Tag Archives: Alabama

Week # 5 in the "ORB IN ACTION" contest pitted three entries all submitted by men.  Well it seems the ladies took exception to being left out, and stepped up this past week as all three entries came from the gals.  Once again it was tough for the judges to pick a winner, but in the end, the FREE Original Retro Brand shirt will go to Samantha By, of Evanston, Illinois.  Here is a recap of the week # 5 entries:

Our first entry came from Jennifer Poole, of Tyler, Texas:

“I’m a huge Virginia Tech fan who currently lives in East Texas, working at The University of Texas at Tyler. I may be the ONLY Virginia Tech fan in all of East Texas! I was thrilled to receive this ORB Virginia Tech shirt as a gift, and it has helped me to share some Virginia Tech love around here. I do yoga in my shirt because it is soft, comfortable, and stretches with me. Right away, it became my favorite t-shirt. I’m hoping that Virginia Tech will beat Tennessee in the upcoming bowl game! Go Hokies! The two beagles in the picture are Tyler, on the left, and Katie, on the right. He was named Tyler before I moved to Tyler, Texas. How strange is that?  Anyways, thank you for the great t-shirt!”

This was an excellent entry, as this proves that the Original Retro Brand can put you in a "Zen-like state," plus we are soft-tees for animals.

Our second entry came from Alina Stevens, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama: Having a few kids in the shot always pulls at the judges heartstrings!

“This is me and the cutest kids in the world, rockin’ my Original Retro Brand Alabama t-shirt at the Alabama-Georgia Tech women’s softball game.  Alabama killed them…as we do in every sport!!  Roll Tide!!  Original Retro Brand is my favorite t-shirt because it is SO comfortable, and everyone always asks me where I got it!!  Thanks Retro….keep rockin’!!!

Our third and WINNING entry came from Samantha By, of Evanston, Illinois.

“Hi, I’m a student at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.  Here I am with my sister (I’m on the left) and we’re getting ready for the holidays by finishing up a gingerbread house.  Special thanks to Northwestern Alumni Association’s website for being super easy to use so I could make this greeting card.  We both love our Northwestern ORB shirts.  I’m always getting compliments on how cute the shirt is.  I just love this logo and have not seen any other shirt that features Willie, the way this shirt does."

The use of the school mascot and Christmas spirit shone through for Samantha and her sister.  Of course two Original Retro Brand shirts are better than one, and that clinched the victory with the judges. We will alert Samantha of her victory, and post the ORB shirt she chooses as her prize on the Original Retro Brand Facebook Fanpage.

Remember folks, we’re only accepting entries up until next Sunday, December 27th, for the final week of regular competition.  Just e-mail yours truly (andyphyman@gmail.com) a picture of yourself (or you and your friends) wearing an Original Retro Brand shirt at work or play, with a brief description of what you do for a living and/or what you love to do for fun while sporting your Original Retro Brand gear.  We’ll post your picture and description on this blog when we receive, and on the Original Retro Brand Facebook Fan page. The Original Retro Brand Staff will choose the photo/description each week that they believe best represents the spirit of the Original Retro Brand Fan, and the person who sent in the photo will win a FREE ORIGINAL RETRO BRAND t-shirt!  One more winner will be announced next Monday, December 28th.  We will then take all the winners, and pick the overall best picture for our grand prize winner and announce on New Year’s Day.  The Grand Prize will be a choice of 4 Original Retro Brand t-shirts.  Also remember to stay updated on all that is Original Retro Brand by following us on Twitter and Facebook.  We need more entries NOW for the final week, so please send them in TODAY!!!

ENTER CODE:  CANBT, AT CHECKOUT TO RECEIVE 25% OFF STYLES IN THE ORIGINAL RETRO BRAND'S PICK OF THE WEEK SECTION.  TEAMS FEATURED FROM OUR GAMES OF THE WEEK, UTAH, TCU, CINCINNATI, & WEST VIRGINIA  ALL AVAILABLE!!

No, I'm not crazy.  I've been padding my once atrocious win-loss record by picking upsets like Alabama's Mark Ingram picks up yards - lots.  A mere 3 weeks ago, my win-loss record stood at 7-12.  I've managed to add 9 victories and only 2 losses, and am finally over the .500 mark for the first time this season (16-14).  I must admit I really believed Oregon could beat USC when they did so a few weeks ago, but Navy over Notre Dame in South Bend?  That was more hope than belief, but hope was kept alive!  I truly believe there is more than hope for both teams facing unbeaten's this weekend, thus our Games/Picks of the week....

