Rex Hudler

Where the hell was this thread several years ago when I used to go to those cities for the Winter Meeting? I have never heard of any of the places mentioned in New Orleans or Boston (except Bull & Finch) before now.

Fotop, some people just don't get it. Whether they can't or just refuse to, I don't know, but as you said, it is quite comical. I could go on, but why. It's like beating your head against the wall hoping the light bulb finally comes on.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Dec 2, 2006 -> 11:06 AM) Why is a bowl game between Ohio and Southern Miss taking place after the BCS games? Because when the scheduled the Championship game, they did not specify no other Bowl games could be played in between. Bowl games have to be completed before the end of the season and they cannot conflict with BCS games. This wording created a loophole that the people on the GMAC and International Bowls took advantage of. Expect the language to change next year.

The bar in New Orleans I really liked was a really small bar at the corner of Bourbon and Tolouse. It was called 544 Club and featured a band called Gary Brown & Feelings. They play a combo style of soul, funk and jazz that was great (or Smooth jazz and jazz fusion with cuts of R&B and funk, featuring sizzling saxophone as listed on an ad for one of his albums). It was never too crowded (unlike most every other bar on Bourbon St.) yet high energy. They played some covers but a lot of original stuff as well. I was partying with a couple of friends from Chicago. One of them, somehow managed to talk Gary into letting him come up on stage and they rocked Sweet Home Chicago with my buddy Ed doing the lead vocal. We went back two nights later and Gary came and grabbed Ed and pulled him onstage to do it again. It was perfect because it was high energy yet intimate rather than the normal assholes to elbows like every other Bourbon Street club. You can sample some of his music at the link below. His website says they play at Papa Joe's Cafe at Bourbon and Tolouse now, so I am wondering if it is the same place with a name change after Katrina. I'd definitely recommend stopping in if ever in New Orleans, even if you just need a break for an hour from the other clubs. Gary Brown & Feelings

QUOTE(Texsox @ Dec 1, 2006 -> 10:08 AM) Rookies Buy a 5L Keg, it fits right it. Also called a mini-keg. Rex, Jim, do we have to teach these children everything about beer? Tex, please forgive them. I remember what it was like when I had my first beer.

I do enjoy it as well. I like the fact that they don't give you full information about what is going on and who everybody is. Except of course that frustrates me too. And how do you guys know it's not realistic?? There is nothing to compare it to. Is it difficult to believe? Sure. But then again, it is TV.

QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Dec 2, 2006 -> 01:06 AM) What point, exactly, are you trying to make? Are we supposed to pity them now because they like playing the same teams for most years? And by pity, I mean reward them with a BCS bid. I really don't follow CFB all too much, so I shouldn't say who gets a BCS bid and who doesn't. However, the schedule argument for Notre Dame is, well, dumb. "But they try to schedule hard" is a lame argument that makes no sense for why Notre Dame deserves a bid. The same goes for the argument stated in the quote. I don't care if you schedule thousands of years in advance. If it turns out weak, you still do not deserve a free pass. It's pretty obvious you don't follow CFB too much, because your reasoning is not solid. Unless I missed a post, I don't recall anyone arguing "they try to schedule hard". The point is simple. Schedules are made out years in advance. Notre Dame's schedule is comparable to most other college teams. But to insinuate ND doesn't deserve a bid based on their schedule this year, without comparing their "resume" to the other teams that are competing with them for such a bid is not making an argument at all. Saying Notre Dame does not deserve a BCS bid is assinine without backing it up and providing an alternative solution. So, if you want to argue that, should Rutgers beat West Virginia, then Louisville, the 2nd place team in the Big East deserves a bid instead of the Irish, then make it. Provide an argument. But keep Wisconsin and other teams that are not eligible to be picked instead out of it. Argue the issue over ND and keep it relevant. If you don't like the BCS system and think a team like Wisconsin should be eligible, then discuss the merits of the limitations of the BCS and why you think it is fine there is an unlimited amount of teams goign from one conference. But leave Notre Dame out of that argument, because it is a totally different discussion. Pick your argument, go ahead. But get off the ridiculous statements that are based and half the information without an alternative. And for everyone's information, I am a casual Notre Dame fan at best. I am a Michigan football fan and root for the Big Ten. I am far, far from a ND diehard, but I laugh at all the hate of ND. Hate them if you want, but at least make a logical arguement.

QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Dec 2, 2006 -> 04:01 AM) I heard a report on sporting news radio that said tonight Rodriguez called some radio show that was talking about him leaving WVU (i can't remember which city this was in or anything) and said that he's not going anywhere, that WVU is his dream job, etc. I know talk is cheap sometimes, but would he go out of his way to ask to be put on the air to clear things up? I would say no... What happened was, his wife called him while at the team dinner and said that they were reporting on the radio that he had already agreed to a deal with Alabama and was planning on informing his team at that very dinner. He called the radio show and stated that the report was not true. There was no deal in place and he had not spoken directly to anyone from Alabama. His direct quote: While I do find it strange that he took the step to call in, that statement certainly does not eliminate any possibility he would go if offered the job. The radio station's original report was based on Pat Forde reporting that Alabama would make an offer after the game Sat. Nothing was ever said about an offer being made. The station is part of the West Virginia radio network, which runs 20+ stations across the state. It is WVU sports flagship station, so perhaps, on the night before a huge game with Rutgers, he felt it necessary to stop the talk at least temporarily?

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Dec 2, 2006 -> 12:14 AM) You're missing a HUGE difference between ND and Louisville. Enlighten me. Yes, Louisville's win over West Virginia is better than any of ND wins (they lost to Rutgers tomorrow and you can throw that argument out the window). But how is there a HUGE difference? Break it down, please.

QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Dec 1, 2006 -> 10:06 PM) It's simple. It doesn't matter how much effort they put into scheduling tough teams and its their own problem that they have to schedule 12 games of their own. If those teams turn out bad, then they have played a weak schedule and (based on their results this year) do not belong in the BCS. They could schedule USC, OU, OSU, LSU, Florida, etc all in the same year. If those teams were to all turn out bad for whatever reason, then they have played a weak schedule. This is not hard to understand. "But they try to schedule hard" remains the least convincing argument on why Notre Dame should be in a BCS bowl. Let's compare then...... Notre Dame has wins over Ga Tech on the road and Penn St. (played 7 bowl teams) Virginia Tech has wins over at Wake Forest and Clemson (played 7 bowl teams) Louisville has wins over West Virginia, Miami and Pitt (who lost to Michigan St) (played 7 bowl teams) I'd say Notre Dame's wins are as good as the other two. At worst you have a wash here, so how can you bark Notre Dame doesn't deserve it. They deserve it as much as Virginia Tech or Louisville, who are the only two other real options. And just for reference, Wisconsin, who isn't BCS eligible, played just 5 bowl teams. I have yet to see you or anyone else give me another team that deserves it more. I fail to see other teams that have separated themselves over the Irish.

The latest is that Alabama is nearing a deal with Rich Rodriguez. Those reports are originating out of West Virginia and Pat Forde of ESPN, not Alabama. Forde says Bama will make a formal offer after WVU's game Saturday. Greg Hunter, who works for the flagship station for Mountineer sports details potential contract dollars. He said on the radio here tonight, that insiders have been telling him for a week that if Alabama offers, Rodriguez will accept. West Virginia Metro News Personally, I think this would be a better hire than Spurrier.

