Big 12 Conference newcomer West Virginia will play Baylor at least twice in the upcoming basketball season. If you took a peak at the West Virginia-Baylor football game Saturday or at least saw the score, you might have reasoned the “hoop boys” started early.
Final score: West Virginia 70, Baylor 63.
If you enjoy scoring, this game was for you. If you enjoy football, this game was not for you. Memo to both West Virginia and Baylor: play some defense.
I get the fact that in this age of spread offenses, the scores will become elevated. But come on guys, play some defense. Have some pride. This isn’t a video game. This is real football.
West Virginia’s quarterback Geno Smith is a Heisman Trophy contender. The senior threw for seven touchdowns Saturday. I don’t know whether to congratulation Smith or pity the Baylor defense.
Baylor quarterback Nick Florence’s arm received a workout too. I think the senior tossed five or six touchdown passes. I lost count. Shame on the West Virginia defense.
If you are the defensive coordinator at West Virginia or Baylor this week, where do you start? You probably should burn the game film and go back to the basics. “This is a football and our goal is to keep it out of the end zone.”
Showing posts with label West Virginia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label West Virginia. Show all posts
Monday, October 1, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
The Lightening Rod Moves to the Desert
Rich Rodriquez is one of those college coaches that seem to receive the tag of lighting rod.
It all started when Rodriquez left his alma mater West Virginia in a messy divorce. Things didn’t improve at Michigan where the national spotlight of a national program magnified the losing. So, Rodriquez departed one program voluntarily and was shown the door with the other.
To say the guy received some heat and backlash over those two jobs is like someone telling you it becomes hot in Dallas, Texas in July.
Rodriquez took a year off from coaching and broke down some football as a TV as a commentator. But now the lighting rod is back at the University of Arizona.
The Wildcats aren’t exactly a hotbed of college football. You don’t read or see much attention placed on the program. But Rodriquez wanted and probably need the opportunity to show the college football world he can still successfully coach.
Rodriquez brings a 75-48 career record to Tucson. He’s known as an “offensive mind” and the Pac-12 Conference is a great league to display that. Translation: the conference doesn’t play much defense. Contrary to belief, there isn’t a rule in the league declaring the first team to score 70 points as winner. The goal in the Pac-12 is to literally and figuratively outscore your opponent.
I have no doubt Rodriquez will accomplish that task. The question becomes can he do it consistently and in the meantime quiet the lighting rod tag.
It all started when Rodriquez left his alma mater West Virginia in a messy divorce. Things didn’t improve at Michigan where the national spotlight of a national program magnified the losing. So, Rodriquez departed one program voluntarily and was shown the door with the other.
To say the guy received some heat and backlash over those two jobs is like someone telling you it becomes hot in Dallas, Texas in July.
Rodriquez took a year off from coaching and broke down some football as a TV as a commentator. But now the lighting rod is back at the University of Arizona.
The Wildcats aren’t exactly a hotbed of college football. You don’t read or see much attention placed on the program. But Rodriquez wanted and probably need the opportunity to show the college football world he can still successfully coach.
Rodriquez brings a 75-48 career record to Tucson. He’s known as an “offensive mind” and the Pac-12 Conference is a great league to display that. Translation: the conference doesn’t play much defense. Contrary to belief, there isn’t a rule in the league declaring the first team to score 70 points as winner. The goal in the Pac-12 is to literally and figuratively outscore your opponent.
I have no doubt Rodriquez will accomplish that task. The question becomes can he do it consistently and in the meantime quiet the lighting rod tag.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Florida State and the Big 12 Conference
If we have learned one thing over the years about collegiate sports, it is this: forget about conference loyalty.
Last week, Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) member Florida State made quite a stir. Is Florida State really satisfied in the ACC or does it have eyes for the Big 12 Conference?
This controversy all started when a Florida State Board of Trustee member said that he was unhappy with the ACC’s television contract. That sparked rumors of the Seminoles’ possible interest in the Big 12. Florida State officials denied any interest in moving to the league that features football powers Texas and Oklahoma.
