The Sugar Bowl Wasn't all that Sweet

Don't get me wrong, it was a great game to watch, filled with pendulum-like momentum changes, sorrow, heartbreak, joy, anxiety, cocky, privileged athletes, and of course a sweater vest. I had absolutely no problem with what happened on the field last night in New Orleans. It was the off-field shenanigans and hypocrisy that I am upset about. Let's go back to the beginning, Quentin Tarantino-like, and set the stage for my grievance(s).

In June 2010, the NCAA lowered the boom on the University of Southern California for "lack of institutional control" stemming from the Reggie Bush improper benefit saga. You all know the story; the Trojans were penalized big time for their egregious infraction. They were banned from post season play for 2 years, gave up 30 scholarships, and had to forfeit their 2004 National Championship. Bush voluntarily forfeited his Heisman Trophy so as to prevent the huge mess and headache that would ensue if the trust were to try and take it from him. A precedent was set.

We all thought the governing college sports body was setting an example. Yet here we are two-plus years later and the NCAA is allowing players and schools to get away with murder. Cam Newton played the "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" card and let his dad take the fall for a pay-to-play scheme. I cannot stand to see that huge grin on Newton's smug face, knowing that there was an obvious violation from his camp and yet he is still allowed to play. I have already stated my case for the utter ridiculousness of the situation, so there is no need to rehash it here. The point is there was a huge loophole that was found through the Cam and Cecil Newton case that shouldn't have been there in the first place. All of the sudden the serious, sheriff-like, punishment-dealing NCAA that ate USC's lunch became the soft, docile, lenient person who wants to be cool with their friends and therefore gives them what they want, even at their own expense. The NCAA ruled that because Cameron was not aware of the transgressions of his father, then he was not in violation and therefore was allowed to play (even though initially they ruled him ineligible). Think about it this way-Any cash or sustenance that his dad received would directly benefit Cameron, i.e. purchasing needed school supplies, books, food, clothes, helping pay rent, spending money, and/or transportation. Therefore, they are improper benefits, regardless of who is directly receiving them.

Next came tattoo gate. Five of Ohio State's top players were getting free or cheap tattoos in exchange for autographs and memorabilia. Not just that, but quarterback Terrelle Pryor and a few others had sold their Big 10 championship rings and some gold pants (that they receive for beating Michigan). Read all about it here. Remember, Georgia's star wide receiver A.J. Green was suspended for the first four games of this season for selling a game-worn jersey. Here's where things get tricky. To stay consistent, the NCAA suspended Pryor, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams, and Solomon Thomas for five games. Great. The problem is they were still allowed to play in the Sugar Bowl last night. In other words, the suspension was suspended until the beginning of the season next year. What? There were obvious violations that these Buckeyes were involved in and yet they were still allowed to play in the biggest game of the season? Asinine. The reasoning behind the delay in suspension is "the acknowledgment the student-athletes did not receive adequate rules education during the time period the violations occurred." Right...

Here's the deal-Had the Buckeyes not been in a BCS Bowl and had Auburn not been in contention for the National Championship, the NCAA would have dropped the hammer on both of those teams much like they did the USC Trojans in 2008. There is a clear double standard here. Kevin Lennon, the NCAA's vice president of academic and membership affairs, has no problem penalizing players and teams for violations that took place a long time ago, when those players are no longer at the university in question. But if it's a current situation where him and his college governing entity are at risk of losing money, they go easy or delay the consequences. Everything is done in a way that will benefit them and their cash-cow sport. That is what has me so upset.

I know that had Arkansas won last night, they would have wanted to do it against a prepared and full strength Ohio State team. The Razorbacks would have rolled easily if their opponent had been missing those 5 key players. Then the NCAA would have had another Fiesta or Orange Bowl snoozer on hand with a lopsided score and the audience tuning out by halftime. There go the ratings. The NCAA can't afford that, nor did they want to even risk it. The game was very entertaining and for that I am happy, but knowing the sketchy NCAA-allowed condition of some of the players involved taints the overall feeling and joy of such a contest. I don't have an answer for this, but how do the Arkansas players feel about it? If the anti-playoff BCS system is already robbing fans of a true college football championship experience, then the NCAA and their double standards are polluting the best part of the sport. The only thing that we have left to call our own are those glorious fall and winter Saturdays, sitting on the edge of our seats, living and dying by the on-field, in-game successes and failures of our favorite team, letting the amateur kids decide the winner, all for the love of the game. I don't know about you, but I have no desire to let the NCAA take that away from us.