QUOTE(ZoomSlowik @ Dec 1, 2006 -> 02:34 PM) There's really no comparison in toughness between playing at Tennessee and Auburn and playing at Georgia Tech and against Penn State, so it's more like 4 very tough games to 2 very tough games and 2 other fairly difficult games. Penn State and Georgia Tech shouldn't really be a threat to a top-5 team unless they have an off game(at least this year). People keep saying that Notre Dame should have a tough schedule every year, but when was the last time it actually turned out that way? Scheduling up-and-down programs like Stanford or MSU doesn't bolster a schedule all that often, and teams like that make up a good chunk of their schedule. Even Georgia Tech didn't look like THAT tough a game before the season got going. They have two traditional powerhouses on there that are usually going to be tough, but they don't typically have teams from the next tier down like Wisconsin or Georgia that are usually solid and occasionally great. Because of that it typically ends up lacking punch, especially if it turns out that Michigan or USC isn't that strong like last year. I'm not saying that every game has to be against someone like FSU or Tennessee, but it'd be nice to see a little more balance to the schedule. People are always going to b**** that your schedule is feast or famine with that type of setup. If they scheduled 4 or 5 teams that look like they might be tough as opposed to 2 or 3 then it'll generally end up stronger, since that way one team under-performing doesn't kill you. I know they're scheduled years in advance, but I have a hard time buying that they really thought teams like MSU, UNC, or Stanford were really going to be tough. So how does this schedule look? 09/04 - Purdue -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 09/18 - Michigan State -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10/09 - Pittsburgh -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- H - Michigan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- H - Stanford -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- H - Brigham Young -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- H - Rutgers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A - Boston College -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A - Navy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11/27 - Southern Cal -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ? - Washington State Question is, do we have a clue how it will look like in 2010 when they actually play it? Scheduling Rutgers now looks like a smart move. I'd be willing to bet when they scheduled Rutgers, that was a gimme win. Probably still will be, but I think this year shows you never know. Teams in conferences have to schedule three or four games. Notre Dame has to schedule 12. I'm willing to bet it's not as easy as one might think.

QUOTE(shoota @ Nov 29, 2006 -> 09:41 PM) This is a great idea for a thread. Men's Health magazine used to have a monthy section devoted to useful, but little-known tips. One tip I recall from memory is using laundry detergent to remove oil stains in your driveway. IIRC, the directions stated to pour detergent liberally on the oil stains and let bake for hours in the hot summer sun. Hours later, hose off. For the safety of other people and animals, one should never leave area unattended once detergent is applied. In reference to windows, one tip I didn't believe until I tried it was using glass cleaner on newspaper to clean car windows. Tide w/ Bleach works well. For tougher areas, add water and use a deck brush. Pressure washing to finish is recommended if possible, but a strong hosedown will work.

Just in case anyone was wondering what to get me for Christmas! Beer Dispenser

QUOTE(danman31 @ Nov 30, 2006 -> 11:16 PM) Mizzou manhandled Arkansas 86-64 to move to 8-0. It was Mizzou's first good win (Davidson and maybe a couple others are decent mid-majors, but mostly a cupcake schedule). Mizzou played very well and did it on national tv. The crowd was just short of 5,500 because of the storm, half the crowd was students or at least close, but it should mean more fans will come from now on. I want to get cocky and start trash talking U of I for the Braggin' Rights game, but it's Mizzou sports and the football team let me down so I'm going to stay cautiously optimistic. Anybody watch the game? Now don't go overlookin' Evansville!!

