NC State Wins Bitcoin Bowl on Horrible Field

((ht: espn.com))

Oooof...bowl games are fun. Right? They must be, why else would there be so many of them.

One of the...well, one of them was played Friday, the Bitcoin Bowl. It was played in the crappy Tropicana Dome in that exciting place known as St. Petersburg, Florida.

And based on the video, it was played in front of hundreds of fans. (Bowls don't release attendance figures for a reason we're thinking)

North Carolina State won the game 34-27 over UCF but not before the Knights valiantly tried to mount a comeback after being down 31-13 after three quarters.

Wolfpack RB Matt Dayes ran for 78 yards and 2 TD's, Jacoby Brissett threw for 262 yards and 1 TD to lead NC State to their 8th win on the season.

UCF QB Justin Holman threw for 291 yards and 3 TD's to lead the Knights who finish the season at 7-6.

Highlights from ESPN.com

The Dirty Dozen and The Bottom of the Barrel: The Overrated Edition

Uh..yeah, so there's that.

Anyone else notice that the 1st week of the "BCS" poll and there's always a slew of upsets? Not that we are throwing conspiracy theories out or anything.

And really, you could apply this chant to pretty much anyone in the SEC this season (Yeah, I said it!--Prove I'm wrong)



Clemson, slaughtered, UCLA, barely a whimper, Texas A&M, bye-bye. Oh, and don't forget Louisville....sigh...

It was a tough week to pick games, but this is a marathon not just a one week thing. Keeping that in mind...here's the tally so far. 10-6 Yikes!!  But 80-14 on the season...



Ha!

As Casey Kasem always said, "Let's get on with the Countdown"

THE DIRTY DOZEN:

1) Oregon 7-0. Kinda would like to see Nick Aliotti (sp?) and Mike Leach square off after last weeks aerial circus in Oregon. But seriously now. And no, don't call me Shirley...



In all seriousness. Ha! The Ducks do face their toughest stretch of the season get through the next 2 weeks...This Week : vs. UCLA, Our Pick: Oregon 47, UCLA 31

2) Florida State 6-0. Yes, really. They embarrassed Clemson. Though admittedly, Clemson kinda made that a little easier. Is there any doubting Famous Jameis now? The ACC is there for the taking. And this time a BCS berth too. This Week: vs. NC State, Our Pick: FSU 41, NC State 20

3) Alabama 7-0. Oh how the mighty have fallen. And don't blame them, the other guys have accomplished more this year. Really. Look it up. Beating Arkie 52-0, not a great accomplishment these days. This Week: vs. Tennessee. Our Pick: Alabama 37, Tennessee 16

4) Mizzou! 7-0. Admit it. How many of you picked them to be here at this point of the season. Stop lying bitches! We aren't sure they'll stay, but for now Gary Pinkel and Maty Mauk, enjoy the ride. This Week: vs South Carolina. Our Pick: Mizzou 27, SC 23

5) Ohio St. 7-0.



No, sorry, you don't. It's not all your fault, your Big 10 brethren are killing you. Even the ones you don't play. But like all good things in CFB, run the table and you get an invite to the dance. The Bucks more than likely will do just that. This Week: vs. Penn St. Our Pick: tOSU 33, Penn St. 31

6) Baylor 6-0. My new favorite team...this year. Come on' man, 64 ppg this year, how can you not love that? And they only give up 16. But they haven't been tested either. That's about to change. This Week: vs. Kansas, Our Pick: Baylor 64, Oklahoma 16

7) Miami 7-0. Dodged a bullet last week 'Canes, didn't ya? It is such an ACC thing to do, almost lose a game you shouldn't. Squeaking by a weak North Carolina team isn't a Top 10 type thing. But anyway. This Week: vs. Wake Forest, Our Pick: Miami 37, Wake 10

8) Texas Tech 7-0. Oh you crazy Kliff Kingsbury, the Big Schools gonna come calling. Very, very soon. Will you stay at the alma mater? You've done a nice job in Lubbock so far. Even if Lubbock is the middle of nowhere. This Week: at Oklahoma. Our Pick: UPSET!! Oklahoma 27, Texas Tech 26

