The Rivalry, Esq.: FanShots

Ohio's Coaching Supremacy

2008-12-29T21:07:43Z

Ohio's Coaching Supremacy

As The Wall Street Journal observes, "[l]ess than 4% of the country's population lives in Ohio, but 15% of college football's major-conference head coaches were born there -- the most for any state. And this volume is more than matched by quality: 14 of the last 18 teams that have made it to the national title game have had head coaches with Ohio connections.

[A]t a time when the best football is generally played in the South...the rise of a new generation of Ohio coaches belies the popular perception that Midwestern football is slow, staid and increasingly obsolete."

The Journal argues that Ohio's "...passion for football is fed by a history of tough, lunchbucket labor in mining, manufacturing and steelmaking."

See for yourself.

Happy Holidays from Your Friends at The Rivalry, Esq. Remember to:

2008-12-24T16:38:06Z

Happy Holidays from Your Friends at The Rivalry, Esq. Remember to:

Ignore your family's protests and spend your entire Christmas Eve watching the Hawaii Bowl
Compliment your Aunt's wine selection; even if it's Frutezia by Wild Vines
Bring your own dusty bottle of Barbaresco, just in case
Make fun of your cousin who went to school in the south.
Bring a copy of U.S. News and World Report's America's Best Colleges to prove the point.

Looking Ahead to 2009

2008-12-18T15:58:15Z

Looking Ahead to 2009

National Champs always publishes its Way-Too-Early Predictions for the Opening Polls of the following season in December. That said, in the past they have done a solid job of guessing the top teams.

The good news is that for the teams who would like to forget 2008, the clock starts on 2009. The bad news is that 2009 might not look that different than 2008...

Projected Rank of Big Ten Teams
7. Ohio State
10. Penn State
15. Iowa
18. Minnesota

Yes, bowl results will shake this up. Yes, early-entry decisions will shake this up. But the early projection is another down year for the Big Ten.

And the winner of the 2008 Sports Blog Heisman Trophy is...

2008-12-13T00:16:40Z

And the winner of the 2008 Sports Blog Heisman Trophy is...

Graham and I recently submitted ballots, along with a consortium of 73 other media outliers for a Sports Blog Heisman Trophy contest orchestrated by The Blue Workhorse .

In the spirit of transparency, I voted for:

(1) Tim Tebow (Florida) - Tebow's energy and exuberance, both in the huddle and locker-room, satisfy the quintessential calling of the award. There are players with more dynamic numbers, but there isn't a representative who is more invaluable.

(2) Colt McCoy (Texas)

(3) Sam Bradford (Oklahoma)

To see who ran away with the award, and gain some insight on tomorrow night's ceremony check out the full results.

Big Ten: Open as Underdogs in 6 of 7 Bowl Games

2008-12-09T14:28:58Z

Big Ten: Open as Underdogs in 6 of 7 Bowl Games

Penn State +10 v. USC
Ohio State +8 v. Texas
Michigan State +8.5 v. Georgia
Iowa -2.5 v. South Carolina
Northwestern +10.5 v. Missouri
Wisconsin +3 v. Florida State
Minnesota +10 v. Kansas

But lines are just for Vegas to make money. Much more is at stake in The Rivalry, Esq.'s bowl contest. Here, the winner will earn, non-insignificantly, a customized Obligatory Predictions Competition Trophy, as well as a feature on the site, and a year's worth of bragging rights on the SBN network.

Go here to prepare your bracket.

Will Mr. Laurinaitis get a chance to get his hands on Mr. McCoy? So a quick look back at the final...

2008-12-08T14:55:11Z

Will Mr. Laurinaitis get a chance to get his hands on Mr. McCoy?

So a quick look back at the final bowl predictions (made on Monday last week). All in all, I feel content with how I did. I correctly named each BCS team and placed them in their correct bowls. I correctly placed 5 of the 7 Big Ten bowl teams. My only mistake was thinking that Wisconsin could talk their way out of Florida and to the Insight Bowl. I broke my cardinal rule of not following the dollars, and I misplaced Minnesota and Wisconsin as a result. I also correctly identified all but one of the Big Ten teams' opponents. I had figured that Florida State would be going to the Gator Bowl against Nebraska and would not be around for the Champs Bowl. I can live with that.

Here's the question: how poorly is the Big Ten going to fare in these games? I haven't found comprehensive lines yet, but I'm going to assume that the Big Ten will be underdogs in 6 of their 7 games (all but Iowa/S. Car). I'm having a hard time figuring out how the conference wins four of these...

16 Years of Big Ten Championship Games

2008-12-05T18:52:32Z

16 Years of Big Ten Championship Games

Apparently this is the week for dreaming of what could have been.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer takes a look at what could have been if Notre Dame joined the Big Ten when Penn State did in 1993 (a topic The Rivalry, Esq. sort of discussed earlier too).

