The Bandit Says Goodbye

Although I knew he was in failing health, I was just so saddened to learn of the passing of Burt Reynolds.

As a kid, like so many, Reynold's portrayal of the Bandit in Smokey and The Bandit was the greatest thing ever. Reynolds racing across country in his Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with his cohort Cletus Snow (played by his good friend Jerry Reed) to bring Coors beer back to Atlanta will still stop me in my tracks if I am searching through the channels.

Reynolds began his wonderful life at Florida State University, where he played running back for the Seminoles. Burt made great friends there, which included Vic Prinzi and Lee Corso.

Reynolds love for Florida State University extended a lifetime. He was great friends with famed coach Bobby Bowden and was an incredibly generous benefactor to both academic and athletic arms of Florida State. Reynolds for many years filmed a halftime segment with the voice of the Seminoles Gene Deckerhoff. Before the likes of ESPN and the internet, these coaches shows were where you found the opportunity to watch game highlights. Reynolds shined doing this show, and we so appreciated him.

Reynolds was an accomplished actor, and while many of his movies were not of critical acclaim, he sure was. Several performances later in his life gave proof of that, but it wasn't anything he really worried about. Even so, he lived quite a Hollywood life, with relationships with several of the finest women in the business.

Never forgotten by Burt was his Florida roots and his entourage of friends. The first time I met Burt was in Tallahassee at an FSU game, where he traveled along with Dom Deluise, Ricardo Montalban, Charles Nelson Reilly, Ann Margaret and others. I ran into him at the Tampa Westshore Holiday Inn, after seeing Vic Prinzi waiting for him. Fortunately, I was in Tallahassee at a game two seasons ago where Burt placed the spear in the ground before the game, an honor bestowed upon a very select few.

Last year, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of "Smokey and The Bandit," although Pontiac is gone, a Chevrolet Camaro was modified to look like a Pontiac Trans Am and 77 were made. Reynolds participated in the design and rollout, an event in which Burt had Bobby Bowden along as a guest.

 

Tim Linafelt of Seminoles.com recounted a funny old story about Burt today:

"Burt Reynolds used to love to tell the story of how Bobby Bowden knew his name — “Buddy.” It wasn’t until later that he realized Bobby Bowden called everyone Buddy."

This is a tough one. Burt Reynolds is an individual I have great affection for, a cherished member of the Seminole faithful. His advocacy for our beloved Florida State University has always been greatly appreciated. His loyalty to his friends was admired, and his wisecracking sense of humor brought smiles to us all. Smokey and The Bandit will always get us going as we run east bound and down, and we can always thank Burt Reynolds and his gang of friends, most notably Jerry Reed, for that.

RIP Burt Reynolds! Go Seminoles!

Hell, I got to go!

The Hall of BAHL

Sports is and always has played a significant role in my life. I have found that most all of life's lessons are learned between the lines. Discipline, individual responsibility, teamwork and sportsmanship are among many opportunities presented within the games that offer guidance to prosper in life.

Over the years, there have been many individuals associated with sports that I have looked up to, been a fan of, owned a jersey of or just pulled for. These are my guys, and although it has not always been a road without bumps for many, these are my guys. In an effort to recognize these folks, I have formed The Hall of BAHL.

Individuals making this list may or may not be the greatest ever players, coaches or ambassadors, but they are my favorites.

Each year, I will induct five members into The Hall of BAHL. In honor of my good buddy and Sportsman Big Ole BudFeiser, who we lost in 2011 and who I grew up playing sports with, each class will annually be announced on his birthday, June 13.

The inductees for the 2014 Hall of BAHL class are listed in no particular order below:


MIKE ROZIER

Although my beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers had won back to back national titles in 1970-71, I was quite young and was unable to completely enjoy the ride.  As the early eighties arrived, a collection of talent that came together in Lincoln that created an environment of championship expectations, culminating in 1983 with a pre-seaason Number 1 ranking based on the scoring explosion, a lethal offense led by playmakers QB Turner Gill, FL Irving Fryar and I-Back Mike Rozier.

Rozier was not blessed with blazing breakway speed, but few were blessed with such nimble moves and sheer toughness as Rozier.  As Rozier emerged at Nebraska, during his junior year, the Cornhukser coaching staff moved future NFL Hall of Famer Roger Craig from tailback to fullback to get Rozier on the field.

A bruising runner, Rozier punished would be tacklers; if the could get a hit on him.  He crushed a guy at K-State, and used his ability to make tacklers miss in a highlight touchdown run in Lincoln versus UCLA.

During his senior season, one which culminated with Rozier winning the Heisman Trophy, he set many records helping Nebraska reach the 50th Orange Bowl to play for the national title and an undefeated season.  The 'Husker defense was not as stout as the offense in 1983, and with Rozier tearing up an ankle having to miss the second half, the Big Red fell short against Miami 30-31.

Rozier went on the United States Football League, but could never get rolling due to the ankle.  An opportunity to play in the NFL emerged, and Rozier answered the call, making the Pro Bowl with the Houston Oliers.

Life is good these days for Mkie Rozier.  He turns heads with his wardrobe during the annual Heisman Trophy presentation and has become a fan favorite in ESPN's Heisman House commercials.

Thankfully, Mike Rozier remains close to the Nebraska program, availing himself to his legions of beloved fans.  I am one of those fans, and welcome Camden, New Jersey's Mike Rozier to The Hall of BAHL.






