Welp, we did Willie the Wildcat to kick off last year, Big Jay and Baby Jay toward the end of last season, and now we have the last of the big Kansas City area school mascots in Truman the Tiger. Recently named after a famed president, not Taft, and hailing from the University of Missouri, Truman’s past comes from a long line of feral felines. Today we’ll find out what makes the furry guy tick and also offer some improvements to his already super sized personna. So kick back, relax, and come with us on our second year of Mascot Monday with Truman the Tiger.
The Senior Bowl is coming this week and the NFL Network has LIVE coverage…..of the practices. Okay, so up to the minute updates on who practiced well and who practiced crappy is fine, but non stop coverage of weigh-ins and such? You gotta be kidding me. I guess we live in a day and age where picking through a player’s stool and reporting on what he had for lunch is considered news. Plus we have enough cameras out there to film it. Please, just read the Crib Sheet:
The East beat the West last week. No, it was another exciting game of Axis and Allies, but it was the East-West Shrine Game! Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka tossed a late touchdown to help the East win. Alrighty, then.
Boise State is celebrating another undefeated season and complaining that they don’t have a shot for the top BCS honors. Never mind the fact that they turned down a 2-1 proposal from Nebraska on their scheduling. If you remember, earlier this year, Boise State complained that they could never schedule big time opponents including Nebraska. So now this time around they turn away from an invite from the Huskers? That’s small-time mentality there.
Tim Tebow’s planning on doing a pro-life commercial during the Super Bowl and, naturally, some women’s groups are urging CBS not to air. It is a very political issue but we’re thinking since organization backing Tebow’s appearance paid for the spot, CBS could use more green than urging to bump the commercial.
Another week of the Crib Sheet and we are finally starting to see things calm down around the college football landscape. There’s still some action here and there but we envision the news will be trickling out here in there for the offseason. There’s still some loose ends that need to be tied up and we will stay there to make sure the granny knot is tight. So keep in step with this week’s Crib Sheet:
Skip Holtz is your new South Florida head football coach. After USF tanked Jim Leavitt, they pick up on East Carolina prodigy and son of former Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz. Admittedly we’ve seen more of Lou than Skip and we can only hope that the kids down there can actually understand him when he talks. The kids up in East Carolina apparently did so it looks like a good hire.
Christopher Tritto from the St. Louis Business Journal breaks down the money situation for Missouri if they leave the Big 12 for the Big 10. Basically, they will make about $10 million more annually than the position they are in now. Tritto also points out that recruiting would be hurt as they pull alot of their kids from Texas. So do they give up being competitive to get paid more? Tuned in next year.
Tim Tebow is fresh out of college and ready to hock Christian morality. He’ll be in a Super Bowl commercial that will take an anti-abortion stance. However long his NFL career may be, you can be sure that he will be making a push into politics after he’s done.
Okay, freshly back from a wedding in California (not MY wedding), I’m now ready to actually talk about the BCS title game and the year that was college football. We’re going to talk about the game that could’ve been, the season that was bookended by injuries, and some other interesting notes that popped up over the season. So, while this is a little late, sit back and enjoy us on your little trip through college football memory lane. Please keep your arms and head inside the windows.
Coaches come and coaches go, but we can’t believe how things are getting turned around in the very start of this off season. Coaches leaving. Coaches coming. Some with long tenures, some with short. The heads at the KCCGD headquarters are still a little scrambled. Fortunately, we have this week’s Crib Sheet to help sort things out. We’re sure you are about as confused as we are so let’s get right to it:
Missouri apologized for its band playing over the Navy’s fight song during their bowl game earlier. It was the only thing they had over Navy in that game. Navy’s still tooting their horn over the thumping they gave the Tigers.
South Florida fired Jim Leavitt after allegations of Leavitt beating up some kids. The hammer is falling fast on tough coaches and it looks as though it will continue. It almost seems like that’s enough for colleges to get out from under big contracts. Either that or in this time and age you tell you assistant coach to rough up a kind instead of yourself. So, Jim, take a deep breath and come back home to K-State. Or hire a lawyer.
Meanwhile, on the fired coaches trip, Mike Leach accuses Texas Tech of slander and libel due to the fallout from his firing as head coach. Leach’s camp states that the allegations from his treatment of Adam James hurts Leach’s reputation and his ability to get another job. This legal battle will play out for a long time. As you guessed it, Texas Tech asked the court to throw the case out.
In the meantime, Texas Tech already hired Tommy Tubberville as their new head coach. He’s been trolling around for a new job since he got canned from Auburn. He was displaying interest in Kansas when that job opened up. Looks like Tech found a good replacement.
While we are in Texas, the Longhorns trainer officially told the press that there was no way Colt McCoy could continue to play in the BCS National Championship. A pinched nerve and a dead arm is a serious thing. Apparently, Colt tossed the ball to his high school coach dad and could only muster 7 yards in the locker room. This will seal the deal on the mystery of Colt and what could of happened.
