"Forever Young" - College Football Games of the Week

How fitting that on the eve of Texas playing a big game this weekend against OK-State that Vince Young will get his first start in a long time.  All I have to say is "save your career young man...save your career."  But then again, he can't be any worse than 47 year old Kerry Collins. 

Last Week 1-4

Overall 20-20


North Carolina at No. 13 Virginia Tech
If UNC can win, it will make the game against Duke next week that more exciting.  Then again, it's homecoming so it probably won't matter.  I've been picking my boys all year, but after the FSU game last week, it seems as though the offense has lost its confidence.  Va Tech is at home, plus their defense may equal trouble for a sputtering UNC offense...Pokies 20-10

No. 3 Texas at No. 14 Oklahoma State
This is my upset pick of the week.  Even without Bryant (the NCAA did him wrong), Ok State will play well.  Texas struggled two weeks ago on a neutral site against OU.  They wont be so lucky in Stillwater (shout out to Dey-Dey)...OKST 30-17

No. 5 USC at No. 10 Oregon
I've been doubting USC all year, mainly because of the upset factor.  They might be a legitmate top 5 team.  I expect this to be a ball game.  If Joe McKnight, the second coming of Reggie Bush (w/o the fumbles), gets off, USC will roll...USC 28-24

No. 22 South Carolina at Tennessee
The Vols played well enough to win last week, they also played bad enough on special teams last week to loose, which they did.  But Lane and his Daddy (Monte) got the Vols playing well.  Get Crompton out of the pocket like the UGA game, and the Vols can get their second big win of the season...Vols 31-17

Black College Football Game of the Week
Central State vs. North Carolina Central
These two teams have a lot in common.  They both have the word Central in their school name, they are both 1-6, and they are both AWFUL in football.  But it's homecoming at NCCU... and I'm going...Eagles 21-14

"Mo' Money...Mo' Problems"

Biggie said it best, but I'm willing to argue that with "NO money, comes Mo' Problems", just ask Michael Vick!

In 12 years, Antoine Walker made more than $110 million playing professional basketball moderately well. Take away taxes, throw in some adidas endorsement money and a "NBA Live 99" cover, and he's left with, what, $60-to-65 million?

Whatever the details, it was a big chunk of change, which, amazingly, wasn't enough. 

Living at the Bishops Forest condominium complex in Waltham during the Celtics season, Walker turned the pavement surrounding his home into a virtual luxury car lot — two Bentleys, two Mercedes, a Range Rover, a Cadillac Escalade, a bright red Hummer. Often, the vehicles were tricked out with custom paint jobs, rims, and sound systems at considerable added expense. He also collected top-line watches — Rolexes and diamond-encrusted Cartiers."

Who feels sorry for Mr. Walker?  "Not I said the dog..."

"No Ceilings"

I'm convinced that today’s hip hop music should only be for the listening ears of those folks who can differentiate between right and wrong. The lyrics of hip hop artists are not what our young people should be raised on. I encourage parents and future parents to be role models. Take the time to teach life lessons and not allow the media to raise our young people. With that being said…


For the Hip Hop Heads (shout out to Royce)...

I don't know hip hop fans, if I was Lil Wayne, I would be "proud" of myself too (from a lyrical standpoint, not from having all them kids...that's not cool) after listening to his version of "Run this Town."

He also rips "wasted" and "swag surfin." Give a listen below and by clicking the title. (Parental Advisory).

Somebody let me know where I can get the "No Ceilings" mixtape...

Lil Wayne - Run This Town | Audio | Rap Basement

"Bad Boy(s) For Life"

Jadakiss recently revealed how close The LOX actually are to signing a deal with Diddy, actually saying that the rap-mogul has already overed the group a one-album deal. "Our main focus right now is that Lox album," Jada stressed in an interview. "It might be coming out through Diddy, it might be coming out through some other people, but it's going down. Yeah, Diddy just did a new deal with Interscope as y'all know with his Dirty Money and all his other stuff, he put an offer out there for a one album deal over there, so you know, we thinking about making it. If it don't make dollars, it could make cents and we'll do it again."

