rosebowltackle2

The All-Time Strangest Booty Call

2006-10-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

I know that you're thinking this is going to be another baseball post. No, this will be a really sexy, lascivious post. Really. I'm not kidding... work with me.

As a little kid I was fascinated by large scale architecture projects like airports, skyscrapers, bridges and especially sports stadiums. I would design futuristic cities filled with sprawling highways, huge parks and massive stadiums. My first visit to a big stadium was to see the Dodgers play in Chavez Ravine (pictured above) and my second was to the Rose Bowl to see a soccer game. I made a sketch of Dodger Stadium for my father and he posted it on the wall of his office... if I didn't have the artistic talent of a dead fish I might have chosen a career as an architect.

At some point early in my relationship with the soon-to-be ex-wife, I mentioned all these stories of my building cities with blocks in grade school and burning out on Sim City 2000 to avoid classwork for Urban Studies courses. I told her about my visits to see the Dodgers and being awed by the size of the stadium. I told her about how when I was in the 4th grade and my family moved to Michigan, I would play touch football with my friends on the field at Spartan Stadium. I made a joke that if she ever wanted to turn me on all she had to do was show me a picture of a stadium... and that joke became our bizarre email booty call.

Soon after we moved in together, if she wanted us to get down when we got home that night, she would email me a picture of a large or notable stadium (Old Trafford, Fenway Park, Giants Stadium... the list goes on and on) with just the name of the stadium in the subject field and no other text. I would try to send her little love notes by email, but after a while I lost the capability to come up with new words to describe the same old thing. Eventually, I started sending her pictures of stadiums as well. Incredibly, she loved it... it worked as a booty call for both of us.

It was so strange. I'd be in the middle of a work day, dealing with meetings and clients and the usual crap, and I'd check my email. Bang! - I'd see a picture of The Stade de France or Wrigley Field or someplace - and the hair would stand up on the back of my neck. I'd look over my shoulder to make sure no one could see me looking at porn at work... yeah, I know, it wasn't porn and I was being crazy, but that's how it felt.

To make the long story short, after a while, I stopped sending my soon-to-be ex as many pictures of stadiums as she sent me. Then things went downhill on a lot of fronts other than just who sent who more booty calls. I'll never want to use the picture of a stadium thing with a new partner: too many memories of the past. Hopefully, the world's longest divorce proceedings can wrap up soon so I can feel comfortable creating a new strange booty call system with someone else... because texts of "What R U wearing?" just aren't unique enough for me.

The Hogue Report - AZ review from Jeremy Hogue

2006-09-25T07:02:00.000-07:00

Scout.com

Defense Dominates, Offense Struggles, but a Win is a Win, Right? Is there a Reason to Worry?

The coaches and players all gave the party lines: “we’ve played three good teams and have gotten three good wins,” “anytime you win your conference opener on the road, you’re happy,” “we’re making teams beat us and that’s not happening,” etc., etc. They’re all good quotes, and they’re all true statements, but I know if I’m on this team right now (especially a member of this offense), I’m far from satisfied.

But first, let’s look at the positives. Arizona’s offense hasn’t exactly been setting records, but when USC holds any Pac-10 team to negative-16 yards rushing and 154 total yards – it doesn’t get any more dominating than that. I watched Penn State-Ohio State earlier in the day, where there are some highly touted defenses and great players (particularly linebackers), but I have yet to see a defense this year as dominant as USC’s, and there is no team in the country with better linebackers.

I will go further and flat out declare that Rey Maualuga is the best linebacker in the country – period. We are watching something very special when watching Maualuga, and I urge anyone reading this to enjoy watching him play. Just like watching Reggie Bush last year, Maualuga is that type of special.

With USC’s defense (and Arizona’s unproductive offense), I never worried about this game or ever doubted that USC would walk away with the win. But the fact that the game was as close as it was gives me some concern. Any educated Trojan fan would have told you that we’d end up in a close game sooner or later – whether because of turnovers, a slow start or otherwise – but I’m a bit worried that the offensive struggles aren’t over.

Booty and the passing game have shown flashes of greatness, but have a long way to go, especially when it comes to getting the ball quickly to the 2nd or 3rd receiver in a pattern. And while the offensive line is good, it is not yet near last year’s line (which may be an unfair comparison, but regardless, expectations have been set). The team’s staple run (the “bend” or designed cutback play off of zone blocking) is being stuffed more than last year as the push from the front isn’t quite what we were used to with Lutui, Justice and Matua. Many of the good runs against Arizona were due solely to Emmanuel Moody’s elusiveness, and many times he juked his way out of what would have been tackles for loss. The question is, how long does it take this young offense, which is gaining experience each week but also getting hit with injuries, to start playing at a high level consistently? Time will tell.

So what are the key questions?

1. Will USC find itself in a close game prior to November against a team where the outcome is actually in question?

2. Will the defense continue to dominate as it has been doing when we start facing some of the more productive Pac-10 offenses, particularly ones that may try to challenge the SC secondary?

3. If USC gets into a game where, late in the game, it needs its offense to drive down the field and score… will it deliver?

If the answer to question #1 is “no,” then we may have to wait for the home games in November to see big tests for this team and potentially see answers to #2 and #3. But if I had to pick one game in the next month where I saw the biggest threat, it would actually be the one we have this coming week – on the road at Washington State (the Cougars are a good team, with a 3-1 record, the only loss being at Auburn, and coming off of a 36-10 victory at Stanford where they put up 469 yards of offense and recorded 8 sacks on defense).

A lot of fun things to watch this week: Fullback anyone? How is Jarrett’s shoulder? Is Moody the man? Onto week four!

Jeremy Hogue is a former Academic All-American offensive lineman at USC who started 28 games over the course of his career, including the 1996 Rose Bowl victory over Northwestern. Jeremy later graduated from Harvard Law School and is now CEO of Sovereign Healthcare. Beginning this month, he will also serve as the Trojan analyst for the Fox Sports West USC Live shows following Trojan games. His column will appear after each game on WeAreSC.

Colleges face a new world

2006-08-15T18:49:00.000-07:00

Ralph Russo
The Register-Guard

The Southern California dynasty has been derailed, and the player most responsible won't be around to help Texas defend its crown.

For the first time in a few years, there will be a race instead of a chase for the college football national championship.

There's legitimate title talk at Ohio State, Notre Dame, LSU, Auburn and West Virginia. Hopes are high for Florida and California. And let's not forget USC and Texas.

Is there even a favorite this season?

''At this time of year, I never have an opinion,'' said USC coach Pete Carroll, whose Trojans were denied a third straight national title by Vince Young and Texas. ''We've just got to start playing and see what happens.''

What college football fans will see this season is bigger - though not necessarily better: an expanded Bowl Championship Series, 12-game regular-season schedules for all major college teams and new replay rules.

Now, coaches can challenge a call but will lose a timeout if it's not overturned.

This season the often challenged BCS, always an easy target for those pining for a Division I-A playoff system, debuts a new five-game, double-hosting format.

