Dennis' Daily Rant

2011 Pac 12 Predictions

2011-08-29T17:19:00.000-07:00

After long break from the Blog I am back. This is my sixth season predicting the Pac 10/12 and I have correctly predicted the champ every year. Here's my predictions:

North

1. Oregon- The machine will keep rolling in 2011. There's no stopping the Ducks.

2. Stanford- Stanford suffered the biggest offseason loss in the conference when Jim Harbaugh took the 49er's job, but with Andrew Luck behind center they'll win a bunch of games.

3. Cal- The Bears will put together a decent year this year, nothing impressive, but it will be decent.

4. Washington- The Huskies will go 6-6 for the second straight year.

5. OSU- An inconsistent QB, a gazillion injuries and no Jaquizz Rogers means no bowl for OS for the second straight year.

6. WSU- WSU has won one conference game in past two season. They won't win many more this year.

South

1. USC-They'll win the south on talent and not coaching. Unfortunately the Trojans are ineligible for the title game.

2. Utah- The Utes aren't a great team, but because of the lack of anyone better and USC being ineligible they'll get to be the sacrificial lamb for Oregon in the title game.

3. ASU- This will be Dennis Erikson's last year.

4. UCLA- Kirk Herbstreit has the Bruins in the Pac 12 title game. I think that's a stretch, but they'll be a little better this year.

5. Arizona- I read an ESPN story that said Stoops likes to shop, read women's magazines and drink fine wine. I am revoking his man card.

6. Colorado- The WSU of the South.

Pac 12 Title Game

Oregon over Utah

Memories From Mac Court

2010-12-28T13:53:00.000-08:00

McArthur Court has been the home of Oregon Duck Basketball since 1926. Currently it is the second oldest on campus arena still in use in the entire country. On January 1st the Ducks will play their final game at the old arena before moving into the brand new Matthew Knight Arena. I have attended close to 100 games at "The Pit" as it is affectionately called. Saturday I will attend one final game. While I'm excited about the beautiful new arena opening up, Saturday while be sad a day because of the many memories I have of the place.

I have been going games at Mac Court as long as I can remember. My dad and I would always sit in the front row of the third balcony which to this day I think is the best seat in the house. In those days the Ducks weren't very good (they still aren't), but I still loved going to games.

As I got into middle school and High School I didn't many games. My dad no longer enjoyed going to games because the arena was old, uncomfortable and had many bad seats.

My most memorable moments at Mac Court came during my college years. As a student I always sat in the front row of the student section. Many games I would often sit outside hours before the start of the game in order to get my front row seat. For the huge games we would barbecue and drink beverages that we weren't supposed to in public. During midterms I would often bring my books and attempt to study while waiting outside.

My first Senior year the Ducks finally returned to post season play, making it to the NIT. After disposing of Georgia Tech in the first round I was faced with a dilemna. They were scheduled to host Wyoming in the second round on a Monday night. The problem was that I had a Spanish final at the same time. In the end I did what any committed fan would do and made up a story about an out of town relative that I hadn't seen in years visiting. The instructor bought it and allowed me to take the final the next afternoon. Prior to the game my photo was taken by the local paper. I remember being worried all night that my Spanish instructor would open up his newspaper the next morning and see a large photo of me at the game when I was supposedly spending time with an out of town relative. Fortunately for me the picture didn't make the paper and I passed my Spanish final the next day.

My second senior year marked the return to the big dance. There were many great moments that year. First beating USC, erasing a bad memory from the year before when they beat us on a last second half court shot that shouldn't have counted. At one point a whiny USC player got a another free throw after complaining that the students were causing the basket to shake. My greatest memory from that year though was the "Mac Court Miracle" in which the Ducks scored six point in the final four seconds to beat Arizona State. As Darius Wright's last second three point shot went in I hugged Nike CEO Phil Knight who was sitting right in front of me at a media table. I then stormed the court jumping onto the pile of players celebrating the miraculous victory.

After college I returned to the Student Section a couple times using my old student ID, but most of the time I sat in the second and third balconies where I sat as a child. The most memorable moment in my post college came in January 2007 when number 1 ranked UCLA came to town. At that game I was selected to participate in Outback Steakhouse Three Point Shootout. The goal was to make five three point shots in 30 seconds and I would win a $50 gift card at outback. The arena was full that day and preceded to shoot a bunch of bricks and air balls while being taunted by the student section. After the game I was walking back to my car when a truck passed me and someone yelled out the window "nice shooting!". The next day at church I must have had at least five people comment on my dreadful shooting performance. As for the game itself the Ducks won that day 68-66 shocking the number one team in the country. I desperately wanted to storm the court like in my college days, but I was stuck in the third balcony.
Saturday will mark the last time I go to the old arena. I'm sure as I walk out of the place for the final time that I will tear up thinking about all the great memories from that place. I just hope my final memory of Mac Court will be a Duck Victory.

Week 13 Pac 10 Rankings

2010-11-25T18:55:00.000-08:00

After a one week break my rankings are Back.

1. Oregon- Oregon can clinch the Pac 10 with a victory over Arizona on Friday.

2. Stanford- The best one loss team in the country. It will be a shame if they get left out of a BCS game.

3. Arizona- The Wildcats have lost two in a row. Friday will be three in a row.

4. Cal, USC, OSU, ASU, Washington- None of these teams are very good.

9. UCLA- Three years in and I think it's safe to that Rick Neuheisal has been a failure.

10. WSU- The Cougs are better, but I still have them at the bottom.

Week 11 Pac 10 Rankings

2010-11-13T08:04:00.000-08:00

1. Oregon- The last time the Ducks won at Cal was 2001. The losing streak at Cal will end today.

2. Stanford- The Cardinal are the best one loss team in the country. Unfortunately for them they might get jobbed by the BCS.

3. USC- I put USC at three, but they're not even close to Stanford or Oregon.

4. Arizona- Pathetic effort against Stanford, but I can't justify putting anyone else here.

5. Oregon State- The Beavers need to win two of their last four to get to a bowl game. With USC, Stanford and Oregon Still on the schedule I don't think they get there.

6. Cal- Did they really need to come from behind to beat the Coogs?

7. ASU- The Sun Devils have lost 3 games by 3 or less points.

8. UCLA- Nice win against the Beavers, but the Bruins are still lousy.

9. Washington- They held Oregon scoreless for the first quarter after that they gave up 53 points.

10. WSU- The Coogs are getting closer, but I don't think today is the day.

Week 10 Pac 10 Rankings

2010-11-05T21:48:00.000-07:00

1. Oregon- The Ducks have beat the Huskies by 20 or more six consecutive times. In the history of the Pac 10 dating back to 1915 no other team has beat a team by at least 20 points six consecutive times.

2. Stanford- The cardinal will beat Arizona tomorrow and I think they'll go 11-1 and not get a BCS invite.

3. Arizona.- The Wildcats have conference title aspirations. They won't after tomorrow.

4. Oregon State- Could the Beavers be starting their annual surge to the top? Probably not.

5. USC- So much for their "bowl game" against Oregon.

6. Cal- Another disappointing for the Bears.

7. ASU- Dennis Erickson should begin cleaning out his office.

8. Washington- So much for the Huskies being back.

9. UCLA- Could the Bruins upset the Beavers on Saturday? Probably not.

10. WSU- The Coogs just flat out suck.

Week 9 Pac10 Rankings

2010-10-29T16:18:00.000-07:00

1. Oregon

2. Stanford.

3. Arizona

4. USC

5. Oregon State

6. Cal

7. Washington

8. ASU

9. UCLA

10 WSU

Week 8 Pac 10 Rankings

2010-10-20T11:36:00.000-07:00

Since I was on vacation last week the Pac 10 rankings took a vacation as well. Here are this week's rankings.

1. Oregon- The #1 team in the country has lost each of the last two weeks. I don't expect that trend to continue this week.

2. Stanford- I don't expect the Tree to be challenged much by WSU.

3. Arizona- without Nick Foles the cats could take a dive.

4. USC- Still not sure what to make of the Trojans. I think we'll find out more next week.

5. Washington- The Huskies are 3-3 after beating Oregon State. Could they go bowling this year? We'll have to wait and see about that.

6. Oregon State- I don't blame Riley for going for it. I just think you need to put the ball in Jaquizz Rodgers' hands at the end of the game.

7. Cal- Jeff Tedford's seat is starting to get really hot.

8. UCLA- Night game at Autzen Stadium? Not a chance.

9. ASU- If the Sun Devils want any hope of going to a bowl they must beat Cal. Otherwise it could be the end of the Dennis Erickson era.

10. WSU- The Coogs are coming off of two straight moral victories. I doubt the get a third against stanford.

Week 6 Pac 10 Rankings

2010-10-08T12:05:00.001-07:00

1. Oregon- Nice of Oregon to spot Stanford an early 21-3 lead. Too bad for the trees that it didn't help.

2. Arizona- A lot of football left to be played, but there could be an Epic game at Autzen Stadium the after thanksgiving.

3. Stanford- Stanford has USC home this week. Look for them to blast the Trojans for a second year in a row.

4. OSU- A nice win against ASU last week. I doubt the Beavers go into to Tucson and get a victory.

5. Washington- Locker for Heisman. No not really

6. Cal- More of the same from Cal. High expectations and mediocre results.

7. ASU- Dennis Erickson's seat is starting to get really hot.

8. USC- I hope this Kiffin guy sticks around for awhile, but I don't see him lasting more than three years.

9. UCLA- Nice win against WSU. I guess.

10. WSU- Can they hold Oregon under 70?

Week 5 Pac 10 Rankings

2010-10-01T10:16:00.000-07:00

1. Oregon- The Ducks were sloppy at times last week, but got the job done. I think they play their best game of the year and chop down the Trees on Saturday.

