Labor Day college sports round up

Hopefully y’all are having a great weekend full of football and barbecue. I’m getting ready for a move so in between football and nachos, I’m packing things up and getting this place all tidied up. This has been an eventful weekend, and I’m still full of vigor thanks to the start of the season. So what’s been happening?

SEC Players of the Week

Great news of Kentucky fans: the SEC released it’s player of the week list and Trevard Lindley was named the defensive player of the week. Congratualtions to Lindley, a two-star recruit out of high school, whose stepped up in a big way under Rich Brooks. Also congratulations to Alabama’s Mark Ingram – he was named offensive player of the week which was utterly unsuprising. Ingram had the game of his life against the Hokies and he really let people know that they Tide wasn’t just going to roll over on any games this season.

McAdoo’s Choice

In UK basketball recruiting news – James McAdoo has chosen UNC over all the other schools he was looking that. He’s going to be a Tarheel. Good choice by the junior power forward. I heard he was visiting on alumni weekend, you know, the weekend that draws the likes of Michael Jordan, and I can imagine that being there really helped seal the deal.

Isiah Thomas Renegs on Renegging

It looks like FIU will actually play UNC after all. That’s a good move for Isiah Thomas because dropping out of a CHARITY event because of a difficult opponent comes across as petulant and awful. Furthermore, playing the defending national champions will bring attention to FIU no matter what, and any attention, even if the team loses (which they will) is better than being totally ignored. Thomas, or someone who has some sway over his actions, must have seen the error of his ways.

Memphis Meltdown

Memphis is appealing the NCAA’s decision to vacate the historic 2007-2008 season (38 wins, y’all). They are not appealing any of the other punishments handed down by the NCAA, which is probably for the best. I doubt that anything will come of this – the NCAA isn’t big on having their rulings reversed, but I guess anything is possible (maybe), so we’ll just have to follow this story until it’s completely dead (hopefully soon). Selfishly, I want Memphis to win the appeal, just so I don’t have to hear any more idiotic Cal jokes or defend him to ignoramuses who barely even follow college basketball.

Bradford Bust-up

There is still no time table for when Sam Bradford will return. According to OK coach Bob Stoops, Bradford has a grade 2 or 3 sprain, either of which sounds pretty serious. Along those same lines, OK doesn’t know when Jermaine Gersham (you know, one of those players who chooses to put off pro careers so that they can make their legacy in college) will be back from a knee injury. Colt McCoy is praying for Bradford, and I’m guessing the whole Schooner Squad will be, too, especially if they wish to continue posing a Big (12) threat.

Punch Heard ‘Round the World

I’ve written enough about the Oregon player punching the player from Boise State, but if you want to read something in addition to that on the topic, try here and here.

Wildcats start off the season strong

I’ve been watching football all day and I still haven’t gotten rid of the smile I got when I finally got to see the Wildcats play. After waiting for this day ever since bastketball season ended, it was a sweet, sweet game. UK looked a bit shakey in the first quarter, looking for their footing and trying to make something happen. By the second quarter UK was geared up. Mike Hartline looks like the Hartline that we saw in the Liberty Bowl. He is significantly improved from last season – he had 222 yards and 2 touchdowns, leading the Cats over Miami. Randall Cobb is a complete beast. He’s an unstoppable twinkle-toes, zipping around the defense, and managing to be right where Hartline needs him. Chris Matthews was also invaluable, and Moncell Allen and Derrick Locke led in rushing. The team looks like they are full of fire, and hopefully all the pieces will work this well in the upcoming weeks. UK has now won 15 straight non-conference games, an absolutely phenomenal streak. Rich Brooks has done a terrific job with the team.

Great game – I can’t wait to see another. GO CATS.

It’s here it’s here it’s here!!

Tonight, college football starts its 2009 season. I am so excited I can barely contain myself. My house is filled to the brim with soda, beer, and snacks. I am so ready.

But before we get too deep into football, let’s touch on UK basketball. First, it looks like John Calipari has given Obama a signed UK #44 jersery. Personally, I think this is really awesome. No, I don’t think the President will wear it and no I don’t think that this is some weird political message. Here’s what it is – the PRESIDENT of our country has a UK jersey. That is a nice deal. And, if what people say is true, and UNC is using pictures of Obama with the team in the recruitment, then, well, then I’m stoked that UK has something similar to throw out there, too.

Oh, and if you’re still there, go ahead and read Matt Jones’s impressions from his time watching the team practice. It gave me chills, straight up. My only criticism – why did he have to write it now when college basketball is still so far away?!

Right, well on to football.

First, some levity. I’m in my early-mid twenties and now’s the time when my friends are beginning to hear the seductive song of cupid, wafting down upon them, driving them into the sticky, cloying arms of commitment. After hearing so much wedding talk, I’m glad to read that Clay Travis has some real perspective on the issue. If it comes to choosing between celebrating the fact that my friend found love and watching UK play…welll, it’s a tough call.

Second, the games start tonight. Are you ready? Here’s what’s on the docket:

1. South Carolina @ NC State – I think Steve Spurrier can pull this one off. It’d be great for the Cocks and the SEC if they can start off with a win.

2. Troy @ Bowling Green – Have to say Troy on this one since they have to potential to be one of the most promising non-BCS programs.

3. Villanova @ Temple – This could be a good game – Temple is middle of the pack in the MAC, while Villanova stays strong in the CAA. I’ll put my money on ‘nova, but nothing will surprise me here.

4. Coastal Carolina @ Kent State – Kent State’s the better program, and I see them coming up on top.

5. North Texas @ Ball State – Ball State led the MAC last year and  I don’t see them falling to a team that scraped the bottom of the Sun Belt.

6. North Dakota @ Iowa State – North Dakota, especially since Iowa State has to adjust to a new coach.

7. Eastern Kentucky @ Indiana – Indiana, even coming off a poor year, should be able to handle EKU, a dominant force in the Ohio Valley Conference, but weak overall.

8. Utah State @ Utah – Utah. Even though Utah State will be fired up, Utah is bringing in team members and a coach who went undefeated last season.

9. Oregon @ Boise State – This is the game to watch. Folks, if you only watch one game tonight, make it this one. Both teams are ranked (16 and 14 respectively). I’m going with Boise State on this one. Both programs are strong, but Boise has more on the line and an overall better team.

Woo-hoo! Just 2.5 more hours until it begins.