9) Clemson 6-1. Wah, wah, wah....we knew the Tigers would lay an egg at some point, we just didn't think it would be in their biggest game of the season. But there's time to make up for it. Sorta....This Week: at Maryland. Our Pick: Clemson 48, Maryland 13

10) Stanford 6-1. Nice recovery vs. UCLA. We had you way overrated it appears....---sigh---but once again, there is plenty of time to make up for it. But'cha gotta start now. This Week: at Oregon St., Our Pick: Stanford 37, Oregon St. 33

11) Auburn 6-1. Your welcome Mrs. Nelson. We now know the answer as to who was the "real" coach of this team when they won the 2010 title. And no, it wasn't the Chizik. Great start for the Tigers and Nick Marshall is proving to be the real deal. Of course he torched a crappy Aggie D, so take it with a grain of salt. This Week: vs. Florida Atlantic. Our Pick: Auburn 52, FAU 10

12) UCF 5-1. Yes, UCF! Bitches! So they really don't warrant this, but they proved Louisville a fraud and nearly beat South Carolina (should have). Plus we were raised nearby in Longwood, so we love the Orlando area. This Week: vs. UConn. Our Pick: UCF 31, UConn 10

THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL:



5) UConn 0-6. Oh, the horror. Oh and six and a new coach and little to no chance of pulling out of your tailspin. We feel so bad for you. Well, okay, maybe not. Expect the pain to continue. This Week: See #12

4) Western Michigan 0-8. Well, on the good side, only 4 more agonizing games. On the bad, you get to lose 4 more times. So you've got that to look forward to, which is nice. Hey, at least you are averagin 13 a game. Oh, yeah, you are giving up 37. So there's that too. This Week: at UMass (ew!), Our Pick: UMass 13, W.Michigan 12

3) Miami (OH) 0-7. Oh, you mighty Redhawk or Chicken Hawk or Chicken Pot Pie or whatever you call yourselves these days. You lost to Akron. And you average 10 points a game. Yeah, it's going to be a long year. But hey, basketball's around the corner! This Week: at Ohio, Our Pick: Ohio 47, Chicken Hawks 10

2) New Mexico St. 0-7. We still can't past you giving up 66 to New Mexico 3 weeks ago. How does that happen? Ever? Even if you lose? Well, anyway, now's your chance to escape, you play an FCS team just starting in FBS. Oh, wait, they've won 5 games. That's 5 more than you. This Week: vs. Abilene Christian. Our Pick: Abilene 41, NMSt 10

1) Southern Mississippi 0-6. 18 straight losses. Wah, way! Hey, maybe you can hire Brett Favre? Heck, anyone would be an improvement. It's just hard to believe this was a powerhouse program less than a decade ago. Never would have though it. This Week: vs. North Texas. Our Pick: N.Texas 43, S.Miss 21

Don't know why, but this just popped into my head. Enjoy your Football Weekend:

TWTW Thursday: South Carolina, Vandy, UConn, UMass

Here's your Thursday recap...

South Carolina just got out of Vanderbilt alive 17-13
Here's the OBC talking about survival and Connor Shaw got out alive- although he gets a lot of bonus points for being a tough SOB...
((HT: ABCColumbia))
UConn welcomed UMass to Division I with a 37-0 shutout at Renschler Field. It was the first time the two schools played each other since 1999, when both schools were Division I-AA... it wasn't even close... ((HT: WTNH-TV))

UConn beats UMass 37-0 in renewal of rivalry

UNLV lost to Minnesota in three overtimes 30-27, the highlights are here fron 13 Action News/KTNV-TV
Other winners include Central Michigan (sorry, Wilkie), UCLA, and Utah
More fun tonight...

Ken Caldwell takes to YouTube to defend himself after UCF issues

((ht: sportingnews))

This is just plain weird.

Ken Caldwell, the man who the NCAA says provided benefits to some college basketball and football prospects along with 2 UCF student-athletes says this was "Blown out of proportion".