So this rumor is either simply Internet-generated material or possible Florida State positioning. Could the Seminoles be playing this rumor to increase their power and possible revenue in the ACC? Or behind closed doors, is Florida State secretly interested in the Big 12 and hopes the affection is mutual.
Some say Florida State is upset with the ACC’s basketball focus. The Seminoles are mainly a football school and are working on getting back to national relevancy under coach Jimbo Fisher. But their men’s basketball program is quite competitive too. Just ask Duke and North Carolina.
So will this rumor die or continue to sprout? From the outside, I think Florida State is a good ACC fit. The Seminoles are geographically close to other conference members and they compete well athletically.
But really what do I know? I’m still trying to sort out why West Virginia decided to join the Big 12 Conference. I guess I just don’t understand geography.
Last week, Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) member Florida State made quite a stir. Is Florida State really satisfied in the ACC or does it have eyes for the Big 12 Conference?
This controversy all started when a Florida State Board of Trustee member said that he was unhappy with the ACC’s television contract. That sparked rumors of the Seminoles’ possible interest in the Big 12. Florida State officials denied any interest in moving to the league that features football powers Texas and Oklahoma.
So this rumor is either simply Internet-generated material or possible Florida State positioning. Could the Seminoles be playing this rumor to increase their power and possible revenue in the ACC? Or behind closed doors, is Florida State secretly interested in the Big 12 and hopes the affection is mutual.
Some say Florida State is upset with the ACC’s basketball focus. The Seminoles are mainly a football school and are working on getting back to national relevancy under coach Jimbo Fisher. But their men’s basketball program is quite competitive too. Just ask Duke and North Carolina.
So will this rumor die or continue to sprout? From the outside, I think Florida State is a good ACC fit. The Seminoles are geographically close to other conference members and they compete well athletically.
But really what do I know? I’m still trying to sort out why West Virginia decided to join the Big 12 Conference. I guess I just don’t understand geography.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Bob Bowlsby is a Great Choice
The Big 12 Conference hit a home run last week when it hired Bob Bowlsby as new commissioner.
Twelve to 18 months ago it seemed everybody was fleeing the Big 12, now the conference lands one of the country’s most respected college athletics leaders.
Bowlsby did an outstanding job as athletic director at Stanford. He helped lead a program that stresses academics and athletics. Bowlsby could have stayed at Stanford probably for a long time, but apparently he wants the challenge of guiding a league that is finally heading in a positive direction.
Many wondered if the Big 12 would survive after Colorado and Nebraska left. Then Missouri and Texas A&M did the same. There were rumors that if Texas and Oklahoma left, it was the end of the league. But both schools recommitted. Now, TCU and West Virginia are coming on board this year. The skies are turning blue in Big 12 land.
Interim commissioner Chuck Neinas had a big hand in saving the conference. Bowlsby’s job is to make the Big 12 an elite league again. All signs point to that happening with this home run hire.
Twelve to 18 months ago it seemed everybody was fleeing the Big 12, now the conference lands one of the country’s most respected college athletics leaders.
Bowlsby did an outstanding job as athletic director at Stanford. He helped lead a program that stresses academics and athletics. Bowlsby could have stayed at Stanford probably for a long time, but apparently he wants the challenge of guiding a league that is finally heading in a positive direction.
Many wondered if the Big 12 would survive after Colorado and Nebraska left. Then Missouri and Texas A&M did the same. There were rumors that if Texas and Oklahoma left, it was the end of the league. But both schools recommitted. Now, TCU and West Virginia are coming on board this year. The skies are turning blue in Big 12 land.
Interim commissioner Chuck Neinas had a big hand in saving the conference. Bowlsby’s job is to make the Big 12 an elite league again. All signs point to that happening with this home run hire.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
I will Miss Frank Martin in the Big 12 Conference
Frank Martin was introduced yesterday as the new basketball coach at South Carolina. Martin leaves Kansas State after a five-year run. His record was 117-54 and he led the Wildcats to a regional final in 2010.
Martin will be missed in the Big 12 Conference. The colorful, fiery coach built a solid program at Kansas State. Martin received a big break when Bob Huggins left after one year at Kansas State to take the job at West Virginia. Martin, Huggin’s assistant, was then elevated to the top job.
