...the Joe's Plumbing and Bail Bonds Bowl (or something like that).
So I'm saddened by another chance for TCU to truly "arrive" being wasted. I mean, last night's game against Utah (who won, 13-10) was exciting and all, but we gave it to them. If we would have won last night and beaten Air Force at home in a couple weeks, we would have had a great shot to leapfrog other non-BCS school ahead of us (and maybe some bigger schools as they "took each other out") and made it to the biggest game in my tiny school's history.
But, instead (and in large part because our conference, the Mountain West does not really have any exciting bowl tie-ins), we will now be relegated (despite having a much worthier team) to something like the Poinsettia or Armed Forces Bowl (basically played at our home stadium). I realize a "bowl is a bowl", but I guess I remember the days when a bowl game meant a trip elsewhere, a spot on TV that didn't have lots of other competition, etc. But today, you go 6-6, and you may very well get in a bowl, and often there are two or three on TV at the same time. Then you have the fact that conferences have been "ranked", decided if they are worthy of attention, and the Mountain West, which I maintain is a good conference and this year probably stronger than 2 or 3 BCS conferences, doesn't even get a strong opponent for it's "champion's bowl", the Las Vegas Bowl (I think we get the 5th place PAC-10 team...which this year, REALLY doesn't mean much haha). So, despite probably still being highly ranked (I say top 15) in the end, due to our bowl tie-in's...oh well.
That said, I am probably prouder of this year's team (and excited for next...LOTS of key returnees) than ever. There have been several years lately where we were "supposed" to be in the position we were in last night: the BCS buster. This year, we flew under the radar, we played above everyone's perceived potential, and it was very fun and satisfying. As one that has always been naturally drawn to the underdogs in life, it is fun to be a Horned Frog...and I am proud that tiny TCU has quietly become a team nobody wants to play...
Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts
Friday, November 7, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Cool Sporting Events I've Attended
(so I feel like a somewhat brainless post...that I've been working on for a couple weeks...)
I love sports, and over the years, I've been blessed to be able to attend some cool events. So, just because, I feel like listing (by sport) as may of them as I can remember...here goes...
PRO FOOTBALL
NFL
Dallas Cowboys: I've been to (I believe) two regular season games and one preseason one. The most memorable game was in Dec. 2000 when they played the Giants on a FRIGID night. Why so memorable? a) It was Missy and my second date, and Granny got to go...and she was the first one to tell me, "She's a keeper!" about Missy... :-)
Houston Texans: I have been to two Texans games, both in 2003. One was with Missy (a birthday present from my folks) and another was with my dad. Both wins, I think.
Houston Oilers: I went to two or three Oilers games. One memorable one was when I got to see Joe Montana...nice...
USFL (yes, that's right...)
Houston Gamblers: I did get to see Jim Kelly and the Gamblers take on Steve Young and the LA Express...was my first pro football game in...1984? 1985?
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
TCU:
I went to TCU, so I obviously saw a ton of games. But, here are some highlights:
1994 Independence Bowl vs. Virginia. Yes, we lost, but not badly (20-10) against a ranked Virginia with Tiki Barber. It was my freshman year, and TCU had not been to a bowl in some time...so it was fun. Too bad it was cold, wet, and muddy...I think I was sick for a week after.
TCU at A&M, 1995. My only Aggie game...I am by no means an Aggie (and yes, they get obnoxious) but you can't deny the spirit...we hung with them for most of the game before losing.
1998 Sun bowl vs. USC. We were the biggest underdogs of the bowl season that year, playing a top 20 USC team featuring a little QB named Carson Palmer. Tons of fired up TCU fans (like, 20,000? In El Paso!) and we dominated.
2001(?) Galleryfurniture.com Bowl vs. A&M. We lost (28-9), but it is always fun to play an old SWC foe. And (as often is the case with travelling TCU fans...now, if we could only "ramp it up" at home better...), the TCU fan was in full voice. I feel we held our own with the Aggie fan...
TCU vs. Texas Tech, 2006. Tech was top-15, it was a rare sellout at Amon Carter Stadium (even if it was like 1/3 Tech fans...), but we allowed ZERO TD's (a big deal against Tech) and won! Crowd was awesome...I may never have been rowdier (I tend to just watch the game...)
TEXAS: I've been to a couple UT games, but I remember a fun one in the late-90s against Texas Tech where my best childhood bud Aaron called the day before, "Wanna come to Austin for a game". Heck yeah! I learned some nice "unofficial" words to some "official" cheers I'll leave to your imagination...
1984 Bluebonnet Bowl against Air Force. That's not a typo...I was 10. My first bowl game. Air Force won...but it was fun in that I was deemed "old enough" to ride the bus to downtown Houston to meet dad for the game...
RICE: Rice, you say? Well, nothing to report much (they tend to be awful), but as a young teen, my family had season tickets and it was fun seeing lots of SWC foes, and of course, one of my favorite bands, The MOB.
BASEBALL:
HOUSTON ASTROS: Too many games to count...but a couple highlights...
1986 NLCS Game vs. the Mets: I can't remember if we won...but I was in the Astrodome for at least one game (my mom saw the famous 16 inning affair where the Mets clinched...)
2005 World Series vs. Chicago White Sox, Game 3: Wow, the pageantry...media everywhere, Baseball tonight setup in the outfield, you name it. We lost (well, we were swept...but it was the closest sweep ever...all games either extra innings or 1-run decisions...), but it was just so cool to say I was at the World Series...
TEXAS RANGERS: Several games, none too memorable, except two at old Arlington Stadium. One, in the late 70s/early 80s, my Granny had a heart attack in the bathroom and the team doctor had to treat her...stinks she had it, but she lived another 25+ years and I got a ball signed by the whole team!. And in 1985(?), my dad caught an Oddibe McDowell fly ball (his first game, actually) and I got it signed by him.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES: Not sure, I just know I went to at least one game at old Three Rivers Stadium in the late 70s...when the Pirates were actually winning World Series'....
