Arkansas has options

Arkansas AD with tough decision, but many options

Lashedric Dailey

 

              With Les Miles getting an extension and a raise, there is no way that he will be headed to Arkansas any time soon. And even with Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart making it clear that he is not leaving Nick Saban’s side; I still think that there are plenty coaches available for the Hogs to pick from. Here is a list of five coaches the Razorbacks should look at:

 

5.)                Starting the list is ex-Hog and Arkansas State head coach Gus Malzahn. Malzahn is an offensive master mind, and not many people can tell you in detail how to attack the power house Alabama defense. Malzahn did that and he has already been a coordinator for the Hogs. Jeff Long could decide to bring him back. The big question I have is will Malzahn be able to bring the defensive recruits to make Arkansas a winning program in the SEC.

4.)                Louisville Head coach Charlie Strong. Strong has turned Louisville into a good football program this year. They are 9-2 and playing for the BIG East Championship. I like Strong for a number of reasons. First, he has SEC experience, being the defensive coordinator at South Carolina from 1999-2001 and the defensive coordinator at Florida from 2002-2009. Strong is also from Arkansas, and went to college in Arkansas. This is a coach Jeff Long should take a long look at.

 

3.)                Oklahoma State Head coach Mike Grundy. He’s a great pick to me because Grundy is one of

the best offensive coaches in college football. The Oklahoma State Cowboys are a high powered, offensive team, like Hog fans have been used to watching these past years. With Grundy, the Razorbacks would be a very high scoring team, which would appeal well to young recruits.
                 

2.)                TCU head coach Gary Patterson. Patterson is a winner. That’s what he does, and that’s what TCU is known for. He is 116-34 as head coach for TCU. I think that Arkansas can be beneficial to Patterson in that there’s a school in the SEC, and that he could finally get his shot at a National championship. Patterson would bring to Arkansas a very strong Texas recruiting pipeline. This could be a great fit.

 

1.)   John Gruden, ESPN analyst and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach. This is my number one pick because Gruden has something that all the other coaches don’t: a super bowl ring. Nothing speaks to a top recruit more than a coach that can get them pro ready. This could be the move that makes Arkansas a power house.  

NFL Mock Draft

 Lashedric Dailey

With the NFL playoff picture becoming clearer and clearer and the regular season coming to a close, we can now tell the teams that are out of playoff contention. It's time to start focusing less about winning on the field, and shift their focus to winning in the off season.

1.) Kansas City - West Virginia Geno Smith QB: One thing is for sure, Matt Cassle and Brady Quinn aren't going to get any better. It's time for a franchise quarterback in Kansas City and Geno is that guy. 

2.) Jacksonville Jaguars -Georgia Jarvis Jones LB: I think its too early to hang up on Blane Gabbert, so I think the Jaguars will improve their defense by taking Jarvis Jones. He's the best defensive player in the draft, and the Jaguars need him.

3.) Oakland Raiders - Virginia Tech Logan Thomas QB: I know that the Raiders have Carson Palmer, but its been two years and they haven't made any progress in the AFC West. Thomas has a rocket arm and there's nothing but upside; the sky is the limit with him.

4.) Cleveland Browns - Notre Dame Manti Te'o LB: After drafting Trent Richardson and Brandon Weedon, I can't see the Browns taking any offensive players. I think the take Notre Dame star, who is the best line backer available in a very weak class, Manti Te'o and D'qwell Jackson will be a duo to be reckoned with.

5.) Eagles - Texas A&M Luke Joeckel OT: The Eagles need offensive linemen and Joeckel was on the best tackles in the nation last year and did a great job of keeping SEC defenders off of Johnny Football.

6.) Carolina Panthers - Utah Star Lotulelei DT: Lotulelei is 6-4 and 320 pounds. That's the size Ron Rivera needs at defensive tackle to stop the run, which the Panthers haven't been too good at doing this year.

7.) Buffalo Bills - USC Matt Barkley QB: Buddy Nix, the Bill's general manger, said he plans on drafting a franchise quarterback this off season. Fitts Magic seems to be wearing off in Buffalo.

8.) San Diego Chargers - Mississippi State Johnathan Banks CB: The Super Charges have a super problem this off season. Quentin Jammer and Antoie Cason are both free agents this off season. Banks is the best corner in this class with spectacular coverage skills and ball hawking ability. The Chargers cant go wrong with Banks.

9.) New York Jets - LSU Sam Montgomery DE: The Jets defense needs help getting to the quarterback, and Wilkerson can't do it all by his self. It doesn't matter how good your secondary is, if there isn't any one putting heat on the quarter back.

10.) Tennessee Titans - Texas Alex Oakfor DE/LB: Oakfor is a top tier pass rusher in collage football, and the Titan's need depth at the position. Oakfor can get to the quarterback, stop the run, and play a huge role in the Titans defense. He is also versatile and can play outside linebacker as well.     

The BCS got it right... kind of

The BCS finally worked this year, thanks to ineligible Ohio State

Jonathan Thompson

       After much debate of the BCS system, and many years of postseason controversy, the BCS finally will have the right two teams in the National Championship.

         
      Notre Dame achieved a berth in the National Championship game after completing a perfect 12-0 season. That’s what it’s about in College Football, a perfect season. Of course, a perfect season only counts as long as you play a challenging schedule, but Notre Dame has passed that test.

       Some people debate that Florida is a one-loss SEC team, so why don’t they deserve a spot. Well, it’s pretty simple. Georgia beat Florida, and no matter what, Georgia has proven they’re better than Florida. They deserve their shot at the title, if they can beat Alabama. If Alabama beats Georgia, they beat a team better than Florida so the Gators still don’t have a good case even if they haven’t played the Crimson Tide.