QUOTE(Pauly8509CWS @ Nov 30, 2006 -> 01:34 PM) I'm so sick of ND and their b****ing about rankings. Because, you know what, for that JV schedule they play, they sure as hell should be able to win at least 9 games, and hell, for being ranked in the preseason top 5, they should at least be able to beat one of the two good teams they played. And instead, they got their asses kicked by Michigan and USC, and should be embarassed for even playing a close game against MSU. Voters are a disgrace for their blind love of all things ND. And I swear to god, if I hear how great of a coach Fat Boy is again, I'm going to set the entire College Gameday setup on fire next week. Yeah and there is no bias in that statement. :whatever: QUOTE(Soxbadger @ Nov 30, 2006 -> 07:57 PM) Wisconsin would beat ND. Sorry but they both played Michigan, and Wisconsin played them much better. If anything it is possible had Wisconsin played Michigan later in the season when their WR's started to play much better that Wisconsin could have had a chance to beat Michigan. Not to mention Michigan played at ND, where as Wisconsin played at the Big House. You seem to believe that because ND played a better team USC, and lost, that they are some how better than Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat the same quality of teams as ND. I dont see why losing to a team should get you bonus points. The point is, Wisconsin is not eligible, so that is a moot point. The limit of two from any conference is to prevent any one conference from loading up on all the cash. That rule has nothing to do with Notre Dame, NOTHING. So while you may not like the rule, we have a system and we knew the rules before the season ever began. Based on the system we have, Notre Dame deserves an at large bid over Va Tech or Louisville. End of argument unless you want to b**** about the BCS in general. If so, leave ND out of the argument, because they have nothing to do with how this year has played out. QUOTE(Greg The Bull Luzinski @ Nov 30, 2006 -> 08:09 PM) ND would be much more credible if they did not play teams like army and navy and joined conference to play real compentition. I would love to see ND v. Wisconsin. The fact that ND plays a JV schedule as was previous credibility earns them a lot of disrespect. It adds fuel to the fire for ND haters. Playing a real schedule would go a long way to saying STFU to ND haters like me. This is one the dumbest arguments going. Notre Dame's schedule is set many years in advance. Notre Dame has always played the service academies. That's history. No worse than playing a Division I-AA school or one of the Louisiana directionals. Stanford, Purdue, UCLA, Michigan St are all traditionally respectable teams at minimum. The played Ga Tech and Penn St in addition to their more traditional rivals. So it didn't work out as the strongest schedule this year. But to act as if ND schedules weak intentionally is not only inaccurate, but ignorant how how college football works. And Wisconsin's schedule was worse. They couldn't help the Big Ten being down this year and the fact they missed Ohio State, but they COULD help that they scheduled Bowling Green, San Diego St., Western Illinois and Buffalo. None of those teams are traditional rivals or traditionally strong programs.

While Oden is a great player and will make a huge impact on OSU, I am not convinced he is going to come out the first game in January and dominate. I think Oden will struggle at first, acclimating himself to the college game and just playing in games in general. I also think OSU will struggle a bit integrating him into an already strong lineup. It's entirely possible that we don't see the real Greg Oden until February and that OSU will not hit full stride until around conference tournament time. I'm not saying they are destined for the middle of the pack in the Big Ten, but I don't think his impact will be as immediate as everyone is expecting.

I don't think Alabama will get Spurrier. I'm not really convince he is their best option, but that's just me. If it does happen, it will happen by the end of this weekend. If Sunday comes and goes without a planned press conference, then consider it done. I heard the same rumors today that Spurrier agreed to at least listen. I put those rumors with all the rest. Alabama hired the same search firm that North Carolina used, so my guess is that a Spurrier hiring is not imminent, otherwise they would be tossing money away. If Mal Moore were smart, he'd have people keep leaking Spurrier rumors while he quietly secured a deal with someone else behind the scenes. The longer Spurrier stays in the media's collective brain's, the less pressure there is on other candidates. A deal could get done quietly, ala Gene Chizik, while everyone is focused on the Ole Ball Coach. Do it with smoke and mirrors I say.

QUOTE(Spod=Ratings @ Nov 30, 2006 -> 01:56 AM) Yeah i meant LSU, and trust me i know ND will be in a BCS Bowl, but they just scared me off after the Mich and ND Losses, i mean they didnt really even compete. I am no way a ND Hater either. Just My Opinion The I ask again. If they don't deserve it, who does? Va Tech? Louisville?

It's very simple. YES, they deserve to go. The way the BCS has played out this year, there are only two other teams that could possibly be chosen over them, Virginia Tech and Louisville if they finish 2nd to Louisville. Theoretically, West Virginia could gain eligibility if Rutgers loses, but why would you take a team that just lost to South Florida? Folks there are NO other options unless Cal finds a way to vault 4 spots in the BCS this weekend, which won't happen. So simplify the question. If you were a bowl committee, would you choose Virginia Tech or Louisville over Notre Dame. The answer is simple. HELL NO Notre Dame is in, so stop the whining!! QUOTE(Spod=Ratings @ Nov 29, 2006 -> 11:05 PM) Ohio St - already in Mich - already in USC - already in Louisville - will be them or Rutgers Boise St. - already in Florida - already in Wisc - not eligible Florida - I think you meant LSU here since Florida was listed above. LSU is in unless Arkansas beats Florida, then Florida and Arkansas are in and LSU is out Oklahoma - - will be in or Nebraska, not both Arkansas - only if they beat Florida If you say no to a couple LSU and Auburn could go as well

