5 posts tagged “football”

BCS

ESPN has created a College Football Playoffs Simulation that allows you to create a 16 team bracket using either the BCS ranking, ESPN Power 16, or custom rankings to determine the champion of college football.  While it is a simulation, it is still fun to see who is victories.  In my first simulation using the BCS rankings the Tennesse Volunteers managed to climb to the cream of the crop as the 16 seed beating OSU, WVU, Illinois, and Missouri in the Championship game.  The Trojans were the final team to make the final four of this college football playoff.  I know its only a simulation, but it is a little ironic that two teams that are not even in a BCS game were in the championship game.  The simulation also shows the probabilities of each team winning each game, and it should be noted that Hawaii was the biggest underdog to USC (81%-19%) followed by the Illini and Oklahoma (21% to 78%).  In my brackets Tennesse was an underdog every single game.

Using ESPN Power 16 the final four was OSU, Georgia, Oklahoma, LSU and the winner was the Georgia Bulldogs.  Now that you have finished reading my simulations, try it out for yourself.  After several other attempts Tennessee won again over USC.  I wonder how this simulation was programmed.

Look no further for the perfect holiday present.  J Lehman presents Orange Krush sold by Ron Zook.  This All American Candidate put together an infomercial that aired on ESPN.  Make sure to get your orders in before the Rose Bowl by calling 555-ZOOK.  I'd also like to note that my new year is guaranteed to start with a bang as I plan to be following the Illini to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl.

Check out JLeman.com for his player bio and Cribs, Memorial Stadium Edition.

NYJetsLogo

I had little excitement going into this years NFL season, and I am now at the point where I only watch games if there is nothing else on TV.  However, I made a point to watch the Jets/Dolphins on Sunday.  To me, this could have been the most important game of the season.  The jets had to prove they are not the worst team in the NFL, and they did by making the Dolphins look hopeless. Somehow, the Jets were underdogs against a winless team.  Maybe if it was not week 11 I would expect to something like that.  Either way, the Jets flew back north with a 40-13 win.  Newsday quoted Miami defensive end Jason Taylor saying "[the jets] suck, too.  They beat us. They'll go home happy, and their fans will be happy that they got three wins this year. Good for them."  I don't think any fan of the Jets is happy with three wins, but I am happy that the dolphins are worse and there is nothing the future hall-of-famer can do about it.

Associated Press

Dear Associated Press,

Welcome Illinois back to your wonderful list of top 25 college football programs.  Illinois has managed to beat two ranked teams in back to back weeks.  Most recently, the Illini took down number 5 Wisconsin and ended the longest winning streak in the nation.  Their only loss came in St. Louis to Missouri, who is still undefeated.  Ron Zook has managed to recruit the top talent in the country, and now the nation is having a chance to see this young players preform.  It is also important for the press to know that Rashard Mendenhall is fifth in the country in rushing yards and third in the county in scoring, averaging almost 7 yards a carry.  I know its pretty ambitious put add his name to the bottom on the Heisman list.  This Illini team is young and believes in Zook's vision.  It has taken almost three years since Zook's arrival to campus but Illinois football is back.

My prediction for this week is that the Illini will be ranked 17th in the nation.  And do not forget Florida won the National Championship with Zook's recruits.

Galatasaray.

Three former Illini were on the Jazz's 2006-07 Roster and now only one All-Star remains.  While Deron Williams is still playing for the Jazz and Team USA, his former college teammates are also playing abroad.  However,  they are no longer employees of the NBA.  Dee Brown has just signed a deal to play next season with the Turkish Club Galatasaray.  Ronnie Price from Utah Valley State is the likely player that will take his spot on the court.  However, no will be able to take Brown's spot as one of Deron Williams best friends.  In other Illini news, the football team is off to the best start in years at 3-1.  The win at Indiana is a huge indicator of the turnaround for this team.  Watch out for 6-6 record and the Illini's first bowl berth since their 2001 Big Ten Championship and Sugar Bowl Appearance.  With so much negative news about the basketball team there is finally a bright spot with the return of Jerrance Howard, this time as an assistant coach.  I think he will supply the boost to recruiting Illini fans are looking for.  This Saturday Illini Fans will get to see if our NCAA 5th ranked running attack is legit as they take on the 6th ranked rush defense of PSU.  Watch for Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week Reshard Mendenhall to have another huge game.