The idea behind the expansion is to give better access to teams outside the six conferences with automatic qualification - ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10 and SEC.

Since the BCS' 1998 debut, Utah of the Mountain West is the only team from outside the high-revenue leagues to play in a BCS game. The Utes needed to finish in the top six in the final BCS standings to earn a Fiesta Bowl bid.

Now teams from the MWC, WAC, MAC, Conference USA and Sun Belt need only finish in the top 12 to get a BCS invite.

''It's better than it used be, which is good,'' said Southern Mississippi coach Jeff Bower, whose team is a perennial C-USA contender. ''At least you have a legitimate chance now.''

The BCS championship game will be played Jan. 8, a few days after the Sugar, Rose, Orange and Fiesta bowls.

A brand new stadium in Glendale, Ariz., will host the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1. Seven days later, the top two teams in the final BCS standings will play for the national title. All BCS games - except the Rose Bowl - will be shown on Fox, which bought the rights for four years for $320 million. ABC, the TV home of the BCS since its start, will air the Rose Bowl.

Fox only can hope the BCS falls into place as nicely as it did last season, when Texas and USC combined for an indisputable championship matchup and Notre Dame returned to the BCS for the first time since the 2001 Fiesta Bowl.

Charlie Weis exceeded expectations of even the most optimistic Notre Dame fans in his first season as Fighting Irish coach. Weis' prizes for going 9-3 and getting the Irish back into the BCS: a fat contract extension and more preseason hype than any disciple of Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick could tolerate.

''I've been involved with three different programs that after having a good year, everyone got caught up and we had a bad year,'' Weis said. ''It happened twice in New England and once with the Jets where we had a good year and then we had a setback.''

Adding to the blaring Notre Dame buzz is quarterback Brady Quinn, already considered the Heisman Trophy front-runner.

One season under Weis' tutelage had Quinn looking like Tom Brady. Quinn passed for 3,919 yards and 32 touchdowns last season. Another season just like it might be enough to make him the first Notre Dame Heisman winner since Tim Brown in 1987.

Other players who will enter the season with Heisman momentum are Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith and his teammate, receiver Ted Ginn Jr., and Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson, the 2004 Heisman runner-up as a freshman.

Smith, a smaller version of Vince Young who can win games with his arm or legs, and Ginn fuel an offense with head-spinning speed that could redefine ''Tresselball'' in Columbus.

Under coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes have made a living - and won a national title - with stingy defense, low-risk offense and clutch kicking. These Buckeyes are all about offense, having said goodbye to linebacker A.J. Hawk and seven other starters from one of the country's best defenses last season.

As difficult as replacing Hawk and two other NFL first-round draft choices will be for Ohio State, it's a minor renovation compared to Carroll's extreme makeover at USC.

Texas snapped the Trojans' 34-game winning streak in the Rose Bowl. This season, USC must replace Heisman Trophy winners Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart, plus LenDale White and several other players currently in NFL training camps.

Carroll will reach deep into his bag of blue chips for replacements.

''Losing a Heisman winner has happened to us before,'' said USC center Ryan Kalil. ''We know we have guys that are going to rise to the challenge.''

Stepping in for Leinart at quarterback will be John David Booty, who's been waiting for three seasons. Unless, of course, redshirt freshman phenom Mark Sanchez beats him out.

Texas coach Mack Brown doesn't have quite as many holes to fill, but, boy, does he have one huge one.

Either redshirt freshman Colt McCoy or fresh-out-of-high-school Jevan Snead will call signals after Young skipped his final year of eligibility. Either quarterback will get lots of help from an otherwise loaded roster, led by running back Jamaal Charles and defensive end Tim Crowder.

For the second consecutive year, Texas and Ohio State will meet in a monumental early season nonconference game. The Buckeyes long to avenge last season's 25-22 loss at the Horseshoe.

Amid all the changes and uncertainty, Joe Paterno remains college football's ultimate constant.

Paterno led a Penn State renaissance last season, going 11-1, winning coach of the year and leaving no doubt that the game has not passed him by. This season will be his 41st season as head coach - a milestone that matches Amos Alonzo Stagg for the longest tenure with one major college.

Tyrone Wheatley: Clutch Rose Bowl Performer

2006-08-03T18:45:00.000-07:00

Tyrone Wheatley's clutch performance in the January 1, 1993, Rose Bowl keyed the Wolverines 38-31 victory over the Washington Huskies. Wheatley, then a super sophmore, ran for 235 yards and 3 touchdowns on only 15 carries. He had touchdown runs of 88, 56, and 24 yards in the game and he was named the Rose Bowl MVP for his outstanding play.

Michigan (8-0-3) had a score to settle with Washington (9-2) heading into the 2003 Rose Bowl game as the Huskies had embarassed the Wolverines 34-14 in Pasadena the previous year. Tyrone Wheatley made sure that 2003 was a different story for the Wolverines as he ran through, over and by the Huskies' defense. Tyrone busted loose in the first half for a 56-yard TD run that put U of M up 17-7. On the Wolverines first possession in the second half, Tyrone broke loose on an 88-yard TD run. However, Washington battled back and eventually pulled ahead 31-24. U of M answered when Tyrone scored on a 24-yard run which was his third TD of the day. That knotted the score at 31-31 heading into the 4th quarter. U of M pulled ahead for good on a Elvis Grbac to Tony McGee touchdown pass with 5:29 left in the game giving the Wolverines a 38-31 lead it would never relinquish.

Michigan's win gave Coach Gary Moeller his first (and only) Rose Bowl victory. It also meant the Wolverines finished the season undefeated (albeit with 3 ties). Tyrone's Rose Bowl game performance ranks right at the top of all-time clutch bowl game performances by a Wolverine. Without his tremendous effort, it is possible that U of M may have suffered a repeat of the fate it had endured the prior year in the Rose Bowl. However, with Tyrone leading the way, U of M was able to find its way to a hard fought victory and exact a measure of revenge on the Huskies. Go Blue!

Looking Back: 2004 Season, Part I

2006-07-31T22:37:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week I explained how my first trip to Michigan Stadium came about and how it changed me into a Michigan fan. That kicked off a series where I have and will review every Michigan football game that I've ever attended. The last season, 2005, took three parts to complete, and it was finished yesterday with the review of the Notre Dame and Northern Illinois games. Continuing in the reverse order, we move on to the 2004 season.

Looking Back at the 2004 season will actually start in the year 2005. That's because the annual Rose Bowl is always played on New Year's Day or later. Part I will include only one game, simply because the game was on such a big scale, and it turned out like nobody would've expected.

**January 1, 2005 - #13 Michigan: 37 vs. #6 Texas: 38
You wouldn't think that scoring 37 points in the Rose Bowl would still leave you short of the opposing team. Normally, when you score 37 points, your chances of winning are pretty good. Adding in the Rose Bowl raises those chances because the tradition of two great defenses clashing. In the 2005 Rose Bowl, things would be completely opposite. The game would be a battle of two high-powered offenses. Actually, it was more like one surprisingly great offense against Vince Young.

