You know what else is downright scary?  My ability to make decent college football picks!  Going into this past weekend, I had a 5-7 record, and eagerly devoured and dissected the smorgasbord of  big games on the schedule in anticipation of leap-frogging over the .500 mark and then some.  The final result of my efforts resulted in 2 wins and 5 losses, bringing my “expert” pick tally to a deplorable 7-12 (.368).  A few of the teams I picked did cover the spread (Tennessee nearly pulled it off over Bama, but got beat by the SEC refs, and Mississippi State got a little of the same against Florida…SEC officiating worse than my picks this year!), but I’ve been basing the record on straight up W’s & L’s, and must take my medicine and hope the Halloween Gods will be in my corner this Saturday.   DON’T FORGET TO ENTER CODE HWEEN AT CHECKOUT AND RECEIVE 25% OFF ORIGINAL RETRO BRAND GEAR FOR OUR FEATURED TEAMS (Florida, Georgia, USC, Oregon) FOR GAMES/PICKS OF THE WEEK!!

NICE GUY WILL FINISH LAST VS. FLORIDA

GAME # 1: Surely an easy way to improve my record will be to forget betting with my heart, and pick the Florida Gators to rout my beloved Georgia Bulldogs in the world’s largest outdoor cocktail party.   Let’s face facts: The Dawgs just ain’t SEC great this year.  The running game does not have the usual breakaway threat, and Joe Cox at QB is likeable enough, but he’s just not Matthew Stafford, David Greene, Eric Zeier, Mike Bobo, or Fran Tarkenton!  They did step up and open the season out of conference on the road, but lost a tough battle against a very strong # 10 ranked, Big 12 Oklahoma State Cowboy squad.  Certainly they got ripped off against LSU (reference SEC refs in first paragraph), but still should have taken care of business between the hedges.   The Gators are ranked # 1 for a reason: They find a way to win no matter what.  They are favored by 17, and why not?  They own the Dawgs in Jacksonville, having taken 16 out of the last 20 meetings.  I love coach Mark Richt, but his mellow persona seems to have rubbed off on his team, and being mellow does not cut it in the SEC:  Florida  42,  Georgia 21.     That was painful….and so will the trip home from Oregon for the USC Trojans……

BOBBING FOR TROJANS

GAME # 2:  Certainly this is the Pac-10 marquis game of the year (since USC clobbered CAL).  The # 10 Oregon Ducks are flat out rolling, outscoring their last 5 opponents 192 -62.  They crushed the same Washington Husky team that gave USC their only loss of the season handily on the road in Washington, 43-19.   At the same time, the # 5 Trojans were not able to cover the spread in their last two victories over Notre Dame and Oregon State.   Both teams are basically neck & neck in all statistical team categories in the Pac-10, but I think the home field advantage will lift Oregon to victory.  USC QB Matt Barkley does lead the conference in passing, but Oregon QB  Jeremiah Mesoli is not far behind and has 7 touchdown on the ground.   Can’t wait to see what quacky uniform the Ducks will wear as they continue to roll in big upset:   Oregon 28, USC 21.

Tricks and Treats:  I thought # 3 Texas would have a tougher time against Mizzou last week, but they routed them, and will do the same against # 14 Oklahoma State in Stillwater: Longhorns 38, Cowboys 17…..# 25 Ole Miss has to travel to Auburn who has dropped 3 straight after opening 5-0.  The Tigers will rise to the occasion: Auburn 28, Mississippi 24…..Both # 13 Virginia Tech and North Carolina lost brutally hard fought games to ACC rivals Georgia Tech and Florida State respectively last week.  The Hoakies must win out to have any shot at the ACC Championship game and the Tarheels are looking for their first conference win:  VTech 35, North Carolina 14.….Purdue has proven they are much better than their 3-5 record after shocking Ohio State, and Wisconsin has lost 2 straight after busting out 5-0.   Wisconsin nearly ended # 11 Iowa’s dream season and will not drop another at home:  Badgers 24, Boilermakers 14.

One last prediction for this week:  The Yankees will beat the Phillies…..in Game # 1.  Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

In our 9th installment of College football’s greatest players ever by position, we feature the most intimidating to step on the field – the defensive linemen.   Many will argue that the likes of a salivating linebacker, ala Dick Butkus, hold that crown.   Maybe I’ll give the linebackers nasty and mean, but the sack artists in the trenches take the crown for biggest, hairiest, and scariest!

