25.9.03
Zuerst: Folks who play fantasy leagues are losers. The only time that the word "fantasy" should be invoked is when you're discussing Nicole Kidman or someone similarly beautiful.
Pro Football: I'll just say this about the Maurice Clarett situation: Maurice, if you want to get your jack, go to Canada. The NFL has (or should have) every right to limit their pool of employment. And what does it say about Clarett's case that the union isn't supporting him. Suffice it to say that I agree with TMQ; opening the draft will undermine the teaching of fundamentals. Because of this, if the draft is opened to anyone, you'll have a bunch of impressionable 18 and 19 year olds being advised by selfish agents who just want their money up front. And the NBA is fundamentally flawed; I enjoy watching college basketball, especially smaller colleges; these small colleges realise, even if they don't get the most talented prospects, that basketball is a team game.
Anyway, suffice it to say that I'm not a big Mo Clarett fan.
Will have thoughts on my picks tomorrow.
College Football: I saw this; I have no problem with Notre Dame joining the ACC; the only hangup that I see from the ACC's POV is geographic; South Bend is a long way from College Park, Miami and everywhere in between. And then I saw this. If this is true, what the hell is Swofford thinking? Since adding Miami and Va Tech was solely a football move (the conference doesn't need the help in basketball - which neither program brings in any case - and, to be honest, the non-revenue sports really don't matter since, at its base, this is about money), why would you delay Notre Dame's entry in the football conference? This doesn't solve the conference championship issue in the near term, and only leaves one more program to suckle at the ACC teat while suckling its own football teat on the side. Personally, were I ACC commissioner, I would bring in one of the following (and, to note, any university I brought in would be brought in as a full ACC member immediately):
Anyway, on to my previews for the weekend (and, by the way, did anyone else expect Nebraska to kick Southern Miss' ass? USM lost to Cal, themselves a 2-3 team.):
More tomorrow - R.
Pro Football: I'll just say this about the Maurice Clarett situation: Maurice, if you want to get your jack, go to Canada. The NFL has (or should have) every right to limit their pool of employment. And what does it say about Clarett's case that the union isn't supporting him. Suffice it to say that I agree with TMQ; opening the draft will undermine the teaching of fundamentals. Because of this, if the draft is opened to anyone, you'll have a bunch of impressionable 18 and 19 year olds being advised by selfish agents who just want their money up front. And the NBA is fundamentally flawed; I enjoy watching college basketball, especially smaller colleges; these small colleges realise, even if they don't get the most talented prospects, that basketball is a team game.
Anyway, suffice it to say that I'm not a big Mo Clarett fan.
Will have thoughts on my picks tomorrow.
College Football: I saw this; I have no problem with Notre Dame joining the ACC; the only hangup that I see from the ACC's POV is geographic; South Bend is a long way from College Park, Miami and everywhere in between. And then I saw this. If this is true, what the hell is Swofford thinking? Since adding Miami and Va Tech was solely a football move (the conference doesn't need the help in basketball - which neither program brings in any case - and, to be honest, the non-revenue sports really don't matter since, at its base, this is about money), why would you delay Notre Dame's entry in the football conference? This doesn't solve the conference championship issue in the near term, and only leaves one more program to suckle at the ACC teat while suckling its own football teat on the side. Personally, were I ACC commissioner, I would bring in one of the following (and, to note, any university I brought in would be brought in as a full ACC member immediately):
- South Carolina:
- Pros: This is an obvious geographic fit; they have rivals in Clemson and Ga Tech, and were a charter member of the ACC.
- Cons: Their breakup with the ACC was a bit acrimonious, if I understand the information I have correctly, involving the fact that USC didn't want to raise academic standards beyond NCAA standards, but were outvoted by the others. Moreover, they're in the SEC (i.e. already have a championship game) and have denied interest in rejoining the ACC.
