Is there really anything better than a good football movie? Well...yeah; but that still doesn't make this story any less awesome.
Picture this: a college football movie with a supporting cast that includes Nick Saban, Houston Nutt, Tommy Tuberville, Philip Fulmer, and Lou Holtz. College football fans (and especially SEC lovers), are you drooling yet?
The movie, "The Blind Side" chronicles the hardknocked life of Ole Miss offensive lineman Michael Oher, who was drafted in the first round this year by the Baltimore Ravens.
The movie also stars Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw as Oher's foster parents, but honestly...who cares? What makes a football movie are the players and coaches, and by adding some of the most highly recognizable names in college football, it makes it that much more better. Do I honestly care whether or not Nick Saban is a great actor? No. Do I think that Philip Fulmer is polishing up his Oscar acceptance speech as we speak? Definetly not. But just their presence in this film makes me want to see it even more, and I'm pretty sure I won't be the only one.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Let's go to the polls...
Preseason polls are a neccessary evil that college football teams have to deal with. They don't mean anything, could be completely wrong, and (probably worst of all) can potentially screw with the minds of voters, skewing how they rank teams.
But gosh, they are so darn fun
Everyone wants to know how experts view their favorite teams coming into the season, so the media just keeps 'em coming. So, despite the issues with them, I'll resign myself to being part of the problem...here are some of the polls out so far.
USA Today this is the earliest of all the preseason polls, dating back to January after the last bowl game. Also, it should be noted that these rankings are based off of last season's results, and don't take into consideration things like recruiting and key player losses.
But gosh, they are so darn fun
Everyone wants to know how experts view their favorite teams coming into the season, so the media just keeps 'em coming. So, despite the issues with them, I'll resign myself to being part of the problem...here are some of the polls out so far.
USA Today this is the earliest of all the preseason polls, dating back to January after the last bowl game. Also, it should be noted that these rankings are based off of last season's results, and don't take into consideration things like recruiting and key player losses.
College Football News (1-10) Click below to see 11-25
College Football News Part 2
The general concensus? Unless you are Florida, Texas, or Oklahoma, you can kiss your national title hopes goodbye (Sorry Utah, but there're probably a better chance of hell freezing over than you getting into the big game this year, no matter what the coaches poll says)
Interesting things to note:
The fairly high ranking of Virgina Tech in two of the polls (5 and 7). Maybe this will signal a rise in ACC stock this coming season?
The ESPN rankings, which put VT above USC, who in the other polls was ranked higher consistently.
What do you guys think? What two teams do you think will battle it out in January for all the marbles?
Saturday, June 27, 2009
This is a stretch
Ok, so this isn't exactly college football related, but Terrell Owens had to have gone to school somewhere (University of Tennesse-Chattanooga)....
Anyway, here's a clip of T.O. giving a blanket apology statement for everything he's done and everything he's likely to do this upcoming season. It's pretty hilarious and you have to applaud the guy for having the self awareness and good humor to do this.
Anyway, here's a clip of T.O. giving a blanket apology statement for everything he's done and everything he's likely to do this upcoming season. It's pretty hilarious and you have to applaud the guy for having the self awareness and good humor to do this.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
ACC Championship Game goes primetime...but is it ready?
This is a few days old, but let's polish it up and make it look shiny and new again.
The ACC Championship Game will be moving to primetime (and cable) for the first time since the original game. The big question that remains, however, is why? Let's look at some numbers
5.5 The Nielsen rating for the 2008 Big 12 Championship Game
9.3 The rating for grand daddy of them all...The 2008 SEC Championship Game. Okay, maybe that's not fair given that it was the highest rated SEC Championship Game ever, but still that leads us to...
2.6 That's the rating for the 2008 ACC Championship Game.
27,360 How many people were in attendance at the ACC Championship Game last year. That not even half of Raymond James Stadium, where the game was played.
So what does this tell us? That the ACC isn't quite ready for the bright lights that go along with an 8 pm start time. The league needs to do a lot more than simply change the time of their game; officials need to figure out why the interest just isn't there (possible answers: smaller schools and more interest in basketball) and why promotion for these events has gone to the wayside. So step up your game ACC. If you want to compete with the big guys, you better start acting like one
Photo credited to sportsbusinessjournal.com
Saturday, June 20, 2009
More Charges for the Hawkeyes..
