Who got it right?
COACHES SCOTT CK
1.LSU 1.Alabama 1.USC
2.Alabama 2.Oklahoma State 2.Alabama*
3.USC 3.LSU 3.LSU
4.Oklahoma 4.Oregon 4.Arkansas
5.Oregon 5.Arkansas 5.Michigan
6.Georgia 6.Michigan 6.Oklahoma
7.Florida State 7.USC 7.South Carolina
8.Michigan 8.Boise State 8.Oregon
9.South Carolina 9.Stanford 9.Michigan State
10.Arkansas 10.South Carolina 10.Georgia
11.West Virginia 11.Michigan State 11.West Virginia*
12.Wisconsin 12.Baylor 12.Wisconsin*
13.Michigan State 13.Georgia 13.Nebraska
14.Clemson 14.Wisconsin 14.Texas
15.Texas 15.Virginia Tech 15.Florida State
16.Nebraska 16.Houston 16.Ohio State
17.TCU 17.Kansas State 17.Kansas State
18.Stanford 18.Oklahoma 18.Clemson
19.Oklahoma State 19.West Virginia 19.Baylor
20.Virginia Tech 20.Clemson 20.TCU
21.Kansas State 21.Southern Miss 21.Oklahoma State
22.Boise State 22.Florida State 22.Virginia Tech
23.Florida 23.Nebraska 23.Notre Dame
24.Notre Dame 24.Northern Illinois 24.North Carolina State
25.Auburn 25.Texas 25.Louisville
*Indicates pick was same as Coaches Poll
With this in front of you, who do you feel did the best job? The coaches obviously, because that's the one that counts right? Well I disagree. Texas #15? Yeah right. Florida State #7? Get real. Florida is on this list but Baylor isn't? Give me a break. We all know that this doesn't amount to anything the first few weeks, but it sure is nice coming out with the confidence it gives your team outside of the top 5. Inside the top 5, nothing but pressure, especially for the guys starting off with highly ranked opponents.
More posts coming soon!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
2012 Rules Change on Kickoffs
In case some of you are unaware, the NCAA has announced some new rules for the upcoming season. Most notably, the rules pertaining to special teams. What will happen is kickoffs will now be at the 35 yard line instead of the 30. Touchbacks will be placed at the 25 yard line instead of the 20. Touchbacks on punts rolling into the end zone or fumbles into the end zone will remain at the 20 yard line. Any player who loses his helmet must sit out the next play also. There is also a new rule that will prohibit players from leaping over blockers when attempting to block punts. I believe these are great rule changes concerning the safety of players on special teams, which is where several injuries often occur.
Other changes are dealing with blocks below the waist. Specifically the wording. It will now state that offensive players in the tackle box at the snap who are not in motion may block below the waist without restriction. All other players are restricted from blocking below the waist with exceptions, such as straight ahead blocks.
Other than the placement of the ball on kickoffs and touchbacks, these other changes will probably not even be noticed by most spectators but will ensure a safer field of play for our team members.
6 more months folks.. WAR EAGLE!
-Scott
Other changes are dealing with blocks below the waist. Specifically the wording. It will now state that offensive players in the tackle box at the snap who are not in motion may block below the waist without restriction. All other players are restricted from blocking below the waist with exceptions, such as straight ahead blocks.
Other than the placement of the ball on kickoffs and touchbacks, these other changes will probably not even be noticed by most spectators but will ensure a safer field of play for our team members.
6 more months folks.. WAR EAGLE!
-Scott
Thursday, February 2, 2012
The wows and woes of signing day 2012..
Hello football fans. Scott here, and man it's been awhile. I was able to duck away from my very demanding schedule for a moment to discuss a little football. What better day to make time than the end of National Signing Day?
The SEC is stacked again with 10 schools falling into the top 25.
25.Vanderbilt
24.TCU
23.Tennessee
22.Texas Tech
21.Missouri
20.UCLA
19.Oregon
18.Auburn
17.California
16.LSU
15.South Carolina
14.USC
13.Texas A&M
12.Oklahoma
11.Miami
10.Stanford
9.Notre Dame
8.Clemson
7.Ohio State
6.Michigan
5.Georgia
4.Florida
3.Texas
2.Florida State
1.Alabama
Now a little detail:
Bama stole the spotlight once again, pulling the number 1 spot out in recruiting. Saban and company pulled in a hefty class of 28 with 13 in the ESPNU 150. This includes RB T.J. Yeldon, DB Landon Collins, and LB Reggie Ragland to name a few. What a haul.
