Normally, Virginia football is the winner over North Carolina. Virginia Tech made it to the title game in 2000. Virginia has never made it to a title game, but sometimes will pop up in the top 25 and in a good year, the top 10. Neither have ever won a championship, but James Madison did win the Division I-AA Title in 2004.
Virginia: Tiki and Ronde Barber, Thomas Jones, D'Brickashaw Ferguson
Virginia Tech: Michael Vick, DeAngelo Hall, Kevin Jones, Bruce Smith
(For sanity, we're using UNC-Chapel Hill. When we get to basketball, I can't promise I include all the schools)
In football, North Carolina has never really been a powerful state. They have a lot of talent coming in, and with a new coach named Butch Davis who coached Miami through some of its great years, I expect them to become great sometime soon. Duke on the other hand has been miserable the last decade or so. I read up and learned that they were great earlier in the last century, going to a few Rose Bowls but not winning either. I was shocked to learn that Steve Spurrier was the coach in the late 80s. NC State is respectable in football, having a few great years as of late. But, they haven't won an ACC Championship since 1979. Becuase I mentioned JMU's title, Appalachian State won the last two I-AA titles (I was surprised Appalachian State is in North Carolina). This year, Wake Forest won the ACC Title.
Notable Players:
UNC: Lawrence Taylor, Julius Peppers
Duke: Sonny Jurgenson.
NC State: Torry Holt, Phillip Rivers, Adrian Wilson, Mario Williams
Basketball is nitpicking. Football in Virginia only wins becuase of the players they have in the NFL, basketball in North Carolina is just better. Much better. Way better.
North Carolina is legendary. With a coach like Dean Smith, it goes way back. An NCAA champion four times, they are at the top of the list of basketball programs. They have been continually getting great players to come though since Roy Williams came back, and are ranked highly this year again.
Notable players: James Worthy, Michael Jordan, Antawn Jamison
Duke is legendary. They are a 3 time champion. They have made the sweet 16 of the tourney for the last 9 years. They just had a streak of being ranked in the polls snapped at 200 weeks (since the 96 season). Their coach is even bigger, Krzyzewski. They're having a rough go of it this year, but hey, it can't last forever.
Notable players: Christian Laettner, Grant Hill, Shelden Williams, JJ Redick
NC State has a rich history, starting with coach Jimmy V, but has not been this year. They've made the tournament the last 5 years, but that streak is likely to end this year. They have 2 championships.
Wake Forest is usually a competitive team, with a few stars on the NBA circuit. 2006/7 hasn't been great (they lost to UNC by nearly 40 points earlier this year).
Notable players: Tim Duncan, Chris Paul, Josh Howard
Virginia isn't a great basketball state minus being a pioneer in the women's game at ODU. The Cavaliers have made a few Final Fours, but haven't gotten as far since the early 80s. Coaches Rick Carlisle and Ralph Samson played there for the final four teams. They have two great guards who make up one of the best backcourts in the NCAAs: JJ Reynolds and Sean Singletary. Virginia Tech has been nothing in basketball since they made the tourney in the mid 90s. This year they have Zabian Dowdell to eye. George Mason made the Final Four last year but only to lose to the champs. This year, though, if any team were to make it out of the CAA in Virginia it would be Old Dominion.
This year has been different, though. Virginia has beaten NC State twice, beaten Wake once with one to go, beaten Duke, and the lone loss to UNC. They are 2nd in the ACC. Virginia Tech has beaten Wake and Duke once, and beaten UNC twice. Its kind of strange, Virginia lost to Appalachian State (who is in NC, by 11), beaten NC State twice (by a combined 18 points), and lost by 27 to Virginia Tech. Tech has beaten Appalachian State (by 32) and lost to NC State by a combined 36 points. Just thought I should let you know what kind of crazy things are going on in my mind here.
After all that writing (for about 2 hours give or take), I'm just saying its a strange strange thing we're seeing here. And I'm loving it.
1.29.2007
Super Bowl Week
We know that feeling. The feeling that the media just won't leave it alone.
For whatever reason, the media (AKA, ESPN) feels we need extensive coverage of the Super Bowl. From the hotel the Colts are staying at to the exact time the Bears arrived at the airport. Honestly, it tears me up inside. I hate this week. Probably one of the worst weeks for sports during the course of the year (taking into account that the actual Super Bowl occurs next week, if we want to get technical).