2. Stanford- I've been hearing all week about how great the Trees are. They won't look so great after Saturday.

3. Arizona- They didn't look great against Cal, but they got the job done.

4. USC- The Trojans are 4-0. I'm still not impressed, but I can't argue with 4-0. Lane Kiffin is still an Idiot.

5. UCLA- Two weeks ago I left the Bruins for dead. Since then they are 2-0.

6. ASU- The Sun Devils are Better than I thought they were. They may actually sneak into a bowl and save Erickson's job.

7. Cal- The Bears looked better against Arizona, but there are no moral victories in sports.

8. Oregon State- A word of advice for the geniuses that did OSU's schedule. Don't schedule 2 top 10 opponents in September.

9. Washington- Mel Kiper and Todd McShay are still going on about how great Jake Locker is.

10. WSU- No Comment.

Week 4 Pac 10 Rankings

2010-09-23T17:15:00.000-07:00

1. Oregon- Time for some real competition. I just don't see that happening this week.

2. Arizona- I said Arizona would beat Iowa and I was right.

3. Stanford- Has looked impressive so far, but who have they played? I hate to say it, but I think the Cardinal lose at Notre Dame.

4. USC- Their wins haven't been pretty, but the Trojans are 3-0.

5. Oregon State- The rodents almost choked at home against Louisville . This week they'll get rolled on the smurf turf.

6. ASU- Nice effort against Wisconsin, but it was still a loss.

7. Cal- Looks like your typical underachieving Cal team. Nevada?

8. UCLA- The Bruins actually found some offense last week. I doubt they find much this week.

9. Washington- Jake Locker Heisman Campaign = Epic Fail.

10. WSU- The Cougs should consider a move to the Big Sky they might actually be competitive.

Week 3 Pac 10 Rankings

2010-09-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

1. Oregon- The only question about the PSU is how much will they win by? My guess is a comfortable 62 point victory.

2. Arizona- The competition gets better this week as the Cats face Iowa. My guess is that the cats pull this one out.

3. Stanford- I'm still not sure about the Cardinal. The looked good against UCLA, but UCLA has one of the most inept offenses in the country.

4. Cal- A big win over future conference foe Colorado, but the Bears are usually good for mid season slump.

5. Oregon State- After a bye week I look for the Beavers to dispose of Lousiville.

6. USC- The Trojans won, but that was a lousy performance against Virginia.

7. ASU- A tough challenge on the road against Wisconsin this week. I doubt the Sun Devils are up to it.

8. Washington- I actually had a Husky tell me they're back. Beat someone other than Syracuse before you start spewing crap like that from your mouth.

9. UCLA- I thought Rick Neuheisel and Norm Chow were offensive geniuses?

10. WSU- A come from behind victory over Montana State is probably the Cougs only victory this year.

Week 2 Pac 10 Rankings

2010-09-10T17:14:00.000-07:00

1. Oregon- Dominating victory over one of the worst teams in college football. Things get more difficult this week, but I fully expect the Ducks to role.

2. Arizona- The Cats looked impressive in disposing of Toledo.

3. Stanford- Easy win over inferior competition

4. Cal- See Above

5. Oregon State- A nice effort, but there are no moral victories.

6. USC- The Trojans won, but unless there defense gets better they won't win many more.

7. ASU- See Stanford and Cal.

8. Washington- The Jake Locker Heisman campaign is OVER.

9. UCLA- Kansas State? I expected more from the Ruins.

10. WSU- I didn't thinks WSU could be worse than they were last year, but after last weekend it appears they are.

2010 Pac 10 Predictions

2010-08-23T13:37:00.000-07:00

The start of Football season marks my return to blogging. Every year since I started this dumb blog I have posted my preseason Pac 10 predictions and every year I have successfully picked the Pac 10 champ. Last year I was mocked, ridiculed and accused of being a homer when I boldly predicted that Oregon would end USC's reign at the top of the Pac 10. Guess what? I was right!!

Now for my 2010 Pac 1o Predictions:

1. Oregon- Despite breaking in a new QB the Ducks are loaded on both offense and defense. Whether it's Senior Nate Costa or Sophmore Darron Thomas at QB Oregon will be at the top of the Pac 10.

2. Oregon State- One thing you can always count on from a Mike Riley coached team is at least four losses. This year the Beavers won't dissapoint. Look for the Beavers to strugle early only to turn it around and be in contention late only to have the Ducks crush there Rose Bowl dreams for the third year in a row.

3. USC- Lane Kiffin is an idiot, but the the Trojans have too much talent to completely suck.

4. Arizona- The Cats defense is terrible, but their offense will be good enough to win some games.

5. Washington- After a long absence the Huskies will return to a bowl this year, but Jake Locker is NOT a legit Heisman contender.

6. Stanford- A lot people are high on Stanford, I'm not. Luck is good, but he doesn't have Toby Gerhart to hand the ball off to anymore.

7. Cal- Cal has been the biggest underachiever in the Pac 10 in recent years. This year won't be any different.

8. UCLA- The Bruins could be better, but I doubt it.

9. ASU- 2010 will be Erickson's last year. Don't be surprised if they make a call to an ESPN broadcaster named Mike Bellotti.

10. WSU- The Cougs are bad, really bad.

The Declaration of Independence

2010-07-04T06:03:00.000-07:00

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

— John Hancock

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Happy Independence Day

2010-07-02T13:05:00.000-07:00

On this day 234 years ago the Second Continental Congress approved the Lee Resolution declaring that the the 13 colonies be Independent of British Empire. It was two days later that the document formally announcing this action was approved. On July 3, 1776 John Adams wrote the following to to his wife Abigail:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.

I guess John was a couple days off on his prediction.

Who Should the next coach be?

2010-03-06T22:05:00.000-08:00

Reports out of Eugene are that Ernie Kent has been fired as head basketball at the University of Oregon. The next question is who will be the next coach. I have divide my list into three groups. Tier I are the coaches that probably would never come to Oregon, but unless you make the call you'll never. Tier II are the more realistic candidates, but you'll have to shell out some money to get . Tier III are the coaches that you go after if you fail to land a coach from the top two tiers.

Tier I

Jamie Dixon- Pitt

One of 9 coaches to reach 100 wins in his first 4 years. He was the 2009 National coach of the year. Since taking over Pitt in 2003 they have have gone to the NCAA tournament every year. This guy can flat out coach. He is west coast guy so there is a slim chance he may listen to what Oregon has to offer.

Jay Wright-Villanova

Since Taking over Villanova in 2001 the Wildcats have advanced to the post season every year. Under Wright the Wildcats have advanced to two sweet 16's, an elite 8 and a final 4. After last season he had a career record of 300-175 as a coach. Probably won't leave Villanova, but who knows, maybe he wants a new challenge.

Tier II

Mark Few-Gonzaga

Few has been the trendy pick of Duck fans for years. He has the led the Bulldogs to 10 straight NCAA tournaments and they have won the WCC 9 straight years. Word on the street is that Few was offered the job last year, but Oregon wouldn't meet his price demands. While I do have some concerns about Few I think he still a significant upgrade over Ernie Kent.

Mark Turgeon-Texas A&M

Turgeon is a former assistant at Oregon under Jerry Green. Many people including myself feel that he should have got the job instead of Ernie Kent. Turgeon turned around Witchita State leading them to five straight winning seasons including a sweet 16 appearance in 2006. He has taken the Aggies to the NCAA second round each of his first two years and they appear certain to return this year.

Steve Alford- New Mexico

Alford currently has New Mexico ranked number eight in the country. New Mexico will the third program that Alford has taken to the Big dance. While I think there are better candidates out there I think Alford is at least worth a look.

Scott Drew- Baylor

His overall record may not be the most impressive, but when you consider the mess that he inherited (See Baylor Basketball Scandal) he has done one of most remarkable coaching jobs in the country over the past seven years.

Tier III

Randy Bennett- Saint Mary's

Bennett has built a nice little program at Saint Mary's. He has led them to two NCAA appearances and an NIT birth in a conference dominated by Gonzaga. If any they can't get any of the above candidates then Bennett is worth a look.

Ben Jacobson- Northern Iowa

Currently the panthers are 27-4 and were ranked in the top 25 much of this season. Has had a winning record each of his previous three years and led the Panthers to the tournament last year. I have a feeling that Jacobson will be moving up in the next couple years

Steve Lavin- Former UCLA Coach

Currently an ESPN broadcaster Lavin hasn't coached since 2003. In seven years at UCLA the Bruins went to NCAA tournaments and advance to the Sweet 16 four times and the elite 8 once.

Darkhorse

Terry Porter- Former Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns coach

While not overly successful as an NBA coach Porter could be worth a look. He's got a great basketball mind and the former Portland Trail Blazer is beloved in the state of Oregon.

