College Football Bowl Picks: Standings thru Jan. 1

By Craig Filazzola, WSOE Sports

Russell is still cruising at the top, but there’s a big fight for second place.

STANDINGS
Name – Winner, Over/Under, Total Points

1. Russell – 15-10, 16-9, 46 pts
2. David – 14-11, 12-13, 40 pts
3. Tom – 13-12, 13-12, 39 pts
4. Matt – 12-13, 14-11, 38 pts
5. Craig – 13-12, 10-15, 36 pts
-  Greg – 12-13, 12-13, 36 pts
7. Jake – 9-16, 13-12, 31 pts

2 points = winner
1 points = over/under

Picks for the rest of the bowls, nine games:

Day	Russell	David	Tom	Matt	Craig	Greg	Jake
Saturday: South Florida vs. Northern Illinois O/U = 50	USF Under	USF Under	USF Under	NIU Under	USF Over	USF Over	NIU Under
Saturday: South Carolina vs. Connecticut O/U = 51.5	South Carolina Under	UConn Under	South Carolina Under	UConn Under	UConn Over	UConn Under	South Carolina Over
Saturday: Mississippi vs. Oklahoma State O/U = 50.5	Ole Miss Over	OSU Over	Ole Miss Over	OSU Under	Ole Miss Over	OSU Over	Ole Miss Over
Saturday: East Carolina vs. Arkansas O/U = 63.5	Arkansas Under	ECU Under	Arkansas Over	Arkansas Under	Arkansas Under	Arkansas Under	ECU Under
Saturday: Michigan State vs. Texas Tech O/U = 60.5	Texas Tech Under	Texas Tech Under	Texas Tech Over	Texas Tech Under	Texas Tech Under	Texas Tech Over	Michigan State Under
Monday: Boise State vs. TCU O/U = 55	TCU Under	TCU Under	TCU Under	TCU Over	TCU Over	TCU Over	Boise Sate Over
Tuesday: Georgia Tech vs. Iowa O/U = 51	Iowa Under	Georgia Tech Over	Georgia Tech Under	Georgia Tech Over	Georgia Tech Over	Georgia Tech Under	Iowa Over
Wednesday: Central Michigan vs. Troy O/U = 63.5	CMU Under	CMU Under	CMU Under	CMU Under	CMU Under	CMU Over	Troy Under
Thursday: Alabama vs. Texas O/U = 45	Alabama Under	Alabama Over	Alabama Under	Texas Over	Alabama Over	Texas Under	Texas Over

 

Contact Information:
Craig Filazzola
WSOE Sports
cfilazzola@elon.edu

College Football Bowl Picks: Standings thru Dec. 30

By Craig Filazzola, WSOE Sports Director

With Idaho dramatically defeating Bowling Green and Nebraska’s domination over Arizona, only Russell and David stayed in the same place.

STANDINGS
Name – Winner, Over/Under, Total Points

1. Russell – 10-5, 10-5, 30 pts
2. Tom – 8-7, 8-7, 24 pts
3. David – 8-7, 7-8, 23 pts
-  Greg – 8-7, 7-8, 23 pts
5. Matt – 7-8, 7-8, 21 pts
6. Jake – 6-9, 8-7, 20 pts
7. Craig – 7-8, 5-10, 19 pts

2 points = winner
1 points = over/under

Picks for the next two days, ten games:

Day	Russell	Tom	David	Greg	Matt	Jake	Craig
Thursday: Air Force vs. Houston O/U = 62	Houston Under	Houston Over	Air Force Over	Houston Over	Houston Over	Houston Under	Houston Over
Thursday: Stanford vs. Oklahoma O/U = 56.5	Oklahoma Over	Stanford Over	Stanford Under	Stanford Over	Stanford Over	Stanford Under	Oklahoma Under
Thursday: Missouri vs. Navy O/U = 52.5	Missouri Over	Missouri Over	Navy Over	Missouri Over	Navy Under	Missouri Under	Missouri Under
Thursday: Minnesota vs. Iowa State O/U = 48.5	Minnesota Under	Minnesota Under	Minnesota Under	Iowa State Under	Iowa State Under	Minnesota Over	Iowa State Under
Thursday: Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee O/U = 48.5	Virginia Tech Under	Virginia Tech Under	Virginia Tech Under	Virginia Tech Under	Virginia Tech Over	Tennessee Over	Virginia Tech Over
Friday: Northwestern vs. Auburn O/U = 54.5	Auburn Over	Auburn Under	Auburn Under	N’Western Under	Auburn Under	Auburn Over	Auburn Under
Friday: Penn State vs. LSU O/U = 44	Penn State Over	Penn State Over	LSU Under	Penn State Over	LSU Over	LSU Over	LSU Over
Friday: Florida State vs. West Virginia O/U = 60.5	West Virginia Under	Florida State Under	Florida State Under	West Virginia Under	West Virginia Under	Florida State Under	Florida State Under
Friday: Ohio State vs. Oregon O/U = 51.5	Oregon Under	Oregon Over	Oregon Under	Oregon Over	Oregon Over	Oregon Over	Oregon Over
Friday: Florida vs. Cincinnati O/U = 57	Florida Over	Florida Over	Florida Under	Florida Over	Florida Over	Florida Over	Florida Under