Rumors persisted that Martin and the Kansas State athletic administration were at odds. The talk was Martin wanted to depart Manhattan, Kansas. Both sides denied the so-called rift. Whether it was truth or fiction, Martin is gone to the Southeastern Conference.
Martin must enjoy a challenge. South Carolina went 2-14 in its league and 10-21 overall last season. The term, NCAA tournament, is a foreign concept. Yes, Martin has plenty of work to do.
I wrote a January blog about Martin’s anger issues. Apparently, it didn’t scare off South Carolina. The Gamecocks need some fire and a culture change.
Martin claims his fiery nature is only in his coaching life. That he tried to tame it down over his Kansas State term.
Regardless, I’ll need to pay a little closer attention to the Gamecock program now. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. I’m sure I’ll miss Martin’s stare and glare from his Kansas States days, so I better catch a South Carolina game or two on television.
Martin will be missed in the Big 12 Conference. The colorful, fiery coach built a solid program at Kansas State. Martin received a big break when Bob Huggins left after one year at Kansas State to take the job at West Virginia. Martin, Huggin’s assistant, was then elevated to the top job.
Rumors persisted that Martin and the Kansas State athletic administration were at odds. The talk was Martin wanted to depart Manhattan, Kansas. Both sides denied the so-called rift. Whether it was truth or fiction, Martin is gone to the Southeastern Conference.
Martin must enjoy a challenge. South Carolina went 2-14 in its league and 10-21 overall last season. The term, NCAA tournament, is a foreign concept. Yes, Martin has plenty of work to do.
I wrote a January blog about Martin’s anger issues. Apparently, it didn’t scare off South Carolina. The Gamecocks need some fire and a culture change.
Martin claims his fiery nature is only in his coaching life. That he tried to tame it down over his Kansas State term.
Regardless, I’ll need to pay a little closer attention to the Gamecock program now. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. I’m sure I’ll miss Martin’s stare and glare from his Kansas States days, so I better catch a South Carolina game or two on television.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Basic Journalism Practice
We learned yesterday West Virginia joining the Big 12 conference is a possibility not a reality.
Okay, I learned my lesson…maybe. Yesterday, I remembered what I heard in journalism school a long time ago. You need to report the facts. But ladies and gentlemen in this Internet age that is difficult. Everybody uses the term “source” on the Internet, but few actually know who the source is. News is like the microwave oven: we cannot wait. This is no time to use the slow cooker.
Well, that attitude definitely got in the way with the West Virginia story. It turned out there was no story. Can anyone say “Egg on the face” including mine?
Apparently, people outside the Big 12 and West Virginia cried foul. Louisville may be competing with the Mountaineers for the Big 12 spot. But who really knows?
Two things I do know. The Big 12 is one very strange acting conference and secondly, I need to get the facts straight before my fingers attack the keyboard.
Oh one last thing: stay tuned for more from the Big 12 soap opera.
Okay, I learned my lesson…maybe. Yesterday, I remembered what I heard in journalism school a long time ago. You need to report the facts. But ladies and gentlemen in this Internet age that is difficult. Everybody uses the term “source” on the Internet, but few actually know who the source is. News is like the microwave oven: we cannot wait. This is no time to use the slow cooker.
Well, that attitude definitely got in the way with the West Virginia story. It turned out there was no story. Can anyone say “Egg on the face” including mine?
Apparently, people outside the Big 12 and West Virginia cried foul. Louisville may be competing with the Mountaineers for the Big 12 spot. But who really knows?
Two things I do know. The Big 12 is one very strange acting conference and secondly, I need to get the facts straight before my fingers attack the keyboard.
Oh one last thing: stay tuned for more from the Big 12 soap opera.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Hello West Virginia
Apparently, West Virginia is taking the advice to “Go West young man” literally. The Mountaineers are posed to accept an offer from the Big 12 Conference.
The Big 12 continues to receive some good news after the conference almost landed in the garbage dump. TCU and West Virginia ACTUALLY want to be in the league.
But the Big 12 will no longer be a regional conference. For my foreign readers, West Virginia is on the East Coast many, many and many miles away from the other Big 12 members. The Big 12 has forever been a Midwest and Texas-based conference. But as they say, “Times are changing.”
