Tag: Wisconsin Badgers (Page 4 of 8)

      Mallett and Newton’s Heisman hopeful battle leads Week 7 action

      October 16, 2010 /
      AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Cameron Newton of the Auburn Tigers reacts after rushing in a touchdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

      Two of the best quarterbacks in the nation will square off today when unbeaten Auburn plays host to Arkansas. Auburn’s Cam Newton is a big, physical dual threat, while Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett is a big-armed gun-slinger who can make all the throws.

      Both are dynamic players in their own right, and with the success of their respective teams, they’re also right in the middle of the Heisman Trophy conversation. Today’s game could push even further up the chart, and perhaps even to the top.

      Both should be able to put on a show, as well, as neither defense is overpowering. Arkansas is improved on that side of the ball from last year, but not by a ton. Auburn, meanwhile, just allowed 34 points to Kentucky. So expect some serious fireworks.

      It’s one of — if not the — biggest games of a weekend that isn’t exactly as strong as the last couple have been. But there’s still plenty to take in. Continue reading »

      College Football, External Sports

      Mark Dantonio won’t be at stadium for Michigan State’s game vs. Wisconsin

      October 2, 2010 /
      CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 10: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans argues with a referee during a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 10, 2009 at Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Illinois 24-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

      One of the feel good stories of the week was supposed to unfold today in East Lansing, as Michigan State Coach Mark Dantonio was going to return to Spartan Stadium, where he was last seen calling a remarkable fake field goal to beat Notre Dame, just two weeks after suffering a heart attack.

      Dantonio will not be at the stadium, however, after a routine post-op exam revealed a blod clot in his leg. Dantonio was going to call the game from the booth, but will now be watching his Spartans take on No. 11 Wisconsin from home.

      It doesn’t look like this is a serious problem, thankfully, but Dantonio and his doctors are simply taking a precaution.

      It will be interesting to see how the Spartans respond to this on the field. They were able to control their emotions last week against Northern Colorado, but that was Northern Colorado. Today, they were expecting to get an emotional lift from having their coach in the stadium, and now have to deal with this news, which will no doubt weigh on their minds, even if it’s not supposed to be serious.

      Either way, hopefully Dantonio gets through this latest setback quickly, and is back on the sidelines in perfect health before long.

      College Football, External Sports

      2010 College Football Week 5 Predictions

      September 30, 2010 /
      RALEIGH, NC - SEPTEMBER 16: Russell Wilson of the North Carolina State Wolfpack talks to his team in the huddle against the Cincinnati Bearcats during their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 16, 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

      Ugh.

      After going 3-1 two weeks ago, I successfully predicted a downfall last Saturday by putting forth a brutal effort. Alabama (no front door cover, Tide?), South Carolina (couldn’t hang onto that lead, Cocks?) and LSU (only 20 points at home, Tigers?) were all losers, while my only winner was Temple over Penn State (even though the Owls tried to blow that one for me late).

      Here goes a better effort this week…

      No. 17 Ohio State –16.5 at Illinois, 12:00PMET
      Lay the points. The Buckeyes are 4-0 against the spread this year and have done it in rather easy fashion. I realize this is their first road test of the year, not to mention their first Big Ten game, but Ohio State is the far superior team and should roll. The Buckeyes haven’t lost to the Illini since 1991 and while Illinois has hung with them in recent years, it’ll be too much Terrelle Pryor this Saturday.
      THE PICK: OHIO STATE –16.5

      No. 11 Wisconsin vs. No. 24 Michigan State +2, 3:30PM ET
      The Spartans will certainly get a lift from Mark Dantonio, who returns to the sidelines (the press box, actually) this weekend after suffering a heart attack following MSU’s overtime win over Notre Dame two weeks ago. The Spartans have rushed for over 200 yards in each of their first four games and while the Badgers have a potent rushing attack themselves, I like MSU to win outright in East Lansing. Every year the Spartans beat an opponent they’re not supposed to and while a win on Saturday would hardly be shocking, it would still be considered an upset with Wisconsin ranked 11th in the nation.
      THE PICK: MICHIGAN STATE +2

      Virginia Tech vs. North Carolina State +4, 3:30PM ET
      I feel as though people are falling asleep on this NC State team, which is coming off impressive wins over Cincinnati and Georgia Tech the past two weekends. They don’t have a great rushing offense, but their passing game led by Russell Wilson ranks 19th in the nation and they’re averaging 37.75 points per game. After losing to Boise State and James Madison earlier in the year, VA Tech has gotten back on track with wins over East Carolina and Boston College the past two weekends. That said, there’s still something missing from this team and while Tyrod Taylor has made a ton of highlight reel plays, he leads an offense that is 87th in passing. I think NC State keeps this game within a field goal and covers.
      THE PICK: NC STATE +4