MOUNTAIN CLIMBER BROWN

The # 25 West Virginia Mountaineers travel to Nippert Stadium this Friday night to face the undefeated # 5 Cincinnati Bearcats.  A very interesting scenario is taking form in the Big East, and it starts with this game.  If the Mountaineers can beat the Bearcats (which I believe they will), they will be just one game behind # 12 ranked Pittsburgh when they face them next week at home.  I believe Pitt will be coming off a home loss versus Notre Dame where coach Charlie Weiss's job is definitely on the line, and thus a bit deflated when they roll into Mountaineer Field where West Virginia will hand them their second loss in a row.  The Mountaineers would find themselves alone atop the Big East, being in a three-way conference tie for first place, but having dumped Cincinnati and Pitt consecutively.  Easier said than done, but Cincinnati struggled with a fairly weak Connecticut team last week, and I'm just feeling the passing - rushing combo of Jarret Brown and Noel Devine is too formidable for Cincy.  Former Heisman hopeful Tony Pike coming off the bench won't cut it for the Bearcats.  West Virginia 28, Cincinnati 21.

The experts have been singing the praises of  #4 TCU all year, and deservedly so, but the # 16 Utah Utes have quietly put together an impressive 8-1 record, and are tied for first place in the Mountain West Conference with the Horned Frogs, going into this crucial match-up.  Running back Eddie Wide (pictured lower right) has gone under the Heisman radar despite 6 consecutive 100 yard games.  Both teams match up fairly evenly on offense, but TCU ranks # 1 in total defense in the conference, and that has been the difference for them to date....BUT Utah ranks 3rd.  Even with home field advantage this week, I believe the unbeaten run ends.  Too many undefeated teams means just that, and therefore the Utes will come out on top.   Utah 27, TCU 18.

And a few more....As mentioned above, I believe Notre Dame will bounce back and beat a very good Pitt team.  Fighting Irish 35, Panthers 28 .....Missouri has been a major disappointment after a 4-0 start this year, while Kansas State is in the driver's seat in the Big 12.  What better scenario for a Tiger victory?  Missouri 24, Kansas State 21.... Illinois has won two big games in a row, and Northwestern dumped previously unbeaten Iowa.  Illinois continues to roll at home.  Fighing Illini 35, Wildcats 20.  Lastly, Iowa won't beat an Ohio State team coming home to the Shoe, after crushing Penn State in Happy Valley.  Iowa drops second straight.  Ohio State 24, Iowa Hawkeyes 10.

BE SURE TO CHECK THIS POST TOMORROW AFTERNOON FOR YOUR 25% OFF CODE TOWARDS  LSU AND ALABAMA MERCHANDISE THAT WILL BE FEATURED ON ORIGINALRETROBRAND.COM IN THE  PICK OF THE WEEK  SECTION.

Well of course the Tigers can beat Bama.  They have dominated them the past 9 years, taking 7 of those meetings en route to their 2003 & 2007 National Championships..... but they won't beat them this Saturday.  The Tide will continue to roll for several reasons;  1) LSU is ranked dead last in the SEC in total offense going up against an Alabama defense that ranks # 1 against the rush, and # 2 in total defense.   2)  Bama running back Mark Ingram is a monster averaging 6.6 yds per carry, and is currently neck and neck with Florida's Tim Tebow in the Heisman Trophy race.   3)  The Tide will ride the emotional wave of momentum provided by linebacker Terrence Cody, whose 2 blocked field goal attempts last week against the Vols, snatched victory from sure defeat.

If LSU does pull off this upset, they have a very good shot at surpassing Alabama, and winning the SEC West.   LSU finishes up with a somewhat demoralized and overrated Ole Miss team, and then Arkansas at home.   Meanwhile, Alabama has two very tough road games against an underrated Mississippi State, and a very hungry arch rival  Auburn Tiger team.   All of this being said, BAMA  will use the home field advantage to keep their record perfect.   Final Score:  Alabama 28, LSU 20.

AND SPEAKING OF PERFECT....Darn Virginia Tech kept me from a perfect 6-0 on my picks last week by losing to North Carolina.  I nearly landed the Georgia-Florida, and Texas-Oklahoma State game scores ON THE NOSE.  How bout them Oregon Ducks??!!   After a disastrous 7-12 record to date, a 5 win week gets me back in the hunt with a 12-13 record.  What hunt I don't know, but I'm in it!!   Since I am a sucker for underdogs, I may not be in the hunt after this weekend with these insane picks....

