There's an on and off switch for men and women. It's one of the biggest differences between the genders.
When a man goes to work, he turns on the work switch. When he leaves, he cuts it off. When a woman goes to work, the work switch is still on from yesterday. When she leaves, the switch is still on. When a man gets home he turns on the at home switch. When a woman gets home she has both the at work and at home switch on. So the woman wants to talk about what happened at work because their at work switch is still on. But the man has already turned that switch off and is now looking to focus on being at home.
This probably has something to do with why women are multi-taskers and men arn't. Men do one thing at a time, they focus on that one thing and when it's done they move on. Women focus on many things at once and even when something is done they still think about it.
I once heard someone describe a man's brain as like cubby holes. You can take something out, but you have to put it back in it's cubby hole before you can take something out of another cubby hole. There's a cubby hole for work, family, etc. A woman's brain is like speghetti, it's all jumbled up and work, friends, family is all mixed together.
I think it's pretty important to understand these differences if you're going to be in a relationship, especially a marriage. If you don't understand it then you will get frustrated. If you do, it will help you.
JB
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
I'm probably the only person who thinks about this but...
The other day I was watching a TV show. The character had two steaks in his hand. His kids claimed they were now vegans and they wouldn't eat meat so he threw the steaks into the woods in disgust. This really bothered me because he just threw away two perfectly good steaks. Now, I know it's just TV and those steaks were just a prop, they were never going to even cook them. But it just bothers me. And then that character walked off and I could help but think, isn't he going to wash his hands? - he was touching the raw steak with his bare hands. Then he got into a car and I was thinking - he just touched the door handle with the same hand he had the steaks in!
Now this type of irrational thinking is probably about as wierd as the hoarders I wrote about yesterday, but I just can't help it. I may be the only person who notices, but in all TV shows and movies, when a character gets out of the car they always leave the door open! They'll be running after the love of their life, they get to the parking lot and leave the door open as they run after that person. Well, at this climax of the movie I'm thinking about how they left the car door open with the keys in the ignition and someone could easily steal the car.
Maybe I'm a little OCD. Each dish we have has a certain spot it goes in the dishwasher, I don't like for a dish to be in the wrong spot. I don't have to lock the door three times before I can walk away from it or anything, but maybe me thinking about these stupid things while I'm watching film is probably akin to my 25% OCD-ness.
JB
Now this type of irrational thinking is probably about as wierd as the hoarders I wrote about yesterday, but I just can't help it. I may be the only person who notices, but in all TV shows and movies, when a character gets out of the car they always leave the door open! They'll be running after the love of their life, they get to the parking lot and leave the door open as they run after that person. Well, at this climax of the movie I'm thinking about how they left the car door open with the keys in the ignition and someone could easily steal the car.
Maybe I'm a little OCD. Each dish we have has a certain spot it goes in the dishwasher, I don't like for a dish to be in the wrong spot. I don't have to lock the door three times before I can walk away from it or anything, but maybe me thinking about these stupid things while I'm watching film is probably akin to my 25% OCD-ness.
JB
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Hoarders
There are a lot of people out there who are hoarders. Our neighbors say that the lady who lived here before us was a hoarder. It is pretty gross to thing that someone will keep everything that comes into their house regarless of if it's useable, sanitary, or hazardous. I've seen TV programs about compulsive hoarding, it's shocking.
If there is an opposite of a hoarder, then that would be me. I don't like to have anything in the house that is no longer useful. I want to sell anything of value that I don't use anymore on craigslist or eBay. If it has no value then I want to throw it away. I think I would rather have an empty house with only stuff I like than a fully furnished house with stuff I don't like. I'm not sure if that makes me as weird as a hoarder, but at least I know I'm not as gross.
I think hoarding is an addiction, and I don't have any disire to be close to it. I'm not into the 'green' craze, but one thing I will say for it is that those people are after a clean, crisp living experience. I'm all for that, get rid of the litter, the mess, and the stuff we don't use anymore.
JB
If there is an opposite of a hoarder, then that would be me. I don't like to have anything in the house that is no longer useful. I want to sell anything of value that I don't use anymore on craigslist or eBay. If it has no value then I want to throw it away. I think I would rather have an empty house with only stuff I like than a fully furnished house with stuff I don't like. I'm not sure if that makes me as weird as a hoarder, but at least I know I'm not as gross.
I think hoarding is an addiction, and I don't have any disire to be close to it. I'm not into the 'green' craze, but one thing I will say for it is that those people are after a clean, crisp living experience. I'm all for that, get rid of the litter, the mess, and the stuff we don't use anymore.
JB
Monday, January 24, 2011
If You Want to Hear God Laugh, Tell Him Your Plans
Everybody's got plans. Everybody thinks they know what will happen or when it will happen. Everybody figures on where they'll be when they get to certain points in life. But it doesn't work out like that. The only one who knows where you're going and how you are going to get there is God.
Life is kind of like a maze. Maybe one of those human mazes with the 10' walls you can't see over. I went to one of those mazes in Panama City one time, they had 4 checkpoints in the center of the maze and to complete it you had to get a stamp from the attendant at all 4 checkpoints. It's kind of like life that way. You start out with a plan...you think you know where to go and you're smart so you'll figure it out with relative ease and make it through just like you planned. But you run into a wall and have to turn around..then another...then another. God has a bird-eye view and knows exactly where you need to go. And once you hit that 4th or 5th wall you look up to him and say, 'I need your help'. Then he guides you to the first checkpoint.
Now you've gotten over that problem and your on to the next one. But instead of using God you go back into the same mindset as the first time. And maybe you find the second checkpoint all on your own. You feel some accomplishment...and you feel good about your achievement. Then you start towards the third checkpoint and your really confident and feeling good about life. You hit a wall, and another, and another. This time it's worse than at the beginning.
So you think back and reflect on what you did to get out of the first problem you had. So you get God's help. He tells you which way to go...you feel good because you're relying on Him to guide you though and it's all coming together. Then you get to the third checkpoint and you hand the attendant your card for the stamp. But she says this is the fourth checkpoint and you'll have to go back and find the third...it doesn't count if it's out of order. And now you feel down, how could God let me down? You see your friend who has finished the maze and they are receiving a prize for finishing first...but you know they took shortcuts and cheated. Why do good things happen to bad people? They didn't have faith in God, they went their own way and found happiness...I went God's way and found disappointment.
So you reach a point where everyone you arrived with is finishing and your still half way done, wandering around the maze. You're thinking it can't get much worse for you, maybe you should just take one of those exit doors and quit. What is the point? You had all these plans and expectations and nothing has worked out like you wanted it to. So you throw your hands up and figure they only way to get out of this mess without being a quitter is to just put some more faith in God and hope he doesn't steer to the wrong checkpoint again.
As your walking up to the third checkpoint you meet someone who has been in the maze for longer than you have. They were frustrated for a long time, and they realized they needed God to help them through each checkpoint. They are so excited about God's faithfulness to them that you are inspired to continue following God's instructions. As you approach the fourth checkpoint you reflect back on your life. It didn't turn out like you had planned, but you are content with your life because of the peace of mind you had between the third and fourth checkpoints when you cast your worries to God and relied on His leadership. You had the companionship of this friend from the third checkpoint who helped you through the struggles you had.