The Mountaineers will bring competitiveness to its new league. They provide nationally ranked teams in football and men’s basketball. The football coach and men’s basketball coach both have spent time in the conference.
So I would say the Big 12 is fortunate to have West Virginia join the group.
The frequent flyer miles will jump up now, but the conference better not complain. It’s a whole lot better offering the welcome mat then getting the parting gifts package ready.
The Big 12 continues to receive some good news after the conference almost landed in the garbage dump. TCU and West Virginia ACTUALLY want to be in the league.
But the Big 12 will no longer be a regional conference. For my foreign readers, West Virginia is on the East Coast many, many and many miles away from the other Big 12 members. The Big 12 has forever been a Midwest and Texas-based conference. But as they say, “Times are changing.”
The Mountaineers will bring competitiveness to its new league. They provide nationally ranked teams in football and men’s basketball. The football coach and men’s basketball coach both have spent time in the conference.
So I would say the Big 12 is fortunate to have West Virginia join the group.
The frequent flyer miles will jump up now, but the conference better not complain. It’s a whole lot better offering the welcome mat then getting the parting gifts package ready.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Say Goodbye to the Coach-in-Waiting
West Virginia didn’t look like the No. 22 ranked team in the country last night with its 23-7 loss to North Carolina State.
Did the mountain boys really want to play that game? We will obviously never know.
But if they want to use the distraction excuse, I will buy it. West Virginia announced near the end of the season that it was hiring a new offensive coordinator (Dana Holgorsen) and elevated him to head coach in 2012.
Does this coach-waiting thing ever work out? It is just a messy situation. Remember Florida State and Bobby Bowden/Jimbo Fisher? Remember Mack Brown/Will Muschamp at Texas. Ooops Muschamp got tired of waiting and left for Florida.
I feel sorry for Bill Stewart at West Virginia. You are the head football coach, but you are fired. But we are nice guys and you can say around for another year. Messy, messy, messy.
Why doesn’t West Virginia just end Stewart’s employment now and save the guy some misery. Pay the necessary money and move on.
There is a human element here and West Virginia does not understand it. Haven’t the mountain boys learned from other coach-in waiting situations?
It’s time for colleges to quit this coach-in-waiting process. It might be trendy, but this trend is worn out.
Did the mountain boys really want to play that game? We will obviously never know.
But if they want to use the distraction excuse, I will buy it. West Virginia announced near the end of the season that it was hiring a new offensive coordinator (Dana Holgorsen) and elevated him to head coach in 2012.
Does this coach-waiting thing ever work out? It is just a messy situation. Remember Florida State and Bobby Bowden/Jimbo Fisher? Remember Mack Brown/Will Muschamp at Texas. Ooops Muschamp got tired of waiting and left for Florida.
I feel sorry for Bill Stewart at West Virginia. You are the head football coach, but you are fired. But we are nice guys and you can say around for another year. Messy, messy, messy.
Why doesn’t West Virginia just end Stewart’s employment now and save the guy some misery. Pay the necessary money and move on.
There is a human element here and West Virginia does not understand it. Haven’t the mountain boys learned from other coach-in waiting situations?
It’s time for colleges to quit this coach-in-waiting process. It might be trendy, but this trend is worn out.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Watch NC State's Russell Wilson Tonight
The bowl season heats up tonight when North Carolina State (8-4) battles West Virginia (9-3) in the Champs Sports Bowl.
NC State surprised some folks this season. A difficult regular season loss to Maryland however put some dust on a good campaign.
Regarding tonight’s game, if you have never watched NC State quarterback Russell Wilson, you are in for a treat.
Wilson throws the ball well and is a gifted runner. He makes plays out of nothing with some amazing scrambling. He energizes his teammates.
Wilson is a difference maker for the Pack. When Wilson has a great game, NC State usually wins. When he struggles, they usually lose.
Some think this could be the redshirt junior’s last football game with the Pack. He played professional baseball last summer and might quit football to concentrate on that sport.
Wilson is a gifted athlete. NC State hopes for a late Christmas gift tonight with Wilson and into next season.
