Hello to a New Year, Goodbye to a Season

So, you may have noticed that I took a bit of a holiday hiatus over the past couple weeks.  I know, I know, I’m sure you missed me, but did you think that I really wouldn’t be back to write about the LAST COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME OF THE YEAR?!?!  Thank God, I thought it would never end, although my husband is already looking ahead to potential college football road trips for next fall.  

We’ll talk about the matchup in a second, but based on some conversations with my friends I have a feeling I need to give an overview of what’s going on here.  This is the BCS (Bowl Championship Series) Championship Game, which this year is being held in Dolphins Stadium in Miami, the site of the Orange Bowl.  But wait, wasn’t the Orange Bowl already played last week?  Yes, it was, but this game is the result of the “plus 1″ system that was implemented a few years ago in college football.  The four BCS Bowls are all still played (Orange, Rose, Sugar, and Fiesta), with the “plus 1″ addition of the National Championship game each year matching the #1 and #2 teams in the country, with the site rotating between the 4 BCS Bowl sites each year.  Confused yet?  If not, keep in mind that both participating teams have one loss, and there is another team that feels they should be the National Champion regardless of who wins this game:  the Utah Utes finished 13-0 after soundly beating Alabama in the Sugar Bowl earlier this week, and have a pretty valid argument that they should be given a share of the championship.   Needless to say, I’ll be watching Grey’s Anatomy while this game is being played, but here’s a few quick facts for you in case you’ll be tuning in:

#1 Oklahoma vs. #2 Florida (8:00 EST, FOX)

• Although Oklahoma is the #1 team, Florida is favored in the game based on the Las Vegas point spread.
• The two quarterbacks in this game are the last two Heisman Trophy winners, and they are both underclassmen:  Sam Bradford of Oklahoma won the Heisman this year, and Tim Tebow of Florida won it last year.
• These two teams are traditional college football powers, and it hasn’t been too long since their last national championships:  Florida beat Ohio State to take the crown in the 2006 season, and Oklahoma last won the title when they beat Florida State in the Orange Bowl after the 2000 season.

I must say, I’m pretty glad that this is the last post I’ll be writing about college football, at least for a while.  Maybe some of my readers could provide ideas to make it more fun for next season?  Until then, I’ll be back with some college basketball info and some previews of the big NFL playoff games coming up this weekend.

-sportsgirl

There Are Still 7 Weeks Left and They Play on Thursdays?

So…its Sunday, which means NFL football time, however somehow I missed the fact that NFL games are played on Thursdays too.  Seriously, can’t they give us ladies a break…we have other shows to watch and don’t want to be distracted by sports 24/7.  The Thursday game thing has only occurred the past 1 or 2 years…anything to bring in more money for the NFL I guess.  This week’s Thursday game was the NY Jets at the New England Patriots.  The Jets won in overtime…just in case it comes up in conversation….

Now…if you are around some Sunday games this week…I looked around and there wasn’t anything that exciting for the week…but I have provided facts for 3 of the games….

Baltimore Ravens at the NY Giants (1pm EST, CBS)

• Both teams are going for their fifth consecutive victory
• The Giants are 5-0 at home this season
• The Ravens have won 3 of their last 5 games on the road and they have won the last 3 times that they have played the Giants since 1997
• During Eli Manning’s rookie year (2004), he played one of his worst games against the Ravens…he had a zero QB rating…I didn’t even know that was possible.  He completed only 4 of 18 passes for 27 yard, threw 2 interceptions and lost a fumble…talk about a bad game…hopefully he has forgotten about that game tomorrow for the Giant’s sake…currently they are 8-1 on the season.

 

Philadelphia Eagles at the Cincinnatti Bengals (1pm EST, FOX)

• The Bengals are awful…they only have 1 win this season against the Jacksonville Jaguars.  The Eagles are 5-4, however they are coming off a difficult loss against the NY Giants last Sunday night. 
• The Bengals are 7-3 all time against the Eagles and have never lost to Philadelphia at home.  I have to say these types of stats make it seem like the Bengals have a good shot, but they really are not good and if the Eagles want any chance of seeing the playoffs they can’t afford any more losses. 
• The Eagles have the highest Average Points per Game on the road (30.8) in the entire NFL…
• Defensive End Trent Cole is from Cincinnatti…therefore, expect a loud cheering section for the Eagles on the road.