COLLEGE: TCU:
2008 vs. Cal. State-Fullerton: My first official trip to TCU's fairly new stadium. Nice college park...and it was fun to go to Jax's first "I can comprehend what is going on" baseball game (technically he's been to a couple Ft. Worth Cats games...but he was a baby). The Titans are a perennial power, so it made for a festive crowd.
Mid-90s, various games. I only used a ticket once...I usually just sat on a blanket on the right field hill at the old (CRUDDY) stadium.
RICE: I saw the 2004(?) game at Reckling Park where Rice clinched a spot in the College World Series. VERY fun...great place to watch a game.
BASKETBALL:
NBA:
Houston Rockets:I went to a handful of games in the 80s and 90s, often sitting courtside due to Enron having tickets there. I do remember going to the deciding game of a playoff series vs. the Lakers...we lost, and I had to hold dad back from giving the refs a piece of his mind as they exited the tunnel...haha.
NBA All-Star Game, 1989: It was at the Astrodome, and oh, the star power...Kareem. Jordan. Bird. Magic. Hakeem. Barkley. Malone. Stockton. Worthy. Dominique. Dang.
COLLEGE:
1995 (?) NCAA Tourney Sweet Sixteen. It was in Reunion Arena, and it featured Arkansas, Michigan, Tulsa...and some team I cannot recall. But the Clinton's came...and they were BOOED, even with 10,000+ Razorback fans in attendance...wow.
Late-80s NCAA First Round. At the Erwin Center in Austin...with dad. Very fun all-day affair, and I remember at least one HUGE upset we saw...involving Princeton, maybe?
TCU: Mostly unmemorable games (for obvious reasons), but one time in 1997 I was invited on the court for a halftime shooting contest. I could choose among spots on the floor for things like books, gift certificates...or the 2 round-trip tickets anywhere in the USA from half court. I had one shot...and it clanked off the rim, off the backboard, and off the rim...the crowd got excited, crescendoed, then "AW!". Applause. from 5,000ish. Nice :-)
I also saw Utah come to TCU in 97, the year they made it to the final. We barely lost, and Coach Majerus proclaimed, "This was the hardest place we've played in all year." Way to go, TCU fan...even if only for one game...
HOCKEY:
I don't remember the year exactly (early 90s?), but my first ever game was an exhibition between Team USA and the "CIS" (aka, Russians) at The Summit in Houston with my dad.
In addition to many minor league games, usually either the Ft. Worth Fire or Brahmas, but one fun game with Andy Payne to see the Houston Aeros (sitting on the glass, that was cool), I have been to two Dallas Stars games, both while I was in college.
SOCCER: Yes, I am a weird American that LOVES soccer...even just watching it.
MLS:
FC Dallas/Dallas Burn: MANY games...here are a few highlights...
1996 Franchise Opener vs. San Jose Clash: A bunch of BUX guys and I (BUX= "Brothers Under Christ", the fraternity I was in during my TCU days) wore red and sat in the corner of the Cotton Bowl where the "crazies" sat, and it was awesome! I specifically remember US National teamer Eric Wynalda flipping us off as we all chanted "WAL-DO...WAL-DO!" (his nickname) as he prepped to take a corner kick. We all booed loudly...
1996 Cinco de Mayo vs. Columbus Crew: This game (to this day) stands as the franchise record for the largest crowd: 35,000+. Festive atmosphere...too bad the game was a clunker (0-0).
I attended over half of the home games the first year, including one with my cousin Derek (another futbol fan), as well as many more in the first few years of their existence. I should've had season tickets!
After the Burn "re-branded" as FC Dallas and moved to Pizza Hut Park, I attended 4 or 5 more games...I love the new stadium, but dang it, it is OUT THERE!
In 1998 (I think? maybe 99?), I went to Kansas City over the summer to visit the girl I was dating, and we went to Arrowhead stadium to watch the Kansas City Wizards vs. San Jose with about 8,000 others in an 80,000 seat stadium...felt like we were bb's in a barrel haha.
English Premier League:
Ok, one of my all-time highlights in life: While on vacation to England with my family in 1999, my dad and I somehow got tickets to the season opener for Chelsea FC, hosting Sunderland (Chelsea won 4-0...INCREDIBLE game). WOW. I had my Gianfranco Zola jersey on (that I bought the day before) and we sat in the Shed End, upper level. The passion and noise in that ground was unbelievable...we Americans have NOTHING on those fans over there (and I include college football crazies as well...). On the way to the stadium ("Stanford Bridge"), walking in a mass of fans from both sides from the Tube station, a few Sunderland fans (in their signature red/white striped shirts) start ripping on Chelsea and their team of "stupid foreigners", speaking louder as they passed me in my Zola shirt (he's Italian), looking down at me and smirking (the lead "talker" was about my age, but a foot taller). In my best American accent, I say back, "That's ok, I'm a stupid foreigner, too!" He smiled, went "blech", and moved on. My dad thought we were about to be victims of hooligan violence haha...
NATIONAL TEAMS:
1994 World Cup: Spain vs. South Korea, Cotton Bowl: This was the game that got my true "soccer fandom" started. The World Cup was an event I didn't want to miss, so I got two tickets and drove from Houston to Dallas to meet my aunt, "Aufu". We sat among a bunch of South Korean fans... The game ended 2-2 after a S. Korean rally (they were supposed to lose) and the place erupted. I especially liked the Spanish brass band that sat midfield opposite us and would start playing songs that the thousands of Spaniards would gleefully sing to. Awesome!
1996 Olympics:
Men's Semifinal, Brazil vs. Nigeria: My family (mom, dad, me, and Jill) and my "Georgia family" (Uncle Don, Derek, Doug, Leslie, and her husband Jud) all sat in Athens, GA's Samford Stadium among a ton of crazy (but fun) Brazilians. The game featured many future stars (Ronaldo, Kanu, etc.) and at first looked to be a Brazilian rout. But the Nigerians fought on...tied it and sent it to extra time, and I got to witness the first ever "Golden Goal" game (aka sudden death...first to score wins...world soccer has since gone back to playing full extra times regardless of who scores first), as Nigeria won! The small group of Nigerians across the stadium from us went BONKERS. I was so happy for them!
