Notre Dame And The ACC

Last week the announcement came. Football fans across the country was about to hear from, Touchdown Jesus, himself. What conference is getting Notre Dame. Well the answer was the ACC, would get all other sports but football. People have been scratching there heads and wondering why such a deal was ever made. I happen to believe that both the ACC and Notre Dame got a great deal. All other sports now have a home and like minded schools to compete against. Football remains independent, which is where the most hallowed football program of all time belongs.

Many people have questioned the relevance of Notre Dame's football program and whether they deserve to have their place of prestige at the head of the table. I happen to believe they are where they belong, because of tradition. Sure Notre Dame has not played for a national championship for a while now, but unless you are an SEC school, neither have many others. Will they play for one soon? If you have a crystal ball, call me and let me in on, when, so I can place my bets. Otherwise we will all have to wait together.

What made Notre Dame football so important. Look at the list of coaches. From Knute Rockne, to Elmer Layden, Frank Leahy, Ara Parseghian, Lou Holtz and now Brian Kelly. All with the exception of Kelly brought success to Notre Dame.

Look at the players and these are only Heisman Trophy winners. Angelo Bertelli, Johnny Lujack, Leon Hart, Johnny Lattner, Paul Horning, John Huarte and Tim Brown. Remember, "Play one for the Gipper". and the Four Horsemen? All legends and only a small number that add to the lore.

They have a huge following around the country and the world. Have a Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game anywhere and the stands will be filled. If you are Catholic, you feel a certain closeness to them. The Irish, of which I am part, will celebrate any Irish victory. Sometimes with a pint. They have their own television contract and years ago the only team that had a replay of their games was Notre Dame. Every Sunday morning, with Lindsay Nelson broadcasting.

This is what makes Notre Dame special. A certain mystic surrounds them and the stadium is considered hallowed grounds. Each year the Fighting Irish will play five games against ACC competitors and I guarantee, the stands, where ever the game is played will be filled. As the people file into their seats the band will strike up that famous melody of the Notre Dame Victory Song and the words will hail down on those throughout the land. "Cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame. Wake up the echoes cheering her name." Come on and admit it, even you know the melody, because it is Notre Dame.

Two More Days!

The best sports time of the year is only two days away. The start of football season. College football will get things kicked off on Thursday and carry us right through the weekend. The following week the NFL will start to play games that count. The beginning of October signals the start of NBA training camps. Baseball playoffs will be in full swing leading to the World Series. Last but not least College Basketball will begin play in November.

We will have football, football and more football right through the new year. Basketball's regular season will fill in the days between football games and if you are experiencing a slow night, there will be baseball. Some people may think what about hockey. Sorry, but even when the Pittsburgh Penguins were winning the Stanley Cup I was not a hockey fan, The only hockey game I have ever watched from beginning to end was the, "Miracle on Ice", team of college kids that beat the Soviet Union juggernaut.

So get the beer ice, cold. Stock up on the pretzels. Oil the Laz-Y-Boy. Last of all but most importantly change the batteries on the remote. Nothing is worse then when you are changing back and forth, during commercials, of several football games and the remote stops working. Unless you forgot to not only change the batteries but to stock up on them.

To our lovely wives. We will see you in April, after the NBA playoffs. Unless you care to join us. Then we can watch all of these games together. I am one of the lucky ones. Mine will at least watch the basketball games with me. TWO MORE DAYS!!!!!!

The Best 2012 NFL Predictions Anywhere

OK sports fans here we go with my nationally awaited predictions for the upcoming NFL season. Well, maybe not national awaited, at least state, wait maybe locally, alright maybe nobody really gives a damn but me and a few close friends that want to make fun of me, but here they are. Laugh if you want but we will see at the end of the year.

First the AFC.

Division winners are:

New England Patriots, Houston Texans, San Diego Chargers and of course the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Wild Cards:

Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos.


NFC.

Division winners are:

Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers.

Wild Cards:

Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins.

The Steelers will beat Green Bay in the Super Bowl and get revenge for our lose two years ago.

There you have it. Careful research and hours of reflection have lead me right back to my Steelers. To Steeler Nation get those Terrible Towels ready for another championship. "Here we go Steelers, here we go."

USA Today Poll and Conspiracy Theories!

