Soccer on my mind

So it looks as if the US Women's National team goalkeeper that led them to a 3 - 0 record, Hope Solo, won't be starting against Brazil in the semi-final. Well coach Greg Ryan, your sir are an idiot. There has never been a better example of the old adage "If it ain't broke, then don't fix it."

You expect me to believe that a 36-year-old has better reflexes than someone that's 25? You are an idiot Greg Ryan. In other soccer news, the German women advanced to the finals, and they look exactly how you think they would.

Greg Ryan's idiocy.

Saturday Observations

I don't care if it's Tuesday, I can still send off some things I observed. Obviously my little experiment didn't quite work. Let's just say that Jack Daniel and his sweet nectar won making me the loser. It was possibly the best day of college football I have seen in quite some time.

Bama beat Arkansas
Tennessee lost...in a hideous manner
Auburn lost...at home...to Mississippi State
Notre Dame lost to Michigan...to make them 0-3...a worse record than Duke

In other news, I have decided that I really like music. Lots. Not that this is a revelation in itself, but it is something that may play a bigger part in my life.

I hate Tim Tebow

Auburn finally scored a touchdown. They still look bad, but they have decided that rushing the way they can win since they have a terrible QB.

Hmmm...

State fumbles the ensuing kickoff. Auburn ball on the 30.

Did I mention that I hated Tebow?

*Auburn punches it in to go up 14 - 13.

13 - Nil

Miss State kicked a field goal and , in all honesty, is really outplaying Auburn to this point. State's really establishing their running game by winning the battle up front.

Am I in a Dream?

Miss State forced a fumble by Auburn's Freshman QB that replaced Brandon Cox. It's too bad Henig (State's starting QB) broke his hand and is done for the day.

Miss State vs. Auburn

Nine minutes left in the first quarter Miss State 3 - Auburn 0. State is looking to establish their running game on the first drive. It was a very effective tactic until the drive stalled inside the red zone. Things are looking good though.

In non football related news, the US Women's national soccer team won their game against Sweden 2 - 0. Abby Wambach scored both goals. I have a not so subtle crush on both Wambach and goalkeeper Hope Solo.

Auburn just threw an interception and Miss State ran in back for a touchdown. HA! Is Brandon Cox the worst QB in the SEC or is it just me?

*Brandon Cox just threw another interception cementing the fact that he is the worst QB in the league.

Ol' Ballcoach

Does anyone like Steve Spurrier, or Steve Superior as he is known throughout SEC country? Spurrier is without question an excellent college football coach, but would you want him to coach your team if the opportunity arose?

On one hand, his resume includes a National Championship season in 1996, NFL coaching experience (albeit brief, but still experience nonetheless) and turning South Carolina into more than just an afterthought in the SEC East race. On the other hand does that override the fact he historically has a merry-go-round approach with his quarterbacks and, more importantly, the simple fact he's just so easy to root against? I'd want him to coach my favorite team, in fact I was excited when there were rumors he was a candidate to fill the job before the current coach was hired. Make no mistake, this would not have made me like him. I like to root for winners, and I believe he would turn the team around, but he would have still been Steve Superior.

This article about Coach Spurrier and the Miami Hurricanes by David Malinsky got me thinking.

The Greatest Team You've Never Heard of.

The Women's World Cup started recently, and the U.S. team is favored to win. They take their number one world ranking into the group of death, and will hopefully make it through without any injuries. Enjoy the commercials.

Read more about the team from the Associated Press and USA Today.

College Football

This weekend I am going to attempt to blog during College Football Saturday. Those of you who know me, and have seen me on gameday understand my routine. Wake up, turn on ESPN Gameday with Chris, Kirk, Lee, and Desmond, fill a mason jar with Jack Daniel's, then proceed to enjoy the day's games. I am looking forward to reading any post that are successfully made because they should be amusing if nothing else. Meanwhile here are some great college football links for this week.

• Stewart Mandel's College Football Mailbag.
• Dennis Dodd's Dodds and Ends.
• Ivan Maisel's I-Formation.
• Pat Forde's Forde-Yard Dash.
• Mark Shlabach's On the Mark.
• Rich Cirminiello's Quick Outs.
• Pete Fiutak's Cavalcade of Whimsy.
• Tom Dienhart's Conference Call and College Football Soup.
• Matt Hayes' This Week's Winners and Losers.
  
• Olin Buchanan's Olin's Notebook.
  

I've been thinking

I am on the Internet at least 60% of the time I spend awake. Why don't I comment on the random things I find interesting? Great question, I will begin now thanks.

Last night I went to my first Los Angeles Dodgers game, and I must admit I had a good time. Attending a sporting event in LA is very comparable to attending one in the South, aside from what I perceive to be cultural differences. Here are a few examples of what I mean by this:

• When the two fans making the most noise for the home team are wearing Atlanta Braves and University of Alabama hats respectively there's a problem.
• The game starts in the 1st inning not the 5th, and it ends in the 9th not the 7th. Please plan accordingly.
• Flasks work much better than spending $10 per 16 ounce beer.
  

Being at a game with more than 50,000 people was an awesome experience, though I would much rather have been at an SEC football game. This CNNSI article goes into some of the differences between college football and professional sports.