Iowa right tackle Kyle Calloway was charged with a DUI early this morning, and confessed to the cops that he drank "seven or eight beers". But yet he blew a .106? I call shenanigans on that one.
Kyle Calloway is 317 pounds. Meaning, he's one beefy dude. So, using a trusty BAC Calculator, we find that Calloway would have had to drink those eight beers in less than 10 minutes (which, if that's the case....what a beast!) to have blown what he did. So I think that somone's fibbin'....
Either way, it means the same thing to the Hawkeyes. One half of what may be the Big Ten's best pair of tackles is suspended for a game. Granted, that game will probably be one of the two cushy nonconference matchups (UNI or Arkansas State...scary!), but it's slightly unsettling that so early into the summer we already have a suspension. Foreshadowing? God, I hope not.
Kyle Calloway is 317 pounds. Meaning, he's one beefy dude. So, using a trusty BAC Calculator, we find that Calloway would have had to drink those eight beers in less than 10 minutes (which, if that's the case....what a beast!) to have blown what he did. So I think that somone's fibbin'....
Either way, it means the same thing to the Hawkeyes. One half of what may be the Big Ten's best pair of tackles is suspended for a game. Granted, that game will probably be one of the two cushy nonconference matchups (UNI or Arkansas State...scary!), but it's slightly unsettling that so early into the summer we already have a suspension. Foreshadowing? God, I hope not.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Who Doesn't Like a Good Rivalry...
Listen to Chris Spielman, former Ohio State football player talk about what is considered one of the greatest rivalries of college football.
College Football Live's Interview with Spielman
College Football Live's Interview with Spielman
Photo obtained from ESPN.com
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
What's Going On Today
Stuff you may or may not care about…
The University of Iowa reinstated the three football players (including Ferentz’s son) who had been suspended because of public intoxication charges. All three players pled guilty. Had they been a little wiser, they would have hired the Florida Gators' lawyer… now there’s someone who knows how to get a football player out of a jam.
Next week, members of the FBS plan to propose changes to the current BCS system to the Bowl Championship Series Oversight Committee, being thoroughly peeved at the BCS’s diss on Utah last season. Raise your hands if you think they stand a chance in hell against the billion dollar conglomerate that is the BCS. Yeah, me neither.
Finally, for those not sick of hearing about how the Big Ten needs to add another team to the conference, here’s another article about the big debate.
The University of Iowa reinstated the three football players (including Ferentz’s son) who had been suspended because of public intoxication charges. All three players pled guilty. Had they been a little wiser, they would have hired the Florida Gators' lawyer… now there’s someone who knows how to get a football player out of a jam.
Next week, members of the FBS plan to propose changes to the current BCS system to the Bowl Championship Series Oversight Committee, being thoroughly peeved at the BCS’s diss on Utah last season. Raise your hands if you think they stand a chance in hell against the billion dollar conglomerate that is the BCS. Yeah, me neither.
Finally, for those not sick of hearing about how the Big Ten needs to add another team to the conference, here’s another article about the big debate.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Vincent Reaction
1.)In Vincent’s study, what are the primary factors he uses to gauge whether media coverage of the genders is equitable?
The primary factors that Vincent uses to figure out if media coverage of men and women is equal are quantity of coverage, quality of coverage, position of the page, and content and quality of photography. When Vincent talks about quantity of coverage, he is talking in terms of the number of articles, number of words and paragraphs in the article, the number of headlines, the number of photographs, and the size of the article, the headline, and the photos that accompany it.
Quality of coverage means taking a look at the position of the article within the newspaper. Is the article about the athlete in the sports page or on the front page? Is it buried within the section of the newspaper or right up front? All of these things determine whether or not the coverage of male and female athletes are equal. Also, one should pay attention to the position of the article on the page that it is on and whether or not it is on the top, middle, or bottom of the page.
When looking at the quality of the photograph, readers should pay attention to the type of photo (like a competitive v. non-competitive photo) and whether the photo is black and white or color.
Besides these factors, Vincent also looks at how female athletes are portrayed in the media. There should be a balance between “female appropriate” sports, like gymnastics or ice skating, and “non female appropriate” sports, like rugby or field hockey. Also, it is important not to trivialize female athletes and to avoid threading stories about female athletes into stories about male athletes. Finally, sports writers should define female athletes by their athleticism and not their gender.
