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08 July 2009
We begin our 2009 conference previews with the boys by the Pacific (no, not those boys). Of course I mean the Western Athletic Conference. Except for Lousiana Tech, which is actually 2 time zones over and by the Gulf of Mexico. But I digress.
Last year's WAC Championship was won by 12-1 Boise State, who not only ran roughshod through conference play--notching only 2 wins by less than 20 points--but nearly capped off its second perfect season in three years, losing to TCU 17-16 in the San Diego County Cre...zzzzz.. Poinsettia Bowl, and finishing ranked #11.
Many prognosticators have this years Smurf Turfers ranked in the top 15, and poised for another run at a BCS bowl. Opening the season against highly-ranked Oregon at home will be the only real test for the first month of the season, and with a mid-year vacation to Hololulu in October, the Broncos should have no trouble winning the WAC again this year.
Let's take a look at the rest of the conference.
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08 July 2009
You want to talk baseball efficiency? Well hang up your OPS, WHIP, and VORP stats and take a look at Alan Embree's line from last night. For those that missed it, Embree was credited with one third of an inning last night for the Rockies earning the win. That's pretty efficient in its own right, but looking at Embree's pitch count we see how efficient he was. 0-0 was Embree's ball-strike ratio last night.
That's right, Embree won the game without ever throwing a pitch by picking off a runner. Amazing. This is another reason I love baseball in the middle of summer. In the midst of all these droning summer games you get a cool stat line like Embree had last night. Doesn't get much better.
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07 July 2009
Per a press conference in Lexington, KY today the University of Kentucky's men's varsity football season has been cancelled* to allow everyone time to prepare for basketball season. This is an unprecedented move in college sports. UK seems to be putting all their eggs in one basket here. Reactions have been all over the map on this subject, as expected. Follow the jump for comments from local sportwriters and fans**.
Click Read More below.
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07 July 2009
About once a month I get an email from the Tennessee Athletics Department. Usually it's some kind of puff piece that ends with "click here to buy season tickets to _____ball." The one I got this morning was from none other than Mike Hamilton, Athletics Director.
Sure it has plenty of Big Orange Fluff and a "Just click on TICKETS, find your seat, and enjoy the game!" link. It also, however, includes the list of revenue and costs for FY 2010. Here's a snippet from the hand of Hamilton:
Today I wanted to let you know about an extension of our financial support to the UT Knoxville campus. Beginning this year, the athletics department will be providing an additional $1 million of support to academics to the UT Knoxville campus each year...
Click Read More for some highlights:
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07 July 2009
I thought I'd take a quick look around this morning to see how college sports blogs are handling the dry "boys of summer" months.
How'd it go? Er, make your own calls.
Take a look at Rocky Top Talk's Jimmy Clausen fashion exposé... if you dare.
Over at EDSBS, examined are the merits of Ben Franklin, The Kool Aid Man, Fried Chicken, Evil Knievel, coitus with old ladies, and Raising Arizona. Yeah, I don't know either, but it made me feel a little more patriotic than I was before I read it.
We Want the Lion takes a look at tailgating games, so that you may be more prepared the next time you go to Lowe's (and with plenty of notice no less). Washers, Ladder Golf, and (our favorite) Cornhole are covered. All of which can be built in your garage with PVC, 2x4's, plywood and elbow grease. If you are the type of pretentious jerk that buys them pre-made, steer clear of our tailgates this fall or risk wearing the residuals of a Jack & Coke on your Lacoste shirt and croakies.
I'll keep looking around the web in search of College Sports news for you guys as we plug through the humidity and dial in to August.
Happy 6th of July, all. May your weekend hangovers end promptly before dinner tonight. And let's all pray the hillbillies a block down from me have finally extinguished their 2009 firework allotment so I can watch baseball outdoors in peace tonight. Assholes.