DERRICK BROOKS

Arriving from Pensacola Washington High School as a strong safety, Derrick Brooks became perhaps the finest linebacker ever to play at Florida State University, helping the Seminoles win their first National Championship in 1993.

Derrick Brooks

Brooks was everywhere, somewhat rewriting the position with a rare combination of speed and strength, destroying opposing offensive efforts via ground or air.  The ability to come off the edge and disrupt the quarterback at opportune times, using his high level of intelligence, changed the complexion of many games.  Derrick also collected turnovers, and from his position on defense, found paydirt many times during his famed career.

The two time consensus All-American was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whom he helped lead to a Super Bowl Championship in 2002.  During his NFL career, Brooks was a consistent Pro Bowl performer, having named Defensive Player of the Year in 2002.  Brooks was appropriately elected to the NLF Hall of Fame in 2014.  Perhaps his greatest achievement was having been named the 2000 co-recipient of the NFL's Water Payton Man of the Year, an award derived to recognize excellence on, and off, the gridiron.

Brooks remains close to the Florida State family, having been named to the Florida State University Board of Trustees.  Brooks is an outstanding ambassador for FSU, and the State of Florida.

Derrick Brooks

A fine man and among the best players to ever suit it up for both Florida State and Tampa Bay, I am thrilled to have Derrick Brooks join the Hall of BAHL.


KYLE PETTY

It seems only natural, having been a longtime fan of Richard Petty, to also become a fan of his son Kyle as his stock car career took shape.  It was an added plus, that as I was becoming a fan, Kyle was piloting Pontiac's out of the Felix Sabates stable.

There were highlights in the racing career of Kyle Petty, which included sitting on the pole for the 1992 Daytona 500 in his Mello Yellow sponsored Pontiac Grand Prix, and winning at Dover after starting 37th at Dover in his Coor's Light Pontiac Grand Prix.

Kyle had an attitude, and this made being his fan fun. We cheered when he punched Bobby Hillin for wrecking him out of the aforementioned 500.

With Kyle's time behind the wheel winding down, he spent time grooming his son Adam, who many thought had the talent of Richard which seemed to elude Kyle, for a shot a Sprint Cup.

Adam was well on his way, with that Petty smile, to big things on the Spring Cup Series when his life tragically came to an end in a practice session at New Hampshire International Speedway.  Adam's death, as you may imagine, hit Kyle and his family hard.

Kyle changed his car number from 44 to 45, Adam's number, after his death.  Sprint and Wells Fargo were sponsors.  I had a chance to see Kyle and Adam race together in a Busch Series race at Daytona International Speedway, which I cherish.

But, in impressive fashion, Kyle wanted to honor Adam with something meaningful and long lasting. The death of Adam Petty gave birth to The Victory Junction Gang, a camp honoring Adam for children with chronic diseases which over the years, has brought a tremendous amount of joy to these children and their families.  This has been an inspiration to us all.

Full disclosure, one of my companies held an annual golf tournament which raised money for Victory Junction Gang, and its local partner, Camp Boggy Creek.

Kyle has retired as driver, and has found a home as an analyst for Sprint Cup Racing with FOX Sports and TNT Sports.   Petty remains opinionated, ruffling feathers along the way.  There are many times I disagree with Kyle, but I know his thoughts come from his line of thinking, and that is fair.


While Kyle was driving, he drove some really cool looking cars.  Two Pontiacs I especially liked were his Mello Yellow Pontiac and his Hot Wheels Pontiac.  Through his television career, we continue to get a chance to viist with Kyle all along the circuit.  Kyle Petty is welcomed as a 2014 Hall of BAHL inductee.


DEION SANDERS

I remember my Mother had watched Florida State get killed at Florida, and while we were in depression, she pointed out that that your man on defense who returns kicks is really special.  Indeed, in all my years, Deion Sanders, perhaps along with Bo Jackson, is perhaps the most gifted athlete I have been around.

Deion arrived as an unheralded recruit out of North Fort Myers, but it only took a practice for the coaches to recognize that they had a world class athlete that could take the program to the top.

Sanders dazzled from the get go, receiving All America honors and wining the Jim Thorpe Award as the nations top defensive back.  "Prime Time" was at his best against top competition, toying with some and outclassing many.  Sanders picked a pass in the end zone to preserve a Sugar Bowl victory over Auburn and blistered Clemson on a 75 yard punt return in the Puntrooskie game at Death Valley.


Sanders calls out Clemson prior to punt return TD

With Neon Deion a human highlight film on the gridiron, it is noted that Sanders ran track at FSU, running a leg of a 4X100 relay in his football pants, and starred on the baseball team. While at FSU, Sanders was always singled out, by both Bobby Bowden and Mike Martin, as among the hardest working athletes ever to wear the garnet and gold.

Sanders went on to a Hall of Fame career in the NFL, most notably with the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. In addition, Sanders starred with the Atlanta Braves, becoming the first player to score a touchdown in the NFL and hit a home run in MLB in the same week.  Astonishing!

Without question, Deion Sanders is among the greatest athletes of our time, recording record setting performances in College Football, The National Football League and Major League Baseball.

I am thankful to have witnessed many of his historical performances in person, and currently enjoy his work with the NFL Network.  It is a pleasure welcome Deion "Prime Time" Sanders to the Hall of BAHL.




