*Hey sports fans..
*We have arrived at the number 20 on my top 25 preseason countdown. Now this pick was made before their star quarterback was in the news..again. #20 Texas A&M
*This team doesn't know what to expect for the upcoming season. Their quarterback, last year's Heisman winner Johnny Manziel, is once again in the national spotlight..this time the NCAA is investigating "Johnny Football" profiting off of signing autographs.
*No one knows at this point if number three will even be Texas A&M's quarterback this year. Coach Sumlin is praying every night that this storm passes through and Manziel is still under center for the Aggies(at least for this year)
*Let's say the ship does sail and Manziel is still their qb...the spotlight will be on him every week. It wasn't like that last season. Sure, later in the season it was. Defense's now know him..spending all summer to prepare for him after he torched their defense. Alabama, in College Station, September 14th..what a game that will be.
*The Aggies do return a lot of talent on offense including Jake Matthews of that great offensive line. The defense is young in spots but they shouldn't have to much pressure with what figures to be a high-powered offense for A&M.
*Regular season record: 9-3
UND football stories
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Monday, August 5, 2013
USC comes in at lucky 21, UND football media day
*Hey sports fans...the top 25 countdown rolls on to lucky number 21: USC
*The Matt Barkley era is over in Southern California for Lane Kiffin and the bunch. The question is, who is going to replace number seven? Freshman Max Browne or Max Wittek? Cody Kessler is trying to make a run for the spot as well. Whoever starts, Marqise Lee will be there top target. He has put up video game-like numbers the past two years and looks to do so this year.
*Kiffin enters his fourth year with USC and this is the year he has to show something. He has posted a 25-13 record at USC going 0 for 1 in bowl games which doesn't cut it. The schedule cuts them a break with Stanford coming to the Rose Bowl and the slate is a fairly easy one with no Oregon. They do go to Oregon State on a Friday night which could spell trouble as I think the Beavers are a sleeper team.
*If USC goes 7-6 again, the Lane Kiffin era might be over. Regular season record: 10-3
Good read on Manziel by CBSSports.com columnist Gregg Doyel Johnny Football to Canada?
*Pat Sweeney and I were at UND football media day and have about 45 minutes worth of interviews. Expect a lot of pigskin in your sportscast over the next week.
*Some notes:
*Ryan Bartels and Joe Mollberg are some cool cats for being freshmen. As the two battle it out at the quarterback position, the anticipation for who is going to start is only to grow. Both say all the right things but more importantly, their teammates are saying all the right things about them. Teammates are saying Bartels and Mollberg are showing great leadership in the huddle and Ryan and Joe said they're embracing the role of being team leaders.
*The keys to this year's defense is stopping the run and forcing turnovers. Just ask them. Carr, Goodman, and Finley all said those were the keys to this year's defense being better than last.
*More on UND tomorrow and we take a look at the number 20 team.
*The Matt Barkley era is over in Southern California for Lane Kiffin and the bunch. The question is, who is going to replace number seven? Freshman Max Browne or Max Wittek? Cody Kessler is trying to make a run for the spot as well. Whoever starts, Marqise Lee will be there top target. He has put up video game-like numbers the past two years and looks to do so this year.
*Kiffin enters his fourth year with USC and this is the year he has to show something. He has posted a 25-13 record at USC going 0 for 1 in bowl games which doesn't cut it. The schedule cuts them a break with Stanford coming to the Rose Bowl and the slate is a fairly easy one with no Oregon. They do go to Oregon State on a Friday night which could spell trouble as I think the Beavers are a sleeper team.
*If USC goes 7-6 again, the Lane Kiffin era might be over. Regular season record: 10-3
Good read on Manziel by CBSSports.com columnist Gregg Doyel Johnny Football to Canada?
*Pat Sweeney and I were at UND football media day and have about 45 minutes worth of interviews. Expect a lot of pigskin in your sportscast over the next week.
*Some notes:
*Ryan Bartels and Joe Mollberg are some cool cats for being freshmen. As the two battle it out at the quarterback position, the anticipation for who is going to start is only to grow. Both say all the right things but more importantly, their teammates are saying all the right things about them. Teammates are saying Bartels and Mollberg are showing great leadership in the huddle and Ryan and Joe said they're embracing the role of being team leaders.
*The keys to this year's defense is stopping the run and forcing turnovers. Just ask them. Carr, Goodman, and Finley all said those were the keys to this year's defense being better than last.
*More on UND tomorrow and we take a look at the number 20 team.
Motivation Monday, Top 25 countdown moves on, Manziel
*Happy Monday everyone. I hope the weekend treated you well.
*If you need something to wake you up Some motivation for you on this Monday
*Let's get to it.
*My top 25 countdown rolls on as we reach the number 22 team in Oklahoma
*This one goes out to the biggest OU fan out there, "Dusty" from the movie Twister.