         
      So yes, the BCS worked well this year, almost like it worked itself into its own little playoff. However, the BCS did catch a break.

         
     There were two undefeated teams this year in Division I Football. Ohio State, just like Notre Dame, ran the table at 12-0 and are currently 4 in the AP poll. If Ohio State wasn’t ineligible, what happens then? Does a one-loss SEC team get the benefit of the doubt since the SEC has won six straight titles? Or do the two undefeated schools match up to see who can have the perfect season?

         
     It’s hard to say either one is the correct scenario, but this is where the BCS has messed up. A playoff system is necessary among many other things in the NCAA, and thankfully they are moving in that direction. Until then, we can be thankful for an ineligible Ohio State, and two deserving teams in the National Championship.

NFL Week 12

Week 12 Wrap-Up

With Week 12 in the books, here's what we know about the NFL

Jonathan Thompson

     To start off, we believe this weekend confirmed that four coaches will be out of a job by the end of the season. Andy Reid of Philadelphia, Sand Diego's Norv Turner, Kansas City's Romeo Crennel, and of course Dallas' Jason Garrett.

     Andy Reid losing to Carolina, a 2-8 team entering the game Monday, made it clear his position was in jeopardy. Norv Turner lost his job when Ray Rice ran for thirty yards on a 4th and 29 screen pass from Flacco. And not winning a game at Arrowhead doesn't exactly give you much reason to coach the Chiefs anymore if you're Crennel. Jason Garrett is in the best position, if you can call it that, because the NFC East is still up for grabs. Losing to divisional rival Washington on Thanksgiving, however, hurt their chances.

     With those out of the way, two more are on the hot seat. Buffalo's Chan Gailey and also, as if the Jets haven't had enough attention, New York's Rex Ryan might be on the move after a very disappointing season.
    
     Moving on, the Seahawks might have seen their season start to slip away after losing to Miami on a game-winning field goal from Dan Carpenter. Not only did Seattle lose their game on Sunday, they also lost their two starting corner backs. Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner were suspended four games after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. Seattle is built around their defense and they might see their playoff hopes drift farther away if these suspensions hold up.

     Quickly now, we see the Ravens becoming the king of the AFC North as injuries have turned Pittsburgh for the worst. The Rams continue to see their stock rise as a young defense has a strong showing. The Arizona Cardinals, on the other hand, have lost seven straight with no signs of stopping in the near future.

    Detroit continues to be a disappointment after losing by three to Houston and drop to a 4-7 record and last place in the NFC North. The Texans, on the other hand, find their defense starting to look a little vulnerable after shaky wins against Jacksonville and Detroit, giving up 34 points per game.
 
     The Giants turned it on under the lights against Green Bay Sunday night, winning 38-10. The real question will be if Tom Coughlin can keep the Giants winning in the last stretch of the season.

     Usually good teams don't make quarterback changes in the middle of the season, but that's exactly what Jim Harbaugh and San Francisco did replacing Alex Smith with Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick seems like the right choice after getting the win in New Orleans, but lets face it, the Saints defense isn't exactly top-notch.

     New Orleans had gained some momentum after their horrendous start, but San Francisco ruined the mid-season momentum the Saints were gaining for the last half.

     The Falcons received criticism for barely defeating Tampa Bay, but a win is a win and a 10-1 record speaks for itself.

     In the home stretch now as we finish the Week 12 Wrap-up, lets focus on the first and second draft picks. The Colts and Andrew Luck continue to win and climb into playoff position with a 7-4 record. RG III had another fantasy day against the Cowboys to give Washington fans a happy Thanksgiving win.

     Thanksgiving Week always delivers great football and such was the case for Week 12. Keep a heads up for our key matchups later this week.

Notre Dame paves path to National Title

Associated Press/Danny Moloshok - Notre Dame running back Theo Riddick celebrates after Notre Dame defeated Southern California 22-13 in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, in Los Angeles. …more (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)

Notre Dame prevails in LA, now on to Miami

 

The Fighting Irish earned a spot in the National Championship with their win over USC

Jonathan Thompson

     Notre Dame (12-0) allowed Southern California (7-5, 5-4) to hang around Saturday night in Los Angeles, but the Fighting Irish were able to hang on, on their way to a 22-13 victory.
    
    Notre Dame is no stranger to close scares this season, winning five games by seven or less. The Irish escaped Southern California with a two-score advantage, but a huge relief came over third-year coach Brian Kelly as his team completed a perfect regular season.

     The Fighting Irish are pretty much guaranteed a spot in the National Championship game in Miami on Jan. 7. Now, Notre Dame  just has to wait to see who they will face.

    With the latest BCS Rankings released, it seems as the second spot in the championship game will be determined by the winner of the SEC Championship this week between the third ranked Georgia Bulldogs (11-1, 7-1) against the second ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (11-1, 7-1).

     Either way, the SEC will be playing for its seventh consecutive national championship.

     Notre Dame has answered any criticism given to them this season going 12-0 and finding ways to win, but the challenge of a SEC defense seems to loom large on those who still doubt the Irish.

    The Fighting Irish offense will be a question facing the SEC Champion, but their defense deserves recognition, too. Not once, not twice, but six times they stopped USC on goal line stands in the fourth quarter to secure the game Saturday night.

    Monti Te'o made his case for The Heisman and no matter what anyone says, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have made it to the National Championship, and deservedly so.