Unlike the 9 lists that proceeded this one, all 10 players on this list have one thing in common; they are all members of the College Football Hall of Fame.  Be sure to click on the link to the Original Retro Brand shirt featured for the team each player suited up for.   Here are the TOP TEN best college football linemen of all time!!

10. Mike Reid, Penn State:  Reid won the Maxwell Award in 1969 for College Football’s most outstanding player* in addition to the Outland trophy for outstanding interior lineman.  He recorded 83 tackles for the Nittany Lions and went on to win a Country Music Grammy Award for songwriting in 1985.

9. Jack Youngblood, Florida:  A member of the Gators Ring of Honor, Youngblood holds the Florida team record for sacks with 14 in 1969.  He was named SEC lineman of the year in 1970.  He also kicked field goals and was one of the first players to test Gatorade!  He went on to play 14 years in an NFL Hall of Fame career.

GATORADE KID

8. Bubba Smith, Michigan State:  Bubba was a massive 6’7″ 300 pounder (huge for the 1960′s) who responded to the Spartan fans constant chant of “Kill, Bubba, Kill!!’   Bubba played in the “Game of the Century” epic 10-10 tie vs. Notre Dame for a share of the National Championship in 1966.  Bubba was the NFL’s # 1 First round draft choice by the Baltimore Colts in 1967.  After football, he became famous for his Lite Beer commercials and roles in the comedy movie series, Police Academy.

7. Alan Page, Notre Dame: Led the Fighting Irish to the 1966 National Championship.  He recorded 63 tackles that same year and was a consensus All-American.  Page was more brain than brawn, and earned his law degree at the University of Minnesota at the same time he was playing his way into the NFL Hall of Fame.  Page is now serving his third term as a Justice on the Minnesota State Supreme Court.

6. Ted “The Mad Stork” Hendricks, Miami: Hendricks averaged a staggering 109 tackles per year in his 3 seasons at the “U.”  In 1968 he finished 5th in the Heisman voting, unheard of for a defensive player at that time.  The Stork was a math nut, and when he wasn’t causing havoc on opponents, he would spend his time relaxing by solving math problems.

5. Billy Ray Smith Jr., Arkansas:  Billy Ray Jr. followed his dad’s footsteps as an All-American lineman for the Razorbacks.  The 2 time All-American had 63 tackles for loss during his career.   Like Page and Hendricks, Smith had a brain, and was a regular on the dean’s list.  Big, hairy, scary and SMART!

SUPREME DEFENDER

4. Randy “The Manster” White, Maryland:  Was a fullback as a freshman, and by the time he finished his senior year, he had won the Outland trophy as best interior college lineman of the year, as well as the Lombardi award for best lineman/linebacker.  He also won ACC player of the year in 1974 and had his jersey # 94 retired.

3. Lee Roy Selmon, Oklahoma: Selmon led the Sooners to back to back National Championships in 1974 & 1975.  He finished his career with 335 tackles and 40 sacks.  Winner of the Outland trophy and Lombardi Award in 1975.   His Sooner teams finished a combined 32-1-1.  Selmon was another braniac from our list, as he was a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete in 1975.  He also donated 10 hours to volunteer work, every week throughout the course of his career.

2. Bruce “The Sack Man” Smith, Virginia Tech:  Another Outland trophy winner on this list, Smith had an incredible 22 sacks in his junior season and finished his career with 71 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.  The Sack man would end his NFL Hall of Fame career sitting alone atop the sack heep with 200.

# 1 IN THE PITT

1. Hugh Green, Pitt: Green was the first Defensive End to ever win the Maxwell Award in 1980.  He also won the Walter Camp award, and came in second place in the Heisman trophy voting; That was the highest ever for a defensive player until Charles Woodson won the award for Michigan in 1997.  He finished his career with 463 tackles and 53 sacks and had his # 99 retired.

* The Walter Camp, and Heisman Trophy awards are also awarded for most outstanding College player of the year with the Heisman being the most prestigious.

Did I leave anybody off the list?  As usual, the answer is, OF COURSE I DID!

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On any given College Football weekend, there are a plethora of exciting and meaningful games with BCS implications on the slate, and this weekend is no different.   What IS different, is that if you go to the “Pick of the Week” section of the Original Retro Brand website, you will receive 20%  OFF THE NORMAL RETAIL PRICE of the teams featured in this weekend’s biggest games, by entering code RIVALS09 @ checkout.   And speaking of checkout, you’ll want to see ORB’s take on the top 5 games we’re talking about featured below.  The action kicks in Thursday night…..

