brocks-blog

USC Stripped of National Championship

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 22:05:44 +0100

Late Monday afternoon the NCAA announced that they are stripping USC of their 2004 National Championship because former running back Reggie Bush was deemed ineligible for the season. This comes after the first of three seasons that USC cannot attend a bowl game because of contributions made to Reggie Bush during his time at Southern Cal.

Bush has already forfeited his Heisman Trophy and has been investigated for contributions for some time.

The University of Southern California has made several appeals throughout the past year to allow the program privileges of playing in bowl games, but in all cases has been denied.

The USC saga isn't the only off season drama that has been brewing.

Ohio State is being investigated in relation to a cover up by former head coach Jim Tressel involving several players that allegedly sold merchandise in return for tattoos.

Coach Tressel resigned from Ohio State just last Monday after the ongoing investigation.

So, in these turbulent times in college football, we need to ask our selves where have the ethics gone?

With well respected programs turning a blind eye to these shenanigans, it's time the NCAA comes down with the hammer. They began to do that with USC's three year bowl restrictions and have really stood their ground with their stripping the national title away from USC.

As for what the punishment for Ohio State will be, we can only speculate.

Many would like to see Ohio State prohibited from bowl games appearances. After their Sugar Bowl victory against Arkansas in early January others would also like to see their win stripped because of the fact that those players involved in the tattoo story should have been deemed ineligible, including quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

It's time that the NCAA take its stance and start putting the so called "Death Penalty" on these programs that flagrantly ignore the rules.

As for now, there will be no 2004 National Champions. Even though USC defeated the Texas Longhorns in that game, Texas will not be credited with the victory.

And only time can tell what the punishment will be for the University of Ohio State. But in the mean time, it should make for a good show.

High Expectations for Incoming Quarterback

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 03:49:47 +0100

The Arkansas Razorbacks are coming off of their best season in a long time. They made it to their first ever BCS Bowl only to finish with a loss against the lying, cheating, no good Ohio State Buckeyes, formerly coached by Jim Tressel.

That's a different story though...

With the exit of high caliber quarterback Ryan Mallett, the junior back up Tyler Wilson looks to come in and take his place. Wilson has outstanding credentials with only a few quarters of experience. The youngster came in during the second half against Auburn in 2010 while Mallett was out with a concussion. The back up threw for over 300 yards but fell short of the soon to be national champions.

However, Wilson has probably not met his ultimate challenge just yet.

Nest season is expected to be even better. With hopes of going back to a BCS Bowl and even the national championship.

So far the kid has everything going for him. A solid performance in spring practice.

A top five receiving core in the country.

And a coach that knows how to develop a quarterback in Bobby Petrino.

Next season is sure to be a good one. Hog fans around the country are saving up in hopes of another trip back to the Big Easy, only this time they want to be spectators at the latter of the two games played in the Super Dome. But only time can tell if that dream can ever come true.

The 'Big' Three?

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 03:30:05 +0100

After watching three games of the 2011 NBA Finals I have come to the conclusion that I hate the Miami Heat.

My hatred probably has to do with the fact that Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh called all each other up and pretty much decision to create a mega team. I just don't respect the fact that in order to win an NBA championship Pat Riley gets three players together and says "Now boys, your all the best at what you do, so lets go play some games and get ourselves some rings."

They don't even bother to take their competition seriously.

They celebrate after every play.

Oh, and did I mention their public address announcer is really annnoooooooooyinnnggg?

So I hope that the Mavericks win. Even though they are down 2-1 at the moment and have to win the series on the road, I think they can pull it off. I am also a native Texan by the way. So yes, this is a bit biased if you haven't already noticed.

Tell me what you think... @ConnorBrock28

Referees Mistake in Big Game

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:43:24 +0100

If there is one thing I hate most in life it's referees making the wrong call in a key moment, during a key game.

Wednesday night I came ever so close to throwing my remote at the television after I watched the final seconds in the St. John vs. Rutgers game. If you haven't seen it, look here...

As you can clearly see, The St. Johns player traveled, stepped out of bounce, and threw the ball into the stands all with more than one second still on the clock. Now all three of these are illegal but yet, none of the refs called it.

Now, I can just see conspiracy theories circling in some peoples heads right now, but all those aside, how do three referees completely miss three obvious calls in a key game?

I am sorry to say that I can't answer that and sorry to say that because of that Rutgers lost an opportunity to possibly tie or win the game.

Ryan Mallett out for the rest of Spring

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:48:01 +0100

Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett will be out for the rest of Spring practice due to a broken foot today.

Mallett broke his left foot while doing conditioning drills in Wednesdays practice.

His recovery is expected to last three or four months. This would bring him back with plenty of time left in August for the summer workouts.

While Mallett is out it will be up to Sophomore Tyler Wilson to take the reins of the high powered Arkansas Offensive. Wilson who only played a limited amount last season, had 218 yards, with two touchdowns, and one interception.

"It is unfortunate since Ryan works extremely hard and has made a commitment to the Razorbacks," said Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino.

