College Pigskin’s Family Feud

Posted: November 1, 2009 – 10:01 am

That’s right, kids, it’s time Network Battle of the Kellys.

Name your fave between the two hottest new coaches on the scene.

Cincy’s Brian Kelly has turned the formerly moribund program with no tradition, no facilities and no fan base into the Beast of the BEast. And more.

Whatever bit the Bearcats, turning them into the most ferocious felines in college football, it’s got them hungry for more. Cincy made it to the BCS last season, and are on that proverbial collision course for another January date in somewhere sunny and sublime.

Can Brian Kelly coach QBs? Well, uh, I guess. Starter, Heisman wannabe Tony Pike goes down. No problem. Replacement Zach Collaros throws 4 TDs against the ‘Cuse, hits like 70% of his passes and runs for lots o’ yards.

Cincy hasn’t had this glossy a record — unblemished, it is — in over a half century.

Stunning really. Dumbfounding.

All for Brian Kelly, raise your hands.

Chip Kelly’s Oregon Ducks provided the season’s premier performance yesterday, battering the Men of Troy like they were some Sun Belt bottom dweller.

Quack 47, Condoms 20. It wasn’t that close.

All Oregon’s done since that season opening head scratcher in Boise is get mo’ betta every single week. They are quick on quick, bestowing heartache on heartache on the team lining up against them.

Kelly’s offense is innovative and multi-faceted. The defense plunders. And both should certainly be on display in the Rose Bowl this season.

All for Chip Kelly, raise your hands.

– Seedy K

By c d kaplan | Tags: College Pigskin | Comments (1)

Football Saturday: Morning After

Posted: October 31, 2009 – 7:27 pm

Revised 11/01 8:20 a.m.

One last Halloween metaphor, before we start talking turkey.

There were more tricks than treats for the locals on October’s last football Saturday. Now pass me that last Snickers.

If ever there was a close (or pretty close) but no cigar team, it’s the Indiana Hoosiers.

They were up 21-7, then 24-14. Iowa’s QB Ricky Stanzi was off his feed. Oh really? Well, he’d tossed 5 picks, four in the 3d quarter alone. Then he turned into Johnny AllWorld. He tossed a 92 yarder for a touch, then another for sixty six and 7 more points. The Hawkeyes came from behind as they have all season, and remain unbeaten and on a collision course with the Rose Bowl. Or mo’.

Buh bye Crimson and Cream, a feisty squad that can’t seem to get over the hump.

I’m not sure there’s anything new to say about U of L.

Will Stein looked like a keeper in his first collegiate start. Give that boy a scholly. U of L fans who decried that he would be playing instead of Scholarship Stoudt are idiots. For those who uttered the Stefan LeFors comparisons, fuhgettaboutit. But, hey, who knows?

The Cards had to survive a last minute drive, a possible fourth down Brett Favre heartbreaker and two point conversion to avoid overtime. Which is to say a win is a win is a win, but this was nothing to be proud of. To call Arkansas State mediocre would be overstatement. As would to laud Louisville’s effort.

And, please, don’t trot out the injury card. It’s football. It’s the end of October. Every team has injuries. Significant ones. Like, oh, say UK who kicked it off against Mississippi State without its two best defensive playmakers. And, oh yea, it’s starting and only experienced QB.

U of L’s offense, under the guidance of new O Coordinator Steve Kragthorpe, continued to sputter, displaying its habitual lack of creativity. And, hey, what about the stall at the end of the first half. Ist and goal . . . no score.

How about that Halloween Day crowd? Brilliant kickoff time, at an hour that made the game run into trick or treat territory. Which, I guess is why so many Cardinal fans — half a stadium’s worth — showed up in the same costume, dressed as empty seats.

I just hope the dream I had last night was a Halloween nightmare. I dreamed that Jurich actually kept Kragthorpe for another season. It was gruesome.

UK’s D lapses cost a W against another middle of the road SEC team. Anthony Dixon ran through the Cats like a hot knife through warm butter. Morgan Newton was still jittery, and made a critical mistake late when the Cats were in scoring position. The Cats need to conjure a couple of Ws, or they’ll be joining the Cards at home for Christmas.

