well since Rich Rodriguez left West Virginia to coach the Wolverines next year.

Michigan has won more games than any other team in college football history, and now along comes Rodriguez, who spent 7 seasons at West Virginia compiling a 60-26 record (69%) with 4 Big East titles.

Rodriguez, 1 of only 2 Hispanic head coaches in Division IA football, went 32-5 (86%) his last 3 years at West Virginia. Rodriguez is great for Michigan; for Michigan State he is two legs and bad news. The Spartans may get the snot kicked out of them by Michigan for the next 5 years.

I am praying that Dantonio can find a couple of nuggets among the scrap heap of players that are left over after all of the good programs have used up their scholarship allotments. The Spartans need talent and speed immediately, they do not have nearly enough at the moment.

The justified enthusiasm among Crimson Tide fans at Alabama does need to be tempered by the knowledge that recruiting is not an exact science. While we know that the sun will come up tomorrow, we do not know how these recruits will play out.

What we do know is that coaching can make average players better; Rich Rodriguez is an example. His recent West Virginia recruiting classes were rated mid-30s to mid-50s yet he led the Mountaineers to 2 BCS bowl wins in the last 3 seasons, and he came within 1 win of playing for last year's national title.

We also know that a position player like a quarterback, who touches the ball on every play, can make a team much better. An example this year was Todd Reesing of Kansas who led the Jayhawks to a 12-1 record and an Orange Bowl victory. Reesing was rated a 2-star to 3-star player by the rating services (5 stars is best) yet he became a 5-star player when given the opportunity to do so.

Since many of these kids will become redshirts (meaning they will not play their freshman year) and become redshirt freshman (like Jake Locker of Washington) when they start playing their sophomore year. It may take all of 5 years to determine who among the many players just signed will become tomorrow's stars and NFL draftees.

In the meantime, I will be praying for Mark Dantonio and my Michigan State Spartans. I view myself as an important intercessor as the Spartans have continued to disappoint in recent years. Wherever they have been I do not want to go.

Copyright © 2008 Ed Bagley

Ed Bagley's Blog Publishes Original Articles with Analysis and Commentary on 5 Subjects: Sports, Movie Reviews, Lessons in Life, Jobs and Careers, and Internet Marketing. My intention is to inform, educate, delight and motivate you the reader.

Read my other articles on football, including "Famous Quotes by Vince Lombardi, Knute Rockne and Lou Holtz During Football's Annual Bowl Season", "How to Predict When Teams Are Overrated and Due for an Unexpected Loss", "The Sagarin Ratings: What They Are, How to Read Them and What to Do With Them" and my 14 consecutive weekly wrap-up articles on the 2007 College Football Season as well as wrap-up articles on all 32 College Bowl Games.

Find my Blog at:
http://www.edbagleyblog.com
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/Sports.html