When you hand your card to the attendant at the fourth checkpoint they tell you that you're the 10,000th person to finish the maze and you've won a prize even greater than the person who won your group. After all of the frustrations and struggles, you actually ended up with the best prize. Looking back, you become aware of how God lead you to the wrong checkpoint so you would meet that great person, and get that great prize. Your plan was to finish first, God's plan was for you to finish the maze like He planned. And since He has a bird-eye view, he was willing to guide you through the whole thing.
It's okay to have goals and plans for your life. But to hold onto them with the death grip is the wrong idea. What you think is the right path might be different from God's path. I think I'll trust my life to the direction of the one who created me, and the earth I live on, and who gave me everything and everyone in my life.
JB
Life is kind of like a maze. Maybe one of those human mazes with the 10' walls you can't see over. I went to one of those mazes in Panama City one time, they had 4 checkpoints in the center of the maze and to complete it you had to get a stamp from the attendant at all 4 checkpoints. It's kind of like life that way. You start out with a plan...you think you know where to go and you're smart so you'll figure it out with relative ease and make it through just like you planned. But you run into a wall and have to turn around..then another...then another. God has a bird-eye view and knows exactly where you need to go. And once you hit that 4th or 5th wall you look up to him and say, 'I need your help'. Then he guides you to the first checkpoint.
Now you've gotten over that problem and your on to the next one. But instead of using God you go back into the same mindset as the first time. And maybe you find the second checkpoint all on your own. You feel some accomplishment...and you feel good about your achievement. Then you start towards the third checkpoint and your really confident and feeling good about life. You hit a wall, and another, and another. This time it's worse than at the beginning.
So you think back and reflect on what you did to get out of the first problem you had. So you get God's help. He tells you which way to go...you feel good because you're relying on Him to guide you though and it's all coming together. Then you get to the third checkpoint and you hand the attendant your card for the stamp. But she says this is the fourth checkpoint and you'll have to go back and find the third...it doesn't count if it's out of order. And now you feel down, how could God let me down? You see your friend who has finished the maze and they are receiving a prize for finishing first...but you know they took shortcuts and cheated. Why do good things happen to bad people? They didn't have faith in God, they went their own way and found happiness...I went God's way and found disappointment.
So you reach a point where everyone you arrived with is finishing and your still half way done, wandering around the maze. You're thinking it can't get much worse for you, maybe you should just take one of those exit doors and quit. What is the point? You had all these plans and expectations and nothing has worked out like you wanted it to. So you throw your hands up and figure they only way to get out of this mess without being a quitter is to just put some more faith in God and hope he doesn't steer to the wrong checkpoint again.
As your walking up to the third checkpoint you meet someone who has been in the maze for longer than you have. They were frustrated for a long time, and they realized they needed God to help them through each checkpoint. They are so excited about God's faithfulness to them that you are inspired to continue following God's instructions. As you approach the fourth checkpoint you reflect back on your life. It didn't turn out like you had planned, but you are content with your life because of the peace of mind you had between the third and fourth checkpoints when you cast your worries to God and relied on His leadership. You had the companionship of this friend from the third checkpoint who helped you through the struggles you had.
When you hand your card to the attendant at the fourth checkpoint they tell you that you're the 10,000th person to finish the maze and you've won a prize even greater than the person who won your group. After all of the frustrations and struggles, you actually ended up with the best prize. Looking back, you become aware of how God lead you to the wrong checkpoint so you would meet that great person, and get that great prize. Your plan was to finish first, God's plan was for you to finish the maze like He planned. And since He has a bird-eye view, he was willing to guide you through the whole thing.
It's okay to have goals and plans for your life. But to hold onto them with the death grip is the wrong idea. What you think is the right path might be different from God's path. I think I'll trust my life to the direction of the one who created me, and the earth I live on, and who gave me everything and everyone in my life.
JB
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Snow
Snow, I don't care for it. The snow just cleared up at my house. A week and a half of snow.
First the snow comes, and it's cool because we don't get much of it. But after one day I'm tired of it. And usually it melts on day two because we don't have temperatures to sustain 1" of it. Day two is the worst though because it's sunny outside but everything is wet. It's just not a good feeling to me.
Well now you take the winter storm that just hit Atlanta. Snow on the ground for 10 days. 5 days of ice, slipping and sliding and I couldn't leave my house for the first 3 days. Then 5 days of thaw. Wetness everywhere. It's sunny, but everything is wet. One day of snow per year...that's all I want. And just two weeks of winter.
JB
First the snow comes, and it's cool because we don't get much of it. But after one day I'm tired of it. And usually it melts on day two because we don't have temperatures to sustain 1" of it. Day two is the worst though because it's sunny outside but everything is wet. It's just not a good feeling to me.
Well now you take the winter storm that just hit Atlanta. Snow on the ground for 10 days. 5 days of ice, slipping and sliding and I couldn't leave my house for the first 3 days. Then 5 days of thaw. Wetness everywhere. It's sunny, but everything is wet. One day of snow per year...that's all I want. And just two weeks of winter.
JB
Friday, January 21, 2011
Tipping
Maybe this weekend you are going out to eat. So, you're probably wondering what I think about how to tip a waiter. Well, here is my take.
I generally like to give close to 20% if the service was good. If the service was just okay, maybe 16-17%, mediocre I'll go with 15%, and if it's just plain bad then it could be 5-10%.
If the bill is less than $15, then com'n...give more than 15-20%. It is pretty lousy to give a $1.80 tip for anything. You took up that waiter's time, it's not their fault you ordered the cheapest thing on the menu and a water. When we go to Chili's or something you end up with a bill for $23 and you wonder about what the appropriate tip should be. Well, if you go with 15% you're looking at $3.45...since I took up a table for 45 minutes that seems pretty cheap. You just have to go over 20% here and give a solid $5 tip.
The $30-50 meals are easy, 15-20% based on service. Then you get to the nice meal that comes with a $75 price tag. Of course the service was good, it's a nice restaurant. Should you go with 20%? That's $15! It makes your bill $90...now your talking about major money on this meal. If the meal is over $50 then you have to revert back to 15% for sake of your wallet.
In the scenario where the service was awful and it was it lead to an aggravating experience waiting on a refill, the food, or just to get the bill....then no tip! I've probably only done this 3 or 4 times in my life, but if the service is terrible why should I give that person money? I've had plenty of poor experiences and given 10-15%, but when it goes beyond poor and into horrible...leaving no tip is a good way of saying they are not good at their job.
When you get takeout Chinese and they hand you the receipt to sign, there is no need to tip. The job of a waiter is to prepare a drink for me and then bring it to me. Provide me with silverware and napkins. Bring me the food and then clean up the mess I made. Then after I leave they are going to wash the dishes I used as well. When I go pick up the food I am getting none of those services. I drove to the restaurant just like I would have if I were sitting down. Then I'm going to take it home, prepare my own drink and use my own silverware. I'm going to open the box myself and clean the dishes when I'm through. There is no reason to tip the cashier just for collecting my money!
When you go to the sandwich shop and they give you the same receipt with a tip line, same thing goes...no tip. They prepared the food, and I am paying for it. Otherwise I stood in a line while they prepared it and I am going to serve myself. Now if someone comes by my table and refills my cup and takes my plate then sure, leave a dollar or two because they are providing a service.
I try not to be too cheap with tipping, but there are always lines that I draw. You have to remember that waiters don't really make a wage, they earn on tips. If you're eating alone at a table for two then you are going to spend less so don't just give them $1.50 because it was 15 or 20%...consider they let you sit there when they could have had two people and more money would have been spent thereby giving them a bigger tip. Always think about how most of this country is built around the service industry, if you are not manufacturing or fabricating something, you are providing a service...and you expect to be paid for that service like everyone else.
