SportsNation Blog Archives
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Game 1: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 9 Iowa at No. 24 Arizona
- Will the late start time or the weather in the desert affect Iowa more?
- Is Arizona's Nick Foles a better quarterback than Iowa's Ricky Stanzi?
- Vote on those and other questions about Iowa at Arizona!
Steve (Sioux City, IA)
Adam, I know everyone thinks it's going to be tough for Iowa to head out West but I have a hard time thinking that a team with this many seniors and this much leadership would be rattled by playing at Arizona. Thoughts?
Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg
Steve, I think Iowa's experience certainly should help in handling the elements, but history certainly doesn't favor the Hawkeyes in these matchups. Iowa isn't the type of team to lose its poise, and the Hawkeyes have won in some pretty tough places (State College, Madison, East Lansing, etc.) Still, you have to anticipate some adversity against Arizona. How will the 2010 Hawkeyes respond? We'll find out soon. Full transcript
Game 2: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 10 Florida at Tennessee
- Would Tennessee have been better off keeping Phillip Fulmer?
- Was Tim Tebow a better college quarterback than Peyton Manning?
- Vote on those and other questions about Florida at Tennessee!
Stefan (The Swamp)
Are you buying or selling the Gators as a top ten team? Mind you the Gators still have a dynamic defense and they will open up the pass offense over the next two weeks...
Mark Schlabach
I'm selling right now, but I think they'll be a top 10 team by season's end. Have to get better on offense. Very good on defense, especially in the secondary. Don't see a lot of weapons on offense other than Demps, though. Full transcript
Game 3: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 8 Nebraska at Washington
- Is Nebraska winning the national title more likely than Jake Locker winning the Heisman?
- Was Washington's 1991 team better than Nebraska's 1997 team?
- Vote on those and other questions about Nebraska at Washington!
Ryan (Lincoln)
What's your favorite nickname for Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez? T-Mart, T-Magic, T-Mobile, or another one? This is really important to Husker Nation.
Ivan Maisel
It would be like me voting for the mayor of Lincoln. I am not registered there. I have no say in the matter. Given the way he runs, how about "Taylor Swift?" Yeah, maybe not. Full transcript
Game 4: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 6 Texas at Texas Tech
- Is Tommy Tuberville as good a coach as Mike Leach?
- Will Taylor Potts post bigger numbers than Garrett Gilbert?
- Vote on those and other questions about Texas at Texas Tech!
Nick (Denver)
Dave- what are the chances that Texas Tech beats Texas?
Big 12 blogger David Ubben
Good, but if it's close, I'm taking Texas. Tech has to jump on them early, 14-0 or something, and force Gilbert to throw the ball more than the Longhorns gameplanned for. The Red Raiders secondary is young, but they've got a lot of talent and a great pass rush up front. If Texas can keep the offense on cruise control, their secondary will make big plays down the stretch against Potts to leave Lubbock with the win. Full transcript
Game 5: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 12 Arkansas at Georgia
- Will Arkansas miss Dennis Johnson more than Georgia misses A.J. Green?
- Is Mark Richt a better coach than Bobby Petrino?
- Vote on those and other questions about Arkansas at Georgia!
Brian (Arkansas)
How do you think Arkansas will do this weekend against a Georgia team that's desperate?
Mel Kiper
Georgia is between the hedges. They'll be in a very firey mood, after that game against Vanderbilt. The key play in the game was the fumble with SC down 14-6. That fumble prevented Georgia from getting back into that football game. Arkansas had two cupcakes right out of the box. Now they get their first test. Georgia is much more battle tested. Not having Green on Georgia is a huge problem. Aaron Murray for Georgia was only 4-8 for 32 yards in the first half. In the third quarter alone, he was 7-8 for 101 yards, just before the fumble. Murray needs AJ Green. That's an unfortunate situation with Green at Georgia. Full transcript
- Vote: Is Utah the new wild card in conference realignment?
- Rank 'Em: Does the Big 12 have better teams than the Pac-10?
- Chat: Pat Forde sizes up the new conference landscape, 2 ET.
- More from ESPN.com: Big 12 blogger David Ubben on how the league was saved.