THE CINCINNATI KID

GAME 1:  Folks are taking a good Heisman look at # 8 Cincinnati (5-0) QB Tony Pike, as he leads the Bearcats against # 21 (5-0) U. of Southern Florida and  freshman sensation B.J. Daniels.  Pike is the 9th rated QB in the country and has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 15 straight games.  Daniels dismantled Florida State on the ground and in the air.   Pike too much for the Bulls as Cincy gets big road win.  Bearcats 28, USF 20.

GAME 2: The Texas Longhorns # 3 (5-0) should not be taking the Red River Rivalry for granted, facing a 2-loss # 20 Oklahoma Sooner (3-2) club at the Cotton Bowl.  Colt McCoy has done just enough to get it done so far against a somewhat light schedule (except for a tough win over Texas Tech).   The Sooners lost their 2 games to ranked teams (Miami and BYU) by just 1 point each, and now have QB Sam Bradford back.   Bradford quietly passed for over 400 yards in his return game against Baylor.  Sooners get back in the BCS picture (barely). Oklahoma  35, Texas 24.

HORNS GET HOOKED

GAME 3: Another defining moment arrives for # 25  Notre Dame (4-1) coach Charlie Weis, as he takes on # 6 USC (4-1).  He’s got the nation’s leading passer in Jimmy Clausen, but the Fighting Irish could easily be 2-3 instead of 4-1, barely squeaking out some nail biters.   Pete Carrol has USC back in step after losing to Washington , with crushing victories over Washington State and Cal respectively.   Despite that, I think Weis gets the hugest win of his career in an upset.  Notre Dame 32, USC 30.

GAME 4: I’ve learned my lesson (not really, but..).  Picked Miami AND Boston College to knock off the # 4 Hokies (5-1) and was not even close.  Virginia Tech has the # 1 scoring offense, and # 2 scoring defense in the ACC.   # 19 Georgia Tech (5-1) has the home field advantage and a potent running game, but the defense has been inconsistent.  VTech ruins Yellow Jackets Homecoming , and puts a virtual lock on ACC Coastal title.  Virginia Tech 42, Georgia Tech 28.

IRISH EYES WILL BE SMILIN'

GAME 5: Previously unbeaten Wisconsin (5-1) got a wake up call at the “Shoe” last week at the hands of an inspired Ohio State team.  They will have their hands full again with the visiting unbeaten, and 11th ranked Iowa Hawkeyes (6-0).   Iowa comes off impressive wins against Penn State on the road and Michigan.   The Hawkeyes have not started a season 6-0 since 1985, and the streak won’t end in Madison:  Iowa 34, Wisconsin 24.

So there you have it.  If you’re keeping score, my expertise on behalf of the ORB team has yielded a record of  3 wins and 4 losses.   I feel confident the record will be 8 wins and 4 losses after this weekend.  I also feel confident you will love the 20% off you will receive by entering code RIVALS09 @ checkout on the greatest, most comfortable, most retro shirts on Earth – Original Retro Brand!

In our 8th installment of College football’s greatest players ever by position, we feature the Kick & Punt return specialist.   Back in the day of smash mouth football, when you returned kicks,  you were a member of the “Suicide Squad.”   Today you have an entire squad of coaches, and you are a member of the “Special Teams.”  Either way, the kick/punt returners featured in our list were more than suicidal and special – they were confident, fast, quick and the most exciting players on the field.    Be sure to click the highlighted link of the school each player suited up for to see the Original Retro Brand shirt for that team!   Here are the TOP TEN College Kick/punt return specialists ever!!!:

10. Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers, Nebraska:  The 1972 Heisman Trophy winner and  College Football Hall of Famer, established the NCAA record for all-purpose yards at 5,586.  He was such a well rounded player that he carried the ball 130 times, caught the ball 143 times, and ran back 133 kicks.

9. Desmond Howard, Michigan: The 1991 Heisman Trophy winner, which he won by the second largest margin of victory in the trophy’s history, had close to a combined 1,500 yards in punt & kickoff returns for the Wolverines.