I'm a little indifferent about this decision.  The LOX on Bad Boy made beautiful music back in the day.  However these days, unless you a R&B boy band (Day 26), Diddy is bound to screw up your career (Danity Kane, Shyne).

Check out a flashback joint from the "Money, Power, Respect" album.

"Her Heart"

When Charles Tillman was asked to speak to some members of the United States Congress about the Berlin Heart, the Bears cornerback didn’t hesitate to accept the invitation. A year ago, the revolutionary device kept his infant daughter, Tiana, alive while she awaited a heart transplant that saved her life.



Tillman traveled today to Washington, where he’ll speak at a luncheon in a congressional meeting room at the U.S. Capitol Visitor’s Center. The event will highlight medical technologies that are helping to lower health care costs and improve the quality of life for patients with cardiovascular disease.
 
For more on the Berlin Heart, click here. 
 
This is a great story!  It doesn't even matter that you loss by 30 points to the Bengals or that you got beat for two touchdowns by Chad Ochocino.  In fact, it shouldn't matter at all when it comes to life.

"Gotta be the Shoes"

We all knew that Michael Jordan was a tad bit cocky and arrogant...but he backed it up on the basketball court. His youngest son Marcus hasn't even come close to his father's basketball skills, yet he is refusing to wear shoes made by adidas, the brand the University of Central Florida has a contract with for all its sports. He says he will only wear his father's Nike Air Jordan shoes because it holds special meaning to his family.

A fight over the shoes Michael Jordan's son will wear at the University of Central Florida could cost the school financially, 3 million dollars, maybe more.

If it was me, until Michael Jordan becomes a UCF booster and donates about 10 million to UCF athletic department, that joker will be wearing All Day I Dream About School (ADIDAS) or I would release him from his scholy. There is no I in team, but there is one in WIN as MJ said. But the last time I checked, Marcus hasn’t won any big games!

"I'm not Sure What's Worst..."

...the Titans loosing 59-0 to the Patriots or Jeff Fisher (Titans coach) rocking a Colts Jersey to a charity event.

To make matters even worst, Fisher says "I just wanted to feel like a winner."  For those who don't follow football, the Titans have not won a game all year.

"Eff his life!"  LMBO!

"My President's..." - College Football Games of the Week

...COOL." No, not Barack, I mean, he's cool too but so is Ga Tech's President Bud Peterson. Before he came to his senses with his plans to severely punish the group that led the goalpost charge to his home, he was making a speech like the one in the video. Although very cautious with his words, I appreciate the fact that he would have invited them inside his house if it wasn't so many of them (yeah right).

This story almost seems like Déjà Vu. The last time a goal post was torn down at UNC was when we beat Florida State back in 2003 (shout out to Dre Wesson who led that charge).

Last Week 3-2
Overall 19-16

This Week
Florida State at North Carolina
Goal Posts?  Well, FSU will be a tough play although their record says otherwise. We are making history by hosting our very first Thursday night football game (Thanks Roy, just my opinion).  This our chance to stick it to them and pay them back for when Greg Jones ran over Dexter Reid (click here) a few years back.  If Yates has a good game, we win!  Plain and Simple...UNC 31-24

Tennessee at No. 2 Alabama
UT had a great win against UGA two weeks ago.  Now back to reality.  Crompton is ok, but not good.  Unless safety Eric Berry plays QB, RB, WR, DB, and safety, the Vols will not be able to keep up with Alabama.  UA 35-21

No. 13 Penn State at Michigan
Michigan's quarterback Forcier will win a Heisman if he stays healthy and stays in school for at least 3 years.  I think he's that good, maybe even better than Pryor from OSU (sorry eddie).  Penn State is good, but being on the road in Ann Arbor will pose some issues... UM 27-20 

No. 8 TCU at No. 16 Brigham Young
BYU just may be back after getting smacked by FSU early in the season.  They are averaging almost 45 points a game in their last four games.  The only issue is TCU is putting up just as many points. The first team to get a stop in the 4th quarter wins... BYU 42-38