 

Dallas Cowboys at the Washington Redskins (8:15EST, NBC)

• The last match-up between these two teams resulted in a Redskins win at Texas Stadium…the last time the ’skins most likely will have played in Dallas’ stadium.
• Tony Romo and his broken pinkie are rumored to back in action in this week’s game.  Since the game is away, chances are probably slim that Jessica Simpson will be there…but as always, be on the look-out.
• If the Redskins lose they still have a chance to make it ot the playoffs…however if the Cowboys lose, their chances of making the playoffs will be very slim
• Each team will be plaing without a key running back.  The Cowboys’ Felix Jones will be out this season with an injured hamstring.  The Redskins’ Clinton Portis will be out due to an injured knee…

Besides these three games, there are two other stats to watch out for….An undefeated team to continue their winning season and an “0fer” team continuing their devastating losing season.  The Tennessee Titans are still undefeated for the season….the last time a team went undefeated for the season was only last year when the Patriots went 16-0.  On the other side of the spectrum, the Detroit Lions have the potential to be 0-16 this season…the first time in NFL history.  They are so bad this year and their upcoming games are against decent teams…making it very unlikely that they will see a win.  Last year the Miami Dolphins were almost an “0fer” team…but wound up winning one game and ending the season 1-15.  No one likes to lose all of their games…but might as well have a stat in the books, right? 

 

Ok…all the information you needed for this weekend.  I promise to have some sort of basketball write up this week.  I just needed to motivate myself.

-sportsgirl

Who Knew “Dotting the i” Was Such a Big Deal?

You are probably wondering what I mean…well, as you get through this post, the title will make a lot more sense.  Just so we are all on the same page today, we are in week 9 of college football and there are about 6 more weeks to go.  If you can recall when I started this blog I knew NOTHING about college football but I think we have all learned a lot this season….

This week I am focusing on two big games that have a lot riding on them.  With only a few weeks left in the season, every win or loss can affect whether or not a team makes it to a bowl game (more to come on those when it really matters).  

ESPN’s “College Game Day” game: 

#3 Penn State at #9 Ohio State

 

• To date, Penn State is undefeated…Ohio State has one loss, which came in the third game of the season when they lost to USC 35-3.  That is pathetic…but they must be doing something right to still be ranked in the Top 10.  
• The quarterbacks are going to be in the center spotlight for this week.  Penn State’s QB, Darryl Clark is from Ohio, while Ohio State’s QB, Terrelle Pryor, is from PA.  Now this is where things get really interesting.  Pryor is a freshman and was the most sought after player in high school football…he was deciding between two schools, Ohio State and Penn State.  As I already noted…he chose Ohio State…so if Penn State loses and they are knocked out of the top 10…they are going to be pissed.  
• Penn State is 0-7 at Ohio State since 1978…can 30 years make a difference and will they finally win? 
• Now the whole “dotting the i” thing…ok, so this is centered around the Ohio State band…that’s right ladies, I said the band.  I recently realized how big of a deal the band is at these big college football games, but this tradition is one of the biggest I’ve heard.  I am including a YouTube video so you can get the whole experience…but basically this is how it goes.  At all of the Ohio State home games, the band marches on the field at the beginning of the game and spells Ohio in script.  The person who gets to “dot the i” of the word Ohio is especially important because they stand out by themselves.  This honor only goes to a senior…however there have been 3 instances where a non-OSU person has “dotted the i”…Jack Nicklaus, Bob Hope and Woody Hayes.  I can tell you right now that this morning when I woke up to research some college football stuff, I didn’t think I would be talking about the band…but hey there’s a first for everything!

 

Famous Alumni – Penn State

 

• John Aniston (Jennifer Aniston’s dad)…I know, it’s a stretch…but if you do like soap opera’s I think he used to be on Day’s of Our Lives
• Gene Kelley – he died…but was in Singin’ in the Rain - I never saw it, but I know the song
• Larry Johnson – running back for the Kansas City Chiefs – it is rumored that last weekend he spit on a girl at a club and got arrested…now that’s some class…seriously, who spits on anyone…let alone a girl?
• Kerry Collins – quarterback for the Tennessee Titans

Famous Alumni: Ohio State

• Patricia Heaton – Everybody Loves Raymond
• Richard Lewis  - the comedian
• Jeffrey Dahmer – the serial killer (although, I am pretty sure OSU would rather us not know he is from their school)
• The Hamm Brothers  - the two twin gymnasts who were supposed to be in the past summer olympics, but suffered injuries right before
• Bobby Knight – famous basketball coach – especially for his reign at Indiana University
• Kirk Herbstreit – he is on ESPN’s College Game Day
• Jack Nicklaus- famous golfer…but didn’t graduate from OSU

#6 Oklahoma State at #1 Texas (3:30EST, ABC)

• After two huge wins…Texas was the first unanimous #1 pick by the AP poll in over a year
• In Oklahoma State vs Texas match-up, Texas has won 10 straight times and 20 of the past 22 games
• Last year, Oklahoma State was leading the game by 21 points in the fourth quarter and wound up losing by 3. 