2. What are some of the conclusions and inferences of the study?
Vincent thinks that it is extremely important that women and men athletes have equal coverage in sports, as he feels that it is a direct reference to how women are valued in society. If female athletes are barely covered in the media then it makes it difficult for parents to send their daughters the message that women’s sports are worthwhile and valuable and that women athletes are just as “determined, powerful, independent, and strong” as male athletes.
Along with the amount of coverage, it is also important that women athletes are not stereotyped by their looks or by their gender roles. Anna Kournikova shouldn’t be a highly visible female athlete just because she is pretty, but because of her role as a successful female athlete. Only by getting rid of the idea that female athletes are valued based on sex appeal can there be equal coverage of men and women.
3. Are his recommendations realistic? In your opinion, why or why not?
While it would be nice if women’s and men’s sports received equal coverage in all areas, I don’t think it will realistically happen any time soon. Too much damage has already been done and in our culture we have been almost trained to enjoy sports like football, men’s basketball, or baseball more than the WNBA. Since this is what people want to watch and want to see covered, the media is going to cover it because they are in the business of making money. There is a reason that we see commercials and ads all over the place for men’s sporting events; they are able to make the big money that women’s sports just can’t.
The primary factors that Vincent uses to figure out if media coverage of men and women is equal are quantity of coverage, quality of coverage, position of the page, and content and quality of photography. When Vincent talks about quantity of coverage, he is talking in terms of the number of articles, number of words and paragraphs in the article, the number of headlines, the number of photographs, and the size of the article, the headline, and the photos that accompany it.
Quality of coverage means taking a look at the position of the article within the newspaper. Is the article about the athlete in the sports page or on the front page? Is it buried within the section of the newspaper or right up front? All of these things determine whether or not the coverage of male and female athletes are equal. Also, one should pay attention to the position of the article on the page that it is on and whether or not it is on the top, middle, or bottom of the page.
When looking at the quality of the photograph, readers should pay attention to the type of photo (like a competitive v. non-competitive photo) and whether the photo is black and white or color.
Besides these factors, Vincent also looks at how female athletes are portrayed in the media. There should be a balance between “female appropriate” sports, like gymnastics or ice skating, and “non female appropriate” sports, like rugby or field hockey. Also, it is important not to trivialize female athletes and to avoid threading stories about female athletes into stories about male athletes. Finally, sports writers should define female athletes by their athleticism and not their gender.
2. What are some of the conclusions and inferences of the study?
Vincent thinks that it is extremely important that women and men athletes have equal coverage in sports, as he feels that it is a direct reference to how women are valued in society. If female athletes are barely covered in the media then it makes it difficult for parents to send their daughters the message that women’s sports are worthwhile and valuable and that women athletes are just as “determined, powerful, independent, and strong” as male athletes.
Along with the amount of coverage, it is also important that women athletes are not stereotyped by their looks or by their gender roles. Anna Kournikova shouldn’t be a highly visible female athlete just because she is pretty, but because of her role as a successful female athlete. Only by getting rid of the idea that female athletes are valued based on sex appeal can there be equal coverage of men and women.
3. Are his recommendations realistic? In your opinion, why or why not?
While it would be nice if women’s and men’s sports received equal coverage in all areas, I don’t think it will realistically happen any time soon. Too much damage has already been done and in our culture we have been almost trained to enjoy sports like football, men’s basketball, or baseball more than the WNBA. Since this is what people want to watch and want to see covered, the media is going to cover it because they are in the business of making money. There is a reason that we see commercials and ads all over the place for men’s sporting events; they are able to make the big money that women’s sports just can’t.
Friday, June 12, 2009
USC responds to allegations...sorta
So, now that we’re on the topic of NCAA violations, why not take a look at another school facing the iron fist of the NCAA…USC. Sure, athletes receiving thousands of dollars in gifts from multiple boosters and other sources isn’t quite as bad as *GASP* students buying textbooks for other students, but it deserves attention nonetheless.
Yesterday, USC finally commented on the allegations they’re facing concerning Reggie Bush and basketball player O.J. Mayo. Or, umm, wait. Maybe they didn’t? Did they? During the video that the school’s athletic department posted, Vice President for Administration, Todd Dickey was adamant that no, USC would not be commenting on the ongoing investigation.