 

Contact Information:
Craig Filazzola
WSOE Sports Director
cfilazzola@elon.edu

College Football Bowl Picks: Standings thru Dec. 29

By Craig Filazzola, WSOE Sports Director

Russell rolls on and goes 4-0 for Tuesday.

STANDINGS
Name – Winner, Over/Under, Total Points

1. Russell – 8-5, 9-4, 25 pts
2. Matt – 7-6, 7-6, 21 pts
3. David – 6-7, 7-6, 19 pts
-  Tom – 6-7, 7-6, 19 pts
5. Craig – 7-6, 4-9, 18 pts
- Greg – 6-7, 6-7, 18 pts
-  Jake – 5-8, 8-5, 18 pts

2 points = winner
1 points = over/under

Picks for the next two days, seven games:

Day	Matt	David	Russell	Craig	Greg	Tom	Jake
Wednesday: Idaho vs. Bowling Green O/U = 68	BGU Under	Idaho Under	Idaho Under	BGU Under	Idaho Under	Idaho Under	BGU Under
Wednesday: Arizona vs. Nebraska O/U = 40	Arizona Over	Nebraska Over	Nebraska Under	Arizona Under	Nebraska Under	Nebraska Under	Nebraska Over
Thursday: Air Force vs. Houston O/U = 62	Houston Over	Air Force Over	Houston Under	Houston Over	Houston Over	Houston Over	Houston Under
Thursday: Stanford vs. Oklahoma O/U = 56.5	Stanford Over	Stanford Under	Oklahoma Over	Oklahoma Under	Stanford Over	Stanford Over	Stanford Under
Thursday: Missouri vs. Navy O/U = 52.5	Navy Under	Navy Over	Missouri Over	Missouri Under	Missouri Over	Missouri Over	Missouri Under
Thursday: Minnesota vs. Iowa State O/U = 48.5	Iowa State Under	Minnesota Under	Minnesota Under	Iowa State Under	Iowa State Under	Minnesota Under	Minnesota Over
Thursday: Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee O/U = 48.5	Virginia Tech Over	Virginia Tech Under	Virginia Tech Under	Virginia Tech Over	Virginia Tech Under	Virginia Tech Under	Tennessee Over

Contact Information:
Craig Filazzola
WSOE Sports Director
cfilazzola@elon.edu

College Football Bowl Picks: Standings thru Dec. 28

By Craig Filazzola, WSOE Sports Director

It was only a matter of time for Russell to make his way to number one.  Only three points separate the top six, and there are plenty of games remaining.

STANDINGS

Name – Winner, Over/Under, Total Points

1. Russell – 6-5, 7-4, 19 pts
2. Matt – 6-5, 6-5, 18 pts
-  David – 6-5, 6-5, 18 pts
4. Greg – 6-5, 5-6, 17 pts
5. Craig – 6-5, 4-7, 16 pts
-  Tom – 5-6, 6-5, 16 pts
7. Jake – 4-7, 6-5, 14 pts

2 points = winner
1 points = over/under

Picks for the next four games:

Day	Matt	David	Russell	Craig	Greg	Tom	Jake
Tuesday: Temple vs. UCLA O/U = 46.5	Temple Under	Temple Under	UCLA Over	UCLA Under	Temple Under	UCLA Under	UCLA Over
Tuesday: Miami (FL) vs. Wisconsin O/U = 57.5	Wisconsin Under	Miami Under	Wisconsin Under	Miami Over	Miami Under	Miami Under	Miami Over
Wednesday: Idaho vs. Bowling Green O/U = 68	BGU Under	Idaho Under	Idaho Under	BGU Under	Idaho Under	Idaho Under	BGU Under
Wednesday: Arizona vs. Nebraska O/U = 40	Arizona Over	Nebraska Over	Nebraska Under	Arizona Under	Nebraska Under	Nebraska Under	Nebraska Over

Contact Information:
Craig Filazzola
WSOE Sports Director
cfilazzola@elon.edu

NCAA: From Signal Caller to Head Coach

By Greg Brzozowski, WSOE Sports

When I heard Urban Meyer was stepping down from the University of Florida as the head coach due to health reasons, I already had the perfect coach in mind for the Gators to hire. His name… Tim Tebow!

