Week 5 brings us five STN top 25 games. Besides Oklahoma taking on Texas, the four other games showcase huge conference games with non-traditional rivals. Steve Spurrier joins us to discuss the Alabama/Florida rivalry compared to the traditional SEC historic rivalries. I am currently 9-2 picking the 2010 STN Top 25 games, also here are the picks for all five games:
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
#1 Alabama vs. #8 Florida: Urban Meyer on Trey Burton
Here are Florida's all-time results versus #1 ranked opponents:
Dec. 6, 2008 (2) Florida vs. (1) Alabama W 31-20
Oct. 6, 2007 (9) Florida at (1) LSU L 24-28
Jan. 8, 2007 (2) Florida vs. (1) Ohio State W 41-14
Sept. 7, 2002 (6) Florida vs. (1) Miami (Fla.) L 16-41
Nov. 18, 1999 (3) Florida vs. (1) Florida State L 23-30
Jan. 2, 1997 (3) Florida vs. (1) Florida State W 52-20
Jan. 2, 1996 (2) Florida vs. (1) Nebraska L 24-62
Nov. 27, 1993 (7) Florida vs. (1) Florida State L 21-33
Oct. 24, 1959 Florida vs. (1) LSU L 0-9
Nov. 7, 1942 Florida vs. (1) Georgia L 0-75
Breaking News: The Big 12 will play a round-robin conference schedule beginning in 2011
By Dan Harralson
The Big 12 just took a page out of the current Pac-10's scheduling format: a conference round-robin format beginning next football season. Big 12 league athletic directors, on late Wednesday, approved a nine-game conference schedule that will pit every team against the other every season. This has drawn their conclusion of no need for a championship game since every team plays each other and has withdrawn any future expansion (to regain the minimum amount of conference teams to field a conference championship game.) Conference spokesman, Bob Burda, said future schedules will be released Thursday.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Live at Neyland Stadium: Tennessee 32 UAB 29 (2 Overtimes)
By Dan Harralson
Well, Derek Dooley did something Nick Saban did in his first season running a SEC football program: They both did not defeat UAB in regulation. Of course we all know, that the Saban-led Tigers dropped a 13-10 affair in the year 2000. Matt Simms has now been sacked 13 times and Tyler Bray has been sacked once. Going into the UAB game, the Vols gave up 9 sacks (half of the 2009 team total - 18.) The offensive line is by far the weak link for the 2010 Tennessee Volunteers. I knew this would be a key component for the Vols yesterday and a question I proposed to Coach Dooley this week. Below I asked Dooley about the offensive line disappointments (which he deemed an unfair question to compare the two teams.) Here is Coach Dooley:
Friday, September 24, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
#1 Alabama at #10 Arkansas: Saban, Petrino, Richt, & Caldwell sound off on the big game
By Dan Harralson
Once again The Sports Times Network weekly top 25 poll has been released. The first two weeks of college football showcased three top 25 games per week and one last week (Arizona vs. Iowa.) Week 4 headlines college football with four top 25 games (3 SEC games): #10 Arkansas vs. #1 Alabama; #16 Auburn vs. #12 South Carolina; #11 LSU vs. #20 West Virginia; and #4 Boise State vs. #22 Oregon State. I will predict all four games tomorrow against the spread, in which I am 6-1 this season regarding The Sports Times Network top 25 games. Below are Coach Saban, Petrino, Richt, and Caldwell on the big game between the Crimson Tide and Razorbacks:
Once again The Sports Times Network weekly top 25 poll has been released. The first two weeks of college football showcased three top 25 games per week and one last week (Arizona vs. Iowa.) Week 4 headlines college football with four top 25 games (3 SEC games): #10 Arkansas vs. #1 Alabama; #16 Auburn vs. #12 South Carolina; #11 LSU vs. #20 West Virginia; and #4 Boise State vs. #22 Oregon State. I will predict all four games tomorrow against the spread, in which I am 6-1 this season regarding The Sports Times Network top 25 games. Below are Coach Saban, Petrino, Richt, and Caldwell on the big game between the Crimson Tide and Razorbacks:
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thursday Night Football in Raleigh, NC
