Can the Big 12 resurrect itself with Basketball season?

Currently this is shaping up to be a really good year for the Big 12 in Basketball. With conference play just starting up the Big 12 has 3 teams in the top 12 in Texas, Kansas and Kansas State. After that there is Baylor which is ranked 24th, however that of course will change with Baylor getting beat just the other day. However there are 4 teams hovering around the Top 30.
Texas currently is shaping up to be the cream of the crop right now, with a strong inside/outside game starting with Damion James and Dexter Pittman. There of course is also the highly touted freshman in Avery Bradley as well. Kansas is next in line, with the All American duo of Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins, to go along with their own freshman in Xavier Henry. I will say that Aldrich, seems to be a lot more aggressive with the face mask on, then he does with it on. Currently, Aldrich has been somewhat of a disappointment, while Collins doesn’t seem to be as aggressive like he was in the past. Of course, this is definitely not a team that you would want to ever count out in the long run. Kansas State however is a complete enigma, as they really don’t have any bally hooed players on their team. They have a good guard tandem in Clemente and Pullen, along with their big center in Colon. However name wise they aren’t really known around the basketball circles. Wally Judge is their highly touted recruit from last season, and he isn’t even a starter and barely sees 7 minutes a game. Pretty good job by the Frank “The Italian Mafia” Martin as the head coach. The next group is right in the middle with Missouri, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Baylor, and Oklahoma State. Of course, in the Big 12 anyone can beat anyone on any given night, as noticed by the upset of Baylor by Colorado.

If you want to talk surprises, there is the good and the bad. The good is fairly obvious with the play of Kansas State, while the bad is downright ugly in the play of Oklahoma. You are talking about an OU team with 3 Mickey D’s AA’s in Warren, Gallon, and Griffin, and host of other talented players. However, this team if you want to call it that has no clue how to play as a team. Warren is wrapped up in being drafted next yr, that he plays like he could care less about anything other than himself. Honestly, If I were a NBA scout, he would never set foot on my court. Of course the rest of the team, is just flat out funny in how hot and cold they are. The bottom line this team doesn’t have a true leader, and it has a bunch of coaches that have forgot the meaning of defense. It is starting to show the world that Capel was only as good as Blake Griffin was going to make him out to be. Capel lost this team from the start and it as unraveled ever since. It is also starting to show that Capel maybe more suited as a Recruiting Coordinator than an actual Coach. Needless to say, currently the enigma of being a Coach K disciple has continued to rear it’s ugly head, because yet again there is another failure in a coach that came from the Coach K school of coaching. I think Capel will be lucky to last a few more years if he has any more season like he has had this year. Remember we are talking about the team that was ranked in the Top 16, and was rated just behind Texas and Kansas to challenge for the Big 12. However, they are now in the running for the worst team in the Big 12 next to Colorado. Pretty far fall from grace, if I may say so myself. In the end, look for around 8 teams in the Big Dance, with 2 Big 12 teams in the Final Four.

Knockout: James over Leach

“Show me the Money” Craig James of SMU fame got his way when Mike Leach was fired today.   Craig made sure of it by using his media prowess being an ESPN analyst and former college football great, for what Mike Leach had apparently done to his son “Cry Baby” James or maybe he should be called “ Spoiled little brat” James.   Adam James was a no hack talent that should have never got a scholarship to Tech in the first place.  He was not offered by any other school, but Leach felt he could develop him and decided to toss the James family a bone.    Ironically, enough he was a baseball player first that couldn’t hack it on the baseball field either.   James threw temper tantrums that would make a two yr old seem calm if he didn’t get his way, or if he didn’t get any playing time.   From all accounts he has slacked his entire life and has basically rode the coat tails of his famous dad.   It is just shameful to think about what college football  has come to now a days.   Basically if your parents have money and power and you throw a big fit you will get your way.  Not exactly the example that I want my kids to follow.