The Tebow Ad

2010-02-08T19:43:00.000-08:00

For the last couple weeks we have been hearing about the controversial "Tebow ad" during the Super Bowl. The problem was that not one person complaining about the ad actually saw the ad until Sunday. After seeing the ad yesterday I thought there was no way anybody who actually saw the ad could find anything objectionable about it. I almost spit my coffee all my computer today when I read the following quote from NOW President Terry O'Neill:

"I am blown away at the celebration of the violence against women in it. That's what comes across to me even more strongly than the anti-abortion message. I myself am a survivor of domestic violence, and I don't find it charming. I think CBS should be ashamed of itself."

This lady can't be serious, can she? How is this ad a "celebration of violence against women" ? This has got to be one of the most ridiculous things I've heard recently.

National Title Game

2010-01-05T21:08:00.000-08:00

Alabama 27 Oregon 21

It was great game with several momentum swings but in the end Mark Ingram Alabama were too much. Congrats to the 2009 Dennisdailyrant.com National Champions the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Semifinal Results

2009-12-26T22:53:00.000-08:00

Oregon 41 Cincinnati 38

Oregon came out on top in a back and forth game that will go down as one of the great games in college history.

Cincinnati jumped out to a 14-0 in the first quarter behind the passing of Tony Pike. The Ducks struggled to get the offense going, but they came alive when LaMichael James broke a 70 yard touchdown run with three minutes left in the first quarter.

Cincinnati responded with a touchdown early in the second quarter to make it 21-7. The Ducks came roaring back with two touchdowns to tie the game at 21 at halftime.

The third quarter would be begin with both team exchanging punts before Jeremiah Masoli connected with Jeff Maehl on 31 yard touchdown pass. Cincinnati would tie it up when Pike hit Marty Gilyard on a 17 yard touchdown pass.

In the fourth the Bearcats regained the lead with Issiah Pead run. Oregon would march down the field and tie the game with six minutes left. The Bearcats would regain lead with just 1:45 left on a 36 yard Jake Rogers field goal, but Oregon was not done. Masoli led the ducks down the field on the games final play Masoli would find Ed Dickson in the corner of the Endzone for a 9 yard touchdown to win the game.

Alabama 31 TCU 17

The second game did not contain drama of the first. Alabama jumped out to an early 7-0 and cruised from there. Mark Ingram shredded the Horned Frog's defense for 178 yards. TCU struggled all day to find its offense and the game was not as close as the final score indicated.

This sets the stage for an epic championship battle on New Years day between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Oregon Ducks.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T06:03:00.000-08:00

Luke 2:1-20

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.

4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14"Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Quarterfinal Reselts

2009-12-20T09:12:00.000-08:00

Here are the Quarterfinal results of my college football playoff:

Oregon 34 Texas 31

Cincinnati 37 Virginia Tech 20

Alabama 20 tOSU 17

TCU 24 Florida 21

Stay tuned for the semifinals.

First Round Playoff Results

2009-12-17T22:03:00.000-08:00

Alabama 49
Troy 10

Ohio State 24
Georgia Tech 21

Florida 21
LSU 17

TCU 35
Penn State 20

Cincinnati 31
East Carolina 20

Virginia Tech 27
Boise State 24

Oregon 42
Iowa 21

Texas 51
Central Michigan 14

The quarterfinal matchups are as follows

Alabama vs tOSU

Florida vs TCU

Cincinnati vs Virginia Tech

Oregon vs Texas

Final Pac 10 Rankings

2009-12-15T22:33:00.000-08:00

Here are my final Pac 10 rankings of the year. For the record I picked Oregon to win the Pac 10 at the beginning of the year. Of course the rest my rankings were, but who cares I said the Ducks would win the Pac 10 and the did.
Preseason Predictions

1. Oregon- I was mocked and ridiculed at the beginning year. Who's the genius now?

2. Arizona- If it weren't for Oregon Holder Nate Costa, the Wildcats would be in the Rose Bowl.

3. Oregon State- For the second straight year the Beavers Rose Bowl dreams were crushed by the Ducks.

4. Stanford- Have I mentioned that I don't like Toby Gerhart?

5. USC- The Emerald Bowl? LOL

6. Cal- Pretty much what we've come to expect from a Jeff Tedford coached team, high expectations followed by a mediocre year.

7. UCLA- What the hell is the Eagle Bank bowl?

8. Washington- My early 2010 prediction: the Huskies will go bowling.

9. ASU- I think it's time for Erickson to retire.

10. WSU- Shame on SMU for losing to these turds.

2009 College Football Playoffs

2009-12-06T19:04:00.000-08:00

Every year since I launched this dumb blog in December 2005 I have put together a 16 team playoff to crown the real National Champion in college football. The formula is simple, the champions of the 11 Division 1 FBS (Bowl Subdivision) and 5 at large teams chosen by me. This system gives every team a chance. Each week I will post updated results and on New Years Day I will announce the champion. Here are the sixteen teams in this year's tournament.

1. Alambama (SEC Champ)
16. Troy (Sun Belt Champ)

8. Ohio State (Big 10 Champ)
9. Georgia Tech (ACC Champ)

5. Florida (At Large)
12. LSU (At Large)

4. TCU (Conference USA Champ)
13. Penn State (At Large)

3. Cincinnati (Big East Champ)
14. East Carolina (Conference USA Champ)

6. Boise State (WAC Champion)
11. Virginia Tech (At Large)

7. Oregon (Pac 10 Champ)
10. Iowa (At Large)

2. Texas (Big XII Champ)
15. Central Michigan (Mac Champ)

Epic Meltdown

2009-12-05T22:50:00.000-08:00

Warning this video contains material that is not appropriate for all ages.

OSU Joke of the Day

2009-12-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

Two OSU fans were in a bar one night bragging about their latest accomplishment. The bartender noticed the two guys bragging to the women and curiosity got the best of him. "What's the good news?" he asked.

One of the men turned to the bartender and proudly said "Me and Beaver Bob just put a puzzle together and it took us a year!"

"A year?" the bartender asked, "You guys are proud of that?"

"Hell yes!" said Beaver Bob, "The box said up to four years!"

Week 13 Pac 10 Rankings

2009-12-02T23:39:00.000-08:00

1. Oregon- The Ducks will win the Civil War

2. Oregon State - The Beavers will lose the Civil War

3. Stanford- Gerhart for Heisman

4. USC- Personally I enjoyed Pete Carrol sticking it to the weasel.

5. Arizona- Memo to that punk kicker: You're a freaking kicker!!! Act like it.

6. Cal- Easy game against the huskies this week to finish an up and down year.

7. UCLA- the facet that the bruins may actually go to a bowl is pathetic.

8. ASU- For what it's worth they almost beat Arizona.

9. Washington- Congrats on beating the cougs, I guess.

10 WSU- I actually heard an announcer say that the future was bright in Pulman.

OSU Joke of the Day

2009-12-02T09:00:00.000-08:00

A Beaver fan called the hospital saying "My wife is having a baby, what should I do?"
The nurse asked, "Is this her first baby?"
The Beaver fan replied, "No, this is her husband."

OSU Joke of the Day

2009-12-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Two Oregon State players were walking through the woods and came upon a set of tracks.
The first OSU player said "Those are deer tracks."
The second one said "Nope, they're too big for deer tracks. They must be elk tracks."
As the debate raged on they were hit by a train.

OSU Joke of the Day

2009-11-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

An OSU football player was almost killed in a tragic horseback riding accident. He fell from the horse and was nearly trampled to death. Thank God the manager of the Walmart came out and unplugged it in time!

OSU Joke of the Day

2009-11-29T09:00:00.000-08:00

Q : What does the average OSU player get on his SAT?
A : Drool

OSU Joke of the Day

2009-11-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

Q : What do you get when you gather 32 Oregon State fans in a room?
A : A full set of teeth!

OSU Joke of the Day

2009-11-27T09:00:00.000-08:00

Since civil war week is upon it's time to bring back the ever popular OSU joke of the day. Here is today's joke.

Q : Why do OSU football players go to the movie theater in groups of 18 or more?
A : The sign says 17 and under are not admitted.

Week 12 Pac 10 Rankings

2009-11-26T22:22:00.000-08:00

1. Oregon- Jeremiah Masoli is the man.

2. Oregon State- For the second year in a row the Beavers will head into the Civil War with a Rose Bowl on the line. For the second year in a row they'll come up short in the Civil War.

3. Cal- The have quietly turned around their season after a horrendous start.

4. Arizona- Normally fans wait until they have the game won before they rush the field.

5. Stanford- The Cardinal will have the honor of putting the final nail in Charlie Weis's coffin.

6. USC- I think we can safely say that the Trojans will not be in a BCS game.

7. UCLA- As bad as the Bruins are, they are now bowl eligible.

8. ASU- The last time ASU won a game was October 17, the next time they'll win a game will be in September 2010.

9. Washington- The Huskies last won on October 10, that streak will end Saturday.

10. WSU- I have nothing to say.

Week 11 Pac 10 Rankings

2009-11-20T13:21:00.000-08:00

1. Oregon- The big worry for the Ducks is whether or not they return home with a healthy starting QB.

2. Stanford- I'm finally on the Cardinal bandwagon. They're good.

3. Arizona- The Cats have never to been to the Rose Bowl. That trend will continue.

4. OSU- The beavers get a virtual bye before playing the ducks. They might want to consider resting the Rodgers brothers so they don't risk injury.

5. USC- If the Pac 10 ends in a six way tie with Oregon, USC, CAL, Stanford, Arizona and OSU the trojans will represent the Pac 10 in the Rose Bowl.