LEE CORSO

Unfortunately, for the longest time, I only knew of Lee Corso from a historical perspective.  I followed his coaching career at Indiana and heard all the stories of his record setting skills as a defensive back at Florida State in the late 1950's.  Yep, no matter the age, all FSU football scholars were well aware of the stellar career at FSU of "The Sunshine Scooter"

I first met Corso when he became Head Coach of the Orlando Renegades of the USFL in 1985.  It only lasted a year, but Orlando really enjoyed that team and it was great fun back in those days.

However, Corso is now a beloved star across the nation due to his performances on ESPN's Gameday.  The show is tremendous, pushed to must see status by the antics of Corso.  At first, it was simply the pencil and his frequent politicking for beautiful downtown Orlando, where Corso remains a resident up in the Alaqua area.

Corso reached new heights when he started assuming mascot costume status for his final pick of the day, jousting fans along the way.  This is must see viewing for the college football fan, and has really become part of the historical fabric of the color and pageantry of the game.

Fans across the nation cheer Corso, mobbing him at public appearances seeking pictures and autographs.  These are great times for Corso, who is well deserving.  As fans, we are lucky to still have an opportunity to enjoy his Gameday antics, as a stroke in 2009 almost ended it all.

At FSU, Corso was roommates with Burt Reynolds and remains regarded as part of a core of a historical that helped FSU get on the map.  Corso, due to his capacity at ESPN, is asked not to publicly cheer for his beloved Seminoles, and while he remains quite professional, he can't hide his pride and love for the Seminoles.

 

Long before Gameday, as Seminoles, the "Sunshine Scooter" held a special place in our hearts.  Now, we find difficulty in having our college football Saturday's kickoff without him.  Corso loves the game of college football, and we love him.  It is an honor to welcome Lee Corso as a 2014 inductee in the Hall of BAHL.  

The Color & Pageantry Top 25

College Football

Top 25

1.     Stanford,  2-0, 1
2.     Alabama, 2-0, 2
3.     Oregon, 3-0, 3
4.     Clemson, 2-0, 4
5.     Florida State, 2-0, 5
6.     Ohio State, 3-0, 7
7.     Georgia, 1-1, 8
8.     Texas A&M, 2-1, 6
9.     Louisiana State, 3-0, 10
10.   Louisville, 3-0, 9
11.   UCLA, 2-0, 15
12.   South Carolina, 2-1, 11
13.   Oklahoma State, 3-0, 12
14.   Miami, 2-0, 14
15.   Oklahoma, 3-0, 16
16.   Northwestern, 3-0, 18
17.   Florida, 1-1, 19
18.   Washington, 2-0, 20
19.   Mississippi, 3-0, 25
20.   Baylor, 2-0, 22
21.   Michigan, 3-0, 13
22.   Notre Dame, 2-1, 23
23.   Georgia Tech, 3-0, 24
24.   Arizona State, 2-0, NR
25.   Wisconsin, 2-1, 21

OUT: Nebraska (17)

VOTES: Nebraska, Texas Tech, North Carolina, UCF, Fresno State, Virginia Tech, Michigan State, Vanderbilt, Northern Illinois.

NATIONAL ANALYSIS:  Congrats to ESPN's Lee Corso, who called the UCF upset at Penn State, although many saw UCF had a good chance behind talented quarterback Blake Bortles....Although Washington beat Illinois, the Illini played well....Ole Miss throttled a crumbling Texas, where a coaching change appears imminent.  ESPN should be ashamed of themselves for having this game on The Longhorn Network which led to nobody being able to see the game nationally.  Texas caused all this realignment mess, by forming this network, so consider my please they got their ass kicked....Terry Bowden and Akron came within inches of pulling off a earth shattering upset at Michigan... Texas A&M fell at home to Alabama in a barn burner, but it was not the fault of Johnny Football, who threw for almost 500 while running for another 100. It was the highest rated afternoon CBS game in 23 years; deservedly so....Oregon throttled visiting Tennessee, giving the Vols their worst loss since the Wilson administration... Wisconsin was robbed by the officials, in what was a simply horrendous weekend for the Zebras....South Carolina dumped Vanderbilt, but did not see much domination by Jadeveon Clowney....Texas Tech disposed of Texas Christian, and their hire of Cliff Klingsbury was outstanding....Auburn got a big home victory over Mississippi State, who can now officially be designated as descending....Minnesota coach Jerry Kill suffered another seizure on Saturday, but he will be fine.

For those who may be new readers, we offer game analysis of the two teams we have allegiance with; Florida State and Nebraska, in the order their games were played over any given weekend.