The Wolfpack defeated Cincinnati last night 30-19. This is N.C. State's first 3-0 start since Phillip Rivers played quarterback for the Pack. Here is last night's military appreciation highlights:
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Duke vs. #1 Alabama: The rematch of the 1945 Sugar Bowl at the 1942 Rose Bowl Stadium
By Dan Harralson
The number one ranked Alabama Crimson Tide travels to Durham, North Carolina Saturday for their first road game. Across the country, some may look at 'Bama playing at Duke as a game without meaning. Wallace Wade Stadium is hosting more than just a "lop-sided" football game Saturday. Wallace Wade Stadium held host to the 1942 Rose Bowl due to the attacks of Pearl Harbor. The attacks to Pearl Harbor came weeks after the 1941 football season and travel restrictions were placed on the west coast of the United States. 22,000 bleacher seats were added to Wallace Wade Stadium (borrowed from N.C. State and UNC) and the game was set between the Oregon State Beavers and the Duke Blue Devils. Despite playing a quote-unquote "road game," Oregon State defeated the heavily favored Duke Blue Devils, 20-16. This is still the only time a Rose Bowl has been played outside Pasadena, California. Two years later, the 1945 Sugar Bowl (1944 season) was played Duke defeated Alabama. The most recent time the Blue Devils and Crimson have squared off was the 2006 season (a Tide win for Coach Shula.) I am live in Winston-Salem on my way to Raleigh tonight. North Carolina State is hosting Cincinnati for Thursday Night football. I love Thursday night football, it is a good way to kill time before the 'Bama/Duke game Saturday. The picture above is the Demon Deacon statue in front of Wake Forest's stadium. Below is Coach Saban on playing at Wallace Wade Stadium:
Friday, September 10, 2010
South Carolina vs. #15 Georgia: Richt on Grantham vs. Spurrier
Earlier this week, Coach Richt came on and discussed three topics: The big game vs. South Carolina this weekend; Todd Grantham vs. Steve Spurrier; and playing a big SEC game early during the schedule. I'm going with Georgia 24 South Carolina 23.
Here it is:
Here it is:
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Live in Starkville: Mississippi State vs. #24 Auburn
Here it is... I have Auburn defeating Mississippi State 31-27 tonight:
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Dooley takes on Oregon: Aims at programs like Oregon to model UT
By Dan Harralson
The Pac-10 defending champions roll into Neyland Stadium Saturday. They come in as the 12.5 point favorite and without giving up a point to the opposition. Sure it was New Mexico week one and sure some may say the Tennessee program is down. The Oregon football program reminds me of the Tennessee program of the mid to late 1990's. Replacing quarterbacks is an after thought when you have the pieces around it that makes the most important position work. Look at a 1998 Tee Martin: Tee was a redshirt Junior. Martin red-shirted and benefited by learning as a backup (plus the fact the tools were all around him - called a team.) This Oregon team reminds me of a team that can sneak up on people, due to the tools around the quarterback position that generates the flow of the team. The redshirt senior, Nate Costa, is ready more than ever to lead Oregon back to Pasadena (and who knows maybe Glendale the way college football is off to this season.) The Hilmar, California product is surrounded by offensive talent Kenjon Barner, Remene Alston, Jeff Maehl, David Paulson, plus a Cliff Harris (just to name a few.) The point is, that Oregon has ran their football program the right way in their conference. They have not taken any shortcuts and/or have indulged in any ineligible players regarding their program (like another Pac-10 program that illegally benefited off success recently disclaiming the rights to others.) Rich Brooks laid the foundation, followed by Mike Bellotti and now the 2010 Oregon team could very well be in parallels to 2004 Auburn: undefeated and left out. If Oregon gets by road tests at Tennessee and USC, the Ducks could easily finish undefeated and become left out (if Alabama and Ohio State remain unblemished.) Oregon's program has came a long way and they are ready to stay near the top of college football's best programs. Today I had the privilege of talking to Derek Dooley. Below is Coach Dooley on Oregon running a football program the right way:
My Prediction: Oregon 34 Tennessee 20
The Pac-10 defending champions roll into Neyland Stadium Saturday. They come in as the 12.5 point favorite and without giving up a point to the opposition. Sure it was New Mexico week one and sure some may say the Tennessee program is down. The Oregon football program reminds me of the Tennessee program of the mid to late 1990's. Replacing quarterbacks is an after thought when you have the pieces around it that makes the most important position work. Look at a 1998 Tee Martin: Tee was a redshirt Junior. Martin red-shirted and benefited by learning as a backup (plus the fact the tools were all around him - called a team.) This Oregon team reminds me of a team that can sneak up on people, due to the tools around the quarterback position that generates the flow of the team. The redshirt senior, Nate Costa, is ready more than ever to lead Oregon back to Pasadena (and who knows maybe Glendale the way college football is off to this season.) The Hilmar, California product is surrounded by offensive talent Kenjon Barner, Remene Alston, Jeff Maehl, David Paulson, plus a Cliff Harris (just to name a few.) The point is, that Oregon has ran their football program the right way in their conference. They have not taken any shortcuts and/or have indulged in any ineligible players regarding their program (like another Pac-10 program that illegally benefited off success recently disclaiming the rights to others.) Rich Brooks laid the foundation, followed by Mike Bellotti and now the 2010 Oregon team could very well be in parallels to 2004 Auburn: undefeated and left out. If Oregon gets by road tests at Tennessee and USC, the Ducks could easily finish undefeated and become left out (if Alabama and Ohio State remain unblemished.) Oregon's program has came a long way and they are ready to stay near the top of college football's best programs. Today I had the privilege of talking to Derek Dooley. Below is Coach Dooley on Oregon running a football program the right way:
My Prediction: Oregon 34 Tennessee 20
Glory to Glendale: Alabama vs. Penn State
By Dan Harralson
When you think of college football rivalries and tradition, you usually do not think Alabama vs. Penn State: At least that is the case for the current younger generation. These two historical football programs began fielding great games under two of the best college football coaches this sport has ever seen. Two Sugar Bowl classics in the 1970's (plus the respect for each other), allowed the two coaches to ink a decade long home-and-home series throughout the 1980's. From 1981-1990, Alabama edged out Penn State to a 6-4 series winning record. We all knew Bear Bryant would not finish the decade long series he wanted for the Crimson Tide during the 1980's, but he wanted dearly to have this series booked for the next coach after he retired. Bryant gained so much respect for the State College of Pennsylvania's football program dating back to his 7-0 Liberty Bowl loss in 1959. The 83 year-old, Coach Paterno, is nearing the end of his coaching career and this years home-and-home series with Alabama makes it more than special. Nick Saban is arguably the best coach in college football today, but he knows he cannot get caught up in the moment of renewing memory lane versus Joe Paterno. Saturday will be the sixth Saban vs. Paterno match up. Here are the all-time results between the hall-of-fame coaches:
1995: Penn State 24 Michigan State 20
1996: Penn State 32 Michigan State 29
1997: Michigan State 49 Penn State 14
1998: Penn State 51 Michigan State 28
1999: Michigan State 35 Penn State 28
Today I had the opportunity to catch up with Coach Saban regarding the Penn State game Saturday (below the video are the all-time results between Alabama and Penn State.)
