Ingram Takes Home Heisman

The Alabama Crimson Tide have a storied college football history, but never in their illustrious program have they produced a Heisman Trophy winner.  That all changed this past Saturday night as Crimson Tide running back Mark Ingram became Alabama's first Heisman winner.  Ingram narrowly edged Stanford running back Toby Gerhart by 28 votes (the closest voting in Heisman Trophy history).  Ingram and Gerhart were followed by Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and Florida quarterback and former Heisman winner, Tim Tebow. 

The 212 pound Bama' sophomore rushed for a school record 1,542 yards, averaging 6.2 yards per carry while piling up 18 touchdowns.  Ingram sealed the deal with a supreme effort in the Tides' SEC Championship Game victory over Florida rushing for 113 yards and 3 TD's and also catching a critical screen pass and rambling 56 yards on the play.  Maybe its me, but he sure reminds me of Emmitt Smith (and not because they share the same number 22).  They have very similar running styles, not speed burner types, but excellent quickness to the hole and great balance.   If Ingram can duplicate the former Dallas Cowboys output, he's in for a stellar pro career.  

In other news, some coaching vacancies have been filled:

Turner Gill was named Head Coach of the Kansas Jayhawks taking over from embattled coach Mark Mangino.   This is an excellent hire as Gill had done a marvelous job resurecting the Buffalo program from a flatlining program to a MAC Championship in two seasons.  Gill was a candidate for the Auburn job last year before the Tigers went in the direction of Gene Chizik.  With plenty of Big-12 ties (Gill was an ALL-BIG 8 quarterback with the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the mid 80's) and excellent recruiting abilities, he should not only keep Kansas a contender in the weak Big 12 North division but battle Nebraska and Bo Pelini in the not so distant future.

CHECK BACK NEXT WEEK FOR MY BOWL PREDICTIONS !!!!!!

Kelly Named Notre Dame Head Coach

As I orginally reported (before Weis got canned), Brian Kelly will be officially named Notre Dames 29th Head Coach this afternoon.

All of you who read this blog KNOW that I am hardly a Notre Dame fan but this hire makes me actually think, will I root for the Irish ?   I have met Brian Kelly a few times (but a long long time ago) as one of my closest friends (who reads this blog) played on the same team as Kelly at Assumption College (a small Catholic college located in Worcester, MA).  After graduating, he also coached "Fletch" as a defensive back for two seasons.  I also believe that this was the BEST choice Notre Dame could have ever made.  Randy Edsell is a solid coach who has done a great job building the Connecticut Huskies from Division 1-AA to a year in and year out bowl participant.  He just doesn't have the "personality" it takes to recruit on the national landscape. 

Kelly is a bright, engaging personality and although his offenses have been explosive wherever he has coached (be it at Grand Valley State, Central Michigan or Cincinnati) he comes from a defensive background (linebacker at Assumption and Defensive Coordinator).  He understands that offenses sell tickets and defenses ultimately win championships.  He has done wonders with a Cincinnati Bearcats team that was an AFTERTHOUGHT in regards to the college football world prior to his arrival.  Back to back BCS games for Cincinnati ?   It had never happened before and it will never happen again.  I don't think I can ever truly become a Notre Dame fan, but I appreciate Brian Kelly far too much to be a Notre Dame hater (except when they play either my Washington Huskies or my adopted team, the L.S.U. Bengal Tigers).

For all of you who think he'll be lucky to win six games next season, think again !   Notre Dame has a very soft schedule and based on Kelly's coaching ability, those losses to U.S.C. and Navy will soon become a distant memory.  He will keep a lot of those recruits committed to the Irish and bring along some much  needed defensive talent.  It is crucial however that he takes with him Jeff Quinn (offensive coordinator at Cincinnati) as Quinn has been with Kelly for the past 23 years.  Quinn will coach the Bearcats in the Sugar Bowl against Florida, then probably bolt for South Bend unless the head job is offered to him.   Don't be shocked if Grand Valley States head coach Chuck Martin leaves for the D-Coordinators position with Notre Dame.  He is a Kelly guy and is an EXCELLENT defensive mind. 

I'm predicting here, that Notre Dame will win at least 8, possibly 9 games next year and bring the excitement back to South Bend that it has been so lacking. 