HBCU Game of the Week (ESPNU Thurs night)
Prairie View vs. Southern University
"Without the band, it's just a game" was my high school band slogan.  Apparently Prairie View and Grambling State bands felt the same way after continuing to play after the offense broke the huddle during last week's game...so they got FINED.  This is actually going to be a good game between two of your better teams in the SWAC.  I'm going with my home state over the purple and gold, SU puts up points, lots of them...SU 42-24

"Chopped and Screwed"

Exclusive: NeNe Leakes Says 'Housewives' Producers Wrongly Portray Her

NeNe Leakes quickly became the breakout star of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" and has enjoyed the rewards of her overnight stardom. However, the tell-it-like-it-is diva recently experienced what she deems a harsh reality bite on her character. NeNe reached out to ESSENCE.com to get a few things off her chest about the business of dramality TV.
To read more, click here.
Why should society feel sorry for individuals (reality tv stars) who portray their life in front of a camera?  This ain't football, you can't get a do over.  Producers and companies pay you a decent amount of money to "chop and screw" (RIP DJ Screw) up your life any way they want to and then put it out there for the world to see. 

Suck it up and move on.  Besides, just my personal opinion, I'm not saying I watch the show or anything, but NeNe is the fire starter, which is why Bravo will keep her on there.

"College...Spread the Word"

When you were applying to college, did you have some of the same fears or did you already know you were going to college, just didn't know where?

For me, I knew I was going to college and I had my favorite list of schools, it was just a matter of where.  The hardest thing for me from the list above was sitting down trying to find scholarships.  Seem like I applied for about 30, only got 2 or 3 for just the first year only. 

"The Locals"

Jasper Howard, a 20-year-old cornerback from Miami, Florida, was stabbed to death early Sunday after a student dance on the campus in Storrs, authorities said. He was a star football player for UConn and a soon to be dad.

After thinking about this for a few days, I don't understand why no one didnt step up immediatedly, especially when all of these people are standing around. A coach should never have to go identify the body of one of his players. I can't imagine that phone call he had to make to his mother.

Therefore my questions is: Why do "locals" hang out near on campus college environments? If college is not for you or wasn't (drop out) for you, then there is no reason for you to be near a campus without a specific reason or purpose in my opinion, especially for an on campus party.

"Grow Up...ya Nasty"

I know, it has nothing to do with spots, music, or education...but it has everything to do with life!

Shout out to NS for this one...

"Road Trip" - College Football Picks of the Week

Seeing friends and former colleagues...A blessing

Crashing on two air mattresses and a GREEN couch...Thank you (Andrea)

Watching about 60 people trip over the steps in section A of Neyland and UT spank UGA...Smiles (shout out to the lil kid who sat behind us)

Old City...Memories

Three guys (shout out to Mark and Jeff) and an overweight dog (Coach), just like old times...Priceless!
Last Week 2-3

Overall 16-14

This Week

No. 8 Cincinnati at No. 21 South Florida
Cincinnati will get knocked back to normal in this game.  The bearcats starting QB was told in the spring by coaches to act like he wanted to be here and he's proved that since then.  But any BCS hopes goes out the windown with a loss to SF...SF 42-30

No. 6 USC at No. 25 Notre Dame
I really do believe Notre Dame is back.  I expect USC's freshman quarterback to falter in a hostile environment.  The ND faithful has been waiting for a few years to field a decent team against USC this will be their best chance.  Clausen becomes a superstar in this game... ND 38-30

No. 4 Virginia Tech at No. 19 Georgia Tech
The battle for supremacy in the ACC is on the line.  The way Ga Tech is running the ball, I don't see any team in the ACC stoping them, especially the way they rolled over FSU last week.  I expect this to be a better game than the USC game and a close one.  Ga Tech 24-23

No. 20 Oklahoma vs. No. 3 Texas
Sam Bradford should make his return against Texas but I wouldnt expect much.  Colt McCoy is leading the Heisman race in my opinion.  I expect them to make a statement in this game vs. OU...Texas 28-17

HBCU Game of the Week
Fayetteville State vs. Johnson C. Smith
It's homecoming in Charlotte so expect JCSU crowd to be rocking from the band and other festivities, but don't count on the football team to join in on the party... FSU 31-17

"Ummmm..."