Oh...apparently he got in trouble because he has a "Criminal Background".

What he fails to mention is his ties to ASM Sports. He says he "Knows them", but that is it. Caldwell claims he didn't do anything wrong.

UCF was given a "Lack of Institutional Control" charge by the NCAA on Tuesday. The NCAA said Caldwell was functioning essentially as a middleman trying to get athletes to Orlando.

Oh...it didn't work very well either.

Caldwell is a shining example of everything that's wrong with College Sports. If you listen to him rant, the first thought is...he's a runner for an agent. Oh...he basically admits getting stuff for his "Kids/Clients".

Brokering kids is something that seems to happen quite frequently. Getting stuff for them is an even bigger problem. And yet these guys still exist. Parents and kids flock to these guys. Not because they get them to school. But they get "Stuff" for them at school.

No Ken Caldwell, you weren't the only reason UCF got in trouble. You were "Part" of the reason. What you do is illegal. Whether you agree with it or not. Yes, we know there are a lot of people doing it...but that doesn't make it right.

Just because you didn't get the kids to the NCAA doesn't mean you didn't profit from them. Why do you think agents want you to usher kids to schools? Just because there are a lot of other guys in the same business you are in...doesn't make it right. Just because you think these kids should have more...doesn't make it right. And just because the system is broke...doesn't make what you do right.

Dude...just keep your mouth shut. Don't do things like post 9 minute rants justifying what you think you did. If you shut up and lay low for awhile, you can just resurface in another year or two.

UCF gets NCAA Postseason Ban, sort of cries "Foul"

Woe is the University of Central Florida athletic department.

UCF found out their punishment from the NCAA today (Tues) and they were cited for "Lack of Institutional Control".

However, the penalty, which is perceived by many in Orlando as being "Too Harsh", is nothing major. A 1-year ban on post-season play for both the Football and Basketball teams. A $50K fine and 5-years probation.

Read our initial story on the allegations from November...RIGHT HERE

The Knights were already in trouble with the NCAA for impermissable phone contact with a recruit. Since they were on probation for that; they become "Repeat Offenders".

UCF already had imposed some penalties on themselves, putting the athletic department on probation for 3 years, eliminating a scholarship basketball slot and forfeiting games from 2008 thru the 2010-11 season in hoops. Oh...and football coach George O'Leary got a "Letter of Reprimand" in his personnel file.

The Orlando Sentinel says in a headline that the school plans to appeal. However, when you click on the link--you get the background story of what happened and no mention of the appeal.

You can read that story RIGHT HERE

According to a tweet by ESPN's Andy Katz, UCF is just whining (appealing) the bowl game ban, not the basketball stuff. Really guys? You aren't missing much there...just sayin'.

The investigation had centered on former Athletic Director Keith Tribble's relationship with a Chicago area "Mentor" to athletes, Ken Caldwell.

That relationship was supposed to steer several athletes down from Chicago to the wannabe NCAA power in Orlando. It wasn't successful.

We don't really pity UCF and quite honestly, they should be considering themselves fortunate this is the only penalty they are paying. Yeah, Caldwell swore up and down he wasn't affiliated with an agent and he was just trying to find a school for his kid and his friends to play at.

Again, it didn't work.

So, hopefully UCF moves on, tries to play a little closer to the rules and takes their penalty like a man. They aren't facing more than 1-season of not playing in a bowl game, Conference USA's basketball tourney and/or the NCAA Basketball Tourney.

Oh..we forgot to mention...the Knights head to the Big East after this season too.

UCF AD resigns, school receives Notice of Allegations

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((ht: orlandosentinel.com))

Whooops. There is another scandal going on out there that needs to be reported on. We told earlier this year about a potential investigation at UCF in Orlando involving their recruiting ties to one Ken Caldwell.

You can read about that RIGHT HERE

Well, the school has now been delivered a 16-page notice of allegations and it has cost Athletic Director Keith Tribble his job. Those same allegations will cost basketball coach Donnie Jones for 3-games with pay and UCF Football wide receivers coach David Kelly was also let go.