6. Cal- Can the bears beat Stanford? Probably not.

7. ASU- Bad

8. UCLA- Worse

9. Washington- Even worse

10. WSU- The worst

Week 10 Pac Rankings

2009-11-13T06:19:00.000-08:00

1. Oregon- A loss on the road to a good Stanford team wasn't enough to knock the Ducks from the top.

2. Arizona- The Wildcats in the Rose Bowl? Probably not.

3. USC- The Trojans have been unimpressive this year. From experience I can tell you that El Paso is nice around New Years.

4. Oregon State- Don't look now, but the Beavers are in the conference race.

5. Stanford- With their win over the Ducks the Cardinal are Bowl eligible. My guess is that they get two more.

6. Cal- Another mediocre year for a Jeff Tedford coached team.

7. ASU- I kind of feel bad for the Sun Devils. It's going to be ugly Saturday night.

8. UCLA- The Bruins finally got a Pac 10 win. They'll get win number two this weekend.

9. Washington- Remember when people thought the Mutts would go bowling.

10. WSU- No comment necessary

Week 9 Pac 10 Rankings

2009-11-05T20:35:00.000-08:00

Here are my long awaited Pac 10 rankings for week 9.

1. Oregon- I called y my shot last week and I was right. Oregon beat USC.

2. Arizona- The Wildcats control there own destiny for the Pac 10 title. The problem is that they still have to play Oregon, Cal, and USC

3. USC- Could the Trojans go to El Paso? Probably not. My guess is that they win out and get a BCS bid.

4. Cal- The Bears have quietly gotten back on track after a horrific start. Next up the Beavers.

5. OSU- Beaver nation still thinks they can sneak into the Rose Bowl through the back door. That fantasy will end on Saturday.

6. Stanford- The Cardinal need just one win to become bowl eligible. The problem is they play Oregon, USC, Cal and finish at Notre Dame. They may get that sixth win but it will not come until the last week of the season.

7. ASU- I kind of feel bad for the Sun Devils. This week they face a USC team was embarrassed a week ago and next week they travel to Oregon.

8. Washington- Not long ago people thought the Mutts were a bowl. Looking at their schedule I cannot find three more wins.

9. UCLA- Bad

10. WSU- worse

Week 8 Pac 10 Rankings

2009-10-29T21:54:00.000-07:00

1. Oregon- The Ducks will beat the Trojans on Saturday.

2. SUC- Last time the Trojans won a game in the State of Oregon was 2005. The next time they lose in the State of Oregon will have to wait until 2010.

3. Arizona- Nick Foles is good, it's the rest of the team that I'm not sure about.

4. Oregon State- I know the Rodgers brothers are great players, but the beavers might want to consider giving the ball to someone not named Rodgers from time to time.

5. Cal- Against the two best teams in the conference the Bears scored a total of 6 points. Against the two worst teams they scored a total of 94 points.

6. Stanford- The Cardinal need just one win in their final four games to be bowl eligible. The problem is they have Oregon, USC, Cal and Notre Dame left.

7. ASU- I think it's time for Dennis Erickson to retire.

8. Washington- The Huskies are not back.

9. UCLA- At one point UCLA was 3-0.

10. WSU- Is anyone else tired of seeing that stupid flag at GameDay?

Week 7 Pac 10 Rankings

2009-10-23T10:47:00.000-07:00

1. Oregon- Big game against the Mutts before what could be an epic battle with SUC. The Ducks will roll.

2. USC- Last time USC lost to OS in LA the president of United States was Dwight D. Eisenhower. I am officially going on record as saying the next time the Beavers beat SUC in LA, the president will not be Barack Obama.

3. Oregon State- See above

4. Arizona- The Wildcats should cruise against the Bruins.

5. Cal- In their first two conference games they scored a combined 6 points. In the third game they scored 45.

6. ASU- The Sun Devils still riding high from the victory over the mutts travel Palo Alto for an epic battle with Stanford and a possible Hawaii Bowl bid on the line.

7. Stanford- Is it just me or is Toby Gerhart a 12th year senior.

8. Washington- Washington's fight song is titled "Bow Down to Washington". By the end of the day Saturday the mutts will be bowing down to Oregon.

9. UCLA- Maybe one of these years UCLA will catch up to their crosstown rival. Probably not anytime soon.

10. WSU- I think the Pac 10 should just drop the coogs and be the Pac 9.

Week 6 Pac 10 Rankings

2009-10-15T20:20:00.000-07:00

1. Oregon- No Masoli, no problem. The Ducks rolled UCLA and now have a much needed bye week.

2. USC- The Trojans have not lost to Notre Dame since 2001. I do not expect that trend to change.

3. Oregon State- The Beavers are a hot team heading into the bye week. The Trojans are next on 10-24.

4. Washington- A fluke victory (it was not an interception, the ball hit the ground!!!) puts the mutts in the number 4 sport.

5. Arizona- Even though it was a bad call on the interception the loss to the Mutts is on the coaches.

6. Cal- In two Pac-10 game the Bears have a total of 6 points. Nice offense Dudwig.

7. Stanford- The Cardinal had me fooled for awhile, their loss against OSU exposed them as frauds.

8. UCLA- The Bruins went from leading 3-0 to trailing 14-3 in about 30 seconds on Saturday.

9. ASU- The Sun Devils will beat the Mutts.

10. WSU- Duh

Week 5 Pac 10 Rankings

2009-10-08T22:04:00.000-07:00

1. Oregon- Seriously if there's one more knee injury I'm going to scream.

2. USC- All seems to be right again in LA after the Trojans routed Cal.

3. Stanford- Nerds can play football.

4. Arizona- I still don't think the Wildcats are that good but they earn the four spot this week.

5. Washington- I hate the huskies but they got jobbed by the refs on Saturday.

6. UCLA- Kevin Prince returns this week. It won't help.

7. Oregon State- The Beavers are getting way too much love love for beating ASU.

8. ASU- It doesn't look like the Erickson magic will work this time.

9. Cal- The bears have scored 6 points over the last two weeks. That Andy Ludwig is quite offensive genius.

10. WSU- Paul Wulff is an idiot and I'll leave it at that.

Week 4 Pac 10 Rankings

2009-09-30T22:37:00.000-07:00

1. Oregon- Was anybody expecting that they would destroy Cal?

2. USC- The Trojans looked unimpressive against the lowly Cougars.

3. Stanford- I not not completely sold on the Cardinal. So far they have accomplished what most schools in the Pac 10 have done in recent years, a sweep of the Washington schools.

4. ASU- I am not a fan of moral victories but the Sun Devils gave Georgia all they could handle.

5. UCLA- The Bruins are 3-0 but I am not convinced.

6. Cal- I was not the only happy Duck fan when Cal hired Andy Dudwig err Ludwig.

7. Arizona- They did beat Oregon State.

8. Washington- One thing was made clear last weeked. The Huskies are not back.

9. OSU- Congrats on losing back to back home games.

10. WSU- Only at WSU is a 21 point loss considered a moral victory.

Week 3 Pac-10 rankings

2009-09-24T22:36:00.000-07:00

1. Cal- The Bears stay at the top will be a short one.

2. Oregon- I saw something that I haven't seen in years from the Ducks, Defense.

3. UCLA- The Bruins are 3-0 but I still don't know what to make of them.

4. Washington- This is the highest that I have had the Huskies ranked in the 3 years that i have been doing these rankings.

5. Stanford- Stanford and Washing will battle it out for first in the Pac 10 on Saturday.

6. ASU- The Sun Devils are 2-0 with victories over powerhouses Idaho State and Louisiana-Monroe.

7. OS- Way to go Beavs. Your biggest Non-Conference home game in years.

8. Arizona- The Mildcats could be in trouble this year.

9. WSU- I kind of feel sorry for the Cougs.

10. SUC- For being the first team for losing to Washington since 11-17-07 the Trojans get the last spot.

Week 2 Pac 10 Rankings

2009-09-18T05:28:00.000-07:00

1. SUC- It was a struggle at times but the Trojans got it done against tOSU.
2. Cal- The Bears struggled for a bit but in the end destroyed powerhouse Eastern Washington.
3. UCLA- A nice road win for the Bruins but they face major problems ahead with the loss of their QB.
4. OS- The Beavs needed a late field goal to beat UNLV.
5. Oregon- The Ducks finally got the offense moving, 6 1/2 quarters into the season.
6. ASU- They looked ok in the one game they've played. Of course that was against Idaho State.
7. Arizona- The Mildacats have looked unimpressive so far in two games.
8. Stanford- Nice choke job against Wake Forest.
9. Washington- I thought about giving the Huskies more love for finally winning a game, but it was only Idaho.
10. WSU- The Cougars are terrible.

Week 1 Pac 10 Rankings

2009-09-08T21:56:00.000-07:00

1. SUC- Looked good in their opener. Look for the Trojans to roll tOSU on Saturday.

2. Cal- Sorry Beaver fans but the best running back in the Pac 10 Jahvid Best.

3. Stanford- Looked good against WSU, bu I think everybody will look good against the cougs.

4. OS- The Beavs looked ok but they were playing Portland State.

5. ASU- Impressive victory over the mighty Bengals of Idaho State.

6. UCLA- Pretty unimpressive victory against San Diego State.

7. Arizona- Defense looked good but the offense had their struggles.

8. Washington- The Huskies look to be improved but there's no such thing as a moral victory.

9. WSU- I fully expect the Cougs to take their rightful place at the bottom of my rankings next week.

10. Oregon- At least the Punter was good.

2009 Pac 10 Predictions

2009-08-30T16:52:00.000-07:00

1. Oregon- Yeah I said it!!!! This is the year that SUC finally gets unseated at the top of the Pac 10 It will happen and it will be the Ducks that end their reign.