When looking at the allegations I am not really sure how any of them can be construed of mistreatment of a player.  The kid had a concussion, and normal protocol is to have them stay in a low lighted room.   Both of these rooms fit this to a tee.   James was out at practice wearing sunglasses because the light was still hurting him, so leach sent him to a dark room whether it be a shed or a press room ( aka the electric closet) to help him with his recovery over his concussion.   Of course, the biggest reason they threw a fit was because the no talent james wasn’t getting any playing time.   Now he also had to run stadium suicides prior to the concussion due to him slacking off during practice, and a game as well.  Needless to say this is nothing new in college football today.    Of course, Daddy had to step in and use the almighty ESPN to make his plea, and of course Red Neck Hill Billy Texas Tech brass listened.

The bottom line is that Leach’s days were numbered ever since he had the long drawn contract extension fight last yr, that almost led him to resigning, fast forward 10 months and he got a pink slip instead.   For the most part everyone has been on Leach’s side besides the James’s and now a  backup DT Chris Perry that felt James was treated like an animal.  Of course, when you have multiple ex coaches, along with numerous current players that not only back Leach, but talk about the holier than now attitude of James,  then it is clear that this was yet another witch hunt in the Big 12.   The biggest complaint I would have for leach is sometimes it is better to take a hit to your pride to a keep job, then to be stubborn about it and stand ground.  Regardless, if you are right or wrong you don’t have control over the ego maniacal James and the brass of Texas Tech.  

Ultimately, this was a major screw up by Texas Tech in letting go of Leach.  As not only will they fade away into a land of mediocrity, but they will also lose millions in donor money as well.  Let’s Just I would never want to coach for school like this nor have a player like this on my team. 

Photo Courtesy of J Lopez

Douche bag of the Year: Urban Meyer

Urban Meyer has got to be the biggest attention whore on the planet.   Seriously, Are you kidding me?  Meyer goes from I am going to resign amid health concerns to now I am just going to take a leave of absence and will most likely return to coach next season.   Wow, that is such a huge leave of absence considering it is going to be for the off season.  So you just miss spring practice and fall practice.  Oh boy, wow that is such a big leave of absence.   Honestly, this just reeks of attention for Meyer to get for himself and for the University of Florida.   He clearly can’t stand not being in the lime light, and considering they won’t be playing for all the marbles this year, that is exactly where they won’t be.   However, with this flip flop he has now got everyone talking about himself and the University of Florida.  

It would be easily understandable considering the health concerns that may be out there for Meyer.  However, if these were really all that serious, then why not actually take a longer leave of absence and get better and then come back full throttle. What gives on the, I need to take of my health and spend more time with family comment.   I wonder what his family thinks about all of this.   Maybe Tebow has healing powers after all, as we all know he and his teammates wept all day after hearing the news.  I guess Tebow laid his head on Urban’s shoulder and cried and his tears cured him.   I would have lot more respect for the guy if wanted to actually be honest about the situation, but seriously how can anyone take this guy seriously anymore.    We are talking about the same guy that has apparently been on and off again about resigning at least 5 times over the past 4 weeks.   I can easily empathize with the meaning of stress on the job.   I may not have been at his level in the coaching field, but I have been at the college level in coaching and can easily understand the stress that comes with the job.  However, It isn’t much difference than what anyone else goes through on a daily basis.   Not to mention the fact there is a lot more stress placed on those continue to fail than there is for those that succeed.  Trust me 2 National Championships in 5 years will guarantee you immunity for the next 10 to 15 years, unless you do something stupid.   Sure Florida is a top program, but it doesn’t have near the history that an Oklahoma or Texas has.  