After a heart wrenching loss to Temple last week, I say the midshipmen shock the Irish in South Bend:  Navy 30, Notre Dame 28.    The CAL Bears are just so inconsistent this year, while the Beavers have given ranked teams (Cincinnati, Arizona & USC) very tough games.  Oregon State 35, CAL 21.   Illinois is coming off a stunner over Michigan after dropping 5 straight games while the Gophers have had a brutal three game stretch against Ohio State, Penn State and a hard fought victory over Michigan State last week.   Illinois shows new life while Minnesota is just too tired.   Illinois 24, Minnesota 14.

WHO'D A THUNK IT?  With the Indians circling the Bobby Bowden Wagon, the Florida State Seminoles have rallied around the living legend to win two straight, and can still win the ACC Atlantic division with a win over Clemson in Death Valley, then Wake Forest and Maryland.  FSU will do just that.  FSU 38, Clemson 35.

BE SURE TO CHECK THIS POST TOMORROW AFTERNOON FOR YOUR 25% OFF CODE TOWARDS  LSU AND ALABAMA MERCHANDISE  THAT WILL BE FEATURED ON ORIGINALRETROBRAND.COM IN THE  PICK OF THE WEEK  SECTION.

"........But that was then and this is now, and despite the huge win last night, I see Miami finishing  a notch behind FSU.   And even though the Hokies dropped their opener to Alabama  I see Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech coming in the top two spots (Georgia Tech will beat FSU in the ACC Championship game)."     Yes, these words were written by yours truly just a few short weeks ago.  My, my, how I wish I can take them back....

Now that the Miami Hurricanes have knocked off state rival, and # 18 Florida State, and wiped out the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in old school fashion (i.e, a blowout dropping them  from # 14 out of the top 25.), the Canes seem poised to step back into an old familiar role of NATIONAL POWERHOUSE.

Their first big test will come this Saturday on the road in Blacksburg, against ACC Coastal division rivals, the Virginia Tech Hokies.   The Hokies lost a hard fought opening season game to Alabama and are coming off a stunning last second victory over a much improved Nebraska Cornhuskers team last weekend.

In a game that will feature two young QB's coming of age, the nod has to go to Miami's Jacory Harris, who has been named ACC Offensive player of the week twice already in this young season.    Along with a smothering  defense that held the highly touted Georgia Tech running game to a standstill last week,  the "U", should be able to silence the Virginia Tech faithful.

The Canes are certainly not looking ahead, but if they can knock off the Hokies, they will get to host the # 9 (USA TODAY) Oklahoma Sooners and the very likely return of Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford.   A win at home would put the Canes in the driver's seat to run the table and go unbeaten (....although the Tarheels are looking tough too..).

When was the last time a Miami team (or any team?) started the season by knocking off 4 teams ranked in the top 20?   I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION, but I would imagine it could go back to the 34 game winning streak the Hurricanes put together in 2001-2002.   Remember back when the Hurricanes were always near the top?   They're back........and I believe if I need to pull any quotes from this post in 2 weeks, it will be to reiterate that the Canes will run the table!

With one more week to the halfway point in the Original Retro Brand FIGHT FOR FIT CHALLENGE,  I have finally made the breakthrough I was looking for by not just losing 3 lbs in one week, but 4!!!   I knew I had a good shot at 3 this week, as I really pushed myself and got in a few "2-a-days" on the workouts.

Perhaps I lost an extra pound mentally, as I was extremely sickened by the Georgia Bulldogs loss to the Oklahoma State Cowboys and really almost puked....brutal.   I was so sickened that I opted to watch "The Sound of Music, "  on the family channel, instead of the  Alabama-Virginia Tech game!  Well I know somebody that will not be sick, and that is.....

The Winner of the FREE Original Retro Brand T-Shirt - this week it is Steve Glavine (don't know where he is from yet!).  Steve came the closest by guessing my weight to be 230.  One lb off, but the closest!    We will notify Steve of his good fortune, then post the shirt he has chosen on the Original Retro Brand Facebook Fan page.   Remember, every Monday I will be posting my weight loss (or gain), and you can win a FREE Original Retro Brand T-Shirt by simply guessing what my weight will be by entering your guess in the Post/View Comment section of the most recent FIGHT FOR FIT CHALLENGE blog post.  Whoever guesses, or comes closest will win the FREE ORB t- shirt.  Including Steve today, we have given away 6 shirts.   There will be 8 more chances to win, with the final weigh in coming on Halloween morning, October 31st.