Weekend Picks, 4th Edition (7th Week of the Season)

We are now looking at nothing besides WAC conference games and therefore my total number of contests to pick weekly is very low. Therefore, in order to have a larger post (and possibly to pad my stats by giving myself a better chance to get more right), I am going to choose some other match ups across the country and pick them as well. The game of the week has to be Nevada at Hawai’i. My decisions on other games will be based on what I think are interesting games and maybe teams that I like. Either way, there are some contests from which I must choose winners, so let’s get going!

Saturday, October 16 at 2 PM.

3-2 (0-0 WAC)
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2-4 (1-1 WAC)

The Vandals are coming off of a bye week and will be refreshed, healthy, and excited to get back in action. At 3-2 and with bowl aspirations, they cannot afford to throw away any games that they are supposed to win. This week is one of those games. By all means Idaho has the better team, better players, and has been more consistent. They have somewhat struggled away from the comfy confines of the Kibbie Dome. However, they exercised their road demons against Western Michigan in their last game. Quarterback Nathan Enderle needs to stop throwing the ball to the other team in order for the Vandals to maintain success. On the other side of the field, the Bulldogs are coming off of an overwhelming upset of the Utah State Aggies. Their stats seem to be getting better as they have settled on Ross Jenkins handling the ball. But the big story is running back Lennon Creer tearing up the Aggies defense. Unfortunately for Louisiana Tech, Idaho is more consistent and a better squad than Utah State. They should pick up their second consecutive road victory of the season.
Prediction: Vandals 38, Bulldogs 21

Saturday, October 16 at 8:30 PM

1-4 (0-1 WAC)
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3-2 (1-1 WAC)

The Aggies are riding high after finally winning a game this year. It was even sweeter as they triumphed over in-state rival New Mexico. Coach DeWayne Walker inserted freshman Andrew Manley at quarterback to spark his team to life. It worked as Manley lead his squad down the field for a game winning drive that ended in a field goal. The defense is still bad, but so is that of the Lobos. However, Fresno State is not New Mexico. Plus the Bulldogs are ready to go Hulk on their next opponent after getting smoked by Hawai’i at home last weekend. The Bulldogs have gotten away from what has traditionally been their identity; the running game. The offense has been Ryan Colburn pass-happy. I think the issue is that they don’t have a physical Ryan Mathews-like back to run through the middle. Expect Pat Hill to balance out the offense with a few more rushes against a poor Aggie defensive front. At home and with a lot to prove, Fresno State should win this game pretty easily.
Prediction: Bulldogs 42, Aggies 17

Saturday, October 16 at 9:30 PM

6-0 (1-0 WAC)
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4-2 (2-0 WAC)

All of the sudden this one appears to be much more of a contest than what we expected at the beginning of the season. Nevada had a poor performance at home against San Jose State last weekend and will need to be a lot sharper if they want to take this one. I think they will be. Hawai’i has a poor defense and “Bird Leg” Kaepernick will be able to expose it using the zone read. Vai Taua will have another big game. As poor as the Rainbow Warrior’s secondary is, there will be some passes flying through the humid island air on Saturday night. At first thought, this game looks like a shoot out. In many ways it will be; there will be plenty of points scored. But Nevada has an OK defense this year and should be able to at least slow down QB Bryant Moniz and his group of outstanding receivers. A few turnovers one way or the other could be the difference in this contest. I think Nevada has enough defensive pride to not let there season be spoiled this early.
Prediction: Wolfpack 45, Rainbow Warriors 35

Saturday, October 16 at 6 PM
The moment of truth!

