LSU is running away with the top spot, with Alabama chasing them, and looking for a rematch

By Kyle Soppe

LSU has all but clinched a spot in the BCS title game, as the seem to be more impressive with each passing week. A rematch with Alabama seems likely, but Houston still has a doughnut if the right hand column, which will lead to endless debating. Georgia is a team getting very hot at the right time, and continued their rise among our “experts”. Arkansas was dominated in their showdown with LSU, but remained in our top 10. Stanford is fourth in our poll, but this seems like a three team race (if you believe Houston will get bonus points for being undefeated). Hate to say it, as most of our pollsters voiced a displeasure about seeing a rematch for the BCS title, but we are headed that way. Michigan State (8points) received the most points amongst the four vote getters who did not make it into our top 15. Is this how the top 15 should look? Is the pickin splinter staff struggling to get it right? However you feel about our latest poll, let us know, here on the pine.

The Cardinal may need some Luck to get into the BCS championship game

By Kyle Soppe

Wow. After a great week in college football, here is your Pickin Splinters Top 15. We had a season high 6 teams get votes but not qualify in our Top 15. The Crimson Tide fell to fifth in our poll, but are third in the BCS. Stanford and Oklahoma State are in a battle for that second spot, and Stanford showdown with Oregon this weekend has the potential to clear up the confusion at the 2 spot. Houston had the greatest variety as far as placement on polls, they were ranked as high as fifth and as low as 13th.

by Wally

Well, it’s Friday again (seems to come around every week quite quickly these days).   So we’re on the cusp of cementing the teams that will be included in the CFB Div 1 playoffs … that is, the ONE game playoff with a few other glorified exhibition games preceding it in a rather annoying and unsatisfying two week period.  This of course is also known as the crappy BCS system.   Nonetheless, it seems fitting that two teams previously burned by the system during this decade … Oregon and Auburn … control their own destiny and can see the path to the title game.   All they have to do is win Saturday.  “That’s all”.      So let’s take a look at the games that have an impact on the BCS bowls:

– Rutgers at #24 West Virginia:    WVU needs a win over the Scarlet Knights combined with a UConn loss to South Florida later in the day to gain the conference’s berth to a BCS bowl.   It’s been a “long, bad night” for the Knights all season and this won’t be any different.   WVU wins by 24.

– UConn at South Florida:   It’s win-and-in to the BCS for the Huskies.   But it won’t happen!   The Bulls will again be led by Michael Jordan scoring double figures (oops … wrong Bulls), but nonetheless, Skip Hotz’s team will win a close one and play spoiler.

– Utah State at #11 Boise State:   Okay … I admit it, this game doesn’t have BCS implications.   But I wanted to point out that the Broncos were summarily buried in the polls after a one point give away loss (the infamous missed FGs) on the road to a very good team in OT.   Sure … that deserves a demotion of 10 spots in the human polls …. NOT!!!     Get real people and show some respect to a class organization.   Ok … Broncos may take out their frustration by placekicking Utah State players through the uprights.   Boise by a bunch to finish 11-1.  vNot sure what that gets ‘em in terms of bowls, but I’ll salute ‘em for a GREAT run over the past two seasons!

–  #1 Oregon at Oregon State:   The annual Civil War game is intriguing only because it’s on the Beavers home turf in Corvallis.   But the Ducks must punch this ticket to get into the title game and their rival OSU would love nothing more at this point than to end Oregon’s dreams.   I see this as a close one through the first half, but Oregon gradually and convincingly pulling away in the second half as they’ve done so many times this season.   Ducks 37  Beavers 20.

– #1 Auburn vs #19 South Carolina (Atlanta):   It’s the SEC title game and anything can happen.   Now that Cam Newton is eligible (at the moment) per the NCAA (Really???), maybe the Tigers will play with clear heads and not struggle for 2/3 of the game as they have many times recently.    Can Spurrier & Co play a complete game like they did vs Alabama???   The Gamecocks are a wildly inconsistent team and cannot afford a poor half of football.    Hope I’m wrong, but I think, yet again, we’ll see Cam Newton’s second half magic lead the Tigers to a win and a berth opposite Oregon in the BCS title game.    Auburn 34  SCarolina 24.    (But I would love to see Auburn lose to pave the way for TCU to get a title shot … for all the little schools that never made it).  ok … that was borrowed from Hoosiers.