The Big East has teams in Milwaukee and Louisville. The Big Ten not only has a name that's out of date but a logo (with the embedded "11" in it) that's doubly wrong after adding Nebraska to the mix. The Pac-10 and Big 12? Not for math majors. At this rate, Conference USA needs to add the University of Western Ontario just to keep up with the big boys. But now that Texas has apparently saved the 10-team Big 12 by graciously accepting the opportunity to make more money than anyone else, what should we do about the name?
SportsNation blogger MightierToaster thinks the answer isn't coming up with a new name to match the math (and as a Big Ten fan, he has some experience with this). Instead, he thinks the answer is finding new non-Texas schools to match the old name.
- "Tulsa - Have a history of success and in Oklahoma, natural rivals.
Memphis - Terrible football, has ability, but brings great BBall.
Add the Florida market with either FAU or UCF.
MTSU - Great up and coming program under Stockstill, adds Tennessee market."
-- Read MightierToaster's full post.
Craig (Oklahoma)
I have an idea for the Big 12: add TCU and Tulsa to the conf. and put TCU in the south and Tulsa in the north, plus move OSU to the north. Just an idea, what do you think?
Bruce Feldman
I don't think its crazy. TCU is a big time program with great history. IT's not like you said shove two Sun Belts teams in there. Full transcript
The Mike Leach-era may be over in Lubbock, but we get a sneaking suspicion the story isn't.
The Texas Tech head football coach was fired just two days after he was suspended by the school as it investigated his treatment of receiver Adam Jones, son of former NFL player and ESPN college football analyst Craig James. Leach allegedly confined Adams, who was suffering from a concussion at the time, to a dark, confined space without the ability to sit or lean for three hours. In some circles this is an abhorrent act that demands swift action. In others, it is a quirky coaching style that is widely accepted as "tough love." Both factions will be out in full force as Leach's lawyers have indicated a lawsuit against the school is coming soon.
Could this be a better matchup than the Red Raiders against Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl? Only time will tell.
“A university does not FIRE its head football coach, especially one who has been as successful as Leach, without there being either several large issues or one undeniably huge issue. I doubt that this single episode, based on what has been described from both sides, is the reason he was fired. There is either more to this, or there have been other similar/related issues.
” -- bobbyc65
“Leach made his own bed, this could have been taken care of with a simple apologie and acknowledgment to the university that he indeed was not a Dr and would stop acting as such.
” -- mvkapfer
John (Texas)
Hi Mel, Have a happy new year. With Tech firing Mike Leach, what effect do you think it will have on players deciding to stay at tech next year or going pro?
Mel Kiper
Interesting question. It seems like he's had support from the players in this situation. It's unfortunate. He did a great job at Tech. It's a bizarre situation. I never remember any problems with him there. All he does as win and produce staggering offenses. This is a shock to me, to see it unfold so quickly. I don't get it. All the facts aren't in yet, but something doesn't seem right to me. This is bizarre, to say the least. All I can say is that he's a great football coach and gave Texas Tech some phenomenal seasons, putting them on the map. They have some guys playing in the NFL who have done a great job. It can't be good for them going against Michigan St. These are Mike Leach's guys. This is a huge distraction and can't be good short or long term. This is not a historical power. It's got to be a huge shock for the Red Raiders. I've seen a lot of crazy things in my years covering the game, but this is bizarre to say the least. Full transcript
- Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25
- Vote on big topics: Charlie Weis' future | Auburn at Georgia
- Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others
- More wraps: Mark Schlabach | Pat Forde | Mel Kiper | Ivan Maisel | Bruce Feldman
- Special guests: Brad Edwards | Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson
It won't be an easy weekend for BCS Cinderellas, even though they're all playing at home. Cincinnati faces No. 25 West Virginia, TCU gets the pressure of GameDay and No. 16 Utah, and Boise State deals with a surprising 7-3 Idaho (and a visiting AD who doesn't like to fly on planes with Broncos markings).