5-0 (1-0 WAC)
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1-5 (0-1 WAC)

Historically San Jose has been an extremely tough place for the Broncos to play. Whether it’s Ian Johnson puncturing a lung or a tougher than normal Spartan defense forcing some Kellen Moore turnovers, San Jose State has been able to give Boise State all that it could handle. Remember the first Fiesta Bowl year when it took a late touchdown, an amazing catch on a two-point conversion, and a field goal as time expired for the Broncos to leave with the W? That will not be the case this year. This is a different Spartan team and a different Bronco team. They have gone in opposite directions. Coach Mike MacIntyre is in his first year as head coach and it has been rough. The Spartans have been decimated by injuries and rank dead freaking last in the nation in points scored per game. They average 10.3 a game. That is not enough to beat anybody. Quarterback Jordan LaSecla has played poorly and it is possible that MacIntyre may start looking for something different at that spot. At the same time the defense gives up almost 32 in each contest. Kellen Moore and his offensive line are unstoppable. They have only given up one sack and are reading and picking up blitzes perfectly. Plus Moore has gotten really proficient at disguising plays and who actually has the ball. As new wrinkles are added weekly (i.e. the “Wild Avery” that netted three touchdowns last week), the Boise State offense is nearly impossible to stop. On the other side of the ball, I contend that there is not a better starting front four in the nation than Baker, Winterswyk, McClellin, and Winn. They are ferocious and are racking up sacks and tackles for loss week in and week out. The one weakness of the defense has been the secondary. Kyle Wilson played a huge role that has not been completely filled yet. Still, they will get better as the season speeds ahead. Basically what I am saying is that San Jose State stands absolutely no chance of beating the third ranked Broncos. This will be a different game than it has been at Spartan Stadium in years past. It will get ugly fast and crescendo into a lopsided score-fest in favor of Boise State only paralleled by the events of two weeks ago in Las Cruces. It may even eclipse that. There is just too much fire power for the boys from Boise and not enough talent, wit, smarts, desire, or attitude to counter. The Broncos could play the worst game of their lives and it wouldn’t matter. I would be surprised if Boise State is not ahead by at least 21 points after the first quarter. It’s too bad San Jose State is having a down year; the WAC desperately needs quality competition. It won’t get it from the Spartans.
Prediction: Broncos 55, Spartans 7

Bonus Picks:

Thursday, October 14 at 5:30 PM

4-1 (1-1 Big 12)
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2-3 (0-1 Big 12)

The Wildcats are coming off of a disappointing loss at home to Nebraska. Not only did they lose, they barely fielded a competitive team out there, getting pummeled 48-13. It was surprising because it counted for their first loss of the season. For the Kansas State offense, they don’t pass the ball very well with Carson Coffman at quarterback. Running back Daniel Thomas is the bulk of their offense, having scored 6 touchdowns already. Kansas has appeared in my weekend picks before when they smoked New Mexico State 42-16. But the Jayhawks have been very up and down this year. Baylor owned them last weekend in Waco, but yet they beat a ranked Georgia Tech team early on in the season. There are problems all around. They can’t pass, run, or defend very well. Even though this game is at home, I don’t think Kansas has what it takes to pull off the upset over an angry Kansas State squad.
Prediction: Wildcats 28, Jayhawks 20

Saturday, October 16 at 1:30 PM

4-1 (1-1 SEC)
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6-0 (3-0 SEC)

Arkansas comes into this game having only lost once to the former number one team in the nation Alabama. They threw the game away with some ugly late interceptions. Still, quarterback Ryan Mallett is one of the top players in the nation and can do some damage with a group of great wide receivers. The offensive fault is their run game, which has not been very well thus far. Defensively, they rank 13th in the nation only giving up 15 points a game. They will have to be at their very best to win this contest. Auburn’s quarterback Cam Newton is well on his way to New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation. He probably won’t win it, but he will have earned it by his great play this season. His offense scores almost 37 points a game and is relentless. However, the Tigers’ defense has not been on par. Giving up 22 points a game will catch up to you eventually in the tough SEC. I think that this is the game that it happens. Still, why do I get the feeling that I am guessing this one totally wrong? Let's hope my upset special mojo is still alive!
Upset Special!
Prediction: Razorbacks 24, Tigers 21

Record coming into this weekend: 22-7

Make sure you come back tomorrow and catch my player to watch for Boise State’s game against the San Jose State Spartans!