Tag Archives: Turner Gill

A Better Big 12 For 2012

Ah yeah, the Big 12 is back baby!  Oh well, it didn’t really go anywhere.  Compared to last year, this offseason was a walk in the park.  Why is that?  Well, we have some new faces in the mix and some old faces hit the road.  I think truly for the first time in the last 3 years, there is some stability here.  That makes me happy.  What makes me happier is the new season so let’s see how this conference shakes out. Continue reading A Better Big 12 For 2012

Crib Sheet: Christmas Balls Will Be Ringing

Yes! Christmas vacation starts today for me!  I remember back in the day how Christmas vacation lasted way longer than just a week, but I’ll take what I can get.  Back in the day I used only a couple of crib sheets and you’ll be seeing one today.  The news is not as light as I would like but I’m forging on.  Bowl season and the holiday season is upon us so it’s time to celebrate!  On with the crib sheet!

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Crib Sheet: Time To Go On A Diet

Well, it’s certainly been a recovery week now, hasn’t it?  We’ve got one more week of college football and I’m still wiped out from last week.  I guess it’s time to go on a diet.  Or at least a flash one.  I’ve got about three weeks to slim back down and it’s going to be rough.  The diet starts today with the Crib Sheet.  Most of the news out there is just hype over the SEC, so I’m not going to waste your time on that.  There is, however, some small tasty nuggets of news that you are all welcome to bite into.  But after that I need 20 push ups.  And… GO!

Continue reading Crib Sheet: Time To Go On A Diet

Lavaca Street Bar Was A Skee Ball

It’s been awhile since I had to get up for the early college football game.  Last Saturday was the reprise and I’m thankful that the Lavaca Street Bar had a bloody mary bar to kick things off.  There was alot of talk about Midwestern sensibilities in the last week and I was surprised at how the Lavaca catered to that.  Speaking of the Midwest, it was Sunflower Showdown weekend and I had a front row seat, without actually being there.  Did Lavaca Street Bar handle spectating well, or did I leave sucking on some cheese curds?  Let’s find out.

Walking in, you wouldn’t suspect that Lavaca Street Bar was a big sports bar.  It’s another in a long line of sports bar that look tiny up front but huge in the back.  All around the bar, televisions lined the place.  In the back room there is a huge projector screen television as well.  The Direct TV made sure I was able to watch my team up on there.  The wireless internet is free but they had some kind of weird sign up page that made things hard to login.

The best part of Lavaca Street Bar has to be the games.  They have all the games that you need.  They have Big Buck Safari, Golden Tee, a hard punch game, Pop-A-Shot, Skee Ball, and what I think could be a pool table.  I see cue sticks but no table and I think it’s because of the bloody mary bar.  At any rate, back to the Skee Ball.  It’s a rare sight to see Skee Ball in any bar, let alone a sports bar.  If you want to set yourself from the back, get a game like that in your bar.

The service was rather sparse.  There was essentially two bartenders for the whole joint.  The female one was rather cute and the guy, well, was a guy.  We had to get up from the back a couple of times to order food and drinks.  They did come out here and there though.  The guy was nice enough to setup the whole back room for my games so I can’t dog them too much.  He also turned the light on for me when I was getting my bloody mary because the place is real dark.  Like go to sleep dark.

Now on to the beer pairing.  Lavaca touted some Midwestern specials like cheese curds and brats.  Guess what I got.  The cheese curds were good but not northern Iowa good.  I think the ones I make are better.  I chose to have Wastach Brewery’s Pumpkin Seasonal Ale with the bratwurst.  I wanted to do an Oktoberfest type ale but that was the closest thing they had on tap.  I’m so glad I chose it.  It has to be the best tasting pumpkin beer I’ve ever had.  The brat itself was tasty but everything around it was average.  The mustard, bun, sauerkraut, and even the basket was very low rent.  But hey, that’s part of the appeal.

The Sunflower Showdown was the main event for the weekend for me.  For some reason I was real scared about Kansas.  Boy was I ever wrong.  Kansas quarterback Jordan Webb has the 2nd highest passer rating in the Big 12.  He did a good job, but the rest of the team was terrible.  Meanwhile, on the other side, Kansas State’s Collin Klein put up all star numbers.  He ran for 4 touchdowns and actually threw the ball pretty well.  It helps when you are playing one of the worst defenses in FBS.  Methinks Turner Gill’s job is in serious trouble right now.