– #9 Oklahoma vs #13 Nebraska (Big 12 Championship game):  Winner, of course, goes to a BCS Bowl.   I kinda like the Huskers in this one.   Sooners might have spent most of their energy just trying to get here because the had to beat OK State in a barnburner last week to do so.   Bo Pellini’s squad has a chip on their shoulder … still fuming over losses to A&M and Texas.   I like Nebraska’s D vs OU’s O slightly, and also kinda favor Husker’s O vs Sooners D.   So that settles it … Nebraska wins a tight one  27-24.

– #21 Florida State vs #15 Virginia Tech (ACC Chan’ship):   Similar to that very last bowl game on New Year’s Day which usually features a collosal mismatch, I’m not sure anyone will care about this one by the time it rolls around.    Still, I’m gonna make a pick … based purely on emotion … because I still have great disdain for Florida State … yes, because of 1993, which still bumfuzzles me .  Anyway, FSU could be playing New Mexico and I’d still pick against them.   Va Tech wins 24-23 …. which isn’t too far fetched.

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Before signing off, we should have a moment of silence to salute the life of Ron Santo.   The former Cub great 3rd baseman and beloved radio broadcaster passed away at age 70 after battling several illnesses and recently cancer.   Santo never witnessed his longtime goal of election to the Baseball Hall of Fame despite career numbers that mark him as one of baseball’s all-time great third basemen. He finished with a .277 average over 15 major league seasons, with 342 home runs and 1,331 RBIs.   At the very least, Ron Santo is firmly in Chicago’s heart and it’s own HoF.  If Ernie Banks is “Mr. Cub”, then Ron Santo must be his twin brother.   We’ll miss ya Ronnie!

Miami at Virginia Tech

The top-ranked, 10-0 Miami Hurricanes of coach Larry Coker had only one obstacle left between them & a shot at the BCS Championship, the 14^th ranked, 8-2 Virginia Tech Hokies of coach Frank Beamer.  Miami had been on a mission to show the BCS they made a mistake in 2000 by not inviting them to the championship game & they needed only a win in Blacksburg to assure their spot in this season’s title match-up.  The Hurricanes survived a 4^th quarter rally to secure their spot in the BCS Championship with a 26-24 win to retain The Belt.  The Hokies scored the only points of the 1^st quarter with PK Carter Warley 27-yard field goal.  On the opening play of the 2^nd quarter, Virginia Tech’s QB Grant Noel was intercepted by Miami’s CB Phillip Buchanon at the Hurricanes’ 45-yard line.  It took 6 plays to drive 55 yards with All-Big East QB Ken Dorsey connecting with All-Big East TE Jeremy Shockey on a 14-yard touchdown pass giving Miami a 7-3 lead.  Hurricanes’ All-Big East RB Clinton Portis added a 7-yard touchdown run as Miami took a 14-3 lead before Hurricanes’ All-Big East PK Todd Sievers added field goals from 34 & 43yards to give Miami a 20-3 halftime edge.  In the 3^rd quarter, the Hokies were driving for a score following a 56-yard run by Virginia Tech’s RB Kevin Jones but Noel was intercepted by Hurricanes’ DT William Joseph after a tipped pass.  On the next snap, Miami’s Portis fumbled as Hokies’ LB Ben Taylor recovered, his second fumble recovery of the game, at the Hurricanes’ 19-yard line.  The 4-play drive included Virginia Tech’s first 3rd down conversion of the game, a 14-yard run by RB Keith Burnell to Miami’s 1-yard line before RB Jarrett Ferguson carried the final yard for the score cutting the Miami lead to 20-10.  Sievers kicked a 42-yard field goal & a 39-yard field goal as the Hurricanes’ pushed their lead to 26-10 when the Hokies started their rally.  Ferguson scored from 1 yard with 8:33 to play & the 2-point conversion pass to WR Terrell Parnham made the score Miami 26, Virginia Tech 18.  With 6:03 to play, Hokies’ CB Eric Green blocked a Hurricanes’ punt & LB Brandon Manning returned it 22 yards for a touchdown.  The 2-point conversion failed as WR Ernest Wilford, who was wide open when Buchanon fell on coverage, dropped the pass from Noel leaving Virginia Tech trailing 26-24.  After a short punt gave the ball to the Hokies’ at the Miami 49-yard line & still had a chance but with 4:18 to play, Miami’s All-American S Ed Reed intercepted a Noel pass at the Hurricanes’ 31-yard line & Miami held the ball until 0:20.  The Hokies got the ball back with 96 yards to go & the clock ran out before Virginia Tech could threaten a score giving Miami a 26-24 win.  Dorsey finished with 235 yards passing with a touchdown & Portis finished with 124 yards rushing with a touchdown but 2 fumbles.  For the Hokies, Noel finished with only 4 completions for 81 yards with 4 interceptions, a fumble, & he was sacked 5 times while Jones finished with 160 yards rushing.  Miami finished the season 12-0; Big East & National Champions while the Hokies finished 8-4 & ranked 18^th nationally.  Virginia Tech would play for The Belt again in 2002.

