Rex Hudler

QUOTE(T R U @ Nov 28, 2006 -> 10:21 PM) I did call an Indiana loss, thanks for the dap man Wrong....... you said Indiana would get blown out of the building. While the game wasn't pretty, it was far from being "blown out of the building".

QUOTE(Capn12 @ Nov 28, 2006 -> 06:27 PM) My thing is, how do you entice a coach to come to your school, after going through 4 coaches in 7 years....thats the definition of a turnstyle position IMO. Bammer fans forget that Shula was one season removed from a 10 win campaign. This isn't their fathers Alabama team, the SEC football teams are ALOT more balanced out overall. I just think that the Tide fans are a bit delusional if they think that some huge name coach wants to step into that black hole right now. If you step back and look at it, it's not great, but not as bad as it seems. One coach never coached a game and the current ex-coach was hired in a hurry to replace him. The coach before them was a pussy and could not handle the pressure. He took the job knowing probation was coming, yet bailed when he realized he couldn't deal with it. The right coach won't worry about any of that. He will see a school steeped in tradition like few other schools. He will see arguably the most passionate fan base in college football and think he can thrive on that. He will know success at Alabama will give him the world. He will need a strong personality that will do it his way. Someone that can communicate and has the personality to charm the alumni and realize the press can be your best friend when cultivated properly. Putting Alabama back at the top of the college football world is a challenge like no other. But it would be rewarding like no other. The right coach will look at the situation, realize there is talent there and probation ends in February. The cupboard is not bare at all. QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Nov 28, 2006 -> 10:18 PM) is that WR from bama coming back next season that like snapped his leg last season? He is making every effort to be able to do so. Without further setbacks, it is a good possibility.

Staying in this game without significant contributions from White, Calloway, Ratliff or Wilmont amazes me. How in the hell are we in this game???

We've run out of steam. It took all they had to come back and then hang in there. I just don't see the offensive ability to finish this one off.

DJ asserting himself more, but forcing shots somewhat. With Allen done, Mike White needs to be effective.

QUOTE(chimpy2121 @ Nov 28, 2006 -> 09:53 PM) Damn, I'm one of the only ACC guys here. It kills me saying this, but go Duke! Rep the conference. It's too bad my team couldn't. You could root against Duke and the ACC would still be fine in the Challenge. It's not going to be close.

Sure would be nice if Mike White or Ben Allen could finish underneath. They are battling down low, but how many putbacks or tips have those two missed?

Missing FT's isn't going to help. Bassett, Shaw and Suhr are stepping up. DJ needs to be even more active on the offensive end.

Ah, perfect examples why one should not post such statements in the 1st half of games. You'd think folks would learn.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Nov 28, 2006 -> 06:31 PM) Schula really struggled at Bama, he was barely above .500 from what I remember, something like two 6-6 seasons, a 4-7 season and a 10-2 year combing for something like 26-21. The Bama job would make it easier to recruit, and would offer more pay. Which is usually enough for any coach, but we will see. Let's not forget that Bama was under some serious scholarship reductions/recruiting limitations in those years. This is the first year they had all 85 scholarships. Bama seemed to be turning the corner last year, but they had some turnover at key positions. They had a new QB, lost a few members off of the offensive line and several members from their defense. The past limitations have really affected their depth. They went 10-2 last year for a couple of reasons. Their schedule was favorable (quite the opposite this year) and they had a lot of seniors. This is the year they expected to take a step back. The problem with this year is how it went down. -- They opened the season beating Hawaii 25-17, needing a deflected pass in the end zone as time expired to keep Hawaii from having a chance to tie. -- They were losing to Duke at halftime and struggled to win that game at home. -- They had Arkansas beat at Arkansas and pissed it away, missing three FG's. One with 3 minutes left in the game and one in the first OT that would have won it after they held Ark. Then they missed an extra point in OT, opening the door for Ark to win it. -- They won only two SEC games, by 3 points over Vanderbilt and Ole Miss (OT) -- They lost to Mississippi State who had lost some ungodly # of SEC games in a row -- They lost to Auburn, their main rival for the 5th straight year. Shula was 0-4 against Auburn. On top of that, there were other problems. -- The team never seemed to get better and one could argue they got worse as the season went on. -- There were discipline issues, some public, some rumored. Juwan Simpson was arrested with a gun and pot in the offseason and was suspended only one game, the 3rd game of the year against Lousiana-Monroe. The suspension was never announced and only casually mentioned by Shula in the post-game press conference. Other players would mysteriously not play in certain games or their playing time would vary frequently. -- RB Ken Darby struggled all year and Jimmy Johns seemed to be running better, yet never got the PT. Rumors circled that he had an attitude problem, which could explain it, but the silence frustrated the fans when they saw Johns get 3 or 4 carries a game and do more than Darby was. -- Shula several times had the "deer in headlights" look on the sidelines at key points in games. His game decisions were highly criticized, even to the point you could see players arguing their point with him on the sidelines to "go for it" on various occasions. There were times Shula could not make a decision and would burn a timeout, only to go back to kicking the FG (twice from the 1yrd line). -- Shula has a very laid back personality. His teams seemed to reflect that at times, playing soft and undisciplined. -- Shula was intent on calling the plays on offense. His conservative style was criticized widely, especially in the absence of a legitimate running game this year. Put it all together and the program did not seem to be going in the right direction.

QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Nov 28, 2006 -> 05:44 PM) Ibekwe out tonight for Maryland...so both teams without one of their better players. And hopefully this is the first and last time i have to say this...go Duke. You suck, Crush!

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Nov 27, 2006 -> 10:11 PM) Looks like they're starting to wake up. They really should be a solid team this year. The SHOULD be better with a linuep of seniors that have been starting for 3 or 4 years and finally some depth. But SHOULD doesn't translate to losing at Lipscomb and blowing a lead at home to Miami. If they want to be in the top half of the Valley, those things cannot happen. QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Nov 28, 2006 -> 11:39 AM) HEY, we're the lead picture on espn.com's college bball homepage: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/index I guess we've made the big time. Already replaced by a picture of Indiana. So sad. LOL

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Nov 28, 2006 -> 10:33 AM) Going from South Carolina to Alabama would be a lateral move at this point IMO, and I have no idea why Spurrier would do it. Dude, you're joking, right? Sometimes I wonder where you get your stuff? South Carolina and Alabama will never EVER be a lateral move. The scope of a coaching job and a university is far wider than last year's record. QUOTE(Capn12 @ Nov 28, 2006 -> 10:29 AM) No chance that Spur leaves USC right now....what would be the benefit of going somewhere to perpetually live in the shadows of a drunken, plaid hat wearing has-been? He has this USC team right where he wants them, Top 10-15 class coming in, competitive with anyone in the SEC, and things are getting better. Though, it seems no matter how many times he says "I'm not going anywhere" in the press, the Bammer faithful spin it into something ludacris like "well he said he doesnt intend to leave USC, that doesnt mean he won't DECIDE to!" So sad to see the revolving door that is Bammer football coaches. I don't think he would leave either. But how many times have you heard coaches say they aren't planning on going anywhere and then they do just that? It happens all the time, so it isn't that far-fetched. QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Nov 27, 2006 -> 11:29 PM) There's a rumor that Rich Rodriguez and Bama are close for a deal. We will see how that turns out. Rodriguez would be a nice get for Alabama. It would satisfy the fan base, give them a coach with a proven track record, a coach that is extremely well respected in coaching circles and give them one with ties to the Bama area. He already recruits Alabama and Florida well.

How in the hell Evansville can be favored over ANY team by 18 is beyond me. How the hell Evansville can still cover the 18 baffles me. Evansville 65 SEMO 45

It was very much a bad trade, regardless of what Javier Vazquez ever does for the Sox or what Chris Young does for the D'backs. The bottom line is you do not trade your best prospect, especially one with an unlimited ceiling, for players that will make you marginally better, at best. I said it the day of the trade and I will say it again. The Sox would have been just as well off keeping El Duque and using the combination of El Duque and McCarthy than acquiring Vazquez. Add a decent bullpen free agent and the team would not have lost a step. Instead, the Sox trade El Duque, keep McCarthy banished to the bullpen, a role he had never played AND trade their best prospect (not to mention a bullpen guy) for a guy who they thought they could "fix". Vazquez will break out at some point in his career and have a career year. But it will be that, a career year, not become the norm. Vazquez has underperformed his talent since the beginning of his career. I applaud the Sox for thinking they can fix him, but you can't take that risk and dump off your best prospect in the process. The only way the trade could be justified is if the Sox had given up on Young. I know for a fact, that was not the case.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Nov 27, 2006 -> 08:40 PM) NIU is officially bowling, taking on TCU (should be a good game actually) in the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego. Such great news, Wolfe and the seniors get to go out in style. Oh, and Heads, great hire for the Cyclones. Not that your program has a real basketball and football coach, maybe you'll stop pissing down your leg . Grobe and Schiano are sexy picks, no doubt. If you can make Wake Forest and Rutgers good at football, you can coach. Grobe is far from a sexy pic for Alabama. He was 26-32 in 5 years at Wake Forest coming into this year. He was 59-65-1 in 11yrs as a Head Coach. Decent success at Ohio U and Wake Forest does not make him what Alabama's fan base wants and needs right now. He just doesn't have the pedigree. Alabama will look to make a splash. We'll see if they will be successful or not.

