If you ask a hardcore college football fan who are the best programs in the sport all-time, I doubt they would mention the University of Oregon Ducks. While Eugene, Oregon has not been a prominent blue blood, they have been a recent success under Head Coach Chip Kelly. Kelly was one of the first head coach in waiting hires in NCAA history. He has not disappointed since replacing Mike Belloti who took the Athletic Director position with the same school in 2009. Recently, Oregon has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons and are hearing rumors of potential probation. Willie Lyles is the connection to the story and it is not dying anytime soon. Lyles is the director of a scouting service based out of Houston, Texas. Oregon has been dominating the state since 2008 with the signings of Darron Thomas, Lache Seatrunk, and most noteworthy LaMichael James. The reason why there is an issue with the scouting of Lyles is because of a payment of $25,000 to him from Coach Kelly. NCAA compliance is investigating the situation in Eugene, but who knows how the punishment will go down with the Ohio State travesty going on in Columbus.
The Oklahoma Sooners are Las Vegas favorites to the win it all in 2012. I do not blame Vegas whatsoever, Bob Stoops' quad is a scary bunch this year. Led by quarterback Laundry Jones and explosive wide receiver Ryan Broyles, the Sooners are expected to put up huge numbers and play lock down defense as well. Jones will be a Heisman candidate after a strong 2010 season where he passed for over 4,500 yards and 38 passing touchdowns (that is not a misprint). Sadly, this spring, senior linebacker Austin Box passed away at the young age of twenty two. This could give them an added emotional edge this year, which they do not need for the sake of the other Big Twelve teams like Texas and Oklahoma State. Arky and myself will be previewing the Sooners on Wednesday and look out for some interesting commentary as always.
I was at Books-A-Million and saw a book by a familiar author I recognized immediately. The publication was titled
Game Changers: The Greatest Plays In Alabama Football History by Kirk McNair. I asked myself, Kirk McNair? Wait! That is the head writer of
Bama Mag. His publications of Alabama football have been appealing to Crimson Tide fans since 1990. The book highlights plays from Shaun Alexander's huge game against Florida at The Swamp in 1999, the Julio Jones 70 yard bubble screen against LSU in 2009, and the Van Tiffin game winning kick versus Auburn in 1985. If you are a die hard Alabama fan, I strongly recommend the book and you will not be upset with the purchase. You can get it at Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and Books-A-Million.
Locks/Picks of the Day:
Rays (Davis) vs Twins (Liriano) Over 8 runs
Diamondbacks (Collmenter) vs Brewers (Gallardo) Brewers
Mariners (Vargas) vs A's (Moscoso) Over 6.5 runs
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