You know I am usually not into conspiracy theories, but did anyone else notice that the USA Today Poll just came out yesterday and it is eerily similar to the Old School Sports pre season poll. I am not accusing USA of waiting until mine came out so they could copy it, but is it really just a coincidence? You can be the judge! Just compare and then draw your own conclusion. My poll is internationally known and draws a considerable amount of attention from sports scribes around the globe.

All of this is purely conjecture at this point. Maybe I am going through a period of where I think I am more important then I think, but I do not think so. Let me know what you think!

One last point if you think I am really serious, let me have some of what you are drinking.

NCAA Should Make More Changes

I had to laugh at the hypocrisy of the NCAA. When they held a press conference to announce their decision on Penn State, they started with a brief message of how important the education of our young people are and the high ideals that the NCAA upholds to achieve this. What a bunch of crock. What B.S. I agree with the ruling and the severe penalties handed out at State College. Pa. My problem is how the NCAA tries to position itself as the moral high ground in the university setting.



The NCAA is about making money. Money for itself. Money for schools and conferences. Money for the hierarchy of the institutes of learning. Money for sponsors and money for the communities that surround the colleges. I have no problem with people making money, just be honest about your goals and quit trying to surround it with the cloak of integrity.

An athlete-student does get an opportunity to have an education. They do not have an opportunity, to share in the billions of dollars that is raked in each year, to support our addiction to collegiate sports. Let that same young person trade a jersey for a tattoo and they are in violation of rules and are suspended or even expelled from the school. Let that young person accept a few dollars to return home and attend a funeral of a friend or relative and watch the NCAA descend on the prey. Time after time we hear a coach and school being investigated for NCAA violations that amount to the equivalent of picking loose change up from the pavement, Then watch as the reputation of the athlete-student, coach and school, are destroyed before there is one hearing. Watch the schools spend millions of dollars to defend themselves from a minor rules infraction. For what end? Money!

The NCAA did the right thing at Penn State, because here was actually a problem, worth going after. The failure to protect children from a predator is a worthy cause. The failure to protect young people from the greed of others should also be a worthy direction. Start and provide a stipend of some amount to the athletes that make so much money for the universities they play for. Then the NCAA could actually focus attention on helping these people go from athlete-students to student-athletes. Imagine the difference if these kids actually end their college careers with a degree!

My Fearless Pig Skin Predictions!!!!!!!!

OK folks here it is. My predictions for the upcoming College Football season. I have carefully analyzed all the major teams across the country. I have compared schedules. Reviewed depth charts. Looked at tendencies. And when that failed. I guessed!!!

So without further delay. Drum roll please!!!! In reverse order here are my picks.

25.  Florida
24.  Boise State
23.  Notre Dame
22.  Oklahoma State
21.  West Virginia
20.  Washington
19.  Baylor
18.  Wisconsin
17.  Texas
16.  Virginia Tech
15.  Auburn
14.  Clemson
13.  Nebraska
12.  Arkansas
11.  Michigan State
10.  Ohio State

And now for my top nine and then, yes wait for it my prediction for the team that should win it all.
9.   Kansas State
8.   South Carolina
7.   Oklahoma
6.   My beloved Florida State University
5.   Alabama
4.   Oregon
3.   Georgia
2.   USC

That brings us to my choice to win the National Championship.

1. LSU

Sorry. I know everyone expected me to go with my heart. The SEC does it again and it is hard to realistically pick against them. You notice I had four SEC teams in the top ten and seven in the top 25. Yes, as much as I kid with friends, the SEC is the class of college football. So there it is. My choices. Laugh as you might. They are my picks and I am sticking with them. If you are feeling brave, submit your own list to, "Old School Sports" and we can compare through out the year. Kick off is only a few weeks away. Can't wait. GO NOLES!!!!!!!

The NCAA Got This One Right!

When NCAA President, Mark Emmert, ended his news conference yesterday, I had the feeling he got this one about right. Penn State football will be reeling for years to come and it should be. I am not a Penn State fan but I was one of those people that felt Joe Paterno ran a clean and respectful program. We were all deceived. Paterno actually committed on of the most heinous violations I have ever heard of in college sports.

What occurred at PSU was basic. The idea to protect a university and football program over the protection of our children is the crime. The results for Sandusky was clear. The results for PSU and Paterno were necessary. The university is going to become an example of what not to do at our institutes of higher learning. They cannot not put success over people.