Michigan and Texas was a great matchup. Michigan finished the season in Columbus with a loss, but thanks to some help from around the Big Ten, they still brought home a second consecutive Big Ten title, earning another trip to Pasadena. Texas themselves had not won the Big Twelve title, but rather were hoping for an at-large bid into the BCS. Mack Brown himself even planted the thought in the voters' heads by making some statements about the at-large system. Mack Brown and the Longhorns would get their wish as they received an at-large bid to play in the Rose Bowl because the Pac-10 representative, USC, would be playing for the national championship in Miami. This was surprising in a few aspects for Michigan fans. Most thought that Cal had deserved the at-large bid, and had hoped that because it would provide a better chance to win along with the traditional Big Ten/Pac-10 matchup.

Imagine if Cal had received the bid to play in the Rose Bowl. How different would college football be today? Cal ended up in the Holiday Bowl against Texas Tech, and just completely got annihilated by the Red Raiders. Texas Tech went right through the Golden Bears defense with an illustrious passing attack. And it didn't help that Cal had trouble scoring either. If Michigan and Cal met in the Rose Bowl, chances are Michigan would've come out on top. Texas would've ended up in a different bowl game, and wouldn't have been on the national spotlight the way they were in Pasadena. An abnormal performance by Vince Young against a Michigan team that left it all on the field was just the setup for a repeat one year later. Young did say they'd be back. So, Texas doesn't win the Rose Bowl; their bowl game goes noticed, but with less impact. The high ratings aren't there to start the proceeding season, and everything is different.

But, enough with the what ifs. Let's see what actually happened. There was some Vince Young, some more Vince Young, and did I mention Vince Young? Take a look at this video for a visual review of the 2005 Rose Bowl.

Man, this really brings up some memories. I'm not even talking about the highlights. I'm talking about Trev Alberts! I may have hated him a lot, and disagreed with 99.9% of what came out of his mouth, but I would take him over Lou Holtz any day. He just had to skip out on one stinking show.

Oh, back on topic. This truly was one of the surrealist experiences I've ever been apart of. From the back-and-forth scoring to the very last kick, even though it went in favor of Texas, I'm glad to be apart of it. As you'll find out later on when I look back at the 2004 Rose Bowl against USC, the fans from Texas were much classier. The way the trip was made was through the Michigan alumni association, so we stayed with a lot of Michigan fans. The difference in the 2005 hotel was that Texas fans booked that hotel as well. Personally, I'm glad they did. Texas has got some of the nicest fans out there. Compared to USC, who had drunks swearing every word in the seats around us during the '04 Rose Bowl, it was nice to meet people who actually were just glad to be there.

To this day I still think Vince Young might be running past Earnest Shazor and breaking a tackle from LaMarr Woodley. A few simple changes could've had Michigan winning. One tackle on Vince Young in the 4th quarter could've stopped the Texas charge. How about one coaching decision? Lloyd, Lloyd, Lloyd, if you have timeouts, then use them. 30 seconds is plenty of time to create something, especially with Steve Breaston having a career kick return night. I still don't get why he just let the time tick off the clock, allowing Texas to just setup the game-winning kick.

Speaking of that kick, here's another what if. If Prescott Burgess' hand was an inch or so bigger, then that game-winning field goal as time expired would've been blocked. If Earnest Shazor would've dove in front of that kick a split second faster, then it would've been blocked. Basically, the entire game was a lot of what ifs on the Michigan side. Texas just wanted it more when crunch time came. Even with all of the things that could've gone differently, it was a spectacular game, especially to see in person. That's why this is a personal favorite, despite the loss.

I wonder when Texas will pay us back for their national championship. I mean, Jim Herrmann's solid defense did put Vince Young on the map. Either way, the nightmares of Vince Young will continue to haunt every Michigan fan that watched that game, especially with ESPN Classic showing it every other week. Did I mention that the '94 Colorado game was on a few days ago? Part II of a look back at the 2004 season will continue most likely on Monday with a review of an easy late-season win over Northwestern, and one of the greatest games of all-time against Michigan State. Until then, enjoy your weekend and Go Blue!

Looking Back: 2004 Season, Part I

2006-07-27T11:34:00.000-07:00

Ten Greatest Quarterbacks of All-Time

2006-07-24T13:48:00.000-07:00

collegefootballnews.com

Over the next ten weeks before the start of the season, CFN will examine some of the great historical questions around college football from the best games, worst Heisman winners, all-time offensive and defensive teams, and more.

Pete Fiutak
Q: The ten greatest quarterbacks of all-time are ...

A: With the proliferation of the NFL over the last 30 years into the world's greatest sports league, the football spotlight has been the brightest on the quarterbacks. Montana, Elway, Bradshaw, Aikman, Marino, Manning, Brady, Favre; these are just some of the magical names made into superheroes by the sports world. It's different for college football. Running back has historically been the glamour position in the college game with high-octane passing attacks and star quarterbacks a relatively recent phenomenon. Finding great college quarterbacks over the past century-plus of college football is far harder a task than it might appear to be.

Here's my criteria for putting together a top ten quarterback list. 1) Production. I don't care about what these guys did or didn't do in the NFL. All that matters is what they accomplished in college. 2) Championships. John Elway and Peyton Manning were among the greatest pro prospects of all-time, and you'd take either of them in a heartbeat to play on your college team, but they each won a fat load of jack squat. I know, I know, Manning won one, one SEC title and technically played in a national title game in the 1998 Orange Bowl, but going 0-4 against Florida and not playing in a true title game like we have now knocks him out compared to the others on my list. Elway never played in a bowl. 3) Legendary status. I'll overlook the national title thing if a player is a true legend. You'll see what I mean. A Heisman helps. Georgia's David Greene might be the biggest winner and Hawaii's Timmy Chang might have the best numbers, but they don't exactly get the heart racing.

The players that just missed my cut and why (in order of how close they came) ...

- Ty Detmer - I won't argue if you want to put him on the list. Outside of the classic win over Miami, the record-setting passing numbers came against horrendous defenses. Could he have cranked out the same production in the SEC or Big 10?

- Archie Manning - I'm not happy about not having him on there. The lack of titles keeps him off.

- Steve Walsh - One of the game's ultimate winners, he's missing that legendary quality compared to my top ten. Many young fans have no idea who he is.

- Jamelle Holieway - He has a national title and was, arguably, the greatest option quarterback of all-time, but the total lack of passing stats affected him here.

- Doug Flutie - While there might not be a bigger legend in recent college football history, and there certainly wasn't anyone more magical, the lack of national title experience is the hair-thin difference between making the list and not.

- Peyton Manning - That Tennessee won the national title with Tee Martin the year after the Manning era can't be overlooked.

The top ten ...

10. Michael Vick, Virginia Tech
In hindsight, and with Vince Young's career a recent memory, it's easy to forget what an impact Vick had on the game. He was a revolutionary playmaker who helped carry the Hokies to the 1999 championship game losing to Florida State in a classic. He lost two games in his career with the second at Miami in 2000.