Women's Bronze and Gold Medal Games: The Bronze game I don't remember as much (except Norway won), but the highlight was the Gold Medal Game of USA vs. China. USA won, and it was so great to see them get their medals!
Well, that's all I can think of for now...but they are all such fun memories!
I love sports, and over the years, I've been blessed to be able to attend some cool events. So, just because, I feel like listing (by sport) as may of them as I can remember...here goes...
PRO FOOTBALL
NFL
Dallas Cowboys: I've been to (I believe) two regular season games and one preseason one. The most memorable game was in Dec. 2000 when they played the Giants on a FRIGID night. Why so memorable? a) It was Missy and my second date, and Granny got to go...and she was the first one to tell me, "She's a keeper!" about Missy... :-)
Houston Texans: I have been to two Texans games, both in 2003. One was with Missy (a birthday present from my folks) and another was with my dad. Both wins, I think.
Houston Oilers: I went to two or three Oilers games. One memorable one was when I got to see Joe Montana...nice...
USFL (yes, that's right...)
Houston Gamblers: I did get to see Jim Kelly and the Gamblers take on Steve Young and the LA Express...was my first pro football game in...1984? 1985?
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
TCU:
I went to TCU, so I obviously saw a ton of games. But, here are some highlights:
1994 Independence Bowl vs. Virginia. Yes, we lost, but not badly (20-10) against a ranked Virginia with Tiki Barber. It was my freshman year, and TCU had not been to a bowl in some time...so it was fun. Too bad it was cold, wet, and muddy...I think I was sick for a week after.
TCU at A&M, 1995. My only Aggie game...I am by no means an Aggie (and yes, they get obnoxious) but you can't deny the spirit...we hung with them for most of the game before losing.
1998 Sun bowl vs. USC. We were the biggest underdogs of the bowl season that year, playing a top 20 USC team featuring a little QB named Carson Palmer. Tons of fired up TCU fans (like, 20,000? In El Paso!) and we dominated.
2001(?) Galleryfurniture.com Bowl vs. A&M. We lost (28-9), but it is always fun to play an old SWC foe. And (as often is the case with travelling TCU fans...now, if we could only "ramp it up" at home better...), the TCU fan was in full voice. I feel we held our own with the Aggie fan...
TCU vs. Texas Tech, 2006. Tech was top-15, it was a rare sellout at Amon Carter Stadium (even if it was like 1/3 Tech fans...), but we allowed ZERO TD's (a big deal against Tech) and won! Crowd was awesome...I may never have been rowdier (I tend to just watch the game...)
TEXAS: I've been to a couple UT games, but I remember a fun one in the late-90s against Texas Tech where my best childhood bud Aaron called the day before, "Wanna come to Austin for a game". Heck yeah! I learned some nice "unofficial" words to some "official" cheers I'll leave to your imagination...
1984 Bluebonnet Bowl against Air Force. That's not a typo...I was 10. My first bowl game. Air Force won...but it was fun in that I was deemed "old enough" to ride the bus to downtown Houston to meet dad for the game...
RICE: Rice, you say? Well, nothing to report much (they tend to be awful), but as a young teen, my family had season tickets and it was fun seeing lots of SWC foes, and of course, one of my favorite bands, The MOB.
BASEBALL:
HOUSTON ASTROS: Too many games to count...but a couple highlights...
1986 NLCS Game vs. the Mets: I can't remember if we won...but I was in the Astrodome for at least one game (my mom saw the famous 16 inning affair where the Mets clinched...)
2005 World Series vs. Chicago White Sox, Game 3: Wow, the pageantry...media everywhere, Baseball tonight setup in the outfield, you name it. We lost (well, we were swept...but it was the closest sweep ever...all games either extra innings or 1-run decisions...), but it was just so cool to say I was at the World Series...
TEXAS RANGERS: Several games, none too memorable, except two at old Arlington Stadium. One, in the late 70s/early 80s, my Granny had a heart attack in the bathroom and the team doctor had to treat her...stinks she had it, but she lived another 25+ years and I got a ball signed by the whole team!. And in 1985(?), my dad caught an Oddibe McDowell fly ball (his first game, actually) and I got it signed by him.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES: Not sure, I just know I went to at least one game at old Three Rivers Stadium in the late 70s...when the Pirates were actually winning World Series'....
COLLEGE: TCU:
2008 vs. Cal. State-Fullerton: My first official trip to TCU's fairly new stadium. Nice college park...and it was fun to go to Jax's first "I can comprehend what is going on" baseball game (technically he's been to a couple Ft. Worth Cats games...but he was a baby). The Titans are a perennial power, so it made for a festive crowd.
Mid-90s, various games. I only used a ticket once...I usually just sat on a blanket on the right field hill at the old (CRUDDY) stadium.
RICE: I saw the 2004(?) game at Reckling Park where Rice clinched a spot in the College World Series. VERY fun...great place to watch a game.
BASKETBALL:
NBA:
Houston Rockets:I went to a handful of games in the 80s and 90s, often sitting courtside due to Enron having tickets there. I do remember going to the deciding game of a playoff series vs. the Lakers...we lost, and I had to hold dad back from giving the refs a piece of his mind as they exited the tunnel...haha.
NBA All-Star Game, 1989: It was at the Astrodome, and oh, the star power...Kareem. Jordan. Bird. Magic. Hakeem. Barkley. Malone. Stockton. Worthy. Dominique. Dang.
COLLEGE:
1995 (?) NCAA Tourney Sweet Sixteen. It was in Reunion Arena, and it featured Arkansas, Michigan, Tulsa...and some team I cannot recall. But the Clinton's came...and they were BOOED, even with 10,000+ Razorback fans in attendance...wow.
Late-80s NCAA First Round. At the Erwin Center in Austin...with dad. Very fun all-day affair, and I remember at least one HUGE upset we saw...involving Princeton, maybe?