WOE: Kwon Alexander snagged by LSU when Bama is losing so much on defense.
Auburn finished 18th, but more importantly, recruited in the right positions to fill some holes in the weak areas. With a class of 17 headlined by OT Avery Young, things are looking up for the tigers. Picking up QB Zeke Pike, WR Ricardo Louis, and CB Josh Holsey certainly can't hurt this young team in need of big time play makers.
WOE: T.J. Yeldon picked up by Alabama after Michael Dyer's departure.
Honorable mentions:
Missouri- Snagged top prospect WR Dorial Green-Beckham.
Tennessee- S LaDarrell McNeil tops a class containing 3 in the ESPNU 150.
LSU- OLB Kwon Alexander leads a hefty class of 22.
South Carolina- WR Shaq Roland comes in with a class of 24.
Texas A&M- WR Thomas Johnson and QB Matt Davis should give Kevin Sumlin's offense some firepower.
Georgia- Got a top 5 class. Georgia.... Got a top 5 class? 21 commits led by RB Keith Marshall. Look out East.
Florida- Landing the #4 class might lengthen Muschamp's stay in the swamp. DE Dante Fowler and DE Jonathon Bullard should bring Florida's D closer to SEC quality.
Vanderbilt- Congrats Coach James Franklin for pulling in what is possibly the best class in Vandy history. Look out for RB Brian Kimbrow.
Now, is it September yet???
The SEC is stacked again with 10 schools falling into the top 25.
25.Vanderbilt
24.TCU
23.Tennessee
22.Texas Tech
21.Missouri
20.UCLA
19.Oregon
18.Auburn
17.California
16.LSU
15.South Carolina
14.USC
13.Texas A&M
12.Oklahoma
11.Miami
10.Stanford
9.Notre Dame
8.Clemson
7.Ohio State
6.Michigan
5.Georgia
4.Florida
3.Texas
2.Florida State
1.Alabama
Now a little detail:
Bama stole the spotlight once again, pulling the number 1 spot out in recruiting. Saban and company pulled in a hefty class of 28 with 13 in the ESPNU 150. This includes RB T.J. Yeldon, DB Landon Collins, and LB Reggie Ragland to name a few. What a haul.
WOE: Kwon Alexander snagged by LSU when Bama is losing so much on defense.
Auburn finished 18th, but more importantly, recruited in the right positions to fill some holes in the weak areas. With a class of 17 headlined by OT Avery Young, things are looking up for the tigers. Picking up QB Zeke Pike, WR Ricardo Louis, and CB Josh Holsey certainly can't hurt this young team in need of big time play makers.
WOE: T.J. Yeldon picked up by Alabama after Michael Dyer's departure.
Honorable mentions:
Missouri- Snagged top prospect WR Dorial Green-Beckham.
Tennessee- S LaDarrell McNeil tops a class containing 3 in the ESPNU 150.
LSU- OLB Kwon Alexander leads a hefty class of 22.
South Carolina- WR Shaq Roland comes in with a class of 24.
Texas A&M- WR Thomas Johnson and QB Matt Davis should give Kevin Sumlin's offense some firepower.
Georgia- Got a top 5 class. Georgia.... Got a top 5 class? 21 commits led by RB Keith Marshall. Look out East.
Florida- Landing the #4 class might lengthen Muschamp's stay in the swamp. DE Dante Fowler and DE Jonathon Bullard should bring Florida's D closer to SEC quality.
Vanderbilt- Congrats Coach James Franklin for pulling in what is possibly the best class in Vandy history. Look out for RB Brian Kimbrow.
Now, is it September yet???
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Signing Day Spectacular
There are a few days out of the year that set nerves on edge while firing up the college football world, signing day is one of those. We wait and speculate for weeks, sometimes months prior to signing day, trying to gauge just where our team will end up in the pecking order. When it is all said and done, where will your team be on the top 25 for recruiting?
It's time to get those hats ready, set those team text message alerts to 'on' and cross your fingers...
Welcome To College Football National Signing Day!
Don't know all the ins & outs of college signing day? That's okay...
We got you covered. Grab a hat and enjoy the show!!
Watch It LIVE at The University of Alabama
Watch It LIVE at Auburn University
Monday, January 23, 2012
Joe Paterno: Farewell to a Champion
Sunday morning was a sobering one for most of us who hold college football dear in their hearts. As the fog was slowly lifting from the night before, the sad news was delivered that the world had lost Joe Paterno. For people like me who grew up watching this amazing man on and off the field, it was a devastating blow.