9. Charlie Ward, Florida State
I'm not nearly as high on him as others are even though he went 23-2 as a starter. While he was one of the game's ultimate all-around quarterbacks and the signature offensive star of the great Bobby Bowden era at Florida State, he was average in the national title win over Nebraska and lost to Notre Dame in the biggest game of the 1993 season.

8. Roger Staubach, Navy
Staubach carried an average Navy team to a 9-1 record and number two ranking in 1963 before losing to undefeated Texas in the Cotton Bowl. One of the games greatest all-around quarterbacks, he completed 292 of 463 career passes and piled up 4,253 yards of total offense.

7. Ken Dorsey, Miami
Even with a 38-2 record, 31 straight games with a touchdown pass, one national title, and a questionable pass interference call and a Willis McGahee injury from another, the two-time Heisman finalist still doesn't get his just due. He was just a product of a great system with a boatload of talent around him, right? How did Vinny Testaverde do in his national title appearance with that great 1986 Hurricane team? How has Miami done since Dorsey? When you're the most successful Miami quarterback of all-time, you belong on the list of greats.

6. Davey O'Brien, TCU
There's a reason the award for the nation's top quarterback is named after him. The 1938 Heisman winner led the nation in passing in 1936 and 1937, and finished his career with 24 TD passes, 2,659 yards (remember the era we're talking about), 928 rushing yards and ten touchdown runs along with being a star kick returner and defensive back. Even at only 5-7 and 150 pounds, he was tough as nails and was a consummate leader.

5. Danny Wuerffel, Florida
Wuerffel put up mind boggling stats against some of the nation's best teams completing 708 of 1,170 passes for 10,875 yards and 114 touchdowns. During his career, the Gators played 22 ranked teams finishing with one national title and another national title appearance. How many national championship games has Steve Spurrier been to without No. 7? Zero. Wuerffel's career passer rating of 163.56 was the best in major college football history including a 178.4 rating in 1995. He was the only college passer to ever have back-to-back seasons with over a 170 passer rating.

4. Vince Young, Texas
With the Rose Bowl still fresh in everyone's minds, Young might be the number one choice of many. It came down to overall accomplishments which kept VY out of the top three despite being a transcendent star who came up with one of the greatest performances ever in the win over USC. Had he come back for his senior year and led Texas to another title, he'd have been number one on this list.

3. Sammy Baugh, TCU
This isn't the pretentious nod to history that you might think. Back in 1934, the passing game in college football wasn't just in it's infancy, it was almost non-existent. Remembering what time period he did this in, Baugh was amazing completing 285 of 597 career passes for 3,471 yards and 39 touchdowns. He led the 1935 Horned Frogs to the national title.

2. Matt Leinart, USC
Everyone came out of the 2006 Rose Bowl talking about Vince Young, and rightly so, while Leinart's brilliant performance was swept aside. Talk about your money players, the guy went 39-2 as a starter, completed 70 of 109 passes for 1,024 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception in his three bowl games. He won a Heisman, was in the mix for another, won a BCS national title, two AP national titles, and was the leader of one of the great runs in the history of college football. The career stats are amazing: 807-1,245 (65%), 10,693 yards, 99 touchdowns, 23 interceptions, nine rushing touchdowns, one touchdown catch.

1. Tommie Frazier, Nebraska
Before Frazier came to Nebraska, the Huskers had only beaten one top 20 team in four years. That all changed as he became the heart and soul of one of the most dominant teams college football ever saw leading the Huskers to a 13-2 record (when he started) over AP ranked teams only losing to Florida State in two Orange Bowls. Even though he missed several games with a blood clot in his leg, Frazier still won 33 and took the Huskers to three straight national championship games, winning two, and coming within a late field goal of winning a third. Fine, so he only completed 49% of his throws, but he threw 43 touchdown passes with only 11 interceptions. By the time he left Lincoln, he was the career leader in total offense with 5,476 yards, touchdown passes, rushing touchdowns by a QB with 36, and total offensive touchdowns for a career with 79. Those stats don't even take into account his bowl performances led by the 199-yard rushing day in the win over Florida.

Richard Cirminiello
Q: The ten greatest quarterbacks of all-time are ...

A: 1. Matt Leinart, USC (2003-05) – Cackle if you must, but I defy you to find a more accomplished quarterback in the history of college football. Quarterbacks are judged by their record and individual numbers and awards, and Leinart is peerless in all three categories. In three seasons, his Trojans went 37-2 and never finished lower than No. 2 in the polls. Leinart accounted for 108 touchdowns to just 23 interceptions and finished in the top six of the Heisman voting three times, winning the award in 2004. Short of beating Texas in his Trojan finale and winning a second Heisman, he had a near-perfect career, making this a clear choice.

2. Tommie Frazier, Nebraska (1992-1995) – Great quarterbacks aren’t always the greatest throwers. Sometimes they run real well and never lose. Frazier was the consummate winner, going 33-3 as a starter and leading the ‘Huskers to back-to-back national championships in 1994 and 1995. He was an inspirational leader in Lincoln and for four years, ran the Nebraska option like a virtuoso.

3. Danny Wuerffel, Florida (1993-96) – System shmystem. Yeah, I know, you could put up big numbers with Steve Spurrier calling plays. The difference is that Wuerffel ran that system like no one before or after he’d arrived in Gainesville. Plus, he has the national championship and the Heisman hardware to separate him from other quarterbacks that have piled up insane career stats.

4. Doug Flutie, Boston College (1981-84) – Who cares that Flutie originally lacked the size to play in the NFL? He was plenty big enough to carry a program to new heights and establish himself as a true American sports icon. He had plenty of records and awards when he left Boston College, but all that hardly defined him. What makes Flutie an all-time great was his will to succeed and his ability to make those around him believe in his magic.

5. Peyton Manning, Tennessee (1994-97) – Had he beaten Florida and won a national championship in his career, Manning would be a right-handed Matt Leinart. Still, he lost just six times as a four-year starter and shattered 42 NCAA, league and school marks, en route to staking his claim to being the best pure passer the SEC has ever seen.

6. Charlie Ward, Florida State (1989-1993) – Arguably the most decorated and important player in Florida State history, Ward was sensational all-around athlete. Because he went on to play in the NBA, rather than the NFL, he doesn’t get nearly enough credit, despite bringing the ‘Noles their first national championship and first Heisman Trophy.

7. Ty Detmer, BYU (1988-91) – Yeah, Detmer was a system guy, but he actually raised the bar at BYU with some astonishing individual numbers and by winning the 1990 Heisman Trophy. By the time he left Provo, the two-time All-American had thrown for a hard-to-comprehend 15,031 yards and owned more records than the local Sam Goody.

8. John Elway, Stanford (1979-82) – Amazingly, Elway never played a college game beyond November, but on physical ability alone, he still has few peers. The Cardinal won just 20 games in his four years on The Farm, but you can’t blame Elway, who unleashed 77 touchdown passes, while throwing for more than 9,000 yards.