So basically what Dickey and Athletic Director Mike Garrett had to say in their first response in FOREVER was this: “Guys, we want to find out what’s going on just as much as you. No, wait… MORE than you. That’s how much we care about this whole thing. So trust us, we’re doing absolutely everything we possibly can to get this solved. Oh, and the reason we haven’t been saying anything until right now isn’t because we have anything to hide or because we’re trying to protect ourselves, it’s because we have the integrity to respect the NCAA and the investigation process. *stifles giggles* Oh, and did we mention we‘re not hiding anything? Cuz we totally aren‘t.”
Thanks for the clarification. Go Trojans?
Ok, if we’re being real here, what is going to happen to USC? Is the NCAA really going to lay the smack down on one of their biggest (and most profitable) powerhouses? Probably not. Even Bama got off lighter than what was expected and while they’re going to have to be watching their back for the next few years and it sucks to have to vacate wins, they didn’t lose a single scholarship, which would have rocked their world in a big way.
So I’m curious to see what’s going to happen in this long and drawn out ordeal because chances are, it ain’t even close to being over.
Yesterday, USC finally commented on the allegations they’re facing concerning Reggie Bush and basketball player O.J. Mayo. Or, umm, wait. Maybe they didn’t? Did they? During the video that the school’s athletic department posted, Vice President for Administration, Todd Dickey was adamant that no, USC would not be commenting on the ongoing investigation.
So basically what Dickey and Athletic Director Mike Garrett had to say in their first response in FOREVER was this: “Guys, we want to find out what’s going on just as much as you. No, wait… MORE than you. That’s how much we care about this whole thing. So trust us, we’re doing absolutely everything we possibly can to get this solved. Oh, and the reason we haven’t been saying anything until right now isn’t because we have anything to hide or because we’re trying to protect ourselves, it’s because we have the integrity to respect the NCAA and the investigation process. *stifles giggles* Oh, and did we mention we‘re not hiding anything? Cuz we totally aren‘t.”
Thanks for the clarification. Go Trojans?
Ok, if we’re being real here, what is going to happen to USC? Is the NCAA really going to lay the smack down on one of their biggest (and most profitable) powerhouses? Probably not. Even Bama got off lighter than what was expected and while they’re going to have to be watching their back for the next few years and it sucks to have to vacate wins, they didn’t lose a single scholarship, which would have rocked their world in a big way.
So I’m curious to see what’s going to happen in this long and drawn out ordeal because chances are, it ain’t even close to being over.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Auburn Fans: Finally Some Good News
In less than half an hour, Alabama will find out what fate the NCAA has in store for them. For those with rusty memories, from 2005 to 2007 it's alleged that the Crimson Tide committed NCAA violations when seven football players got a hold of free textbooks for fellow students, abusing their scholarships.
What could this mean for Alabama? A lot. Potentially, they could be forced to vacate, at the very least, 10 wins as well as putting Bama right back on probation. Remember, in 2007 Alabama had just gotten a taste of freedom after it came off ANOTHER probation. One good piece of news though, Alabama won't lose any scholarships, which would have been a deadly blow to the school's football program.
UPDATE: Listen to the live NCAA teleconference of their decision for Alabama HERE
What could this mean for Alabama? A lot. Potentially, they could be forced to vacate, at the very least, 10 wins as well as putting Bama right back on probation. Remember, in 2007 Alabama had just gotten a taste of freedom after it came off ANOTHER probation. One good piece of news though, Alabama won't lose any scholarships, which would have been a deadly blow to the school's football program.
UPDATE: Listen to the live NCAA teleconference of their decision for Alabama HERE
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
An Introduction
Hey guys, I’m Jennifer Downing and welcome to my blog. This fall marks the beginning of the end as I enter my senior year at the University of Iowa where I’m majoring in journalism and geography.
As apparent by its name (uncreative but appropriate nonetheless) this blog is about all things college football. Granted, kickoff to the season isn’t for a few months (81 days…but who‘s counting) but that doesn’t mean that there’s still not a whole crap load going on this summer. From injuries to legal issues to Lane Kiffin, I’ll be following it all.
As apparent by its name (uncreative but appropriate nonetheless) this blog is about all things college football. Granted, kickoff to the season isn’t for a few months (81 days…but who‘s counting) but that doesn’t mean that there’s still not a whole crap load going on this summer. From injuries to legal issues to Lane Kiffin, I’ll be following it all.
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