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!

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.

 Loading ...

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Loading ...

With College Football season around the corner, I am finding it difficult to think of ANYTHING ELSE! …. Ok, I’m thinking NFL too, but I live in SEC country, and simply put, College is King in these parts.   So with that in mind, I will be posting a TOP TEN College list every week for the next ten weeks,  starting with the best College running backs of all time (Ok, it’s my FAVORITE of all time.)   You can click on the highlited colleges to view the Original Retro Brand selection of apparel for that school.  So with all due respect to Red Grange of Illinois,  Emmitt Smith of Florida, 2-Time Heisman winner Archie Griffin of Ohio State, and countless other great College running backs, here is my list:

10. Eric Dickerson, SMU Mustangs:  Part of the famous “Pony Express,” with Craig James, Dickerson ran for over 4,000 yards in his career.  He would go on to be an NFL Hall of Famer.

9. Greg Pruitt, Oklahoma Sooners: This all-purpose back was perhaps the most dangerous punt and kick returner in College football history.  inducted into College football Hall of Fame in 1999.

8. Earl Campbell, Texas Longhorns:  The “Tyler rose” won the Heisman Trophy in 1977 and finished his college career with 4,444 yards rushing.  He was ranked #12 on ESPN’s Top 25 Players In College Football History list.

7. Mike Garrett, USC Trojans:  Sorry O.J, Charles, Reggie, Marcus and the rest of tailback U, but mighty Mike did it all:  Ran,  caught passes, returned punts and kicks, and even threw the ball on several occasions.  The 1965 Heisman Trophy winner would return to USC as the current Athletic Director.

6. Bo Jackson, Auburn Tigers:  Bo batted over .400 for the Tigers baseball team the same year he won the Heisman Trophy in 1985.

5. Jim Brown, Syracuse Orangemen: Brown should have been a lock for the Heisman Trophy in 1956, but sadly, the country  was still in segregation mode (Paul Hornung was the winner for a losing Notre Dame team).  Brown also kicked extra points and was All-American in Track and LaCrosse.

4. Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State Cowboys:  Ran for over 300 yards in a game FOUR TIMES and averaged 7.6 yards per carry for the 1988 Heisman Trophy winning season.

3. Gale Sayers, Kansas Jayhawks:  The “Kansas Comet” finished with over 3,000 all purpose yards and was a 2-time All-American and was considered the best open field runner in College football history by many experts.

2. Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh Panthers:  led the Panthers to the National Championship in his 1976 Heisman Trophy winning season, and finished his career with a then record 6,082 yards (broken in 1998 by Ricky Williams of Texas -not on this list!)

1. Herschel Walker, Georgia Bulldogs:   1980 National Champion and 1982 Heisman Trophy winner.  Yes, I am biased for the Bulldogs, but Herschel’s memorable pile-drive over Bill Bates of Tennessee makes him #1 in my book.   The dude STILL does 500 push-ups and sit-ups a day!

Look for the next TOP TEN LIST featuring the TOP TEN College Linebackers!

Yes people, it is reminder time to those of you following me in my “FIGHT FOR THE FIT!”  challenge.   If you are not following, then please jump aboard!  I will be standing on the scale first thing this coming Monday morning, to see if I’ve gone up or down in weight.   My goal is to lose 30lbs by Halloween so I can dress up as an Original Retro Brand Model.   Each week up until then, we’ll be giving away an Original Retro Brand shirt for FREE, so what do you have to lose by giving it a shot?   I will post my result @ NOON this Monday, August 10th, and whoever can guess my weight (or come closest), will win a FREE Original Retro Brand  T of their choice.  All you have to do is place your guess in the POST/VIEW COMMENT section at the bottom of this post.   You must get your guess in BY 11Am this Monday 8/10.  I will anounce the winner @ NOON in the post.

SOYBEANS, FLAXSEED, FISH OIL, OY VEY!

I will share a small piece of Insider information with you.   I WORKED OUT LIKE A WILD MAN THIS WEEK!!!    Can’t give you any clues as to what I ATE though, and the weekend looms large with temptation.

Speaking of diet, I met with a nutritionist today (Doctors orders due to my out of whack cholesterol.)    I was a little apprehensive, expecting the riot act to be read by some Vegan Guru, but was pleasantly surprised because: 1) She is a GEORGIA BULLDOGS fan! (married to a Florida fan -  but hey my wife is a Georgia Tech fan)   2) Easy on the eyes ( purely professionally speaking here!)  3) Had fun plastic food samples for me to play with.   4) Gave me FREE  real samples of Flaxseed and Benefiber!  5) Put up with my sarcasm like a champ.   The truth of the matter is that Alisa Winters is a Registered Dietitian who really knows her stuff, and really educated me and further inspired me to reach my goal.