- West Virginia:
- Pros: By this point, you've noticed that all my choices so far are in (or very near) the geographic footprint of the existing members. They also have two big rivals, and a big potential rival in Maryland, Va Tech and (potentially) U.Va.
- Cons: I am not sure of their academic reputation; if it is not up to the standards of the other schools (and apparently FSU and Clemson are held in higher regard than I thought, so there is something to this argument) then they don't really belong. Moreover, WVU's biggest rival is Pittsburgh.
- Florida:
- Pros: Again, this is an obvious geographic fit; moreover, they, too have rivals in the ACC, in Miami and FSU. Their athletic program has a tradition of excellence.
- Cons: Florida is also in the SEC, has denied interest in joining the ACC (Tudor, or Doyel, or Barnhart, or one of those columnists from south of here suggested UF; I forget where I saw it), and several big rivalries in the SEC, having been in the SEC much longer than neophyte USC.
- Pittsburgh or Penn State: Both of these are northeastern schools. Moreover, taking them out of their area hurts recruiting; the prime example of this is Penn State. JoePa isn't getting his pick in Penna. and N.J. anymore because they play primarily midwestern teams. I'm sure that this factored into Kevin Jones' decision, being from Chester. I'm sure he'd rather play at Temple, and (not too far up the road) at Rutgers rather than at Minnesota or at Iowa. Likewise, I'm sure someone from Penna. or N.J. would rather play at Temple or Rutgers than play at FSU or Miami or Ga Tech. Note that these arguments also apply to Syracuse or (perhaps more relevantly) Boston College. So don't hold your breath.
- Notre Dame: Notre Dame has a lot of good things going for it. It is an excllent academic school; it has a fine football program, a good athletics program, and a national following. However, if they wish to keep their independence in football, playing a partial schedule for several years before fully joining, then they can keep their current affiliations, or join the Big Ten (note: were I the Big Ten, I would consider this deal, considering that UND is in the middle of that conference geographically). It isn't worth it to have a program which is, at a minimum, 500 miles from any current ACC program.
- UCF, USF, East Carolina, Louisville: None of these have the academic reputation on the level of the other ACC schools.
- Navy: Navy is a unique case, in that it is one of the few I-A schools which measure up academically, but does not put enough emphasis on intercollegiate athletics to compete, week in and week out, against the ACC. They also have a national following; their alumni are stationed all over the country, and around the world. Navy, I'm sure, would love to do this, if only because they welcome the opportunity to measure themselves against the best. Don Devoe has pushed to enter the Big East for years. However, Navy just isn't at the same athletically as the other conference members. A similar argument could be made against Army (or Air Force), with the inclusion of the "geographic footprint" argument.
Anyway, on to my previews for the weekend (and, by the way, did anyone else expect Nebraska to kick Southern Miss' ass? USM lost to Cal, themselves a 2-3 team.):
- Virginia Tech beats UConn. Connecticut is a good team which thumped Indiana, but Va Tech always does well in September, especially at Lane.
- Texas A&M beats Pitt. Between the fact that Pitt is overrated, A&M played Tech a lot tougher than the final score indicated, and the game is at Kyle Field, I like A&M to upset Pitt. If the Aggies can contain Larry Fitzgerald, this should be a win for the Ags. Gig 'em Aggies!
- Washington State still wants to prove that the collapse at Notre Dame was a fluke, and beats Oregon. Oregon has a letdown after beating a very good Michigan team last week.
- Penn State played Nebraska close a couple of weeks ago in Lincoln. On the other hand, why is Minnesota ranked? They've beaten Tulsa, Troy State, Ohio and La.-Lafayette. Penn St. will look to prove that the BC game, and Minnesota, are flukes.
- Kentucky-Florida reminds me of Penn St.-Minnesota. Florida has beaten San Jose St and Fla. A&M. Football powerhouses, to be sure. Plus the game is Lexington. This adds up to an "upset".
More tomorrow - R.
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