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!!

UPSETS RULE

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.

WIDE AWAKENING

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.

That’s right, 20% OFF all Original Retro Brand merchandise for the teams we review in our Picks of the Week!  Just enter code FATE8 at checkout for your discount.

Last week started out quite well. I picked the Cincinnati Bearcats to defeat the USF Bulls 28 to 20.  The real final score?  Cincy 28, USF 21.  GENIUS!  Not so fast…I picked the Sooners to defeat Texas (buzzer sound),…..Notre Dame to defeat USC (buzzer),  and Virginia Tech to dump Georgia Tech (final buzzer – EEEEHHH!).   Iowa proved they are not a fluke as they erased a 10-0 deficit, and came back to beat Wisconsin for an impressive road win.   The Red River Rivalry could have gone either way, and The Fighting Irish just missed…The Hokies game was the only one I really missed by a long shot.  Thus my record stands at  5 wins and 7 losses.   Perhaps it’s time to remove the word “expert” from the Original Retro Brand newsletter, when referring to my “Games of the Week” picking prowess.  Regardless, I must soldier on, and we have four more doozies for this weekend:

FULL FORCIER

GAME 1: The # 13 Penn State Nittany Lions head into Ann Arbor to face Michigan freshman quarterback phenom, Tate Forcier. Forcier has pulled off some miracle plays in leading the Wolverines to the highest scoring offensive attack in the Big 10.  The Penn State defense has been dominating all year, giving up just 3 points in their last two games, but Michigan has suffered two excruciating close defeats this year (Michigan State in overtime, and a 2 point heartbreaker vs Iowa), and will not lose in their house this weekend.   Michigan 35, Penn State 20.

GAME 2:  Since the LeGarrette Blount sucker punch debacle, and opening loss to Boise State, the # 11 Oregon Ducks have reeled off 5 staight wins (2 against ranked teams) outscoring their last 3 PAC 10 rivals 118 to 19!!  It would behoove them not to overlook Washington with USC on the horizon.  The Huskies have that big win over the Trojans, and played LSU and Notre Dame tough.  Even so, the Ducks will continue to roll on the road.   Oregon 38, Washington 28.

NO QUACKS VS. HUSKIES

GAME 3: The Clemson Tigers rank second in total defense, and eighth in total offense in the ACC, just one behind the # 10 ranked Miami Hurricanes, who they face on the road at Landshark Stadium.   As tough as the Clemson defense has been, I think Jacory Harris at QB is really hitting his stride. I feel Miami’s one loss at Virginia Tech was an anomaly, and they bounced back strong against Oklahoma, and I believe they will beat Clemson handily and then win out.    Miami 27, Clemson 13.

GAME 4:  I’m going to get whacked for this one…Tennessee will knock off # 2 Alabama in Tuscaloosa.  The Vols nearly beat Florida in the swamp, almost knocked off a then unbeaten Auburn team, and then absolutely crushed my Georgia Bulldogs.   Heck, the Vols are ranked 5th in total offense in the SEC (just one behind the Tide), and 3rd in total defense (Bama ranked # 1).   Mark Ingram will be tough to stop no doubt (he only gained 1 yard on 4 carries against UT last year), but QB  Jonathan Crompton is quietly coming into his own.   Purdue stunned Ohio State last week.  This is my # 1 stunner.   Tennessee 33, Alabama 24.

BAMA BUMMER

AND THIS IS MY # 2 STUNNER:  Mississippi State will win their 5th straight over Florida in Starkeville!  I’m upset crazy!!  Michigan State will halt the Hawkeyes, and Mizzou will NOT beat Texas, but it will be close…..

DON’T FORGET!!:  Enter code FATE8 at checkout to receive your 20% OFF the Original Retro Brand shirts featured today!

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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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Well, perhaps it’s more a “Wear for the Weis,” as in actor, producer, and former rapper, Mark Wahlberg showing his support for the coach and Notre Dame by wearing  this Fighting Irish Original Retro Brand shirt.   With the USC Trojans on the slate next weekend, Charlie can use all the support he can get!!

GOOD VIBRATIONS FOR THE IRISH!