Famous Alumni: Oklahoma State

• Garth Brooks – country singer
• Gary Busey – actor & legendary cokehead (not so funny)
• James Marsden – actor in X-men  and 27 Dresses

Famous Alumni: Texas – already covered…but here they are again

• Laura Bush & Jenna Bush (looks like we know who Laura’s favorite is…)
• Matthew McConaughey – do I even need to comment…what’s up shirtless
• Farah Fawcett – actress

Alright, so besides all of the college football games, tonight is Game 3 of the World Series.  Right now the series is tied 1-1…the teams come up to Philadelphia to see who will break the tie.  Should be interesting to be in PA tonight with the big Game 3 on and also the big Penn State game…hopefully you have friends around because the men in your life will definitely be preoccupied tonight and not paying any attention to you…I might go check out High School Musical 3 (just kidding…sort of…)

Back tomorrow with NFL stuff…

-sportsgirl

It’s Another College Game Day

So, this weekend I am going to a WVU Mountaineers football game.  They are playing Rutgers and I am pretty sure that this game really doesn’t mean much to the rest of the world, but I am pretty psyched to go…I’ll let you know about my experience next week. What I will say is that I really hate the “in-between” of summer and fall…packing for a football game when it is supposed to be in the hig 60’s is really throwing me off…what does one wear on their feet??? I packed Uggs & flip flops…talk about each end of the spectrum.  I pretty much like when it is either warm or cold…not a mix…too stressful…LOL. 

There are some big games that will most likely be on wherever you are. 

#13 Auburn (4-1) vs #19 Vanderbilt (4-0)

OK, so this game is a big deal…It is the “College Game Day” game of the week…which means it will be anyone’s guess which mascot head Corso  puts on….

• This is the first time College Game Day has ever come to Vanderbilt…they haven’t been such a good team in the past
• This is the first Top 25 showdown at Vanderbilt in 60 years (as I said…they really haven’t had winning seasons in awhile…)
• Vanderbilt had a BYE last week, which means they are well rested….Auburn is coming off of two big games…

Also…since it seems to be liked, I looked up some famous people from each school….

• Vanderbilt – Al Gore (didn’t graduate but went to Vandy), also Tipper Gore and the current Denver Broncos’ QB – Jay Cutler (some good knowledge for Sunday’s game)
• Auburn – no really exciting famous alumni (outside of a bunch of sports people…but who are we kidding, we don’t really care), however Charles Barkley (a legend) did go there before he was drafted for the NBA.  Also, American Idol Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks went to Auburn…I hated Taylor Hicks, so I am not sure why I am even including him as “famous”…he was the worst.

 

#14 Ohio State vs #!9 Wisconsin (ABC 8PM EST)

• This is Ohio State’s first trip in five years to Wisconsin…can they beat the Badgers in a big night game in their stadium????   It is going to be HUGE if Ohio State does win…Wisconsin has won its last 6 night home games and has 16 straight home game wins it all…it willl really be a big deal if Ohio State breaks this streak
• Both teams have one loss which means whoever loses is out of the running for the BCS National Championship – not going to lie…I hope I don’t have to watch the game, I always feel bad for the team that loses in this type of situation…Go Ohio State Badgers (just kidding…)
• Ohio State’s QB, Terelle Pryor is a freshman and this is his first road college game…poor guy has a lot of pressure on him.  But who are we kidding…if he does win, he will probably be a big deal in the NFL some day and will make more money than most of us can imagine…

Couldn’t find much for the famous alumni from either school…

 

#23 Univ of Oregon vs #9 USC (ABC 8PM)

• OK, so if you remember from my Monday highlights this week I said that USC lost to Oregon State…well if I were USC, I would be fired up and not wanting to lose to another Oregon school…really, they were #1 last week and I doubt that they want to get knocked down below the Top 10…so they should be coming to the game in full force (I mean that is just my opinion without a lot of sports knowlege)
• Oregon’s Freshmen QB, Darron Thomas was involved in a speed racing car accident with two other players (Eddie Pleasant and Jamere Holland) early Thursday morning.  Thomas is expected to play in Saturday’s game, however the other two will not play due to injuries (nothing too serious though)

Famous people?  Of course…USC breeds actors & actresses….I have only listed a few…but you can google it and find a ton.