Joe Paterno was a part of everything that drew me into the world of college football as a child, and for a lifetime, I was in awe of him. As the news poured in from media sites and statements were made by family, friends and former players, I could not help but feel that even I had lost a dear family friend.
For the past twenty-four hours I have received a ton of messages and e-mails from friends and readers asking how I can mourn the loss of a man like Joe Paterno who, in his final weeks, was brought under fire for something so heinous? To this I simply say... 'How can I not?'
I spent a lifetime looking up to Bear Bryant and Joe Paterno. I waited each year with baited breath for the college football season and when it finally arrived, it was like coming home. I watched as those coaches paced the sidelines and I felt their joys, their frustrations, their excitement and their love for the game and for the players. In so many ways, they touched my life from miles away and they were always 'my heroes'. How could those feelings ever go away or be swayed?
It saddens me to see the way things ended for Joe Paterno. My heart hurts for a man who was revered on Saturday and then fired on Wednesday and treated as a blemish on Penn State by the following week. I watched as people's view of Joe Pa shifted from respect and love to disdain and hatred within minutes and it changed me a little as well. It didn't change how I felt about Joe Paterno or the incredible things he had done in the lives of so many young men, but it did change the way I looked at people. I felt sad for Joe, I felt sad for college football, but mostly I felt sad for those wavering souls who chose to give away their right to think for themselves. In an instant these people managed to know more about the Sandusky case than even the victims and they knew that Joe Paterno was guilty. They knew this because they saw it on the news or Twitter or Facebook and that made it real for them. They chose to believe the very thing they wanted to believe, not because they knew one way or the other, but perhaps because they always felt deep down that Joe Paterno was just too good to be true.
What do you think it says about a person whose loyalty shifts in a millisecond? Should we praise them, slander them, pity them? For me it was a simple thing, If I respected and loved Joe yesterday, then today I respect him and love him the same. Before the hate mail starts to fly, let's get a few things clear... I was a victim of multiple molestations as a child, so please don't say I am forgetting the victims. I could never forget the victims, I was one. I make a decision everyday to no longer be a victim and I pray for that kind of peace and understanding for Jerry Sandusky's alleged victims as well.
Now ask me again how I can be a supporter of Joe Paterno or how I can be so saddened by his death and I will tell you...
I am sad at the loss of an incredible man who did amazing things with the time God gave him on Earth. I am saddened that the wonderful things Joe Paterno accomplished in his life are cheapened and lessened by the naysayers, band wagoners and pitiful sheep who have no mind to lead, but instead only follow.
I am deeply saddened when I try to wrap my mind around what it must have felt like to be in Joe Paterno's shoes toward the end... to give everything; your whole life to a place and its people only to have them turn on you and throw you to the wolves. What must that kind of heartache feel like to a man that loved and gave all that he was and ever had to the University of Penn State?
There are questions that we will never have answers to and his story will never be told, but I know the things that he accomplished in the years leading up to his death. I know that he gave his money, time and heart to that campus. I know that he was instrumental in establishing college funds and that he took the time to see his kids get an education. I know that he was active in his community and that he and his wife were revered and highly thought of by everyone for over forty-five years. I know that the list of awards and acknowledgements he has received is so extensive, you need to download a whole file in PDF just to grasp the magnitude. I know that Penn State has one of the highest percentages of graduates of any FBS school in the nation and Joe Paterno is credited with so much of this. I know that his life's body of work is something the rest of us should strive to do in our own lives. If we can do a small percentage of what he did in his life, imagine the possibilities!
My questions for those of you reading this post are pretty straight forward... Did you look at Joe Paterno as an inspiration, as a leader and as a class act? Was he always at the top of the list when someone said 'college football' or 'all-time best caoches'? If your answer was 'yes' then what changed? Were you given some inside information that the rest of us were not privy to? Do you know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Joe Paterno was anything less than what you always believed him to be?
I can answer those questions for you... No! You know nothing any different than the rest of us and what you learned, you got from CNN or NBC or CBS. Don't be a follower. Be a leader. Ask the tough questions and use that brain for its intended purpose... to make your own decisions. No one can tell you how to feel or what to believe and at the end of the day, you will remember Joe Paterno the way YOU want to remember him.