      No. 3 Boise State –43.5 vs. New Mexico State, 8:00PM ET
      Usually I don’t even consider games that have point spreads of over 30 points because of the threat of a backdoor cover, but I always make an exception when New Mexico State is involved. As long as the Broncos don’t take their foot off the gas I could see them scoring in the 60s this weekend. The Aggies rank second-to-last in total defense among FBS teams and the Broncos can ill-afford to suffer a letdown now that they’re ranked third in the nation. Boise rolls.
      THE PICK: BOISE STATE –43.5

      Season Record: 4-4

      College Football, External Sports

      2010 Big Ten College Football Preview: Ohio State back on top

      August 26, 2010 /
      COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes hands off to running back Brandon Saine #3 of the Buckeyes during a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Ohio Stadium on September 26, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

      Here’s a quick and dirty look at how I see things playing out in the Big Eleven this season:

      #1 Ohio State
      Some believe the Buckeyes’ offense might be close to catching up to their defense in terms of dominance, which is saying something with the way OSU’s D played a year ago. The Buckeyes return all three leading rushers from 2009 in Brandon Saine, Dan Herron and quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who some believe has become a more committed teammate over the offseason. The key to OSU becoming a national title threat is Pryor, or more specifically, whether or not he’ll make opponents respect his passing game. The good thing for him and the Buckeyes on a whole is that they return four starters to a veteran offensive line that will open up plenty of holes for a deep and talented group of running backs. Defensively, OSU was a top five unit last season and could be once again this year assuming they can generate a pass-rush and the safeties can hold up in coverage. Cameron Heyward is one of the nation’s best defensive ends and Ross Homan is a playmaker at the outside linebacker spot. The secondary isn’t flashy, but cornerbacks Chimdi Chekwa and Devon Torrence are solid. From a schedule standpoint, if they can beat Miami in Columbus in the second week of the season, they should be 6-0 heading into Madison on October 16. From there, they’ll be tested by Wisconsin, Penn State and Iowa, but this is your clear favorite to win the Big Ten.

      Continue reading »

      College Football, External Sports

      Stan Van Gundy on D1 basketball

      March 25, 2010 /

      Orlando head coach Stan Van Gundy told the Orlando Sentinel that if he were to fall out of the NBA coaching ranks, he’d rather coach at a small college than at the major D1 level:

      “As far as what it’s all about at the Division 1 level and what it’s all about here, it’s all the same thing. It’s all about winning and losing, putting people in the seats and money,” the Magic coach told the Sentinel after Wednesday’s shootaround.

      “I mean, those people throw out that they are really into academics and all that … There may be four or five schools that’s true of.

      “I don’t know of coaches getting fired winning 20-25 games a year and kids aren’t graduating. I don’t know people who are keeping their jobs that aren’t winning and are graduating. It’s about the same stuff.

      “Here, [in the NBA], it’s just more honest. We all know what it’s all about. You don’t have to pay lip service to things. This is the best basketball in the world.”

      He makes a good point, and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan wants to do something about it.

      Duncan suggests that schools that cannot graduate at least 40 percent of their student-athletes be banned from postseason play. If the rule was applied to this year’s tournament, 12 of the 65 teams would be locked out of the tournament. Three of them are No. 6 seeds or better—the University of Tennessee, the University of Maryland, and the University of Kentucky. “If you can’t manage to graduate two out of five players, how serious are the institutions and the colleges about the players’ academic success?” Duncan asks. “How are they preparing student-athletes for life?”

      The data is from 1999-2003, and it seems a little unfair to focus on players that played seven to 11 years ago. Also, programs that send a lot of players to the NBA shouldn’t be penalized because their players are good enough to make millions playing professional ball. If this rule were implemented, it should focus only on players that stayed in college for four years.

      For years, The Bootleg has studied graduation rates for football, basketball and baseball. The data is more recent, from 2004-2007. I’m not at all surprised to see my former coach, Bo Ryan, and the Wisconsin program near the top of the Big Ten (78%). He tends to recruit smart players who will likely stay in school for four years. Duke is second in the ACC at 92%, while North Carolina is at 75%. Maryland brings up the rear at a measly 8%. That’s just pathetic.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      College Basketball, March Madness

      « Older posts Newer posts »

      © 2026 The Scores Report – The National Sports Blog

      Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