JB
I generally like to give close to 20% if the service was good. If the service was just okay, maybe 16-17%, mediocre I'll go with 15%, and if it's just plain bad then it could be 5-10%.
If the bill is less than $15, then com'n...give more than 15-20%. It is pretty lousy to give a $1.80 tip for anything. You took up that waiter's time, it's not their fault you ordered the cheapest thing on the menu and a water. When we go to Chili's or something you end up with a bill for $23 and you wonder about what the appropriate tip should be. Well, if you go with 15% you're looking at $3.45...since I took up a table for 45 minutes that seems pretty cheap. You just have to go over 20% here and give a solid $5 tip.
The $30-50 meals are easy, 15-20% based on service. Then you get to the nice meal that comes with a $75 price tag. Of course the service was good, it's a nice restaurant. Should you go with 20%? That's $15! It makes your bill $90...now your talking about major money on this meal. If the meal is over $50 then you have to revert back to 15% for sake of your wallet.
In the scenario where the service was awful and it was it lead to an aggravating experience waiting on a refill, the food, or just to get the bill....then no tip! I've probably only done this 3 or 4 times in my life, but if the service is terrible why should I give that person money? I've had plenty of poor experiences and given 10-15%, but when it goes beyond poor and into horrible...leaving no tip is a good way of saying they are not good at their job.
When you get takeout Chinese and they hand you the receipt to sign, there is no need to tip. The job of a waiter is to prepare a drink for me and then bring it to me. Provide me with silverware and napkins. Bring me the food and then clean up the mess I made. Then after I leave they are going to wash the dishes I used as well. When I go pick up the food I am getting none of those services. I drove to the restaurant just like I would have if I were sitting down. Then I'm going to take it home, prepare my own drink and use my own silverware. I'm going to open the box myself and clean the dishes when I'm through. There is no reason to tip the cashier just for collecting my money!
When you go to the sandwich shop and they give you the same receipt with a tip line, same thing goes...no tip. They prepared the food, and I am paying for it. Otherwise I stood in a line while they prepared it and I am going to serve myself. Now if someone comes by my table and refills my cup and takes my plate then sure, leave a dollar or two because they are providing a service.
I try not to be too cheap with tipping, but there are always lines that I draw. You have to remember that waiters don't really make a wage, they earn on tips. If you're eating alone at a table for two then you are going to spend less so don't just give them $1.50 because it was 15 or 20%...consider they let you sit there when they could have had two people and more money would have been spent thereby giving them a bigger tip. Always think about how most of this country is built around the service industry, if you are not manufacturing or fabricating something, you are providing a service...and you expect to be paid for that service like everyone else.
JB
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Coffee Milkshake
This is good.
Make however many cups of coffee you want (1 cup makes one milkshake). Per every cup of coffee you made, mix one packet of hot chocolate mix and one tablespoon of sugar together with the hot coffee. Then pour it into ice trays and let it freeze for 4-5 hours.
Once they are now coffee ice cubes, put them in a blender and per every cup of coffee pour in 1/4 cup of heavy cream, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Blend it together and there you have it...a coffee milkshake. No need to go to Starbucks.
JB
Make however many cups of coffee you want (1 cup makes one milkshake). Per every cup of coffee you made, mix one packet of hot chocolate mix and one tablespoon of sugar together with the hot coffee. Then pour it into ice trays and let it freeze for 4-5 hours.
Once they are now coffee ice cubes, put them in a blender and per every cup of coffee pour in 1/4 cup of heavy cream, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Blend it together and there you have it...a coffee milkshake. No need to go to Starbucks.
JB
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
2011 Football Season
Everybody is doing their look-ahead rankings for next year...so I might as well do mine. Of course, this is subject to change 5-10 times over the next 8 months.
EAST
1. Florida - They were clueless on offense in 2010, they won't be in 2011 with Charlie Weis.
2. South Carolina - Next year's team will be better, but I don't think they can get past Florida.
3. Georgia - It won't be easy without A.J. Green and Justin Houston but Mark Richt will find a way to win 8-9 games.
4. Tennessee - Keep progressing under Derek Dooley...maybe an 8 win season.
5. Kentucky - Losing Randall Cobb is going to hurt pretty bad.
6. Vanderbilt - No comment.
WEST
1a. LSU - Tons of talent and a new O.C.
1b. Alabama - Hear that sound? It's Nick Saban reloading.
1c. Arkansas - Petrino is a solid coach, I don't expect much of a dropoff.
1d. Mississippi State - Lose some key players but plenty of returning starters to feel good about...don't look for State to lose to all the top SEC teams in 2011.
5. Auburn - This is going to be a hard fall, similar to Florida in '07...only Auburn doesn't have Tim Tebow. They'll be back in 2012.
6. Ole Miss - They'll be better, but good doesn't cut it in the West.
Top QBs:
1. Aaron Murrey, UGA
2. Stephen Garcia, USC
3. Chris Relf, MSU
4. Tyler Brey, UT
5. Jeff Brantley, UF
Top Players:
1. Marcus Lattimore, USC
2. Danny Travethan, UK
3. Alshon Jeffrey, USC
4. Trent Richardson, UA
5. Jeff Demps, UF
6. Donta' Hightower, UA
7. Vick Ballard, MSU
8. Greg Childs, AR
9. Chris Marve, VU
10. Michael Dyer, AU
11. Dre' Kirkpatrick, UA
12. Aaron Murrey, UGA
13. Knile Davis, AR
14. Chad Bumphis, MSU
15. Janoris Jenkins, UF
16. Joe Adams, AR
17. Stephen Garcia, USC
18. Brandon Boldon, UM
19. Quentin Saulsberry, MSU
20. Larry Warford, UK
JB
EAST
1. Florida - They were clueless on offense in 2010, they won't be in 2011 with Charlie Weis.
2. South Carolina - Next year's team will be better, but I don't think they can get past Florida.
3. Georgia - It won't be easy without A.J. Green and Justin Houston but Mark Richt will find a way to win 8-9 games.
4. Tennessee - Keep progressing under Derek Dooley...maybe an 8 win season.
5. Kentucky - Losing Randall Cobb is going to hurt pretty bad.
6. Vanderbilt - No comment.
WEST
1a. LSU - Tons of talent and a new O.C.
1b. Alabama - Hear that sound? It's Nick Saban reloading.
1c. Arkansas - Petrino is a solid coach, I don't expect much of a dropoff.
1d. Mississippi State - Lose some key players but plenty of returning starters to feel good about...don't look for State to lose to all the top SEC teams in 2011.
5. Auburn - This is going to be a hard fall, similar to Florida in '07...only Auburn doesn't have Tim Tebow. They'll be back in 2012.