If there are any lessons to be taken away from this terrible situation it is...
The things you do in life matter...
Sometimes, the things you don't do in life matter...
and the most important one that I hope you will all take away from this is...
A lifetime of good can be erased in an instant. Every choice we make is somehow important and it impacts, not only us, but those around us. How do I want to be remembered when I die? Before every decision I make I should consider that it could be my last, I will do my best to make the right choice. I only hope my timing is good, if it's not, then I could be remembered for a bad decision in spite of all the good ones I have made.
Joe Paterno was a part of the life that I chose for myself and he made me want to be a better person. Will people say the same about you once you are gone? To those who have called him a child molester and slandered his name and memory, I ask you... What did you do today to speak out against child abuse? What have you done to make this world a better place for our children?
We can't point fingers and never lift a single one to make change.
Joe Paterno will be greatly missed by me. There will never be another like him and the world is a bit colder and sadder without him in it. I will forever remember him as I have always seen him... a true class act and a man among men.
CK
IF
by: Rudyard Kipling
*read to Joe in his final hours by his grandson*
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!
Friday, January 20, 2012
NCAA Football 2011: The year of violations, arrests and scandals... and some football too!!
Before the 2011 football season ever began, it was marred with controversy and rules violations. 'Mr. Clean' Jim Tressel, one of the most respected and well known coaches in college football admitted to numerous NCAA violations that inevitably cost him his coaching job. These events would only tip the iceberg and eventually a whole slew of programs and their players would come under fire for rules violations. Oregon would be one followed by the Miami with the revelation that, for ten years, their players had been receiving impermissible benefits via rogue booster Nevin Shapiro. The length of time involved and the amount of money involved, led Miami to self-impose sanctions which included several players being suspended for up to six games and a forfeiture of any bowl appearance on the year. South Carolina even faced the music on impermissible benefits though it was as prevalent in the media as some of the others.
As if the college football world hadn't seen enough negative press, the hits just kept coming. Arrest after arrest seemed to permeate the college football world and edge its way into the top spots on news broadcasts. In March, Auburn athletics was highlighted when four players from its football team were arrested on charges of armed robbery. The players were released from the team by head coach Gene Chizik, but it would not slate the media frenzy that ensued. In June a player from New Mexico was arrested for a wardrobe malfunction! Okay, so it was a little more than that. The player in question was arrested while attempting to board a flight in San Fransisco. He was asked to remedy his 'sagging pants', something that is prohibited by the airline, and when he refused the plane had to be vacated by the 150 passengers and the youngster was then arrested for suspicion of trespassing, battery of an officer and obstruction of a police investigation. *Bet he wishes he would have just pulled up his pants!* Alabama saw the arrest of one of their newest recruits while he drove on campus without his headlights on. The player was consequently arrested for possession of marijuana. Speaking of marijuana, LSU saw two of its high profile players suspended for testing positive for a marijuana substitute that has been outlawed in most states known as 'Spice'. Probably one of the most highly publicised stories in college football was the LSU players who were accused of, and later arrested for felony assault. In a nutshell, several players were accused of jumping some men in the parking lot of a local club at two in the morning. The disturbing nature of the crimes and the injuries that were sustained by the victims, prompted police to issue warrants for two players , one of which was their starting quarterback. The men plead guilty to reduced 'misdemeanor' charges in court, paid their fines and were on their way, but not before missing the first four games of the season under heavy scrutiny. Here's a real shocker for you... I in every 14 football players in the Top 25 teams has some sort of criminal history!
If I say to you "Scandal" the first thing that will probably pop into your mind is Penn State. Panning out to be one of the biggest scandals in college history, the story broke with a vengeance and the world was in shock. Jerry Sanduski, former assistant coach charged with sexual assault. Now if that was all you read, it would be enough, but what made it even more unspeakable... Jerry Sandusky was charged with 40 counts of sexual abuse of a minor over a period of 15 years. Some of the assaults are even alleged to have taken place on the Penn State campus. This was the worst I have ever seen in the college football world, but I had to admit, this wasn't a 'football' issue, this was about neglect and endangerment and just some all around sick and disgusting things that happened to kids who trusted. (Allegedly) And please don't find me insensitive for using the word allegedly, this is STILL America and we are INNOCENT until PROVEN GUILTY. Of course I will give my opinion on the 'alledged' sexual abuse... People who hurt children and small animals have a special place in Hell set aside just for them... just my opinion. As if the sexual assaults weren't enough to send the college world into a tail spin, then came the classless move by the board at Penn State, who lovingly sent a messenger to Joe Paterno's home to deliver the message... 'You are fired!' Say what you want about Joe Pa, but the man is an iconic part of the sport I hold near and dear and his firing was NOT handled well. It has raised a lot of questions and in the past week are so, Penn State Alumni are raising their voices and crying out for something better. Let's face facts here, a lot of people fell short on their job and kids were hurt because of it, but it's hard for me to feel sympathy for people that celebrate a man on Saturday and throw him to the wolves on Monday!!