1959: Penn State 7 Alabama 0 (Liberty Bowl)
1975: Alabama 13 Penn State 6 (Sugar Bowl)
1978: Alabama 14 Penn State 7 (Sugar Bowl)
1981: Alabama 31 Penn State 6 (State College)
1982: Alabama 42 Penn State 21 (Birmingham)
1983: Penn State 34 Alabama 28 (State College)
1984: Alabama 6 Penn State 0 (Tuscaloosa)
1985: Penn State 16 Alabama 14 (State College)
1986: Penn State 23 Alabama 3 (Tuscaloosa)
1987: Alabama 24 Penn State 13 (State College)
1988: Alabama 8 Penn State 3 (Birmingham)
1989: Alabama 17 Penn State 16 (State College)
1990: Penn State 9 Alabama 0 (Tuscaloosa)
Alabama leads 8-5 (Joe Paterno is 4-8 vs. Bama)
*If you crunch the numbers, Saturday's game could be Alabama 15 Penn State 12, but here is my prediction: Click Here
When you think of college football rivalries and tradition, you usually do not think Alabama vs. Penn State: At least that is the case for the current younger generation. These two historical football programs began fielding great games under two of the best college football coaches this sport has ever seen. Two Sugar Bowl classics in the 1970's (plus the respect for each other), allowed the two coaches to ink a decade long home-and-home series throughout the 1980's. From 1981-1990, Alabama edged out Penn State to a 6-4 series winning record. We all knew Bear Bryant would not finish the decade long series he wanted for the Crimson Tide during the 1980's, but he wanted dearly to have this series booked for the next coach after he retired. Bryant gained so much respect for the State College of Pennsylvania's football program dating back to his 7-0 Liberty Bowl loss in 1959. The 83 year-old, Coach Paterno, is nearing the end of his coaching career and this years home-and-home series with Alabama makes it more than special. Nick Saban is arguably the best coach in college football today, but he knows he cannot get caught up in the moment of renewing memory lane versus Joe Paterno. Saturday will be the sixth Saban vs. Paterno match up. Here are the all-time results between the hall-of-fame coaches:
1995: Penn State 24 Michigan State 20
1996: Penn State 32 Michigan State 29
1997: Michigan State 49 Penn State 14
1998: Penn State 51 Michigan State 28
1999: Michigan State 35 Penn State 28
Today I had the opportunity to catch up with Coach Saban regarding the Penn State game Saturday (below the video are the all-time results between Alabama and Penn State.)
1959: Penn State 7 Alabama 0 (Liberty Bowl)
1975: Alabama 13 Penn State 6 (Sugar Bowl)
1978: Alabama 14 Penn State 7 (Sugar Bowl)
1981: Alabama 31 Penn State 6 (State College)
1982: Alabama 42 Penn State 21 (Birmingham)
1983: Penn State 34 Alabama 28 (State College)
1984: Alabama 6 Penn State 0 (Tuscaloosa)
1985: Penn State 16 Alabama 14 (State College)
1986: Penn State 23 Alabama 3 (Tuscaloosa)
1987: Alabama 24 Penn State 13 (State College)
1988: Alabama 8 Penn State 3 (Birmingham)
1989: Alabama 17 Penn State 16 (State College)
1990: Penn State 9 Alabama 0 (Tuscaloosa)
Alabama leads 8-5 (Joe Paterno is 4-8 vs. Bama)
*If you crunch the numbers, Saturday's game could be Alabama 15 Penn State 12, but here is my prediction: Click Here
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Top 25 Games: Week 2 (Rematch of National Title Games)
By Dan Harralson
Alright, week number two brings us Tradition Saturday. We will be live on location, in Tuscaloosa, for the #1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide vs. the #19th Penn State Nittany Lions Saturday. The second Sports Times Network regular season poll has been released and it gives us three top 25 games this week. All three match ups bring historically great college football programs together and are rematches of previous national championship games. Lets get to it:
#1 Alabama vs. #19 Penn State (7:00 ET, ESPN) (Tuscaloosa, AL)
Rematch of the 1978 National Championship Game
My prediction: Alabama 28 Penn State 16
