Month: November 2006 (Page 7 of 29)

Couch Potato Alert (11/24)

November 24, 2006 / John Paulsen

There are two huge college football games this weekend. Later today, LSU squares off with Arkansas in a game that has national championship implications, while the Notre Dame/USC clash on Saturday (the BE College Game of the Week) is a must-win for both teams if they have any hope of playing OSU in the Fiesta Bowl. In the BE NFL Game of the Week, Chicago and New England square off in a possible Super Bowl preview. In college hoops, be sure to catch the #12 Jayhawks as they face #1 Florida in Las Vegas.

College Football
Fri, 2:30 PM: (9) LSU @ (5) Arkansas – CBS
Sat, 8 PM: (6) Notre Dame @ (3) USC – ABC

NFL
Sun, 1 PM: New Orleans @ Atlanta – FOX
Sun, 4:15 PM: Chicago @ New England – FOX

College Basketball
Fri, 4:30 PM: (2) North Carolina vs. (21) Tennessee – ESPN
Fri, 7 PM: (23) Gonzaga vs. Butler – ESPN
Sat, 10:30 PM: (12) Kansas vs. (1) Florida – ESPN2

NBA
Fri, 8 PM: Dallas @ San Antonio – ESPN
Fri, 9 PM: LA Lakers @ Utah – local
Fri, 10:30 PM: New Jersey @ Phoenix – ESPN
Sat, 8:30 PM: NO/OKC @ Dallas – local
Sat, 10:30 PM: Utah @ Golden State – local
Sun, 8 PM: LA Clippers @ Denver – ESPN

College Basketball, College Football, NBA, NFL, Television

Coker done in Miami

November 24, 2006 / Anthony Stalter

It didn’t take the University of Miami more than 15 hours after finishing the 2006 season 6-6 to fire head coach Larry Coker. Even after the Hurricanes topped Boston College 17-14 Thursday night, the writing was obviously on the wall for Coker, who will finish with a 59-15 mark at Miami. Coker won more games in his six years than any other Hurricane coach other than Dennis Erickson.

A Miami official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Coker’s firing would be announced later today. Coker was informed of the decision by athletics director Paul Dee early Friday. Coker has three years remaining on a contract that pays him nearly $2 million annually, and the school will owe him between $2.4 million and $3 million in a buyout.

It’s high time “The U” gets a disciplinarian in its program and cleans up all of the off the field crap that goes hand in hand with Miami football. Although, it should be noted that Coker’s athletes had a higher graduating percentage under him than in year’s past. However, shootings, deaths, on-field fights and robberies have haunted this program over the past decade and while Coker can hardly take the brunt of all the problems, he was obviously never part of the solution either. Hopefully Coker’s firing will signify much more than just a win-loss record or I’m afraid we might not be seeing the last of Miami’s issues.

College Football

Thanksgiving Day Action in the NFL

November 24, 2006 / Anthony Stalter

The theme for Turkey Day in the NFL yesterday had to be the play of the quarterbacks. Joey Harrington goes back into Detroit, where he was tormented, abused and damn near made fun of, and throws for 213 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-10 thumping of the Lions. Nobody outside of Detroit, or non-Lions fan for that matter, can understand the magnitude of Harrington walking into Ford Field and burning his former team. This guy served as an absolute whipping post for Lion players and fans for four years. Revenge is best served cold, I think.

Tony Romo, a.k.a. Greatest Quarterback in ESPN Land, had an unbelievable game against the Bucs, tossing five touchdowns and 306 yards in Dallas’ 38-10 victory. I know it was only Tampa, but Romo continues to look calm, cool and best of all for Bill Parcels, like he completely knows what he’s doing. Terrell Owens had a nice game in Dallas (eight receptions for 107 yards and one TD) as well. Of course he also dropped three passes in the first half, including a touchdown where he acted like he was hurt on the play. Please.

Now for the overcooked, dried out and overall bad tasting turkey that is Jake Plummer. Mike Shanahan, in my opinion, now has nine days to get Jay Cutler ready for Seattle. Once again, if you look at Plummer’s stats (25 of 39 for 216 yards, one TD, one INT) in the 19-10 loss to the Chiefs, they’re not that bad. However, you watch this guy and he seems like he’s one play away from mucking everything up. At 7-4 in the NFC, the Broncos damn near clinch home field advantage. At 7-4 in the AFC, however, it’s time to firm up your team for the stretch run. Switching gears, the job that Herman Edwards has done in Kansas City is remarkable. Consider for a second who he has lost since arriving in KC: All-Pro tackle Willie Roaf in the offseason, quarterback Trent Green for virtually the entire season and Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez. Yet, Edwards has the Chiefs at 7-4 and right in the thick of things in the division. Great job.

NFL

NBA: Eye on the scoreboard (11/22)

November 22, 2006 / John Paulsen

It looks like the Lakers are the best team in L.A. – at least for now. Kobe went for 40/5/5 in the Lakers’ 105-101 win, while Lamar Odom chipped in 18 points and six boards. For the Clippers, Elton Brand posted 20 points and 15 rebounds, while Chris Kaman emerged from his slumber to tally 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, his first double-double of the season…It looks like Denver may have finally found that shooting guard that they’ve been looking for. J.R. Smith, who was acquired from the Hornets (via the Bulls) this summer, exploded for 36 points, hitting five threes in the game and shooting 13-24 overall in Denver’s win over Chicago. Methinks Smith was extra-motivated against the team that traded him away without even giving him a look. On the season, Smith is averaging 16.4 points and is hitting an average of three 3PT shots per game (which is exactly what the Nuggets needed)…Meanwhile, his old team (the Hornets) beat the Heat at home by 15. Peja Stojakovic scored 23, while Chris Paul dropped 10 dimes. Tyson Chandler added seven points and 18 rebounds in the win. The Heat dropped to 4-6 and look to be in some trouble early on. They visit the Spurs tonight on ESPN. In another nice matchup, the 10-1 Jazz travel to Sacramento to face the Kings, who are 4-1 at home and 5-4 overall.

NBA

College Game of the Week: (#6) Notre Dame at (#3) USC

November 22, 2006 / Anthony Stalter

In honor of the 2006 College Football Season, Bullz-Eye.com will preview an up-and-coming game of the week, each week, for the entire length of the NCAA season.

Each week a game will be highlighted and broken down by each teams strengths and weaknesses vs. its opponent. Plus, no preview would be complete without a forecasted score – you’ll find a prediction on the game at Bullz-Eye.com as well.

Major BCS implications are on the line this week as Notre Dame hooks up with rival USC. Both programs have a shot at playing Ohio State in the national championship game with a win. Anybody down for a good ole’ fashion college football shootout?

On tap this week: (#6) Notre Dame at (#3) USC.