I know one thing if I was a head coach and Urban decided to quit again, I wouldn’t go near this job with a ten foot pole.   That easily erases the chance for Bob Stoops or even a Kyle Whittingham for that matter to ever come to the University as long as Urban Meyer is there in some capacity.    I know If I was Dan McCarney, I would be saying see ya, I will found another place to coach.  Dan has a lot more experience in head coaching than Addazzio does and it is clear that he will be the puppet has Meyer pulls the strings from behind the scenes

Stoops to Florida

It is pretty clear to even the blindest of eye how much Stoops and his family loves Florida.   Considering this fact it would be very understandable to see Bob leave for Florida.   Now if you look into the situation that is currently at hand for both schools, then it would be easy to just to jump ship for arguably the top program in college football today.   Although, OU is still a top school, they just aren’t on the same level that Florida is at.   Of course most of this is based on attitude alone, but either way Florida currently is the better job.   Take into consideration the relationship Stoops as with AD Foley at Florida, and the fact that Gator fans still adore Bobby to death, it at times would seem like a no brainer.   For some Oklahoma fans the thought of Bob leaving might be a good thing, considering there has been a lot of water cooler talk that Stoops has lost his desire to coach.

Recruiting it is pretty clear that Florida has a built in advantage with the state of Florida, along with the fact that it is clearly the best program in the state as well.  Florida, also as the hot recruiting bed of the state of Georgia as well.  Oklahoma, doesn’t have a built in advantage in recruiting, and currently is running second fiddle to Texas in one of the largest hot beds in recruiting to aforementioned state of Texas.  Besides Texas, Oklahoma has to recruit nationally to be able to be a contender every year.

However the biggest thing will the University of Florida even want Stoops.  Obviously, everyone thinks it would be a no brainer that they would, but then again does Florida really want the chance to be spurned yet a third time, and does Florida want to bring in a coach that has lost his big game moniker.  The resounding answer is I think not.  This goes two fold as well, as Bob has been a successful coach for over a decade, and even though he has lost the appeal he is still a big name coach.   Of course a change of scenery might be good for Bob also.  Then comes the biggest thing of all.  Urban Meyer will still be on the Florida football staff in some capacity, and I can guarantee he might be like a general manager in the pros as to what capacity he will be to the University of Florida.   This alone makes me think that Bob would say “Hell no, I’m not going”.  Although, those in the Big 12 can all say not everything that Bob has done recently has made sense.   Of course, Meyer has never stated how long he will be out of coaching or if he will ever come back.  If Meyer does want to come back, then I will guarantee that Bobby will be shown the door if he hasn’t done the same thing that Meyer did in the same amount of time.  Of course, they will expect it sooner, since Meyer had to rebuild, and Stoops would already have a loaded cupboard.

Don’t rule out Stoops on this, but don’t bet on it either.  Of course, if Bobby leaves look for little brother Mike to be the next Head Coach at Oklahoma.

Gill: Will he be a catch or will he be thrown back.

After dismissing the ogre called Mangino, Perkins brings in a ableit familiar name, but yet unproven coach in Turner Gill.   Most of the old timers will remember Gill back in the early 80’s as the QB for the Huskers.  Gill was an assistant coach for several years, before getting his first gig with Buffalo.  No I am not talking about the NFL team, and yes there is an actual college that is called Buffalo and they did have a football team.  I know it is shocking but it is true.   So what does Gill bring to the table, well first and foremost is familiar with the Big 12 and the old Big 8 conference.   He was raised in Texas, and played football at Nebraska.  Needless to say he has plenty of ties to the region here.  He is also in good shape, which is a lot different for a parent to see Gill come in the door, instead of the gigantic blob called Mangino.  He is also African American which can only help your cause in recruiting as well.    Now the downside, is that no one really knows what kind of style of play that Gill will bring to the table.  We do know that he is hired the likes of Chuck Long and Carl Torbush, and while Long was a decent offensive coordinator, he is a lot like his predecessor in that he is very conservative in big games.   Long is a great QB coach, but his play calling wasn’t really suited for a wide open offense set.   Long did coach at Oklahoma while Mangino was there, so of course it would be suffice to say that there still might be some familiarity there, and that they may keep somewhat of the same offense.  However,  Mangino didn’t exactly run the same offense that he did at Kansas compared to when he was at OU either.    Torbush on the other hand, is a bad hire.  This guy is a washed up has been in the coaching arena, and his defenses have fallen apart no matter which team he was with over the past several years.    Besides that we don’t really know who else will part of this staff, although if I were Gill I would keep my WR coach on the staff.   The ST coordinator is someone he brings with him from Buffalo.   Although, he will bring some continuity dealing with the fact they know each other and are used to each other’s coaching methods, I am not really sure if this a bad or good decision, considering we are talking about someone with no Major D1 experience.   In the end this is going to be a crap shoot for Perkins.  That ultimately could lead him to the buffet line called unemployment next to Mangino.  