9. Roger Staubach, Navy (1962-64) – From head to toe, Staubach was one of the most complete quarterbacks to ever put on a helmet. A born leader and a nifty scrambler, he won the 1963 Heisman Trophy and carried the Middies to an unexpected berth in the Cotton Bowl.

10. Major Harris, West Virginia (1987-89) – Long before there was Michael Vick and Vince Young, there was Harris, an original that helped usher in the era of dual-threat quarterbacks. He’s one of just two passers in history to throw for more than 5,000 yards and run for more than 2,000 more in a career, and came within a Fiesta Bowl win in 1988 from guiding the Mountaineers to an unlikely national title.

John Harris
Q: The ten greatest quarterbacks of all-time are ...

Overall Top 10

1. Doug Flutie, Boston College – Many of the QBs on the list helped put his respective school on the college football map, but arguably there was no BC football before Flutie. The Eagles had not played in a bowl game since 1942 before Flutie came to Chestnut Hill; they went to three in a row during Flutie’s career. But, Boston fans identified with the underdog, the 5’9” gunslinger/play maker who did everything he could to put BC in the end zone.
I got a chance to see his last college game against Houston in the Cotton Bowl. My two best friends’ father was a coach for the University of Houston and we were going nuts every time Flute carved up the Houston secondary. He looked so Lilliputian on the field, but BC’s team hung on his every move. His overall numbers are solid. The effect on his program is felt to this day. I’d take him any day of the week and so he goes number one.

2. Matt Leinart, USC – Transcendent moment – 4th and 9, fourth quarter, less than 2 minutes left at Notre Dame – the audible to the “sluggo” route to Dwayne Jarrett, to be followed by the QB sneak for six.

3. Tommie Frazier, Nebraska – Transcendent moment – 1996 Fiesta Bowl – breaking 85 University of Florida tackles for 75 yard touchdown run and the proverbial nail in Florida’s coffin.

4. Charlie Ward, Florida State – Transcendent moment – 1992 Georgia Tech game – it might not have been his best performance, but the second half comeback he led cemented the Fast Break offense at FSU and his Heisman year in 1993.

5. Jim McMahon, BYU – Transcendent moment – 1980 Holiday Bowl – the late comeback that culminated in the Hail Mary to Clay Brown to beat SMU 46 – 45.

6. Danny Wuerffel, Florida – Transcendent moment – 1996 SEC championship game – led the Gators with a tremendous performance against Alabama to seal his Heisman campaign and a rematch with FSU (okay, so the 1993 Kentucky game – pass to Doering introduced us to Wuerffel)

7. Sammy Baugh, TCU – Transcendent moment – 1935 - #1 vs. #2 matchup in Fort Worth against SMU which introduced Baugh and a team with a passing game to the entire nation.

8. Vince Young, Texas – Transcendent moment – 2006 Rose Bowl, arguably the best performance by a QB in a bowl game, ever.

9. Roger Staubach, Navy – Transcendent moment – 1964 Cotton Bowl – CBS introduces Instant replay to the college football nation to show the great Staubach in action.

10. Jim Plunkett, Stanford – Transcendent moment – 1971 Rose Bowl – Beating a dominant Ohio State game – completed 67% for 265 and a touchdown.

Top 10 “Option/Running” QBs
1. Vince Young, Texas
2. Tommie Frazier, Nebraska
3. Brad Smith, Missouri
4. Darian Hagan, Colorado
5. Tony Rice, Notre Dame
6. Jamelle Holieway, Oklahoma
7. Donovan McNabb, Syracuse
8. Major Harris, West Virginia
9. Michael Vick, Virginia Tech
10. (Tie) Woody Dantzler, Clemson, Dee Dowis, Air Force and Jack Mildren, Oklahoma

Top 10 “Dual Threat” QBs
1. Doug Flutie, Boston College
2. Vince Young, Texas
3. Charlie Ward, FSU
4. Roger Staubach, Navy
5. Archie Manning, Ole Miss
6. John Elway, Stanford
7. Joe Hamilton, Georgia Tech
8. Charlie Justice, North Carolina
9. Major Harris, West Virginia
10. Terry Baker, Oregon State

Top 10 “System” QBs
1. Ty Detmer, BYU
2. Andre Ware, Houston
3. Timmy Chang, Hawaii
4. Klif Kingsbury, Texas Tech
5. David Klingler, Houston
6. Drew Brees, Purdue
7. Jamelle Holieway, Oklahoma
8. Philip Rivers, NC State
9. Eric Zeier, Georgia
10. Danny Wuerffel, Florida

Top 10 “Pure Passers” QB
1. Matt Leinart, USC
2. Jim McMahon, BYU
3. Doug Flutie, Boston College
4. Sammy Baugh, TCU
5. Danny Wuerffel, Florida
6. Peyton Manning, Tennessee
7. Jim Plunkett, Stanford
8. Vinny Testaverde, Miami
9. Dan Marino, Pitt
10. Troy Aikman, UCLA

Matthew Zemek
Q: The ten greatest quarterbacks of all-time are ...

A: Quarterback is one of those positions where great statistics and talent don't always translate into great win-loss records. (John Elway would be an example.)

With that in mind, choosing the greatest college QBs of all time demands two lists: a list for the great performers, and a list for the winners. These areas could certainly overlap, but the point is that more names demand recognition for this one position, given the uniqueness of college football quarterbacking, as opposed to the NFL, where winning comes almost exclusively through raw performance. In college, greatness is just as much an ability to win as it is an ability to perform at another level.

Performers:
Elway, Jim Plunkett, Sammy Baugh, Charlie Ward, Archie Manning, Tommie Frazier, Danny Wuerffel, Matt Leinart, Vince Young, Steve Young.

Winners:
Jay Barker (the quintessential "winner" as a college football quarterback), James Street, JC Watts, Tom Clements, Joe Montana, Turner Gill, Roger Staubach, Bernie Kosar, Craig Krenzel, Ken Dorsey.

Best college QB ever?
Frazier. The best pure mix of blood-and-guts poise under fire and sheer athletic beauty. The leader of the great Nebraska teams of the mid-90s (with the '95 edition being the best of all time) had equal portions of toughness and excellence, enabling an observer to view Frazier as a physical specimen who also gave it the old college try. The fact that he destroyed Wuerffel--another player you could identify as both a performer and winner of the highest order--in a head-to-head matchup for a national title is the reason Frazier gets the nod.

Ciskie's Blogger Roundtable

2006-07-20T20:56:00.000-07:00

World Cup fever delayed me in getting to the Roundtable questions asked from The Ciske Blog, and in the time I waited EDSBS has put one up as well, which I'll get to later. I also had a NBA Draft Recap post up but my internet at home went down so that'll probably be posted late tonight or tomorrow.

Which preseason college football magazine is your favorite?

I've actually never purchased a preseason college football magazine so I can't really answer it. I've always gotten my information from the internet and have never felt the need to go out and purchase any additional material. But all the talk about Phil Steele's magazine has me interested and I might go get it if I see it sometime soon.