The Big Ten COULD start the Challenge 3-0 and not win another game. I think they will end up winning 4 or 5 games but I am not going to try and guess which ones.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Nov 27, 2006 -> 05:43 PM) I know he's not the sexiest pick, but I think Grobe could put something special on the field at Alabama. He's a hell of a coach and has a style that would fit the SEC to a T. I think you hit the nail on the head with him not be a sexy pick. I don't think the Alabama fan base (I refuse to call them the Bama Nation) is ready for someone like him. They want a name, someone to give them instant hope. Losing to Auburn 5 straight years is no acceptable. Fans here are damned near on suicide watch. I'm not sure a more dedicated, passionate fan base exists.

Tonight....... Michigan @ NC State The other 10 games are Tuesday and Wednesday.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Nov 27, 2006 -> 05:11 PM) Pretty much the same as you, a bunch of names being thrown against the wall to see if any stick. I've heard everyone from Nick Saban, to Steve Spurrier, to Tommy Bowden, to Mack Brown(lol). Hadn't heard Bowden or Brown today, but Saban is hot, saying he will bring along Jimbo Fisher who is apparently not happy at LSU. Also heard Rich Rodriguez will coach his final game for WVU this weekend and then announce. Let's see, who else.... -- Grobe (sp?) Wake Forest's coach -- Schiano (not as a done deal, but as a real possibility) Can't remember the others off the top of my head.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Nov 27, 2006 -> 04:13 PM) Was Spurrier one of the done deals? Why of course! All kinds of rumors flying about the deal getting done with his agent Jimmy Sexton on Saturday, which is why they waited until Sunday to decide to make things final with Shula. Of course, the radio folks in South Carolina are saying "no freakin way". You hear anything? lol

I'm surprised no one has mentioned that Alabama fired Mike Shula today. Defensive Coordinator Joe Kines will serve as the interim Head Coach until a national search is complete and a new Head Coach is named. The rumor mill is about as wild as it can get. I've heard at least 6 different coaches named as "done deals" already today.

Heads was that a happy Gene f***in Chizik??? I'd think you would like that choice. Chizik is very highly regarded. QUOTE(WhiteSoxfan1986 @ Nov 27, 2006 -> 12:29 AM) I think it will be the Rose, because they will most likely be losing both USC and OSU to the Nat. title game, so they will get the first 2 at-large choices. Not exactly sure how it works when the Rose loses both teams. Maybe they will have to choose Michigan or ND, but I think they can take both. The Rose Bowl gets to pick both of its teams before any of the other bowls pick their second teams. The conference champions are locked into each, so the Rose Bowl will fill up their 2nd slot before the other bowls get the chance. The Sugar Bowl gets next pick. I'm betting the Rose Bowl picks LSU to play Michigan. I don't think a Michigan-Notre Dame rematch is all that attractive. The conferences and Notre Dame can provide input in avoiding potential rematches from the season or from last year's bowl games. They aren't required to, but if ND or Michigan don't want the rematch, they essentially have the ability to nix it. Besides, LSU-Michigan and Florida-Notre Dame are much better matchups. I don't think ND fans would mind heading down to Bourbon Street. As far as the Notre Dame BCS bid goes, one must consider there are not many other options. The last at-large spot will go to either Notre Dame, Va Tech or Rutgers/Louisville (the 2nd place Big East team). There are no other options. Now, look at those teams and tell me any bowl committee in their right would not choose Notre Dame. It's not all about what happens ON the field (though one could make the argument ND would still be the choice), it NEVER has been, even before the BCS.

QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Nov 26, 2006 -> 07:37 PM) I guess we'll just wait for the nfl draft, or if you like people can start posting nfl draft rankings from various places. I don't recall anyone saying that Troy Smith is not an NFL QB? I think Troy Smith will do just fine for himself. But scouts love Brady Quinn. His size is exactly what they look for in the NFL. Brady is 6'4" 227 vs. 6'1" 215 for Smith. Quinn has also showed a toughness NFL scouts like, staying healthy for four years as the starter at ND, including times when he did not have the best protection. It also can be argued that Quinn did not have as much talent around him as Smith did. Who ultimately is the better QB remains to be seen. But many college QB's were ultrasuccessful and did not pan out in the NFL. So going by college performance alone is not all the NFL will look at. The bottom line is they both are very good.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Nov 26, 2006 -> 11:44 AM) I liked the poll idea, however you're only allowed three questions on a poll, so we couldn't fit all the games into one poll/thread. I can see Michigan beating NC State Monday night. That would require the Big Ten to get five more wins in the next two nights. I don't see us winning more than two on the next two nights. It's frustrating how the Big Ten can never win this thing. I've never been a big fan of the matchups. Maybe I am biased, but IU always seems to get crappy matchups because they are the Big Ten's biggest TV draw. Even when they are picked to finished 5th or 6th in the Big Ten, they get one of the Big Three in the ACC.