TCU: Mostly unmemorable games (for obvious reasons), but one time in 1997 I was invited on the court for a halftime shooting contest. I could choose among spots on the floor for things like books, gift certificates...or the 2 round-trip tickets anywhere in the USA from half court. I had one shot...and it clanked off the rim, off the backboard, and off the rim...the crowd got excited, crescendoed, then "AW!". Applause. from 5,000ish. Nice :-)
I also saw Utah come to TCU in 97, the year they made it to the final. We barely lost, and Coach Majerus proclaimed, "This was the hardest place we've played in all year." Way to go, TCU fan...even if only for one game...
HOCKEY:
I don't remember the year exactly (early 90s?), but my first ever game was an exhibition between Team USA and the "CIS" (aka, Russians) at The Summit in Houston with my dad.
In addition to many minor league games, usually either the Ft. Worth Fire or Brahmas, but one fun game with Andy Payne to see the Houston Aeros (sitting on the glass, that was cool), I have been to two Dallas Stars games, both while I was in college.
SOCCER: Yes, I am a weird American that LOVES soccer...even just watching it.
MLS:
FC Dallas/Dallas Burn: MANY games...here are a few highlights...
1996 Franchise Opener vs. San Jose Clash: A bunch of BUX guys and I (BUX= "Brothers Under Christ", the fraternity I was in during my TCU days) wore red and sat in the corner of the Cotton Bowl where the "crazies" sat, and it was awesome! I specifically remember US National teamer Eric Wynalda flipping us off as we all chanted "WAL-DO...WAL-DO!" (his nickname) as he prepped to take a corner kick. We all booed loudly...
1996 Cinco de Mayo vs. Columbus Crew: This game (to this day) stands as the franchise record for the largest crowd: 35,000+. Festive atmosphere...too bad the game was a clunker (0-0).
I attended over half of the home games the first year, including one with my cousin Derek (another futbol fan), as well as many more in the first few years of their existence. I should've had season tickets!
After the Burn "re-branded" as FC Dallas and moved to Pizza Hut Park, I attended 4 or 5 more games...I love the new stadium, but dang it, it is OUT THERE!
In 1998 (I think? maybe 99?), I went to Kansas City over the summer to visit the girl I was dating, and we went to Arrowhead stadium to watch the Kansas City Wizards vs. San Jose with about 8,000 others in an 80,000 seat stadium...felt like we were bb's in a barrel haha.
English Premier League:
Ok, one of my all-time highlights in life: While on vacation to England with my family in 1999, my dad and I somehow got tickets to the season opener for Chelsea FC, hosting Sunderland (Chelsea won 4-0...INCREDIBLE game). WOW. I had my Gianfranco Zola jersey on (that I bought the day before) and we sat in the Shed End, upper level. The passion and noise in that ground was unbelievable...we Americans have NOTHING on those fans over there (and I include college football crazies as well...). On the way to the stadium ("Stanford Bridge"), walking in a mass of fans from both sides from the Tube station, a few Sunderland fans (in their signature red/white striped shirts) start ripping on Chelsea and their team of "stupid foreigners", speaking louder as they passed me in my Zola shirt (he's Italian), looking down at me and smirking (the lead "talker" was about my age, but a foot taller). In my best American accent, I say back, "That's ok, I'm a stupid foreigner, too!" He smiled, went "blech", and moved on. My dad thought we were about to be victims of hooligan violence haha...
NATIONAL TEAMS:
1994 World Cup: Spain vs. South Korea, Cotton Bowl: This was the game that got my true "soccer fandom" started. The World Cup was an event I didn't want to miss, so I got two tickets and drove from Houston to Dallas to meet my aunt, "Aufu". We sat among a bunch of South Korean fans... The game ended 2-2 after a S. Korean rally (they were supposed to lose) and the place erupted. I especially liked the Spanish brass band that sat midfield opposite us and would start playing songs that the thousands of Spaniards would gleefully sing to. Awesome!
1996 Olympics:
Men's Semifinal, Brazil vs. Nigeria: My family (mom, dad, me, and Jill) and my "Georgia family" (Uncle Don, Derek, Doug, Leslie, and her husband Jud) all sat in Athens, GA's Samford Stadium among a ton of crazy (but fun) Brazilians. The game featured many future stars (Ronaldo, Kanu, etc.) and at first looked to be a Brazilian rout. But the Nigerians fought on...tied it and sent it to extra time, and I got to witness the first ever "Golden Goal" game (aka sudden death...first to score wins...world soccer has since gone back to playing full extra times regardless of who scores first), as Nigeria won! The small group of Nigerians across the stadium from us went BONKERS. I was so happy for them!
Women's Bronze and Gold Medal Games: The Bronze game I don't remember as much (except Norway won), but the highlight was the Gold Medal Game of USA vs. China. USA won, and it was so great to see them get their medals!
Well, that's all I can think of for now...but they are all such fun memories!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
mmm...here comes college football...
Tonight is the first slate of college football games for 2008 (2 or 3 games on tv?) and I look forward to watching some of it at my parents' house. I am also fired up that i will be with my folks still on Saturday, as one thing I miss from my childhood is my dad and I keeping up with football scores all day long (although I think we have an outing planned...but I'm excited for that, too...so mom, when you read this, don't say, "oh, Ben would rather us not go to the new park"...ok, hidden family message over). It usually started that morning as we read the newspaper, commenting on a few of the big games (and sometimes taking the time to do a mini-competition where we made predictions on EVERY game), then once games started on TV late-morning ,we basically spent the day jumping between games (commercial? no prob...just go to another channel...). And most of this occurred before the advent of like, oh, 8,000 sports TV options...
It should be a fun season! GO FROGS!!!
It should be a fun season! GO FROGS!!!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
My NCAA 2008 Tourney Picks
Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Been pretty busy. Just got back from a surprisingly restful and relaxing family spring break trip to houston. Not that we never get to relax down there, but let's just say I must have needed rest/sleep more than I realized...
Now, to the picks. I will just use one post for all this year (as opposed to my attempt at nearly daily ones last year...that petered out quickly). Not too many late surprises as far as big teams not in final four, but a few minor ones and some first round upsets...