*The Sooners are reeling after they were throttled by Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl. They made some changes bringing in assistants hoping to help Stoops get back to the next level. They go to Notre Dame, Kansas State, and play Okie State in Stillwater. Texas, of course, is in Dallas. They should win all other games. They have dominated Texas the last two years and have beat the rival Cowboys three out of the last four seasons. I'm high on the Longhorns so I say they lose that game. Why? I say Texas controls the game with their offensive line going against OU's very young d-line.
*Boomer Sooner has some weapons on offense but the offense will be dictated by junior quarterback Blacke Bell. A healthy Damien Williams could have a breakout year at the running back spot and the wide receivers bring back some big numbers. Just like their rival OSU, this team could end the year with one loss. Much to Dusty's displeasure, I see them losing three. Regular season record: 9-3
*Johnny Manziel is back in the spotlight, as "Outside The Lines" is looking at Manziel signing autographs for money. O, boy. If you're bored at work
*That's it for this morning. The UND football team has its media day today. Blog to follow.
*If you need something to wake you up Some motivation for you on this Monday
*Let's get to it.
*My top 25 countdown rolls on as we reach the number 22 team in Oklahoma
*The Sooners are reeling after they were throttled by Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl. They made some changes bringing in assistants hoping to help Stoops get back to the next level. They go to Notre Dame, Kansas State, and play Okie State in Stillwater. Texas, of course, is in Dallas. They should win all other games. They have dominated Texas the last two years and have beat the rival Cowboys three out of the last four seasons. I'm high on the Longhorns so I say they lose that game. Why? I say Texas controls the game with their offensive line going against OU's very young d-line.
*Boomer Sooner has some weapons on offense but the offense will be dictated by junior quarterback Blacke Bell. A healthy Damien Williams could have a breakout year at the running back spot and the wide receivers bring back some big numbers. Just like their rival OSU, this team could end the year with one loss. Much to Dusty's displeasure, I see them losing three. Regular season record: 9-3
*Johnny Manziel is back in the spotlight, as "Outside The Lines" is looking at Manziel signing autographs for money. O, boy. If you're bored at work
*That's it for this morning. The UND football team has its media day today. Blog to follow.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Day One of UND football, my top 25 rolls on with Notre Dame
Hey football fans..
*Day one is in the books for the UND football team and you
could not ask for a better day to start the 2013 campaign.
Some notes:
*The quarterback race between Detroit Lakes, MN.
native Joe Mollberg and Ryan Bartels out of Illinois has only just begun. There is no
clear-cut number one and I'm guessing there won't be(at least announced to the
media) until you see either #6 or #14 trot onto the field for UND's first drive
against Valparaiso.
*Both have their own qualities and I'll dive into that the
closer we get to kickoff. It seems that they've built a friendship, which is
healthy for the team, and both realize the race is only going to make the team
better. Story coming tomorrow on the two on WDAZ/WDAY.
*Sophomore wide receiver Kenny Golladay told me that he was
NOT one of the 60-65 players that stayed up here in Grand Forks and worked out with teammates. He
went back to Chicago
and worked out with a personal trainer and focused on his footwork. Many think
KG will have a break out year and watching his stuff from last year, I can see
why and he says he's faster than last season. Scary. He made some terrific
catches on Saturday and I have a feeling I'll be saying that a lot this fall.
*Tempo seems to be a big thing the coaches are harping on.
Getting in the play, hustling to the line,
getting the snap off. UND knows they have the weapons on offense and they're playing to their strengths there.
getting the snap off. UND knows they have the weapons on offense and they're playing to their strengths there.
*My college football top 25 countdown rolls on as we arrive
at the number 23 slot: Notre Dame
*Many are projecting Notre Dame to finish just outside the
top 10. I’m not buying it. Last year was the typical Brian Kelly third year
success. The Irish went undefeated before getting smashed in the National
Championship. The “Luck of the Irish” was in full effect last season as Notre
Dame snuck out several close games.
*I believe this season, the luck will turn against them.
Let’s take a look at the schedule:
Trips to Michigan,
Pitt, and Stanford. Home stands against Michigan
State, Oklahoma, USC,
and BYU. Not to mention a contest with Arizona
State in Arlington. Good luck. You could make an
early argument of at least five losses on that schedule.
*The defense is stacked, I’ll give the Irish that. Notre
Dame caught a bad break with Golson but Tommy Rees brings experience and Kelly
has already named him the number one at the QB spot and the starter against Temple in the season
opener. Rees must cut down on the turnovers. If he doesn’t, the defense will be
put in bad situations like they were two seasons ago when the offense turned
the ball over almost 30 times.
*Regular season
record: 8-4
Friday, August 2, 2013
Top 25 countdown continues, UND football notes
*Happy Friday football fans!
