Guns Up!

Wow! What a game!

Texas Tech's 39-33 victory over the Texas Longhorns was the game of the year with the play of the year.

This was definitely one of the best games I've ever been in attendance for.

The game was up and down, finally climaxing on Graham Harrell's last second pass to Michael Crabtree, and then Crabtree finishing off the play with a broken tackle and a clear path to the endzone. All this coming just barely over a minute after Texas took the lead.

The Red Raiders definitely deserved to win. They were the better team all night and the electricity of the crowd and the entire town of Lubbock behind them, there was just no stopping Tech.

If these teams played 5 times, the Longhorns would win 4.

You have to give Texas a lot of credit. When your first offensive play from scrimmage results in a safety, you know you're in for a long night.

Texas Tech built up a 19-0 lead at home and the Longhorns were able to comeback and take the lead with 1:29 left in the game.

But Graham Harrell put together a Heisman Trophy winning drive and led the Red Raiders to an improbable win.

The funny thing is, Harrell may not be even be the best player in his huddle. Michael Crabtree is straight up sick. I've heard people say he's the best receiver since Tim Brown. Remember that name, Michael Crabtree, because it'll be a household name for years to come on Sundays.

So obviously now the Big 12 is the best conference in College Football. If not the Big 12, than the Big 12 South. The North is definitely looking weak with preseason front runners Kansas and Missouri not holding up they're end of the deal having more difficult schedules than last year.

Not only will there be another BCS mess come December, but you can see maybe a bigger catastrophe in the Big 12 South. There's a great chance that Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech each finish the regular season with one loss.

Texas Tech has Oklahoma St. at home this weekend. Following a bye, the Red Raiders than travel to Norman, a game they'll most likely lose.

So then you have Texas with one loss coming to Tech. Texas Tech with one loss coming from Oklahoma. And the Sooners with one loss from Texas.

Who goes to the Big 12 Championship Game? Well, from what I've gathered, the team ranked the highest in the BCS Standings following the final regular season weekend.

Wow! That's like picking the team from a hat!

I have no problem with Tech at No. 2 ahead of Penn St. I would rank USC, Oklahoma, Florida and Texas above Penn St.

The Florida Gators are the best team in College Football right now. They've got to be kicking themselves losing at home to Ole Miss-on a missed extra point!

So both the Gators and USC have one loss from very weak teams. That could really hurt both teams.

You know what? Not playing an extra game in a conference championship game just might kill Penn St. and JoPa. The winners of the Big 12 and SEC Championship Games get another quality win to factor in the BCS ratings, most likely against a Top 10 team. That extra quality win may propel a one loss Big 12 and SEC team above Penn St.

So USC's out.

But there's Penn St. and the Big 10 still sitting pretty for another BCS Championship embarrassment.

I'm actually rooting for the Iowa Hawkeyes this weekend. Iowa City is a tough place to win on the road and an upset over undefeated Penn St. would be the biggest Hawkeye victory since the early '80s. The scary thing is, I can totally see Iowa winning this weekend.

How is Ohio St. ranked No. 11? I guess because the Buckeyes' have 2 losses coming to Penn St. and USC.

But what about Missouri at No. 14? Their two losses are from Texas and Oklahoma St.

So where are the best football players in the country from? That's easy, the usual suspects. SoCal, Texas and Florida.

Texas, Texas Tech, and TCU are having great seasons. QB's from the likes of Colt McCoy, Graham Harrell, Chase Daniel, Matthew Stafford and Todd Reesing all hail from Texas.

Pete Carroll and USC have a monopoly on SoCal football.

The Gators are clearly the dominant team in the state of Florida, but we've seen South Florida rise to a Top 25 team. And you can expect Florida St. and Miami to be major players in the near future. It's hard to keep those Florida programs on top because of all the in state talent has so many options to choose from. Also, we've seen these programs succumb to controversy and mishap.

The biggest surprise of the year? Nebraska taking Texas Tech to overtime in Lubbock.

Enjoy the scenes from Jones AT&T Stadium following Tech's upset over No. 1 Texas.

College Gameday: Penn St. At Ohio St.

A lot of excitement surrounding Week 9 of College Gameday as King James made a special appearance at the Gameday Set. Lebron showed up for the final segment to give his picks along side Corso and Herbstreit for ten games on the college football schedule.

Lebron went 5-5. He picked Arizona to upset USC. The Trojans won 17-10.

Another "celebrity" showed her face in the crowd-Sarah Palin, or wait, was it Tina Fey? The Sarah Palin lookalike might have been one of the most creative ideas in the history of the show. I guess this girl found her Halloween costume.



As for the game itself, the Nittany Lions won their first game at the Horseshoe since Penn St. joined the Big 10 in 1993. It was their first win at Columbus since 1978.

Penn St. looks well on their way to the BCS National Title game. Can you really see Texas and Alabama both running the table and finishing undefeated? I actually think Texas will lose this weekend in Lubbock. It's the biggest game in the history of Texas Tech sports. So you can bet the atmosphere and town will be electric.

However, if Penn St. finishes as the only BCS team undefeated, do they still get the nod over a once beaten SEC, Big 12 or USC team? Not playing an extra game in a Conference championship game could actually hurt the Nittany Lions. Where as a one loss Big 12 or SEC school winning an extra game against a Top 10 team may actually push them over an undefeated Penn St.



I'm sure the voter's will take into consideration the mediocracy of the Big 10 Conference and their record in recent bowl games. Penn St's schedule won't help their cause either. Their blowout win against Oregon St. gives them the edge over USC. But other than that, Penn St.'s nonconference schedule included games against Coastal Carolina, Syracuse and Temple. Add on the miserable Big 10 and looks like the Nittany Lions are lined up to be the third Big 10 team in a row to get shellacked in the Championship Game.

The Big 10 is so bad that teams like Minnesota and Northwestern are ranked and actually look somewhat competitive in conference play. Let's see how Iowa handles Penn St. as the Hawkeyes get them at home November 8.

Other than Texas, the last team I would want to play right now would be the Florida Gators. Since the Ole Miss shocker in the swamp, Tim Tebow has rallied the troops and the Gators have averaged almost 51 points a game in their last 3.

NCAA Football 2009, Top Ten Toughest Stadiums

I have a PS2. I only play the sports games.

Since 1991, I think I've bought Madden Football every year.

Nowadays, I still buy Madden, I buy NCAA Football, NBA Live, and occasionally college basketball and an MLB game.

I do get into Tiger Woods' Golf every now and then, but I'm more of a Golden Tee fan.

Yes, college football is officially upon with last week's release of EA Sports NCAA 2009.


Again this year's NCAA Football brings us the play-by-play and commentary from Brad Nessler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit. Yeah, I know what you're thinking, why is Chris Fowler left out?

Like previous years, I'm sure the in studio pregame brings us to the much anticipated prediction from Corso and the donning of the Mascot headgear.

With the release of EA Sports NCAA 2009 (which I still haven't purchased), the Notorious DEK asked for my thoughts on this link (the top 10 toughest college football stadiums).

It really got me thinking. A rare occasion, especially in the middle of summer.

Editor's note: I have personally attended each of these stadiums for a prime time game.


10. Nebraska Memorial Stadium (81,067)



We all know how terrible Nebraska has been in recent years. Actually, people outside of the Cornhusker state might be unaware because Husker Football has been MIA.

The much embarrassing Callahan era is finally over and the Huskers have their man, Bo Pelini (yes, the same guy who should be in his 5th year as NU Head Coach) and the football hype and energy in Lincoln has nearly reached the same level of the previous century.

The 'Skers were 4-3 in 2007, highlighted by a 49-31 shellacking in Lincoln by USC. The game was far more unbearable than what the score says. The best thing about this defeat was the fact Nebraska fans finally realized (and admitted) Bill Callahan was the biggest bust since Ryan Leaf.

Memorial Stadium is known as being the 3rd largest city in the state of Nebraska on Gameday. The Stadium also boasts an impressive streak of 288 consecutive sellouts.

From 1991 to 1998 Nebraska held a 47 game home win streak.

After a 17-13 opening game lost to Florida St. (9/7/1985), the Cornhuskers were an astounding 111-6 at home from 1985 to 2002 (losing 27-24 on Nov. 2 at home vs. Texas).




That's 111 wins to 6 loses in 17 years! Holy Shit!

Go back and check my research, I couldn't believe it either.



9. Virginia Tech Lane Stadium (66,233)


In 2007, the Hokies finished 6-1 at home. Their only setback was a Thursday night loss to (at the time) unbeaten Boston College, 14-10. As you all remember, Va Tech was up 14-0 late in the 4th quarter when Matt Ryan somehow, someway lead BC with a Flutie like comeback.



Had Virginia Tech not blown this game, they may have been in the National Championship game.

If you've ever been to a Hokie home game, you know the adrenaline flowing throughout the stadium as the Hokies emerge through the tunnel to "Enter Sandman."











8. Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium (76,129)


On a personal note, Mad Town ranks as my favorite Big 10 Tailgate school (Definitely top 10 overall). During timeouts and between crucial plays, the PA jams to House of Pain's "Jump Around." The entire stadium jumps up and down, you can't hear yourself think and at the same time you worried about the entire stadium collapsing. Freakin cool.

The Badgers were perfect at home in 2007 (7-0). They're currently on a 14 game home winning streak since a 2005 home defeat to Iowa (20-10).

Since 2004, Wisconsin has been jumpin around at home with a 25-1 record.

7. Oregon Autzen Stadium (53,800)




Autzen Stadium may not have a large capacity, but with the upper tier hanging almost directly over the field, the fans' cheers land directly on top of opposing teams.

Compared to other major schools around the country, Autzen Stadium may lack in quantity, but with the noise on the field, quality is like no other.

Eugene, Oregon may be famous for Nike founding father Phil Knight, but also was the location for every fraternity member's favorite movie, Animal House.

In 2007, the Ducks finished 5-2 at home with losses to Cal and Oregon St.

Oregon has not been undefeated at home since 2000.



6. Oklahoma Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (82,112)


The Sooners protected their house in 2007, going 7-0.

OU has won 19 in row at home since a shocking 17-10 opening season loss to TCU (9/3/05).

Norman is crazy on Gameday. The Chicks are freakin hot! But the only thing holding Norman back is the state law of beer being only 3.2%! Yeah, you really can drink a case of beer.



5. Tennessee Neyland Stadium (102,037)


Good ole Rocky Top! If you're not wearing orange and white on Gameday in Knoxville, or any other day for that matter, you're probably not alive to be reading this. This is SEC country. You know you're on UT campus when all the streets are named either Pat Summit or Peyton Manning.

2007, the Volunteers were perfect at home (7-0).

2006 they were a shocking 5-2 with home losses to LSU and Florida.


4. Penn St. Beaver Stadium (107,282)


For those of you who think JoPa and the Nittany Lions are washed up, Penn St has finished 6-1 at home the past two years. They were perfect in 2007 (7-0), making them 19-2 at home in the last three years.

Beaver Stadium may be one of the most intimidating stadiums in the country and when the "White Out" occurs, look out! Definitely one of the most intimidating sights in all of college football.

Students camp out in front of the main gate weeks before a home game attempting to get the best seat in the house, aka Paternoville. JoPa has even been known to show up to the campsites delivering pizzas.

3. Ohio St Ohio Stadium (102,329)



Buckeye Mania is rampant in the state of Ohio. We've all heard about the riots which occur in Columbus, win or lose a big game. I don't think I've ever seen a town so passionate about their hometown team (which makes it so fun to see the Buckeyes lose in two straight National Championship games.)

I've personally seen a female Buckeye fan punch the lights outta of a male Michigan fan, at 6AM!

Upon leaving the Columbus Airport, I've seen a sign that says, "Thanks for visiting Columbus, unless your from Michigan."

Ohio St was 6-1 in 2007, a 28-21 upset by Illinois.

Since 2008, the Buckeyes are 40-3 at home with losses to Illinois, No. 2 Texas (2005), and No. 16 Wisconsin (2004).

2. Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548)


Home to "The Swamp", "Gator Bait", and "The Chomp", this may be the only campus in the country where the mascot roams freely on campus. Yes, there are real live alligators present.

I can't wait to get my hands on NCAA '09 so I can run wild with Superman, um, I mean Football Jesus, um, I mean Tim Tebow.

In 2007, the Gators were 6-1 losing a heartbreaking game to War Eagle and the Auburn Tigers, 20-17.

Since 2004, Florida is 24-2 at the Swamp.




1. LSU Tiger Stadium (91,600)

Nicknamed "Death Valley", the stadium's nickname derived from "Deaf Valley." No explanation needed here. It's freakin loud!

Last year's epic 4th quarter comeback against Florida the crowd's noise measured at 129.8 decibels!

The reigning National Champions were 6-1 at home in 2007, losing the overtime to thriller to Darren McFadden and Arkansas, 50-48.

Since 2003, the Tigers are 32-3 at Death Valley.