...one word to describe this guy other than...INSANE!

"My Pants Hang Low..."

...well not anymore.  Maybe like 15 years ago! Morehouse College is implementing a dress code as part of the President's "Five Wells: well read, well spoken, well-traveled, well dressed and well balanced."

The "well dressed" portion of the creed includes things like not wearing do-rags outside of residence halls, no sunglasses in class, no jeans at major programs, no pajamas outside of the dorm, no dental grills, no women's garb and my personal favorite: no sagging.  For the full story, click here.

While I love this idea, I can see the challenges up ahead they will face with getting students to buy into this idea.  What's a rule with no consequences?  Some of these things are common sense!  Who wears sunglasses in class?  At any rate, I'm going to make a point to let every young man (or woman, you know what I'm talking about) who where their pants low to pull them up.

Motivation

The Huge Gender Gap in African-American Graduate School Enrollments

Black women are making most of the gains as it relates to Graduate School enrollments. In the fall of 2008, there were 121,113 black women enrolled in graduate school compared to 45,738 black men.

Thus, black women accounted for a whopping 72.6 percent of all African-American graduate school enrollments. In contrast, women make up 60.9 percent of white graduate school enrollments.

What's most important is that we pay attention to both of those numbers combined. The opportunities are there, you must have the motivation and will to take advantage of them. Regardless of how well you performed in undergrad, like standardize tests, your college GPA it's not an indicator of how well one performs at the next level. It does mean however you will have to try a little harder than others to get to where you want to be.

"Liar Liar..." - College Football Games of the Week

All-America receiver Dez Bryant played in Oklahoma State's first three games of the season while compliance officials were investigating an apparent meeting with former NFL players Deion Sanders and Omar Stoutmire that he later lied about to the NCAA thus Bryant has been ruled ineligible for violating an NCAA bylaw, the school announced Wednesday.

To read the full article, click here.

The following goes back to the age old question, should college athletes be paid, especially if they actually play a huge role in that particular sports revenue. For example, if Florida didn't have Tim Tebow, would they really sell out every home game? Yes, bad example, but you get the point. Tim Tebow is a star, although overrated in my opinion.

I'm determined to finish the year with over a .500 win loss percentage. I can't afford to give up my day job, that's why I do what I do, besides, I haven't been off by that much...have I? I love the comments though, keep them coming. Feel free to cast your picks in the comments section, especially if you think you can beat me.

Last Week 1-4 (thanks to shaw)
Overall 14-11
This Week

Georgia at Tennessee
UNC's plays Ga Southern therefore I'm substituting them for my other alma mater, besides, I will be at this game. UTK played Auburn close last week, do it again Saturday and they beat UGA. Look for the guy (ME) with the itoodream shirt on... Vols 24-20

No. 1 Florida at No. 4 LSU
Tebow is not the same after that hit. "Gators in the bayou"-->advantage florida, not so fast. LSU is on a roll after perservering on the road last week. Jefferson is maturing as a quarterback...Geaux Tigers LSU 31-27

No. 3 Alabama at No. 20 Mississippi
SEC football is heating up. The tide will not be rolling this week as ole miss has recovered from the team wide swine flu. Snead and company gets rolling. Alabama is good, but it's tough to win on the road in the SEC... ole miss 28-24

No. 22 Georgia Tech at Florida State
FSU has really been inconsistent this year. They smash a really good BYU team, but then looses to Central Florida, a game they clearly should have one. At home, I think they play up to their potential and hand Ga Tech a much needed ACC loss. They have to stop the run and control the clock...FSU 17-7

HBCU Game of the Week
Howard at Hampton
DC vs. VA. The battle for the right to call their school the real "HU" is at stake. The bands are evenly matched. So are the football teams. Ummm...why break this week's tradition, I'm going with the home team...Hampton 16-13

"It was only a matter of time"

The last time Usher's art was inspired by his life, the singer went on to sell 10 million copies of his 2004 ode to breakups and make-ups, Confessions. If his new song "Papers" is any indication, his upcoming album Raymond vs. Raymond may break some sales records.