*The Top 25 college football countdown continues today as we reach my preseason #24 team-
#24 Oklahoma State
*This is a typical Mike Gundy squad with a lot of offensive power. The Cowboys have been picked atop the Big 12 and rightfully so. WR Josh Stewart helps whoever will be starting at the quarterback position. Stewart is a great deep threat going for over 1,200 yards last year. Running back Jeremy Smith is coming off a mid-season injury that cut his 2012 season short. This fall, he finds himself on the Doak Walker watch list.
*The quarterback battle is a good one in Stillwater. Clint Chelf and J.W. Walsh had similar numbers last year. Walsh went 2-1 as a starter last year and was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Chelf traveled a different road last season starting the season as the number three quarterback. He went on to start the last five games and win the Cowboys bowl MVP. I think JW will start the entire year unless the wheels fall off.
*The defense has some talent but needs to improve greatly if they want to win the Big 12. In last year's losses(5), the team gave up 59, 41, 44, 51, 41. Yikes.
*The schedule starts off August 31st with Mississippi State in Houston 2:30 on ABC/ESPN2. They should win that one and sweep through the non-conference with ease. I see at least two or three loses in that Big 12 schedule. At Texas and rounding out the season with OU will be their biggest games..and I think two L's.
*Regular season record: 9-3
*UND starts practice tomorrow and all eyes will be on the quarterback battle. It's been the buzz around town and I'm guessing it will be until the first kickoff. From what I say in spring ball, I would say Joe Mollberg and Ryan Bartels are dead even. The recent depth chart agrees with me. The "Pre-Fall Depth Chart" has Mollberg OR Bartels listed as the one(the only position to do so). Like Okie State, whoever does get the job will have great wide receivers to throw to.
*As Grand Forks Herald sports writer Tom Miller and I discussed, the quarterback isn't the only position battle for the green and white. Give a listen.
Tom Miller of The Grand Forks Herald and I discuss UND Football
*I'll be at tomorrow's practice bright and early. Blog to follow. Have a good weekend all.
*The Top 25 college football countdown continues today as we reach my preseason #24 team-
#24 Oklahoma State
*This is a typical Mike Gundy squad with a lot of offensive power. The Cowboys have been picked atop the Big 12 and rightfully so. WR Josh Stewart helps whoever will be starting at the quarterback position. Stewart is a great deep threat going for over 1,200 yards last year. Running back Jeremy Smith is coming off a mid-season injury that cut his 2012 season short. This fall, he finds himself on the Doak Walker watch list.
*The quarterback battle is a good one in Stillwater. Clint Chelf and J.W. Walsh had similar numbers last year. Walsh went 2-1 as a starter last year and was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Chelf traveled a different road last season starting the season as the number three quarterback. He went on to start the last five games and win the Cowboys bowl MVP. I think JW will start the entire year unless the wheels fall off.
*The defense has some talent but needs to improve greatly if they want to win the Big 12. In last year's losses(5), the team gave up 59, 41, 44, 51, 41. Yikes.
*The schedule starts off August 31st with Mississippi State in Houston 2:30 on ABC/ESPN2. They should win that one and sweep through the non-conference with ease. I see at least two or three loses in that Big 12 schedule. At Texas and rounding out the season with OU will be their biggest games..and I think two L's.
*Regular season record: 9-3
*UND starts practice tomorrow and all eyes will be on the quarterback battle. It's been the buzz around town and I'm guessing it will be until the first kickoff. From what I say in spring ball, I would say Joe Mollberg and Ryan Bartels are dead even. The recent depth chart agrees with me. The "Pre-Fall Depth Chart" has Mollberg OR Bartels listed as the one(the only position to do so). Like Okie State, whoever does get the job will have great wide receivers to throw to.
*As Grand Forks Herald sports writer Tom Miller and I discussed, the quarterback isn't the only position battle for the green and white. Give a listen.
Tom Miller of The Grand Forks Herald and I discuss UND Football
*I'll be at tomorrow's practice bright and early. Blog to follow. Have a good weekend all.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Football season is here, Top 25 countdown, Tix promotion
*Greetings and happy August 1st football fans!
*August means we have finally reached football season. Camp has started for the NFL teams, most college teams start practice within a week. Four weeks until the college football season begins.
*First weekend of college football: Thursday, Valparaiso at North Dakota. Friday, North Dakota State at Kansas State. Saturday, Bama-Va. Tech, Georgia-Clemson, and LSU-TCU. I'm also intrigued by Washington-Boise State. Monday night also features Fla. State at Pitt. Nothing to crazy, but some solid matchups to open up the season.