Now one of the biggest shockers of them all is that Gill has a daughter that is currently attending the land of jayhawk, and she also works for the Athletic Department in the ticket office.    I wouldn’t think that this would have played into Perkins decision, but he definitely could have helped Gill with some insight into the football program.     I will say that Gill’s acceptance speech for the HBC position was one of the worst I have ever heard.  Makes me wonder if he was hooked on phonics at Nebraska.   Just to paraphrase a little it sounded like this we are going to recruit, beat mizzou, recruit, win the big 12 North, recruit some more, win the Big 12, and recruit some more and win the National title, and lastly we will recruit even more.    That my friends sums up Gill’s speech in a nutshell.   Not exactly earth shattering and awe inspiring, and I am sure it left some jayhawk faithful scratching their head on what the hell that Perkins just did.  Of course, as along as they are good in Basketball then essentially nothing else matters.

Capel and the Hidden Truth

I am sure most of you that follow the Big 12, were definitely aware of the recent benching or shall we say he didn’t suit up of Willie Warren for the Oklahoma Basketball team.   With the Sooner mired in a 3 game losing streak to some of the nobodies in the college basketball world, Warren wound up on the bench in their final game in Alaska. 

When Capel was pressed for an answer on why his star player didn’t player, he stated that it was because he missed practice.   Now, I am if I don’t believe you on this Capel, but this is a load of crock.   Seriously, how in the world can a player miss practice when you are on the road.  These kids don’t have any transportation, and when they do go somewhere it is normally as a team function.  The players also have a roommate when they are on the road as well, so just what was the excuse that Warren’s teammate gave.     When you are in a confined space such as a hotel, I would think the coach knows the whereabouts of all of his players, if not then what the heck are you doing up there.   Warren would have easily known when the practice was, and if he would have left the hotel he would have gotten a taxi to go somewhere.  Now, I am not quite sure what he would be doing in Alaska unless he was looking for an Eskimo, or maybe an igloo, but seriously Capel just how gullible do you think we are.  Well, take that back because obviously there are those that will never question anything you say.  Of course, you could sell ocean front property to them living in Oklahoma.   

The bottom line is that Capel didn’t feel the need to let the world know that he was benching his star player for being selfish, and not a team player.   Needless, to say I would have no problem if you were actually upfront  about the situation, then to make up a story of missing practice while on the road at a tourney.   It just makes me wonder what was Capel thinking to himself, when Willie didn’t show on the bus for the ride over to practice.   I know in Football, I would have straight to his room and drug his butt to practice.  If he didn’t go then, then I would have suspended him for a length of time.  If Warren was sick it is another story as well, but at least that one is easily explainable.   The good news  is that benching has appeared to do some good as the Sooners are now riding a 3 game win streak, with 2 wins over a lot more quality opponents than those that they had lost to.

Texas vs Alabama

Two of the all time College Football Programs will do battle for all the marbles or in this case the roses in Pasadena at the site of the Rose Bowl for the National Title.   It has been quite some time, since Bama was back on this stage, while the Longhorns won the 2005 National Championship while playing in the 2006 Rose Bowl.    Just like that year, the Longhorns will most likely be heavy underdogs once again.