6. Ole Miss - They'll be better, but good doesn't cut it in the West.
Top QBs:
1. Aaron Murrey, UGA
2. Stephen Garcia, USC
3. Chris Relf, MSU
4. Tyler Brey, UT
5. Jeff Brantley, UF
Top Players:
1. Marcus Lattimore, USC
2. Danny Travethan, UK
3. Alshon Jeffrey, USC
4. Trent Richardson, UA
5. Jeff Demps, UF
6. Donta' Hightower, UA
7. Vick Ballard, MSU
8. Greg Childs, AR
9. Chris Marve, VU
10. Michael Dyer, AU
11. Dre' Kirkpatrick, UA
12. Aaron Murrey, UGA
13. Knile Davis, AR
14. Chad Bumphis, MSU
15. Janoris Jenkins, UF
16. Joe Adams, AR
17. Stephen Garcia, USC
18. Brandon Boldon, UM
19. Quentin Saulsberry, MSU
20. Larry Warford, UK
JB
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The Best Division in the History of College Football
I thought of this topic off the top of my head. I haven't really done any research about it. But I think that considering the brief history of divisions within conferences it's safe to say that the 2010 SEC West is the best division in the history of college football.
There was much said about the 2008 Big 12 South with Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech all in the Top 7 and 11-1, and Oklahoma State was 9-3. And this year I didn't think there was enough talk about just how good the SEC West was. To review, this is how it ended:
5 teams in the top 15: Auburn - 14-0 (#1), LSU - 11-2 (#8), Alabama - 10-3 (#10), Arkansas - 10-3 (#12), and Mississippi State - 9-4 (#15). Ole Miss ended the season with a 4-8 record...losing to all 5 above teams.
Combined overall record: 58-20 (54-12 minus Ole Miss)
Combined record against non-SEC West teams: 43-5 (39-2 minus Ole Miss)
Only two non-conference loses: Arkansas to Ohio State and Ole Miss to Jacksonville State.
All 5 bowl teams played teams from BCS conferences and outscored opponents 190-95 in those games.
Auburn, the national champion is from the SEC West.
We'll see how many first round draft picks come out of this division, but most likely Cam Newton, Nick Fairley, Julio Jones, Mark Ingram, Marcell Darius, Ryan Mallett, Derrek Sharrod, and Patrick Peterson will all be selected in the first round...pretty good if 25% of the first round comes from 5% of division I football.
JB
There was much said about the 2008 Big 12 South with Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech all in the Top 7 and 11-1, and Oklahoma State was 9-3. And this year I didn't think there was enough talk about just how good the SEC West was. To review, this is how it ended:
5 teams in the top 15: Auburn - 14-0 (#1), LSU - 11-2 (#8), Alabama - 10-3 (#10), Arkansas - 10-3 (#12), and Mississippi State - 9-4 (#15). Ole Miss ended the season with a 4-8 record...losing to all 5 above teams.
Combined overall record: 58-20 (54-12 minus Ole Miss)
Combined record against non-SEC West teams: 43-5 (39-2 minus Ole Miss)
Only two non-conference loses: Arkansas to Ohio State and Ole Miss to Jacksonville State.
All 5 bowl teams played teams from BCS conferences and outscored opponents 190-95 in those games.
Auburn, the national champion is from the SEC West.
We'll see how many first round draft picks come out of this division, but most likely Cam Newton, Nick Fairley, Julio Jones, Mark Ingram, Marcell Darius, Ryan Mallett, Derrek Sharrod, and Patrick Peterson will all be selected in the first round...pretty good if 25% of the first round comes from 5% of division I football.
JB
Monday, January 17, 2011
Fried Dill Pickles
These are easy and really good.
Take a however many hamburger dill pickles chips you want, cover them in flour, and a little bit of corn meal. Stick them in the fryer for three minutes. That's it.
There are a hundred ways to make a good dipping sauce. If you're lazy, a store bought chipotle ranch is good. If you want something homemade I'd suggest sour cream, ketchup, Tony's, garlic powder onion powder, and pepper. Mix it until it looks good.
JB
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Falcons vs. Packers
The Falcons and Packers played in the regular season, Atlanta won 20-17. Sadly, that was the one game I didn't watch all the way through. That was because it was on the Sunday after Thanksgiving and I came home to a DVR full of football games I had recorded over the weekend and I had to rush through the game to make space for what was going to record that night. So I really can't say much for what happened in the Georgia Dome that day.
But what I do know is that the Falcons have had two weeks to rest and prepare for this game. If they play their game, in the dome, I don't care how good Aaron Rodgers is...the Falcons will win. The dirty birds have a really good team and Matt Ryan is incredible at home.
After being cooped up in the house all week because of the snow storm, Atlantans should be rowdy and ready to give the Falcons a great home field advantage. It will most likely be a typical NFL playoff game coming down to the 4th quarter, but I think the Falcons will be able to maintain control of the game throughout and win it. Atlanta is a two point favorite, which means the oddsmakers think Green Bay is a better team because they usually give 3 points to the home team. I think that is a pretty good spread, but I'll give the Falcons another couple points...28-24.
JB
But what I do know is that the Falcons have had two weeks to rest and prepare for this game. If they play their game, in the dome, I don't care how good Aaron Rodgers is...the Falcons will win. The dirty birds have a really good team and Matt Ryan is incredible at home.
After being cooped up in the house all week because of the snow storm, Atlantans should be rowdy and ready to give the Falcons a great home field advantage. It will most likely be a typical NFL playoff game coming down to the 4th quarter, but I think the Falcons will be able to maintain control of the game throughout and win it. Atlanta is a two point favorite, which means the oddsmakers think Green Bay is a better team because they usually give 3 points to the home team. I think that is a pretty good spread, but I'll give the Falcons another couple points...28-24.
JB
Friday, January 14, 2011
Great Year in Atlanta Sports
The Falcons have made 2010 their second best regular season in the 45 year franchise history. The Falcons never actually won a playoff game until 1991, then in 1998 they made it to the Superbowl after a 14-2 regular season. In 2004, they made it to the NFC Championship game with Michael Vick at QB. The winning seasons have been much more frequent with Arthur Blank as the owner, but the Atlanta Falcons have been hit and a lot of misses throughout their existence.
The Atlanta Braves made it back to the playoffs in 2010 for the first time in five seasons. After one of the greatest runs of success from 1991-2005, it took until this year to make it back to the playoffs.
The Atlanta Hawks extended their streak of making the playoffs to three consecutive years. After beating the Bucks in the first round, they went down easily to the Magic in the second round.
All three of these franchises came to Atlanta in 1966. They all three have stunk most of the time they've been here. Until the 1990s, which also saw a lot of people move to Atlanta, these teams never really had much success. The only other year all three teams made the playoffs was 1998. So far, '98 would have to be considered a better year because each team made it farther into the playoffs, however, the Falcons season is not yet finished. If the Falcons could win the Superbowl, Atlanta sports fans could consider 2011 as the greatest sports year in the city's history.
JB
The Atlanta Braves made it back to the playoffs in 2010 for the first time in five seasons. After one of the greatest runs of success from 1991-2005, it took until this year to make it back to the playoffs.
The Atlanta Hawks extended their streak of making the playoffs to three consecutive years. After beating the Bucks in the first round, they went down easily to the Magic in the second round.
All three of these franchises came to Atlanta in 1966. They all three have stunk most of the time they've been here. Until the 1990s, which also saw a lot of people move to Atlanta, these teams never really had much success. The only other year all three teams made the playoffs was 1998. So far, '98 would have to be considered a better year because each team made it farther into the playoffs, however, the Falcons season is not yet finished. If the Falcons could win the Superbowl, Atlanta sports fans could consider 2011 as the greatest sports year in the city's history.
JB
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Supporting the President
In every Presidential election, you know who you want to win, and you know who you don't want to win. In 2008, I didn't want Obama to win. But he did. So after election night I supported him because he is the President of the United States of America.