If you are a fan of either of the teams from Alabama then you too saw scandal and controversy this year. Who could ever forget the 'infamous' Harvey Updike call to the Paul Finebaum show that stirred up the hornet's nest that IS the Auburn/Alabama rivalry. An Alabama fan set the college world on its head when a call to a popular radio show netted a fan claiming responsibility for poisoning the fable 'Toomer's Corner Oak Trees'. The hatred bet\ween these rivals played out on every national news outlet and on websites like Twitter and Facebook, but there was another side to this story... a human side. A group of Alabama fans banded together and formed Bama For Toomer's, a facebook group that swelled to 50,000 followers in a few short days and saw thousands of dollars donated to Auburn fans to save the landmark Oak trees.
On April 27, 2011 an F-4 Tornado leveled a three mile wide path through the heart of downtown Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Fifty people lost their lives and hundreds were injured or lost their homes. In another show of humanity, the fans from the University of Auburn rallied in support of Tuscaloosa and made extensive donations of food, water, clothing, money and time to aid in the recovery process. Two teams banding together in spite of the game and because of the game.
NCAA college football has seen its share of headlines over the year for arrests, scandals and general bad behavior, but it has seen other things also... Things that are much more profound and moving. At the end of the day, 2011 has been the 'Year of the Headlines' some bad, some horrible, some tragic and some that made me proud to be a fan of college football. I was proud to be a part of something so much greater than myself, something that sometimes bridges the gaps we see between ourselves and our teams. What will 2012 hold?? I have no idea, but I can't wait to find out!!!
CK
As if the college football world hadn't seen enough negative press, the hits just kept coming. Arrest after arrest seemed to permeate the college football world and edge its way into the top spots on news broadcasts. In March, Auburn athletics was highlighted when four players from its football team were arrested on charges of armed robbery. The players were released from the team by head coach Gene Chizik, but it would not slate the media frenzy that ensued. In June a player from New Mexico was arrested for a wardrobe malfunction! Okay, so it was a little more than that. The player in question was arrested while attempting to board a flight in San Fransisco. He was asked to remedy his 'sagging pants', something that is prohibited by the airline, and when he refused the plane had to be vacated by the 150 passengers and the youngster was then arrested for suspicion of trespassing, battery of an officer and obstruction of a police investigation. *Bet he wishes he would have just pulled up his pants!* Alabama saw the arrest of one of their newest recruits while he drove on campus without his headlights on. The player was consequently arrested for possession of marijuana. Speaking of marijuana, LSU saw two of its high profile players suspended for testing positive for a marijuana substitute that has been outlawed in most states known as 'Spice'. Probably one of the most highly publicised stories in college football was the LSU players who were accused of, and later arrested for felony assault. In a nutshell, several players were accused of jumping some men in the parking lot of a local club at two in the morning. The disturbing nature of the crimes and the injuries that were sustained by the victims, prompted police to issue warrants for two players , one of which was their starting quarterback. The men plead guilty to reduced 'misdemeanor' charges in court, paid their fines and were on their way, but not before missing the first four games of the season under heavy scrutiny. Here's a real shocker for you... I in every 14 football players in the Top 25 teams has some sort of criminal history!