NEBRASKA ANALYSIS:

Bo Pelini without answers
/Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

As Hail Varsity so accurately described it; Passive Without the Aggressive.  Most expected the talented, but very young, Nebraska defense to suffer yardage and points to the potent UCLA offense, but very few thought the Nebraska offense would ground itself down, producing only 21 points in yet another extremely discouraging loss.  ESPN color analyst Chris Spielman made very cogent points regarding both Cornhusker units.  The offense, with all the weapons, seemed content to toss short outside passes with runs sprinkled in.  What was glaring in omission was the running of Taylor Martinez, who although throwing three touchdown passes, was pedestrian.  Martinez posses great speed and agility, and while seeking a balanced attack not relying on Martinez to carry the day, disregarding what he can do with his feet is mind boggling.  T-Magic performed no tricks, finishing with -13 yards rushing.  Recall, he had a 92 yard touchdown run last year versus the Bruins. Perhaps Martinez has a foot injury limiting his abilities, (word has it he was walking with a boot post game) which was kept from public knowledge? Who knows, but even if so, nobody stepped up in his absence.  Ameer Abdullah ran hard, but dropped the ball on the carpet at a critical moment if a comeback was in the cards on this day. Speilman, himself a Hall of Fame linebacker at every level, noted the front four on defense were not providing adequate pressure on the quarterback, placing pressure on the secondary.  At times, the rush was decent, but as time went on they had real trouble fighting off the blocks, which is troublesome.  New flash for DC Papuchis; blitz! Cornnation.com reports DE Randy Gregory said "Somebody's got to step up and be a leader, make plays, whether that's me, a DB, a quarterback, it doesn't matter. Somebody's got to step up and say something." Nobody did.  In fact, the mood was deflated on the sideline, even with Nebraska up 21-3.  You read that right; UCLA scored 38 unanswered points en route to this scorching, which is become all too commonplace. Nebraska Coach Bo Pelini correctly described the Huskers' second-half performance, across the board, as "horrendous."  I agree, and sadly, the folks employed to correct the issue only seem to inform us what we already know.  I am fond of this staff, but what transpired on Saturday is simply not acceptable. I am sadly repeating myself.  Getting beat fighting like dogs in the boneyard is one thing, but lacking focus, passion, discipline and the mentality (mistakes, penalties and ball security) to give it for 60 minutes is characteristic of poor coaching, and quite simply, this is exactly where the blame for this destructive loss lies.  Same 'ol issues, says Steven Sipple of The Lincoln Journal Star.  'Husker great Tommie "Tocuhdown" Frazier has had enough.  This Nebraska football team is not void of talent, particularly offensively, and the B1G Ten Conference championship is still within reach.  In fact, so is every goal if the stars line up.  It will interesting to see how the Big Red responds to this loss.  The coaching staff will have to correct the continual errors of basic football during the remainder of the season.  There is a new AD in charge at UNL, who has no specific ties to Bo, so if this type of thing continues, a change will likely be in the forecast.  ESPN is doing Gameday this weekend at two time defending FCS National Champion North Dakota State, where former 'Husker assistant Craig Bohl is head coach.  Tom Shatel of the Omaha World Herald pretty much sums it up; "There are nine games left — five in a decisive November — for Pelini to change the conversation. But short of winning the Big Ten, what happened Saturday will be a stain that the sixth-year coach can't wash off."

FLORIDA STATE ANALYSIS:

After weeks of fanfare after the brilliant debut of Jameis Winston on ESPN with FSU at Pitt on Labor Day night, the Seminoles opened at home in front of the faithful eager to get a personal eyeful of "Famous Jameis".  Not surprisingly, Florida State came out sleepwalking against a Nevada outfit, although decimated by injuries on the offensive side, that came to win.  Winston overthrew a receiver over the middle for his first career interception, and before long, FSU found itself behind 7-3.  It was time to wake up.  Behind a punishing ground game, Florida State took control of the game, and Winston collected himself and found his grove, tossing a pair of touchdown passes and leading FSU to a safe lead before giving way to the backups, who played well by the way.  For the year, Winston is 40-45, with six aerial scores and two rushing touchdowns, with only one interception.  Florida State has a deceptively strong running game, led on this day by Devonta Freeman and converted safety Karlos Williams, who bolted 65 yards for paydirt on his first carry.  Both Freeman and Williams had over 100 yards.  The defense is still finding itself; however, it is showing glimpses of a unit that may be smothering for opposing offenses.  Among the many young players looking good is cornerback Jalen Ramsey.  FSU will continue to work at consistency with many youngsters gaining valuable experience against Bethune Cookman on Saturday.  The season will hinge on the trip to Clemson in a month with conference games with at Boston College and with Maryland in between.

Top 25

College Football

Top 25

1.      Alabama, 6-0, 1
2.      Oregon, 6-0, 2
3.      Florida, 6-0, 4
4.      Kansas State, 6-0, 4
5.      Notre Dame, 6-0, 6
6.      LSU, 6-1, 9
7.      South Carolina, 6-1, 3
8.      Ohio State, 7-0, 8
9.      Oregon State, 5-0, 10
10.    Oklahoma, 16, 16
11.    Southern Cal, 5-1, 13
12.    Florida State, 6-1, 14
13.    Georgia, 5-1, 15
14.    Stanford, 4-2, 12
15.    West Virginia, 6-1, 7
16.    Clemson, 5-1, 17
17.    Louisville, 6-0, 18
18.    Mississippi State, 6-0, 19
19.    Texas Tech, 5-1, NR
20.    Michigan, 4-2, 25
21.    Rutgers, 6-0, 20
22.    Cincinnati, 5-0, 21
23.    Texas, 4-2, 11,
24.    Texas A&M, 5-1, 22
25.    Texas Christian, 5-1, NR

OUT:  Baylor (19) and Michigan State (25)

VOTES:  Louisiana Tech, Nebraska, Northwestern, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Ohio, Wisconsin, Arizona, Boise State, Oklahoma State, Arizona State, UCLA, Penn State, Washington, Iowa State and Baylor.

