The Right Decision

Many young men are coming face to face with the decision of a lifetime, one which will no doubt play a very significant role in their future. Although I don't usually like the decision, more often than not, the young men are making the right call.

Although I am a casual Major League Baseball fan, college football is my sport, a sport losing several potential All America type players to the hardball. In fact, it seems my teams, Florida State and Nebraska, were sent on a MLB caused coordinated slide.

It appears it all began when Nebraska signed a player from Houston Jefferson Davis to a national letter of intent, who was a first round MLB selection. Carl Crawford is now among the top players in Major League Baseball, moving this past year from the Tampa Bay Rays over to the Boston Red Sox. Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke, signed by Florida State out of Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, MN, spent six years with the Toronto Blue Jays before returning to Florida State and winning the national championship and playing half a decade in the NFL. The Seminoles were stung again when three sport superstar Joe Mauer, remarkably out the same high school as Weinke, never enrolled at FSU, rather becoming the top player on the MLB diamond as a catcher with the hometown Minnesota Twins. While Weinke was never close to achieving the success of Crawford or Mauer on the diamond or in terms of financial compensation, he earned a nice financial foundation playing minor league ball, and post FSU in the NFL.

This year, another decision had to be made. Enter Bubba Starling, a top rated signal caller, who signed with Nebraska although he was certain to be a top draft pick in baseball. Starling was highlighted in a piece by Sports Illustrated earlier this spring. Take a look:



Like Mauer, Starling was selected by his hometown team, the Kansas City Royals, as the fifth pick in the draft. Football at the University of Nebraska or a big paycheck and a chance to play for years with the Royals, significantly lessening the chance of a career ending injury.

As you may suspect, although I think Starling really wanted to play pigskin with the Big Red, he signed on with the Kansas City Royals, reportedly signing a deal worth a guaranteed $7.5 million. Starling made the right decision no doubt. Most 'Huskers are also Royals fans, myself included, and the Royals future is bright as they have a fine young team that will no doubt be enhanced by the skills Starling possess. Starling will be joining Alex Gordon, the NCAA National Player of the Year as a senior baseballer at Nebraska in the Royals outfield.

I join Nebraska Coach Bo Pelini and Cornhuskers nationwide in wishing Bubba Starling all the best. Say Hi to George and Go Big Red!

Rumbling in the Heartland

Sarah Palin is laying the groundwork for an unconventional presidential run, one that will shatter the pundits wisdom on how to get elected. America is clamoring for an outside of Washington common sense leader who can put to work the entrepreneurial spirit of the American people and unleash the economic firepower of this proud nation.



America the beautiful. Heck Yeah and Right On!

College Football 2011 Preseason Top 25

As we embark on the 2011, the college football landscape has been drastically altered since we kicked off a year ago. The long arm of the NCAA law reached far and wide, which has North Carolina and Ohio State with interim head coaches. But far more meaningful was conference realignment, ushered in by the arrogant actions of The University of Texas, which led to departures from the Big XII as Colorado goes to the Pac 10 (now the Pac 12 with Utah also coming aboard) and Nebraska moving to the Big Ten. It will be interesting. Last fall, although we did note it was the type of season for someone under the radar to get in the title mix, we had our worst season in recent memory nailing the top contenders. We were not alone. Again this year, there is not a clear favorite and someone could sneak out of the pack as Auburn did a year ago, perhaps Texas A&M? As we tighten up the chin strap, it will once again be exciting season. Please feel welcome to use the comment link to give us your thoughts.

PRESEASON TOP 25

1. Oklahoma
Oklahoma looked primed to play for the title last season, but they got a bit complacent and let Mizzou and the Texas Aggies get the best of them. This season, behind a veteran team loaded with skill position talent, OU is the favorite. Landry Jones leads an offense ready to score points a plenty. Jones will operate behind a veteran line, and has Ryan Broyles is back as among the most prolific wideouts in the country to throw to. OU is excited about frosh Brandon Williams at running back, along with Roy Finch. OU may now have some defensive weakness. LB Austin Box tragically passed away in the offseason, and fresh into fall camp All America OLB Travis Lewis may now miss half the year with a foot injury. Even so, OU is stout up front behind Ronnel Lewis while Tony Jefferson is All Big XII at rover. If OU wins at Florida State as a favorite, all they need to do is knock out Oklahoma State on the road to play for the title.

2. Alabama
If only a proven signal caller returned for the Crimson Tide. As such, two talented players are fighting it out to lead the Tide, AJ McCarron and Phillip Sims. While Mark Ingram and Julio Jones are gone, BAMA returns Trent Richardson at running back to run behind a very talented and seasoned offensive line. Marquis Maze gives whoever wins the QB job a fleet target to fire to. Defensively, BAMA is smothering. Josh Chapman anchors the front, allowing for the outside and inside linebacking crew to wreak havoc, and that they will. Courtney Upshaw is a beast, while Donta Hightower is an All America inside. The Tide has the best secondary, with All America candidates Dre Kirkpatrick and safeties Robert Lester and Mark Baroon lurking about. This is shutdown central. Can the young signal callers grow up before that SEC schedule gets tough? A up and coming Arkansas team awaits in week 4, followed by a trip to the Swamp. If BAMA is vulnerable, it is early.