However, after running all of the plays in the liberal playbook I had to back off my support. That's when I started to be upset with him and he lost me. Now the 2010 election has passed and a new congress will take office. I will support the president once again. I will support him because he has a chance to work with both parties to pass legislation that makes sense for everyone, not just liberals. The president is supposed to govern from the middle, hopefully the '10 election will force him to do that. However, if he chooses stalemate, then I will go back to not supporting him and I'll look forward to 2012 when America can elect someone else.
I think everyone should support the president regardless of if he is conservative or liberal. The fact is, the president should be respected and supported, because we are all Americans and working towards the sames goals of achievement and success. If the president goes overboard or flat out does not listen to both sides then I think the American people have the right to stop supporting the president and look towards different leadership.
JB
However, after running all of the plays in the liberal playbook I had to back off my support. That's when I started to be upset with him and he lost me. Now the 2010 election has passed and a new congress will take office. I will support the president once again. I will support him because he has a chance to work with both parties to pass legislation that makes sense for everyone, not just liberals. The president is supposed to govern from the middle, hopefully the '10 election will force him to do that. However, if he chooses stalemate, then I will go back to not supporting him and I'll look forward to 2012 when America can elect someone else.
I think everyone should support the president regardless of if he is conservative or liberal. The fact is, the president should be respected and supported, because we are all Americans and working towards the sames goals of achievement and success. If the president goes overboard or flat out does not listen to both sides then I think the American people have the right to stop supporting the president and look towards different leadership.
JB
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Auburn, 2004 vs. 2010
The Auburn Tigers have won the 2010 BCS National Championship. This is a great accomplishment and after having undefeated seasons in 1993 and 2004 this is very satisfying to Auburn fans. But what about that 2004 team? Gene Chizik came to Auburn and won it all with Tommy Tubberville's players, except for Cam Newton of course. Tubs has been forgotten, but was his 2004 team better than this year's Auburn team, is he the real reason Auburn made it to the top?
The '04 Auburn team was incredible. Nick Fairley is better than any player on the '04 defense, but as a unit there is no doubt the '04 D was better. They stuffed every team they played. And the offense had the two Top 5 overall picks in the NFL draft - at running back. And Jason Campbell had his best year and ended up being a first round pick as well. They had strong recievers and a good line. The '04 team played a different style of football than Malzahn's spread, but they were better. I'd put the '04 Auburn team and the '08 Florida team as the best teams I've ever seen.
2010 Auburn is a great team, and they deserve their due. But I hope Auburn fans don't forget how special the 2004 team was, and I hope they don't forget Tommy Tubberville. Chizik did recruit Michael Dyer and Cam Newton, but most of that team is still left over from Tubberville. I believe they have 16 seniors starting...that's not Chizik's doing.
But I'm happy for Auburn winning it, I've got two brothers there right now and it's really cool that they were able to win a National Championship while they were both in college. Good for Auburn, and continued SEC dominance. Maybe Mississippi State will step to the plate in the next few years and get our shot at the title.
JB
The '04 Auburn team was incredible. Nick Fairley is better than any player on the '04 defense, but as a unit there is no doubt the '04 D was better. They stuffed every team they played. And the offense had the two Top 5 overall picks in the NFL draft - at running back. And Jason Campbell had his best year and ended up being a first round pick as well. They had strong recievers and a good line. The '04 team played a different style of football than Malzahn's spread, but they were better. I'd put the '04 Auburn team and the '08 Florida team as the best teams I've ever seen.
2010 Auburn is a great team, and they deserve their due. But I hope Auburn fans don't forget how special the 2004 team was, and I hope they don't forget Tommy Tubberville. Chizik did recruit Michael Dyer and Cam Newton, but most of that team is still left over from Tubberville. I believe they have 16 seniors starting...that's not Chizik's doing.
But I'm happy for Auburn winning it, I've got two brothers there right now and it's really cool that they were able to win a National Championship while they were both in college. Good for Auburn, and continued SEC dominance. Maybe Mississippi State will step to the plate in the next few years and get our shot at the title.
JB
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Buffalo Wings
Buffalo wings are one of my favorite foods. For years I have desired to make the same great tasting wings I get at the resteraunt in my own home. Well, now I can...and here is the recipe.
Ingredients:
-however many chicken wings you want
-Tony's
-flour
-Texas Pete
-butter
In a bowl, mix a teaspoon of Tony's and 1/2 cup of flour. Sprinkle this mixture on the chicken wings until they are covered on all sides. Let this sit in the refrigerator for an hour.
Set the vegetable oil in your fryer to 350 degrees. Carefully lower the chicken wings into the fryer and cook them for 10-12 minutes. While they are cooking pour 1/4 cup of Texas Pete and one tablespoon of butter into a sauce pan and warm over low heat, stirring regulary.
When the wings are done take them out and roll them in the saucepan with Texas Pete and butter one at a time. Once the wing is covered in sauce set them aside until you've done this with all the wings.
Then eat them. I like to enjoy them with some blue cheese dressing...and my homemade blue cheese dressing can be found under my dipping sauces post.
JB
Ingredients:
-however many chicken wings you want
-Tony's
-flour
-Texas Pete
-butter
In a bowl, mix a teaspoon of Tony's and 1/2 cup of flour. Sprinkle this mixture on the chicken wings until they are covered on all sides. Let this sit in the refrigerator for an hour.
Set the vegetable oil in your fryer to 350 degrees. Carefully lower the chicken wings into the fryer and cook them for 10-12 minutes. While they are cooking pour 1/4 cup of Texas Pete and one tablespoon of butter into a sauce pan and warm over low heat, stirring regulary.
When the wings are done take them out and roll them in the saucepan with Texas Pete and butter one at a time. Once the wing is covered in sauce set them aside until you've done this with all the wings.
Then eat them. I like to enjoy them with some blue cheese dressing...and my homemade blue cheese dressing can be found under my dipping sauces post.
JB
Monday, January 10, 2011
BCS Championship Game
Auburn (13-0) vs. Oregon (12-0)
I don't agree with how college football determines a champion, but I will say that this is the best possible matchup if we are only going to select two teams to play for the title. And remember, this isn't the National Championship Game, this is the BCS Championship Game. That's because we'll never know just how good TCU is, and if they could beat the winner or loser of this game. I will always be in support of a playoff because TCU, Ohio State, and Stanford still deserve a shot...one loss, on the road shouldn't disqualify you from a Championship.
Nevertheless, this is the game we have and I'm okay with it. Auburn has had an incredible year, although I don't think this team is better than the 2004 team - mainly because of the defense. They have won in every way imaginable and they seem to be a team of destiny. Oregon has thrived on weak defenses in the PAC 10 and they have blown out pretty much everyone they've played.
The first question I have in this game is what will Oregon do when the game is close in the 4th quarter? While they are capable of getting out to a big lead and this not mattering, that is pretty unlikely for either team. And we know both teams can comeback from big deficits, Auburn did it against Clemson and Alabama, Oregon did it against Stanford. The only close game Oregon has been in was the Cal game, where they played a stalemate up by two the entire 4th quarter. Still, that was against an inferior opponent and Oregon defense maintained control of that game. How will Oregon's offense react if they are down by 3 or 7 points with 3 minutes to go?