Will the Longhorns be the team to help carry the Big 12 past this years mediocrity and also right all of the wrongs the Sooners have done over the past several years in representing the Big 12.  Well if their showing over the past weekend is an indication for things to come, then it will be a long day for the Longhorns.   On the other side you have Bama that is looking to continue the streak of the most powerful conference in all of football in the SEC, the conference that has won the last 3 National Titles and is looking to make it 4 in a row.     Let’s just say they just knocked off the man that could walk on water in convincing fashion, so if these are the signs to come then it will be another victory for the SEC.

McCoy vs Ingram , and the battle of the defenses.   If Bama was watching the Big 12 CG then they should have a very good idea on how to defend the vaunted offense of the Longhorns.   Although, Bama doesn’t have a Suh on their team, they do have an all American in their own rights in Cody.   The behemoth of  DT that weighs around 380 lbs.     Although they don’t have Suh, they do have a better secondary and arguably the best linebacker corp in the nation led by the Mr. Butkus himself in McClain.   Davis and Applewhite will need to get their heads out of the sand, and determine away to defeat that style of defense, because if they don’t than Colt may not be so lucky this time with an extra second.    The key for the Longhorns will be to pressure Bama’s McCoy and stop Ingram and Jones.   Muschamp being the former DC for Auburn will have some extra fire for this game, and they will need to come up with a way to stop the Bama offense after what they did to the mighty Gators D.   If Texas can pressure McCoy then they will be able to make the Tide one dimensional which will allow them to key on Ingram.

In the end, look for Bama to continue the crappy year for the Big 12, and flatten the longhorns.   While the longhorns will just become another Big 12 that yet again couldn’t perform when all the chips were on the table

The Heisman

This years race for the most coveted trophy in all of college football as yet again 2 Big 12’ers in the midst of a heated battle.   With Ndamkong Suh the DT out of Nebraska, and Colt McCoy the QB for Texas  both having decent shots of hoisting the Heisman.  

It is good to see Suh have an actual chance to win the award, because this award as always been primarily based on offense, even though the award is called the Best Overall College Football player.   Now, sure some you can say that Woodson won it while playing DB for Wolverines back in the 90’s, however it should be mentioned that Mr. Woodson also was a prolific kickoff and punt returner as well, not to mention the fact that he even played some WR as well during the season he won the award.  

When you look at the overall body of work for the 5 finalists, and I will say that I don’t really think McCoy or Tebow should be there.    However, with America feeling McCoy got screwed over last year, and of course everyone’s all American cry baby Tebow  then it isn’t shocking to see either one of them there.

Toby Gerhart the fullback turned running back bull dozer, had a heck of a year, and needless if it wasn’t for him that might not be bowling this year for the first time since 2001.   With 25 td’s and over 1700 yards rushing he was easily the most productive running back in the game.

Mark Ingram , yet again another Sophmore sensation running back for the all might Crimson Tide.  Now clearly Ingram’s numbers were at as impressive as Gerharts, however he did play in the all mighty SEC and on the undefeated Tide.   However, he was a no show in the Auburn game, and he was substituted out for the Freshman Richardson when the game was on the line several times.  Mostly, because of his propensity to fumble.

Ndamkong Suh, was an absolute man child in every single game he played.   He was a constant disruptive source in every single game.   Suh who has become known as King Kong in the sports community ended up with over 80 tackles and 10 sacks on the year.   Those numbers rival some of the best linebackers and defensive ends in the game.   It is unheard of to have a DT have numbers like these in todays game, and consider he was double and triple teamed on almost every single play it makes it even more amazing.   Is strength and quickness is unparalled in todays game, as he can shot put a 300 lb OG 5 yards into the back field or toss a QB 10 yards in the air. 