The College Football Belt

By Wally

Here’s a very interesting Q&A perspective on the future of College Football conferences written by Pete Fiutak of College Football News:

Q: I consider myself a relatively sane and rational person. So why is it that I’m having a hard time believing that Big Ten expansion talk is that big a deal? Many are predicting Armageddon, but I’m just not seeing it. Is this all really going to happen? – NR

A: Yeah, it’s really going to happen, but I can see where you’re coming from. The crazy part about all the speculation is that the Big Ten hasn’t actually done anything concrete, yet the mere speculation of what it might do has set in motion a whirlwind of chaos.

AP Photo/Al Behrman

Another week of great sports action, and so many great performances with which to choose. Step right up readers and give us the one (1), uno, une performance that stands out for you this past week.

“There are no small roles only small actors.” Some attribute  this wisdom to William Shakespeare. Of course, others will argue Christopher Marlowe must be responsible, but we will leave that for another discussion. Either way, this cliche works well when describing the efforts of Cincinnati Bearcat quarterback, Zach Collaros.

When Bearcat starter, Tony Pike, went down with an arm injury against South Florida, Collaros took his place. . All the second stringer has done is lead the Bearcats to three wins and his effort in this past weekend’s victory over UConn earns Collaros my POTW.

Collaros completed 29 of 37 passes for for 480 yards and one touchdown as the Bearcats downed UConn 47-45.  The sophomore form Steubenville, Ohio also rushed the ball 13 times for 75 yards and two touchdowns.

Since taking over the duties as signal caller, Collaros has completed 76 of 100 passes for 1,229 yards, 10 touchdowns, one interception and a passer rating of 210.

The Bearcats now find themselves un-welcomed guests in the BCS party mix. Coach Brian Kelly will need to make a decision. Pike is ready to return. Collaros has the hot hand.

Who gets your POTW?

Tim Casey / GatorCountry.com

by Patrick ‘Rey’ Reynell

To play or not to play? Not quite the same philosophical pondering of Hamlet, but a question many players, coaches, and now-a-days, doctors, face on a weekly basis.

When a BYU defender planted Heisman winner Sam Bradford’s shoulder into the turf against Oklahoma on the opening weekend of 2009, many thought the Sooner’s hopes of a national championship were planted with it.

Even scarier, however, was when Tim Tebow suffered a concussion during defending champion Florida’s SEC opener at Kentucky. Though Urban Meyer’s postgame address dealt with the severity of the injury after the game, the rest of the nation couldn’t help but think ahead to two weeks against national powerhouse LSU and whether Tebow would play.

Here the college football world sits almost two weeks later still wondering if Tebow will take the field in what could be a pivotal game in the national championship picture. But a head or spinal cord injury is not something to rush. A tweaked ankle or sprained knee might be detrimental to one’s career, but a head injury could be detrimental to one’s life.