What team is being supremely overrated in the preseason rankings?

I've got two teams for this, Ohio State and Clemson. Sure everyone expects me to say OSU as a Michigan fan but they lose so much on defense it's hard to see them competing for that National Title. They have the players on offense but as they say defense wins championships and I don't see that D there. Clemson is based on Ivan Maisel's early top 25 where he has the Tigers at 11. Sure they have James Davis and picked up C.J. Spiller but I don't see how losing Charlie Whitehurst moves them up. Clemson as they always seem to do will lose games they shouldn't and win a game they shouldn't and end up hovering around the 6-7 win mark. Also Oklahoma is getting a lot of hype, I do have them in my early top 5 but they do have question marks on the OL and we will have to wait and see if Rhett Bomar is ready for the big time.

Turn the tables. Who is underrated?

I've got Auburn as underrated coming into this year, I had them as my early preseason #1 and I'll stick with them. Sure the schedule is tough since they play in the SEC but they do get LSU, Florida and Georgia all at home this year. Add that with the return of Brandon Cox and Kenny Irons and I like them to win the National Championship this season.

Louisville was a team that a lot of people pegged as a darkhorse last year and they disappointed. However I think because of that season last year they are being underrated this year. Michael Bush and Brian Brohm are back to lead that offense and the schedule also looks favorable as Miami and West Virginia are home games.

Which conference will be the best in 2006?

I like the SEC followed by the Big 10 to be the best in 06. The top of the league will be strong as always with Auburn, LSU, Florida and Georgia competing for the conference title. South Carolina under Spurrier will be a tough team to face. Tennessee should be improved from their 5-6 record a season ago as should Arkansas. Alabama will probably have some drop off but will still be a bowl team.

Everyone has Ohio State up in their top 5 at least, and Iowa will be a very good team and Michigan should rebound after last season. Penn State will be solid, just depends on how Anthony Morelli handles the starting job and Michigan State returns Drew Stanton which will make them a threat. Can't forget Wisconsin coming off a 10 win season but under a new coaching staff and Minnesota would be ranked higher if Gary Russell didn't flunk out of school.

Which "non-BCS" conference will be the best in 2006?

I'll watch non-BCS games late on Saturday when there's nothing else going on but I don't follow them closely enough to make these picks, unless a player on one of these teams is on my college fantasy league. So I'll go with the safe pick and choose the Mountain West with TCU and Utah leading the charge. Utah could score a big upset for the conference early when they come to the Rose Bowl and take on UCLA while TCU can pick up a couple of wins over Big XII teams as they open at Baylor and two weeks later welcome Texas Tech to town.

Which non-BCS conference team will have the best season?

I like UTEP as the best non-BCS conference team this year. Mike Price has done a great job rebuilding in El Paso and with Carson Palmer's brother Jordan at the helm along with a big time WR in Johnnie Lee Higgins I expect the Miners to get a 10 win season this year. Week 2 they host Texas Tech but aside from that the schedule doesn't look too difficult and they should win Conference USA this year.

Let's get your first read on this one...who will win the H*i*m*n? Oh, by the way, players whose last names begin with the letter "Q" are ineligible.

There are a couple of names that are being mentioned aside from Mr. Q and I think one of them is a favorite, that being Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma. We all saw what he could do his freshman year and big things were expected of him last year as well. But injuries derailed him as well as his OL so we will see if he can get back to form.

If Auburn does as I predict and get to the National Championship then there would be some love shown for Brandon Cox and Kenny Irons so it wouldn't surprise me if Irons had a big year and made a run for the trophy.

Michael Bush has been talked about by some but I don't see it unless Louisville makes a run at an undefeated season and even if then Brian Brohm would get a lot of credit for it taking away votes. Marshawn Lynch could get some consideration if Cal is able to beat USC and have another big season but his problem will be the lack of exposure being on the West Coast as well as having to split carries with Justin Forsett.

10 Years of Michigan Football: The Ups, Downs, and Everything In ...

2006-07-17T12:57:00.000-07:00

As the countdown to the 2006 college football season continues to grow less and less, the memories start to come back from every moment in the past. Everyone can remember them. That one time where your team made the last second play or the exciting stop on fourth down. We all have them. For fans of college football, those types of moments are burned into memory during every game after. You go through cheering day in and day out, no matter what the outcome. There'll be times when your team wins and is on top of the world, and when they've hit rock bottom. Throughout all of the firings and hirings, the players that come and go, there's always one thing that is constant, and that is the fans. I am proud to say that I am one of the many fans of college football. For the past 9 years, college football has been what I look forward to every Saturday in the fall months of the year, and it still is to this day.

Many of you probably don't know this, but I'm only a junior in high school. I turn 16 late next month, about a week before Michigan kicks-off the 2006 season. For the last 9 years of my life, Michigan football has been my favorite part. On September 2nd, when Michigan and Vanderbilt start the season in Ann Arbor, I'll be there. It'll be the 10th year that I will have been attending Michigan football games, a mark that not many are lucky enough to hold, especially at such a young age. There are so many die hard fans of the Wolverines around the country that never even get to make one trip to Michigan Stadium. I get to make that trip almost every Saturday during the fall months.

It all started on October 11, 1997. Well, actually it started long before that when my dad, an alumnus of Michigan, received two season tickets for Michigan football games. I was only 7 years old, but the sport of football had my interest, especially the college game. Week in and week out I would be glued to the TV set, watching all of the games I could. Games that I can still remember to this day. I guess you could say that's when the addiction of sports in general started. The 1997 season got off to a great start for Michigan, just as it would end up finishing. The Wolverines were 5-0, and ready to meet with a Northwestern team that had upset them a year before. This is when my dad decided to take me to my first Michigan football game.

It was a cool fall day, the 106,048 fans in attendance made their way to the gates of Michigan Stadium. Michigan prepared to continue their win streak, and make sure that the loss column still read zero. Brian Griese led the Wolverines to a 23-6 victory that day, and just made it another step towards a national title. My first game turned out to be a great one. The maize and blue didn't lose again that season. They capped the regular season off at home in a game against Ohio State. I was there for that one as well. Charles Woodson cemented his Heisman candidacy with a punt return that I was barely even able to see over the swarms of fans. A year too early for the video-boards. Out in Pasadena the Wolverines defeated Washington State for the Rose Bowl championship and a national title. A great season to be a Michigan football fan.

From that afternoon on October 11th to the present time, I've been a Michigan football fan. All together I've attended 38 games over the 9-year span. At home, I've witnessed the Wolverines win 27 games and lose a mere 4. On the road, 2 wins and 2 losses. And on a neutral bowl site, 1 win and 2 losses. The longest winning streak was a big 11 in a row. The longest losing streak wasn't even that long; just 2 consecutive defeats. My father and I don't make it out to every game simply because you don't get to see what's going on in the rest of the college football world. Usually, we go to every home opener; no matter who the opponent is, a road or bowl game, and then all of the home games against high-profile opponents.