At first I thought his marriage to ole girl was a set up...but this track says otherwise. I hope this song don't increase divorce rates or have all the (independent, meaning you got your own ish) single ladies and men thinking hard about whether or not marriage is even for them...

"What is Good Hair?"

Chris Rock may be on to something here...

If you see black women, just run the other way (hilarious).

I remember growing up and my mom used to braid all the girls' hair and all that weave used to be laying on the couch lined up and then I used to lay down three hours later on that same couch to watch TV (talking about it gives me goosebumps)...I think that's why I'm so traumatized now when it comes to hair.

It looks nice on TV though. Seriously ladies and gentlemen, what is good hair? When i don't get a hair cut in a long time (like now), my hair start to curl up (YES IT DOES), is that good hair?

"Hottest MC's in the Game" - Part II

By all means, Gucci Mane is not the best lyricists, but at least give the guy some credit for for crossing over mainstream.

Part II of MTV's Brain Trust debate of the hottest MC's in the game leaves us with the final 5-1 of 2009. Just one surprise of this group...where's Eminem?

5. Rick Ross

He earned it by out rhyming 50 cent in their battle. However, he almost lost it by calling out Eminem for no reason and two for allowing them groupies to get him and his crew for all that bread in Nashville. Other than that, his last album was solid and he has flows!

4. Kanye West

Lyrically he's there. This guy actually made an auto tune album and it sold... a lot. I was the first person to hate on that album before it came out and now I have to admit that numbers don't lie although I'm still not a huge huge fan of it. I'm also not a huge fan of skinny jeans, hynessey bottle on red carpet (airplane bottles-duh), and ruining other folks award speeches.

3. Drake

I thought this pick was way too premature. Don't get me wrong, the so far gone mixtape was fire. His features haven't disappointed either. Does Eminem not deserve the three spot simply for coming back and dropping an average album? That's up for debate. What's not up for debate, Drake is up next. Side note (Raekwon came in at 10...something is not right about that)

2. Lil Wayne

Word on the street is Wayne is half way done with his new mixtape. That may equal trouble for the rap game, especially if he drops the auto tune and the rock music swag. I think he should drop a few spots for all them babies by all them different women. Can't argue with his young money movement though plus his tours are highest grossing of 2009 among his peers (rappers).

1. Jay-Z

He came back strong with the BP3 although it heavily featured some of everybody. Although good, the BP3 isn't his best work. I wouldn't argue with the brain trust if Jay and Wayne flip flop positions. We've heard Jay twice allude to passing the torch to young carter. As long as he keeps coming in #1 in polls like this, he may never need too.

"Old School Football"

An old married couple no sooner hit the pillows when the old man passesgas and says, Seven Points.'

His wife rolls over and says, 'What in the world was that?' The old man replied, 'it’s fart football.' A few minutes later his wife lets one go and says Touchdown, tiescore.'

After about five minutes the old man lets another one go and says,

'Aha. I'm ahead 14 to 7.'

Not to be outdone the wife rips out another one and says,

'Touchdown, tie score.'

Five seconds go by and she lets out a little squeaker and says,

'Field goal, I lead 17 to 14' Now the pressure is on the old man.

He refuses to get beaten by a woman, so he strains real hard. Since defeat is totally unacceptable, he gives it everything he's got,and accidentally craps in the bed.

The wife says, 'What the hell was that?'

The old man says, 'Half time, switch sides'.

"Hottest MC's in the Game 2009 - Part I

MTV's Hip Hop Brain Trust is at it again with the Hottest MC's in the Game list. Part I consists of rappers who are at the bottom end of the top 10.

The criteria is based on a combination of rhyme skill, flow and how those things are implemented musically as the main factors. The Brain Trust also considers buzz, impact, commercial success — sales, airplay, business ventures, Web presence, endorsements and helping to spawn other artists' careers — and the intangible, impact: Can an artist not only contribute to the rap game but influence cultural shifts? Are they trendsetters?

