MoViNg!!!

From now on you can read my blog at http://sj.yntmedia.com/

I’ll still be updating on a daily basis and look for some improvements in the near future. Keep reading and enjoy!!

One or none

The Milwaukee Bucks’ Brandon Jennings is off to a ridiculous start to his rookie year. At this point he is by far the best rookie this season.

Jennings, who spent last season playing in Europe, is the perfect example of why you don’t need four years of college experience. If you’re gonna be a superstar in the League then college isn’t particularly necessary. Sure many become good players after playing in college, but I’m talking about the elite players.

Kobe Bryant, Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony played zero or no more than one year in college. They’re doing pretty well, no? That’s just three players, but there’s plenty more such as Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady, Kevin Durant and so on.

College is all good, but the best can do without.

 

Best there is

Wow, can’t believe what happened in the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto fight. Cotto was winning the fight early on, but a fluke knockdown by Pacquiao in the second round did something to change Cotto’s mindset and the Pac-man took over from there.

Pacquiao totally dominated from the second round on before the fight was ended 55 seconds into the 12th round. Simply said, Manny is a beast. He’s done was no other fighter has done in this era of boxing.

It was one of the most surreal fights I have ever seen. You just kept thinking is this really happening?

When you say pound-for-pound, Pacquiao is it! He’s stepped up to fight whoever, whenever and that’s why he’s the best in boxing. Until Floyd Mayweather Jr. does something to change this he will continue to be.

Whoa Nelly!

In the biggest game in the Big Ten this season, No. 11 Ohio State and No. 10 Iowa will lock up. Two weeks ago this looked like the last hurdle for the Hawkeyes. But after last week’s stumble against Northwestern the air has gone out of this game a little. A shot a the Rose Bowl is on the line so the teams still have something to play for. Without Ricky Stanzi Iowa is just not the same team on offense. Terrell Pryor will make enough plays to send the Buckeyes to the “Granddaddy of em all!”

If there were any questions about the legitimacy of the Nebraska defense they were answered last week in a 10-3 win over Oklahoma. If the Huskers were able to shutdown the Sooner attack, they should have the same success against a reeling Kansas offense. The Nebraska offense is a polar opposite of the defense, but the Blackshirts will keep the Jayhawks at bay and Nebraska will win by two TD’s.

Look for another Big 12 South shootout as Texas Tech and No. 19 Oklahoma State exchange blows. The scoreboard better be fully functioning as both teams will put up points. The Cowboys will make one or two more plays than the Red Raiders and get the win, but it will be decided in the fourth quarter.

***Keep an eye on*** West Virgina vs. Cincinnati. The Mountaineers are coming off a disappointing loss to South Florida last week and what better motivation than an undefeated Bearcat team. West Virginia’s hopes of pulling the upset will rely on the wheels of Noel Devine, who should have some success as Cincinnati has yet to face as dynamic of a back. Will the BCS once again luck out?

Bring it back!

Nebraska, Oklahoma.

These two words provoke countless memories of College Football Saturdays gone by.

There’s no question the rivalry between the two schools needs to return on a yearly basis. The current reality is the Huskers and Sooners only square-off twice in a four-year span.

This season has shown the Big 12 isn’t a lock as one of the nation’s top-tier conferences. If the conference wants to remain nationally relevant, as one of the best in the NCAA, then the powers to be should bring back the classic OU-NU series.

Nebraska and Oklahoma is the best rivalry in all of college football. Now don’t confuse the best with the biggest. These days there may be more interest (numbers wise) in a few other rivalries nationally, but there’s nothing like a game between the Big Reds of the North and South.

There are several other conferences around the country that feature cross-divisional rivalries each year. For example, Alabama and Tennessee play every year even though the Crimson Tide are in the SEC West and the Vols in the SEC East. Honestly, I didn’t even know these two teams were that “big” of rivals. I can think of five games without hesitation that are bigger. If the SEC can keep a “rivalry” there’s no reason the Big 12 can’t, especially when it’s on the level of Nebraska and Oklahoma.

For as long as I can remember following Nebraska, Oklahoma was the game. It was November (usually Thanksgiving) and there were conference and national title implications whenever the teams collided.

Seeing those games year after year and waiting for the inevitable “Sooner Magic” turned me sour towards our Big 8 neighbors to the South. I didn’t like anything about them from their uniforms to the dreaded blaring of Boomer Sooner. I was pretty sure I “hated” Oklahoma!

I’ve been to many Husker games in the past, including in 2005 when Oklahoma visited Lincoln last. But it just wasn’t like it was back then. This was during the dark days (the Bill Callahan Era). Tradition and history were not a big concern for Callahan and his regime. So while I had been to a Nebraska-Oklahoma game, nothing about it felt like the rivalry it once was.