I read the statement from the Paterno family and all I can say is, I understand that you all want to protect, your husband or father. Remember though, Joe failed to protect children from a predator. He failed as a person to act and help those that cannot defend themselves. That was his failure. The powers that be at Penn State have to see their beloved university punished.  Joe has to be stripped of the right to victories that were won because he did the wrong thing.

Penn State University will survive and someday, through hard work and determination the football program will be back. The shadow of what occurred will always linger over them. That is also part of their punishment.

Penn State and Paterno's Legacy Should Be Destroyed!

After seeing the reports about Joe Paterno and the cover-up at Penn State, I am going to be on the list of the people that will now, pile on. I always respected and admired Joe Pa for his clean program and winning at State College, but that quickly disappeared this past week. Joe knowingly covered up for a child predator, to protect his winning at Penn State. Does this act undo a lifetime of good work. Absolutely. There is no excuse or reason to place any business, university or team before the welfare of our children. 

The Penn State program deserves the ultimate penalty from the NCAA.
Many people will argue that the governing body of college athletics should not be involved with a criminal activity, but I say they have in the past and with much smaller issues then the rape of children. Paterno, Curley and many others at Penn State, knew and looked the other way, while this pervert, Sandusky, was  allowed to continue his assault on children. They should all pay a price and the university should be willing to step up and accept their culpability in the crime.

What would it take? I feel the NCAA death penalty should be invoked. Take away their scholarships. No television money or bowl trips. Make them start from square one. Rebuild their entire program. Strip away anyone associated with this sordid episode. Give restitution to the victims and their families.

Will this ever make up for the failure of Penn State and Paterno, to these children and their families. No, however it will serve notice to every entity that we all have an obligation to protect, not just our children, but anyone that is being attacked. The NCAA needs to step up and do it now. We all should demand nothing less.

Com'n Dwight, You Really Want The Ball In The Stretch?

In today's Orlando Sentinel, Dwight Howard is quoted as saying, he wants to have the ball down the stretch and the game is in doubt. According to Howard, he needs to have the opportunity to carry the team in the waning minutes of the game. He should have the confidence of the coach to get the job done. He also pointed out, rightfully so, that Kolbe did not have that assassins mentality when he first came into the game. I agree with Dwight on that point. Kolbe had to get confident and the coaches had to let him miss, so he could learn how to finish and win games for the Lakers. Where Dwight fails to understand is that Kolbe, never had a 40% free throw average. Other teams did not seek out Bryant, to foul him and send him to the line, knowing that the chances were greater that he would miss the free throw and thus help the opposing team. There is now a hackaDwight philosophy, and there never was a hackaKolbe play. Howard is correct that players have to be given that chance to win the game for his team, but when you cannot even come close to hitting your free throws, the right thing for the team is to place the ball into the hands of someone else. I have enjoyed watching Dwight, until this year. He has started to take that diva approach that has always turned me off to some professional athletes. Dwight has thrown teammates under the bus and now he is taking dead aim at one of the top coaches in the NBA. My advice to Howard is quite simple. Keep playing hard, which you always have done and learn to make your free throws at a much higher rate. Once you do that the coaches, wherever you end up playing, will want the ball in your hands. Until then be satisfied with the role you play.

Only Five More Hours Of Pre-Game.

I will be finishing up on my posts for today shortly. I have already finished my Americas Voice post and after I am done with this I will do a short post on Father Thinks He Knows Best. Then I will sit back and enjoy the extravaganza known as the Super Bowl. ESPN and then the networks will have about ninety five hours of pre-pre-pre-pre-pre-game information. Usually by the time the actual game begins everyone is bleary eyed and ready for bed, but somehow we all muster the energy to watch the game and a seven hour halftime show. Only in America can we turn a sixty minute game into two weeks of non-stop nothing and people will watch it. Well I hope you all stay awake and enjoy the game.

My Thoughts on Tomorrow's Super Bowl. The Giants Win.

This is going to be short and sweet. I am rooting for the New York Giants to win. Sorry to my Patriots friends, but I do not want them to get any closer to my beloved Steelers in total Super Bowl victories. To my Giants friends, I will issue my apology in advance for my pick. You see I predicted Florida State would win the national title. That didn't work. I predicted the Steelers would win their seventh Super Bowl. You know how that worked. I also decided I would root for the underdog Broncos and Tim Tebow to beat New England. I believe that is strike three. So if I jinx the Giants tomorrow and Tom Brady and the Pats ride off into the sunset with yet another title, I am sorry. Meanwhile I hope everyone enjoys the game and especially the commercials.  Go Giants, let me have one good prediction this football season.