FIGHT FOR THE FIT STAT: week 1 weigh in, August 3rd…..241.50 (loss of 2.5 from start date 7/31)

FIGHT FOR THE FIT STAT: week 2 weigh in, August 10th….?????  GUESS & WIN!

Thanks again for all the words of encouragement folks and good luck Monday!

The Original Retro Brand tee’s are favored by everyone-young, old, sports fanatics and people that just like fashionable, comfy gear.  This past week we were featured on Bravo’s hit TV show “NYC Prep” which is about (and this is direct from their site) “NYC Prep chronicles the lives of a group of privileged teenagers who are key players in Manhattan’s elite high school scene.”

Whether the show is your vibe or not, one thing is certain: The Original Retro Brand tee’s are everyones vibe. Check out this screen shot of  Marci wearing our Florida State tee (RB1727 FSS).

They don’t call me the Nostalgic sports freak for nothing.    I recently attended my 30-year High School reunion.    Two of my closest friends who I had not really seen in those 30 years were there – Dave and Karan (at right with my son).   When we were in High School, Dave and I played a thousand games of Strat-O-Matic Baseball and Football, two thousand games of street football,    played Lacrosse for 5 years together, got in a little trouble, and generally hung out all the time.

His High School sweetheart and wife of thirty some – odd years is Karan,  who I was pretty close with in High School too.  Basically she laughed at everything I said and was (and still is!) a real cutie; simply put,  a great girl!   Other than my wedding, we really didn’t stay in touch too often, even though I wished we had.   They live in Florida, I live in Georgia.   While at the reunion, Dave mentioned that he and Karan go up to Tugaloo State Park in North Georgia every year for a week for vacation, and asked if my wife and I would like to come up for a few days this year.   I’m not much into the camping thing,  and kind of blew it off.   As comedian Jim Gaffigan says  ” The only happy campers I know, are the ones leaving the campsite.”    It was great to see them at the reunion, but I just figured I would see them at the 50th reunion and return to my life.

A few months later came the reminder e-mail from Dave –   “If you guys wanna come up, it will be a great time.”   I decided that I wanted to see my old friends again, and that I wasn’t going to be a shmuck.    My 4 year old boy has never been to  a real Lake before,  and the thought of getting to kick back and do some fishing, waverunning, drinking, eating, napping, eating, swimming, and roasting marshmallows seemed like a good idea after all.

This past weekend we headed to the lake.   All I can say is that it was WAY, WAY, long overdue, and a true eye opener.   Dave and Karan went above and beyond as hosts,  and made me realize how blessed I am to have them as friends.  After all these years, it felt as if no time had passed and we were hanging out like it was yesterday.   My son was calling Karan, “Aunt Karan” and he jumped in the lake and didn’t want to ever get out.   Him and I took a ride on the waverunner around the lake – the scenic kind, surrounded by tall pines and the lake with a surface like glass.  I felt the mushy bottom of the lake on my feet for the first time since I was a camp counselor thirty years ago, and I felt mushy on the inside too- that nostalgic feeling rushing over me.

At night,  Dave grilled chicken, burgers and hot dogs, we roasted smores, and we played Scrabble and Balderdash – board games for crying out loud!  It was a welcome change.  I definitely need to play more board games! Several of Dave and Karans friends were also on hand, and they were laid back, gracious, and great fun to meet and hang out with too.

So in retrospect, I want to impose, and ask Dave and Karan this:  Can we come back next year?!  This extremely Happy Camper hopes so.  (at right is the Sports Freak and son in the lake)

Today we get a very personal  feel of what it’s like to go one on one with some of  basketballs best players – That would be interviewing them for  www.slamonline.com and SLAM Magazine.   We are very pleased to have Executive Editor, Lang Whitaker (at right with Kevin Garnett) with some very interesting stories.

Andy : As Executive Editor of SLAM Magazine,  you prefer covering the Final Four or the NBA Finals?

Lang: As to Final Four versus the NBA Finals, I mostly cover the NBA for SLAM. I’ve been to every NBA Finals since 2002, but I’ve only been to one Final Four (2006 in Atlanta, when Florida beat Ohio State), and that was because it was in Atlanta and I just happened to be in town.

(This may also be because I went to the University of Georgia, which hasn’t had an elite basketball team since the early 1980s.

Andy:  You have interviewed hundreds of basketball stars from High School to Pros. Do you have one that stands out as the best, or most fun you can remember and why?

Lang: I’ve been at SLAM for nearly 100 issues now, and I’ve written about one feature per issue, so I’ve had a ton of memorable experiences doing this job. I’ve gone to Hawaii to interview Kobe Bryant, I’ve been to Barcelona to interview Ricky Rubio. I’ve played blackjack in Vegas with Chris Paul, I’ve stood on the shore of Biscayne Bay with Dwyane Wade. And I’ve done one-on-one interviews with everyone from David Stern to LeBron James to Kevin Garnett to all the guys I mentioned above.