Read about the turmoil at UCF from the Orlando Sentinel RIGHT HERE

This all stems from an investigation into the school's basketball and football recruiting. And yes, this is not good.

The supposition is the school demanded these actions to help appease the NCAA and show they are in "Institutional Control". That phrase is the one thing school presidents don't want to hear.

We will add that Tribble apparently among other-things, provided false and misleading information to the institution and enforcement staff--(He lied).

According to the Sentinel, a date has yet to be given for the school to respond to these charges. Until that response and hearing is given, a full-punishment won't be doled out.

--Note-- UCF is also allegedly going to accept an invitation to join the Big East this week. Though they are running out of time, if in fact that is the timetable. According to the paper, the Big East is aware of the investigation.

Yes, this is a serious story, but couldn't resist the whole "Trouble with Tribbles" thing:



The HQ noticed that none of this is in regard to the ongoing Ereck Plancher civil case. We can only figure that the NCAA beat Central Florida's president to the punch before Tribble and other football staffers will get sent packing when that case is done.

Here is the Letter Of Inquiry and here is the Notice of Allegations, thanks to our friends at WFTV-TV in Orlando

Big East invites potential new members: Will they accept?

((ht: cbssports.com))

And that friends is the $64 million (so-to-speak) question. Just because the Big East invited some new members today at their presidents meeting, we wonder how many of those invitations will be accepted.

None of the reports on this list specific schools that were invited, but...the implications are that the expected schools will be receiving one. Air Force, Navy and Boise State as football only schools and Houston, SMU and UCF receiving "All-Sport" invitations.

Read CBSSports.com's story on what is going down RIGHT HERE

We don't believe that all 6 of these schools will accept the invitations. Really, we don't understand at all how Air Force in Colorado Springs and Boise State would fit in the Big East at all. The one and only reason would be for a possible BCS berth. The other schools have that same reason, but they are closer to the actual East and are currently a part of Conference USA.

This of course ties in with West Virginia's lawsuit versus the Big East. One of the main points WVU makes is that the Big East is no longer viable in football. And arguably that is true. To an extent. It's also the reason they are inviting other schools.

The Big East minus WVU, Pitt and Syracuse would be down to 5 members, the new schools would put them back at 11. But again, we aren't so sure that all 6 will accept. Again, arguably, Houston could hold out for a Big 12 invite, something that would be a much better fit. As could Boise State.

Oh, and, there is still the specter of Connecticut and Rutgers leaving as well. Which would really screw this up, though we don't think that will actually happen.

We, I guess, will see how this all plays out. As we all know, "Galactic Realignment" isn't by any stretch of the imagination, done. Time will tell if the Big East is grasping at straw or they will come off looking like genius's for adding schools to keep them from going under.

UCF: Big East invitation coming soon

((ht: orlandosentinel.com))

Well, maybe "Galactic Realignment" isn't finished just yet. At least for one school in Florida, the opportunity to make it to a current BCS conference is in the offing.

The Orlando Sentinel reports that the Big East has contacted UCF to gauge their interest in joining the conference. The paper says an offer hasn't come...yet, but it is on its way as soon as next week.

UCF is one of the largest schools by enrollment in the country, but their athletic programs still labor away in Conference USA, and while they've had some success, they haven't been able to sustain it year in and year out.

To get out of the deal with Conference USA, UCF will have to fork over some money. About $7 million according to the conference.

Read all the details from the Orlando Sentinel RIGHT HERE

This should be interesting. It's been a long rumored move that has to this point been less than warmly received by UCF rival and current Big East member South Florida.

But, we also see that the Big East has to do something after losing Pitt and Syracuse. The conference is down to 6 football schools and that...is a problem.

UCF is more than capable of competing at this level, the question is more; Will the Big East stay in the BCS?"

And there is no good answer to that. They may merge with the Mountain West, which would be odd or they may still go it on their own...who knows? We just hope for their sake, UCF does their homework and realizes the possibility that they may just be moving sideways.