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Nov 29, 2006 -> 11:08 PM) LOL, come on, I know you are an OSU fan, but that's just too much. http://alabama.scout.com/2/595807.html Odd. The local media here won't give up on the possibility of Spurrier or Saban. One even commented Spurrier may be allowed to bring his son to be the offensive coordinator. I didn't know he had a son or if he coaches, so I don't know if that was a joke or not. They seem to think the longer the search continues, it will be an indication that Saban is a realistic possibility and they may have to wait until after the NFL season. All of it is rumor and conjecture, of course, because university officials aren't saying anything. Hell, who knows, maybe they are dropping info to mislead the media so they can pursue other options quietly?

I am far from an NFL draft expert, but I would not be surprised at all to see Smith go in the first round. If he doesn't, I think it will be more of a function of a lack of need for QB's that high. Rock, I'm with you in terms of his improvement. I don't recall which one, but recently an announcer compared him more to Drew Brees than to a Vince Young type. I think Smith has proven this year he is more than a scrambler. I can't attest to his "recognition" ability in terms of translating to the speed of the NFL game. I can't get into the technical abilities of QB's. But I do believe he has become a legit NFL QB. I think his stock will improve after OSU wins the National Championship (combines, private workouts, etc). I just don't think you can use stats or wins to prove his worth. I guess time will tell whether he is an NFL starter, a career backup or destined for the CFL.

The Missouri Valley was a comeback shy - Bradley's 2-point loss to Tennessee Tech - of an undefeated night. Not a lot of great wins, but a 6-1 night nonetheless. Hell, Evansville actually won (and big) on the road. My thoughts on UNI rushing the court - while I am not a fan at all of rushing the court, I would assume that emotions were high since they were playing the team their coach bailed on them for. In their shoes, I'd take it personally. The MVC coaches continually talk about their conference being able to play with the big boys and how they don't see themselves as mid majors, yet as soon as an opening at a mid-level school in a bigger conference comes along, one of them jumps. Comes across as pretty hypocritical to me. Hence, making tonight a bigger win in a UNI fans' mind. QUOTE(Brian @ Nov 29, 2006 -> 10:04 PM) OSU would of won with Greg Oden. Since nobody has mentioned Greg Oden tonight..... Is it me or does he not look 30? I mean I know you can't hide such a kid by holding him back, but damn, how in the hell is he 18 or 19?

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Nov 29, 2006 -> 04:36 PM) Tyler Palko 2871 yards 25 td 9 int 163.25 RAT Jamarcus Russell 2797 yards 26 td 7 int 168.10 RAT Brian Brohm 2397 yards 12 td 4 int 154.56 RAT Kevin Kolb 3165 yards 25 td 3 int 162.81 RAT Troy Smith 2507 yards 30 td 5 int 167.87 RAT So because the guys you listed are 1 to a couple of inches taller than Troy, they will go before him? Oh and OSU runs a pro style offense and defense, and training camp. Dude will you get over it? Who an NFL team drafts is not all about wins/losses and stats. I have no clue what, if any other QB's will go ahead of Smith in the draft other than Quinn, but arguing your point with stats is totally pointless. Troy will have his chance to prove himself after the season in an all-star game, combines and private workouts. No one here is saying Troy Smith is a bad QB. In fact it is quite the opposite. He gets plenty of respect if you can get the Brady Quinn chip off your shoulder. It's blocking your eyesight of reality. And hype has nothing to do with it. If it did, Jay Cutler would have been on no one's 1st round radar last year.

QUOTE(T R U @ Nov 28, 2006 -> 10:28 PM) So I was 50% right, ill take that! You were about as right as me saying either the red or the bule team will win this game. Same difference. Nice try!