I read in our newspaper that ESPN is giving us a grand total of 90 hours of Super Bowl coverage. What? 90? That's almost 4 full days of coverage on two teams. It blows my mind that they can actually take that much time talking about it and even more amazing that some people spend time watching it.
It isn't that we're getting hours of different stories, no. We're going to be getting the same ones over and over, for example:
Last year they were all over Jerome Bettis' last year and proper send-off. The year before -- yeah, TO. Some of "Holy Brady" in there, but not as much before the Super Bowl as you'd expect.
This year I expect a few things:
1. Peyton Manning - [dramatic voice]Will he ever win the big one??[/dramatic voice]
2. Lovie Smith - Is he going to leave to coach America's team?
3. Lovie Smith - How will he handle T.O. if he does leave for America's team?
4. Tony Dungy + Lovie Smith - Black supremacy. (Sorry, but after the 10th time hearing it, that's how it comes off.)
5. Rex Grossman - Is he really a QB, or is he just so bad he doesn't deserve that label?
I'm sure we'll get the occasional story about Tony Dungy's son who commited suidide last year, how Dungy left Tampa Bay and then they won, how quiet Marvin Harrison is, and how important Bob Sanders is for the defense of the Colts. As for the Bears, well, we're going to hear how the QB has to play well to win, the defense has to play well, and the special teams has to play well. Yeah. In order to win, you usually need to play well.
Another tip for the media: Lay off of the 2008 election, at least until we get to 2008. Hilary Clinton is a dip***. She's worse at flip-flopping than Kerry. "I supported the war back then, but if I knew what I know now, I wouldnt've supported it....President Bush actually put us in there. I was just doing my job incoherently and thought that even though he had support from everyone he might not've put us in there." Ummm, what? And about Barack Obama; lay off the hype. The media is dumb. "Here comes a black president! What we need!" ...30 minutes after that story airs... "He might be Muslim. He went to a Muslim extremist school. He's going to kill us." ...30 minutes after that, on ESPN... BREAKING NEWS!!!! Barack Obama is actually rooting for the Bears!
Bottomline, overhype is overkill. I'll watch some coverage on Sunday, but I'll be sleeping for the rest of the time. Granted, if my team were in it, I'd be more interested, but hearing the same stuff over and over is annoying.
For whatever reason, the media (AKA, ESPN) feels we need extensive coverage of the Super Bowl. From the hotel the Colts are staying at to the exact time the Bears arrived at the airport. Honestly, it tears me up inside. I hate this week. Probably one of the worst weeks for sports during the course of the year (taking into account that the actual Super Bowl occurs next week, if we want to get technical).
I read in our newspaper that ESPN is giving us a grand total of 90 hours of Super Bowl coverage. What? 90? That's almost 4 full days of coverage on two teams. It blows my mind that they can actually take that much time talking about it and even more amazing that some people spend time watching it.
It isn't that we're getting hours of different stories, no. We're going to be getting the same ones over and over, for example:
Last year they were all over Jerome Bettis' last year and proper send-off. The year before -- yeah, TO. Some of "Holy Brady" in there, but not as much before the Super Bowl as you'd expect.
This year I expect a few things:
1. Peyton Manning - [dramatic voice]Will he ever win the big one??[/dramatic voice]
2. Lovie Smith - Is he going to leave to coach America's team?
3. Lovie Smith - How will he handle T.O. if he does leave for America's team?
4. Tony Dungy + Lovie Smith - Black supremacy. (Sorry, but after the 10th time hearing it, that's how it comes off.)
5. Rex Grossman - Is he really a QB, or is he just so bad he doesn't deserve that label?
I'm sure we'll get the occasional story about Tony Dungy's son who commited suidide last year, how Dungy left Tampa Bay and then they won, how quiet Marvin Harrison is, and how important Bob Sanders is for the defense of the Colts. As for the Bears, well, we're going to hear how the QB has to play well to win, the defense has to play well, and the special teams has to play well. Yeah. In order to win, you usually need to play well.
Another tip for the media: Lay off of the 2008 election, at least until we get to 2008. Hilary Clinton is a dip***. She's worse at flip-flopping than Kerry. "I supported the war back then, but if I knew what I know now, I wouldnt've supported it....President Bush actually put us in there. I was just doing my job incoherently and thought that even though he had support from everyone he might not've put us in there." Ummm, what? And about Barack Obama; lay off the hype. The media is dumb. "Here comes a black president! What we need!" ...30 minutes after that story airs... "He might be Muslim. He went to a Muslim extremist school. He's going to kill us." ...30 minutes after that, on ESPN... BREAKING NEWS!!!! Barack Obama is actually rooting for the Bears!