Super Bowl XXXVVVVIIIIIIIIIIIIICCCC!

Oh hell, I was never very good with Roman Numerals, but why, something as American as the Super Bowl, did we use Roman Numerals to designate how many we have had. The first four, and yes I was there for all of them, were easy. You just had to count the number of sticks and be done with it. All I know is it is Super Bowl 46. See how easy that is to figure out. No running to the Internet or looking up an article to know how many we have had. Also why do we even have to track the number? We don't say The World Series CCXXVVII, it is just the World Series.

 Somewhere two thousand years down the road it will take an entire page, just to know that the Super Bowl is being played. Thankfully, then it will be the year 4012 AJ. After John.  P.S. Go Giants!!

Joe Paterno

It is never a joyous time, whenever anyone leaves this earth and no matter what some may think, it is sad that Joe Paterno passed away yesterday. Joe Pa, was a husband, father, grandfather and friend, so to each of these people I express my sincere condolences.

Over the last several months Joe went from beloved by many, to still loved but also hated. That is regrettable. Joe made his, extremely bad, decision to report an incident, but to not follow up and make sure that the proper authorities were notified and doing their jobs. He did not do, all that he could have to protect innocent children from a predator and for that he will always be remembered for a remarkable failure.

The other part of Joe cannot be ignored either. He touched so many lives, through the years, after taking over for Rip Engle, at Penn State. He lead a football program that was successful on many levels on the  field and off the field. He and his wife gave back to Penn State in the form of donations to support the academic standard in Happy Valley. He made leaders that went on to, not only, professional football , but became leaders throughout various other industries. These young people have stood up for Paterno and will be forever grateful to him for his contribution in their lives.

Lastly Joe Paterno was a human being and thus saddled with the frailty of mistakes. I am sure that if given a second change, Joe would have changed the way he handled the Jerry Sandusky situation, but, none of us have that opportunity. We all have to live and eventually die, with a certain amount of failure. We just don't have to do it in a fishbowl environment, like Joe Paterno did.

So to Joe, rest in peace. You were not perfect and had human flaws, but I will try to remember more of the good you did and hope people can forgive your weaknesses.

Running Off At The Sports Mouth.

I fell asleep at half time of the BCS championship game, did you. What a yawner.

Jim Boeheim may be doing his best job of coaching ever this year. With all of the distractions he has kept the team focused and still undefeated.

Penn State Alum, led by one of my idols, Franco Harris, are way off base when they demand, Joe Paterno be reinstated as the coach at Penn State.  Let it rest. He was in charge and did not follow up, when he notified his superior.

I love this time of the year, when college basketball teams are in their conference schedule. My Noles handed North Carolina a shocking 33 point loss. I know one thing, the Noles are not 33 points better then the Tarheels.

In the NBA. Hey Heat fans. Look what team is leading the conference. That's right the Magic. Have heart though. No don't have heart. Labron is continuing the same pattern he has had since entering the league. At crunch time he is better then David Copperfield at disappearing.

Just when everybody wanted to bury Kolbe, he rips off 40+ points in three games. Never underestimate the heart of a champion. Lebron, see what Kolbe does!

Staying with Lebron. My last word is some advice for him. Wait, has anybody seen Lebron.  Lebron. Lebron. Where are you. Just wait for the first quarter of the next game and he will show up, just don't look for him in the forth.

Seeing a Sports Hero After All These Years!

The week before the FSU-Notre Dame game I was working at Sea World and see a guest with a Notre Dame sweater in the store. I was going to tease them about my being a Florida State fan, but when he turned around I saw who it was. Notre Dame great Terry Hanratty. To the casual fan that name may not mean a lot, but to a person who grew up in Butler, Pa. that name is Godlike. Mr. Hanratty graduated from my high school in 1966. He went on to be the starting quarterback at the most revered football school at the time, Notre Dame. Hanratty teamed with wide receiver Jim Seymour to become the most feared passing duo in college football. Terry started for Coach Ara Parseghian, from 1966 to 1968 and was a consensus All-American in 68, when he also finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting. During this era the Notre Dame games were rebroadcast on television every Sunday morning, with Lindsay Nelson doing the play by play. Everyone in Butler, at the time, followed him throughout his career , which took him into the pros for several years. For all of us it was watching someone that represented us. I was fortunate to talk several minutes with Terry and he was most gracious to spend a few minute with a fan. For me it was a thrill and something I will remember for a very long time.