Florida State hosted a struggling Boston College team in Tallahassee for Parents Weekend and opened up an aerial assault, trouncing the Eagles 51-7.  On the surface, it look quite good as a rebound for the devastating last second defeat at North Carolina State last week.  Although several Seminoles played well, there were glitches that formidable teams would have taken advantage of.  EJ Manuel looked wonderful much of the night, but also had some very poor throws over the middle, an area he continues to show weakness in.  The running game performed well, but left you seeking more.  On a good note, more players got time, and many made the most of their opportunities.  James Wilder, Jr. has top level potential, and Mario Edwards, Jr. got in the mix.  When the younger players got in, I kept seeing Reggie Northrup making plays, and I was glad to see Clint Trickett get some series.  This was a sound win over a weak team, and now comes the test of a hated rivalry as FSU travels to south Florida for a Saturday night tilt with the Miami Hurricanes.  FSU has been handling Miami over the last few years, and should do so again.  But in rivalry games, particularly this one, should have is often a phrase for the following Sunday.  If FSU has any hope of being relevant nationally in the BCS title discussions, they must throttle Miami.  Notre Dame and Kansas State, both ranked above FSU, did so, 52-13 and 41-3 respectively.  Whatever Miami has to offer will be seen Saturday night. For FSU, it is time to step up.  It is our time.

Thankfully, after the ass kicking Nebraska took a week ago at Ohio State, they had the weekend off.  Hopefully, the coaches made effective use of the time, for a loss at Northwestern next Saturday could cost many, if not all of them, their jobs.  GBR!

There were winds swirling at some 40MPH down in Lubbock Saturday afternoon, and the high flying aerial attack of West Virginia had no answers as they got hammered 49-14 by Texas Tech, who had guns up!.....In the Red River Rivalry at the Texas State Fair OU slobber knockered Texas in the Cotton Bowl.  Whoa nellie was this decisive.  Defensively, Texas was pushed around and had every offensive weakness exposed.  In front of a national television audience on ABC, this was an embarrassment for those in burnt orange......Florida made the plays it had to, disposing of Vanderbilt on the road.  With South Carolina coming to The Swamp, a huge opportunity exists for the Gators.  Carolina will be angry, having been disposed of in Death Valley down in Baton Rouge by a rough LSU team who surprisingly controlled the line of scrimmage....With lightning bolts firing, God tried to call of the mugging of Mizzou by Alabama in Columbia.  No such luck; 42-10 BAMA.....UNC won at Miami and has a top notch player in RB Giovanni Bernard, who is from south Florida.... USC is still not USC, but they won at Washington....Stanford almost tied in overtime, with a controversial call negating a tying overtime touchdown.  What can you say; it was the luck of the Irish...Duke got out 20-0 over Va. Tech, but lost 41-20....Iowa upended Michigan State, and hopes for a strong season in East Landing have collapsed.... Wisconsin seems to have settled on a quarterback, and behind Monte Ball, whipped Purdue.....Michigan and Denard Robinson showed that on occasions, the Wolverines can be stout.....Ohio State, off their big win versus Nebraska, survived against pedestrian Indiana.....TCU played well in defeating a sound Baylor squad....Oregon State keeps on rolling....A&M, behind brilliant young signal caller Johnny Manziel, held off an offensive La. Tech squad 59-57.  If only Manziel could play on defense for the Aggies...Auburn is 1-5, just two years removed from a national title, while it is amazing to see how far Colorado has fallen just 20 years from a national title.....Arkansas pummeled a very poor Kentucky team in game shortened by weather....Virginia, with new God awful looking orange helmets, is performing very poorly....K-State survived in Ames against an Iowa State team much better than you may think...Does Illinois wish they had Ron Zook back?...

Beano Cook (photo LJS)

Legendary ESPN College Football analyst Beano Cook passed away this week.   Beano, who brought his blue collar style to analyzing the games of the day, often reflected to a blustery afternoon in 1953 where Notre Dame and his beloved Pitt  Panthers tangled.  Cook helped bring younger viewers in touch with the lore of the past, keeping the history of the color and pageantry of college football relevant in a new age on the gridiron. Half of the time you would just chuckle when the obligatory reference of  Minnesota winning at Michigan 1956 was presented by Cook.  Beano was the guy who would tell you that the school with the most NFL passing yards was Purdue, about those great Pitt teams in the 1930's and who played for the old oaken bucket.  Perhaps the most famous quip of the witty Cook was noting that being the head football coach at Notre Dame was "the third toughest job in America after mayor of New York and President of the United States," ESPN analyst Lee Corso, as reported by CBS Sports, said "Beano was a unique human being and he was college football at ESPN. I am indebted to him. Beano was a tremendous help at the start of my television career and I would not be where I am today without him," Beano Cook was a fantastic ambassador of the sport of college football, and his unique analysis, particularly from a historical perspective, was invaluable.  God Bless you Beano, RIP

Top 25

College Football

Top 25

1.     Alabama, 4-0, 1
2.     Florida State, 4-0, 3
3.     Oregon, 4-0, 4
4.     LSU, 4-0, 2
5.     Georgia, 4-0, 5
6.     South Carolina, 4-0, 8
7.     Kansas State, 4-0, 10
8.     West Virginia, 4-0, 7
9.     Stanford, 3-0, 9
10.   Notre Dame, 4-0, 15
11.   Florida, 4-0, 16
12.   Texas, 3-0, 12
13.   USC, 3-1, 13
14.   Clemson, 3-1, 11
15.   Ohio State, 4-0, 16
16.   Oklahoma, 2-1, 6
17.   Oregon State, 2-0, NR
18.   Louisville, 4-0, 21
19.   Michigan State, 3-1, 19
20.   Nebraska, 3-1, 20
21.   Texas Christian, 3-0, 22
22.   Mississippi State, 4-0, 24
23.   Rutgers, 4-0, NR
24.   Baylor, 3-0, NR
25.   Northwestern, 4-0, NR

OUT: UCLA (14), Michigan (18), Oklahoma State (25), and Arizona (23).