Good luck Coach Kelly, lets show the nation what a Boston boy can do !

Championship Week (November 5, 2009)

Here we go, better late than never !   To everyone, I apologize as I did not have a blog earlier.   I'm just now getting over my Baton Rouge hangover !   TO ANYONE that is a fan of college football OR football in general....you have to go to an L.S.U. Tigers game at "Death Valley".  The most amazing experience I've ever had at a football game !

ALL LINES SET BY: World Features Syndicate, Inc.

MY SELECTIONS ARE HIGHLIGHTED IN BLUE

THE LINE:  Cincinnati.....2 1/2.....AT PITTSBURGH
EXTRA POINTS:  Okay....the Bearcats are ranked 5th in the country, undefeated, have the most prolific offense in the country, have not ONE but TWO proven quarterbacks that can beat you, a record breaking wide receiver who can return kicks and punts...all this AND they are underdogs ?  There has to be a reason.  Pitt has the "X" factor....Dion Lewis.  He could well be the BEST freshman running back (with apologies to LaMichael James).  The Bearcats defense has faltered in recent weeks, especially the run defense.  Pitt has the best pass rush in the Big East and they lead the nation with 43 sacks.  Look for end Greg Romulus to have a big game. Looks like SNOW and COLD which will only help the Pitt defense.  Besides, Brian Kelly will be coaching Notre Dame next week !
PREDICTION:  Pittsburgh 31-Cincinnati 28

BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

THE LINE:  TEXAS.....13......NEBRASKA

EXTRA POINTS:  The Longhorns will NOT lose this game BUT the Huskers defense will keep it close.  The one thing that could keep Nebraska in the game is special teams and that HUGE defensive tackle SUH !

Colt McCoy will need to use his legs in this one as I don't think he'll have all day to throw.  I like Texas to go to the BCS Championship game.

PREDICTION:  Texas 22-Nebraska 13

ACC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

THE LINE:  GEORGIA TECH.....1.....CLEMSON

EXTRA POINTS:  The weather down in Tampa is supposed to be stormy so the running games should be paramount in this contest.  Both teams coming off dissapointing "rivalry" games against SEC opponents last week.  They may have been looking ahead to this matchup.  C.J. Spiller is as dangerous a player as there is in the country...watch out for his return ability, especially on kick offs.  Josh Nesbitt has run the triple option attach to perfection (with the exception of last weeks game against Georgia).  With bad weather, I like the Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech to run on Clemson, but this one will be close.

PREDICTION:  Georgia Tech 29-Clemson 24

CONFERENCE USA CHAMPIONSHIP

"WHO FRIGIN' CARES" ??????????????????????

Look for Case Keenum to throw for lots of yards !

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

THE LINE:  FLORIDA.....5 1/2.....ALABAMA

EXTRA POINTS:  Tim Tebow's final SEC game.....his third champioship game in four years.  A great college career.  All that being said, I believe Nick Saban will "outcoach" Urban Meyer (not an easy thing to do).  I love Javier Arenas and his ability to run back punts....this should be key for setting up good field position against a stingy Gators defense.  In the end, I don't think this will come down to the quarterback play (a decided edge for Tebow).   Tide quarterback McElroy grew up last week against Auburn driving Bama' 70 for the winning score.  I just like the secondary of Alabama to lock down the Florida receiving threats....Alabama HAS Julio Jones......Florida doesn't.    The Gators missing Carlos Dunlap will not help Florida's cause to disrupt the passing game of the Tide.   Either way, it's going to be a "barn burner".....but I have to go with the Alabama Crimson Tide to pull off the "mild" upset and extract revenge for a spot in the 2010 BCS Championship Game against Texas.

PRECITION:  Alabama 26-Florida 20

THE LINE:  California.....7......AT WASHINGTON

EXTRA POINTS:  Jahvid Best will not play due to concussion symptoms.  This could be Huskies quarterback Jake Lockers final game (I HOPE NOT !).  He will most likely be a first round selection, but would benefit from another year under a Steve Sarkisian coached offense.   Washington has played some very good football and some very bad football....classic inconsistency.  This week they pull off the upset and play emotional (if they can stop making stupid penalties).  Watch out for freshman running back Chris Polk....1,015 and 7 TD's so far this season.

PRECITION:  Washington 34-California 30