Mallett passed on the NFL draft for at least one more season with the Razorbacks this past January. He is expected to help the Hogs try and win the SEC West next season and is already a Heisman hopeful.

Nike Pro-Cambat Jerseys for Arkansas

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:56:54 +0100

With the switch to Nike next year, the Hogs are due to get new jerseys. What will they look like? One fan thought up an idea of his own. Take a look...

2010 Daytona 500

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:52:20 +0100

The Great American Race. For 52 years the best drivers in the world have battled it out for the most prestigious award in all of NASCAR. To be among those who have won the Daytona 500 is a honor many would love to have.

Yesterday the world watched for six hours as the best drivers battled it out. They watched for six hours because of a pot hole in the track that occurred during the middle of the race. It took two hours for track crews to repair it, only to once again crumble around 40 laps later. It left many fans wondering whether or not the race would be completed on Sunday.

Indeed the race was completed and Jamie McMurray came home with the win.

But, it left many fans wondering whether or not NASCAR could have prevented this from happening and what steps they would take to make sure it didn't happen again.

The Daytona International Speedway has not been repaved since the late 1970's and plans are slated to have it repaved in 2012. However, because of yesterdays incident many want it to be done before next years 500.

For thirty years the track has been a victim of races, hurricanes, and the ever-so-common South Florida rainfall. And with rain this past week leading up to the Daytona 500, it left the track in poor condition for the races that were held this past weekend.

While some people want the track to be repaved, the drivers on the other hand aren't so thrilled about the idea.

All the ware the track has had in the past three decades has worn it down quite a bit. There are bumps all over it and the track is slick as ever. The bottom line is that it makes for good racing. The drivers can move all over the track going at top speeds which makes all the races there fantastic to watch.

Repaving the track would limit a drivers movement on it until it was worn down again in several years.

However, whether or not the track will be repaved by next years Daytona 500 has yet to be decided. But, I can assure you that it will be one heck of a race either way. The best drivers in NASCAR will race their best whether or not there's a fresh coat of asphalt on the track or not.

Around The Horn Questions SEC Officials

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:03:18 +0100

Just three days after the controversial call in the Arkansas vs. Florida game, ESPN's Around the Horn questions the call and criticizes the SEC.

The guests go on a rant about how the call could have likely affected the outcome of the game and the hopes of Florida to make another national title run.

This is why many people from around the country question the call as well.

If Florida had not scored and lost the game, their national title hopes could have gone with them.

Would the SEC really want this to happen to its 'best team'?

Probably not. So why not make a bogus call on little ole Arkansas and keep Tim Tebows BCS Championship hopes still alive?

I conqure that the SEC is the best conference in America because each week you never know who will win.

And if calls like this decide the outcome of the game, it ruins the integritty of the conference...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnradio/player?context=podcast&id=4580800

The rant begins around the 16.25 mark.

Ryan Mallett- Yay or Nay?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:03:47 +0100

The Arkansas sophomore quarterback Ryan Mallett has brought new life to the Razorbacks offense. With his first start as a Razorback this year, Mallett has racked up a substantial amount stats. Mallett is ranked number one in the SEC in total offense and is 18th in the nation. He also ranks second in the SEC in pass efficiency and ranks 15th nationally. Mallett has completed 103 passes of 187 so far this season. He has thrown for 14 touchdowns and has 1,646 passing yards as well. The lofty, 6'7" Mallett, has the canny ability to gaze down field and find receivers open for big plays. One downside to his stature is that he has trouble throwing the short passes. Mallett has to essentially, throw down over his offensive linemen, which is the reason a handful of his short passes have gone incomplete. Another down fall to Malletts size, is that he is rather on the slow side. With only one rushing touchdown for the season, Mallett tends to stay in the pocket most of the time. Some critics state that Ryan Mallett is not as mentally sharp as some of the other players on the field. He lacks the ability to fabricate broken plays into something big. He also tends to pick a receiver out before the play and throws to him whether he is open or not. This is all not to say that Ryan Mallett should or should not be the starting quarterback for the Razorbacks. I am only stating that he has his flaws but also has his triumphs. But lets not forget that he picked his team up from the grave of last year and almost led them to beat the Florida Gators, who happen to be the number one team in the nation, this past weekend in Gainesville. But looking past at what all the critics say, Ryan Mallett is an A+ quarterback. He has the size and the know how to get the job done and I know that he executes and delivers on game day.

NFL Referees

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:04:05 +0100

I have to say, that the NFL's referees are, in my mind, doing a whole lot better this season than in previous seasons. I am sitting here watching the Giants vs. Saints game and I have seen at least two plays that have gone under review. The refs take a good thorough look at the play, then come back and give an accurate description of what unfolded in the play. And then they base their decision off of that. How come the NCAA do that? The referees need to give a description of what happened and why they called it. This might have halted the calls that the SEC referees called on Arkansas in yesterdays game against Florida. But hey, it's only something to think about...