THE NATURAL # 2

8. “Neon” Deion Sanders, Florida State: HEY!  Deion  also made my list of TOP TEN best College Defensive backs of all time!  What an honor!!   Returned punts to lead the nation in that category, and simply struck fear into opposing offenses on every play.  Won the 1988 Jim Thorpe Award for outstanding Defensive Back of the year. Of course he played baseball and ran track and went on to be a 9-time pro bowler in the NFL.

7. ” Touchdown Timmy” Brown, Notre Dame:  Tim brown was a two- time All-American, and winner of the 1987 Heisman Trophy.  Brown packed on over 5,000 all-purpose yards for the Fighting Irish.  He also made my TOP TEN best College Wide Receivers of all-time list!!

6. Greg “Do it”  Pruitt, Oklahoma: Combined for close to 1,000 yards in punt/kick returns in addition to his rushing duties.  Was a unanimous All-American in 1971 & 1972, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

5. Billy “White Shoes” Johnson, Widener: At Divison III Widener College in Pennsylvania, Johnson averaged 27.4 yards per punt return…that is just ridiculous!  It earned him a ticket to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996 and a spectacular NFL career.

TIME OUT: Enjoy the classic CAL-STANFORD “Marching Band ” Kickoff return(the announcer is more fun than the play!):

4. Eric Metcalf, Texas: Holds record for most punt return yards for the Longhorns with 1,076.   He was also a two-time National Champion in the long jump in 1986-1987.

3. Napoleon McCallum, NAVY:  The College Football Hall of Famer, and 2-Time All-American held 18 records for the Midshipmen before he left for the NFL.  He has the second most  All-Purpose yards in NCAA history with 7,172, which is INSANE (DeAngelo Williams from Memphis has the most @ 7,573).

2. Wes “The Natural” Welker, Texas Tech:  Aside from his outstanding receiving achievement’s for the Red Raiders, Welker ran back an NCAA record 8 punts for touchdowns during his career.  He also holds the record for most punt return yards at 1,761.

ROCKET MAN # 1

1. Raghib “Rocket” Ismail, Notre Dame: Helped lead the Irish to the 1988 National title.   At only 5-10 and 175 lbs, the Rocket was one of the fastest players in the history of  college football.  Ismail ran back 2 punts for touchdowns in one game against Rice University in 1988,  and again against arch rival Michigan a year later.

Did I leave anybody off?  YES, Anthony Davis of USC!  How could I forget the man who scored two 90+ yard Kickoff returns in one game against Notre Dame.  He also holds career NCAA record for average per kick return at a whopping 35.1.  “AD” is the co-champ on this list with the Rocket.   Now…..is there anybody else?

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Not exactly Hamlet, but to those in the world of college football, it really is the big question as we head into week # 6 of the season.  Will Heisman candidate Tim Tebow get clearance to play this weekend, as the nations # 1 ranked Florida Gators take on the # 4 LSU Tigers?

ALBERT THE GATOR WILL NIP MIKE THE TIGER!

Even if Tebow does get clearance, he will be back just in time to face an extremely tenacious, and confident LSU defense that comes off  back to back emotional road victories over Mississippi State, and between the hedges at Georgia.  Will the comforts of being back home at Tiger Stadium give LSU the edge?

The problem for LSU is their offense.   They are loaded with talent, but have only shown signs of lighting it up, and are ranked dead last in total offense in the SEC.   Meanwhile, visiting Florida is ranked first in both total offense AND total defense in the SEC.

Let’s face it folks – Jimmy “the Greek”, I ain’t.  Since I began blogging on my “College Game of the Week,” I have a stellar record of 0-2, picking Miami to defeat Virginia Tech, and CAL to beat USC.   Maybe it’s time to start picking the winner based on the players on the field, and NOT a) picking Miami just to impress highly talented (and attractive) female sports reporter who happens to be Canes fan, and NOT  b) because I think a team has a cooler logo and fight song than their opponent (see CAL over USC).   No, this week I put on my true, rational and objectively thinking football cap and pick the……….

Florida Gators to defeat LSU in Baton Rouge, 28 -20.   I think coach Urban Meyer will have his team ready, with or without Tebow.  Florida backup John Brantley has completed 73% of his passes and thrown for 4 touchdowns in limited mop-up action, and I believe will be up to snuff if Tebow is not cleared to play.

ENOUGH TIGER LEFT IN TANK?