I've seen it all in the past 9 years. I've been through the heartbreak of a Michigan loss at the very end of the game, 4th quarter collapses, and bad officiating. But, with all of the bad, there's also lots of good. I've seen a national championship team, comebacks, overtime wins, last second field goals and touchdowns, a Heisman trophy winner, future NFL stars, tailgating parties, former players and coaches, ESPN's College Gameday, bowl games, road games, upsets, perfect seasons, mediocre seasons, Big Ten championships, and most importantly: the best experience in the world, a Saturday afternoon in the Big House. That's what it's all about.

During those 9 years I've been lucky enough to live through so many great moments in the history of not only Michigan football, but college football altogether. When I finish attending my 10th year of Michigan football, I hope the outcome will be as good as when I attended my 1st. To prepare everyone for the upcoming season, I will look back at all of the games I've attended, and countdown my favorites. With all of that being said, here's to the last 9 years of Michigan football, and to the countless ones ahead.

Go Blue!

Games Early Could Tell Alot

2006-07-10T18:22:00.001-07:00

Three games in college football could shape the landscape of College Football really early. Florida State and The Miami Hurricanes hook up early in the season. The loser of this game could lose any chance of a National Championship bid. Both teams fans expect a National Championship every year so a loss early will hurt alot.

U.S.C. host a Nebraska team who wants to prove they are alot better than what people actually think. This is a showcase game for the Cornhuskers and how far Bill Callahan has brought this once college football powerhouse. The Trojans still stinging from the Rose Bowl loss to Texas wants to show people they haven't lost a step and will want to prove they are a team to watch out for.

Lastly the Ohio State Buckeyes must travel to Austin Texas to take on the Texas Longhorns. it won't be the same team without Vince Young, but it's never easy playing in Austin Texas. The Buckeyes need this win to keep their national Championship hopes alive and it could be their only real road test this year.

Games Early Could Tell Alot

2006-07-10T18:22:00.000-07:00

Games Early Could Tell Alot

2006-07-10T18:21:00.000-07:00

2006-05-09T22:01:00.000-07:00

Pasadena voters to decide Rose Bowl-NFL initiative

PASADENA, Calif. Pasadena voters in November could help decide whether L-A gets a pro-football team.

Pasadena City Council voted unanimously to place a measure on the ballot aimed at luring a team to the Rose Bowl.

It proposes giving the league rights to play at the stadium for 25 years in exchange for a 500-(m) million dollar stadium renovation, 500-thousand dollars a year in rent, and other considerations.

City Councilman Chris Holden says passing the measure would relieve Pasadena of paying 200-(m) million dollars for renovations he said are needed at the Rose Bowl.

But the initiative is opposed by West Pasadena residents, preservationists, and other city leaders, including Mayor Bill Bogaard.

Meanwhile, a committee of N-F-L owners heard stadium presentations last week from Los Angeles, Anaheim and Pasadena.

They could decide later this month whether to approve a Southern California franchise.

2006-04-16T16:42:00.000-07:00

rosebowltackle2 new articles for Sunday, April 16, 2006Michael Silver: No valid reason Vince Young has fallen since Rose Bowl (Sports Illustrated)
"The trouble with you is the trouble with me. You've got two good eyes but you still don't see...." -- Grateful Dead, "Casey Jones"

Kids Fit for a Rose Bowl-Size Challenge Health Finishes First in 5k Event (RedNova)
By Lisa M. Sodders\ Staff writer PASADENA - Nearly 10,000 children, parents and educators poured out of the Rose Bowl on Saturday for a five-kilometer run/walk at the Kids Fitness Challenge.

Final tuneup: Mexico to face Venezuela at Rose Bowl (Sports Illustrated)
The Mexican national soccer team will play its final tuneup match before the World Cup against Venezuela at the Rose Bowl on May 5.

NFL Draft; Quarterbacks: Big dreams ride on Big Three (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
For a while, this contest seemingly belonged to Vince Young. He was on top of the football world after his spellbinding performance against Leinart's Trojans in the Rose Bowl.

Mexico To Face Venezuela at Rose Bowl (Soccer365)
Soccer United Marketing (SUM) and Chivas USA together with the Federacion Mexicana de Fútbol, announced that the Mexican National Team will finalize its preparations for the 2006 FIFA World Cup with a prestigious international soccer match on Friday, May 5, 2006 against the national team of Venezuela at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl (8:00 p.m. local, Telemundo, Futbol de Primera) in the fifth and final

Mexico to face Venezuela at Rose Bowl (OregonLive.com)
NEW YORK (AP) — The Mexican national soccer team will play its final tuneup match before the World Cup against Venezuela at the Rose Bowl on May 5. The international game that will be played on Cinco de Mayo is the sixth meeting between the teams.

Slive expects little change to formula (Birmingham News)
Expanding the pool for eligible at-large Bowl Championship Series slots will be a topic of discussion later this month at the BCS meetings.

Mexico to face Venezuela at Rose Bowl (Fox Sports)
Mexico will face Venezuela on May 5 in a friendly at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, the beginning of El Tri's final phase of preparations for the World Cup in Germany.

Avengers take part in kids fitness challenge at the Rose Bowl (OurSports Central)
LOS ANGELES - Future NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice along with "A-Team" dancers Becky and Nancy took part in the Kids Fitness Challenge on Saturday, April 8 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Don Banks' Snap Judgments: A controversial RB prospect, Favre, McNair and more (Sports Illustrated)
On the surface, at least, you have to admit the story line has a familiar ring to it: As the NFL draft approaches, a highly rated collegiate running back with a national championship pedigree is trying to overcome a disheartening string of setbacks, most seemingly of the self-inflicted variety.

2006-04-10T22:18:00.000-07:00

rosebowltackle2 new articles for Tuesday, April 11, 2006Rose Bowl Swap Meet
I lost my Rose Bowl Swap Meet virginity today and I can honestly say, like my first loss of virginity, it didn't go too well. It's all kinda hot and sweaty and I ... So really, the Rose Bowl Swap Meet is just like losing your virginity. ...

Reggie Bush vs Vince Young
Because Vince Young came into my radar when I watched him dominate Michigan in the 2005 Rose Bowl and then the ESPN saying that USC was the best team ever really pissed me off. In my opinion what is happending to Vince Young is similar ...

Rose Bowl loss to Texas all but forgotten by USC
A victory in the Rose Bowl would have raised the possibility of a challenge to Oklahoma's record of 47 consecutive victories, the Holy Grail of college football records. That's the kind of loss that would stick with most people. ...

#152: Rose Bowl, Pasadena
Rose Bowl, Pasadena.

Testing, testing
His stock skyrocketed when he lit up Southern Cal in the Rose Bowl and beat the unbeatable team pretty much single-handedly. But his stock fell when he didn't score well on the NFL's version of the SAT, the Wonderlic. ...