NC State surprised some folks this season. A difficult regular season loss to Maryland however put some dust on a good campaign.
Regarding tonight’s game, if you have never watched NC State quarterback Russell Wilson, you are in for a treat.
Wilson throws the ball well and is a gifted runner. He makes plays out of nothing with some amazing scrambling. He energizes his teammates.
Wilson is a difference maker for the Pack. When Wilson has a great game, NC State usually wins. When he struggles, they usually lose.
Some think this could be the redshirt junior’s last football game with the Pack. He played professional baseball last summer and might quit football to concentrate on that sport.
Wilson is a gifted athlete. NC State hopes for a late Christmas gift tonight with Wilson and into next season.
Friday, April 2, 2010
The Peril of the NCAA Tournament
It is down to the final four teams for the national collegiate men's basketball tournament.
Sixty-one teams have already gone home disappointed. Three more will experience that fate. You can call it a high risk, high reward kind of tournament.
That is the beautiful of the tournament. Teams do lose on last-second shots. Teams do lose by one meager point. Top seeds do have a bad game and go home. Underdogs do stage upsets, but then in the next round go home too.
The losers are quickly forgotten. The focus is on the winners. However, come Monday night that focus will center on only one team--the national champion.
March is to weed out the participants. April is for those still standing. They are the heavyweights of the 2009-10 season.
But who will the lone heavyweight be come Monday night. Are you picking Butler, Michigan State, Duke or West Virginia?
Let the fights begin.
Sixty-one teams have already gone home disappointed. Three more will experience that fate. You can call it a high risk, high reward kind of tournament.
That is the beautiful of the tournament. Teams do lose on last-second shots. Teams do lose by one meager point. Top seeds do have a bad game and go home. Underdogs do stage upsets, but then in the next round go home too.
The losers are quickly forgotten. The focus is on the winners. However, come Monday night that focus will center on only one team--the national champion.
March is to weed out the participants. April is for those still standing. They are the heavyweights of the 2009-10 season.
But who will the lone heavyweight be come Monday night. Are you picking Butler, Michigan State, Duke or West Virginia?
Let the fights begin.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Talking Final Four
My heart says Butler, Butler and Butler in the opening semifinal NCAA game Saturday. However, my head says Michigan State, Michigan State and Michigan State.
The Butler Bulldogs are the darlings of the Final Four. It's a mid-major, undefeated team playing in college basketball biggest event in the Bulldogs' home city of Indianapolis. It's the new kid against the standing invitation-type in Michigan State. Butler will no double experience nerves, the Spartans will look at the game as another step on the journey. They will leave their nerves in the locker room.
America will favor Butler. Michigan State will rally around the 'us against the world" theme. Tom Izzo is a master motivator and will use anything in the rah-rah line to gain an advantage.
I look for Butler's magic slipper to drop in a competitive game.
In the second game, my head says Duke, Duke, Duke. My heart says I don't care, I don't care and I don't care.
Maybe West Virginia is a nice story playing in its first Final Four since the 50s. But I doubt if I will watch much of this game. This eastern battle brings me no anticipated excitement.
So, I'm looking for Michigan State to play Duke in the final Monday night.
What excites you about this year's Final Four?
The Butler Bulldogs are the darlings of the Final Four. It's a mid-major, undefeated team playing in college basketball biggest event in the Bulldogs' home city of Indianapolis. It's the new kid against the standing invitation-type in Michigan State. Butler will no double experience nerves, the Spartans will look at the game as another step on the journey. They will leave their nerves in the locker room.
America will favor Butler. Michigan State will rally around the 'us against the world" theme. Tom Izzo is a master motivator and will use anything in the rah-rah line to gain an advantage.
I look for Butler's magic slipper to drop in a competitive game.
In the second game, my head says Duke, Duke, Duke. My heart says I don't care, I don't care and I don't care.
Maybe West Virginia is a nice story playing in its first Final Four since the 50s. But I doubt if I will watch much of this game. This eastern battle brings me no anticipated excitement.
So, I'm looking for Michigan State to play Duke in the final Monday night.
What excites you about this year's Final Four?
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