I, like many, have wondered if it would ever return. That wonder was erased when Tom Osborne returned to be Nebraska’s Athletic Director. From that day forward, it was again my goal to somehow, some way get to another Husker-Sooner slobber-knocker.

November 7 was the day I was fortunate enough to make the goal a reality. And not only would I be attending the game, I had the opportunity to take photos from the sideline.

So there I was in the midst of it all. Husker and Sooner greats flanking each sideline. As soon as I hit the field and began soaking in the atmosphere, I experienced the greatness that is this rivalry. The interaction between the former players and coaches was something you don’t find in other rivalries. The amount of respect for one another and their university is unmatched.

Prime example was former OU coach Barry Switzer. In the time I was near him I didn’t see him turn away one picture seeker. Switzer even went as far as tapping on a few photog’s shoulders to turn around as he posed with Billy Sims.

One of those happened to be me, not for a photo, but to inquire who I was working for. I took the opportunity to shoot the breeze with Barry (he told me to call him that), telling him about my feelings I had about him growing up. He responded with a smile and an anecdote or two, saying he understood.

In what other rivalry would this happen?

There isn’t one, and that’s why Oklahoma and Nebraska are the best.

So while I may never be able to say that I “like” the Sooners, I know I don’t “hate” them and I now, more than ever respect them.

There will supposedly be some discussion regarding a return of the rivalry on a yearly basis at the conference meetings. But what really needs to be said other than Nebraska and Oklahoma?

It’s a no-brainer!

Thought Steve Pederson was bad

Michigan athletic director Bill Martin pushed a student and grabbed the wind breaker of another student during two football games, according to a department of public safety report.

Michigan student Jackie Turner says she told Martin he needed a pass to enter the regents guest area of the press box Sept. 12 during a game against Notre Dame. She said he pushed her shoulder and walked past her.

“Honey, I am the athletic director,” Turner quoted him as saying, according to a university report on the incident.

On Oct. 17, Eastern Michigan student Arif Khan said he told Martin and a female companion they needed passes to enter the area after a game against Delaware State. Khan said Martin grabbed his jacket.

“I am the athletic director, I can go in,” Khan quoted Martin as telling him.”

Wow, sounds like the job has gone to Martin’s head a little. Didn’t realize being Michigan’s A.D. was so glamorous!

Damn!

Just in case you haven’t seen the fall Jahvid Best took Saturday, here ya go!

Unbelievably he didn’t sustain any serious injuries.

Like no other

Attended my first Nebraska game for “work,” Saturday and as luck would have it, the Huskers faced Oklahoma.

The best rivalry in college football hands down! Sure I’m partial, but if you experienced what I was fortunate enough to you would feel the same.

In my column this Tuesday, I’ll tell you exactly why I feel this way even more than I did before…

Just like the old days

Nebraska and Oklahoma renew one of college football’s best rivalries. Records and everything else aside there’s too much history to not be interested. On top of that, the point spread has gone from six points to four. We could be in for a old-fashioned Big 8 war.

Alabama and LSU lock up in a pivotal SEC clash. Will the Tide continue to roll or will the Bayou Bengals be able to crash Bama’s BCS party. Stop Mark Ingram and Alabama’s running game and the Tigers have a shot.

Ohio State and Penn State will be the most boring big game of the day. The Big Ten just lacks the excitement of some other conferences. There is a lot to play for as the winner moves into second place in the conference with Ohio State facing Iowa yet this season.

***Keep an eye on*** Oregon and Stanford. The Cardinal started the season strong and are 4-2 in the Pac 10. Coming off the biggest win in the program will the Ducks keep it going or regress?

Yes sir!, I mean ma’am!

Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman was introduced Thursday as the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks’ affiliate in the NBA Development League, which will tip-off in November 2010.

The D-League team is partially owned by Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks’ president of basketball operations. Hiring Lieberman was his idea, and he’s confident young men won’t have a problem taking orders from a woman — at least, not this woman.

“She’s got the skins, the experience — she knows what she’s doing — so I certainly hope that we’re well beyond those issues,” Nelson said. “Besides, if you can’t respect authority, no matter what form or color it comes in, I don’t want you on my team.”

In theory this sounds OK and I’m sure a lot of people think it’s time something like this happened. Realistically doubt it will have the results Nelson and Lieberman envision. Seems more like a way to put fans in the stands for a new team. The Developmental League at this point can’t exactly be considered a success. Gimmicks may be the only way for teams to stay afloat.

A good gesture by Nelson and the team and who knows it worked in Sunset Park and Eddie.