2. SUC- Second place will still get them to a BCS Bowl.

3. Cal- A solid but unspectacular year lies ahead for the bears.

4. ASU- A decent year lies ahead for the devils. Vegas is cold in December.

5. OS- Questions on D, at QB and a drop in production from Quizz will lead to a disappointing year for the Beavers.

6. Stanford- The Cardinal will improve and possibly sneak into a Bowl game.

7. UCLA- The Bruins are still a year away.

8. Arizona- The Mildcats will fail to improve upon last years Vegas Bowl victory. It could be the end of the Mike Stoops era.

9. Washington- The dawgs will do better last year. They certainly can't be worse than 0-12.

10. WSU- The Cougs are bad.

So long old friend............

2009-08-26T13:10:00.000-07:00

Thursday September 3 will mark the end era in Eugene. The Single A Eugene Emeralds will play their final game in Civic Stadium before moving to the brand new PK Park near Autzen Stadium. Civic was built in 1938 and has been home of Emeralds since 1969. While there might be a little bit of sadness to see the old stadium go it is a move that should have happened years ago in my opinion. Despite my feelings on the stadium itself I do have many memories of the place.

Over the years I have attended many games at Civic. I've seen players who would go on to great major league careers and some who never made out of Eugene. I have many fond memories dating back to my early childhood. My family used to head to the ballpark several times each year. During those games I wander the ballpark trying to get foul balls. After games I would often wander the stadium collecting plastic cups and the mini batting helmets that they served ice cream in. Looking back I can't believe that my mother let me do that.

One of the long standing promotions at Civic was the Prince Puckler's Sunday throw. Each game kids are selected to try to throw a ball through a hole and win free ice cream from Prince Pucklers. Now days they let kids stand something like three feet away and give them a tennis ball to throw. Even if they miss the still get free Ice Cream. When I had the opportunity to do as a kid I had to stand about 20 feet back and throw a real baseball and I got absolutely nothing when I missed.

One of my favorite activities as a kid was trying to get autographs. I remember passing up an opportunity to get an autograph from someone playing for Bellingham Mariners named Ken Griffey JR. My reasoning was that I didn't feel like waiting in line and I didn't think he would ever be as good as his dad, oops. The one Autograph I did wait in line for was from a pitcher was supposed to be the next Nolan Ryan. I waited for 45 minutes and when I finally got it I was the happiest kid in the stadium. When he made it big this was going be worth a lot of money. I think it's safe that Todd Van Popple was not next Nolan Ryan.

The happy memories are great but the bottom line is that the old stadium needs to go. The stadium is in disrepair and it lacks many of the things necessary to be a viable stadium for minor league baseball. The cost to make the stadium viable is just too great and nobody has the money to pay for it.

On Thursday September 3 prior to watching my Ducks play Boise State I will make one final trip to Civic Stadium to watch the Emeralds play. For some it will probably be an emotional day, but not for me.

A look back at my 2008 Pac 10 preseason rankings

2009-08-11T18:49:00.000-07:00

Before I publish my annual Pac 10 preseason rankings I thought it would be fun to take a look back at my 2008 preseason ranking. So here they are with the expert analysis that you've come to expect from Dennis' Daily Rant.

1. SUC- The Trojans are just too good
Bingo, Bango, Bongo with the exception of one bad night in Corvallis the Trojans were the class of the Pac 10 in 2008.

2. Oregon- No Costa, No problem! Roper (Maybe Masoli) and the Ducks will shine in 2008.
Again I was right on. The Ducks were 3-0 before Roper got hurt and Masoli took the job over. After a few bumps in the road the Ducks finished strong winning their final four games. Including a 65-38 victory over OS.

3. ASU- Look for a big year out of Judy Carpenter and the Sun Devils but it won't get them any farther than El Paso.
I was wrong.

4. OS(U)- Tough choice on Thursday night. OS(U)-Stanford or Barack Obama's convention speech.
For the record I choe the Beavers over Obama's convention speech and they didn't dissapoint. They help up their of my prediction below.

5. Cal- Another mediocre year for the Bears.
To quote Dennis Green "the Bears are who we thought they were"

6. Arizona- Mike Stoopid and the Mildcats finally go Bowling.
They finished one spot higher than I predicted, but they did go bowling.

7. UCLA- The Bruins will struggle in 2008 but watch out for them in 2009.
They finished one spot lower than I predicted, but again I think I was pretty close on this one. as for the second part of the prediction we'll see.

8. Washington- The Dawgs will improve but not enough to save Ty Willingham's job.
I was wrong they didn't improve, but instead got worse.

9. Stanford- Watch out for my week one upset. Stanford will beat OS(U)
I ranked them way too low, but I was right on with my prediction.

10. WSU- The Cougs will go for perfection in the Pac 10 but might just blow in the Apple Cup.
The Coogs were terrible, but the puppies were worse.

Overall a pretty good effort. We'll see how my 2009 rankings turn out .

I just want my dang sunglasses!!!!!!

2009-08-04T18:41:00.000-07:00

This saga of my sunglasses began on a Saturday in June, June 13 to be exact. I walked into Rainbow Optics, a local eye wear store to inquire about a pair of prescription sunglasses. I settled on the Oakley Flak Jackets XLJ's much like the pair above. After crunching the numbers and figuring out how much my insurance would cover I decided to think about.

Two weeks later I went back and placed my order. I settled on a custom design with a green frame and yellow Oakley logos. I was told they would be ready in about ten days. That meant I would receive my sunglasses around July 7. I left the store happy and was looking forward to receiving my sunglasses.

I didn't hear from them in the ten days I was told. I decided to give them two weeks before I called. On Monday July 13 just as I was about to call them my phone rang. Great I thought, my sunglasses were ready! Instead of being told they were ready I was told they were on backorder and it would be another week or two. Backorder? Why did it take two weeks to tell me something they should have told me in two days? I voice my displeasure but decided to be patient and just wait for my sunglasses to get here.

Two weeks passed and I decided to call and see where my sunglasses were. After two phone calls I was told that they would be shipped overnight on August 1, meaning that they would be ready for pickup on Monday August 3. Once again I voiced my displeasure but this time I wasn't so nice about it.

That brings us to today August 4. After not hearing anthything I decided to call again. After two calls I was told they were being made and they would be shipped in 3-5 days. This time I was furious. Not wanting to say something I would later regret I decided to just act pleasanty pissed off. Tomorrow I will call again, not to yell at someone but to cut a deal. I know it's probably unrealistic to expect them to eat eat my entire out of pocket expense of $135 but that's what I'm going to ask for. If they don't counter with something close to that I will walk away entirely and stick them with a pair lenses with my prescription that have allready been made and they will also lose a long time customer.

The Declaration of Independence

2009-07-04T05:03:00.000-07:00

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

Happy Independence Day

2009-07-02T06:01:00.000-07:00

On this day 233 years ago the Second Continental Congress approved the Lee Resolution declaring that the the 13 colonies be Independent of British Empire. It was two days later that the document formally announcing this action was approved. On July 3, 1776 John Adams wrote the following to to his wife Abigail:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.

I guess John was a couple days off on his prediction.

Memories from a great day

2009-06-23T21:54:00.001-07:00

Back in training

2009-06-08T20:29:00.000-07:00

After a week off from running it was time to get back in the saddle. I woke up Saturday morning with the plan to run 10 miles. After about three I realized 10 wasn't a possibility so I turn around and went home. A six mile run was good enough for me. No it's time to get back into full fledged training because marathon seven is only 16 weeks away. In between now and then I have two races planned, the annual Butte to Butte 10k on July 4 and the Coburg Run in the Country Half Marathon on July 19.

Marathon Madness Part 6

2009-05-31T21:04:00.000-07:00

Saturday I set to accomplish something that I have done five times before, finish a marathon. The day started at 5:28 AM. I woke up two minutes before my alarm was set to go off. As I do before every marathon I took a shower to help wake me up. My racing attire consisted of black Nike dri-fit shorts, my lucky blue Nike dri-fit shirt , my most comfortable pair of running socks, a pair of size 13 Nike Structure Triax 12 running shoes and a Timex Ironman watch. After getting dressed and putting my black Oregon Duck pullover on, I sat down to enjoy my tradional pre-race breakfast. The breakfast consisted of oatmeal with brown sugar, vanilla yogurt, black coffee and water. After a quick bathroom break it was time to head to start line.

Near the start Carrie and I met with our parents and walked the rest of the way to the start line. After some pictures and a quick goodbye kiss from Carrie it was go time. At 7:07 AM the start gun sounded. As usual the first mile was slow due to it being crowded and slower runners not starting towards the back. At the mile one marker there was an annoying guy yelling "looking good only 25 miles left". Every Marathon that I've run there has been someone doing that and every time I've wanted to punch that person in the face. At mile two I was finally able to settle into to my pace.

Everything was going great until my stomach started growling at about mile four. I knew that I was going to eventually need a bathroom break. The first port-a-potty was still two miles away. At this time I happened to be running right by my hotel. Instead of waiting until the port-a-potty I made the decesision to run off the course and up to my hotel room to use the bathroom. The whole ordeal cost me about me about three minutes but I considered it well worth it.