At 229, I have now lost 15 lbs, and need to lose another 15lbs to reach my goal of 214.   While I feel like working out has turned into a good habit, the lack of caloric intake is starting to get to me.  I have been a life lover of ALL THE FAST FOODS and BOY DO I MISS MY FRIENDS Mr. Big Mac and Mr. Beef Burrito!!   With College Football in full swing, and the NFL getting ready to begin, the temptation to devour an entire 8 slices of Johnny's pizza whilst watching a game or two is VERY REAL.   We'll debate the joy of being fat and happy, versus thin and kinda happy another time.   For now, I'm on a mission to fit my XL Original Retro Brand Georgia shirt, and I intend on completing that mission!

Thanks to all those who continue to support me in my quest!   You can follow my progress (or lack of..) on http://twitter.com/retrobrand, and Facebook.  I am sponsoring the American Cancer Society's Relayforlife, by donating $5 a day during my challenge.  Please give generously to the charity of your choice.   ENJOY YOUR LABOR DAY!!

With College Football officially kicking off today,  I've decided to break out the glamour position of Quarterback for our 4th weekly installment of TOP TEN players in College Football History by position.   As with our previous TOP TEN lists on Running Backs, Linebackers, and Defensive Backs, this list is based mainly on WHO I LIKE BEST!   And as usual, there will be a POLL at the bottom of the post,  which will allow you to vent a bit (a VERY little bit) about my choices.  Also be sure to check out the highlighted  links to the awesome Original Retro Brand team gear these QB's played for too!   Here we go....

10. Tom Harmon, Michigan: Ok, ok, he was mainly a running back, but in addition to his 2,000+ rushing yards, he threw for over 1,000 yards and kicked extra points.  Coolest footnote is 1940 Heisman winner wore cool jersey # 98!

9. Archie Manning, Ole Miss: No, not Peyton from the Vols!  Bear Bryant said Manning was the best college QB he had ever seen (sorry Joe Willie!).  Was 4th and 3rd Heisman runner up in 1969 & 1970, and voted into College Football Hall of Fame in 1989.

8. Bernie Kosar, Miami: Led the Canes to their first National Championship over an undefeated Nebraska in 1983.  He holds many school passing records, notably his career passing completion pctg. of  62.3

7. Jim Mcmahon, BYU (ORB shirt coming real soon!): The man finished his career (sat out many games due to injury by the way) with over 70 NCAA passing records...SEVENTY!!!! He threw for over 4,000 yards and 47 TD's in 1980...sick numbers.

6. Joe Namath, Alabama:  Led the Crimson Tide to 1964 National Championship.  Later that year, Namath became the highest paid player ever to be drafted in Pro Football history, by signing $427,000 contract with the AFL's  New York Jets (at the time it was a lot of dough!).  Even though he whooped my beloved Colts in Super Bowl III, the Fu Manchu & Bachelor's III, and Broadway Joe, etc....couldn't resist (I know it's a College list and I don't care!)

5. Dan Marino, Pitt: Beating my DAWGS in the 1982 Sugar Bowl with less than a minute to go makes it very difficult to put him on this list, but he was amazing.  The College Football Hall of Famer was the very first player to be drafted in the USFL, by the LA Express.  Luckily for the Dolphins, the money wasn't right.

4. Charlie Ward, Florida State: The 1993 National Champion & Heisman Winner also played basketball for the Nole's, and led them to a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 1992.  He also played amateur tennis, and was drafted as a pitcher by the Brewers and NY Yankees.   The College Football Hall of Famer was perhaps the best all-around college athlete EVER.

3. Vince Young, Texas: The numbers are astonishing; Over 6,000 yards passing, and over 3,000 rushing: C-R-A-Z-Y.   Wrapped up his career neatly with a 200+ yd passing/200+ yd rushing/3 TD performance against USC for undefeated National Championship victory in 2005.  Last TD came with 19 seconds to go.

2. Steve Spurrier, Florida: OH, THE UTTER AND COMPLETE PAIN of including him in this list, and this high up?    I guess it's that after all of the beat-downs he's put on Georgia as a player and coach, I've softened up over the years, and realized (although he is the enemy for ever), I need to pay him his due.   The 2-Time first team All American, and 1966 Heisman winner also kicked extra points and rushed for four hundred yards too.

1. Roger Staubach, Navy:  Roger the "Dodger."  1963 Heisman Trophy Winner led the Midshipmen to a # 2 Ranking the same year.   Because of his commitment to the service, he didn't start his NFL career until he was 27.  Great player & great Patriot make him # 1 in my book.

Did I leave off anybody you can think of?  Were there any other deserving QB's?   Even I have to admit this one is just too difficult to really pick who is the best.   So take your shots, and leave me some comments on who you think should be included and/or taken off this list.    More importantly......COLLEGE FOOTBALL STARTS TONIGHT!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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