For the record, I think the Tigers have the cooler uniforms, but Florida has the cooler mascot logo.   Now a few quick week # 6 picks for you…

ROAD RAGE:  # 21 Nebraska forgets VTech loss completely and wins on the road over # 24 Mizzou….Boston College upsets # 5 Virginia Tech in Blacksburg…..Auburn stays unbeaten at Arkansas……# 22 Georgia Tech makes life unbearable for Bobby Bowden and Florida State in Tallahassee.

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In our 6th installment of College football’s greatest players ever by position, we feature the tight end.   Growing up on Long Island, I wasn’t far removed from the Orangemen of Syracuse.  While they had a few running backs I had heard of (Floyd Little & Larry Csonka in the 60′s), it was the tight end of my beloved Baltimore Colts that caught my attention.  I was too young to see him in college, but in the NFL, John Mackey was tight end God for my favorite team.    For that reason alone (and I did hear he was pretty good in college) , you will find him on my list.    Please check the link to the extremely awesome Original Retro Brand shirt of the school that these legends played for while reminiscing…… Here are the best ten College Tight Ends of ALL TIME!!!

10.  Dave Casper, Notre Dame: The “Ghost” led the golden domer’s to the 1973 National Championship.  Before he became a standout receiver, he was awarded honorable mention honors as an offensive lineman.

9. Tony Gonzales, CAL Bears: Gonzalez hauled in 92 catches in his junior year;  unheard of numbers for a tight end.  He also made it to the  Sweet Sixteen as a basketball player

8. John Mackey, Syracuse: (see opening paragraph).

#1 BOOMER SOONER!

7. Mark  Bavaro, Notre Dame:  The All-American was well respected for playing through injuries, and he would go on to win two Super Bowl rings in the NFL with the New York Giants.

6. Kellen Winslow I & II, Missouri & Miami:  Two-time consensus All American, and College Football Hall of Famer Kellen I, was the better of the two. Kellen II almost didn’t make the list because of his arrogant attitude with the Canes, but his talent just cannot be overlooked

5. Ted Kwalick, Penn State:  Kwalick was the first 2-time All-American football player at Penn State.  Totaled over 1,000 receiving yards for the Lions, and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

4. Jim Mandich, Michigan: Mandich is a member of the  Michigan Ring of Honor (next to former President Gerald Ford),  a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, and a member of the 1972 undefeated Miami Dolphins Super Bowl Championship team.

3. Charlie Young, USC: Led the Trojans to the 1972 National championship behind a USC record breaking 62 receptions for a tight end.   He finished with just over 1,000 yards receiving for his career, and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.  He would go on to win Rookie of the year in the NFL with the Eagles, and a Super Bowl ring with the 49er’s.

DITKA A GREAT PUNTER TOO!

2. Mike Ditka, Pitt: Before becoming an NFL hall of Famer with the Chicago Bears, and leading the Bears to a Super Bowl victory as a coach,  Ditka led the Pitt Panthers  in receiving for all 3 seasons he played – very unusual for a tight end.  He also handled the teams punting duties, and many consider Ditka the best college tight end ever.  But that distinction goes to……

1. Keith Jackson, Oklahoma:  The original “Boomer Sooner” led Oklahoma to their 1986 National Championship over Penn State.  He averaged over 23 yards per catch.  In addition to being a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Jackson was voted Offensive Player of the 20th Century at OU.

MADE IT TO THE SHOW!

HONORABLE MENTION:  Has to go to my friend Chris Renaldo of Maryland.  He was a linebacker/Defensive end who always lined up against the tight end.  Yes, this is just an excuse to show a goofy picture of him.   Heck, he went to the Hula Bowl with Boomer Esiason and had a cup of coffee with the Detroit Lions.

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A few weeks ago, the folks at Original Retro Brand picked a Purdue shirt (Purdue Pete) to feature as the “Pick of the Week.”   That got me thinking of the BIG TEN, so I wrote a bit about the BIG TEN.   Well this week, an ACC shirt will be chosen (You’ll just have to wait until tomorrow to find out which shirt, but know it is cool) so I am going to write another little  bit.

COOLEST ACC SHIRT!

With one glorious weekend of College Football in the books, topped off by an amazing FSU-Miami match up last night, the ACC is fresh on the mind.  As long as I can remember, it’s always been these two teams at the top of the heap.  Of Course the Canes were a part of the Big East when they won their 5 National Championships.  Names like Kosar, Testeverde, Irvin and Sapp come to mind, not to mention the Canes 58 home game winning streak – still an NCAA record.   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).