– Seedy K

By c d kaplan | Tags: College Pigskin, IU, U of L | Comments (3)

Saturday’s Pick Five, Halloween Edition

Posted: October 30, 2009 – 12:25 pm

Squish. Splat. Kethunk. Sssssssssshhhhhhhhhh.

A week after going a perfect 5-0, I was back on my less than considerable game when this Saturday ended with a thump. WashU, Colorado and Team Helmet all let me down. My 2-3 tally for last weekend notwithstanding, I’m still 23-17 on the season.

And now that real autumn is upon us, I’m sure to increase that winning percentage. I’m feelin’ it this Halloween Saturday. No tricks. All treats. Here we go:

Arkansas State @ Louisville. Seems these days that a three point loss to an undefeated Big 11 team goes a long way. The Red Wolves are 2-4, but were respectable at Iowa. So this very ordinary Sun Belt squad is now only a 2 1/2 dog to the Cardinals. (The line started at 4, and has gotten more dumbfounding as kickoff approaches.) A loss Saturday and they might as well back the moving van to Steve Kragthorpe’s office before his always useless post game comments. Truth is, a win won’t make much difference. Or shouldn’t make much difference. I say Will Stein dons his Stefan LeFors Halloween duds and leads the Cards to a disturbingly narrow W.

Southern Cal @ Oregon. What is it about those Ducks that I can’t stay away? My name is Seedy K and I’m a Quackaholic. Last week, I made the mistake of picking against my favorite unis in all of sports. Sigh. This week, one-loss SoCal comes a callin’. I just read an interesting and flattering profile on Pete Carroll. So I don’t hate him quite as much as I used to. But those Trojans sure have made skirting the eligibility rule book a fine art. I think the Ship of Troy (Is that an apt metaphor?) has righted itself. Nonetheless, I can’t again go against the Green, and Black and Neon Yellow of Quack. Oregon goes W.

Ole Miss @ Auburn. The Rebels are 5-2, and have a two game hum woikin’. The Tigers have finally fallen prey to the Chizik Effect. They won their first five and have dropped three conference encounters in a row. The faithful are starting to go Bill Battle on their first year coach. Whatever did they expect? His record at Iowa State was deplorable. Mississippi might finally be gettin’ its groove on after a disappointing start. There are serious trends in play here. Who am I to disagree? The Rebs return to Oxford town with a W.

Duke @ Virginia. Only a fool would take a pick in this one. Hey, I’ve been called worse. David Cutcliffe’s Blue Devils have lost thrice, but are 2-0 in the ACC. Of course, Ws over NC State and Maryland aren’t exactly resume builders. Plus there’s that loss to, ahem, Richmond. But hope springs eternal in the Land of K, especially when hoops is on the horizon. The Wahoos lost three. Then won three. Then were pummeled by the Ramblin’ Wreck. I have no clue. But when I flipped the coin, it came up Thomas Jefferson.

Mississippi State @ Kentucky. So intense is Rich Brooks, he mixed up his holidays. He thought it was Christmas and went Scrooge when his charges wanted to wear black like the fans. Actually, I love him for his stand. Old school rules. After all, the cheer is not “Go Big Black.” The Cowbells are 3-5, and were respectable against the Gators last week. But, hell, everybody’s lookin’ sharp against Team Tebow. QB by Committee wins. Especially when that Cobb fella is sittin’ in the chairman’s seat. Mississippi State leaves the Bluegrass black and blue.

– Seedy K

By c d kaplan | Tags: College Pigskin, U of L, UK | Comments (2)

Opening Night Observations II: The Team

Posted: October 29, 2009 – 4:33 pm

It is difficult, and more than a bit unfair, to judge a team after one exhibition. Especially when it’s played less than two weeks after the start of practice.

But, hey, I’ve never let such reasoning get in the way before. And it’s too late to stop now.

As ragged as the performance was, it didn’t disappoint. This will be a fascinating Louisville Cardinal team to watch develop — or not — perhaps the most interesting of the Pitino era at Louisville.

One guy’s opinion is that the maturation of Peyton Siva into his inevitable role as team leader is the key to the season. Also whether the titular leaders — Smith and Sosa — allow him to fill the role.