The changes in schedules necessitated by the divisions mean that not all of the winners are right, but it does make for conversation.

OSU: In charge of the at large?

2008-12-04T04:58:15Z

OSU: In charge of the at large?

It's college football's most essential proclamation: when it doubt, go to the ratings.

When it comes to at large selections for the BCS, that bodes well for No. 10 Ohio State. As The Columbus Dispatch reports:

There have been three BCS games involving schools from non-BCS leagues, and each is among the seven lowest-rated of the 42 all-time BCS games: Utah versus Pittsburgh in the 2005 Fiesta (a 7.4 rating), Boise State against Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta (8.4) and Hawaii versus Georgia in the 2008 Sugar (7.0).

That averages out to a 7.7 rating. Contrast that with 11.0, which is Ohio State's average rating in its three games as a BCS at-large team.

That likely trumps any worry about OSU fans having 'Fiesta fatigue.'"

And you were worried about the Beaver-turd scenario? Please, trust me. I do this for a living am...

2008-12-01T14:44:01Z

And you were worried about the Beaver-turd scenario? Please, trust me. I ~~do this for a living~~ am a random bloke who was picked from obscurity to give opinions as fact. I'm moving Minnesota up a spot on the Big Ten pecking order. The articles that I've been reading indicate that Wisconsin is lobbying hard NOT to go to a Florida bowl for the 5th straight year. It's possible that LSU could go Outback instead of the Cocks, but I'm betting that it's South Carolina.

National Championship: Florida v. Oklahoma
Rose: Penn State v. USC
Fiesta: Texas v. Ohio State
Sugar: Alabama v. Utah
Orange: Virginia Tech v. Cincinnati

Capital One: Michigan State v. Georgia
Outback: Iowa v. South Carolina
Alamo: Northwestern v. Missouri
Champs: Minnesota v. Miami
Insight: Wisconsin v. Kansas
Motor City: NC State (no Big Ten team available) v. Ball State

On the Couch with the Queso Bowl: Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Purdue

Goodbye Metrodome...

2008-11-25T22:09:26Z

Goodbye Metrodome...

The beauty is in the release information...

Stadium goes out with bang

Two visitors from Iowa engaged in public sexual activities Saturday during the last Gophers football game at the Metrodome, according to a police report.

According to the report:

A Metrodome security worker saw two sets of feet surrounded by dropped pants and underwear underneath a disability-stall door. He peeked through the stall door’s crack and saw two people engaging in intercourse.

By the time officers entered the bathroom to break up the conspicuous couple, a crowd of 15 onlookers had gathered around the over-occupied stall "cheering and laughing."

After the officers split up the couple and cited both with indecent conduct — a misdemeanor — the male, 26, was released to his girlfriend. The female, 38, was released to her husband. Neither of the offenders’ partners were engaged in the explicit act.

It's all getting so much clearer. I think that this is the Big Ten order, and I think it's pretty...

2008-11-24T15:52:55Z

It's all getting so much clearer. I think that this is the Big Ten order, and I think it's pretty well set. The one change that you might see would be Iowa jumping Michigan State. I do not believe that the Capital One Bowl will select the Hawkeyes over the Spartans, but I think that the Outback Bowl may (if the Beaver-turd scenario occurs).

National Championship: Florida v. Oklahoma
Rose: Penn State v. USC
Fiesta: Texas v. Ohio State
Sugar: Alabama v. Utah
Orange: Virginia Tech v. Cincinnati

Capital One: Michigan State v. Georgia
Outback: Iowa v. South Carolina
Alamo: Northwestern v. Nebraska
Champs: Wisconsin v. Miami
Insight: Minnesota v. Kansas
Motor City: Rutgers (no Big Ten team available) v. Ball State

On the Couch with the Queso Bowl: Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Purdue

It's coming... College football's smartest picks contest will soon evolve for the postseason. ...

2008-11-23T18:25:37Z

It's coming...

College football's smartest picks contest will soon evolve for the postseason. Prepare yourself for a comprehensive playoff format unlike anything you've seen.

December 8th, 2008: Entry selection brackets released.

December 17th, 2008: Selection bracket turn-in deadline.

34 bowls. One champion.

The Obligatory Predictions Competition: Bowl Edition

The Death of a Big Ten Traveling Trophy

2008-11-21T22:19:26Z

The Death of a Big Ten Traveling Trophy

If there was a Northwestern or Illinois blog on this network, there would be more written about this. The Sweet Sioux Tomahawk is being "retired" for all the wrong reasons.

If you want to suggest next year's trophy, act now.

Jumping off the S.S. RichRod

2008-11-18T21:27:45Z

Jumping off the S.S. RichRod

MGoBlog has a discussion of the first players to announce that they're leaving Michigan.

No word on whether this will qualify the Wolverines to be included in that Detroit Bailout that is being pushed in Congress.