Second Round
EAST
UNC, Indiana, G. Mason, Wash St, St Joe's, Louisville, Butler, Tennessee
MIDWEST
Kansas, UNLV, Clemson, Vandy, Kansas St, Wisconsin, Gonzaga, Georgetown
SOUTH
Memphis, Oregon, Michigan St, Pitt, Marquette, Stanford, St Mary's, Texas
WEST
UCLA, Texas A&M, Drake, UConn, Baylor, Georgia, West Virginia, Duke
Sweet Sixteen
EAST
UNC, G. Mason, Louisville, Tennessee
MIDWEST
Kansas, Vandy, Kansas St, Georgetown
SOUTH
Memphis, Pitt, Stanford, Texas
WEST
UCLA, Drake, Baylor, Duke
Elite Eight
EAST
UNC, Tennessee
MIDWEST
Vandy, Georgetown
SOUTH
Memphis, Texas
WEST
UCLA, Duke
Final Four
UNC, Georgetown, Texas, UCLA
Final
Gerogetown, Texas
And the winner is......
(sorry Aaron): Georgetown
Let me know yours....
Now, to the picks. I will just use one post for all this year (as opposed to my attempt at nearly daily ones last year...that petered out quickly). Not too many late surprises as far as big teams not in final four, but a few minor ones and some first round upsets...
Second Round
EAST
UNC, Indiana, G. Mason, Wash St, St Joe's, Louisville, Butler, Tennessee
MIDWEST
Kansas, UNLV, Clemson, Vandy, Kansas St, Wisconsin, Gonzaga, Georgetown
SOUTH
Memphis, Oregon, Michigan St, Pitt, Marquette, Stanford, St Mary's, Texas
WEST
UCLA, Texas A&M, Drake, UConn, Baylor, Georgia, West Virginia, Duke
Sweet Sixteen
EAST
UNC, G. Mason, Louisville, Tennessee
MIDWEST
Kansas, Vandy, Kansas St, Georgetown
SOUTH
Memphis, Pitt, Stanford, Texas
WEST
UCLA, Drake, Baylor, Duke
Elite Eight
EAST
UNC, Tennessee
MIDWEST
Vandy, Georgetown
SOUTH
Memphis, Texas
WEST
UCLA, Duke
Final Four
UNC, Georgetown, Texas, UCLA
Final
Gerogetown, Texas
And the winner is......
(sorry Aaron): Georgetown
Let me know yours....
Friday, February 22, 2008
excited to go to our first "family baseball game"!
Well, tomorrow at 2 pm, Jax, Missy and I will attend our first family baseball game: TCU vs. Cal St.-Fullerton game! Jax has been to two Cats games (minor league baseball), but was very young and slept most of the time. he has been to a couple TCU football games, once again both at a young age, a couple Weatherford high football games, and some middles school football...but not a planned out outing like this (tickets just bought). Jax is WAY excited. Both are highly touted this season, and in Fullerton, a perennial powerhouse (was in last years' CWS). So, I'll tell you how it went tomorrow...
GO FROGS!
GO FROGS!
Thursday, September 6, 2007
NCAA Div. 1-A FB Dice Game, Week 2 Rankings
Some changes this week...I made sure to get results done before games started.
2007 NCAA Division 1-A DG Football Poll (Wk 2)
Rank Team (PR) Record Last Wk
1. USC (6) 1-0 1
2. Texas (6) 2-0 2
3. Wisconsin (6) 2-0 4
4. West Virginia (6) 2-0 5
5. Florida (6) 2-0 6
6. Oklahoma (6) 2-0 7
7. Michigan (6) 2-0 8
8. Virginia Tech (6) 2-0 9
9. Rutgers (6) 2-0 10
10. California (6) 2-0 11
11. Ohio State (6) 2-0 12
12. Louisville (6) 2-0 13
13. Penn State (6) 2-0 16
14. Nebraska (6) 2-0 17
15. Hawaii (6) 2-0 18
16. LSU (6) 1-1 3
17. UCLA (6) 1-1 14
18. Georgia (6) 1-1 15
19. Georgia Tech (6) 1-1 19
20. Auburn (5) 2-0 20
21. Oregon State (5) 2-0 21
22. Texas A&M (5) 2-0 22
23. Boston College (5) 2-0 25
24. Missouri (5) 2-0 NR
25. Alabama (5) 2-0 NR
Others Receiving Votes: Iowa (5) 2-0, Arkansas (5) 1-0, Boise State (5) 2-0, BYU (5) 2-0, South Carolina (5) 2-0, Miami (FL) (5) 1-1, TCU (5) 1-1, South Florida (5) 1-1, Notre Dame (5) 1-1, Tennessee (5) 1-1, Florida State (5) 1-1, Oklahoma State (5) 1-1, Clemson (4) 2-0, Maryland (4) 2-0, Virginia (4) 2-0), Kentucky (4) 2-0, Purdue (4) 2-0, Pittsburgh (4) 2-0, Central Michigan (4) 2-0
Upsets: Western Michigan over Indiana, Colorado over Arizona St., BYU over UCLA, South Carolina over Georgia, Cal Poly over Idaho
2007 NCAA Division 1-A DG Football Poll (Wk 2)
Rank Team (PR) Record Last Wk
1. USC (6) 1-0 1
2. Texas (6) 2-0 2
3. Wisconsin (6) 2-0 4
4. West Virginia (6) 2-0 5
5. Florida (6) 2-0 6
6. Oklahoma (6) 2-0 7
7. Michigan (6) 2-0 8
8. Virginia Tech (6) 2-0 9
9. Rutgers (6) 2-0 10
10. California (6) 2-0 11
11. Ohio State (6) 2-0 12
12. Louisville (6) 2-0 13
13. Penn State (6) 2-0 16
14. Nebraska (6) 2-0 17
15. Hawaii (6) 2-0 18
16. LSU (6) 1-1 3
17. UCLA (6) 1-1 14
18. Georgia (6) 1-1 15
19. Georgia Tech (6) 1-1 19
20. Auburn (5) 2-0 20
21. Oregon State (5) 2-0 21
22. Texas A&M (5) 2-0 22
23. Boston College (5) 2-0 25
24. Missouri (5) 2-0 NR
25. Alabama (5) 2-0 NR
Others Receiving Votes: Iowa (5) 2-0, Arkansas (5) 1-0, Boise State (5) 2-0, BYU (5) 2-0, South Carolina (5) 2-0, Miami (FL) (5) 1-1, TCU (5) 1-1, South Florida (5) 1-1, Notre Dame (5) 1-1, Tennessee (5) 1-1, Florida State (5) 1-1, Oklahoma State (5) 1-1, Clemson (4) 2-0, Maryland (4) 2-0, Virginia (4) 2-0), Kentucky (4) 2-0, Purdue (4) 2-0, Pittsburgh (4) 2-0, Central Michigan (4) 2-0