As solid as last night’s starting five might eventually be, there are no real play makers among them. Jerry Smith needs to be wide open to get off his shot since he needs an extra beat to wind up. Swopshire is also earnest but a half step slow in his moves and reactions. Reggie Delk was intimidated by TWill last season to the point where he was of no help to the team. I can’t fathom how he can just turn bravado back on this year. Samardo Samuels continues to want to impersonate Cliff Rozier. It’s like tossing the ball in a black hole when it goes into the pivot. He passed it back out only once last night, resulting in a three by Sosa. And Edgar Sosa appears destined to be the vexation he has been every time he’s taken the court with the exception of the Texas A & M game and his winning bucket against the Cats last season. He certainly won’t be a detriment to the team, but it’s gonna be a roller coaster ride.

Now for the rest of the guys. Peyton Siva is U of L’s best pure point guard, well, maybe ever. But certainly the best since Phil Bond. And that was a long time ago. Preston Knowles will continue to bring great energy off the bench. If ever there was a guy who needs to open the game on the pine, then come in for impact, it’s Knowles. Like I wrote yesterday, before the game, we’re going to love Kyle Kuric more and more with each passing game. Terrence Jennings remains an enigma. If he ever decides it’s time to dedicate himself, he’ll be one of the Cards’ best big men ever. If not, he’s Kendall Dartez. Buckles will be a keeper. Whether it happens this year or not remains to be seen. I also like George Goode, but my sense is The Rick will never give him a legit chance. (And he is, after all, the coach.) Mike Marra’s also a keeper. Van Treese?????????

My early assessment is that shooting will have to carry the club. Plus they will have to be even more relentless on D than last season. That Siva and at least one other guy will have to prove they can be a catalyst on O. The team is short. But it’s deep. While Siva may be the only NBAish player on the team, the bottom of the bench isn’t much of a drop off. For example, Goode is a way better than average third string center.

Like I said it’s way early. Lots of cob webs on display last night. If they were playing Bellarmine, it would have been an L for the Cards. (Which it may very well be next Wednesday in a game I’m really looking forward to seeing.) Somewhere along the way, during the 492d free throw maybe, I wrote: “Anything over Final 32 will be gravy.”

But I also think it’s a team that gets in the Dance as maybe a 7 or 8 seed, and, bingo, they’re in the Sweet Sixteen. We’ll see.

One more thing, I loved seeing Ralph Willard on the bench. For several years I’ve thought U of L would benefit from an old head that The Rick would listen to. His buddy is a perfect complement.

– Seedy K

By c d kaplan | Tags: Hoops, Pitino, U of L | Comments (2)

Opening Night Observations I: The Scene

Posted: October 29, 2009 – 3:59 pm

Those Nelligan Marketing folks who seem to have grabbed hold of U of L athletics by the short and curlies won’t let go. At last night’s first Cardinal hoops battle, they inundated the crowd as is their wont with continuously loud abrasive music during pre-game. If they feel compelled to play loud music at every moment there isn’t action, perhaps they can at least mix it up to accommodate all the varying musical tastes of folks in the building. And turn down the volume so people can hear each other when they’re chatting. I feel compelled to ask: Isn’t the pep band enough?

Seems like there are now about 150 members of U of L’s 82 time National Champion Lady Birds. And, my, my, aren’t they all tanned this year. Nothing like throwing caution to the wind, risking skin cancer and heading to the ovens for a glow before taking the court. These gals are givin’ it up in the name of one of America’s great disciplines, dance teamery.

The first former Cardinal I saw in the house was the ever present Phil Rollins. He was a star before the Cards moved to Freedom Hall. But he could sure nail the jumper at the Jefferson County Armory.

I don’t know if the team’s new warm ups for the whole season will be those wonderfully understated sweatshirts they wore last night, but I sure hope so. Old school. Stylin’ in a low key way.

And I loved the rendition of the national anthem by the Tuba Ensemble.