SEC Finally Looses In BCS Title Game!

Sorry, I couldn't help but poke a little fun at the South East Conference and its fans. You know the obnoxious Florida Gators , like my son, Wes and many friends, that ride the coattails of the SEC when Florida fails to make it into the title game.

Yes, SEC fans your football programs are the best, by a long shot at this point. I really can not debate that, but give the rest of us peasants, like the ACC, sometime and maybe you will have to grovel at our feet, for scraps like the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.

He Beat My Steelers, But I hope He Wins A Super Bowl!

What I am about to say, might be construed as blasphemy in the city of Pittsburgh, but I do hope Tim Tebow leads Denver to a Super bowl Championship. I know he just threw an 80 yard touchdown in overtime to beat our beloved Steelers, but Tim Tebow is a wonderful story. When ever the Steelers are out of contention for the championship, I usually root for the underdog, and Tebow and the Broncos are certainly that. Nobody gave them a chance against the Steel curtain and he shredded it for 316 yards. Nobody will give them a change against Tom Brady and the mighty Patriots and yet I most certainly hope he does it again.

Tebow is a great story. That person in life that shouldn't be able to accomplish the things they do. According to the, "experts" he will never make it in the NFL. He will never be a starter. He may win a few games but once he gets into the playoffs, the magic will disappear. So far Tim Tebow has proven them wrong and I enjoy when the pompous media experts are wrong.

 Tebow is not only a winner on the football field, he is a winner in his personal life and this is why I want him to win on the field. He is, in short, a good guy. We complain about the prima dona athletes, and yet when a really good person comes along we try and find ways to put them down. Is it because, he is a better person in life then we are? We do not want our heroes to be better off the field then on? Sorry I disagree and to Tebow and the Denver football team, good luck and I hope Tim carries you all the way to the championship. However, next year I will be right back where I belong. Steeler Country.

Except for the Noles ACC has been terrible.

Do you believe the way West Virginia treated Clemson? 70-33. This is a conference champion?  Look at North Carolina. They got blown out by Missouri 41-24. Michigan pounded Virginia Tech. Wake Forest losses to Mississippi State. The saving teams for the ACC were NC State upsetting Louisville and of course my beloved Noles besting Notre Dame.

Some people will say that FSU, winning over one of the most fabled schools in all of college football history, was no big deal. They are wrong. It was a big deal. Notre Dame, like Florida State is a school with history and looking to get back to its glory days. We are getting there quicker. You have to remember that Jimbo Fisher is only in his second year, after succeeding a legend, in Bobby Bowden. This is never easy to accomplish, but I believe Jimbo has the Noles on the right track and it will not be long before they will compete for and win another national title. So to all of you Nole Haters out there, tough. Get ready to hate us some more, and for the ACC, be prepared to be dominated again. Go Noles!

ESPN Bowl Mania Brings Out The Competitor In Me.

Michael and Brandon are two of my friends at work and they suggested I play Bowl Mania during the college bowl season. I remember last year they were comparing games and Mike outlasted Brandon. So I figured what the heck, I'll give it a shot. Something happens to a person when they are in a contest. All of a sudden I actually gave a damn about, who won the game between Temple and Wyoming. Now I have heard of the schools and may have watched part of a game they were involved with, but I had never rooted one way or the other, for either university.

Along comes ESPN Bowl Mania and I become obsessed. The first thing I do in the morning is look and see how, "my" teams did if they were involved in a late night game. I have watched with a certain amount of trepidation as each game is played. Initially, I thought if I picked one more team to win then lost it would be a success. The wins started to flow and I became Mr. Competitor. With five more games to go I am 24-6 on my picks and have amassed 489 points. I am certainly not the leader, but continue to inch up the leader board. This certainly makes watching the games, I can stay awake for more entertaining.

As for the outcome of the Temple, Wyoming game. Temple won and I received 13 points. Go Owls.