*My Top 25 countdown begins today and starting the list is...Wisconsin
*The biggest reason the Badgers made it into my top 25 is because of their soft schedule. They miss out on Nebraska, Michigan, Michigan State. They do travel to Ohio State, a night game in Columbus. They should be undefeated going into that game where anything can happen when those two face each other. Ill, Indiana, Minnesota, and Purdue should be wins..that gets them to seven. I say they split Penn State, Iowa, BYU, and Iowa. taking them to 9 wins.
*The schedule is a blessing for first year coach, Gary Anderson(who comes from Utah State)GREAT HIRE.
*Stave or Phillips is the big question coming into the fall as they battle it out at QB. No matter who earns the spot, they will have a great wide receiving core to throw to.
*I don't think Wisconsin gets to the Rose Bowl this year breaking their 3-year run but I see them doing well in Anderson's first year.
*Regular season record: 9-3
*The University of North Dakota had a neat little promotion to try and sell football season tickets.
'30 Minutes or Less'
*UND coaches and players hand delivered season tickets yesterday to fans. In its first year-trial run, they sold 57 season tickets, bumping them up to the most season tickets sold since 2005. The home schedule sells itself.
*Can you imagine if a team like Alabama did something like this? The number would be in the THOUSANDS.
*August means we have finally reached football season. Camp has started for the NFL teams, most college teams start practice within a week. Four weeks until the college football season begins.
*First weekend of college football: Thursday, Valparaiso at North Dakota. Friday, North Dakota State at Kansas State. Saturday, Bama-Va. Tech, Georgia-Clemson, and LSU-TCU. I'm also intrigued by Washington-Boise State. Monday night also features Fla. State at Pitt. Nothing to crazy, but some solid matchups to open up the season.
*My Top 25 countdown begins today and starting the list is...Wisconsin
*The biggest reason the Badgers made it into my top 25 is because of their soft schedule. They miss out on Nebraska, Michigan, Michigan State. They do travel to Ohio State, a night game in Columbus. They should be undefeated going into that game where anything can happen when those two face each other. Ill, Indiana, Minnesota, and Purdue should be wins..that gets them to seven. I say they split Penn State, Iowa, BYU, and Iowa. taking them to 9 wins.
*The schedule is a blessing for first year coach, Gary Anderson(who comes from Utah State)GREAT HIRE.
*Stave or Phillips is the big question coming into the fall as they battle it out at QB. No matter who earns the spot, they will have a great wide receiving core to throw to.
*I don't think Wisconsin gets to the Rose Bowl this year breaking their 3-year run but I see them doing well in Anderson's first year.
*Regular season record: 9-3
*The University of North Dakota had a neat little promotion to try and sell football season tickets.
'30 Minutes or Less'
*UND coaches and players hand delivered season tickets yesterday to fans. In its first year-trial run, they sold 57 season tickets, bumping them up to the most season tickets sold since 2005. The home schedule sells itself.
*Can you imagine if a team like Alabama did something like this? The number would be in the THOUSANDS.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Johnny Manziel, Kauker, UND football, College football chat
*Most of my readers(all 10 of you) live in the Midwest. This weather has been great(especially if you haven't turned on your AC all summer.) The temps in the 40's are teasing us..making us think football is here. Can't come soon enough.
*Here's Johnny
*Johnny Manziel has been in the media a lot as of late...and here's Johnny again making the news.
*Everyone is going to have different opinions on Manziel's actions and my view won't change your view. But I will say this-There has never been a college athlete that has been under OR will be under the microscope than Johnny Manziel. Johnny Manziel is to college football as LeBron James is to the NBA in regards to being under the watchful eye.
*Alabama-Texas A&M might be the most watched college football regular season game ever...or any college game at that. (September 14th, 2:30, ABC) Man, will College Station be rockin' that weekend.
*Meet K-Dawg
*This is a story I did on "Grand Forks Super Fan" Mark Kauk. I've never seen anything like it..guy is at one game...you leave before him to go to another game..and he beats you to that next game. I think every town has a Mark..just maybe not as committed as Mark.
*The UND football season opens up on a Thursday night, at home, against Valpo. It would be easy to look past Valpo with SDSU, Montana, and Montana State coming to the Alerus the next three games. Those first four games are going to tell us a lot about this team. We know they have one of the best wide receiving cores in the FCS..but what about starting a freshman quarterback(Mollberg or Bartels)..what about the defense that was gashed over and over again last year. I think going 3-1 might be a lot to ask for in that four game stretch to open up the season..anything less than 2-2 would be a blow. The perfect over/under for UND this year is 7 wins. Get 7, beat either SDSU, Montana, or Montana State and I think you make the playoffs.
*As far as BCS goes, I have picked my national champion..and it's a team not in the SEC. I will be dropping my top 25 starting August 1st.
*A quick preview-Notre Dame will have a tough time getting to 7 wins, Indiana will make a bowl game, Michigan State scares me, and Iowa State and Iowa have the same expectations this year.
*Expect more blog posts this fall.
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