Yes, I believe that the soon-to-be former quarterback for Florida should forego the NFL Draft and become the new head coach at his alma mater. It works out perfectly for the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner. Earlier this season, Meyer said that he sees Tebow coaching one day in the future, most likely at Florida, and all be it he has no prior coaching experience, it’s a near perfect time for him to inherit the position now. If there’s one job that Tebow would be perfect for, it’s this Gators position now for these reasons.

Meyer leaves the same year Tebow is graduating after spending four years under his coach’s personal guidance, where he ran his offense, knew his schemes, and definitely racked his coach’s brain about everything he knew about football. He knows the life of a college football player at the most publicized level through his own experience and would know how to relate with his players still on his team and what recruiting methods work through the discussions he had with those same players and coaches. We all know he’s a great and inspiring speaker and that the school loves him, considering they engraved his speech after the Ole Miss loss last year into their fricken stadium. He wins on every level he’s ever played at and knows the ins and outs of every SEC team, player, and coach. I think Florida at least needs to offer him the job. Forget bringing in a guy from another school that would change their system, which has proven great results for the school. You bring in Tebow and draw him away from the NFL with this argument: in the pros, he might not even play quarterback because scouts question his ability to run a pro styled offense, with many visualizing him as a fullback, linebacker, or wildcat QB (much like a Michael Vick or Pat White), meaning he would have to change his game completely.

But if he stayed at Florida, he would have the opportunity to be the youngest coach ever in the history of college football, make a decent salary comparable to what he’d make as an average NFL player (after all the revenue he made for UF in four years, they would owe him), and get to do what he loves (being in football and being a leader). If he were to catch fire, become a top-notch coach, and have a long and amazing career, he would smash Joe Paterno’s record for all time wins and go down as one of College Football’s greatest players and coaches ever. Not to mention from a fan’s perspective, it would be the closest thing to a player coach as we’ve seen in a long time and the most interesting thing to maybe ever happen in sports. I know I would tune in for every Gators game if Tebow were coaching. Just imagine, the Georgia Dome, for the SEC Championship, a jubilant 23 year old coach drenched in Gatorade shakes an embarrassed Nick Saben’s hand after winning his first conference championship and heading to another BCS Championship game, this time, manning the sidelines. I don’t know about you, but I would give anything to see that happen.

Unfortunately, I know this will not happen. Tebow will be in a pro city next season in an uncertain role and Florida will find a somewhat suitable replacement for Meyer. But if there is one thing that Tim Tebow has done in his time in college, it’s make fans believe that he can do anything and everything. Maybe we’ll get to see him try.

Contact Information:
Greg Brzozowski
WSOE Sports
gbrzozowski@elon.edu

College Football Bowl Picks: Standings thru Dec. 26

By Craig Filazzola, WSOE Sports Director

The standings didn’t change too much after one day, but here are how they look.

1. Matt – 5-4, 5-4, 15 pts
2. David – 4-5, 6-3, 14 pts
3. Russell – 4-5, 5-4, 13 pts
4. Craig – 4-5, 3-6, 11 pts
- Greg – 4-5, 3-6, 11 pts
- Tom – 3-6, 5-4, 11 pts
7. Jake – 2-7, 4-5, 8 pts

2 points = winner
1 points = over/under

Picks for the next four games:

Day	Matt	David	Russell	Craig	Greg	Tom	Jake
Sunday: Kentucky vs. Clemson O/U = 52.5	Clemson Under	Clemson Over	Clemson Under	Clemson Over	Clemson Under	Clemson Over	Clemson Under
Monday: Georgia vs. Texas A&M O/U = 64.5	Texas A&M Over	Georgia Over	Georgia Under	Georgia Under	Georgia Under	Georgia Under	Georgia Under
Tuesday: Temple vs. UCLA O/U = 46.5	Temple Under	Temple Under	UCLA Over	UCLA Under	Temple Under	UCLA Under	UCLA Over
Tuesday: Miami (FL) vs. Wisconsin O/U = 57.5	Wisconsin Under	Miami Under	Wisconsin Under	Miami Over	Miami Under	Miami Under	Miami Over

Contact Information:
Craig Filazzola
WSOE Sports Director
cfilazzola@elon.edu

College Football Bowl Picks: Standings thru Dec. 25

By Craig Filazzola, WSOE Sports Director

Through the first six bowls, most of us have nothing to brag about.  Hopefully we won’t embarrass ourselves.