The other games were a little more competitive.  I got to watch was Missouri and Oklahoma State duke it out in Columbia.  Seeing as Missouri no longer thinks they are Midwest material, it was nice that the Cowboys beat them down.  Well, it wasn’t a beat down so to say, the Tigers kept it nice and close.  I missed out on LSU vs Auburn because I was busy Halloween shopping.  I also missed out on most of the action in the evening because I went and watched White Denim at Stubb’s.  So the first big Hail Mary of the year that put Michigan State over Wisconsin was not to be had for me.  Thanks to a lightning delay, however I watched the end of Texas Tech upsetting Oklahoma.

It has begun.  The undefeated teams are starting to drop like flies.  I still don’t know what to think about the weekend.  I certainly didn’t expect Oklahoma being the team with losses going into this weekend’s game against Kansas State. Lavaca Street Bar had a super sweet setup, even though it was too dark and you had to try real hard to get service.  The food is almost food truck level, which can be real tasty but lacking on the presentation side.  I’d recommend this place to just about anyone if they want to duck in and see some great football.  They have reserved areas for alumni groups like LSU and Wisconsin so be careful when you go.

Big 12 Preview 2011: They’re Coming And Going And Going And Coming And Always Too Soon

Oh last year was such a treat.  Nebraska and Colorado decided to leave and the rest of the league was all arms together in solidarity.  After a bumpy season and a dramatic victory for Oklahoma over Nebraska in the last ever Big 12 Championship Game, we are on the cuff of another great season.  Well, not so fast.  Texas A&M didn’t like how Texas threw their weight around in the off season and are about to leave.  It’s a good thing none of the ginormous scandal affected any of the conference schools.  Whether they leave or not, the Aggies have to play this year.  Let’s see where everyone ends up. Continue reading Big 12 Preview 2011: They’re Coming And Going And Going And Coming And Always Too Soon

Crib Sheet: Coaches Poll Leaves No Surprises

The ESPN/USA Today coaches preseason bowl came out and there’s no surprise with Oklahoma notched at number 1.  That happened a couple of years ago and they lost their first game.  Yup, it doesn’t matter who’s where right now, but what matters is that it’s the horn blasting the announcement that the college football season is ramping up for real now.  Another thing to note, the Big 12/0  has half of their teams in the Top 25.  Usually they have 6 but since a couple of teams left, they can only muster 5.  Fair enough, on to this week’s Crib Sheet:

Continue reading Crib Sheet: Coaches Poll Leaves No Surprises

Crib Sheet: We’re Committed

The coaching carousel is almost at a stop and now we are getting closer to signing day.  Who will go where?  I don’t know.   But one thing I do know is the Crib Sheet will keep you updated with all of the latest commitments and decommitments:

2010 Year End Reviewards

Yes, it’s the 2010 edition and first ever annual KC College GameDay Year End Reviewards!  What’s a revieward?  Welp, it’s a half assed attempt to round up the year in review and then dole out some nameless awards out to who or what I think mattered in the year of college football.  It applies to the regular season only as I really don’t want to come back to this.  At any rate, I’m shooting from the hip so all you midgets our there better watch your heads.

Sunflower Showdown Didn’t Slow Down the Wildcats

This is another Monday where I get to talk about a game I saw on Thursday night.  Last time was in Manhattan and this time it was in Lawrence.  Things could not have turned around on a hard 180 degree twist for the Kansas State Wildcats.  For the Kansas Jayhawks, unfortunately, things remained the same.  I didn’t get a chance to take in the Lawrence like I did Manhattan, but the town and the game was great none the less.  For a quick road trip in and out of Memorial Stadium, I can say that the memories will last a long time.

Continue reading Sunflower Showdown Didn’t Slow Down the Wildcats

Crib Sheet: Working Hard to Play this Weekend

We are knee-deep in some serious day job related stuff but fortunately we build the Crib Sheet piece by piece, day by day.  Here ya go:

  • Much of the details of last week’s agreement between the Big 12 and outgoing schools Nebraska and Colorado came out.  Dan Beebe talked about why Nebraska has to pay $9 million and Colorado has to pay $6 million.  Also, don’t look for expansion anytime soon.   They haven’t decided on how to divvy out the cash, but chances are it will be the same formula used for the revenue sharing in general.
  • Irish eyes will be smiling when Notre Dame will play Navy in Ireland 2012.  We’re not sure where they will play but more than likely there’s a good chance they’ll all go out together after the game and get drunk.
  • In preparation for last week’s game against Boise State, Oregon State coaches had their practice field painted blue.  That’s some great thinking there.  It’s almost like using loud speakers to emulate crowd noise except messier.
  • Communication issues have tormented Turner Gill and the Kansas Jayhawks.  His solution?  Yanking cell phones from players the day before the game and then giving it back in the locker room after the game.  How will the players wake up in the morning or talk to their mothers?  I guess that’s what computers are for.  We wonder how many more losses it will take for Gill to yank computer privileges too.
  • The NCAA leaped to action regarding the issue of sports agents and collegiate players by writing a letter.  A letter.  They asked for cooperation.  Nothing else.  Just another reason the NCAA needs to upgrayedd or just disband.  These guys are getting real irrelevant.
  • The Playoff PAC, the special interest group formed to blow away the BCS and instill a college football playoff, will file a complaint with the IRS regarding the tax status of the Fiesta, Sugar, and Orange Bowl.  They used a load of lawyers and one accountant to pick apart the tax returns and public documents of the BCS bowls and found that some loans and director salaries were just too much.  Whether the IRS will remove the tax status, we won’t know.  But we do know that the Playoff PAC is digging into every crook and cranny to blow away the BCS.
  • Meanwhile, the PAC 10 is thinking about having their title game in Las Vegas.  Okay that’s a little crazy as there is no team in the Pac 10 from Nevada.  It is centrally located, but they need to have it in California.
  • Texas is signing up another (somewhat) tough opponent in Maryland  for the 2017 and 2018 season.  Will this be the game on the Longhorns Network?
  • Because of past troubles, USC will be barred from playing the Pac 10 Championship Game in 2012, if they are good enough to get there.  Bide your time Trojan fans.  Once Lane Kiffin blows up your program and you rebuild, you’ll be able to enjoy the fruits of the title game.
  • It seems Landry Jones of Oklahoma will have a higher calling after he is done calling plays.  Jones says he’s 98% sure that he wants to become a pastor after football.  Just goes to show you all walks of life come to play football.  We wonder how many Hail Marys he’s tossed compared how many he’s recited.
  • He’s just hanging with Tim Brewster.  He’s not going for the head coaching job.  That’s what Minnesota is saying after Mark Mangino was spotted on the sidelines of a game, supporting his buddy.  Minnesota should’ve gotten right out in front of this.  There is no way no one would not recognize Mark Mangino hanging out on the sidelines.  The nose bleeder seats would’ve been able to see him.
  • Apparently along with the no cell phone rule for players, Turner Gill’s Kansas Jayhawks can’t be with the ladies after 10 pm.  That’s a harsh rule.  It’s on any night.  Do mothers count?  Like as in visit and talk to.  Keep your mind out of the gutters, people.
  • Nick Saban said his Alabama team should be set to face Michigan in the Jerry Jones Super Mega Cowboys Stadium Dome in 2012.  It sounds like more college games will be played there than pro games.  It’s good for Dallas we suppose.
  • Looks like Kansas backup, and former starter, Kale Pick will be out a couple of weeks with a leg injury.  Not sure if he will ever see a snap again.
  • Bill Snyder 2.0 is starting to look alot like the first version.  The Wildcats snagged a top ranked junior college quarterback Justin Tuggle from Blinn, much like another former one by the name of Michael Bishop.  This looks to be the next year.
  • The NHL’s Stanley Cup showed up at the Notre Dame game last week.  It will be awhile before the Fighting Irish will see another title of any kind down in South Bend.
  • Strange things are afoot for Missouri.  First off, cornerback Munir Prince left the team due to the transient quadriplegia he suffered in the preseason.  If he plays anymore it could get permanent.  Next up, senior safety Jasper Simmons has been suspended indefinitely from the team.  He had knee surgery after the Illinois game.  Are they just trying to drop a scholarship or something?  At any rate, some very unusual things are going down in Columbia.

Johnny’s Tavern Still Has the Power

It’s been almost a year since we’ve been to Johnny’s Tavern and it took the rest of the season for us to decide that it was the best Barspot for last year.  So, as tradition calls, we found ourselves back at Johnny’s Tavern at the Power & Light District to enjoy the first full Saturday of college football.  The bar hasn’t changed much but just enough for us to take notice.  The food specials knocked us out but the games were kind of so so.  Read on as we go over Johnny’s Tavern and recount the action on the field.

Continue reading Johnny’s Tavern Still Has the Power

Predictions for the Year 2010: The Scotch Version

Alrighty, I’m about halfway through my scotch and water, I blasted out another Crib Sheet, and I’m jacked up for some football tomorrow night.  It’s prediction time!  The offseason sucked.  Period.  Being in Big 12 land was not easy on this college football lovin’ Yeti and especially not easy on Kansas City.  We weathered the storm and now we are here ready for some pigskin play.  What will we see in this year’s volume of football?  Let’s take a look in our crystal ball shaped glass full of scotch and water.