Last year in North Carolina, a public high school varsity football team conducted practice as it usually does before Friday night lights. A running back for the team took a jarring hit. Because it was a suspected head or spinal cord injury, the player was evaluated by the team trainer and later that night, a medical doctor. Both cleared him to play the following night.

On the team’s first offensive possession, the same young man who staggered off the field the day before carried the ball for a short gain before being taken down by what was called a textbook tackle. He rose to his feet and walked to the sideline, much as he did the day before. Showing symptoms of a concussion, he was sent to the hospital where he later died.

The nation has seen the severity of Tebow’s injury; only a fool would force a young man back so quickly from a terrifying snapping of the head.

But this is college football, and this is the BCS. The BCS has created a yearlong playoff system. Lose a game at the wrong time, and title hopes are dashed. Lose a player at the wrong time, and a team is sentenced to the same fate.

A playoff system would allow for a clean slate for some competitive teams. A slip up late in the season against Oklahoma after a big win versus Texas? Texas Tech, your new season is upon you to prove your worth.

Run the table in what is ominously dubbed a “mid-major” conference? Utah, you may dance with the big boys to prove your merit.

Best player goes down with an injury at the most inopportune time? Then, Oklahoma and Florida should be granted the same rebirth come playoff time.
The problem is they won’t and a freak injury such as Tebow’s might hamper Florida’s plans at repeating.

All eleven defensive starters returned for Florida this year, and now their prophetic placement in the BCS bowl system lies in the Apollo-like equations of a computer. Heck – just have the priestess tell the public that the BCS computer is located at Delphi.

Like anything else, the BCS has its advantages and disadvantages. But Tebow’s injury may have highlighted another problem with the lack of a playoff system. With such a big game on the horizon, will doctor’s feel pressured to allow Tebow to return to play too quickly?

That’s not to say that doctors won’t have Tebow’s best interests in mind. The point is though that doctors are human, too, and may feel pressured to a make a decision that they normally wouldn’t due to a player and his team’s status.

Meyer and Tebow have too much of an invested interest, but can anyone tell the nation’s best player that two weeks isn’t enough with such a serious injury?

Perhaps. Then again, perhaps not. Sounds a little like Hamlet’s musings. Nevertheless, Hamlet and Tebow weren’t and aren’t worrying about something minuscule. The question here, however, is whether or not the BCS supersedes a player’s well-being. Hopefully not, but it also can’t be making such vital decisions any easier.

by Greg Kincaid

It’s January 1 at 12:01 a.m. People are jumping up and down, celebrating a new year and new things to come. The champagne cork is popped and there are plenty of new things to celebrate. However, there is one thing about the New Year that people forget: College football.

New Year s Day by far is the greatest day to kick back and watch a football game. With two BCS championship games airing that day, many people along with myself make best friends with the couch. However, I made a new friend this New Year’s: The town of Pasadena, home to the Rose Bowl.

Attending the “Granddaddy of them all” may be one of the greatest things a sports fan can ever do. The Rose Bowl Game is not just about football. Making the trip to Southern California to watch a game like this is a great experience. What makes it impressive is how things are run before, during and after the game.

When a fan goes to the Rose Bowl Game, it is not just going to any other typical game. I was lucky enough to get the full in-depth experience of what the Rose Bowl was all about. It is by far the greatest sports experience I ever had. In addition, the number one thing I learned about the Rose Bowl was how professional it was from top to bottom.

Hospitality

On December 29, 2008, I found myself in the city of Los Angeles at the Downtown Marriot Hotel, which played host to all media members for the Rose Bowl Game. As you pull up to the Marriot, you know in fact that this is the hotel to be at. With the pillars decorated with Roses and hotel employees standing outside in red suits, you get shivers down your spine.

Media Events

Outside of the media room at the hotel

On December 30, Chappin and her staff held the final Rose Bowl Media day in the banquet room of the hotel. Since both team had to be at practice, the media was allotted 30 minutes for each squad. Time was determined by an actual clock that was placed at the front of the media room. Penn State was the first squad to enter the room for the thirty minute period. Each player wore their white jersey with a Rose Bowl patch attached to their jersey.