3. Florida State
Florida State may be a year away, but make no mistake; the Seminoles are back. Florida State will ride its swarming defense while the offense develops a balances arsenal of firepower. DE Brandon Jenkins, who lived in opposing backfields a year ago, could lead the nation in sacks. A bevy of young but stout defensive lineman give FSU a large rotation up front, while Nigel Bradham cleans up. The secondary is very good, with Xavier Rhodes and Greg Reid at the corners and LaMarcus Joyner at safety. Several young players, including incoming freshman Karlos Williams, give the Seminoles a talented depth chart in the defensive backfield. EJ Manuel, who Jimbo Fisher raves about, will take over at quarterback for FSU, but he is a former Gator Bowl MVP and has extensive playing time in big games. Chris Thompson leads a running back by committee for the 'Noles and a slew of receivers are ready to shine, including Rodney Smith. If Manual can excel early while younger talent develops, FSU will get better each week and will be among the nations best at the end of the season. If the 'Noles come out of the gate strong and upset OU in Tally early, provided FSU wins a tough road trip at Clemson the next game, a spot in the national title game will be there for the taking.

4. Louisiana State
Now that things have settled up in Ann Arbor, LSU Coach Les Miles can focus on winning, and the National Title is the goal. LSU served notice for 2011 by thrashing a good Texas A&M team in the Cotton Bowl behind a strong performance by QB Jordan Jefferson. If Jefferson sees the field like he did picking A&M apart, look out. LSU returns eight offensive starters. The Tigers are always stingy on defense, and although the loss of CB Peterson will hurt, the Bayou Bengals will still be tough against the pass behind Morris Claiborne. They do have to replace the line, but the talent is there. LSU kicks everything off against Oregon, and a win there could propel them to great things. A road tilt at powerhouse Alabama in October will determine who is King of the SEC.

5. Oregon
Fresh off a tough loss to Auburn in last years National Championship game, The Quack Attack have officially arrived. The prolific offense is firing on all cylinders and opponents can hardly keep up. With multi-task talented signal caller Darron Thomas back, flanked by All America tailback LaMichael James, what could derail the Ducks? For starters, the NCAA is snooping around, and that lingering problem can take a mental toll. On the field, both lines have been depleted. Skill positions are not a problem for Oregon, and the defense is led by All America corner Cliff Harris. With a couple breaks, Oregon could return to the BCS title game, but they face LSU early, a team that has speed and will make you pay if you are weak on the interior. They do travel to Stanford, a fine football team for sure. Oregon is very good, but it is in the trenches where they will fall just short.

6. Stanford
Stanford had a stellar season a year ago behind exceptional signal caller Andrew Luck. The season culminated with a thumping of Va. Tech in the Orange Bowl. Shortly after that, Coach Jim Harbaugh bolted over to the 49ers, but Luck did not go the NFL and returns to carve up Pac-12 defenses. The Cardinal will score plenty, and have a sound running game to compliment Luck, with tailback Stephan Taylor, who ran for 1137 yards in 2010. Only two starters return up front, but both, Jonathan Martin and David DeCastro, are All Pac 12 at a minimum, with DeCastro getting All America recognition from numerous media outlets. Stanford has a very strong secondary, no doubt partially due to defending Luck in practice, led by CB Delano Howell. Only one starter returns up front for the 3-4 defensive scheme the Cardinal employ, with two linebackers returning. Stanford misses upstart Arizona State, plays at USC and gets Oregon and Notre Dame at home, so the schedule could be much worse. Luck can carry this team far, but likely not all the way to a BCS Championship. Then again, who was sitting around four years ago and thinking they would mention National Title and Stanford in the same sentence?

7. Nebraska
Behind an exciting fleet of foot quarterback, Nebraska seemed poised for big things a year ago. But Taylor Martinez got shut down by Texas, and then got hurt during a blowout of highly ranked Missouri, and the wheels fell off offensively for the Big Red. Even still, Nebraska almost beat Oklahoma in the Big XII title game, but then went to the Holiday Bowl and laid an egg versus Washington, a team they crushed earlier in the year. Martinez is back, and the offense has been revamped to fit his style of play better. T-Magic could be a special player. Rex Burkhead is back at running back while Brandon Kinnie at wideout and tight end Kyler Reed are weapons in the receiving game. The Blackshirts will be nothing short of smothering. Jared Crick is a beast up front, Lavonte David from Miami Northwestern is a record setting tackler and Alfonzo Dennard looks like a top draft pick at cornerback; all three All Americans. Nebraska enters the Big Ten this year, and the schedule is very tough. But, with Ohio State staggering from the off the field issues, Nebraska must win at Wisconsin and the Big Ten title is theirs. But don't worry, who is the real Big Red? Nebraska is, by far.

8. Texas A&M
Mike Sherman began his coaching career in Aggieland by suffering an 18-14 loss at home to Arkansas State in 2008. He was lucky to retain employment after that. However, since that time, look what has happened. A&M, after finally deciding on a seemingly divisive quarterback battle, settled in on Ryan Taneyhill and as the defense grew stronger, A&M became a top ten team. The Aggies will be potent on offense this year behind Taneyhill, a veteran line and All America tailback Cyrus Gray, a Heisman dark horse who ran for 1133 yards a year ago. Although superstar linebacker Von Miller is gone, The Wrecking Crew remains as nine starter return on the stop side. Garrett Williams had 112 stops a year ago, and behind him, big things are expected defensively. The Aggies won six in row to close the year, dumping OU and Nebraska before falling to a very strong LSU in the Cotton Bowl. With Oklahoma State coming to College Station, a road contest in Norman could be the only contest late in early November is the only contest A&M figures to be an underdog. Gray and Taneyhill are the real deal, and so is the defense, so look out.