VOTES: UCLA, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin, Iowa State, Virginia Tech, Michigan, Arizona, Ohio, Tennessee, and Cincinnati.

ESPN Gameday at Tallahassee Saturday. Don't Hate!

The Sunshine Scooter, Lee Corso

It was a pleasure to take in ESPN College Gameday Saturday in Tallahassee with Chris Fowler, Desmond Howard, Kirk Herbstreit and The Sunshine Scooter, Lee Corso. ESPN does this right, and this family friendly event captures the color and pageantry of NCAA College Football in fun and fine fashion. Do attend one if given the chance.

Chris Thompson in prayer after scoring

Florida State tailback Chris Thompson gets the gameball as Florida State, after a slow start, demolished Clemson at Tallahassee Saturday. Clemson has a quartet of skill people, in quarterback Taj Boyd, back Andre Ellington and receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins, that rival anyone in the country, and I do mean everyone. The Tigers threw everything and the kitchen sink at the Seminoles, inclusive of halfback passes, reverses and fake field goals. With FSU off balance, Clemson held the lead until early in the third quarter, when FSU unleashed 20 minutes of warpath, outscoring the Tigers 35-3 in an approximate 20 minute period. It was something to behold. Chris Thompson was spectacular, James Wilder Jr. ran strong and EJ Manuel stepped up his game big time, something all Seminoles had been hoping to see. FSU has a stellar defensive unit, and if the offense is what we saw Saturday night, the Seminoles should run the table provided they maintain a high level of maturity and focus, something recent teams have failed to accomplish.

 

Nebraska had a breather, welcoming in Idaho State, who left town with rug burns after getting blasted 73-7. Rex Burkhead was back for the Big Red, and the game provided an opportunity to get some younger defensive players work as the 'Huskers welcome in Wisconsin Saturday night for the ABC Game. The game will feature new uniforms for both teams, which I am not pleased about by any stretch of the imagination.

 

In a very odd early contest, after we blasted the 'Canes last week, they bolted out to a 19-0 lead at Georgia Tech, only to give up the next 36 before charging back to win in overtime. With all the issues at UM, this win may have got them into a bowl game......Ohio State and Michigan State both struggled with much inferior opponents, but somebody will need to step up as they play each other this week...LSU struggled at Auburn, and lost spots because of it,...while Oregon blasted upstart Arizona....South Carolina destroyed Missouri, who travels to UCF this weekend, who might just beat them...Arkansas is in real trouble, and although many expected issues in the aftermath of losing Coach Petrino, the season is about to be lost....Florida controlled Kentucky, a very bad team with a horrible quarterback, who could not hit the side of a barn Saturday, or any open receivers the Cats had either.....Michigan could not generate any offense at an improved Notre Dame, but they did assembly line plenty of turnovers and a four or five loss season is now a possibility for this preseason top ten team....TCU crushed Virginia, who was thought to be solid if not spectacular.....Oregon State shut down UCLA at the Rose Bowl in surprising fashion, and no doubt the Beavers are well coached....Terry Bowden and his Akron Zips took Tennessee late at Rocky Top, and Bowden ball is gaining momentum in Ohio ....Ohio, meanwhile, could run the table under former 'Husker boss Frank Solich, which would be yet another black eye for Pitt AD Steve Pederson.....Oklahoma falters again, losing to a very good K-State team at Norman, and while OU has issues, K-State does not and could be on the way to the BCS...Kirk Ferentz at Iowa has always been very highly thought of, and I have never been sure why. After the Hawkeyes stumbled badly and lost at home to Central Michigan, others are wondering the same thing....Big weekend for many, including Mich. State, Ohio State, Nebraska, Texas, Virginia Tech, West Virgina and Miami.

No Nole Sticker Shock in 2012

Florida State Head Football Coach Jimbo Fisher was seen handing out Tomahawks to the ESPN Gameday Crew.



The Sunhsine Scooter can't get any love, and Desmond is living a dream.

The color and pageantry of college football begins this weekend.

Florida State is highly ranked again, and there will be no sticker shock in 2012. Go Seminoles!

Corso's Color and Pageantry

This past weekend, with the ESPN Gameday crew at East Lansing for the Wisconsin at Michigan State game to be played later in the evening, Lee Corso made his 200th heaadgear pick of the day. This has become tradition for us college football faithful, and part of the color and pageantry that makes this game so special. ESPN's Tom Renaldi takes a look back:



Corso, a former star at Florida State and head coach at Indiana and Louisville and our local Orlando Renegades of the World Football League among others, is a fixture on ESPN Gameday and gameday. Corso, who has battled back from a very serious stroke a few years back, is well loved from conference to ever changing conference.