Upsets: Western Michigan over Indiana, Colorado over Arizona St., BYU over UCLA, South Carolina over Georgia, Cal Poly over Idaho
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
NCAA Div. 1-A Dice Game, Week One Rankings
2007 NCAA Division 1-A DG Football Poll (Wk 1)
Rank Team (PR) Record Last Wk (Pre-Season)
1. USC (6) 1-0 1
2. Texas (6) 1-0 2
3. LSU (6) 1-0 3
4. Wisconsin (6) 1-0 4
5. West Virginia (6) 1-0 5
6. Florida (6) 1-0 6
7. Oklahoma (6) 1-0 7
8. Michigan (6) 1-0 8
9. Virginia Tech (6) 1-0 9
10. Rutgers (6) 1-0 10
11. California (6) 1-0 11
12. Ohio State (6) 1-0 12
13. Louisville (6) 1-0 13
14. UCLA (6) 1-0 15
15. Georgia (6) 1-0 16
16. Penn State (6) 1-0 17
17. Nebraska (6) 1-0 18
18. Hawaii (6) 1-0 19
19. Georgia Tech (6) 0-1 14
20. Auburn (5) 1-0 21
21. Oregon State (5) 1-0 22
22. Texas A&M (5) 1-0 23
23. Miami (FL) (5) 1-0 24
24. TCU (5) 1-0 25
25. Boston College (5) 1-0 NR
Others Receiving Votes: Missouri (5) 1-0, Alabama (5) 1-0, South Florida (5) 1-0, Iowa (5) 1-0, Arkansas (5) 1-0, Boise State (5) 1-0, BYU (5) 1-0, Notre Dame (5) 1-0, South Carolina (5) 1-0, Tennessee (5) 0-1, Florida State (5) 0-1, Oklahoma State (5) 0-1, Wake Forest (5) 0-1, Arizona (5) 0-1
Rank Team (PR) Record Last Wk (Pre-Season)
1. USC (6) 1-0 1
2. Texas (6) 1-0 2
3. LSU (6) 1-0 3
4. Wisconsin (6) 1-0 4
5. West Virginia (6) 1-0 5
6. Florida (6) 1-0 6
7. Oklahoma (6) 1-0 7
8. Michigan (6) 1-0 8
9. Virginia Tech (6) 1-0 9
10. Rutgers (6) 1-0 10
11. California (6) 1-0 11
12. Ohio State (6) 1-0 12
13. Louisville (6) 1-0 13
14. UCLA (6) 1-0 15
15. Georgia (6) 1-0 16
16. Penn State (6) 1-0 17
17. Nebraska (6) 1-0 18
18. Hawaii (6) 1-0 19
19. Georgia Tech (6) 0-1 14
20. Auburn (5) 1-0 21
21. Oregon State (5) 1-0 22
22. Texas A&M (5) 1-0 23
23. Miami (FL) (5) 1-0 24
24. TCU (5) 1-0 25
25. Boston College (5) 1-0 NR
Others Receiving Votes: Missouri (5) 1-0, Alabama (5) 1-0, South Florida (5) 1-0, Iowa (5) 1-0, Arkansas (5) 1-0, Boise State (5) 1-0, BYU (5) 1-0, Notre Dame (5) 1-0, South Carolina (5) 1-0, Tennessee (5) 0-1, Florida State (5) 0-1, Oklahoma State (5) 0-1, Wake Forest (5) 0-1, Arizona (5) 0-1
oops
Well, I forgot to publish my first week of "NCAA Div. 1-A Dice Game Results" prior to games actually happening...i'll try to get them out today.
Also, Went to Kerrville for the long weekend (even took Sunday off...those are rare!). Nice and relaxing. Read a good book. Smiled alot watching Jax interact with BOTH sets of grandparents...
Also, Went to Kerrville for the long weekend (even took Sunday off...those are rare!). Nice and relaxing. Read a good book. Smiled alot watching Jax interact with BOTH sets of grandparents...
Monday, August 13, 2007
The Dice Game Cometh (hopefully)
So, for years I have had a hobby called "the dice game". Basically, I create sports leagues (real or fake) and play out the season. In the past, I used only two dice to roll, assigning teams a "power rank" of 1-to-6, 6 being the strongest team. You roll, and depending on the discrepancy between teams, it is harder for weaker teams to win (much harder, say, for a 1 to beat a 5 instead of a 1 vs. 3). I early on noticed the math inadequacies if I wanted a "true" game (I won't bore you with details...but the math geeks will quickly figure it out), yet for years kept the same methods due to it's ease.
Last year, I changed it up completely, producing a truly unbiased method: teams are still ranked 1-6, but the ranking determines how many dice are rolled. For example, if a 6 plays a 4, each team rolls their proper amount of dice, and you simply add up the totals for a head-to-head victor. In some sports, the great distance between a 1 (6 possible points) and a 6 (36 possible points) is probably too unrealistic, especially in pro sports...
...but in, say, Division 1-A college football, it is PERFECT, since, come on, Duke will almost NEVER beat USC...but if Duke rolls a 6, and USC rolls six "ones", forcing overtime (which is a one die vs one die "roll off"), it could happen...but HIGHLY unlikely...
So, I will give periodic updates (weekly) on some results of the 2007 NCAA Div. 1-A "dice game". I am using the "helmet schedule" that was also made last year (http://digg.com/football/2007_College_Football_Helmet_Schedules), which is simply fun to have in general! If I can figure out how to post the actual document, I will, if not, I will post weekly "Top 25s" (according to my results, not "real"), some big game results, upsets, etc...