As the players entered the room, they were required to sit at the round tables where their nametags were. From there, the clock started and media members were allowed to walk up to players and conduct their interviews. For the more popular players like Derrick Williams and Darryl Clark, they were given small podiums at random spots in the room so more than one person can talk to them at a time. Everything was going smoothly until one man entered the room and took the main podium at the front of the room.

82-year old head Coach Joe Paterno was in the room and spirits were brightened from there…sort of. As members of the media poured to the front of the room, Penn State players sat at their tables and chatted. The problem being, they were talking too loud, to the point where they needed to quiet down in order for the press conference to begin. Joe spoke up and provided some entertainment.

“Come on guys I don’t have all day, I want to get out of here!” demanded Paterno. “If you people want to shoot the bull, take it outside in the lobby!”

From there, everyone was quiet.

When Paterno was done, the media had about five more minutes. The horn sounded, and the Nittany Lions headed out to practice. It was now Southern California’s turn.

I stood over the railing as I watched Ray Maualuga and the rest of the Trojans ride the exalter to the second floor in their bright crimson red uniforms, with Rose Bowl patch stitched of course. Following behind them is USC head coach Pete Carroll. Unfortunately, I did not stay for USC’s portion of media day because I would have felt left out being a Penn State person. But overall, the professionalism of the event was incredible.

Pep Rally

The pep rally was held at Beverly Hills High School. Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions made an appearance in front of nearly 30,000 Penn State fans. This was just another incredible memory that sank in the mind of every fan making the trip.

The Game

As you travel to the game, you get a nice tour of the small and beautiful little town of Pasadena. It just may be the most peaceful place to live. As I travelled through the town at about 10 a.m. pacific time, I would have never thought it was game day because of how quiet and peaceful the town was.

The game is something that just can’t even be described. The atmosphere is incredible. The stadium is incredible. The teams are incredible. The fans are incredible. The organization of the event is incredible.

I entered the stadium right as the gates opened. The Rose Bowl design is different, as the seats don’t go up very high. There are ninety rows, but the rows go more out than up. Nearly every seat in the stadium is red. All of the seats are bleachers, with some sections having seat-backs.

As the stadium begins to fill up, you get chills. You actually think to yourself, “Wow, I can’t believe I am here.”

When the bands entered the stadium, you really get the feeling of the game beginning to start. With the triumphant USC Trojan band and the classic Penn State Blue Band doing their pregame routines, I just had the special feeling of the game just about to start.

Being a Penn State supporter, the game wasn’t the greatest. But overall, it was an excellent experience. It wasn’t just the atmosphere at the game that impressed me. It was the quality and professionalism of how the whole event was coordinated.

1. Thanksgiving is a special day for the NFL.. Not that Sundays aren’t during the NFL season. But on Thanksgiving – you get a free pass to eat way too much food and watch – FOOTBALL. So how did the NFL schedule 3 horribly-matched games on a day it has full reign over? All 3 games were over by halftime and in 2 of the games, they were over by the end of the 1st quarter. I understand tradition, but until the Lions get their act together, their privilege to Thanksgiving football should be revoked.

2. After the listening to and reading about “Where will LeBron James go to in 2010″ babble for way too long, it was nice to hear Charles Barkley come out and call what it was : disrespectful to the Cleveland Cavaliers and a distraction. I agree with Charles – no matter where LeBron plays, he is going to be mega-superstar. So do the NBA a favor and stay in Cleveland. But I was disappointed to hear LeBron react to Barkley’s comments by calling Barkley – “stupid”. C’mon LeBron – listen to the old-school and respect the Cavaliers and the NBA. Let 2010 take care of 2010 – when it gets here. Tomorrow, I think I am going into work and talk about going to a competitor in 2009 – I wonder how they will take it.

3. Has there been a linebacker duo like LaMarr Woodley and James Harrision of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL? If the Steelers offense is healthy and effective, I am thinking the Steelers – not the Titans – are the team to beat in the AFC.