STANDINGS:
Name – Winner, Over/Under, Total Points 

1. Matt – 3-3, 4-2, 10 pts
2. David – 2-4, 4-2, 8 pts
- Tom – 2-4, 4-2, 8 pts
4. Russell – 2-4, 3-3, 7 pts
- Greg – 2-4, 3-3, 7 pts
6. Craig – 2-4, 2-4, 6 pts
7. Jake – 1-5, 3-3, 5 pts

2 points – winner
1 point – over/under

NOTES:
- David is the only one that thinks Marshall will defeat Ohio, while Greg is the only one to take the over (49.5 points)
- The UNC-Pittsburgh picks will shake up the standings (over/under is 44.5 points):
UNC, over – Tom, David, and Jake
Pittsburgh, over – Craig, Greg, and Matt
Pittsburgh, under – Russell
- Everyone has USC beating Boston College, but David stands alone for taking the under (44.5 points)

Contact Information:
Craig Filazzola
WSOE Sports Director
cfilazzola@elon.edu

2004 NFL Draft

By Tom Waterman

Now almost six years removed from the now infamous 2004 NFL Draft that featured one of the most prominent Quarterback classes of all-time. We are all now faced with the question of which one of those quarterbacks is the best. Here is a quick recap of the players.

Drafted with the first pick overall was Eli Manning out of the University of Mississippi. As we all remember, Manning was subsequently traded to the New York Giants mere hours after being selected by the San Diego Chargers. So far in his career, Manning has led the New York Giants to two NFC East titles, a Super Bowl victory over the previously unbeaten New England Patriots, and to four consecutive (possibly soon to be five) playoff appearances.

Along with the success of his team, Manning has continued to improve each year in the league and now regarded by most as one of the top quarterbacks in the league.

Eli Manning Career Stats:

124 Touchdowns

85 Interceptions

56.7% completion percentage

79.3 QB rating

50-35 as a starter

Drafted with the fourth pick that year was Philip Rivers out of North Carolina State University. Rivers, who was originally drafted by the New York Giants, was ultimately traded to the Chargers for Eli Manning and is now in his fourth season as the starter for the San Diego Chargers. He has led his team to two AFC championship appearances, and has also had four consecutive seasons with at least 20 touchdowns and 3,000 yards passing.

Philip Rivers Career Stats:

103 Touchdowns

45 Interceptions

62.9% completion percentage

95.3 QB rating

44-18 as a starter

Not to be forgotten, also drafted with the tenth pick that year was Ben Roethlisberger out of the University of Miami Ohio. Roethlisberger has two Super Bowl Rings with Steelers and quarterbacked the first playoff team to win three consecutive road playoff games in route to winning the Super Bowl.

Ben Roethlisberger Career Stats:

123 Touchdowns

80 Interceptions

63.4% completion percentage

91.6 QB rating

Regardless of what you value more, team success or individual statistics. People all are of a differing opinion of which quarterback is better. Either way, this QB class of 2004 will certainly go down as one of the best of all time. So which quarterback would you want on your team?

NFL MVP Poll Question

College Football Bowl Picks: Standings through Dec. 21

By Craig Filazzola, WSOE Sports Director

Three bowl games have been played, and we are all TIED.  You’ll see that we didn’t get off to a great start by the standings.

Here is how our point system works.

2 points – winner
1 point – over/under

STANDINGS:
Name – Winner, Over/Under, Total Points 

1. Craig – 1-2, 1-2, 3 pts
- David – 0-3, 3-0, 3 pts
- Greg – 1-2, 1-2, 3 pts
- Jake – 1-2, 1-2, 3 pts
- Matt – 1-2, 1-2, 3 pts
- Russell – 1-2, 1-2, 3 pts
- Tom – 1-2, 1-2, 3 pts

NOTES:
- Nobody picked Middle Tennessee State to upset Southern Mississippi last night.
- Everyone thinks Oregon State will defeat BYU tomorrow night.
- Jake is the only one to pick California over Utah for Wednesday night.

Contact Information:
Craig Filazzola
WSOE Sports Director
cfilazzola@elon.edu