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"Anybody actually wondering why Texas is ranked above Alabama needs simply look at the same schedule that you might use to bolster your argument: no voter in their right mind is going to risk putting Bama over Texas when the Tide will probably be quelled at either Ole Miss, LSU, or for sure against Florida in a title game." -- AustinBrando
The one-point season
"OU has consistently choked on the big stage in recent years. The only saving grace is in the fact Stoops has been able to get OU into these big games. However, that means nothing if we only deliver a disappointing egg every time we get to the big game." -- espnb12s
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You can't blame fans like OleMIssOurYear for getting their hopes up. It's happened to us all (as has a game like the loss at South Carolina).
Next up for bubble popping? Maybe Miami. Maybe TCU. Maybe Cal. Maybe Houston.
Fans blogged their predictions for these and other games this week. Check out the voices and reactions of fans from across the country.
Week 4 predictions: awesomewes1 | uclabruin094 | Sportsguru6 | nunyabiz81 | spoofybeme2005 | jjreynoldsii | schubaka23 | utfan089 | tjroundup | SeAGoBLin15 | JoeRevs300 | D1Fortune
Rankings: sundevil22820 (No. 1 Florida) | canesinla (No. 1 Florida) | ADEVARTS (No. 1 Florida) | pnthrsfn1012 (No. 1 Florida) | randomdude21 (No. 1 Florida) | Slaton_20 (No. 1 Florida) | CheezusCrust (No. 1 Miami) | jjreynoldsii (No. 1 Alabama) | pigtailedtigerpiccolo (Overrated teams)
“This year, it's all different. Darryll Clark is a totally different quarterback and Penn State's defense is more ready than ever before. Ricky Stanzi will have do it all by himself. Penn State 25, Iowa 12.
” -- tjroundup
“The Frogs are an exceptional red zone team, both offensively and defensively, so you can expect Clemson's rushing TD drought to continue. ... The Frogs' balanced attack and athletic defense will get it done in the second half. TCU 31-20.
” -- bassmannash
“This is tough. It's in Blacksburg, but I'm not sold on Tyrod Taylor. Can Miami continue this magical start? I say no. Virginia Tech 20-13.
” -- spoofybeme2005
“Texas Tech-Houston: Texas Tech. Why: Houston strikes me as a similar 'BCS-buster' type as teams like BYU, Ball State and East Carolina have been the past couple years.
” -- nunyabiz81
“Jahvid Best has at least two TDs and those will be the difference when Cal comes out of Eugene with a win. If Oregon had LeGarrette Blount this would be a closer game. Cal 35, Oregon 21.
” -- awesomewes1
Two topics dominated college football fan blogs this week: resurgence and the Tennessee-Florida jawing.
Just about everybody outside of Knoxville wants the Gators to shut up Lane Kiffin. Just about everybody in Ann Arbor now believes. Just about everybody in the ACC is now afraid of Miami again.
Here are the voices and predictions and reactions of all the college football fans who blogged on ESPN.com this week:
“As a Vols fan, I have hope that the Big Orange can somehow win this game: hope and a prayer with a little luck sprinkled in.
” -- LANETRAIN09
“The only song Tennessee will be singing is Brahms' Lullaby after the Florida defense knocks them out. Florida 70, Tennessee 14.
” -- JoeRevs300
Nebraska-Virginia Tech: "The Hokies have one of the best dual-threat QBs in the nation. ... The Huskers have the difficult task of playing Virginia Tech in Lane Stadium, arguably one of the best home-field advantages in all of college football. FINAL SCORE: Virginia Tech 31, Nebraska 21." -- uclabruin094
Texas Tech-Texas: "Texas 45, Texas Tech 28. Texas is more experienced, has Colt McCoy, and has home field to boot." -- txtechjmacattack
Utah-Oregon: "Oregon's high-flying offense has scored only 47 points the last two games. How will the defense hold up against this Utah offense? Utah 31-18." -- tjroundup
Week 3 predictions: cardon032 | nunyabiz81 | utesfan2 | tjroundup | Sportsguru6 | uclabruin094 | pettyofficerkeller2 | codywin25 | spoofybeme2005
Fan rankings: pnthrsfn1012 | canesinla | sundevil22820 | Slaton_20 | theballguy (SEC) | pigtailedtigerpiccolo (overrated)
Heisman: NYJ111sbp
“Two weeks ago I was reading posts from Michigan faithful, that made them sound worse than Buckeye fans. ... So to all the posters throughout the country that constantly took shots at Michigan, I guess my question is 'what's up now?'