After the bathroom break I settled back into to my stride. I made small talk with several runners along the way. As I passed the halfway point I was feeling great. My time at 13.1 miles was about 1:56 which if I maintained that I would finish safely under my goal of 4 hours. Everything was great until mile 18 when I realized I couldn't hold my pace. Instead of trying to push myself I settled into a slower pace. By mile 20 my buffer was gone and I knew 4 hours was out of the question.

For the last 6 miles I adjusted my goal. I wanted to finish under my last marathon time of 4:12. I started counting down the miles as I always do. At mile 22 I knew that I would easily finish under 4:12. The last 4 miles were painful but it was a good pain. As I passed the 26 mile sign a big smile crossed my face. I sprinted the last .2 miles and as I crossed the finish line I through my arms up in the air. My time was 4:06:45, not my best time but certainly not my worst.

After making my way through the recovery area I met up with my wife and enjoyed a few quality minutes with her. Then it was time to sit down and enjoy a couple adult beverages courtesy of one the fine sponsors of the event, Rogue Ales. As I sat down and drank my cold beer a smile crossed my faced as I had just done something for the sixth time that only .1% of the world's population have ever done once, run a marathon.

I'm back!!!

2009-05-31T18:01:00.000-07:00

After a three and a half month layoff I'm happy to announce that I am re-entering the world of blogging. I 'm not sure how long it will last or how often it will be but I do pledge to update on a semi-frequent basis.

A Letter to Pat Kilkenny

2009-02-12T21:13:00.000-08:00

Dear Mr. Kilkenny,

Fire Ernie!!!!

Sincerely,

Dennis M. Cook
President, CEO and Master Blogger
dennisdailyrant.com

I will blog again soon

2009-01-21T21:52:00.000-08:00

I'm just not sure when

Fourth Annual DCS Championship

2009-01-01T11:03:00.000-08:00

USC 27
Florida 24

Congratulations to the USC Trojans on their third DCS championship in Four years.

Semifinal Results

2008-12-31T14:11:00.000-08:00

USC 35
Oklahoma 31

Florida 31
Texas 30

Playoffs Round 2

2008-12-31T03:42:00.000-08:00

Oklahoma 35
Penn State 14

USC 28
Virginia Tech 14

Texas 42
TCU 24

Florida 42
Texas Tech 38

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-30T22:26:00.000-08:00

A great day to be a DUCK!!!!!!!!!

Playoffs Round One

2008-12-30T22:04:00.000-08:00

I apologize for my lack of updating you all on my playoffs. Here are the first round results:

Oklahoma 59
Buffalo 12

Penn State 24
Boise State 21

USC 35
Cincinnati 14

Virginia Tech 24
Alabama 17

Texas 55
East Carolina 10

Utah 17
TCU 20

Texas Tech 49
tOSU 21

Florida 49
Troy 7

Playoff time

2008-12-19T15:40:00.000-08:00

Since the very start of this lame blog of mine I have pushed for a playoff in college football. My very first post three years addressed this exact subject. Now even the President Elect is calling for a playoff. No disrespect to President-Elect Obama, but my 16 team playoff is better than his 8 team plan. The plan is quite simple. Each of the eleven conference champions will get an automatic birth, and there will be five at large teams as well. I have taken the time to seed all sixteen teams and ever I will post the winners. On New Years Day I crown the Champion.

1. Oklahoma (Big 12 Champion)
16. Buffalo (MAC Champion)

8. Penn State (Big 11 Champion)
9. Boise State (WAC Champion)

5. USC (Pac 10 Champion)
12. Cincinnati (Big Least Champion)

4. Alabama (At Large)
13. Virginia Tech (ACC Champion)

3. Texas (At Large)
14. East Carolina (Conference USA Champion)

6. Utah (Mountain West Champion)
11. TCU (At Large)

7. Texas Tech (At Large)
10. Ohio State (At large)

2. Florida (SEC Champion)
15. Troy (Sun Belt Champion)

My Final Pac 10 Rankings

2008-12-10T21:35:00.000-08:00

1. USC- I'm getting really sick of them winning the Pac 10 every year
2. Oregon- Early prediction for 2009: Oregon Ducks Pac 10 Champs!
3. Oregon State- I have a couple of things here. Mike Riley did not deserve Pac 10 coach of the year. My second complaint is How is Jaquizz Rodgers the pac 10 Offensive Player of the year when he's only the third best running back in the State of Oregon?
4. Cal- Memo to Jaquizz Rodgers: Please send Jahvid Best his Pac 10 Offensive player of the year award.
5. Arizona- I finally found a coach that's crazier than Mike Stoops. It's Kansas State Basketball Coach Bill Martin.
6. ASU- Weren't the Sun Devils supposed to be good?
7. Stanford- The Cardinal improved this year but....
8. UCLA- It won't be long before the Bruins rise to the top but NCAA may be knocking on their door shortly after that.
9. WSU- Co-Defensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach Chris Ball was on the staff at Western Oregon during my brief career with the Wolves. I didn't like him. Washington State ranked 97th in scoring defense, 67th in rush defense, 93rd in pass defense and 85th in total defense out 119 teams.
10.Washington- 0-12 is quite the accomplishment.

In Honor of the Duck's opponent in the Holiday Bowl

2008-12-07T20:49:00.000-08:00

Highlights from a Butt Kicking

2008-12-01T21:34:00.000-08:00

Pac 10 Rankings

2008-11-30T22:40:00.000-08:00

1. USC- If the Trojans somehow lose to UCLA then the rodents would go to the Rose Bowl. Please don't let that happen USC.
2. Oregon- 65-38!!! One of the most satisfying Civil War victories in my lifetime.
3. OS(U)- I saw a bunch roses on the ground after Saturday's game.
4. Cal- The Bears are the only thing that stands between Huskies and perfection.
5. Arizona- Looks like the mildcats are heading to San Francisco for Bowl Season.
6. ASU- The Sun Devils are the Pac 10's most dissapointing team.
7. UCLA- The Bruins have an opportunity to really mess things up in the Pac 10. I doubt they do it.
8. Stanford- They have pretty good Women's Volleyball team.
9. WSU- I didn't bother to check if they beat Hawaii or not. I'm assuming they didn't.
10. Washington- One defeat away from perfection.

Another Great Picture from the Civil War

2008-11-30T22:38:00.001-08:00

Oregon 65 OS(U) 38

2008-11-29T23:30:00.000-08:00

Needless to say, I'm in a much better mood than this guy.

OS(U) Joke of the Day

2008-11-29T03:07:00.000-08:00

A young man hired by a supermarket reported for his first day of work. The manager greeted him with a warm handshake and a smile, gave him a broom and said, "Your first job will be to sweep the store." But, I'm a OS(U) graduate," the young man replied indignantly, "I even played football
there!" "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know that," said the manager. "Here, give me the broom, I better show you how"

OS(U) Joke of the Day

2008-11-28T10:01:00.000-08:00

One day in an elementary school in Corvallis, OR, a teacher asks her class if the OS(U) Beavers are their favorite football team. The whole class says yes, except for Little Jimmy.

The teacher asks, "What's your favorite football team Jimmy?"

Little Jimmy says, "The Oregon Ducks "

The teacher asks, "Well, why is that?"

Little Jimmy says, "Well, my dad is a Duck fan, my mom is a Duck fan, I guess that makes me a Duck fan."

The teacher angered by his reply says, "If your dad was a moron and your mom was an idiot what would that make you?"

Little Jimmy says, "Well, I guess that would make me a OS(U) fan."

OS(U) Joke of the Day

2008-11-27T04:01:00.000-08:00

A guy in a bar leans over to the guy next to him and says, "Wanna hear a Beaver joke?" The guy replies, "Well, before you tell that joke, you should know something. I am 6' tall, 200 lbs. and I am an OS(U) graduate. The guy sitting next to me is 6'2", 225 lbs. and he is an OS(U). The guy right next to him is 6'5", 250lbs. and he is also an OS(U). Now, you still wanna tell me that joke?"

The first guy says, "No, not if I'm going to have to explain it three times"

OS(U) Joke of the Day

2008-11-26T08:01:00.000-08:00

It was reported that OS(U) head football coach Mike Riley will only be dressing twenty players for the Oregon game. The rest of the players will have to get dressed by themselves.

Pac 10 Rankings

2008-11-25T21:56:00.000-08:00

1. Washington State- As pathetic as the apple cup was, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the Cougars beat the Huskies.
2. USC- They may the best team in the country but they're not going to get a shot at a National Title.
3. OS(U)- Only the Ducks stand between the Beavers and the Rose Bowl.
4. Oregon- The Ducks will spoil the Beavers Rose Bowl dreams on Saturday.
5. Cal- The Bears have an extra week to prepare for the Mighty Washington Huskies.
6. Arizona- When did Mike Stoops start taking defensive pointers from Nick Allioti?
7. UCLA- As bad as they are the Bruins could still go to a bowl.
8. ASU- See Above
9. Stanford- Basketball Season is here!!!
10. Washington- One game from perfection!!!!!!

OS(U) Joke of the Day

2008-11-25T05:11:00.000-08:00

Q: What's the only sign of intelligent life in Corvallis?

A: Eugene: 47 Miles

OS(U) Joke of the Day

2008-11-24T06:33:00.000-08:00

Q: Why do OS(U) fans wear orange?

A: They can wear it to the game on Saturday…They can wear it

hunting on Sunday…and they can wear it to work on Monday

when they’re picking up garbage at the roadside!