  • Mike Leach will lose his CBS announcing job for making Gus Johnson stand in the bathroom with no light.
  • Mark Ingram will not be a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, thanks to the fresh knee injury.
  • The Oregon Ducks will win the Pac 10, both for best dressed and actual gold.
  • Colorado loses a bunch of games and Dan Hawkins stays on because the school is too broke to fire him out of his contract.
  • Caoch Brian Kelly will talk NBC into going into commerical breaks for opposing teams’ offensive drives only.  Oh and the Fighting Irish will make a bowl.
  • Missouri will win the North, only because Nebraska’s ego and farewell tour will fall flat.
  • Daniel Thomas will be a Heisman finalist, thanks to a solid offensive line and the fact that he will get his yards with the whole defense keying on him.  Thanks, Carson Coffman.
  • Boise State will go undefeated and not make the dance.  People are saying its the weak schedule, but it will be because of an undefeated team in the Big 10 and one other conference.  Look for Orrin Hatch to have an aneurism over this one.
  • This will be Lee  Corso’s last season for ESPN College GameDay.  It’s been a hell of a ride, Lee, just please don’t put on the Grim Reaper’s head when it’s your time to go.
  • This will be the fastest season ever for the Kansas Jayhawks.  By fast, we mean the fans will be ready for basketball season about 2 games in.  Turner Gill’s rebuilding starts this year, he’s got at least 3 before some magic happens.
  • Iowa State will be in the bottom of the league again, but they will get an upset some big team because of a massive rain storm.  Hey their practice field flooded over the summer, they should be ready.
  • Texas just missed the mark in the Big 12 South.  Not because of the competition, but for the cliffhanger they want to leave for next season’s Longhorns Network debut.  Stay Tuned!  Same horn time!  Same horn channel!
  • Big Game Bob goes to a BCS game but will not be game as the Sooners bob and weave from some other big team beaming game time bashings.  Probably against Virginia Tech and Frank BEAMER.
  • The Big East has a seasson.  No one really cares.
  • RichRod makes a valiant effort and gets the Wolverines into a bowl game.  It will be the weakest one from the Big 10 and it will be enough to get him fired.  He will then go on and make real estate deals with everyone in the Ann Arbor region.
  • USC doesn’t get close to a Pac 10 championship and Lane Kiffin leaves after just one season.  The Kiffin world tour moves on!
  • Florida misses Tim Tebow and will miss being in the running for the SEC.  Urban Meyer gets sick and dies from the piss poor play on the field.
  • Kansas City sports bars will stay the same this year.  No one will get 3D TVs because the mixture of 3D and beer will make everyone puke.  Some new bars will crop up and the KCCGD crew will eventually puke in those anyway.
  • We’re going back to our 2008 prediction about Joe Paterno dieing on the field.  Now that Bobby Bowden is out, this one should get much easier.  Or will he be in the booth this year?
  • Okay, we called the BCS National Championship game two years ago with Florida and Oklahoma,  we were halfway right with Texas last year in the big game.  What will happen this year?  Well, the trend says we will get it all wrong so there’s nothing to lose.  I’m thinking the offseason hype for the Big 10 will lead a team to a title contention.  Since the only team that’s worth a damn up there is Ohio State, then that’s our pick.  Chances are the SEC will be mega tough again this year and barring any late push by an Oregon or a Big 12 team, we are going the easy route and picking SEC.  Whose turn is it?  Let’s go LSU.  Why not. Can you say 2007 rematch?

Big 12 , er 11, er 10 Predictions for 2010

Man what a crazy roller coaster of an offseason for the Big 12. Who would’ve thought a year ago that the Big 12 would be rocked to its very knees and survive probably one of most weirdest advances in college football history.  It was like a whacked out game of Axis & Allies.  Welp Germany didn’t win and neither did the Big 10.  So here we are going into what is the last season we will ever see for this 12 conference league.  Who will come out on top?  Roll dice to find out (er read below).

Continue reading Big 12 , er 11, er 10 Predictions for 2010

Crib Sheet: Hot and Heavy

The beating heat of the summer is getting to us.  We’re producing an inordinate amount of swass underneath while compiling this week’s very beefy Crib Sheet.  We’re going for some lemonade and to air our sweat regions.  Here’s the Crib Sheet:

Crib Sheet: The Heat Is On

The heat is on.  It’s on the street.  Oh Glenn Fry, you save us from the sultry steam of summer with your cool saxaphone riff and Eddie Murphy praising rock music.  Yes, the heat is mos def on as we hit our first hot spot of the summer.  It’s just in time, too, as the rain left us watching the Beverly Hills Cop series 10 times over, including the terrible 3rd part.  Cabin fever, indeed. So we’re hitting the pool this week and dreaming of the new college football season while laying in our floaties sipping some cold beverages.  Hit up the Crib Sheet then do the same.

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