AN ABSURDLY PREMATURE ASSESSMENT OF: SOUTHERN CAL
PAST FIVE SEASONS: 54-10 (35-5 PAC Ten) / 2005: 12-1 (8-0 PAC Ten, Champions), Lost Rose Bowl STARTERS BACK, ROUGHLY: 11 (4 Offense, 7 Defens e) WHAT'S CHANGED: Several hundred pounds of hardware is gone en route to the NFL, ...

Farewell to Taco Tuesday...for a while.
He will be taking classes at the School of Visual Concepts, and if all goes well will lead their football team to the Rose Bowl this fall. Now the bad news, the classes will take place on Tuesday meaning that Taco Tuesday will be put on ...

Where are the USC championship t-shirts?
When USC played Texas in the Rose Bowl, both sides had freshly minted championship t-shirts and hats ready for on-the-field celebration. But what happens to the loser's merchandise? In the case of USC's incorrect merchandise, ...

All good things must come to an end, but not all good things have ...
It's the 1997 Rose Bowl, at No. 66. Two notes on this game: I got so trashed the night before, my pancreas shut down for a week. (I haven't touched a drop of alcohol on a New Year's even since.); and my VHS tape of this game is labeled ...

God of the miraculous. God of the breakthrough. No limts...No ...
In the first half of the 1929 Rose Bowl game between Georgia Tech and the University of California, UC player Roy Reigels dealt the Georgia Tech tailback a bone-crushing tackle. Roy scooped up the ball and sprinted toward the goal. ...

The weekend that never ends
I finally got to eat at Lawry's on Saturday as I had told everyone I refused to eat there until Michigan made it to the Rose Bowl and I just hadn't gone because we had lost the two Rose Bowls and I didn't want to be reminded of it but I ...

Things to do before leaving LA
Attend a Dodgers game; Attend an LMU basketball game; Attend a UCLA basketball game at Pauley Pavillion; Attend a UCLA football game in the Rose Bowl; Attend a Notre Dame/USC football game in the Colliseum; Attend the Grand Prix of Long ...

[Maisel] Rose Bowl loss to Texas all but forgotten by USC - ESPN ...
The Rose Bowl, as big as it was, amounted to one game, same as the previous 34. USC did the best it could do, and for the first time in nearly three seasons, it wasn't enough. "The way we handled that fits right hand in hand with our ...

And Life Has Slowed Down...
But someone may go after him because it's just hard to completely ignore what he did in the Rose Bowl. In the later rounds, good picks would be: Kellen Clemens from Oregon, Paul Pinegar, Fresno St., Charlie Whitehurst, Clemson, ...

The End of March Madness
An open letter to UCLA fans who rooted for the Trojans in the Rose Bowl against Texas:. I feel your pain. Your team was a great team, and had a great year, and but for one great performance by one great player, you would have been ...

Bush is better RB candidate
I'm not knocking White's ability on the football field - he scored more touchdowns than anybody in the history of Tailback U and had a great performance in the Rose Bowl - but didn't have the right mentality on Pro Day. ...

Soaked in Training
Yesterday we covered 14 muddy miles in and around the Rose Bowl. As I drove to practice, I saw other groups coping with the morning's downpour. The Korean-American Running Club — most noted for their lime, day-glo jerseys that can be ...

Baked Potato Omelette Casserole
Preheat oven to 350 Lightly grease 13x9x2 baking dish. Place hash browns in prepared dish pressing gentlt. Layer sausage,bacon and cheese on top. In meduim bowl whisk together eggs and remaing ingredients. Pour evenly over casserole. ...

CBS Sportsline: Notebook: Tedford ready to unleash spread offense ...
The Rose Bowl. The nation watched Vince Young run one of the most lethal spread offenses in college history. Tedford and others in the Pac-10 have ... Until Texas did it in the Rose Bowl, Tedford's Bears were the last team to beat USC. ...

Easy way to remember football practice schedule
Monday at 7:45 PM (Rose Bowl)Wed and Fri at 4PM (Rose Bowl)Sat at 11AM (BDSHGF) Thru Sat 4/22...

2006-04-02T21:12:00.000-07:00

rosebowltackle2 new articles for Sunday, April 02, 2006Indians show resolve (The Columbus Dispatch)
Aaron Boone had a sideline pass to watch his alma mater, Southern California, in the Rose Bowl. But shortly before the game he was told that the NCAA was limiting the number of celebrity sideline passes.

Bowl news brings an ounce of pleasure (Albuquerque Tribune)
My quivering heart be still. Quick, get me the name of a world-class cardio man. The possibility of a second Lobos/Aggies football game in the same season is too much for any ticker to bear.

Student to Chair Craft Area at Cherry Blossom Festival (La Cañada Valley Sun)
La Cañada High School Junior Alyssa Tso has been appointed to chair the Kids Kraft Area for the fifth annual Cherry Blossom Festival held at the Rose Bowl during the first weekend in April.

This Isn't Your Granny's Rabbit Food (Fox News)
Dieters dive into a 500-pound salad made in a swimming pool.

Book Bowl Finals Planned for April 12 (The Ledger)
The fourth annual Book Bowl competition will feature student teams from four elementary and four middle schools answering questions about assigned books on the Sunshine State Readers List.

Texas unveils McCoy and Snead at quarterback (Sports Illustrated)
AUSTIN (AP) -- Jevan Snead could be like most other 18-year-olds and be preparing for his high school prom. Instead, he spent this spring learning how to be a college quarterback.

Former prep star dies (Sun-Sentinel)
Rose, 44, one of best to play at Stranahan Carlton Rose, one of the best football players at Stranahan High School, has died.

Competition 'fun' among Longhorn QBs (Fox Sports)
Jevan Snead could be like most other 18-year-olds and be preparing for his high school prom. Instead, he spent this spring learning how to be a college quarterback. Snead and redshirt freshman Colt McCoy made their public debuts Saturday night as potential starters for defending national champion Texas as the Longhorns wrapped up spring drills with the annual Orange-White scrimmage. Both made

Texas unveils McCoy and Snead at QB (USA Today)
Jevan Snead and redshirt freshman Colt McCoy made their public debuts Saturday night as potential starters for defending national champion Texas as the Longhorns wrapped up spring drills with the annual Orange-White scrimmage. Coach Mack Brown has not announced a starter.

Ease our troubles, that's what opening day does (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Opening day is a spring rite with lousy weather. It's skipping school and avoiding work, dining on brats and...

Rose Bowl

2006-02-22T18:36:00.000-08:00

Sometimes nicknamed The Granddaddy of Them All, the Rose Bowl is the oldest bowl game and part of the annual Tournament of Roses event. The game was first played in 1902, pitting Michigan against Stanford, but after Michigan's 49-0 win over Stanford, Tournament of Roses officials did not stage another game until 1916, when instead of a football game, chariot races were held. The Tournament also includes the Tournament of Roses Parade featuring floats covered with flowers and plants. Before the Rose Bowl stadium was built in 1923, games were played in Pasadena's Tournament Park, approximately three miles southeast of the current stadium. For many years the game was televised by NBC in a 1 PM PST time slot, the only New Year's bowl opposite no other bowl game; since 1988 it has aired on ABC.