Bottomline, overhype is overkill. I'll watch some coverage on Sunday, but I'll be sleeping for the rest of the time. Granted, if my team were in it, I'd be more interested, but hearing the same stuff over and over is annoying.
1.14.2007
#7 vs. #7 - A Sad End To A Good Career
I apologize for the poor quality of this piece. I'm not sure what happened to me. :)
1. Chris Gamble's pass interference call
2. Ted Ginn's hurt ankle during the celebration
There are a few images that last from each title game. These two last.
I can't be too upset, because the other one from the 2003 Fiesta Bowl would be Willis McGahee getting his knee torn up by Will Allen. The other image from this years game would be...Tim Tebow throwing? Tim Tebow running? Leak throwing? Harvin running?
In high school, Chris Gamble was a hightly touted wide receiver and kick returner. He also played basketball his junior year and was a starter when his team won the state championship. When he played at Ohio State, he started as a wideout and gradually moved to defense.
In 2002, he scored his only touchdown on offense on a reverse. He was second in the team in receiving and was first on the team with four picks. In the national title game, he had a 57 yard catch in the national title game to set up a field goal.
His most memorable moment was during overtime of the title game versus Miami. On fourth down, QB Krenzel threw to Gamble, but the pass was incomplete. Miami fans rushed onto the field thinking the game was over, but a penalty was called. OSU then scored, sending it into double overtime, where they won the game.
Gamble left after two seasons, and was picked with the 28th pick in the 1st round by the Carolina Panthers. You now know Chris Gamble as the shut-down corner of sorts, compiling 16 interceptions and two touchdowns in his first three seasons.
In high school Ted Ginn did everythin'. He was the USA Today National Defensive player of the year in 2004, MVP of the US Army All-America game. As for the stats:
932 yds 12 TDs Passing
845 yds 17 TDs Rushing
8 Picks 5 TDs Defensive
4 Punts 1 Kickoff Returning
110 high hurdles national champion as a junior...best time as a senior and was state champion
In one spring practice at Ohio State, Ginn posted an amazing 4.06 40 Yard Dash.
When Ted Ginn came to "replace" Chris Gamble, he was the #1 nationally ranked defensive back. He practiced all preseason with the defense but was switched to offense just before the season. Ginn was clearly more athletic than Gamble, and we knew we were getting someone special.
In his freshman year, he had two receiving, two rushing, and four punt return touchdowns. In the bowl game versus Oklahoma State, he even took a few snaps at quarterback for the depleted QB core of OSU.
In his sophomore year, he was one of the leading Heisman candidates heading into the season. He continued to amaze us in clutch situations with nine catches against Michigan, three on the game-winning drive, and set a career-high 167 receiving yards in the bowl game against Notre Dame. Finished second in receiving on the team to Santonio Holmes.
In 2006, he continued to be a deep threat for Troy Smith and even passed for a touchdown. Like Chris Gamble, his final season would culminate in a national championship game. On the opening kickoff, Ted Ginn returned the kick for a touchdown. In the pileup afterward, he sprained his ankle and would not return. Ohio State ended up getting routed by Florida 41-14.
So...the start and finishes between the #7s were completely opposite. Gamble started as a wideout and finished as a corner. Ginn started as a corner and finsihed as a wideout. Gamble won. Ginn lost. One thing that will be the same: Gamble was a first round pick and Ginn is likely to be a high first rounder.
I make one final plea to Ginn as the deadline is tomorrow: Please stay! We have a great, maturing defense, a great two-headed running game, and virtually no experienced targets for our likely young QB. Please end your story the way it should end!
And if it shall end this way...here's to hoping to continue our "tradition" of #7.
1. Chris Gamble's pass interference call
2. Ted Ginn's hurt ankle during the celebration
There are a few images that last from each title game. These two last.
I can't be too upset, because the other one from the 2003 Fiesta Bowl would be Willis McGahee getting his knee torn up by Will Allen. The other image from this years game would be...Tim Tebow throwing? Tim Tebow running? Leak throwing? Harvin running?