Congratulations to Lee Corso for his 200th pick, his great success and for being such a well respected and beloved ambassador for the color and pageantry of college football and gameday in stadiums, sports bars and households across the fruited plain.

Top 25

Top 25

1. Louisiana State, 8-0, 3

2. Alabama, 8-0, 2

3. Stanford, 7-0, 4

4. Oklahoma State, 7-0, 5

5. Clemson, 8-0, 8

6. Boise State, 7-0, 7

7. Oregon, 6-1, 9

8. Oklahoma, 6-1, 1

9. Arkansas, 6-1, 10

10. Wisconsin, 6-1, 6

11. Nebraska, 6-1, 11

12. Michigan State, 6-1, 19

13. South Carolina, 6-1, 12

14. Kansas State, 7-0, 17

15. Virginia Tech, 7-1, 16

16. Texas A&M, 5-2, 13

17. Georgia, 5-2, 18

18. Michigan, 6-1, 20

19. Arizona State, 5-2, 21

20. Houston, 7-0, 20

21. Southern Cal, 6-1, 25

22. Texas Tech, 5-2, NR

23. Penn State, 7-1, NR

24. Florida State. 4-3, NR

25. Miami, 3-3, NR

OUT: West Virginia (15), Washington (25), Notre Dame (24), Auburn (14)

VOTES: West Virginia, Florida, Texas, Auburn, Washington, Baylor, Wake Forest, Southern Miss, Cincinnati, Syracuse, Ohio State and TCU.

Notre Dame welcomed in, as my friend Pete says, The University of Spoiled Children (USC) to South Bend for the annual intersectional rivalry, which I think of as a fight song game as both teams have top notch fight songs. Unfortunately, with Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath's Crazy Train playing between plays, it seemed like we were at concert. The Irish played like they were. This playing of rock songs, more often than not drowning out the marching bands, spreading like Kudzu across the country, is out of hand and needs to stop. Several teams have adopted the same songs as their in-game cheer. For example, Wake Forest and UCF both use Zombie Nation, among many others. Apparently, most fans like it but I do not and really would like to see it die a quick death. Meanwhile, Notre Dame got whipped on both lines of scrimmage and got pounded by Southern Cal.....Weather delays for lighting in neighboring counties is another example of political correctness running amok in college football, and it is unnecessary. I have been following the game for 40 years and the only lightning strike I recall hit Lee Corso's rental car in the parking lot at Blacksburg, Va in the 90's.....After an approximately 2 hour rain delay last evening, while OU was snoozing, Texas Tech was posting touchdowns in Norman. While the Sooners, down 31-7 at one point, mounted a comeback, it was much to little to late. OU seems to annually lose focus causing them to stumble along the way, and they are now likely out of national title conversations as anyone down at home 31-7 should be...Congratulations to one of the good guys, Case Keenum, of Houston, who is now the total yardage leader all time for NCAA college football.... Michigan State used a Hail Mary to steal a game from Wisconsin, who got out to a great start and had to rally to tie it before Sparty got it done.....Clemson is firing on all pistons offensively and is primed to run the table...Stanford blasted Washington in dominant fashion. The Huskies are stout on offense but have issues and youth on defense....UCLA got blasted at Arizona on Thursday, and just before the half a streaker wearing an officials uniform seemed to spark a bench clearing brawl. Not impressive behavior all around....Alabama was tied at home at the half on The Third Saturday in October with Tennessee while LSU was pounding Auburn, handing the Tigers the worst loss for a defending National Champion since Nebraska spanked Penn State in 1983, which is why LSU is now #1.....Syracuse looked great in dumping West Virginia....UCF, expected to get Big East invite, looked hapless losing at winless UAB....Ga Tech is disappointing again....Illinois is unmasked at Purdue.

Florida State looked pretty good in controlling Maryland, and while the Seminoles got plenty of work to do, they appear to be making progress and should be favored the rest of the way.

Nebraska dismantled Minnesota, but had some issues in doing so. Michigan State comes Lincoln next week, so we will find out if the 'Huksers are worthy of conference title conversations.

Doom of Debt Forecast

Now that bailout nation has turned into bailout planet, with President Obama pressuring German Chancellor Merkel to bailout Greece and scolding Spain on high debt levels, everything is fine. A quick check of the DOW and the NASDAQ shows all green. Life is good.

Where is Lee Corso? Not so fast my friend!

I recommend you give close listen to The Black Swan:



Nassim Taleb, author of The Black Swan, is alarmingly correct. All is not well. The markets are up because the US economy is doing better of late and companies are beating drastically lowered levels of earnings forecasts. And hey, throw a trillion dollars at the problems and you had better hope for some positive results.

The ban aid issued Greece will work in the short term, but the problems have not been fixed, and the expansion of debt obligations versus decreasing or stable income will shortly lead us right back where we started. Only, the next time, the list of those impacted in contagion will increase. Other PIIGS will be included, and Germany appears to recognize it. After all, PIIGS don't fly!

Certainly, the United States is not Greece. But, due to the incompetence in our current governance, if we find ourselves with a bankrupt Europe on our back, our financial status will rapidly decline. We are extremely vulnerable, and look no further than Wall Street last Thursday for confirmation.