4. Officially add Dick Jauron to the hot seat for NFL coaches. Losing 6 of their last 8, topped by a loss at home against the San Fransisco 49ers, has people in Buffalo restless. Especially when Bill Cowher looks uncomfortable sitting next to Shannon Sharpe.

5. Is Oregon’s running game that good – or did Oregon St just throw up an air ball? But Saturday night, there were 2 games with over 100 points in each game. So much for defense in college football.

6. I think that the NCAA should fine every coach that pines for votes to get his team in the BCS – a la Bob Stoops. The BCS system needs to be on an even ground – so no campaigning from any coach. Let the records and results speak for themselves. Any fines can go towards building a scholarship fund for students who can’t afford college without any assistance. Furthermore – when a team scores with 30 seconds left in a game – when up by more then 10 points – it should count against them. What ever happened to sportsmanship and just taking a knee?

7. I like the talk on this site about a playoff system in college football. I don’t think it is fair that unless you are in the Big XII or the SEC – if you lose one game, you don’t have a chance of getting to the BCS title game. Teams in conferences such Pac-10, Big 10 or the ACC shouldn’t be penalized if teams in their respective conferences are not as strong as in other conferences. Only in the Big XII and the SEC are you guaranteed a 1 loss record and a chance to get in the title game. There is something wrong with that picture.

8. I heard an interesting question on ESPN today – of the two embattled Bill Belichek proteges – who deserves to keep his job – Charlie Weis or Romeo Crennel?  Weis has looked out-coached all year and it was never more evident than last Saturday against USC.  Crennel did a great job last year against a easier schedule for the Browns. This year – his team was exposed for the team really is – not that good and full of holes. Crennel has a GM that made a poor decision with Derek Anderson and made some questionable personnel moves. I think of the two – Crennel should get another chance.

9. This off-season was meant to be Scott Boras’ masterpiece. His ninth symphony or his Mona Lisa.  Could the economy be ruining his plans? There is talk that the Yankees and the Red Sox are starting to feel the pinch. If so – how about the rest of MLB?

10. Names I am sick of and won’t spend too much oxygen on them – Plaxico Burress and Stephen Marbury. Oh and thanks Plaxico for making Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson look like angels.. Just great.

11. Hedo Turkoglu is the most underrated NBA player.. Right Casey?? Insert Casey rolling his eyes and saying, ” I didn’t say that”. Somewhere in Alaska, Wally is chuckling. Trust me, this went on for hours over the weekend.

12. Did you know that you have to treat cats the same way as humans when it comes to a urinary tract infection? Antibiotics and then Cranberries. And that my friends, is your Animal Planet Tip of the Week.

Now, on a positive note, how about the nice season by the Northwestern Wildcats?   (I used to call them the Northworsten Mildcats … but no more!)   The ‘Cats just beat their “close-to-home” rival Fighting Illini to finish 4th in the Big 10 with an overall record of 9-3.   Pretty damned good for one of those “premier academic institutions”.   Maybe ND should try to recruit NU head coach Pat Fitzgerald away from Evanston, just like they did with Ara Parseghian back in the early ’60s.

Boise State remained undefeated with a hard fought road win at Nevada and they are now 10-0.  However, still undefeated Utah beat BYU convincingly and is better perched in the BCS standings to claim a spot in one of the “big games”.

Nice to see Michigan get crushed again to worsen their worst season ever.    Speaking of getting crushed, how did Texas Tech give up 42 points in the first half to Oklahoma and just not show up for their day in the sun?   What a disappointment that was, as I’m sure college football fans everywhere were hoping to see a true showdown in the primetime game of the day.

Looks like Oregon State may just as well nudge USC away from the Rose Bowl.   The Beavers just need to beat the Ducks next week in Corvaillis.

Well, the BCS rankings will be released in a few hours.  I expect we’ll see it set up so that the SEC champ (Bama or Florida) will end up playing the Big 12 champ (as long as it’s Oklahoma or Texas) in the title game.   Can’t complain about this type of match-up, but I would like to see both Utah and Boise State get invites to one of the 5 big games.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!   Oh … there’s only one NFL game on Turkey day cuz the Detroit Lions are playing in the other one.