9. Oklahoma State
The Pokes were poised to make a title run two years ago but faltered. Last season, they were expected to take a step back but behind talented signal caller Brandon Wheeden, Oklahoma State was a solid top 15 team all year. This year, much of the firepower returns, including All America wideout Justin Blackmon. For OSU to take the next step, it will need to step up the defense. S Markell Martin provides them with a ball hawking player to build around. The kicking game is always above average and The schedule has any early trip to emerging Texas A&M but finds OU visiting Stillwater at seasons end.

10. Boise State
For those thinking the Broncos will disappear in the night from the national stage, think again. After holding on to take out Va. Tech to start the season, the Broncos were flying high until a decent Nevada team upended them. Much of that team is back, including All America quarterback Kellen Moore. Moore has Doug Martin, who ran for 1598 in obscurity last fall and three lineman back. The wideouts are new, but Moore is the most accurate passer in the country. Defensively, BSU is very tough through the middle, but they are green in the secondary. The Broncos travel to Atlanta to take on a Georgia team with plenty to prove, so that will be a tough game. After that, only home games with Nevada and TCU can stop the undefeated season.

11. South Carolina
The Gamecocks elevated their game, and took advantage of down years at UGA, Florida and Tennessee to capture the SEC East last year, no small task. South Carolina will be the favorite again this year, with 14 starters back and some very talented skill players. Marcus Lattimore, All American as a workhorse freshman running back last fall, is back ready to improve his numbers. Stephen Garcia, if he can stay focused and out of the doghouse, can be great, and throwing to All America standout Alshon Jeffrey will not hurt. All SEC Corner Stephen Gilmore leads a defense with several good players, and throw in top recruit Jadeveon Clowney at DE, and this unit could be special. Don't think they leave Atlanta with the title but they will be there.

12. Arkansas
Arkansas broke out last season, losing to Alabama, National Champion Auburn and Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl, beating LSU along the way. Although talented signal caller Ryan Mallet is gone, Tyler Wilson is ready to direct Bobby Petrino's high octane offense. Greg Childs and Joe Adams are playmakers on the outside, so even with a young line, expect points. The Razorbacks were better than you think on defense a year ago, are decent up front and at linebacker, so they will be stout. Arkansas must travel to Alabama and LSU, faces Auburn, South Carolina and Miss. State at home and goes neutral against upstart Texas A&M. It looks like 3 losses for sure, but Arkansas is a good football team.

13. Wisconsin
On an annual basis, Wisconsin produces a punishing rushing attack, and with a stable of stellar backs and experienced line, this season will be no different. The Badgers lost their talented signal caller, but scored huge in reeling in former NC State standout Russell Wilson. Wilson, booted from the Wolfpack for not giving up baseball, is primed to take over and he is nothing short of a playmaker, which will give the Badgers a dimension not previously seen up there. Antonio Fenelus is a top corner, the line is strong and if linebacker Chris Borland is ready, the defense will be fine. With the trouble at Ohio State, the Badgers win the Leaders Division and get a second crack at the other Big Red, Nebraska.

14. Virginia Tech
Tech is looking to replace Tyrod Taylor at quarterback, and Taylor was a real playmaker. Logan Thomas takes over, and the coaches say he is ready to go and have trouble containing their excitement about him. As usual, Tech will have a strong running game with experienced backs behind a seasoned line. Jarrett Boykin is All ACC at wideout. Tech suffered losses on the stop side, but is always stingy on defense. Corner Jayron Hosley is All America. Clemson and Miami are at home, and a trip to Atlanta for Ga. Tech is the toughest road tilt, so although the 'Hokies will be down a bit, they could be undefeated playing Florida State in the ACC title game, which they will lose.

15. Notre Dame
I always found it amusing for the preseason annual to throw Notre Dame in the mix in an effort to sell magazines. This year is no different, and while Athlons may be out of their mind placing the Irish sixth, there is little doubt Notre Dame is a top twenty team. Sixteen starters return, eight on both sides of the ball. Brian Kelly found the Irish offense in fair shape when he arrived, but the Irish made strides on the stop side a year ago. Although more production is necessary at quarterback, the offense could be very strong, particularly if WR Michael Floyd is focused. Junior linebacker Manti Te'o leads the defensive unit. The schedule is always challenging, but if you believe in Brian Kelly, this team has the tools to have one of the best seasons in recent memory.

16. Texas Christian
Given all the talent TCU lost, you might be surprised to see them ranked, but you would also be surprised at the overall talent of this team. Andy Dalton is gone at quarterback, but Casey Pachall seems ready, and TCU offers a strong running game to help him grow along with returning both starting wideouts. Tank Carter leads TCU defensively from his linebacker position. The secondary has two strong senior players in Greg McCoy and Tekerrin Cuba lurking back there. The Horned Frogs are not the team they were a year ago, but they are good. The season starts at Baylor, which could be trouble, but get by that and only a late trip to Boise State seems to tall a task for TCU.

17. West Virginia
Bill Stewart seemed to be resigned to the fact that this season would be his last as HC in Morgantown with Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen coming in as OC to take over next year. This messy arrangement already has blown up, and Stewart is gone. Certainly, one has to wonder how this effect the team, as no doubt, there are Stewart supporters miffed at how he was treated. If this can be put behind the team, the offense should sparkle under the leadership of All Big East quarterback Geno Smith. Smith can play, and although Noel Devine is gone at tailback, several talented runners remain, and a bevy of fleet footed receivers are back to stretch the field. So, the chains may be moving for WVU, but unfortunately, maybe on both sides of the ball. Bruce Irvin is set to have a big season on the end of the Mounties 3-3-5 defense, and although WVU has to replace three secondary starters, ball hawking cornerback Keith Tandy is back to build on his six oskies if 2010. The Big East title is wide open for West Virginia, a title run only actions by an administration could derail.