Cam Newton has been the key for Auburn all year. He is what got them this far. He has been very durable this year despite all of his running and taking hard hits in the SEC. Will he be able to stay healthy all game - the otherwise durable Colt McCoy was injured in the 1st quarter for Texas last year and it completely changed the game. Assuming Newton stays healthy I don't see any reason to believe he will not have his standard 200 yards passing 150 yards rushing performance. And that is what Auburn needs from him to win - the standard performance he's given all year. So Auburn needs a offensive or defensive player other than him to step up and make big plays that they ordinarily don't to win the game. The same goes for Oregon.
It would be easy to say the team who has the ball last will win this game. But I'm not so sure that is accurate. We know that Gus Malzahn and Chip Kelly both like to run as many plays as possible throughout the game to wear down the defense. Well, both of these defenses see the same offense every day in practice...I think both defenses will be prepared physically. The key is who gets the most stops. Which defense will force a field goal or punt?
I think with Auburn large defensive line they will be able to get into Oregon's backfield in the first half. Auburn has started slow on various occasions but I don't think we'll see much of a hiccup from either team in the first quarter. In the 2nd quarter is where I think Auburn will get some stops and the game will be decided. Ultimately I think Oregon will find it hard to get in front of Auburn after halftime and they will come up short in the 4th quarter with their players never having been in this type of game before. Auburn wins 45-35.
JB
I don't agree with how college football determines a champion, but I will say that this is the best possible matchup if we are only going to select two teams to play for the title. And remember, this isn't the National Championship Game, this is the BCS Championship Game. That's because we'll never know just how good TCU is, and if they could beat the winner or loser of this game. I will always be in support of a playoff because TCU, Ohio State, and Stanford still deserve a shot...one loss, on the road shouldn't disqualify you from a Championship.
Nevertheless, this is the game we have and I'm okay with it. Auburn has had an incredible year, although I don't think this team is better than the 2004 team - mainly because of the defense. They have won in every way imaginable and they seem to be a team of destiny. Oregon has thrived on weak defenses in the PAC 10 and they have blown out pretty much everyone they've played.
The first question I have in this game is what will Oregon do when the game is close in the 4th quarter? While they are capable of getting out to a big lead and this not mattering, that is pretty unlikely for either team. And we know both teams can comeback from big deficits, Auburn did it against Clemson and Alabama, Oregon did it against Stanford. The only close game Oregon has been in was the Cal game, where they played a stalemate up by two the entire 4th quarter. Still, that was against an inferior opponent and Oregon defense maintained control of that game. How will Oregon's offense react if they are down by 3 or 7 points with 3 minutes to go?
Cam Newton has been the key for Auburn all year. He is what got them this far. He has been very durable this year despite all of his running and taking hard hits in the SEC. Will he be able to stay healthy all game - the otherwise durable Colt McCoy was injured in the 1st quarter for Texas last year and it completely changed the game. Assuming Newton stays healthy I don't see any reason to believe he will not have his standard 200 yards passing 150 yards rushing performance. And that is what Auburn needs from him to win - the standard performance he's given all year. So Auburn needs a offensive or defensive player other than him to step up and make big plays that they ordinarily don't to win the game. The same goes for Oregon.
It would be easy to say the team who has the ball last will win this game. But I'm not so sure that is accurate. We know that Gus Malzahn and Chip Kelly both like to run as many plays as possible throughout the game to wear down the defense. Well, both of these defenses see the same offense every day in practice...I think both defenses will be prepared physically. The key is who gets the most stops. Which defense will force a field goal or punt?
I think with Auburn large defensive line they will be able to get into Oregon's backfield in the first half. Auburn has started slow on various occasions but I don't think we'll see much of a hiccup from either team in the first quarter. In the 2nd quarter is where I think Auburn will get some stops and the game will be decided. Ultimately I think Oregon will find it hard to get in front of Auburn after halftime and they will come up short in the 4th quarter with their players never having been in this type of game before. Auburn wins 45-35.
JB
Saturday, January 8, 2011
BBVA Compass Bowl
Kentucky (6-6) vs. Pittsburgh (7-5)
Considering Pittsburgh's high expectations and playing in a mediocre conference, they had a bad year. And to top it off they fired Dave Wannstedt to hire Mike Heywood, but he gets fired after about a week on the job because of domestic abuse charges. So they've been dealing with all of those coaching changes and they have an interim coach for this bowl game.
Kentucky had the season they were expected to have. They had the same season they've had since 2006. They can't get over the hump despite several top playmakers like Randall Cobb and Derrick Locke. Unfortunately for the Cats as well, their quarterback Mike Hartline will be suspended for this game. So both teams have their issues.
With all of that said, this game is being played in Birmingham at a time when the college football season has faded and the only focus is the BCS Title Game. There should be more Kentucky fans in the stands than Pitt fans, but the stands will probably have plenty of open seats. Pittsburgh has the 9th ranked defense in the country, however, they did not play top competition. Very few teams have seen a player like Randall Cobb and I think he will be the difference in this game. Kentucky wins 24-21.
JB
Considering Pittsburgh's high expectations and playing in a mediocre conference, they had a bad year. And to top it off they fired Dave Wannstedt to hire Mike Heywood, but he gets fired after about a week on the job because of domestic abuse charges. So they've been dealing with all of those coaching changes and they have an interim coach for this bowl game.
Kentucky had the season they were expected to have. They had the same season they've had since 2006. They can't get over the hump despite several top playmakers like Randall Cobb and Derrick Locke. Unfortunately for the Cats as well, their quarterback Mike Hartline will be suspended for this game. So both teams have their issues.
With all of that said, this game is being played in Birmingham at a time when the college football season has faded and the only focus is the BCS Title Game. There should be more Kentucky fans in the stands than Pitt fans, but the stands will probably have plenty of open seats. Pittsburgh has the 9th ranked defense in the country, however, they did not play top competition. Very few teams have seen a player like Randall Cobb and I think he will be the difference in this game. Kentucky wins 24-21.
JB
Friday, January 7, 2011
Cotton Bowl
LSU (10-2) vs. Texas A&M (9-3)
Considering what kind of season myself and many others though LSU would have this year, I was a good year for them. Even after the first 5 games of the year no one believed in LSU despite their undefeated record. Over the course of the final two months of the season they molded into a very solid football team. Looking back on their season, the Tigers did catch a few breaks but they also played good football and in the end, they are a legit team that deserved to play in this game.
Texas A&M also had a better than expected year. The three games they lost (which were back-to-back-to-back) were all to 10-2 teams. The Aggies also beat a 10-2 team in Oklahoma, and played well enough against the rest of the Big 12 to clinch a 3-way tie for first in the South division.
LSU will be without starting running back Steven Ridley which will hurt, but with all this time to prepare I don't think it will hurt enough to significantly help A&M. LSU has had an awful offense all year, but the Aggies D isn't going to scare anyone. However, the LSU defense is stout and full of NFL talent, that could be the difference against A&M's 21st ranked offense. After playing in a weak Big 12, facing a strong team from the SEC West will be tough.
Both teams should have plenty of fans at this game with it being in Dallas, Texas. LSU is 4-1 in bowl games under Les Miles. I think the Bayou Bengals pull this one out by a touchdown.
JB
Considering what kind of season myself and many others though LSU would have this year, I was a good year for them. Even after the first 5 games of the year no one believed in LSU despite their undefeated record. Over the course of the final two months of the season they molded into a very solid football team. Looking back on their season, the Tigers did catch a few breaks but they also played good football and in the end, they are a legit team that deserved to play in this game.