OS(U) Joke of the day

2008-11-23T08:31:00.000-08:00

In honor of Civil War week my "OS(U) Joke of the Day" segment returns for the third consecutive year. So here is my first OS(U) joke of the Day for 2008:

Q: What does a OS(U) grad call an Oregon grad?

A: Boss

Pac 10 Rankings

2008-11-18T10:08:00.000-08:00

1. USC- I don't care that the Trojans lost to OS(U) early in the season, they're still best tean in the Pac 10 and it's not even close.
2. OS(U)- The Beavers are dangerously close to Rose Bowl. I think they'll blow it.
3. Oregon- The Ducks are still mathmetically alive for the Rose Bowl. Please click here to see what it would take.
4. Cal- Losing to the Beavers helped the ducks.
5. Arizona- I got sick of that number 48 on Saturday.
6. UCLA- If UCLA beats ASU and USC the Bruins will go bowling.
7. Stanford- The Cardinal need to just beat Cal and they're going bowling.
8. ASU-They were considered a threat to challenge USC at the beginning of the season.
9. Open
10. WSU and Washington-I cannot justify ranking either school 9th.

Pac 10 Rankings

2008-11-11T20:44:00.000-08:00

1. USC- No explanation needed
2. OS(U)- The Rodents are three wins from making my worst nightmare a reality. I have faith that they won't do it.
3. Cal- The Bears could end the Beavers run for the roses. I think they will.
4. Oregon- The Ducks have yet to beat anyone with a winning record. That will change on Saturday.
5. Arizona- Stoops is an idiot.
6. Stanford- The Cardinal are one win from Bowl eligibility but I don't think they'll make it.
7. ASU- I guess they belong here.
8. UCLA- Nice second half against Rodents.
9. Washington- I think they should just cancel the Apple Cup this year.
10 WSU- " "

A brief thought on the election of Barack Obama

2008-11-06T19:46:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama will be the 44th President of the United States. It has been a remarkable rise for a man that just over four years ago most people outside of Chicago had never heard of. I did not vote for him, but on January 20, 2009 he will become my President for at least the next four years. I look forward to what the next four years hold for this country and I wish the President-elect nothing but the best.

Senator McCain's concession speach

2008-11-06T19:40:00.000-08:00

November 4, 2008

Thank you. Thank you, my friends. Thank you for coming here on this beautiful Arizona evening.

My friends, we have -- we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.

In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.

This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.

I've always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Senator Obama believes that, too. But we both recognize that though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation's reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still had the power to wound.

A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters. America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African American to the presidency of the United States. Let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth.

Senator Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country. I applaud him for it, and offer in my sincere sympathy that his beloved grandmother did not live to see this day, though our faith assures us she is at rest in the presence of her creator and so very proud of the good man she helped raise.

Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain. These are difficult times for our country, and I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.

I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences, and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.

Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that.

It is natural tonight to feel some disappointment, but tomorrow we must move beyond it and work together to get our country moving again. We fought as hard as we could.
And though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours.

I am so deeply grateful to all of you for the great honor of your support and for all you have done for me. I wish the outcome had been different, my friends. The road was a difficult one from the outset. But your support and friendship never wavered. I cannot adequately express how deeply indebted I am to you.

I am especially grateful to my wife, Cindy, my children, my dear mother and all my family and to the many old and dear friends who have stood by my side through the many ups and downs of this long campaign. I have always been a fortunate man, and never more so for the love and encouragement you have given me.

You know, campaigns are often harder on a candidate's family than on the candidate, and that's been true in this campaign. All I can offer in compensation is my love and gratitude, and the promise of more peaceful years ahead.

I am also, of course, very thankful to Governor Sarah Palin, one of the best campaigners I have ever seen and an impressive new voice in our party for reform and the principles that have always been our greatest strength. Her husband Todd and their five beautiful children with their tireless dedication to our cause, and the courage and grace they showed in the rough-and-tumble of a presidential campaign. We can all look forward with great interest to her future service to Alaska, the Republican Party and our country.

To all my campaign comrades, from Rick Davis and Steve Schmidt and Mark Salter, to every last volunteer who fought so hard and valiantly month after month in what at times seemed to be the most challenged campaign in modern times, thank you so much. A lost election will never mean more to me than the privilege of your faith and friendship.

I don't know what more we could have done to try to win this election. I'll leave that to others to determine. Every candidate makes mistakes, and I'm sure I made my share of them. But I won't spend a moment of the future regretting what might have been.

This campaign was and will remain the great honor of my life. And my heart is filled with nothing but gratitude for the experience and to the American people for giving me a fair hearing before deciding that Senator Obama and my old friend Senator Joe Biden should have the honor of leading us for the next four years.

I would not be an American worthy of the name, should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century. Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone and I thank the people of Arizona for it.

Tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Senator Obama, I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president.

And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties but to believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.

Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history, we make history.
Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America. Thank you all very much.

Pac 10 Rankings

2008-11-03T20:45:00.000-08:00

1. USC- The Trojans continue to roll
2. Cal- The Bears are in control of their own destiny
3. OS(U)- The Beavs Rose Bowl pipe dream will come to an end soon.
4. Oregon- Please give Justin Roper a shot
5. Arizona- The mildcats appear to be headed to a bowl this year.
6. Stanford- The Cardinal will lose big this weekend.
7. UCLA- I am actually cheering for the Bruins this weekend.
8. ASU- Judy almost lead the Sun Devils to victory against OS(U).
9. Washington- The Huskies are four losses from perfection.
10. WSU-The Cougs have been outscored 350-33 in Pac 10 play.

Special Color Scheme

2008-11-02T21:59:00.000-08:00

In honor of the upcoming election I have changed my background color to red. Hopefully we'll see a lot of red on the Electoral map come Tuesday night.

Vote Cook

2008-10-29T17:04:00.000-07:00

If you live in the 4th Congressional District in the State of Oregon, write-in Dennis M. Cook for Congress. Peter Defazio is only facing token opposition from two minor party candidates so why not vote for me?

Weekend Picks

2008-10-29T12:53:00.000-07:00

After a long hiatus the weekend picks. I'm never right on these so please don't use these for gambling purposes. There are to picks that I sincerely hope I'm right on this week. Try to guess which two those are.

NFL
Buffalo 28 Jets 21
Chicago 35 Detroit 17
Jacksonville 21 Cincinnati 10
Baltimore 21 Cleveland 17
Tennessee 24 Green Bay 21
Tampa Bay 28 Kansas City 17
Arizona 24 ST Louis 10
Minnesota 17 Houston 14
Denver 35 Miami 28
Atalanta 24 Oakland 21
Giants 31 Dallas 27
Philadelphia 35 Seattle 31
New England 24 Indianapolis 21
Pittsburgh 28 Washington 24

Pac 10
Oregon 31 Cal 21
Stanford 45 WSU 10
USC 59 Washington 17
Oregon State 45 ASU 35

Top 25
Texas 42 Texas Tech 38
Florida 31 Georgia 28

Upset Special
McCain-Palin 273 Obama-Biden 265

Week 8 Pac 10 Rankings

2008-10-29T08:11:00.000-07:00

Washington and Washington State are back in my rankings. I'll explain below.

1. USC- Survived a scare from Arizona. I don't expect Washington to put up much of a fight.
2. Oregon- Could this year be the opposite of years past? Slow start, Strong finish.
3. OS(U)- I would love to see ASU go into Corvallis and get a victory.
4. Arizona- The Wildcats put up a fight against the Trojans but fell short.
5. Cal- The Bears got a win but they were playing UCLA
6. Stanford- Could the Cardinal go Bowling this winter? Yes, there is strong possibility that some Stanford football players will go to a bowling Alley this winter.
7. UCLA- The Bruins just aren't very good.
8. ASU- I thought Judy Carpenter was supposed to be good?
9. Washington- They fired Ty Willingham. That alone gets them back into my rankings.
10. WSU- The Cougs didn't lose!!!!

Week 7 Pac 8 Rankings

2008-10-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

1. USC- My gut tells me they'll be in the BCS Title Game
2. OS(U)- I wish someone in the Pac 10 would beat the rodents so irrational beaver fan will shut up.
3. Oregon- Oregon is something like 13-1 coming off bye weeks in the Bellotti era.
4. Arizona- The Mildcats are one win from Bowl eligibility
5. Cal- Memo to the Bears- They play two halves in college football.
6. UCLA- The Bruins finally showed up for a game.
7. Stanford- Stick to Academics!!!
8. ASU- Bad news for the Sun Devils, Oregon is 13-1 coming off of bye weeks under Bellotti.

Running Update

2008-10-14T21:32:00.000-07:00

It's been over a week since I completed the marathon and my body is mostly healed. On Saturday I ran in the Duck Dash 5k. I ran it about 24 minutes, which is really slow but since I was sick and still recovering from the Marathon I'll take it. My next race is a half marathon on October 25 in Phoenix, AZ. I was planning on leaving the running shoes at home when I went Phoenix but I discovered there was a race so I figured I'll give it a shot. You can keep track of all my running adventures on my new page on athlinks.com.

Week 6 Pac 8 Rankings

2008-10-14T21:24:00.000-07:00

Neither Washington or Washington State has earned their way back into my rankings, so for the third straight week it is the Pac 8.