Nick Montana, son of NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana, returns to Notre Dame this year after a year away at community college. It wasn’t because of grades, it was because he was not physically in shape for college ball. We don’t think he’ll be a starter quick but it’s nice to see that a former Domer’s kid can make the same team.
Pete Carroll is your new NFL Seattle Seahawks head coach. He talked about the process earlier this week. The rumor mill was all over the place since Friday and Monday confirmed it. There’s going to be a huge hole at USC and we’re still not sure who can fill it next. Tune in next week.
When rumors of a coach leaving a school pops up, you tend to see other schools scramble to keep their coach. Such is the case with Oregon State and Mike Riley. He’s been really good with the Beavers and even the faintest rumor of a USC job got him a 3 year extension.
So who did USC get? Well, Lane Kiffin, of course! Rumors were flying all over about new candidates, but the former NFL Oakland Raiders head coach and now former Tennessee Volunteers head coach will take over. Kiffin was an alumni for USC and a former Offensive Coordinator under Pete Carroll. The time was really short for Kiffin’s tenures at both the pros and the college ranks. We’re thinking that this is a ‘coming home’ type situation and that he’ll be there at least 3 years. Hopefully.
So who’s number one for Tennessee now? (Getting kind of ridiculous, isn’t it?) Welp, Texas Defensive Coordinator and head coach heir Will Muschamp. He was on the list last year when the Vols needed a coach so this will be the same kind of dance again. Wethinks that Will’s getting another massive pay raise.
It’s all over folks. The pageantry, the glory, the excitement, and yes the picks. The title game proved there are many ways to tell the story of a game and we also found out that there are many ways to tell the story of the Bowl Pick It and Stick It. In the case of the latter, it was actually pretty boring. But hey, it gives us something more to share with each other when we celebrate the spectacle that is college football. So with that in mind, let’s go over the very last pick it update of the season:
We were gonna head out tonight to watch some National Championship flow but then all of the sudden the coldest and snowiest weather in Kansas City that I have ever seen just dumped all over us. So, in the spirit of the first couple of National Championship games, we will be live blogging tweeting the game that pits Texas against Alabama. Follow me on twitter @kccgd and be sure to see me when you search for #bcs. As for who I think will win, I’m sticking with the Big 12 and going Texas. I’m thinking they make it close and pull out another win similar to the time they won it against USC. Watch and follow tonight!
Bowl season and, well, the whole college football season is almost over. We have one more HUGE game left. No, not the GMAC Bowl tonight, but the BCS National Championship game! We here at the KCCGD promise you that we will keep the hype to a minimum as the other outlets have that way covered. So, in lieu of that, we will have another exciting rendition of the Crib Sheet. Some emotional coaching moments happened in the last week, both high and low, so let’s get right to it:
So Mike Leach up and got fired. Apparently the officials at Texas Tech didn’t like how he handled Adam James. We’re thinking they are getting back at him for the contract dispute they had earlier this year. All they needed was an excuse and they got one from Craig James. Mild concussion or not, the fact that they had a trainer there with ice and water for the kid doesn’t show that he’s been treated poorly. If any mistreatment is happening, it’s from Papa James thinking his son has talent. This one is far from over, folks.
The 911 call from Urban Meyer’s wife reveal that he was having massive chest pains after his Florida Gators lost to Alabama in the SEC Championship game. This guy puts everything he has into coaching. Funny how all it took was one practice and he came back to coaching, with 2 days removed from retirement. It’s truly inspiring and we hopes he recovers.
Bobby Bowden won his last game ever against West Virginia , a team he once coached, in the Gator Bowl. He even got to plants the spear on the filed. A tradition held by the the team’s mascot. Our question: when is Joe Paterno next? Not soon, as his Penn State team whupped up on LSU.
Domino’s CEO David Brandon has accepted the athletic director position at the University of Michigan. What does pizza have to do with college sports? Usually during the games in the stadiums its hot dogs and cotton candy. Who knows? Brandon did play for Bo Schembechler, however. So it looks like pizza will send for Rich Rodriguez if he doesn’t make a bowl this year.
ESPN will unveil a 3D channel next year and show the BCS National Championship game on it in 2011. What could be better than seeing that goofy mascot head pop onto Lee Corso’s body in glorious 3D? Okay, lots of things. But now all we need are glasses and a tv equipped with 3D technology and we can enjoy it all together!