Texas A&M also had a better than expected year. The three games they lost (which were back-to-back-to-back) were all to 10-2 teams. The Aggies also beat a 10-2 team in Oklahoma, and played well enough against the rest of the Big 12 to clinch a 3-way tie for first in the South division.
LSU will be without starting running back Steven Ridley which will hurt, but with all this time to prepare I don't think it will hurt enough to significantly help A&M. LSU has had an awful offense all year, but the Aggies D isn't going to scare anyone. However, the LSU defense is stout and full of NFL talent, that could be the difference against A&M's 21st ranked offense. After playing in a weak Big 12, facing a strong team from the SEC West will be tough.
Both teams should have plenty of fans at this game with it being in Dallas, Texas. LSU is 4-1 in bowl games under Les Miles. I think the Bayou Bengals pull this one out by a touchdown.
JB
Thursday, January 6, 2011
NFL Playoffs
Out of the 12 teams in the NFL playoffs, I only 5 of them I predicted would be there. That stands about on par with my bowl predictions this year. Nevertheless, hHere's how I see the Playoffs unfolding..
Wildcard
Colts beat Jets
Ravens beat Chiefs
Packers beat Eagles
Saints beat Seahawks
Divisional
Steelers beat Colts
Patriots beat Ravens
Falcons beat Packers
Saints beat Bears
Championship
Patriots beat Steelers
Falcons beat Saints
Superbowl
Falcons beat Patriots
Obviously, I am picking the Falcons because they are my favorite team. I think they have a legit shot at winning the Superbowl this year, even looking past my bias. If they have to play the Eagles and the Saints on the Georgia Dome turf that is going to be a tall task for anyone, so we'll see how it plays out.
JB
Wildcard
Colts beat Jets
Ravens beat Chiefs
Packers beat Eagles
Saints beat Seahawks
Divisional
Steelers beat Colts
Patriots beat Ravens
Falcons beat Packers
Saints beat Bears
Championship
Patriots beat Steelers
Falcons beat Saints
Superbowl
Falcons beat Patriots
Obviously, I am picking the Falcons because they are my favorite team. I think they have a legit shot at winning the Superbowl this year, even looking past my bias. If they have to play the Eagles and the Saints on the Georgia Dome turf that is going to be a tall task for anyone, so we'll see how it plays out.
JB
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Somebody Go First!
Do you ever find yourself in that uncomfortable situation where there is a smorgasbord of food on the counter but no one will go first to eat it? There are two times when this happens, at a party and at a family gathering.
Perhaps at the party everyone brought some food. So all the hot food is sitting on the counter but no one can eat because there's still one or two people who haven't arrived yet. You're really hungry though, and dying to get a plate. Or perhaps everyone has arrived but for some reason the host won't release the starving guests to get some food. All of the food is getting cold. This is just no good. I have no solution to this problem other than just let everyone start eating...but that just won't happen as long as well-mannered people are at this event.
Then there's the family gathering, and this is my real intention on the subject. All the food has been prepared, maybe it's Thanksgiving or Christmas, maybe it's just a time when the family is together. Perhaps there are friends around, maybe not. Any situation you want, the bottom line is that there is food on the counter, a stack of plates and napkins, the food has been blessed, and no one will go first!
You would expect females to go first, after all...'ladies first'. But in my experience that just won't happen. Mostly because they don't want to be the first one picking out food and there be someone who thinks they are getting too much food....not that they are getting more than their fair share, just that they are getting too much and it could hurt their female physique. Then you ask whoever prepared the meal to go first, but they don't want to. Men feel awkward to go first because it's our duty to let women and children go first, make sure they have what they need before taking some for ourselves. Of course, if there were children in this scenario they would probably go ahead and get some food...but more often than not there aren't any in the age of 8-12 that would qualify to unabashed digging in.
So you're standing there, the food gets colder by the second. "You go", "no, you go", "I don't want to go first", "you look hungry, you go"...the cycle continues. The men don't want to go, the women don't want to go. The small children need their plates fixed by their mother. The older children want to be like the adults. You're hungry, the food is getting colder, why can't somebody just go first!
Well, it seems like I usually step to the front of the line here because I just don't care for everyone to have to wait a bicker about who should go first. I want to eat, and if no one will get food than I'll go ahead and serve myself first. Is it wrong, should I wait? Well, I want to wait for people. Not people talking.
JB
Perhaps at the party everyone brought some food. So all the hot food is sitting on the counter but no one can eat because there's still one or two people who haven't arrived yet. You're really hungry though, and dying to get a plate. Or perhaps everyone has arrived but for some reason the host won't release the starving guests to get some food. All of the food is getting cold. This is just no good. I have no solution to this problem other than just let everyone start eating...but that just won't happen as long as well-mannered people are at this event.
Then there's the family gathering, and this is my real intention on the subject. All the food has been prepared, maybe it's Thanksgiving or Christmas, maybe it's just a time when the family is together. Perhaps there are friends around, maybe not. Any situation you want, the bottom line is that there is food on the counter, a stack of plates and napkins, the food has been blessed, and no one will go first!
You would expect females to go first, after all...'ladies first'. But in my experience that just won't happen. Mostly because they don't want to be the first one picking out food and there be someone who thinks they are getting too much food....not that they are getting more than their fair share, just that they are getting too much and it could hurt their female physique. Then you ask whoever prepared the meal to go first, but they don't want to. Men feel awkward to go first because it's our duty to let women and children go first, make sure they have what they need before taking some for ourselves. Of course, if there were children in this scenario they would probably go ahead and get some food...but more often than not there aren't any in the age of 8-12 that would qualify to unabashed digging in.
So you're standing there, the food gets colder by the second. "You go", "no, you go", "I don't want to go first", "you look hungry, you go"...the cycle continues. The men don't want to go, the women don't want to go. The small children need their plates fixed by their mother. The older children want to be like the adults. You're hungry, the food is getting colder, why can't somebody just go first!
Well, it seems like I usually step to the front of the line here because I just don't care for everyone to have to wait a bicker about who should go first. I want to eat, and if no one will get food than I'll go ahead and serve myself first. Is it wrong, should I wait? Well, I want to wait for people. Not people talking.
JB
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Sugar Bowl
The ruling that Terelle Pryor and four of his teammates can play in this game, having their suspensions "suspended" until next season is a joke. The NCAA is a joke, there is no precedence, there is no justice. They are completely un-American. What punishment is it for Pryor that he can still play in this game? He was already considered to be a nice commodity for this year's draft, but he said he would come back for his senior year. Now if he comes back he's got to be crazy. Miss the first five games of 2011 of gear up for a showing in the Sugar Bowl to see if he can improve his draft stock. Jim Delany might as well be the puppeteer for the NCAA because he's obviously got some major pull with their decision making. I don't care if the players have a deal that they will come back for next season or not, unless they signed a contract to come back then they can always back out.
I really don't think selling a jersey is that big of a deal. In fact, I think it would be a good idea for players to be able to make a certain percentage of their jersey sales. That way only the players who are literally bringing in the money are the ones that get paid and we wouldn't have a mess of having to pay all student-athletes...the fans decide. But it doesn't matter about that, it's against the rules. A.J. Green did the same thing and he was suspended right away. There is no way Pryor or the other four should be playing in this game. But, of course, the Big Ten's prized jewel is 0-10 vs. the greatest conference there ever was so they want to come at Arkansas will all guns blazing. I hope all of this quiets those Big Ten fans who accuse the SEC of playing with criminals just to get an edge.