1. USC- Duh
2. Cal- Should have no problem with the lowly Bruins
3. Stanford- This the highest the Nerds have been ranked in my weekly rankings
4. OS(U)- Great win against Pulman Community College
5. Oregon- They may be 5-2 but they've beat five terrible teams.
6. Arizona- The Mildcats are two wins from Bowl eligibility
7. ASU- Judy Carpenter and the Sun Devils were supposed to compete for the Pac 10 title. now they'll be lucky to play in a bowl game.
8. UCLA- If not for a gift from the officials the game in Eugene wouldn't have been close.

Week 5 Pac 8 rankings

2008-10-06T20:39:00.000-07:00

Last week I excluded the Huskies and Cougars from my weekly rankings. I have decided to continue that this week because neither team has showed they belong in the Pac 10.

1. USC- The Trojans made quick work of Nick Aliotti's pathetic defense.
2. Cal- The Bears look to be the team to beat in the Pac 10 after the Trojans.
3. OS(U)- Nice choke job against Utah!
4. Oregon- If Mike Bellotti won't fire Nick Aliotti then Pat Kilkenny should fire Mike Bellotti.
5. Arizona- The four teams the Wildcats have beat are a combined 4-17.
6. Arizona St- The Sun Devils are the biggest disappointment in the conference.
7. Stanford- At least they beat the Beavers.
8. UCLA- I must admit that I enjoy watching a Rick Neuheisel coached team struggle.

26.2 x 5

2008-10-05T19:46:00.000-07:00

Most people will never run a single Marathon in their lifetime. As of today I have completed five of them. This one was nothing impressive. I ran it in four hours and twelve miute.s but I finished. It was short of my goal, but 18 minutes faster than my disasterous Eugene Marathon. Eventually I'll get back to running them in 3:30 but for today I'll take 4:12.

Weekend Picks

2008-10-02T08:06:00.000-07:00

Before I get to my picks I have another rant on OS(U). Enough of the Thursday night games, Beavers!! College football is played on Saturdays. I can think of four duck games in the last ten years played on Thursday. The Beavers are playing their third Thursday game this season.

NFL
New York Giants 30 Seattle 14
Philadelphia 24 Washington 21
Miami 24 San Diego 20
Carolina 31 Kansas City 17
Tennessee 35 Baltimore 20
Indianapolis 17 Houston 14
Chicago 13 Detroit 10
Green Bay 24 Atlanta 14
Denver 35 Tampa Bay 31
Dallas 45 Cincinnati 14
Buffalo 24 Arizona 21
New England 17 San Fransisco 14
Jacksonville 17 Pittsburgh 10
New Orleans 21 Minnesota 20

Pac 10
Utah 31 OS(u) 14
Stanford 24 Notre Dame 21
Cal 24 ASU 21
Arizona 31 Washington 24
Oregon 35 SUC 31 (Homer pick of the week)
UCLA 17 WSU 3

Top 25
Auburn 17 Vanderbilt 13
Wisconsin 21 tOSU 17

Week 5 Pac 10 Rankings

2008-09-30T20:58:00.000-07:00

Before I get started I'm got a few words for Beaver fan. You should be ashamed of yourselves. You played and beat the number one team in the country on national TV and you still could not sell out your stadium. There's a reason why you're still considered "little brother" by Duck fans. Sell out your freaking Stadium for once!

1. SUC- Sure they lost to OS but I still can't justify putting any one else in this spot
2. Oregon- The Ducks just edge the Beavers this week.
3. OS(U)- Stop complaining about being number three, you still to Stanford.
4. Cal- Not much to say about the Bears
5. ASU- Same as a above
6. Stanford- I guarantee that the Cardinal will remain atop the Pac 10 for another week.
7. Arizona- Can't begin to tell you how excited I am about that epic battle in Tucson with the Huskies this week.
8. UCLA- I will almost guarantee a Bruin victory this week over WSU.

please note: Due to the inept play of both Washington Schools I've decided to leave them out of the Pac 10 rankings.

Weekend Picks

2008-09-25T08:02:00.000-07:00

Before I give you my picks for the weekend I have to call out Beaver fan. You guys have the number one team in the nation coming to your house tonight and as of this morning there were still 2800 tickets left! I don't want to hear any excuses about it being too expensive or it being a Thursday night. Get off your lazy butts and get to the game Beaver fan!. Oregon had a sellout against one the worst teams in college football, I see no reason why you can't get sell out against USC!.

Now onto my picks. Last week was another crappy week so I'm not even going to bother adding my record up. Here are the picks:

NFL
Tennessee 35 Minnesota 21
Denver 42 Kansas City 14
New Orleans 24 San Fransisco 17
Arizona 24 New York Jets 10
Green Bay 31 Tampa Bay 21
Carolina 21 Atlanta 10
Jacksonville 24 Houston 7
Cincinnati 17 Cleveland 10
San Diego 35 Oakland 14
Buffalo 24 ST Louis 10
Dallas 28 Washington 21
Philadelphia 28 Chicago 14
Pittsburgh 14 Baltimore 10

Pac 10
USC 42 OS(U) 17
Fresno State 24 UClA 10
Cal 31 Colorado State 24
Oregon 45 WSU 10
Stanford 17 Washington 13

Top 25
Oklahoma 42 TCU 10
Alabama 24 Georgia 21
Penn State 35 Illinois 24

Week 4 Pac 10 Rankings

2008-09-22T16:35:00.000-07:00

1. USC- The only Pac 10 team worthy of anything.
2. BYU- Two wins over Pac 10 competition gives them the number two spot.
3. Penn State- The Nittany Lions made Oregon State look like, well a Pac 10 team.
4. Boise State- The Broncos may be cheap shot artists but they still beat the Ducks.
5. Georgia- The Bulldogs are overrated but they still beat ASU.
6. Maryland-Beat up on Pac 10 pretender, Cal.
7. TCU- A win over Stanford isn't too impressive but it's still a win.
8. Oklahoma State- "Come after me! I'm a man! I'm 40!"
9. UNLV- I didn't know they even had a football program.
10. New Mexico- I'm not sure Mike Stoops will have a job past this year.

Weekend Picks

2008-09-18T05:11:00.000-07:00

Last week I was 16-11 with my picks. This week I promise better results so here it goes:

NFL
Atlanta 10 Kansas City 3
Buffalo 31 Oakland 17
Tampa Bay 21 Chicago 10
Carolina 17 Minnesota 10
New England 21 Miami 13
NY Giants 24 Cincinnati 3
Tennessee 21 Houston 10
Arizona 31 Washington 28
San Fransisco 17 Detroit 13
Seattle 20 St Louis 13
Denver 24 New Orleans 14
Philadelphia 38 Pittsburgh 35
Indianapolis 24 Jacksonville 20
Baltimore 14 Cleveland 10
Green Bay 31 Dallas 28

Pac 10
UCLA 13 Arizona 10
Oregon 31 Boise State 20
Portland State 24 WSU 21
ASU 27 Georgia 24
Stanford 31 San Jose State 21

Top 25
LSU 24 Auburn 17
Florida State 21 Wake Forest 20

I never realized our next President is such a talented singer

2008-09-17T16:45:00.000-07:00

Week 3 Pac 10 Rankings

2008-09-14T21:40:00.000-07:00

1. USC- DUH
2. Oregon- A win is a win
3. ASU- How do you lose to UNLV at home?
4. Cal- I guess they belong here but how the heck did they lose to Maryland ?
5. Stanford- They lost to TCU but there's really no one else I can put.
6. OS(U)- One of three Pac 10 teams to win but lets be honest here, Hawaii sucks.
7. Arizona- New Mexico?
8. Washington- I hope Ty Willingham has his resume updated.
9. UCLA- Did the Ruins forget they had a game on Saturday?
10. Washington State- Portland State is all that stands between WSU and perfection.

Weekend Picks

2008-09-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

This season I am going to pick every NFL, PAC 10 and college games matching two top 25 teams. Keep in my mind that I am not an expert and you shouldn't be laying down bets based on my picks. I'm just a hack that loves football.

NFL
Cincinnati 24 Tennessee 13
Green Bay 35 Detroit 10
Kansas City 13 Oakland 6
New York Giants 17 St Louis 10
Indianapolis 24 MinnesotA 21
New Orleans 31 Washington 24
Carolina 17 Chicago 10
Buffalo 24 Jacksonville 17
Seattle 10 San Francisco 7
Tampa Bay 21 Atlanta 13
Houston 17 Baltimore 13
New England 21 New York Jets 20
Arizona 17 Miami 10
Denver 35 San Diego 31
Pittsburgh 24 Cleveland 21
Dallas 42 Philadelphia 38

Pac 10
Cal 31 Maryland 7
Baylor 17 WSU 10
Oregon 31 Purdue 20
UCLA 21 BYU 20
Oregon State 28 Hawaii 14
Stanford 21 TCU 13
Oklahoma 42 Washington 14
Arizona 28 New Mexico 7
ASU 42 UNLV 10
USC 42 Ohio State 17

Other NCAA
Kansas 31 South Florida 20
Fresno State 28 Wisconsin 24

7 years ago today

2008-09-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Seven years ago today the world was forever changed. It was a day in which we saw the absolute worst in humanity but through that terrible series of events we saw the best as well. It's important that we all take a moment to remember all of those who lost their lives on that day and all of those who lost their lives since that day fighting for the cause of freedom. Thanks to all of the men and women serving in our armed forces, the fire fighters, police officers and all those who go to work everyday to make the world we live in a safer place.

God Bless America!!!