Last year, I changed it up completely, producing a truly unbiased method: teams are still ranked 1-6, but the ranking determines how many dice are rolled. For example, if a 6 plays a 4, each team rolls their proper amount of dice, and you simply add up the totals for a head-to-head victor. In some sports, the great distance between a 1 (6 possible points) and a 6 (36 possible points) is probably too unrealistic, especially in pro sports...
...but in, say, Division 1-A college football, it is PERFECT, since, come on, Duke will almost NEVER beat USC...but if Duke rolls a 6, and USC rolls six "ones", forcing overtime (which is a one die vs one die "roll off"), it could happen...but HIGHLY unlikely...
So, I will give periodic updates (weekly) on some results of the 2007 NCAA Div. 1-A "dice game". I am using the "helmet schedule" that was also made last year (http://digg.com/football/2007_College_Football_Helmet_Schedules), which is simply fun to have in general! If I can figure out how to post the actual document, I will, if not, I will post weekly "Top 25s" (according to my results, not "real"), some big game results, upsets, etc...
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Final Four Results (and my last 2007 NCAA Tourney post)
Well, I got 2 of the Final Four...not awful, but the thing that stinks is that I have neither team (Ohio State and UCLA) advancing to the championship game. So, my bracket is "done" no matter what happens. Oh well. Overall, this was a mediocre year as far as my picks. Not the worst, definitely not the best. But always fun, as this gives me my only reason to really watch basketball (little care the rest of the year beyond watching Sportcenter highlights, really care less about NBA unless a Texas team is in the Finals).
Friday, March 23, 2007
NCAA Sweet Sixteen, Day One
Well, last night was darn exciting, even if I dare say maddening that the Texas A&M Aggies lost (and if you know me, you KNOW how strange of a statement that is coming from me...). I missed the first half, but it looks as if an "iffy" technical called on Coach Gillespie, a foul I did not agree with late in the game (I could be wrong, I am not really a basketball guy), and some strange timing issues (was it just me...or did the score-table guy mis-read the "two" from the ref as, "change the clock to 2.0 seconds" instead of, "take two-tenths off the clock (resulting in a slightly better 2.9 left)?") are what lost this game for the Ags. Oh well, that is how sport is. On other days, they will get all the "calls"...
So, while I got (from my original, pre-tourney picks) 3 of 4 right last night, at best I can only pick up one tonight, for a possible 4-of-8 right in the Elite Eight.
So, while I got (from my original, pre-tourney picks) 3 of 4 right last night, at best I can only pick up one tonight, for a possible 4-of-8 right in the Elite Eight.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Results at the Sweet Sixteen mark of the NCAA Tourney
11 of 16 teams right, but I had a BIG loss occur when my national champion pick, Wisconsin, got beat yesterday. Oops. Essentially my Midwest bracket is done, and the East is almost done (I have Georgetown getting to the Elite 8, but losing to Texas, who is also now gone...). The South is still looking good (3 of 4 right, and my "advancers" are all still alive) and the West is a perfect 4-for-4. At best now I can get 5 of the Elite 8, 2 of the Final Four...but my Championship game is shot...
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Overall NCAA First Round Results
So I was 12-of-16 again for Day Two, 24/32 for the First Round Overall. Pretty average for me. I have been as low as 20/32 (maybe worse...can't remember) but usually hover in the upper-half of the the 20s for first round picks.
Day Two Upset Picks: Wintrop over Notre Dame
Picks that now "hurt": None (which is nice...I still have a shot at 14/16 of the Sweet Sixteen (now that Butler just beat Maryland in the Second Round...oops).
Day Two Upset Picks: Wintrop over Notre Dame
Picks that now "hurt": None (which is nice...I still have a shot at 14/16 of the Sweet Sixteen (now that Butler just beat Maryland in the Second Round...oops).
Friday, March 16, 2007
Day One NCAA Results
12 out of 16 correct picks... I have done better... (my all-time first round record is 30 of 32 first round winners).
Upsets I Picked Correctly: Michigan St. over Marquette, Xavier over BYU
Wrong Picks that "Hurt" (aka, I had them going even farther, oh well): George Washington (I had them in the Sweet Sixteen).
Hopefully I can do a bit better today (maybe at least 13 or 14 out of 16? We'll see...gotta root for Winthrop, 'Nova, Long Beach St., and Creighton to pull the upset...).
Upsets I Picked Correctly: Michigan St. over Marquette, Xavier over BYU
Wrong Picks that "Hurt" (aka, I had them going even farther, oh well): George Washington (I had them in the Sweet Sixteen).
Hopefully I can do a bit better today (maybe at least 13 or 14 out of 16? We'll see...gotta root for Winthrop, 'Nova, Long Beach St., and Creighton to pull the upset...).
NCAA Tourney 07 Picks and the "Scientific Method"
Ok, first I need to explain how I came to these picks. About...12 years ago, I entered my first informal NCAA bracket contest using this method, and I won the thing. Since then, I have had varying levels of success, but it always amounts to much fun (and unusualy teams to pull for). The method is this: First, make a bracket with the picks that I "really think will win" (like most folks make brackets). Second, I have a bit of fun and pick only the teams I want to win, regardless of how realistic the picks are (so lots of underdogs in the Final Four, etc.). Third, I make picks based on my primative (and not very scientific...) "dice game", which involves me raning the teams on a "power ranking" of 1 (very weak teams) to 6 (the top 2 seeds in each bracket), and everywhere in between, then roll the dice...and the farther apart the two teams' PRs are, the harder for the "little guy" to win. For example, if a 1 plays a 6, the only way the 1 can win is if I roll an 11. If two 4s play, I just take one dice for one team, the other for the other, and whoever has the highest roll wins (since they are "equal"). Later in life (yes, occasionally I still play "dice game", old college friends...), I would realize how this method is not that accurate, and would expand the game to using SIX dice... but for this traditional NCAA pick game, I go old school... Finally, I simply add up how many wins each team has for each bracket, give them that "score", and just go head-to-head (with the tiebreaker being "who I really think would win"). So, if Texas has a 9 and North Carolina an 8, no matter whow much I would normally pick UNC, Texas gets the nod. This method just allows for lots of fun upsets and unexpected "runs", and we all know that the "bracket that makes sense" almost never wins...