#2 Ohio State vs. #11 Miami (FL) (3:30 ET, ESPN) (Columbus, OH)
Rematch of the 2002 National Championship Game
My prediction: Ohio State 27 Miami (FL) 20
#7 Oklahoma vs. #14 Florida State (3:30 ET, ABC & ESPN2) (Norman, OK)
Rematch of the 2000 National Championship Game
My prediction: Oklahoma 34 Florida State 27
2010 Top 25 overall prediction record: 3-0
Alright, week number two brings us Tradition Saturday. We will be live on location, in Tuscaloosa, for the #1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide vs. the #19th Penn State Nittany Lions Saturday. The second Sports Times Network regular season poll has been released and it gives us three top 25 games this week. All three match ups bring historically great college football programs together and are rematches of previous national championship games. Lets get to it:
#1 Alabama vs. #19 Penn State (7:00 ET, ESPN) (Tuscaloosa, AL)
Rematch of the 1978 National Championship Game
My prediction: Alabama 28 Penn State 16
#2 Ohio State vs. #11 Miami (FL) (3:30 ET, ESPN) (Columbus, OH)
Rematch of the 2002 National Championship Game
My prediction: Ohio State 27 Miami (FL) 20
#7 Oklahoma vs. #14 Florida State (3:30 ET, ABC & ESPN2) (Norman, OK)
Rematch of the 2000 National Championship Game
My prediction: Oklahoma 34 Florida State 27
2010 Top 25 overall prediction record: 3-0
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Dan Mullen on the running game vs. Memphis
By Dan Harralson
The Mississippi State Bulldogs are set to play Memphis tonight at 6 PM CT. I asked Coach Mullen for his thoughts on tonight's MSU running game:
The Mississippi State Bulldogs are set to play Memphis tonight at 6 PM CT. I asked Coach Mullen for his thoughts on tonight's MSU running game:
Friday, September 3, 2010
Breaking News: Masoli is eligible to play Saturday vs. Jacksonville State
By Dan Harralson
Jeremiah Masoli has just been cleared to play this Saturday vs. Jacksonville State. Ole Miss learned Tuesday that the Oregon transfer quarterback was deemed ineligible by the NCAA. Wednesday I asked Coach Nutt about the situation and also applauded him for giving Masoli a second chance. Here is the sound byte I had with Coach Nutt:
Jeremiah Masoli has just been cleared to play this Saturday vs. Jacksonville State. Ole Miss learned Tuesday that the Oregon transfer quarterback was deemed ineligible by the NCAA. Wednesday I asked Coach Nutt about the situation and also applauded him for giving Masoli a second chance. Here is the sound byte I had with Coach Nutt:
Thursday, September 2, 2010
South Carolina: Week 1
By Dan Harralson
Alright, so we saw Steve Spurrier and South Carolina tonight handle the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. Some mentioned Carolina and Lattimore would fail again, but news flash hit ESPN: Steve Spurrier is having fun. Who said give a coach four years and then conduct a review of progress concerning the movement of the program. A lot of people have forgotten that the South Carolina Gamecocks are historically the Chicago Cubs of the SEC, people need to give Spurrier 6-7 years to establish this program from the very bottom. They sell out every game and usually proclaim the doormat of the SEC East division. Tonight we witnessed the first time Steve Spurrier having fun coaching the Gamecocks in Columbia. Sure he defeated Florida and Tennessee his first year, but he has built this program from the ground up (and he still has a mountain to climb.) The key this season and the next few seasons with freshman phenom, Marcus Lattimore, the ground game will provide success just like his ground game success provided the Gators in the 1990's. Tonight, it is great to witness Coach Spurrier still giving the Southeastern Conference a moment to savior from a SEC coaching icon. Who knows what a Steve Spurrier having fun coaching will bring the SEC in 2010?