In high school, Chris Gamble was a hightly touted wide receiver and kick returner. He also played basketball his junior year and was a starter when his team won the state championship. When he played at Ohio State, he started as a wideout and gradually moved to defense.
In 2002, he scored his only touchdown on offense on a reverse. He was second in the team in receiving and was first on the team with four picks. In the national title game, he had a 57 yard catch in the national title game to set up a field goal.
His most memorable moment was during overtime of the title game versus Miami. On fourth down, QB Krenzel threw to Gamble, but the pass was incomplete. Miami fans rushed onto the field thinking the game was over, but a penalty was called. OSU then scored, sending it into double overtime, where they won the game.
Gamble left after two seasons, and was picked with the 28th pick in the 1st round by the Carolina Panthers. You now know Chris Gamble as the shut-down corner of sorts, compiling 16 interceptions and two touchdowns in his first three seasons.
In high school Ted Ginn did everythin'. He was the USA Today National Defensive player of the year in 2004, MVP of the US Army All-America game. As for the stats:
932 yds 12 TDs Passing
845 yds 17 TDs Rushing
8 Picks 5 TDs Defensive
4 Punts 1 Kickoff Returning
110 high hurdles national champion as a junior...best time as a senior and was state champion
In one spring practice at Ohio State, Ginn posted an amazing 4.06 40 Yard Dash.
When Ted Ginn came to "replace" Chris Gamble, he was the #1 nationally ranked defensive back. He practiced all preseason with the defense but was switched to offense just before the season. Ginn was clearly more athletic than Gamble, and we knew we were getting someone special.
In his freshman year, he had two receiving, two rushing, and four punt return touchdowns. In the bowl game versus Oklahoma State, he even took a few snaps at quarterback for the depleted QB core of OSU.
In his sophomore year, he was one of the leading Heisman candidates heading into the season. He continued to amaze us in clutch situations with nine catches against Michigan, three on the game-winning drive, and set a career-high 167 receiving yards in the bowl game against Notre Dame. Finished second in receiving on the team to Santonio Holmes.
In 2006, he continued to be a deep threat for Troy Smith and even passed for a touchdown. Like Chris Gamble, his final season would culminate in a national championship game. On the opening kickoff, Ted Ginn returned the kick for a touchdown. In the pileup afterward, he sprained his ankle and would not return. Ohio State ended up getting routed by Florida 41-14.
So...the start and finishes between the #7s were completely opposite. Gamble started as a wideout and finished as a corner. Ginn started as a corner and finsihed as a wideout. Gamble won. Ginn lost. One thing that will be the same: Gamble was a first round pick and Ginn is likely to be a high first rounder.
I make one final plea to Ginn as the deadline is tomorrow: Please stay! We have a great, maturing defense, a great two-headed running game, and virtually no experienced targets for our likely young QB. Please end your story the way it should end!
And if it shall end this way...here's to hoping to continue our "tradition" of #7.
1.12.2007
41-14
I'm recovering right now. On Wednesday (before last), Notre Dame got crushed by LSU 41-14. Ok, fine by me. I knew we were going to lose. Five days later on Monday, Ohio State got killed by Florida 41-14, thanks (by my opinion) to some idiot hurting Ted Ginn's ankle in a celebration on the opening kickoff. I know he probably feels as bad as Ginn, but just don't do it. Stop celebrating, espcially on the first play of the game.
This was supposed to be my year. The Mets were going to go all the way, but didn't thanks to a 9th inning meltdown thanks to Aaron Heilman. The Redskins, well, they were going to go all the way buy didn't thanks to an interception by Mark Brunell in the first preseason game, leading to Portis' hurt shoulder. Notre Dame lost every important game (Michigan, USC, and the Bowl Game). OSU, well. I still love Troy Smith. Beating Michigan thrice and earning a Heisman for your school is no small feat. Heres to hoping Cleveland picks Ted Ginn in the first round and getting Smith later, because we all saw last Monday that Smith doesn't play well without his boy. (not really, but its an excuse)
This was supposed to be my year. The Mets were going to go all the way, but didn't thanks to a 9th inning meltdown thanks to Aaron Heilman. The Redskins, well, they were going to go all the way buy didn't thanks to an interception by Mark Brunell in the first preseason game, leading to Portis' hurt shoulder. Notre Dame lost every important game (Michigan, USC, and the Bowl Game). OSU, well. I still love Troy Smith. Beating Michigan thrice and earning a Heisman for your school is no small feat. Heres to hoping Cleveland picks Ted Ginn in the first round and getting Smith later, because we all saw last Monday that Smith doesn't play well without his boy. (not really, but its an excuse)
12.30.2006
The Best Thing About Christmas
Egg Nog. Egg Nog is the best thing about Christmas. Don't forget it.