The Bottom line is that King Kong Suh, was by far the most dominating and best overall player in all of college football.  Hopefully, he won’t get penalized for playing non offensive position and just maybe the Heisman can regain some of its glory over the some of the picks from the past several years.  If not, then the Heisman should now be called the best offensive player, instead of the best overall player. 

I do know that My pick is for Suh to win the Heisman this year, and yes my ballot has been casted.

Perkins devours Mangino

Now let’s face this was a witch hunt from day one with regards to Lew Perkins and Mark Mangino.  Perkins has never liked the idea as Mark Mangino as the Kansas Head Football Coach, and with the year they had, it gave Perkins the ammo to get rid of the Big Man.   Everyone wants to say how bad of a person that Mangino was and all, but let’s there was only 2 reports that actually surfaced from ex players over the 8 years that Mangino was at the helm.  When you take these stories into effect, neither one of these players were actual big contributors to the program during the years they were on campus.   It was the perfect time to come forth with their stories, as they Jayhawks ended the season on a 7 game losing streak.   In a nutshell you have 2 cry babies that wanted to act the revenge on a coach that was mired in a slump and that happened to basically bench these players.   Sure Mangino was a very loud coach and loved to scream and yell.  Heck, I am sure he even belittled a kid or two.  However, this happens at every single program.  The story about Corey Kipp doing the Bear Crawl on scorching hot astro turf, well although I am sure he did the actual bear crawl the rest of the story I find a little far fetched.   For one,   if his hands were so badly damaged then why didn’t he report this to someone at the time, instead of over 6 yrs later.   If his hands were bleeding so bad, where are the collaboration stories from other teammates.   To top it off, Mr. Kipp even played 10 games during the season including one start.   Sorry, but I found this all to hard to believe.  Seriously are you telling me that this 20 to 21 yr old JC player wouldn’t have told his parents, or that they would have wondered what had happened to his hands.  Of course, the biggest shocker is why in the world didn’t you go the hospital.    With only having 2 reports from ex players and with coaching over 500 some odd athletes during his tenure, it all boils down to a few spoiled brats that wanted their moment in the sun.    

Perkins can claim it was because of the reports of wrong doing that led to the donut man’s demise, but the ultimate parting shot was the snafu on the final series of the game against their most hated rivalry.   For someone that prides himself on offense, this was an alright debacle.  If he could have called the right plays and won the game, he would still be on the recruiting trail.   Instead, you can now found Mr. Mangino at your local donut shop.    Pretty ironic considering donuts are shaped as zero’s, which represent the offense on a game board, and the zero wins in last seven games is exactly what got you  the infamous “ YOU’RE FIRED”.

Jack Simms destroys the Guests

If you want to talk about a rough ending to the season of picks, this past week was absolutely brutal.    Of course that’s what you get when you start to pick during rivalry week.  Going into the week my record was 77-66-1 after going 4 and 8 for the week.  My final total ends up at 81-74-1, which is around a 52% winning percentage.   In a nutshell , if you were actually looking to make a bet, you would have ended up with a $700 profit.    That of course, just doesn’t cut  it in the world.   Now on the other end of the things, the Guests would have lost you money as not only did the end up the week at 4 and 8, but they also ended up the season at 71-84-1.    This would have lost you money and you would have wound up with 1300 in the red, not exactly where you want to be.    It was just some fun to do, but ultimately I still rule the roost.   

I will have a special prediction for the Big 12 championship game, along with the Bowl season.    I will also have NCAA tournament selection as well for Basketball, and we will get more into that as the Tournament gets closer in March.

For the Big 12 championship look for the Longhorns to cover the spread of 14 over the Cornhuskers.   The Longhorns will utilize a similar style of offesne that the Red Raiders used to destroy the Cornhuskers, and the Cornhuskers will have the not so lucky task of playing in Dallas against the Longhorns.  Which will easily be a 75 to 80% Horn filled stadium considering they have known since the 6th game of the season that they would be playing in the game.