And that brings us to the game, Arkansas vs. Ohio State. The Big Ten had a nice 2-0 record going into New Year's Day, and the SEC was 0-3. Then the Tide came in, and the Bulldogs, and the Gators. Then Northwestern and Wisconsin got beat. The SEC dominated the Big Ten and they fell to 2-5. Their only hope is that Ohio State, their bell cow, can save face a little bit in this game.
The great matchup for this game will be Arkansas' 8th ranked offense vs. Ohio State's 2nd ranked defense. Those top tier Big Ten defenses were exposed on Saturday, and that doesn't look good for the Buckeyes. Ohio State has had some distractions, but it won't matter. Ryan Mallet will for sure be showcasing his talent for the NFL draft, and I think Arkansas has a freight train of momentum heading into this game. This game should be close, but if Arkansas breaks their will in the first three quarters it is going to get ugly. UPig wins this one.
JB
I really don't think selling a jersey is that big of a deal. In fact, I think it would be a good idea for players to be able to make a certain percentage of their jersey sales. That way only the players who are literally bringing in the money are the ones that get paid and we wouldn't have a mess of having to pay all student-athletes...the fans decide. But it doesn't matter about that, it's against the rules. A.J. Green did the same thing and he was suspended right away. There is no way Pryor or the other four should be playing in this game. But, of course, the Big Ten's prized jewel is 0-10 vs. the greatest conference there ever was so they want to come at Arkansas will all guns blazing. I hope all of this quiets those Big Ten fans who accuse the SEC of playing with criminals just to get an edge.
And that brings us to the game, Arkansas vs. Ohio State. The Big Ten had a nice 2-0 record going into New Year's Day, and the SEC was 0-3. Then the Tide came in, and the Bulldogs, and the Gators. Then Northwestern and Wisconsin got beat. The SEC dominated the Big Ten and they fell to 2-5. Their only hope is that Ohio State, their bell cow, can save face a little bit in this game.
The great matchup for this game will be Arkansas' 8th ranked offense vs. Ohio State's 2nd ranked defense. Those top tier Big Ten defenses were exposed on Saturday, and that doesn't look good for the Buckeyes. Ohio State has had some distractions, but it won't matter. Ryan Mallet will for sure be showcasing his talent for the NFL draft, and I think Arkansas has a freight train of momentum heading into this game. This game should be close, but if Arkansas breaks their will in the first three quarters it is going to get ugly. UPig wins this one.
JB
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Year's Day Bowl Games
This is the battle of the Big Ten vs. SEC. This is the biggest day of the year for conference bragging rights. It's always the Big Ten, and the SEC. Now we have three games today, all going on at the same time. We'll see whose got what today.
Outback Bowl: Penn State (7-5) vs. Florida (7-5)
Both of these teams have had somewhat disappointing seasons. Penn State hasn't beaten anyone of worth this year and they got blown away by Illnois. Penn State is always good at fundementals and not shooting themselves in the foot, and that is what they are going to have to do here if they want to win the game.
I'm not sure if Steve Adazio leaving for Temple is a good or bad thing for Florida's offense. They could not get anything going all year, and I see no real reason why they would be able to get something going in this game. The players have been threw a whirlwind of emotions with all of the coaching changes, we'll see how that effects them.
This Florida team doesn't want to go down as the worst team during the best decade of Florida football. Their last game was a thrashing by Florida State, and they need this game to salvage this season and send Meyer out a winner. I think the Gators get the job done, but it is close.
Capitol One Bowl: Michigan State (11-1) vs. Alabama (9-3)
Nick Saban facing the Spartans for the first time since he left there after the 1999 season. Even though Alabama is 9-3, that doesn't mean they aren't an elite team. And even though Michigan State is 11-1, that doesn't mean they are an elite team. That is why Bama is a 10 favorite in this game.
Michigan State survived this season by avoiding the tough road games (except Iowa, playing good football, and being clutch in late-game situations. But this ain't the Big Ten, they are entering the big time now. McElroy, Ingram, Jones, this is probably the last game they'll play for the Tide. I don't expect them to roll over like Alabama did two years ago vs. Utah. Bama wins this game...maybe big.
Gator Bowl: Michigan (7-5) vs. Mississippi State (8-4)
This is the first time in a bowl game since 2007 for both of these teams. Rich Rod is on the hot seat and Dan Mullen is the hottest coach in America. There is definitely more motivation of the side of the Wolverines, but MSU will have the crowd and the momentum of an incredible season in Starkville.
Michigan relies on one thing, and one thing alone, Denard Robinson. He's a 188 pound QB; in contrast, Chris Relf is 240+. Michigan's offense is ranked 6th in the nation, but their defense is 105th. They've given up 30 or more points in 8 of 12 games this year.
Mississippi State has a good offense and defense. So this won't be a shootout because the Bulldog D will make some stops, whether or not Michigan's D can do the same thing is the question. MSU will be bigger than Michigan, and should be able to dictate the line of scrimmage. I look for State to pull of a win, 42-30.
JB
Outback Bowl: Penn State (7-5) vs. Florida (7-5)
Both of these teams have had somewhat disappointing seasons. Penn State hasn't beaten anyone of worth this year and they got blown away by Illnois. Penn State is always good at fundementals and not shooting themselves in the foot, and that is what they are going to have to do here if they want to win the game.
I'm not sure if Steve Adazio leaving for Temple is a good or bad thing for Florida's offense. They could not get anything going all year, and I see no real reason why they would be able to get something going in this game. The players have been threw a whirlwind of emotions with all of the coaching changes, we'll see how that effects them.
This Florida team doesn't want to go down as the worst team during the best decade of Florida football. Their last game was a thrashing by Florida State, and they need this game to salvage this season and send Meyer out a winner. I think the Gators get the job done, but it is close.
Capitol One Bowl: Michigan State (11-1) vs. Alabama (9-3)
Nick Saban facing the Spartans for the first time since he left there after the 1999 season. Even though Alabama is 9-3, that doesn't mean they aren't an elite team. And even though Michigan State is 11-1, that doesn't mean they are an elite team. That is why Bama is a 10 favorite in this game.
Michigan State survived this season by avoiding the tough road games (except Iowa, playing good football, and being clutch in late-game situations. But this ain't the Big Ten, they are entering the big time now. McElroy, Ingram, Jones, this is probably the last game they'll play for the Tide. I don't expect them to roll over like Alabama did two years ago vs. Utah. Bama wins this game...maybe big.
Gator Bowl: Michigan (7-5) vs. Mississippi State (8-4)
This is the first time in a bowl game since 2007 for both of these teams. Rich Rod is on the hot seat and Dan Mullen is the hottest coach in America. There is definitely more motivation of the side of the Wolverines, but MSU will have the crowd and the momentum of an incredible season in Starkville.
Michigan relies on one thing, and one thing alone, Denard Robinson. He's a 188 pound QB; in contrast, Chris Relf is 240+. Michigan's offense is ranked 6th in the nation, but their defense is 105th. They've given up 30 or more points in 8 of 12 games this year.
Mississippi State has a good offense and defense. So this won't be a shootout because the Bulldog D will make some stops, whether or not Michigan's D can do the same thing is the question. MSU will be bigger than Michigan, and should be able to dictate the line of scrimmage. I look for State to pull of a win, 42-30.
JB
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