The Skins play their last game tonight on the NFL Network vs. the Giants.
www.sopcast.com to watch for us poor-er people. Yay for the tiny, blurry screen.
Does it always seem like the end of Christmas break just gets longer and longer? Its just going on forever and I want school to start again.
Not much for me to talk about today. I downloaded some songs from Reggie and the Full Effect. Its pretty sweet. I also finally downloaded the new CD from Brand New. I haven't listened to it yet, but its Brand New so it must be very very amazing to me. And to you. Please listen.
The Skins play their last game tonight on the NFL Network vs. the Giants.
www.sopcast.com to watch for us poor-er people. Yay for the tiny, blurry screen.
Does it always seem like the end of Christmas break just gets longer and longer? Its just going on forever and I want school to start again.
Not much for me to talk about today. I downloaded some songs from Reggie and the Full Effect. Its pretty sweet. I also finally downloaded the new CD from Brand New. I haven't listened to it yet, but its Brand New so it must be very very amazing to me. And to you. Please listen.
12.29.2006
Check the Illmatic ... Oh My God
Ok so I listen to rap sometimes and you can't like or know hip-hop without liking Nas' Illmatic CD right?
I just listened to it for the first time and it bored me. Why was he considered the saviour for his flow? Holy shit I though I was listening to something bad. Oh wait, I was. Not bad, but not what I expected after all the great things I heard about him. Kinda like the 36 Chambers by the Wu-Tang Clan. Just didn't work.
I guess it'll just be me and my underground, for now.
I just listened to it for the first time and it bored me. Why was he considered the saviour for his flow? Holy shit I though I was listening to something bad. Oh wait, I was. Not bad, but not what I expected after all the great things I heard about him. Kinda like the 36 Chambers by the Wu-Tang Clan. Just didn't work.
I guess it'll just be me and my underground, for now.
12.28.2006
About Me
Alright, I live in Virginia and I'm 15. Cool.
I love listening to music. Gym Class Heroes is the best. I'm so glad I found them. Started listening around May. The name of the blog "BlackOps Is Ruining My Life" comes from a song by the rapper P.O.S. called "P.O.S. Is Ruining My Life". "Echo Factor" comes from a song by GCH called "Nothing Boy vs. The Echo Factor". Two great songs.
P.O.S. is going on tour with GCH this February and I'm so pumped for it.
I live for sports. Except I don't play. Well, I play golf. That IS a sport, people. I love the Mets and Redskins as far as the pros go. In college I love Notre Dame and Ohio State. I can live with bad seasons by my pro teams, but I can't stand losing teams in college. Actually, all is good just as long as we beat Michigan. I root for the same two teams in basketball but I also like Louisville.
I made this blog so I can vent about whatever. I can't do that on any of the forums I'm on. Mostly sports.
For example, today, the Giants signed Barry Zito. I'm pissed about that.
I'm listening to +44. I got their CD for Christmas and its pretty bad actually :P
I love listening to music. Gym Class Heroes is the best. I'm so glad I found them. Started listening around May. The name of the blog "BlackOps Is Ruining My Life" comes from a song by the rapper P.O.S. called "P.O.S. Is Ruining My Life". "Echo Factor" comes from a song by GCH called "Nothing Boy vs. The Echo Factor". Two great songs.
P.O.S. is going on tour with GCH this February and I'm so pumped for it.
I live for sports. Except I don't play. Well, I play golf. That IS a sport, people. I love the Mets and Redskins as far as the pros go. In college I love Notre Dame and Ohio State. I can live with bad seasons by my pro teams, but I can't stand losing teams in college. Actually, all is good just as long as we beat Michigan. I root for the same two teams in basketball but I also like Louisville.
I made this blog so I can vent about whatever. I can't do that on any of the forums I'm on. Mostly sports.
For example, today, the Giants signed Barry Zito. I'm pissed about that.
I'm listening to +44. I got their CD for Christmas and its pretty bad actually :P
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