18. Georgia
Suspensions and injuries threw the Dawgs a curve ball right out of the gate in 2010, and they really never recovered, with the season culminating with an embarrassing bowl loss to Central Florida. The season has put popular Coach Mark Richt on the hot seat, and without significant success this fall, he could be unemployed as mediocrity won't work in Athens (although Vince Dooley was 8-3 central without Herschel). Georgia should be better, and with an experienced quarterback in Aaron Murray, the offense should be good. Murray has his high school teammate Orson Charles at tight end, and UGA welcomes highly sought after frosh Isaiah Crowell, who will be starting. Tavarres King is strong target for Murray as well, and he will need help as the big uglies find themselves. The Dawgs need to bite defensively, and are solid up front. Christian Robinson at backer and Brandon Boykin in the secondary will lead the Dawgs. Georgia has the best kicking game in the country, which will pay big dividends. Highly ranked Boise State visits right out of the gate (Atlanta, not between the hedges), providing quite an opportunity for the Junkyard Dawgs.

19. Ohio State
The Buckeyes were set to challenge for the national title with Terelle Pryor returning to lead a veteran team, then late last year a very troubling set of NCAA violations came to light. Liar Liar Vest on Fire, Jim Tressell is now out of work and Terelle Pryor is gone, and all that is left is suspensions and a team in turmoil. But, this is a veteran team still, and a talented one at that. Offensively, it will back to the basics, and it can start behind All America center and Orlando Edgewater product Mike Brewster. Tailback Daniel Herron is out for five games, points will be tough for a while. Only four starters return on defense, so it could be shaky early, particularly on the road in south Florida against the Hurricanes. Unknowns abound for the Bucks, but talent is there. At best, three losses for Big Nut and the Buckeyes.

20. Michigan State
Michigan State surprised many in 2011, spending much of the season ranked in the top ten and sharing the Big Ten title. Behind Kirk Cousins, a very efficient signal caller, points were not a problem. With standout back Edwin Baker and much of the receiving core returning, they will lite the scoreboard again this fall. In their losses a year ago, it was the defense that fell short, and the pounding Alabama gave them in the Capital One Bowl in lovely downtown Orlando may leave a loss of confidence. Yes, it was that bad. But MSU does return most of the D-lines and Johnny Adams is a ball hawking corner, so there is talent to work with. Cousins will carry the Spartans into bowl play, but they will not share the conference title in 2011.

21. Mississippi State
Former Florida assistant Dan Mullen is doing a fantastic job in Starkville, and the nation is noticing. Most thought he was bound for Gainesville after Meyer stepped down, but he a very good team coming back this fall, and if they were not in the toughest spot in College Football, a division with Alabama and LSU, they would be BCS bound. Even still, they may sneak in there. State returns each skill starter, and QB Chris Relf is better than you think. The line suffered losses, but Mullen has got talent now to turn to. All linebacking starters have departed, but while they welcome transfer linebacker Brandon Maye from Clemson, State is strong up front and in the secondary. The schedule is brutal, but Mississippi State will punch you right in the teeth.

22. Florida
The Gators seemed primed for a title run last year, even though they were breaking in a new signal caller. Almost immediately, even snapping the ball seemed difficult for the Gators. A tough loss here and there and the team came apart, with Urban Meyer actually stepping down for good this time. Will Muschamp comes over from Texas, and brings former Notre Dame coach Charlie Weiss in to run the offense. QB John Brantley will like what Weiss will be teaching, but does the rest of the talent on hand fit? The Gators are not short of speed, and speed kills, so expect Weiss to find a way to get Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps the ball in the open field. Florida had top recruiting classes and got the nations top ranked defensive tackles in recent years, and it is now time for Shariff Floyd, Dominique Early and Ronald Powell to emerge. Jon Bostic and Jelani Jenkins are good backers, but Jeremy Brown of Orlando Boone is the only returning starter in the secondary. The Gators must get to opposing quarterbacks, or it will spell trouble. Florida is regressing a bit while other SEC teams, and Florida State, are ascending, increasing the degree of difficulty in getting back to the national stage in the short term. But, this is the Gators, who always play tough defense and may find some offense under the new staff. A win over Alabama in The Swamp early could change the mental landscape of this team and jumpstart the Orange and Blue to the SEC Championship game.

23. Missouri
Tyler Gabbert was in line to take over for his brother directing the attack Mizzou, but over spring he got beat out and left. So, James Franklin is the man, and he some top targets to work with in WR TJ Moe and TE Michael Egnew, all behind an experienced line. The Tigers are stout on defense, particularly outside up front where Jacquies Smith and Brad Madison are set to tee off on opposing signal callers. The schedule is loaded with tough road games, which will keep Mizzou from advancing much higher.

24. Arizona State
With an eye opening 20 starters returning, Coach Dennis Erickson on the hot seat and some hot new uniforms, the stage is set for Arizona State to make some national noise. The Devils are stout on the stop side, behind All America linebacker Vontaze Burfict and the return of the entire linebacking core. Erickson settled in on QB Brock Osweiler, a high prized recruit who at 6'8'' can dissect defenses behind an experienced line. For the Devils, if not now, when. The new division is soft, a trip to Oregon is a loss but opportunities with Missouri and USC coming to Tempe early give ASU a springboard opportunity.