As I did with the BIG TEN a few weeks ago, I am simply going to list the teams in the order I think they will finish with my favorite player from the good ol’ days next to the difference maker for the team this season, all linked to my favorite Original Retro Brand tee for good measure.

1. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets:  New, RB Jonathan Dwyer  Old School, (Not that old)  WR Calvin Johnson

DWYER & JACKETS # 1

2. Virginia Tech Hoakies: New,  RB Darren Evans   Old School, DE Bruce Smith

3. Florida State Seminoles: New, QB Christian Ponder  Old School,  WR Fred Biletnikoff.

4. Miami Hurricanes:  New, QB Jacory Harris Old School,  QB Jim Kelly

5. North Carolina Tarheels:  New,  KR Da’Norris Searcy   Old School, LB Lawrence Taylor

6. Clemson Tigers:  New, RB/KR  C.J. Spiller   Old School, WR: Perry Tuttle

7. Wake Forest Deamon Deacons: : New, QB Riley Skinner  Old School, RB  Brian Piccolo

8. Boston College Eagles: New, RB Josh Haden    Old School, QB Doug Flutie

9. Maryland Terrapins:  New, QB Chris Turner   Old School,  QB Boomer Esiason

BETTER GEAR THAN TEAM

10. North Carolina State Wolfpak:  New, QB Russell Wilson    Old School, QB Roman Gabriel

11. Virginia Cavaliers: New, QB Vic Hall   Old School, RB Tiki Barber

12. Duke Blue Devils:  New, QB Thaddeus Lewis    Old School, QB Sonny Jurgensen

Be sure to check out the blog tomorrow,  to see which Original Retro Brand shirt will be on sale for 25% off the normal price!   Here’s a little hint on which ACC team will be featured:   The team won their first game this season.   Check us tomorrow and see if it’s your team!

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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.

DAWGS MADE ME ILL!

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.

NO JOKE!!

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.

#3 FOREVER YOUNG

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.

THE DODGER #1

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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I have been so excited about the College Football season getting started, that I drove 60 minutes from Cartersville, GA., to the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta  this past Friday, to attend the Annual Georgia Tech Football Kickoff luncheon.    The only problem was that the luncheon was not until THIS FRIDAY!

So as I started my hour drive back home, I started thinking about the upcoming Pick of the Week post ( Purdue Pete shirt for $24!), and how I needed to do some research.   Then I started thinking about the old guys from Perdue like Bob Griese and Leroy Keyes, and that led me to thinking about more old guys from the BIG TEN that I remembered whilst growing up.  Heck, my favorite player of all time went to Michigan State – Bubba Smith.  What I am getting at is….

KILL, BUBBA, KILL!!

In the same vein that I have been doing TOP TEN College players by position on a weekly basis,  I will also be presenting my COLLEGE CONFERENCE PREVIEWS on a weekly basis too (won’t be previews once the season starts, so more like just talking about)!  Figure I’ll start with the BIG TEN since we’re talkin’ about Purdue Pete n’ all.   And this won’t be your Mel Kiper, Jr. style preview, either.  I’ll simply list the teams in the order I believe they will finish within their conference, and they will be linked to what I believe to be the coolest Original Retro Brand shirt offered for that school. Then I’ll add the 2009 difference maker for the team, and my old school favorite player from that team too…just for fun….this is about fun!   So enough of my yackkin’ – here is the list!

#1 BIG TEN TEE!!

1. Penn State:  New-QB Daryll Clark   Old School: RB John Cappelletti

2. Michigan State:  New-LB Greg Jones  Old School: DE Bubba Smith

3. Ohio State: New- QB Terrelle Pryor  Old School:  RB Archie Griffin

4. Michigan: New- DE Brandon Graham  Old School: WR Anthony Carter

5. Wisconsin: New-RB John Clay  Old School: C Mike Webster

6. Illinois: New- QB Juice Williams   Old School:  LB Dick Butkus

7. Iowa: New- LB Pat Angerer   Old School: DT Alex Karras

D. CLARK & LIONS BIG 10 CHAMPS IN '09

8. Minnesota: New- LB Simoni Lawrence    Old School: DE Carl Eller

9. Northwestern: New- DE Corey Wooten   Old School: DB Fred “The Hammer”  Williamson

10. Purdue: New- DB Torri Williams    Old School: FB Mike Alstott

11. Indiana: New-QB Ben Chappell    Old School:  K  Pete Stoyanovich

So there you have it.   Are we all in agreement?

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