There was no "fat-finger" or equipment malfunction when the DOW fell 1000 points in trading last week. There is no problem with Proctor & Gamble (PG:NYSE), who incidentally would be a place for investors to hide in such tumultuous markets. A major player(s) got out, and other mid to major players had algorithmic stop loss levels incorrectly positioned, thus triggering a cascading sell off. Once those in the know identified value in the market, buyers rushed in and leveled off the selling pressure at levels prior to the circus of events. But make no mistake, a seller of significant standing, not Aunt Mary and Uncle Bob, shifted investment from the equity markets into a safer position. Did you notice the rise in gold this week?

The socialistic blueprint in Europe is inefficient and is in collapse. It will not survive. For the Untied States, we should immediately take notice, by implementing no new legislation increasing entitlements, inclusive of the Cap and Trade bill. The health care legislation should be repealed and privatized, including student loans which somehow made its way into the bill. Spending must be slashed by 30% minimum, and if we don't take immediate action in this regard, perhaps this article can give you a glimpse of the future.

Unfortunately, the administration seems smitten with Cloward & Piven and appears to be intentionally trying to crash the system by overpowering it with entitlements. As Taleb said, the Obama team is likely not forecasting the future levels of risk properly, which is a problem of alarming magnitude. Clearly, you recognize the US government, and thus the taxpayer, cannot shoulder the immoral increase in debt and thus will collapse under incredibly excessive taxation. Then, no doubt, we will see civil unrest in our streets, and life as you knew it will be over.

Cash is King, at least until a measurement of anticipated outcomes (risk) indicates a very favorable November. It is up to us.

Top 25

College Football

Top 25

1. Florida, 7-0
2. Texas 7-0, 2
3. Alabama 8-0, 3
4. Boise State 7-0, 4
5. Cincinnati 7-0, 5
6. Texas Christian 7-0, 6
7. Louisiana State 6-1, 7
8. Southern Cal 6-1, 8
9. Oregon 6-1, 10
10. Oklahoma State 6-1, 11
11. Iowa 8-0, 12
12. Georgia Tech 7-1, 13
13. Penn State 7-1, 14
14. Virginia Tech 5-2, 15
15. Houston 6-1, 16
16. Utah 6-1, 18
17. Miami 5-2, 9
18. South Carolina 5-2, 19
19. Pittsburgh 7-1, 21
20. Ohio State 5-2, 22
21. West Virginia 6-1, 23
22. Ole Miss 5-2, NR
23. Notre Dame 5-2, NR
24. Oklahoma 4-3, NR
25. Arizona 5-2, NR

OUT: Texas Tech (20), Nebraska (25) and Brigham Young (17)

VOTES: Brigham Young, California, Clemson, Oregon State, Central Michigan and Michigan State.

UConn had to deal with the death of a teammate due to murder at West Virginia on Saturday. West Virgina's fans and team displayed quite a bit of class as they hosted, and defeated, the Huskies:


It appears Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford's career at Oklahoma is over due to injury, and that is unfortunate......Florida had quite a bit of trouble over at Miss State but Alabama was darn lucky to escape Tennessee.....Clemson outlasted Miami in a great game.....Nebraska's offense has gone missing, and since there is obviously nothing happening, the 'Huskers should start the Cody Green era immediately......USC got a hard fought victory against Oregon State, and given that, Cincinnati's victory over the Beavers looks better than once thought....LSU smothered Auburn.....Brigham Young was shut down by TCU, who looks good.....QB Christian Ponder is one of few bright spots for FSU....Nore Dame finally got a W versus Boston College....The Worlds Largest Cocktail Party is this weekend, and I will be watching....Iowa overcame a late deficit and won at Michigan State, another demonstration of the prevent defense preventing a team from holding a late lead....It has been over 35 years since my two teams, Florida State and Nebraska, have combined for so many losses this early in the season, which leads to a lot of beer drinking. I am trying to keep the faith as both still control their conference destiny, but the way it is looking, bowl season may find both as spectators instead of participants.

ESPN College Gameday is must see television, and I am thrilled Lee Corso recovered nicely from a stroke to come back this year. The show was pure comedy on Saturday, but Corso pushed the limit a bit with this commentary:

Later in the day, ABC color man and former Miami Dolphin Bob Griese, during a NASCAR promotion, inadvertently stepped in it in talking about #42 Target Chevrolet driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who incidentally, is a neighbor of Griese's down in Miami.

Not So Fast My Friend

Although there is blame to be had by both political parties, the blame game is getting quite nasty and if there were not an election imminent, the fight could be held off for a different day. Bush and the Republicans got improperly hammered for Hurricane Katrina (what part of evacuate NOW was not understood?) and now the catalyst of this financial crisis seems to be being dumped on the GOP as well. As ESPN's Lee Corso would say from beautiful downtown Orlando, "Not so fast my friend!" Unfortunately, given the accusations flying around, the gloves must come off right now.

Former President Bill Clinton discussed the other day how Congressional Democrats blocked his efforts to regulate Fannie and Freddie during his administration. The far left has little use for Clinton unless it is of some benefit to them, which is really mind boggling if you think about it. Presidents Clinton and Bush, as well as GOP nominee John McCain, are all on the record calling for action to stop this potential crisis.

This well done video is making the rounds on blogs from Powerline to Capm's Blog. It is well worth an investment in your time as the well documented information presented is critical in your decision making process in the upcoming election. Have at it!