25. Texas
Outside of a big road victory at Nebraska, 2010 was a disaster for Texas, breaking a 10 year string of 10 win seasons. Problems became apparent early, as UCLA thumped Texas bad, and OU won the Red River War the following week. UT limped to a 5-7 finish, getting pounded by K-State and losing to Robert Griffith III and Baylor. In the offseason, the ego of the Texas brass decimated the Big XII, with Nebraska and Colorado leaving as Texas negotiated their own television network with ESPN. On the field for 2011, Mack Brown welcomes a slew of new assistants, and how this change works out is anyone's guess. Garrett Gilbert did not nail down the quarterbacking job in the spring and will battle a younger McCoy, Case, in fall camp. Fozzy Whitaker does return at running back. The Horns have some talent on defense, with Kheeston Randall up front, Emmanuel Acho and Keenan Robinson at linebacker and Blake Gibson at free safety. The annual tilt with OU is buoyed by a home date with Okie State and closing the season on the road at A&M. No BCS, but 8-3 and back to a bowl looks good.

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: Penn State, Auburn, Miami, Washington, Iowa, Clemson, USC, Houston, Central Florida, Michigan, Maryland and North Carolina.

ASCENDING: Texas A&M, Arkansas, Notre Dame, Central Florida.

DESCENDING: Miami, Iowa, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, NC State.

2011 Preseason All America Team

OFFENSE

WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
WR Alshon Jefferey, South Carolina
WR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma
TE Orson Charles, Georgia
OL Nate Potter, Boise State
OL Ryan Miller, Colorado
OL Michael Brewster, Ohio State
OL David DeCastro, Stanford
OL Kalechi Osemele, Iowa State
QB Andrew Luck, Stanford
RB LaMichael James, Oregon
RB Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina
RB Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M

DEFENSE

DE Brandon Jenkins, Florida State
DT Jared Crick, Nebraska
DT Billy Winn, Boise State
DT Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
DE Quinton Couples, North Carolina
OLB Lavonte David, Nebraksa
ILB Luke Kuechley, Boston College
ILB Donta Hightower, Alabama
ILB Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State
OLB Kenny Tate, Maryland
DB Jayron Horsley, Virginia Tech
DB Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska
DB Mark Barron, Alabama
DB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina
DB Chase Minnifield, Virginia

K Blair Walsh, Georgia
P Drew Butler, Georgia
KR Greg Reid, Florida State
NC Isaiah Crowell , Georgia

EDITORS NOTE: Oregon CB Cliff Harris (suspension) and Oklahoma LB Travis Lewis (injury) would have been selected on the All America Team.

EDITORS NOTE: Days prior to the release of the Preseason Top 25, severe allegations have hit The University of Miami program as detailed in the following Yahoo.com report. These allegations are off the chart, taking NCAA violations to a level not seen since the days of The Pony Express at SMU.

Prior to the release of this report, Miami had been ranked at 23. Upon learning of these allegations, the forecast for Miami no longer positions them as a Top 25 team. Below is the Miami write up, prior to the public release of the allegations:

23. Miami
Randy Shannon could not survive the lack of consistency visible at UM, so enter Al Golden, a solid but somewhat surprising hire. Golden did wonders at Temple, but this is Miami. Jacory Harris will likely be back under center, but he completes plenty of passes to the other team which ain't good. A strong running game, and UM has plenty of speedy backs, would help. Travis Benjamin is a fleet of foot target receiver. Defensively, UM is stout up front behind Marucs Forston. Sean Spence is All ACC while Ray Ray Armstrong is strong at safety. It seems UM lacks quality depth, so if Harris can't keep it together, this team could stumble. A trip to face a good Maryland team is worrisome, but a huge opportunity exists with a depleted Ohio State team coming to South Florida. If Miami can get by Maryland, pull this upset and fend off Kansas State, then they could set up a strong season. Although Miami could lose five of their first six, they won't and I think they could stumble at Maryland but rise up and take out Ohio State.

Spear It Fest 2011

The Seminoles kick off what should be a very strong season on the gridiron.

Look forward to having a few tall cool ones with everyone! Go 'Noles!

Walking Down Wrong Path

As discussion of the plan to form a super committee of members of Congress to make debt recommendations, I immediately thought that if such a committee were to be formed, it should be composed of business leaders, economists and budget hawks with common sense. As I contemplated the individuals I would place on such a committee, first to my mind was former Comptroller General David Walker.

Upon leaving government in 2008, Walker has been sounding the alarm bell about the dire financial condition Uncle Sam is in, including participating in the movie IOUSA. Walker served as President of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation until late 2010, when he left to form The Comeback America Initiative. The mission of The Comeback America Initiative as stated on their website is to promote fiscal responsibility and sustainability by engaging the public and assisting key policymakers on a non-partisan basis in order to achieve solutions to America's fiscal imbalances.

I have long respected David Walker and have appreciated his efforts leading the way in attempting to wake the American people up and working to form solutions. Upon learning of Walkers Comeback America Initiative, I thought this would be a fine organization to support given Walkers history and the imminent need for financial sanity in America.

As I was investigating CAI, the list of the Board of Directors I found to be very concerning. Walker has always operated from a bipartisan platform, but two members of the CAI board I find unacceptable as they operate against the very principles of free market capitalism and sound financial efforts to, as CAI's mission statement suggests, achieve solutions to America's fiscal imbalances.

In fact, these two Gentlemen I feel actively work against such initiatives.

Andy Stern, former President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), was at one time the most frequent visitor to President Obama in the White House. Workers of the world unite Stern, at the helm of SEIU, significantly contributed to bloating of entitlements which have put this country in a stranglehold. More troubling, on numerous occasions, Stern's SEIU operated as thugs, often violating the law. A mob of 500 SEIU thugs surrounded a Bank of America executive's home. No problem for Stern, who said "We took names. We watched how they voted. We know where they live." Glenn Beck has more:



It is time to fight the thugs, not have them serve on boards on how to fix the financial woes of our nation, woes through entitlements they push are central to the problem.

Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners, is a progressive champion of social justice and a spiritual adviser to President Obama. Wallis has described himself as a fan of Marxism and has openly called for the redistribution of wealth in society, stating this is what the gospel is all about. President Obama is making every effort to redistribute our wealth, to forgo charity and just take or steal money from those who have it and transfer it those in need under the premise of social justice. Glenn Beck has more:

Perhaps by having Stern and Wallis on the CAI board, Walker can keep his friends close and his enemies closer, but somehow I doubt that is what is happening. Although I remain supportive of David Walker, I will refrain from supporting his CAI effort as long as the board of directors is occupied by opponents of free markets and proponents of social justice, Marxism and wealth transformation. These are among the folks who are actively destroying this country from within through expansive and massive entitlements, and I am vigorous in my opposition to them.

Prime Time in the Canton Sky Line

The National Football League held its annual Hall of Fame Ceremony in Canton, Ohio last night, and among those inducted was Deion Sanders of Florida State University. It was nice to see former Seminole Defensive Coordinator Mickey Andrews in attendance. Sanders joins Fred Biletnikoff as the only Seminoles in the NFL HOF.

Without question, one of the most talented players I have ever seen, Deion was also known among those with a superior work ethic. Perhaps my favorite memory was on a rainy day up at Clemson, where prior to the world famous puntrooskie play, Deion stunned the home crowd returning a punt 76 yards for a touchdown.

Congratulations Deion! Great speech. Job well done!

Economic Catastrophe

Bahl's Blog calls for the immediate resignation of President Barack Obama and his entire economic team, who have attempted to transfer the wealth of this nation by subscribing to the Cloward and Piven theory and directing the American citizenry to economic ruin.

Free Market Capitalism, something the Obama administration is against, is the best path to prosperity. Unfortunately, we cannot wait until November 2012. Tonight, given his socialistic economic policies placing this country in great peril, President Barack Obama should immediately yield to sounder minds and step aside.

Epic Failure

The National Republican Senatorial Committee does not find the lack of shovel ready jobs entertaining, and in the following video ad, it is clear President Obama and his Progressive lemmings have their heads in the sand:



Anyone awake can seemingly conclude the Obama administration is a dismal failure at strengthening the economy and creating jobs. However, not only should you consider the unthinkable, you should come to terms with the fact that Obama has done a fantastic job.

The disconnect here is that most Americans think strengthening the economy, creating jobs and promoting liberty, prosperity and freedom is a worthy objective and one Obama aspires to achieve. For our President, it is not. Obama has stepped up to lead the parade of citizens who seek to destroy free market capitalism and America's exceptionalism.

Obama's policies seem against common sense, but the objective is to crash the system into a socialist structure with no escape. It is about the transfer of wealth, in the name of fairness for social justice. Punishing winners and rewarding losers.

In the aftermath of a very disappointing debt ceiling "crisis" conclusion, over at American Thinker, they are thinking the same way I am.. Cloward and Piven 2.0. Please follow the link to learn about a Cloward and Piven paradise, consume the thought and gather an understanding of that process. Once you understand the objective, past Obama administration decisions you thought made no sense will present you the path they are taking us.

Please see the following from ParanoidPerplexity:



As I said, given your objective is to implement the Cloward and Piven strategy, Obama is doing a fantastic job. If you value freedom, the prospect of this socialist eutopia is horrifying. In November 2012, it is liberty vs. tyranny. Run to your voting precinct, and pray you can still make a difference!

Dictator in Chief

Michele Bachmann claims Obama is a one term President. Sarah Palin called Obama a lame duck President. One thing is for sure, the negotiations surrounding the debt crisis has brought out the worst in President Obama, and his poll numbers are diving. While the President is in serious trouble and it may seem his presidency is becoming irrelevant, I fear this administration bears watching like never before.

President Obama claimed his intent to transform America. Michele Obama said Obama knew we would have to change our conversation, change our history and change our traditions. Along with the Progressives holding office, a complicit news media and the extremely lengthy tentacles of George Soros, they are closer than ever to pulling it off. Crashing the system Cloward and Piven style into a structured socialist system they have been busy constructing for decades is their goal.

America, asleep at the switch no doubt, is awakening to the extreme actions of the Obama administration. As Obama sits on the brink of launching this transformational change beyond the point of no return, the American public does not like what they see. But Obama is not going to back down quietly, his arrogance will not allow for it. And he has grander plans anyhow.

Even though Obama has been actively working around Congress from the beginning behind his slew of Czars and Cass Sunstein and is in defiance against Congress in the War Powers Act, his imperialist dreams would not allow him to formally sidestep Congress during the debt crisis en route to his own dictatorship. Or would they?



As appalled as I am by Obama's comments, the crowd cheering on the emergence of a dictatorship is unsettling to say the least. Are we in fact in danger of an Imperial Presidency? Indeed. Economist Jerry Bowyer and FOX News Andrew Napolitano discuss the possibility of Obama dodging the 14th Amendment. Take a listen.



While many have not been paying close enough attention, this type of behavior by Obama is not new. Authors Ken Blackwell and Ken Klukowski join Sean Hannity to discuss their book "The Blueprint". Blackwell explains Obama may perhaps only a Supreme Court Judge away from forcing this upon us. Take a listen:



America is in real trouble as freedom and liberty are at stake. It would be simple to say we are lacking leadership, but in reality we have an American impostor as Commander in Chief, an individual that does not see the fruited plain in the same way you and I visualize it. An economic neophyte, Obama is actively functioning to use economic destruction as the drive train in crashing the capitalist system, righting perceived wrongs through the transformation of wealth.