The holidays are over and we have just 4 games left to go on the Bowl Pick It and Stick It. We here at the KCCGD all feel about 10 pounds heavier after chugging through the holiday foods and drinks. So while we go map out a plan to lose the flab, check out the latest updates. Please note: there are some games left off from the results that we are saving for the last update. The final numbers will be a little off. That said, here’s the update:
…will not be discussed here. We’ve seen enough on the other websites so we are just going to say this was the best decade evar. All due to the KCCGD. Plus we’re still drying off from all of the snow that’s still dumping outside. Fortunately, there’s a bowl game on every night to keep us warm and cozy. New Year Eve and Day will be packed full of bowls as well. It’s the last huzzah of the college football season and the decade, help us celebrate in in style! Until then, here’s this week’s crib sheet:
TCU head coach Gary Patterson is your AP Head Coach of the Year. The former Kansas State alum took a mid-con team undefeated and in the top ranks of the BCS. This guy deserves it. Now only if he rides out the contract a couple of years and takes over for Bill Snyder 2.0 in a couple of years. Heck, they may be a part of the Big 12 in a couple of years anyway. Congrats, coach.
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon took some pot shots at Texas Tech and Oklahoma State while trumping up support for the rumored Missouri move to the Big 10. Basically he said those schools housed dumb people. Boy if the Tigers stay in the Big 12 after all of this, look out for some revenge to be had in the next couple of seasons.
Sarah Thomas was the first female official to game a bowl Saturday at the Little Caesars Bowl. Some true ground was broken and word has it, she’s being eyeballed by the NFL. So now all we need to see are some ladies on the field competing. But not a Kathy Ireland type thing.
He’s in, he’s out, he’s somewhat both. Last weekend, Urban Meyer resigned from the team, announced he was coaching the Sugar Bowl, then announced he was coming back next year. Apparently this all was due to health issues. We think that many Florida fans and alums are experienced some heart related health issues upon hearing this set of news.
Welp, we’ve kicked off the snow from our shoes after a long day of sludging through the snow to bring you the Bowl Pick It update. If you have been anywhere near Big 12 country in the last week or you, you know what we mean. Whoever dreamt of white christmas this year turned it into a nightmare. We made it around safe, but it was some sloooow driving and tons of time scrapping and brushing. It’s a big pain, but it’s worth it for the snow. Speaking of being worth it, we got our fisrt update for picks! Some people remembered, some forgot, and some rolled the dice. Here’s the first real wave of update:
Happy Holidays everybody from the KC College Gameday Crew! It’s been a couple of years now of doing this blog and we’ve learned alot along the way. We also are very thankful for all 12 of you that actually read this internet football rag. It’s not a perfect blog and we strive hard everyday just to make it a little bit better. We wished it could be perfect, but sometimes great things come from imperfections. Much along those same lines, we have Christmas wishes we want to share with you this holiday season:
Welp last week was a big rush. This week, all is calm and all is bright. Christmas is in a couple of days and we are expecting some major snow. So we can chalk up the lack of news to that and everyone getting ready for bowls. We are done with Christmas shopping and got our Topsy’s popcorn, so we will be taking a few days off ourselves. We’ll probably do something around Christmas, but look for a Bowl Pick It update Monday. Until then here is this week’s meek little Crib Sheet:
Former Kansas coach Mark Mangino gets a $3 million settlement from the university for his resignation and termination fo his contract. He had about $9 million left to go. Welp he doesn’t have to work for a couple of more years and gets a fat holiday check. Mangino made out pretty well.
It looks like Bill Snyder 2.0 and the Wildcats are looking to pick up scraps leftover from new Kansas head coach Turner Gill’s blowout of the staff. They are interviewing former defensive coordinator Clint Bowen to fill the vacancy left by Vic Koenning’s departure to Illinois. This has happened before. Joe Bob Clements went to Kansas as a defensive line coach even though he played for Kansas State. He went back home to Snyder 2.0 though and we won’t be surprised if Bowen doesn’t do the same thing.
Even though he didn’t come home with a Heisman, Ndamukong Suh has been picking up plenty of awards. The latest one happens to be the AP Player of the Year. This is the first time a defensive player ever won the award. I’m sure his Nebraska head coach, Bo Pelini, congratulated him while chewing gum openly.
Alrighty, we are in the 1st quarter of bowl season and fortunately we don’t have any Big 12 bowl games until next week. So we have the opportunity to preview and predict what’s coming up in the next couple of weeks for the Big 12. We’ll talk briefly about the match up and go into our expert predictions. Chew on this while you are doing your last minute shopping on Amazon. Oh and please pick us up something nice while you’re at it.
It was Bowl Season kick off over the weekend but it was hard to tell from all of the NFL action going on. That’s okay as we already are kicking up points for the Bowl Pick It and Stick series. We only have 3 games on the dockett so we’ll make this one short. Look for actual team picks on succeeding Mondays but for now, here’s where everyone stands. I Miss Manhattan has the confidence behind him and the lead at 12. Everyone else is within striking distance of each other. Some people forgot picks but if you were gonna do it, last weekend was the time to do so. We have a long ways to go and we’re just getting started. Here’s the standings:
