2008 College Gameday Year in Review

ESPN's College Gameday wrapped up its final show of 2008 where it started the season, Atlanta. Judging by the Saturday morning crowds, the show is still as popular as ever.

The 2008 season marked first ever trips to sites such as Vanderbilt, Texas Tech and Florida A & M.

This year also brought celebrities Kenny Chesney, Lebron James and Bobby Knight to join the cast in offering their picks to the weekend's featured matchups.

Along with the on air chemistry of Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit, college football fans and their creative signs have kept the show running strong.

The best show of the year arguably was Lubbock. The crowd and signs were tremendous and for the first time ever, Corso donned the Red Raider, Yosemite Sam mascot head and fired two guns! This also happened to be the game of the year-Texas Tech's 39-33 win in the final seconds.

Here's the list of the 2008 sites followed by Corso's pick and his record:

1. Alabama/Clemson (Atlanta)-Clemson (0-1)
2. Miami/Florida-Gators (1-1)
3. Ohio St./USC-Trojans (2-1)
4. LSU/Auburn-Auburn (2-2)
5. Alabama/Georgia-Alabama (3-2)
6. Auburn/Vanderbilt-Auburn (3-3)
7. Texas/Oklahoma-Oklahoma (3-4)
8. Missouri/Texas-Longhorns (4-4)
9. Penn St./Ohio St. (4-5)
10. Texas/Texas Tech-Tech (5-5)
11. Alabama/LSU-Bama (6-5)
12. Hampton/Florida A&M-the Rattlers (7-5)
13. Texas Tech/Oklahoma-Oklahoma (8-5)
14. Oklahoma/Oklahoma St.-the Sooners (9-5)
15. Florida/Alabama-Bama (9-6)

NBA Line of the Week for 12/1 to 12/7 2009

This one was easy.

Is Rajon Rondo (Kentucky) really this good? Or is it the fact that he's surrounded by one of the most talented teams in the NBA?

Nevertheless, Rondo and the Boston Celtics have picked up right where they left off from last season, sitting an NBA best 20-2.

Last Wednesday (12/3), Rondo recorded his first ever triple double in Boston's 114-96 victory against the Indiana Pacers, yes the same Pacers who are responsible for one of Boston's two losses-a 95-79 Pacers setback of the Celtics back on November 1.

Rondo completed the triple double with 10:32 remaining in the third quarter.

His final line:

16 points, 17 assists, 13 rebounds and steals-Jason Kidd like numbers.

Cardiac Steelers

If you gamble for or against the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3), chances are you've been in cardiac arrest.

Starting back on November 16 with the infamous Chargers/Steelers blown "illegal forward pass" game, Pittsburgh's games are never over, even when they're over.

We all know about the Steelers' 11-10 (the first 11-10 final score in the history of the NFL) victory over the Chargers. Going into the game, Vegas had Pittsburgh favored by 4.5 points.

The Steelers went up 11-10 with 11 seconds left in the game. On the final play of the game, the Chargers tried to lateral the ball ala Cal/Stanford to somehow perform a miraculous win. Troy Polamalu intercepted the final lateral and returned it 12 yards for what seemed like a Touchdown. Ball game over. Pittsburgh wins 17-10 and covers!

But hold on...Upon further review, the touchdown was overturned because the officials said the Chargers performed an illegal forward pass. Pittsburgh still retains the win but the final score is 11-10, Chargers cover?

Even after the game, referee Scott Green said Polamalu's touchdown should have counted.

Less than a week later on November 20, Thursday night, Cincinnati at Pittsburgh. The Steelers came into the game a heavy favorite, -10.5 with the over/unders 35.5.

Late in the game with the Steelers up 20-10 and running out the clock, Ben Roethlisberger scored on a 8 yard touchdown run with 2:22 left in the game. Had Roethlisberger been tackled before he reached the end zone, the Steelers would have been able to kneel the ball and the game would have most likely ended 20-10.

With Roethlisberger's TD, the Steelers win 27-10. Pittsburgh covers! The overs come in!

And just last week Dallas at Pittsburgh. The Steelers -3.5. Entering the fourth quarter, Dallas had dominated the game up 13-3. No way Pittsburgh covers again, right?

But 17 fourth quarter points later, the Steelers win 20-13. Pittsburgh rallied from 10 points down in the final 7 1/2 minutes, scoring their only two touchdowns of the game 24 seconds apart!

So if you plan on throwing money down on the Steelers' game this weekend, you've got Chuck Norris balls.

The Big Winner From the Civil War? Boise St.?

Wile the rockets red glare in last week's Civil War game between Oregon/Oregon St. (Oregon won 65-38!), USC gets the Rose Bowl. So Oregon St. fails in it's first bid for the Rose Bowl, well, since almost the real Civil War.

So that leaves the door open for a deserving at large team. According to the BCS Polls, which matter the most, right?, Boise St. (12-0), should be lock for it's second BCS game in the last three years.

Like a good buddy of mine says, "Not so fast my friend!"

Somehow, someway, the Ohio St. Suckeyes will be represented in the Fiesta Bowl. What the deuce?

The BCS Bowls are shaping up like this:

Orange Bowl:ACC winner (Boston College) vs. Big East winner (Cincinnati). Yawn!

Sugar: Utah vs. the loser of the SEC Title Game.

Rose: USC vs. Penn St. Should be three straight blow outs for USC against three different Big 10 teams. Michigan and Illinois were the Trojans victims in the previous two years.

Fiesta: Texas vs.....Ohio St.?! What!?!?

How in the hell do you give the Suckeyes another BCS bid?!

Have Ohio St. and the Big 10 Conference not prove how shitty they are in recent bowl games?

I know we don't forget that Ohio St. has been taken to the wood shed with the old broomstick up the ass the last two BCS Championship Games. The Big 10 and Ohio St. football program have been the laughing stock of college football the last few years.

The Mountain West and WAC are stronger conferences than the Big 10.

But believe it or not, Ohio St. Luckeyes will once again sneak in the BCS. And I'm sure once again the Suckeyes will take it up the ass harder than Ed Norton in American History X.

I mean don't the coaches, sportswriters and computers take into consideration the pathetic, boring, downward, lackluster, we suck play and don't matter anymore play of the conference formally known as the Big 10.

Is Beano Cook still alive? Yeah Beano! You still suck and so does your conference. Oh, and FYI, your backup Independent school Notre Dame, has now accepted 6-6 as a great season. Hey Beano, you should do a Big 10 and roll over and die already. Nobody cares! You're last century's news. Wait, you're pre 1970's news. Time has passed you. You can't sell a lame University on history with a bunch of fat cows for Coeds when you have the sunshine and babes of the South.

Boise St. is number 9 in the BCS. Ohio St. is number 10. Do the math!

There is no way Ohio St. should get a BCS bid over Boise St.

Boise St. is the Cinderella darlings of college football and along with Utah, TCU, BYU and Ball St. would run the table in the Big 10.

The other team who really gets screwed? Texas Tech. You lose one game all year to the now number 2 in the nation and the Red Raiders are looking at the Holiday Bowl. That's about $14 million difference!

Plax Gettin Waxed

Is it too late to add Plaxico Burress to the Turkey of the Year Award for 2008?

What a year for Plax. It started with his Nostradamus prediction of the Giants beating the undefeated Patriots in the Super Bowl with Plax catching the winning touchdown, arguably the biggest touchdown catch all time in the Super Bowl. Then he was suspended for missing practicing, and then missed even more time with injuries.

Now, maybe the most ridiculous story of the year. There's many story lines here, and we really don't know what exactly happened. First, the whole false name, "Harris Smith." Second, they were "dining" at Applebee's. Applebee's?! Yeah, like anyone would honestly believe these guys actually went out to eat at an Applebee's.

Then there's Antonio Pierce's involvement. It seems it was his job to dispose of the gun. He kind of failed that assignment.

If these guys thought the whole situation through, going far enough to check Plax into a local shady hospital that would protect his celebrity status and not report the situation. But how do you not dispose of the gun? I mean, come on! How does this gun not get thrown in a dumpster? Or better yet, maybe the bottom of the Hudson or East Rivers? If the gun is gone, Plax may have saved himself.

But think of this, Burress shoots himself in the leg and doesn't have a noticeable limp. Meanwhile, PacMan Jones was just reinstated and is scheduled to return kicks for the Cowboys this weekend. We all know PacMan's past altercations. And then there's the Jaguars' Matt Jones who was arrested for cocaine possession. How are these two guys still on the playing field and Burress is done for the season, possibly his career and is looking at 3 1/2 years?

Let's not forget half of the Cincinnati Bengals' roster.

Another big question is how will this affect the NY Giants? Well, the Giants seem to be doing just fine without Burress. Plax has basically been nonexistent since Week 1, just ask any Fantasy owners who drafted him.

For the year, Burress has 35 receptions, 454 yards and 4 touchdowns. Take away his Week 1 performance (10 receptions, 133 yards) against the Redskins, and Plax has 25 receptions and 321 yards. I think the Giants will be just fine without him.

NBA Line of the Week 11/24 to 11/30 2008

First off, I've got to give another shout out to New Jersey's Devin Harris. I've already given Harris this award once in the early stages of the season.

On Sunday (11/30), Harris put in another stellar performance in New Jersey's (9-7) 117-109 win against the Phoenix Suns.

Harris's line for Sunday's game-47 points on 14-25 shooting, 17-17 from the line, 7 boards, 8 dimes and 21 4th quarter points! Where did this guy come from? You can bet Jay-Z is paying close attention and loving it.

The one game that really sticks out is the NY Knicks/Golden State game from Saturday night (11/29). In the Knicks 138-125 victory over the Warriors, Chris Duhon (Duke) set a franchise record with 22 assists in a game! Duhon broke the previous assist record of 21 set by Richie Guerin on December 12, 1958.

Duhon's final line-22 dimes, 4 boards and 12 points.

Also in this game, David Lee (Florida) had career highs of 37 points and 21 rebounds! Lee became the first Knick player since Patrick Ewing in 1997 with at least 30 points and 20 rebounds in a single game.

As a team, the Knicks scored 83 points in the first half, 43 in the second quarter alone! Both team records at the current Madison Square Garden.

These aren't your Marbuy/Isiah Knicks!

The Knicks finished November at 8-8. Hey, Mike D'Antoni is one heck of a coach.

Check this video out of white boy David Lee on a fast break and tossing an alley-oop to himself! I haven't seen a white boy get up like this since Tom Chambers or Rex Champman. No he didn't!

Derrick Rose Schools Andre Miller

I love me some D. Rose.

In case you haven't noticed, Derrick Rose has been blowing up the scene for the Chicago Bulls. If Rose can endure the entire NBA season with this style of play, he's a shoe in for the NBA Rookie of the Year and the Bulls' team MVP.

In Sunday's 103-92 victory at Philadelphia, Rose embarrassed veteran Point Guard Andre Miller twice. Next time you hear someone say "He just broke his ankles!" This is what they mean. I know most people like seeing a high flying posterizing dunk, but this is what I call "Straight bringin the Funk!"

The Bulls finally made a smart choice with their number one draft pick. You can expect to see Rose lighting up the NBA on offense and defense for many years to come.

This is flat out freakin sick!

Horns Got Hooked!

Yes, it's that time of year again. The Holiday Season and another BCS mess. The BCS may be in worse shape the economy, thanks to the Big 12 South.

There's still one weekend of games left so anything can happen, and I'm sure it'll only get worse.

The biggest controversy (so far) is how Oklahoma jumped Texas in the BCS and now represents the Big 12 South in the Conference Title Game? We all know they each have one loss and Texas beat Oklahoma 45-35 on a neutral field. You would think the Longhorns would get the edge.

One thing's for sure. If Oklahoma beats Missouri in Kansas City (OU is a 17 point favorite), the Sooners will play for the National Title. If the Sooners lose, they're out. So along with Alabama, they control their own destiny.

Speaking of 'Bama. They're the number one team in the nation but face a HUGE showdown in Atlanta in a winner take all game for the SEC and quite possibly a spot in the National Title Game.

And by the way, the number 1 Crimson Tide are 9 1/2 point underdogs!!! against No. 4 Florida. That's insane!

Florida is definitely the best team in the nation. They have a Heisman Trophy winner, crazy speed on offense and defense, and great coaching. The SEC Title Game could be the game of the year and is must see TV.

So if the guys in Vegas are right, Oklahoma and Florida win their conferences. The Sooners go to Miami and play....the Gators?

Not so fast! OK, if Bama wins, they're in the Title Game. But if Florida beats Bama, do they jump Texas?

And let's take into consideration that I'm a huge fan of SEC Football.

Texas's only loss was on the road on the last play of the game to a Top 10 team. The previous play, the Longhorns dropped a tipped pass for an easy interception. Oh, that was big!

Florida lost at home to unranked Ole Miss!

At the beginning of the season, the SEC looked and started out as best conference in football. I'll even admit the SEC doesn't look so strong now, we'll wait and see how the bowl games play out.

So what are Florida's quality wins?

Georgia-a real disappointing season.
LSU-see Georgia.
South Carolina-not ranked at 7-5.
Florida St.-they play in the dismal ACC and the Seminoles have been off the map for some time now.

Heck, Bama's undefeated and again a 9 1/2 point! underdog basically because the Tide really don't have any quality wins.

Clemson-a preseason Top 10 team that may of had the most disappointing season in college football.
Georgia-See above.
LSU-the Tide was fortunate to win in Death Valley in overtime to a sub par LSU team.

Not only did the Longhorns get screwed by not playing the Big 12 Championship Game, they could get screwed again if Florida jumps Texas to play in the BCS Championship.

Wow! That's tough.

Could you believe this scenario. If the Gators beat the Tide, we could possibly be looking at a Big 12 South Showdown in the National Title Game. OU/Texas for all the marbles. That would be nice!

But of course if Oklahoma losses to Missouri on Saturday, all bets are off and we've again got another huge mess.

NBA Line of the Week: 11/17 to 11/23

It may not have been a great week for the Toronto Raptors, but you can't overlook Chris Bosh's performance. In a 103-90 losing effort to Orlando on Tuesday, Bosh (Georgia Tech) put up 40 points (14-19 fg%), 18 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.

Bosh became the first person in the Toronto Raptor's franchise history with at least 40 points and 18 boards in a single game.

For an encore performance Friday against New Jersey, Bosh put up 42 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. However it wasn't enough as the Raptors fell to Vince Carter and the Nets 129-127 in overtime.

Worth noting:

Chris Paul is again proving he's hands down the best point guard in the NBA. On Saturday, CP3 recorded his first triple double of the season, 5th of his career, as the Hornets held off the Oklahoma City Thunder 109-97.

CP3's numbers: 29 points, 16 dimes and 10 boards. Paul also had 3 steals, giving him at least one steal for his 96th consecutive game, 9 games short of the NBA record set by Alvin Robertson.