This action simply must be thwarted by any legal means possible. Backed by the TEA party, the Congressional Republicans are the only hope to block our demise. I pray they stand firm. May the words Ronald Reagan resonate the halls of Congress:

"It is time to reawaken this industrial giant, to get government back within its means, and to lighten our punitive tax burden. And these will be our first priorities, and on these principles, there will be no compromise".

As this debt ceiling negotiation plays itself out, keep a keen eye on the other hand as our President is boxed into a corner, a spot he is unfamiliar being in.

God & NASCAR Country

Christianity is being assaulted on a daily basis throughout the world. Just today, several large media outlets tried to tag the evil orchestrator of the Norway massacre a Christian. The left frequently mocks Christianity, and come this Christmas, we will hear the annual cries to take down those offensive nativity scenes.

Against all the negative backdrop, there is a safe haven: The thunderous tracks of NASCAR, where devotion to Christianity and Partiotism is celebrated. If you are offended, please feel welcome to carry you and your britches elsewhere. NASCAR is all about God & Country.

During each race, as part of the pre-race ceremonies, an invocation is presented. While the Sprint Cup Series took the weekend off, the Nationwide series took center stage last Saturday night at the running of the Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville Speedway.

During the evenings invocation, after thanking God for all the blessings, Pastor Joe Nelms went off on nothing short of a classic tangent. Take a listen:



GM Performance, Goodyear Tires, smokin hot chicks! Throw in a couple of cold ones the rolling thunder of the good ole boys and God Bless America indeed.

See ya at The Brickyard on Sunday!

@Speaker Boehner

Idiots At Large

Word on the so called street is that the Republicans are losing the debt ceiling debate in the public arena. The mid term elections last fall spoke volumes, so I promise you it is not the case.

It is not for the lack of trying. Not only are the Progressives (both parties) telling lies, but so is the uniformed media elites. Please see the following from MSNBC:



In fact, Rep. Brooks biography indicates he graduated from Duke University in three years with a double major in political science and economics, with highest honors in economics. I have a BS in Economics and trust me, it was not walk in the park.

Is the media uniformed, or are they actively promoting an agenda?

Ms. Brewer is notorious for breaking a heel on national television, but beyond this being priceless, it is all telling. Certainly she is accomplished, as her biography indicates she is a Remembrance Scholar and 1996 magna cum laude graduate of Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication and SU's Honors Program.

Since we can conclude she is not an idiot moonlighting as a cable news host, we come to the conclusion the media left is presenting an nonfactual case to the viewing public, all 360 of them, which violates the public trust in "news organizations".

For the left, winning the debate on the merits is not possible, so politicians join with their media partners to craft a false narrative that works well in in quick unchallenged sound bites. A recent example of this is President Obama declaring he had not been presented with a plan in terms of debt reduction (Ryan's Roadmap).

Unfortunately for them, while they may win battles along the way, the truth always wins the war. It is indeed time to stand in the light.

In this time of peril, many have been thinking of Ronald Reagan, and it may be that time once again. The Gipper had these liberals figured out many moons ago, and don't forget it.

Well, the trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant, but that they know so much that isn’t so. -Ronald Reagan

Boiling Tea

Through the actions of many elected officials on both sides of the isle over a long period of time, extended recklessly by the Democratic leadership of the Congress and a President bent on social justice through the redistribution of wealth, our country finds itself on the verge of financial ruin. In a stunning episode of arrogance, our President is playing politics, needlessly scaring our senior community and simply lying to the American people.

From the front page of the Monday edition of Investor's Business Daily:

"SHOW ME A PLAN in terms of what you're doing in terms of debt and deficit reduction," said President Obama at a White House news conference Friday. "If they show me a serious plan I'm ready to move even if it requires me to make some tough decisions.

In this small statement, we can learn just about everything we need to know at this critical time.

Backtracking for a moment, we recall President Obama and the Democrats had control of both Houses and the Presidency for 18 months, running up mind boggling debt. The Senate has not presented a budget during this period, and President Obama proposed a budget which increased the debt and was so extreme it got no support, from the Democrats!

The debt ceiling debate, which everyone pointed to as the first test of the Republican House after the mid terms last fall, appears to only have sneaked up on President Obama while he was playing golf and failing to create jobs.

Republican Congressman Paul Ryan recently released his Roadmap for Recovery, which detailed a plan to reign in the out of control spending, only to be insulted by a condescending President Obama in a press conference. In addition, Democrat Erskine Bowles joined former Republican Senator Alan Simpson on a bipartisan commission, who came up with recommendations Obama ignored. South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint has put forth "Cut, Cap and Balance" plan, which passed the House tonight 234-190. So, here are three plans, but I gather they are not considered serious by Obama, since they do not match the redistributive tax increasing wealth punishing route he prefers.

That the President is set to make some tough decisions demonstrates the level of arrogance in the White House. The President, along with Nancy Pelosi, has spent more than all other Presidents combined. See the following chart:

Having spent us into the stratosphere, the President is now willing to backtrack a few hundred million, which is almost meaningless. This over a decade time frame, long after we throw him and his arrogant incompetence out of office.

Many are concerned about a stock market collapse if we do not raise the debt ceiling. The same concerns were prevalent during the TARP debate. When an agreement went south, the market sold off hard. But TARP was the wrong decision. The market will not like Cut, Cap and Balance at first either, but after it, and our creditors, recognize we are taking the necessary steps to correct he problem, the market will rise after knowing the right long term decision was made.