The Georgia Bulldogs Begin the Quest to Win the SEC East: Richt on the new defensive traits
By Dan Harralson
Mark Richt and the #19th ranked Georgia Bulldogs are ready to begin their quest to win the Southeastern Conference's Eastern Division. As we all know, we gave our official East vote to Georgia at SEC Media Days. Yesterday I asked Coach Richt how Aaron Murray is handling the starting quarterback role, as well as Todd Grantham joining the Bulldogs' defense. By Coach Richt's response, it sounds like Grantham is bringing a lot of Nick Saban defensive traits to the Georgia defense. Grantham served three seasons as the defensive line coach at Michigan State (under then head coach Nick Saban.) He then added the title of assistant head coach in his final season in East Lansing (1998.) Michigan State ranked 19th in total defense in 1996 and 13th in 1997, making consecutive bowl trips. Here is Coach Mark Richt on Grantham and Murray leading up to the Saturday's season opener:
Mark Richt and the #19th ranked Georgia Bulldogs are ready to begin their quest to win the Southeastern Conference's Eastern Division. As we all know, we gave our official East vote to Georgia at SEC Media Days. Yesterday I asked Coach Richt how Aaron Murray is handling the starting quarterback role, as well as Todd Grantham joining the Bulldogs' defense. By Coach Richt's response, it sounds like Grantham is bringing a lot of Nick Saban defensive traits to the Georgia defense. Grantham served three seasons as the defensive line coach at Michigan State (under then head coach Nick Saban.) He then added the title of assistant head coach in his final season in East Lansing (1998.) Michigan State ranked 19th in total defense in 1996 and 13th in 1997, making consecutive bowl trips. Here is Coach Mark Richt on Grantham and Murray leading up to the Saturday's season opener:
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
San Jose State: Nick Saban on the Spartans as "The Common Opponent"
By Dan Harralson
The #1 ranked Crimson Tide are ready to set out and defend their 2009 National Championship. First up are the Spartans from San Jose, California. Also this weekend the #3 ranked Boise State Broncos will take on the national stage and try and take down the 6th ranked Virginia Tech Hokies. If Boise State defeats Virginia Tech, then Boise has a great chance of remaining undefeated this season. They do host Oregon State September 25th, which could be a defeat. I personally picked Boise State to defeat Virginia Tech and then lose to Oregon State. If Boise does remain undefeated along with an undefeated Ohio State team (plus a one-loss Alabama team), look for pollsters to analyze the "common opponent" game between Boise State and Alabama. San Jose State takes on Boise October 16th. Sure Alabama and Boise State should easily defeat the Spartans, but the way each team defeats the Spartans will be looked at in different angles. Anyways, here is Nick Saban on the "common opponent" situation:
The #1 ranked Crimson Tide are ready to set out and defend their 2009 National Championship. First up are the Spartans from San Jose, California. Also this weekend the #3 ranked Boise State Broncos will take on the national stage and try and take down the 6th ranked Virginia Tech Hokies. If Boise State defeats Virginia Tech, then Boise has a great chance of remaining undefeated this season. They do host Oregon State September 25th, which could be a defeat. I personally picked Boise State to defeat Virginia Tech and then lose to Oregon State. If Boise does remain undefeated along with an undefeated Ohio State team (plus a one-loss Alabama team), look for pollsters to analyze the "common opponent" game between Boise State and Alabama. San Jose State takes on Boise October 16th. Sure Alabama and Boise State should easily defeat the Spartans, but the way each team defeats the Spartans will be looked at in different angles. Anyways, here is Nick Saban on the "common opponent" situation:
The 2010 Season Kicks Off: South Carolina vs. Southern Miss
By Dan Harralson
South Carolina needs to open the 2010 season on a strong note. Many people are doubting Coach Spurrier to do well this season (and also tomorrow night.) Today I asked Coach Spurrier about freshman running back, Marcus Lattimore, and his playing time versus Southern Miss. I think if Lattimore receives 15 or more carries, then South Carolina finds their 2010 identity and wins handily tomorrow. I am going with South Carolina 31 Southern Miss 14 and Marcus Lattimore rushing for 96 yards. Here is Coach Spurrier today:
South Carolina needs to open the 2010 season on a strong note. Many people are doubting Coach Spurrier to do well this season (and also tomorrow night.) Today I asked Coach Spurrier about freshman running back, Marcus Lattimore, and his playing time versus Southern Miss. I think if Lattimore receives 15 or more carries, then South Carolina finds their 2010 identity and wins handily tomorrow. I am going with South Carolina 31 Southern Miss 14 and Marcus Lattimore rushing for 96 yards. Here is Coach Spurrier today:
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