Wahlberg, who is definitely a very good all around athlete (see flicks The Basketball Diaries, and Invincible), took some heat this past summer when he threw out the first pitch at Fenway Park for the Red Sox .   The southpaw threw the ball high and away, and the pitch ended up hitting an unsuspecting fan who was not paying attention in the buttocks.

Perhaps Wahlberg would fare better with a hockey stick.   He certainly looks comfortable in this Chicago Blakchawks shirt (below, right).   Growing up in Boston, you’d think he might be a Bruins fan.  I’ll give him a pass, as I have always thought the Blackhawk’s logo was one of the coolest ever (see this post “best Original Retro Brand logo’s ever Part 2,”  from June 2009), and would definitely wear the shirt even if I could care less about the team!

BLACKHAWK DOWN!

The multi-talented Wahlberg has a major hit on his hands as executive producer of the HBO series, Entourage, and it seems as if  his love for the Original Retro Brand has filtered up onto the show.   Quite often, you can find “Turtle” and “E”, wearing Original Retro Brand on any given episode.

Comfort, style, durability, and  retro cool,  make the Original Retro Brand the “multi-talented” choice for Hollywood, and you can make it yours too!

In our 7th installment of College football’s greatest players ever by position, we feature the Wide Receiver.   Soft hands, sneaky moves, and lightning speed were the tools of the ten listed below.  These are the guys who broke games open in a matter of seconds.   What is more scary for a cornerback,  to often face the fastest man on earth, one on one?    These guys left many a DB in cement shoes on their way to the end zone.  Be sure to click on the highlighted link of the college each player suited up for, to see the extremely cool Original Retro Brand shirt that represents those teams.

CARTER # 1, BUT NOT # 1

10. Don Hutson, Alabama: Hutson is the oldest on the list, playing for the Crimson Tide from 1932 -1934.  The All-American was famous for catching passes amid heavy traffic and bringing the “end-around” play to the forefront of college football.    The other receiver he played with was a guy named Paul “bear” Bryant.

9.  Michael Irvin, Miami: The Cane’s all-time leading receiver in catches and touchdown receptions, Irvin led the “U” to the 1987 National championship over Oklahoma.

8. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech: Crabtree is the only player to win the prestigious Fred Biletnikoff award for college footballs’ outstanding receiver in back to back years (2007 & 2008).  Perhaps his biggest achievement is getting the cover of EASPORTS XBOX 360!

7. Larry Fitzgerald, Pitt:  He only played in 26 games for the Panthers, but he managed to haul in 161 receptions for almost 3,000 yards and a school record 34 touchdowns.   Fitzgerald holds the NCAA mark for consecutive games with a touchdown at 18.

6.  Anthony Carter, Michigan: This 3 time All-American was the first sophomore to ever be voted team captain for the Wolverines.  He finished in the top ten Heisman voting 3 times and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

5.  Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech:  Johnson is hands down the best receiver in the storied Yellow Jacket history.   Johnson racked up the ACC rookie of the year award, was a 3-time All-ACC team member including ACC player of the year in 2006, and winner of the 2006 Biletnikoff award.  Speaking of Fred Biletnikoff…….

COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAMER JERRY RICE # 1

4. Fred Biletnikoff,  Florida State:  You may have noticed that the award for outstanding college receiver of the year, is named after the Seminole receiver I rank as # 4.   He was the first consensus All-American Florida State ever had.  He was actually a two-way player, and had an interception return for 99 yards against rival Miami as a junior.  Biletnikoff was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991.

3. Lynn Swann, USC:  “Swanny” was a triple threat for the Trojans, effectively running and returning punts in addition to his receiving duties.   He was even voted to the All-Blocking team in 1973!

2. Tim Brown, Notre Dame:  “Touchdown Timmy,” 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.

1. Jerry Rice, Mississippi Valley State: Before his mind boggling NFL career, Rice was busy putting up ridiculous numbers for the Delta Devils.  In 1982 & 1983,  he put together back to back 100+ reception season’s.  He caught a whopping 24 balls in one game, setting an NCAA record, and had two games where he scored 5 touchdowns.

Before anybody freaks out on me, let it be known that Paul Warfield (Ohio State), Charley Taylor (Oregon), and Lance Alworth (Arkansas), all played halfback in college.  Ok, NOW you can rip into my list….

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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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