” -- debakes10
“The Miami Hurricanes are relevant again in college football and quite realistically in the BCS picture.
” -- SeAGoBLin15
“For Notre Dame and Coach Weis the questions have turned into demands from 'are we there yet?' to 'you better get us there and soon.'
” -- NDIrishof84
Big 12: AustinBrando (Texas) | katiec_6886 (Texas) | rgadawg (Texas) | txtechjmacattack (Texas Tech) | espnb12s
Big Ten: debakes10 (Michigan) | Lett08 (Michigan) | nunyabiz81 (Michigan) | bsharp0913 (Ohio State) | jahowell29 (Ohio State) | jonesc1906
MAC: Siltjade (Central Michigan)
MWC: GBU_12 (BYU)
Other: NDIrishof84 (Notre Dame) | dbm326 (parity) | JayBird 67 (rivalries) | bigpersian76 | pcbboy2002
Pac-10: Derek from Alabama (USC) | Thunderstruck126265
SEC: ottomason (Tennessee) | LANETRAIN09 (Tennessee) | bsharp0913 (Tennessee) | SeAGoBLin15
WAC: BalleR96734 (Hawaii)
Week 2 looking back: ADEVARTS | espnb12s | nunyabiz81 | afjumpman23
Join a group and talk to fans of your favorite teams or heckle your rivals. Share photos. Make plans for a big tailgate. Don't see a group that fits your needs? Search for other groups by keyword or create a new group for your friends and fellow fans.
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ESPN.com's college football writers and bloggers will be going conference by conference in the coming weeks to preview the season ahead, and we're looking for your rankings along the way. Things get started with the Big 12, where blogger Tim Griffin has some Cowboys and Cornhuskers as the most likely spoilers in the Oklahoma-Texas race.
1. Texas
2. Oklahoma
3. Oklahoma State
4. Nebraska
5. Kansas
6. Texas Tech
Check out Griffin's complete Big 12 rankings.
When it comes to Big 12 opening acts, SportsNation wouldn't mind being in Austin to watch Texas seek revenge against Texas Tech. Voters also like Texas A&M more than Baylor or Colorado when it comes to a revival among the conference's downtrodden members.
But come on, this is the Big 12, and that means only one thing to many: Oct. 17 in Dallas.
So with two months to kill before Oklahoma and Texas meet on the field, we decided to waste some time and stoke the fires from Norman to Austin with a pair of endlessly arguable questions for the two teams. Not surprisingly, we found a Nation divided.
- SN's take: 57 percent say Bob Stoops' spread tougher than Barry Switzer's wishbone.
- SN's take: 52 percent say Vince Young a better Texas quarterback than Colt McCoy.
Meanwhile, as Big 12 blogger Tim Griffin recounted recently, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops thinks the Red River Rivalry between his Sooners and Texas still has room to grow. Earlier this summer, SportsNation rated it as the best rivalry in college football, but considering that there are still several schools SportsNation hates way more than Oklahoma and Texas, Stoops may have a point. One can only aspire to be despised as much as Ohio State (whose fans now don't know whether to feel offended or complimented).
- SN's take: 60 percent say Nebraska won't regain elite status before 2020.
- SN's take: 52 percent think Bill Snyder is the best coach in Kansas.
- SN's take: 53 percent contend Georgia at OSU isn't best Big 12 nonconference game.
- Vote: What's your take on some of these Big 12 preseason questions?
- Groups: HOOK EM !! | BIG 12 TWELVE COUNTRY | The Red River Rivalry
“I think the OU Texas game is going to be the best this year! One down but good O-line and one down D-line but good . The best backfield vs one of the best secondaries. Gonna be fun!
” -- jtstavern
“I love this [OU-Texas] rivalry, of all my teams this is my favorite. It was rough those years OU owned us, but I can appreciate how Texas hung in there with Mack and now the rivalry is widely regarded as one of the biggest again. I was sooo tired of the Michigan/OSU hype
” -- bigtravatx
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