All of this changes if someone doesn't beat the Beavers... I'll be using my column this week to...

2008-11-17T18:54:18Z

All of this changes if someone doesn't beat the Beavers...

I'll be using my column this week to look at the full range of possibilities for each of the 8 Big Ten teams that can qualify for a bowl. I'll also explain each of the potential opponents.

National Championship: Oklahoma v. Florida
Rose: Penn State v. USC
Fiesta: Ohio State v. Texas
Sugar: Alabama v. Utah
Orange: Miami v. Pitt (Why not? Pick any of the crappy teams from either conference. They're all the same)

Capital One: Michigan State v. Georgia
Outback: Iowa v. South Carolina
Alamo: Wisconsin v. Oklahoma State
Champs: Northwestern v. North Carolina
Insight: Minnesota v. Kansas
Motor City: Illinois v. Ball State

On the Couch with a Queso Bowl: Michigan, Purdue, Indiana

I think Bob Stoops is playing for the title again... National Championship: Florida v....

2008-11-10T16:01:16Z

I think Bob Stoops is playing for the title again...

National Championship: Florida v. Oklahoma
Rose: Penn State v. USC
Fiesta: Ohio State v. Texas
Sugar: Alabama v. Utah
Orange: Virginia Tech v. Pittsburgh

Capital One: Michigan State v. Georgia
Outback: Iowa v. South Carolina
Alamo: Wisconsin v. Oklahoma State
Champs: Minnesota v. Miami (FL)
Insight: Northwestern v. Kansas
Motor City: Illinois v. Ball State

On the Couch with the Queso Bowl: Michigan, Indiana, Purdue

Again, these take in to account anticipated future results. If the Illini lose to Northwestern and Ohio State, they won't make a bowl. I'm betting that we're halfway through Minnesota's worst case scenario from my previous column. Does anyone want to win the Big East or ACC? The Sugar Bowl will take an undefeated mid-major over a three (or four!) loss Big East champ, no?

Ohio State's Ray Small Suspended

2008-11-06T15:36:03Z

Ohio State's Ray Small Suspended

And daddy isn't happy. Small's father has charged the OSU coaching staff with "intentionally trying to ruin [his] son's career," after Small allegedly failed to go to class, and Tressel served up a two game suspension.

Small denies any wrongdoing.

What difference, if any, this makes in a squad that ranks 24th in the nation in punt returns will be seen Saturday when the Bucks square off against Northwestern (61st in the nation in punt return coverage).

Could a Big Ten coach replace Phil Fulmer?

2008-11-03T19:32:33Z

Could a Big Ten coach replace Phil Fulmer?

Clay Travis, who has a pretty good perspective on Tennessee this year was just on the radio with two local hosts in Birmingham. Obviously, the discussion revolved around the resignation/termination of Phil Fulmer at Tennessee.

When discussing possible replacements, four names were mentioned:

1) Jon Gruden
2) Mike Leach
3) Tim Brewster
4) Lane Kiffen (because it is legally required that he be mentioned in every search)

I found it interesting that Brewster is already getting that kind of rub after his quick turn-around.

The Sugar Bowl is the big winner this week. If the Big 12 is aced out of the Title game, New...

2008-11-03T15:55:40Z

The Sugar Bowl is the big winner this week. If the Big 12 is aced out of the Title game, New Orleans will see #2 in the Big 12 v. #2 in the SEC. That will be the best matchup outside of the National Championship game.

National Championship: Penn St. v. Florida
Fiesta: Oklahoma v. Utah
Sugar: Alabama v. Texas
Rose: Ohio St. v. USC
Orange: West Virginia v. Georgia Tech

Capital One: Michigan St. v. Georgia
Outback: Northwestern v. South Carolina
Alamo: Minnesota v. Oklahoma State
Champs: Illinois v. North Carolina
Insight: Iowa v. Nebraska
Motor City: Wisconsin v. Ball State

On the Couch Queso Bowl: Michigan, Purdue, Indiana

Instant Analysis: Northwestern Wildcats and LTP go into Minnesota without Sutton and Bacher

2008-10-31T03:06:26Z

Instant Analysis: Northwestern Wildcats and LTP go into Minnesota without Sutton and Bacher

Lake the Posts gives his thoughts on the upcoming Minnesota game:"Losing Tyrell Sutton is huge as he is not only our primary RB who makes things tick, he is one of our leading receivers. QB Mike Kafka is a much better runner than the injured CJ Bacher which is key since we're using the run so much in our spread this year at the QB slot. Special Teams is one of the major killers of NU this year as well. We had a missed extra point, gave up a first down to the Indiana punter on a bad snap, fumbled a kickoff return and gave up two big kickoff returns. It is the unsung hero of our demise in our two losses."

Take a look at Lake the Posts for all Northwestern football coverage and catch the NW-Mini game at 12 pm on ESPN2.