Cut, Cap and Balance is the way to go. Reagan would be behind it in spades. How do I know?

Quoting The Gipper, "It is time to reawaken this industrial giant, to get government back within its means, and to lighten our punitive tax burden. And these will be our first priorities, and on these principles, there will be no compromise."

Sunday Night Song

Jack Wagner, best known for roles on General Hospital and Melrose Place and the Billboard #1 hit "All I Need", won his second American Century Investments Celebrity Golf Tournament at Lake Tahoe on Sunday. Wagner held off Dallas Cowboy QB Tony Romo, who has now finished second three years in a row. Wagner, who led from start to finish, also won in 2006.

To celebrate his win, our Sunday Night Song will be Wagner's 1985 #1 hit, All I Need! Good job Frisco!

No Compromise on Financial Principles

Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform, has all the sudden seemingly got everyone all fatootsed by ATR's Taxpayer Protection Pledge.

A few weeks back, my Uncle, a liberal Democrat to be sure, sent word of his displeasure, wondering how a Republican can sign a pledge to follow an individual or organizations wishes irregardless of current events? I am left bewildered by the thought of his ignorance of the extensive tentacles of George Soros.

Van Jones, the smooth talking former Obama Green Jobs Czar and a committed Communist, slams the pledge:

"There's nothing wrong with having an orientation that you are reluctant to raise taxes. That is not the problem. The problem is, when you surrender your judgement as an elected official who has taken an oath to the Americna people to a single individual and sign a separate loyalty pledge away from the U.S. Constitution, that says 'no matter what happens in my country I will never let America increase tax revenues.' I think that's wrong."

Jones is a smart guy and has a point, but in his actions diverts from his thought process as he is signed, sealed and delivered for Obama, who is arrogantly circumventing the Constitution on what seems to be a weekly basis.

Former President Bill Clinton has even joined the chorus of critics, no doubt in timely deliverance as the debt ceiling date of proclaimed apocalypse approaches. The Democrats are eager to go back to the tax levels of the Clinton years, but forget about the trillions of dollars of senseless entitlement spending both parties contributed to but has exponentially expanded under Obama and tyrannical regime.

What is all this actually about? CNBC's Larry Kudlow sits down with Norquist and former Senator Archer Davis (D:AL) to sort it out:



Kudlow has it right in his assumption.

As it turns out, I am against elected officials singing pledges of this sort. However, the Democrats screaming about this are disingenuous at best.

I am reminded of the Overton Window theory. The Obama administration has spent money with wreckless abandon for years but now seeks compromise by aiming to join Republicans in a bipartisan effort to slightly move back spending (grab a mile and give back a furlong) while hoping Republicans agree to slight revenue enhancements (tax increases) to help cover the costs of exponential expansion of entitlements.

Those sneaky Dems also hope they can create dissension in the GOP over this. For example, GOP 2012 candidate Michele Bachmann has thus far not signed Jim DeMint's Cut, Cap and Balance pledge. She may not, but I have no doubt where she stands, and will vote, on this issue based on her record.

Sunshine is the best disinfectant. There are Progressives on both sides of the aisle. Thanks to these anti capitalist elites, our country is heading toward insolvency which puts our basis of pursuing life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in jeapordy. They must be purged.

While I may not sign the ATR pledge, I will pledge to encourage that any Republican voting for any tax increases or to raise the debt ceiling without substantial victories will have a primary challenger.

It would serve all GOP members engaged in these discussions to hear the words of Ronald Reagan loudly!

"It is time to reawaken this industrial giant, to get government back within its means, and to lighten our punitive tax burden. And these will be our first priorities, and on these principles, there will be no compromise."

NO COMPROMISE!

Hawkeye on National Debt

The leader of the pack is right on target when it comes to thwarting the progressive movement who wish to further increase our national debt to continue to fund their entitlement projects.


Bachmann recognizes free market capitalism is the best path to prosperity.

Orlando Tragic

With news gathering organizations around the world looking on yesterday, a jury found Casey Anthony not guilty on all counts of murdering her adorable two year old daughter Caylee.

Normally, I would not be commenting on such stories, but with everyone from Nancy Grace to Geraldo Rivera lurking about town, I recognize this is a huge local event happening right here in Orlando, in neighboring zip codes to my homestead.

Although I am not an attorney and did not follow the case closely, (yes, I know, why make commentary?) it appears the State over-reached in the level of charges they prosecuted Casey on. That being said, while mostly circumstantial, the evidence the State of Florida presented establishes that is reasonable to conclude that Casey Anthony was at a minimum negligent in the care of a minor who turned up dead and was participatory in the dumping of the body.

It is truly a sad state of affairs concerning this dysfunctional family. I heard testimony in which Cindy Anthony perjured herself and George Anthony seemed to lose credibility each time he opened his mouth. However, they were not on trial.

Everyone on the street around here knows Casey was up to her little eyeballs in Caylee's death. Even though I hope Judge Belvin Perry, who is highly respected in these parts, throws the book at Casey, it appears she will be free to party about town this weekend. How sad!

Ultimately, she will get what she has coming. Of that, I have no doubt.

Shortly after Defense Attorney Jose Baez preached to us about the ills of the death penalty in his post trial media appearance, the winning legal team, in highly inappropriate behavior, was witnessed titling champagne at a celebration at a nearby restaurant in public view. Defense attorney Cheney Mason is reported to have given a handful of onlookers the finger.

Thanks to this crowd, a dead little girl gets no justice and the central figure in her demise, a negligent mother and now convicted liar, is free to roam the streets. An injustice to be sure in the tragic killing of a little girl in our community, and all the sensible residents of Orlando's Orange County know it.