10. Raekwon

This one is definitely a..."NAW"(Shout out to All-State Insurance). Just because a rapper has rhyme skill, doesn't necessarily mean they have flow. You take away his NYC buzz and all the people who was in to rap in the early 90's...he probably doesn't make my top 20. Outside of rhyme skill and flow, Soulja Boy would probably be a better pick at 10 based on the above criteria.

9. 50 Cent

Get Rich or Die Trying was an instant classic. Every song was a banger. The rest of his CD's has turned into one nice single, one street record and the rest garbage. Book deal, movies, his blog site, riding Soulja Boy's "boy" and the Rick Ross beef barely got him to number 9. Drake would not be in my top 5 as of right now in his career, but his buzz has been way bigger than 50's in 2009.

8. Fabolous

What would Fab do without Neyo...or the Dream? On the real, this is a safe pick. His album is not that bad. Don't put to much into the radio singles, he has a couple of tracks that are fire, most notably "When the Money Goes" with Jay-Z and "Salute" feat. Wayne. I like this pick at #8.

7. Young Jeezy

Jeezy has been quiet since his last album but there is no denying his lyrical talent. The "My President is Black" record alone should keep him in the top 10 for the next four years. Slot #7 is ok, I would even flip flop him and Fabolous but he definitely belongs in the top 10. People sleeping on the Gucci Mane diss and underground kobe-lebron track.

6. Gucci Mane

This is a great pick at # 6. Let's be real, GM is keeping a lot of DJ's in business these days. That beef with Jeezy was probably the best thing that ever happen to him. In addition, Gucci is holding down the state of Georgia (shout out to Sterling) while Jeezy and Luda reload and while TIP finish his stay in prison. GM has a hit single out (Wasted) in addition to being on countless other singles. Not to mention, he has replaced Wayne on Omarion's new track called "I get it In."

"Greatest Shot Ever?" - College Football Games of the Week

Impressive?! I would have to put it right next to this shot...off the wall, around the corner, through the broken class, splash the puddle of water in the parking lot, back through the same window it came out of, off the seats, and off the back board...nothing but net. - MJ & Larry Bird

Tweet this…

Texas Tech Coach Mike Leach banned his players from using twitter after one of them exposed him for being late to team a meeting tweeting..."the head coach can't even be on time." Hilarious! What's a** backwards about all of this is this particular player was not suspended, another guy was for tweeting "This is not how I saw our season" after a loss to the University of Houston over the weekend. Something is not right about that to me.

What's also not right or funny, me going 1-4 last week. I got to do better, even if it means picking against my favorite football teams.

Last Week 1-4

Overall: 13-7

Games of the Week:

Virginia at North Carolina I knew in my heart that the Ga-Tech game was going to be difficult, I should have went with my football instincts. Any defense that spends 85% of their time on the field, will loose. I expect Yates and the UNC offense to get back on track in a big way against a struggling UVA squad...UNC 35-7

No. 4 LSU at No. 18 Georgia Everybody knows that I'm a die hard LSU fan, but the sports analyst in me says it's the SEC and LSU is on the road and UGA's offense is way better than Miss St, this is not really an upset...UGA 27-20

No. 7 USC at No. 24 California Terrible situation involving running back Stefon Johnson but even if they had him, the Trojans still would have a difficult time against Cal as they rebound after getting thumped last week...Cal 23-16

No. 8 Oklahoma at No. 17 Miami (FL) Miami's hype is slowly fading away, Oklahoma is rolling after loosing their opener to BYU. I'm really up in the air on this one. If Oklahoma wins, they are going to be tough to beat once Bradford returns... OU 30-17

HBCU Game of the Week

St. Augustine College vs. Shaw U. Back in Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Nine (shout out to FT), St. Aug might have had a chance in this game. Just kidding, I'm expecting a shoot out, no not literally, I mean in terms of points. Where is this game being played at in Durham?...Shaw 48-35