If I say to you "Scandal" the first thing that will probably pop into your mind is Penn State. Panning out to be one of the biggest scandals in college history, the story broke with a vengeance and the world was in shock. Jerry Sanduski, former assistant coach charged with sexual assault. Now if that was all you read, it would be enough, but what made it even more unspeakable... Jerry Sandusky was charged with 40 counts of sexual abuse of a minor over a period of 15 years. Some of the assaults are even alleged to have taken place on the Penn State campus. This was the worst I have ever seen in the college football world, but I had to admit, this wasn't a 'football' issue, this was about neglect and endangerment and just some all around sick and disgusting things that happened to kids who trusted. (Allegedly) And please don't find me insensitive for using the word allegedly, this is STILL America and we are INNOCENT until PROVEN GUILTY. Of course I will give my opinion on the 'alledged' sexual abuse... People who hurt children and small animals have a special place in Hell set aside just for them... just my opinion. As if the sexual assaults weren't enough to send the college world into a tail spin, then came the classless move by the board at Penn State, who lovingly sent a messenger to Joe Paterno's home to deliver the message... 'You are fired!' Say what you want about Joe Pa, but the man is an iconic part of the sport I hold near and dear and his firing was NOT handled well. It has raised a lot of questions and in the past week are so, Penn State Alumni are raising their voices and crying out for something better. Let's face facts here, a lot of people fell short on their job and kids were hurt because of it, but it's hard for me to feel sympathy for people that celebrate a man on Saturday and throw him to the wolves on Monday!!
If you are a fan of either of the teams from Alabama then you too saw scandal and controversy this year. Who could ever forget the 'infamous' Harvey Updike call to the Paul Finebaum show that stirred up the hornet's nest that IS the Auburn/Alabama rivalry. An Alabama fan set the college world on its head when a call to a popular radio show netted a fan claiming responsibility for poisoning the fable 'Toomer's Corner Oak Trees'. The hatred bet\ween these rivals played out on every national news outlet and on websites like Twitter and Facebook, but there was another side to this story... a human side. A group of Alabama fans banded together and formed Bama For Toomer's, a facebook group that swelled to 50,000 followers in a few short days and saw thousands of dollars donated to Auburn fans to save the landmark Oak trees.
On April 27, 2011 an F-4 Tornado leveled a three mile wide path through the heart of downtown Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Fifty people lost their lives and hundreds were injured or lost their homes. In another show of humanity, the fans from the University of Auburn rallied in support of Tuscaloosa and made extensive donations of food, water, clothing, money and time to aid in the recovery process. Two teams banding together in spite of the game and because of the game.
NCAA college football has seen its share of headlines over the year for arrests, scandals and general bad behavior, but it has seen other things also... Things that are much more profound and moving. At the end of the day, 2011 has been the 'Year of the Headlines' some bad, some horrible, some tragic and some that made me proud to be a fan of college football. I was proud to be a part of something so much greater than myself, something that sometimes bridges the gaps we see between ourselves and our teams. What will 2012 hold?? I have no idea, but I can't wait to find out!!!
CK
Thursday, January 19, 2012
ALABAMA: The Year In Review
We have watched and cheered, yelled and threw things across the room and probably done a bit of praying at times. In a year of unexpected outcomes and endings the Alabama Crimson Tide proved that it isn't over until it's over! With that said, let's take a look at the games, the stats and players that made an impact on and off the field.
2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Schedule
Sat. Sept 3 vs Kent State W48-7 1-0 (0-0)
Sat. Sept 10 @#23 Penn State W27-11 2-0 (0-0)
Sat. Sept 17 vs North Texas W41-0 3-0 (0-0)
Sat. Sept 24 vs #14 Arkansas W38-14 4-0 (1-0)
Sat. Oct 1 @ #12 Florida W38-10 5-0 (2-0)
Sat. Oct 8 vs Vanderbilt W34-0 6-0 (3-0)
Sat. Oct 15 @ Ole Miss W52-7 7-0 (4-0)
Sat. Oct 22 vs Tennessee W37-6 8-0 (5-0)
Sat. Nov 5 vs #1 LSU L9-6 OT 8-1 (5-1)
Sat. Nov 12 @ Mississippi State W24-7 9-1 (6-1)
Sat. Nov 19 vs Georgia Southern W45-21 10-1 (6-1)
Sat. Nov 26 @ #24 Auburn W42-14 11-1 (7-1)
ALLSTATE BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Mon. Jan 9 vs #1 LSU* W21-0 12-1 (7-1)
2011 Team Leaders
| PASSING | COMP | ATT | YDS | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. McCarron | 219 | 328 | 2634 | 16 |
| P. Sims | 18 | 28 | 163 | 0 |
| RUSHING | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD |
| T. Richardson | 283 | 1679 | 5.9 | 21 |
| E. Lacy | 95 | 674 | 7.1 | 7 |
| RECEIVING | REC | YDS | AVG | TD |
| M. Maze | 56 | 627 | 11.2 | 1 |
| B. Smelley | 34 | 356 | 10.5 | 4 |
Alabama Crimson Tide Team Stats - 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)