– Seedy K

By c d kaplan | Tags: Fandom, Hoops, U of L | Comments (3)

Opening Day Jitters & Quibbles

Posted: October 28, 2009 – 5:23 pm

And the Opening Day I’m talking about ain’t the November Madness we used to call the World Series. It shouldn’t take the Bronx Checkbooks more than five games to finish that. Hopefully before the first blizzard of the season. And I don’t mean baseball season.

I am talking about U of L hoops tipoff, which is now less than three hours away. The Rick says he considers it truly an exhibition. That’s legit. Especially with a retrofitted lineup full of new faces. It doesn’t make it any less exciting — or important — to the red & black faithful. And, hey, I’m sure a member of that frat.

I intend to weigh in on what the season might hold in store for the Cards, as well as the Cats, Hoosiers and Hilltoppers, but want the preseason to play out a bit first. Tonight is also the Blue/ White scrimmage, so I guess it’s TIVO Time.

And now for a little of this and a thimble of that:

Sheriff Cal expanding his Jurisdiction. Not doubt you’ve heard by now, that UK — The Cats are under new management, don’t you know? — will be practicing at Freedom Hall Sunday evening. No publicity, you understand, the NCAA doesn’t allow that. Rest assured Coach Cal is hoping to fill the place, just to, you know, let his adversary on the Belknap campus know he’s around and toting some might big guns.

I understand, and decry, the incredibly virulent enmity that exists between the red and blue factions in the state during basketball season. I thought the brouhaha, such as it was, over Coach Cal’s failure to mention Pitino when reciting the panoply of UK coaches, was nothing to get riled about.

However, I do consider this upcoming practice in Freedom Hall a shot across the bow. Make no mistake, the intent is to provoke. As if we need any more of that.

That said, Calipari’s visit to Louisville gives us a chance to . . .

. . . Get a Closer Whiff. I’ve talked to several diehard UK fans today, and a couple admitted there does seem to be this stench that follows UK’s new coach wherever he moves. UMass. Memphis.

And now there’s this John Wall mess. I understand the NCAA transgressions being bandied about John Wall arise from a time before Coach Cal was the head Wildcat.

Just sayin’. You gotta admit this kind of stuff just always seems to be wherever he is.

If the guy really has brass onions, he’ll take the team to Porcini’s after the practice.

Purple Evil. That’s how my favorite Cheesehead referred to Bret Favre today. The prodigal son returns to Green Bay this weekend. Frankly, Scarlett, I don’t give a damn. Which didn’t prevent me from mentioning it, for a little filler.)

Kragthorpe’s Replacement. Just like I told an old buddy I ran into at the store today: I know nothing. And anybody who says they do is lying. He asked about a fellow who he knows used to be one of my main sources. Operative phrase “used to be.” We both laughed when I mentioned my source has drunk so much of TJ’s Kool Aid that he’s delusional. If he knew something, which I doubt he does, he wouldn’t share for fear of getting kicked out of the luxury suite.

Big Blue Brooks. I could slap myself when I think of how much grief I used to give Rich Brooks. (Who knows, maybe some day I’ll feel that way about Steve Kragthorpe? . . . Nah!!!!) Brooks put the kibosh on a short-lived players’ movement to wear black unis this Saturday. “We’re the Big Blue,” said Brooks. Hear, hear. I hate that schools wear black when it’s not one of their colors. Especially Duke. Anyway, Go Cats, beat the Cowbells.

Cardinal to Watch. Kyle Kuric. Remember where you read it first. He’s a classic Hoosier type of player. I mean that as a compliment. Understands the game. Gets the most of his abilities. Has an instinct for the ball, especially off the boards. Jimmy Rayl shooting range, i.e. can hit from anywhere inside the gym.

Later . . .

– Seedy K

By c d kaplan | Tags: Calipari, College Pigskin, Fandom, Hoops, Kragthorpe, Pitino, U of L, UK | Comments (5)

SchnellSpeak: 10.27.09

Posted: October 27, 2009 – 9:06 am

Florida Atlantic, flush with a couple of Ws in a row, is racing up the national offensive statistical charts.

The Fighting Owls are 10th in the land in total offense, and 15th in passing offense.

When Coach Quote went to praise his new offensive coordinator Darryl Jackson, it was Yogi Schnell who showed up: “He’s taking on a personality of his own.”