Ok, now the picks! I realize the first day of games has played, but I PROMISE no results have been changed...in fact, since I travelled yesterday, I know very few of the results from yesterday...
First Round Winners: Florida, Arizona, Butler, Maryland, Winthrop, Oregon, UNLV, Wisconsin, Kansas, Villanova, Virginia Tech, Southern Illinois, Duke, Pitt, Gonzaga, UCLA, North Carolina, Michigan St., USC, Texas, George Washington, Washington St., Texas Tech, Georgetown, Ohio St., Xavier, Long Beach St., Virginia, Louisville, Texas A&M, Creighton, Memphis
Second Round Winners: Florida, Maryland, Oregon, Wisconsin, Kansas, Southern Illinois, Pitt, UCLA, North Carolina, Texas, George Washington, Georgetown, Ohio St., Virginia, Texas A&M, Memphis
Sweet Sixteen Winners: Maryland, Wisconsin, Kansas, UCLA, Texas, Georgetown, Ohio St., Texas A&M
Elite Eight Winners: Wisconsin, UCLA, Texas, Ohio St.
Final Four Winners: Wisconsin, Texas
And the Champion is... Wisconsin
Ok, now the picks! I realize the first day of games has played, but I PROMISE no results have been changed...in fact, since I travelled yesterday, I know very few of the results from yesterday...
First Round Winners: Florida, Arizona, Butler, Maryland, Winthrop, Oregon, UNLV, Wisconsin, Kansas, Villanova, Virginia Tech, Southern Illinois, Duke, Pitt, Gonzaga, UCLA, North Carolina, Michigan St., USC, Texas, George Washington, Washington St., Texas Tech, Georgetown, Ohio St., Xavier, Long Beach St., Virginia, Louisville, Texas A&M, Creighton, Memphis
Second Round Winners: Florida, Maryland, Oregon, Wisconsin, Kansas, Southern Illinois, Pitt, UCLA, North Carolina, Texas, George Washington, Georgetown, Ohio St., Virginia, Texas A&M, Memphis
Sweet Sixteen Winners: Maryland, Wisconsin, Kansas, UCLA, Texas, Georgetown, Ohio St., Texas A&M
Elite Eight Winners: Wisconsin, UCLA, Texas, Ohio St.
Final Four Winners: Wisconsin, Texas
And the Champion is... Wisconsin
Monday, December 11, 2006
Officially (finally) upset at the Texans
So at the 2006 NFL Draft, I only slightly grimaced when my Houston Texans selected Mario Williams instead of Reggie Bush. I figured we needed help almost everywhere, so a good DL was a fine risk instead of taking a potentially exciting and game-changing player like Bush. Also, we had a proven RB in Domanick Davis.
I was also completely fine with not taking QB Vince Young, despite the obvious Houston connection and his amazing performances in college. I just had too many questions, and my confidence in David Carr's ability was strong.
Well, after yesterday's performances by both players, consider me officially bitter at former Texans GM Charlie Casserly.
Davis is gone for the year. And while Carr has had a nice "rebound" year after a huge setback in 2005, his performances are beginning to slack...
I realize that Bush has had flashes of brilliance all year, but what I watched him do to the Cowboys last night (did you see that move he made at the end of the long TD reception? I literally jumped out of my chair and said to Missy, "Oh man did you see that?") made me an official Reggie Bush fan, and wish the Texans had him...
Vince Young has also shown brilliance at times, and has really led his Titans on a nice run of late (6-4 in his last 10 games). What impresses me is that he has led what essentially is a below-average team to a near .500 record (6-7). If he pulls off leading this team to 8-8 or even 9-7, the league should be VERY afraid for what he can do. It is early still, but he may just be the "Michael Vick" that everyone has hoped Michael Vick would be... What Young did to the Texans yesterday (especially that amazing run to beat them in OT) made me dream... What if he had done that as a Texan, playing in his hometown, propelling a below average team with heart to what would possibly become the young Texans' best season in their history?
These are questions we are left to simply wonder "what if?" about. I love my Texans (more than I ever did the Oilers...), but I am even starting to ask, "OK, boys...it is time to make some noise..." I also still consider myself a David Carr supporter, but he needs to start proving he is talented regardless of "how bad his offensive line is"...
I was also completely fine with not taking QB Vince Young, despite the obvious Houston connection and his amazing performances in college. I just had too many questions, and my confidence in David Carr's ability was strong.
Well, after yesterday's performances by both players, consider me officially bitter at former Texans GM Charlie Casserly.
Davis is gone for the year. And while Carr has had a nice "rebound" year after a huge setback in 2005, his performances are beginning to slack...
I realize that Bush has had flashes of brilliance all year, but what I watched him do to the Cowboys last night (did you see that move he made at the end of the long TD reception? I literally jumped out of my chair and said to Missy, "Oh man did you see that?") made me an official Reggie Bush fan, and wish the Texans had him...
Vince Young has also shown brilliance at times, and has really led his Titans on a nice run of late (6-4 in his last 10 games). What impresses me is that he has led what essentially is a below-average team to a near .500 record (6-7). If he pulls off leading this team to 8-8 or even 9-7, the league should be VERY afraid for what he can do. It is early still, but he may just be the "Michael Vick" that everyone has hoped Michael Vick would be... What Young did to the Texans yesterday (especially that amazing run to beat them in OT) made me dream... What if he had done that as a Texan, playing in his hometown, propelling a below average team with heart to what would possibly become the young Texans' best season in their history?
These are questions we are left to simply wonder "what if?" about. I love my Texans (more than I ever did the Oilers...), but I am even starting to ask, "OK, boys...it is time to make some noise..." I also still consider myself a David Carr supporter, but he needs to start proving he is talented regardless of "how bad his offensive line is"...
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