• USC – America Ferrera (love her…Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants), Sophia Bush, Forrest Whitaker, Tom Selleck (what’s up 80’s) and Kelly Preston…these are just a few
• Oregon – these names might not mean anything to you…but what they invented will – Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman (right…who are they???).  Well these two invented the Nike sneaker’s waffle sole – the sole was originally known as the “Oregon Waffle”…I kid you not.

 

OK…so this should get you through your Saturday…although hopefully during the day there are shopping trips, party planning or whatever in your future…I, my friends, will be tailgating & layering my clothes (I guess…) and will let you know how it goes.

Tomorrow I will be back with your NFL information…

-sportsgirl

If I Want to Watch the Emmy’s Tonight, I Need to Watch Football During The Day…

So today there are apparently a lot of good sports on television…I have already negotiated that if we flip through all of the different games/matches on television during the day today, I can have the main television for the Emmy’s tonight.  Today there is the last round of the Ryder Cup, a number of baseball games with playoff implications and of course all of the NFL games.  Tonight, there is the last game in Yankee Stadium and Sunday Night Football…lots to watch.  I will definitely flip over to the Yankee game just to see what celebs attend that aren’t at the Emmys. 

If you also need to watch the NFL games…here are some facts for a few of the games to keep you in the know…

Giants v Bengals (CBS, 1PM EST)

• The Bengals’ QB, Carson Palmer is without a touchdown pass in his first 2 games in 2008
• The Giants’ QB, Eli Manning was projected to be the #1 draft pick in 2004.  The San Diego Chargers were going to pick him, but Eli wanted to play for the New York Giants because of the potential endorsement opportunities he would have by playing for a New York team.  Manning won out and started his career on the Giants.
• The Cincinnati Bengals Defense has only one sack so far this season, which is the lowest total in the NFL

Eagles v Steelers (CBS, 4PM EST)

• The Steelers haven’t won in Philadelphia in their last 7 tries. 
• This is the first time that the Steelers will be playing in Lincoln Financial Field during the regular season.
• During WWII, the Eagles & Steelers combined to become one team – known as the Steagles because both teams lost a lot of players to the war.  The combined team only lasted for one season. 
• Over the past week, there have been a lot of rumors about the Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger, who injured his shoulder last week.  It was rumored that he separated his shoulder and would be out for the season, however we have learned that he has a shoulder sprain and will be starting against the Eagles. 

Cowboys v. Packers (NBC, 8PM EST)

• The Cowboys have made the playoffs 22 of the 24 times that they have started a season with wins in the first 2 games. 
• The Packers have never lost to the Cowboys at Lambeau Field
• Terrell Owens has caught 28 touchdowns from Tony Romo, making the Owens/Romo combination the league’s top quarterback/wide receiver combo since 2006. 

And of course, for the Sunday night game…all eyes need to be on the crowd to see if Jessica Simpson shows up to support her boyfriend Tony Romo…

Alright ladies…I think you can definitely impress people with these facts today…have a great day and get ready for some exciting Emmy’s tonight. 

- sportsgirl

When A Hit in Baseball Really Matters

Most baseball fans are just excited when someone on their favorite team gets a hit….it means one more chance to score a run and win a game.  I, on the other hand could really care less about hits in baseball or really the sport in general…I truly would probably watch paint dry and be more entertained.  But..these past few weeks baseball has kind of caught my attention. 

On Tuesday night, Derek Jeter had the chance to surpass the great Lou Gehrig’s record for hits in Yankee Stadium.  Did he pass it??? Well of course, or trust me, I wouldn’t be writing about it. 

 

Here’s what you need to know…

·     Lou Gehrig played with the NY Yankees in 1923, which was the opening season of Yankee Stadium.  Through his 16 year career there he had 1,269 hits. He was known as the “Iron Horse” because of his durability, he never missed a start until he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease (aka ALS). 

·     Jeter had two hits in the Tuesday night game…but his record breaking hit was a single in the first inning

·     Yankee Stadium is scheduled to close its doors for good on Sunday, September 21, 2008, which means Jeter’s record can NEVER be broken

·     Unfortunately for Jeter, his hit did not help the Yankees make it to the playoffs, which is the first time since 1993. 

 

Besides Yankee stadium, the only other stadium that is closing its’ doors after this season is the Mets’ Shea Stadium in NY…looks like NYC fans have a lot to look forward to when their new stadiums open for the 2009 season.

My advice ladies is that on Sunday…in between the football watching that you might have to do…it might not hurt to tune into the final Yankees game at Yankee stadium as it is sure to be filled with tons of celebs…which I know will keep my interest for awhile…

 

Catch up on the Ryder Cup tomorrow.

 

- sportsgirl