– Seedy K

By c d kaplan | Tags: Schnellenberger | Comments (0)

Parity, We don’t need No Stinkin’ Parity

Posted: October 25, 2009 – 7:58 pm

31-3

37-7

42-6

35-7

38-0

45-10

Those are the scores of six of Sunday afternoon’s pro games.

Four others had double digit margins. (Technically that’s three daylight games, Pats vs. Bucs was played at night in London.) I’m not including Sunday or Monday night games. (Obviously, since this will be posted before kickoff of both.)

One game — only one — Houston 24 over San Francisco 21, had a single digit margin of victory.

For the first time in NFL history, there are three undefeated teams still standing after Week 7 of the season.

Whatever is going on?

It used to seem that just about every game had a last minute field goal winner.

This is absurd. No wonder pro football fans now care a lot more about their fantasy teams than they do about the real ones.

Any suggestions why this is happening?

– Seedy K

By c d kaplan | Tags: NFL | Comments (5)

Another Groggy Morning After

Posted: October 25, 2009 – 10:01 am

You got any ibuprofen handy? I’m out and could use a triple dose this morning.

So probably could my favorite caller on the Cards post-game radio talk show. The fellow sounded more than a bit in his cups in the wake of yet another woeful U of L performance, this time in the nation’s fifth oldest college football stadium, against a school Louisville dismembered 70-7 just a few short years back.

The fellow mentioned three years of bad play. Then said something like (and this is a paraphrase): “Speaking of three, what about our barefoot kicker. It’s unsafe and it’s unhealthy.” And then he hung up.

Of all the excuses being offered for the demise of Louisville football, this is the first postulation that the cause might be Ryan Payne’s toe jam on the football. If only the school had stocked up on sanitizer, the Cards might be in the bowl hunt.

Then again, his theory is as plausible as anything that’s been mentioned . . . other than the real reason. And we know who he is, don’t we?

As verbose a fellow as I am, this is a juncture where I’m (relatively) speechless. There’s nothing new to say that hasn’t been said. There’s nothing new for disgruntled fans to do they haven’t done.

I understand injuries. The Cards are a bit banged up. But I’ve talked about Steve Kragthorpe’s less than scintillating recruiting. And his self righteous zero tolerance discipline policy that is an anachronism in modern day big time college football. It is a primary cause for a woefully talent-thin roster.

Paging Laterrius Thomas. Oh, that’s right. He’s the guy who chose to follow his D coach to Eastern Michigan. The fellow who asked for a release from U of L, but wasn’t granted one. Unlike Steve Kragthorpe, who was granted a release when he was in college and transferred to a different school to follow his coach.

And that Anthony Allen bad apple carried 11 times yesterday for 103 yards and 2 TDs . . . for Georgia Tech.

Etc, etc, blah, blah, blah.

Like I said, I’ve written it all before. You’ve read it all before.

It’s Tom Jurich’s move.

Until he makes one it’s going to be the same as it ever was.

Like the caller said, unsafe and unhealthy.

Not to mention . . . No Fun.

– Seedy K

By c d kaplan | Tags: College Pigskin, Kragthorpe, U of L | Comments (3)

SchnellSpeak: 10.25.09

Posted: October 25, 2009 – 9:25 am

Nothing like adding a Sun Belt scalp on the Fighting Owl Nation’s totem pole of tradition to steer Supreme Commander Big Chief Coach Quote back toward poetic relevance.

It’s been a down year for Florida Atlantic. Thus the Poet Laureate of College Pigskin has been off his feed. (To use a metaphor far too mundane for The Schnell.) Bon mots have been, frankly, few and far between this season.

But FAU rolled yesterday, beating Louisiana Lafayette, 51-29.

So His Eloquency edged back toward the verbose pontification that make this little literary exercise a favorite in his ol’ hometown.

“It was a marquee day in the development of Florida Atlantic football.”

“For the first time this year we raised our level of play. Our offensive numbers were so improved, they’ll probably be records for a long time. But our defensive improvement may have been even greater, and of more value down the road than our offensive improvement was.”

Not Pulitzer. But not bad.

– Seedy K

By c d kaplan | Tags: Schnellenberger | Comments (0)