Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Week 6 of CFB

For the first time in a couple months I have a free Wednesday night. I have no show tonight as my producer forgot to schedule and when she went to do it, the time slot was filled. i could use the week off. Kara's birthday is coming up and I need to get my outfit ready for the party. It is an 80's theme and I know who I am going as but haven't told anyone yet. I was going to be Billy Idol and my outfit won't change much from that but you will have to wait until I post pictures later.

Onto the poll!

Don't I feel vindicated?!?!?! The two teams I had ranked lower than in the media/coaches polls; Florida and USC, lost this past week. Perhaps I know a think or two about college football. It is funny because I ranked UF behind Wake forest and knew that UF would be jumping once they took care of Ole Miss because Wake had to rely on a last second FG to beat them. Well, Uf couldn't force OT, and then Wake got dominated by Navy, bye bye ranking, lol. My #1 did lose and they really got their ass handed to them. I really thought georgia was better than they played but I picked Bama to cover the win so I knew bama had a chance but they way they dominated the first half was amazing. the big upset of the week was USC losing, again, in Corvallis to Oregon State. The smae team that was beat by Penn State by a rather large margin and with ease. At least they lost now so that ESPN can not worry about being embarrassed again when they run the whole, "is this the best college football team ever?" The last ime they did that, it was such a joke b/c not only did they lose to Texas in the championship, at home or their second home, but really lost to Vince Young. All the SoCal snobs can now worry about their tan lines and plastic surgery the rest of the year USC will hope to make it to the Rose Bowl, again. I am still smiling from that loss. And to think I wasn't going ot watchi it b/c I knew USC was good enought to beat this OSU.

So here are my new rankings.

1 Alabama Crimson Tide 5-0 Kentucky
They didn't just beat UGA, they taught an old dog some new tricks.
2 Oklahoma Sooners 4-0 Baylor
Played one good half against a talented TCU team.
3 Penn State Nittany Lions 5-0 Purdue
Had their way with Illinois and are the pride of the Big Ten.
4 Missouri Tigers 4-0 Nebraska
Luckily they had a bye but still manage to drop two spots in my poll because of the play of PSU & OU.
5 LSU Tigers 4-0 Bye
Took care of business against Mississippi State but need to play better in this SEC.
6 Texas Longhorns 4-0 Colorado
Obliterated Arkansas, don't get caught looking ahead to the red river shootout!
7 South Florida Bulls 5-0 Pittsburgh
Finally played to their potential and now must keep focused or else.
8 Brigham Young Cougars 4-0Utah State
Hard to lose focus when you have an off week.
9 Texas Tech Red Raiders 4-0 Kansas State
Won't be tested until 10/25 when Kansas comes calling.
10 Georgia Bulldogs 4-1
At least they played half of the game, but it was not as close as the score suggests.
11 Utah Utes 5-0 Oregon State
Haven't really beat anyone of any signifigance but here comes Oregon State after a huge upset.
12 Boise State 3-0 Louisiana Tech
That win over Oregon is looking quite impressive now, especially if Oregon beats USC.
13 Vanderbilt Commodores 4-0 Auburn
I know they haven't really beat anyone, except for that Ole Miss team who beat UF this weekend.
14 Kansas Jayhawks 3-1 Iowa State
Managed to stay ranked though they had a bye, or was it because of that fact.
15 Oklahoma State 4-0 Texas A&M
I slid them in here because they are unblemished, let's see in two weeks when Missouri hosts.

Dropped Out
Southern California Trojans 2-1
Loss to Beavers upset of the week.
Wake Forest Deamon Deacons 3-1
Navy ran all over a very disciplined defense.
Florida Gators 3-1
Got caught watching the scores and forgot about Ole Miss having a new coach.

Waiting to join the rankings
Auburn - Beat Vandy this week and earn your way in. Not impressive against Tennessee.
Conneticut - Get by a resilient UNC game and earn some respect.
Virginia Tech - Might have to wait until the FSU game.
Oregon - Beat USC and only have a loss to Boise state.

That's it for this week. Have an opinion, email me at headcoach@californiaquakefootball.com.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

NCAA Top 15

Hey everyone, I know it has been awhile since I blogged but I have been very busy. For those that do not listen to my show, I am a college football fanatic. It is the love of my life. So much so, I purchased season tickets this year for my school, FSU. I live in California, and yes, I am talking about Florida State University, not Fresno State. They have 7 home games this year and I am attending four of them. I just got back from the first and boy was I disappointed. My team lost because the offense could not find a rhythm and players kept committing stupid penalties. The defense played out of their minds. How else can you describe allowing 4 FG's when your offense turns the ball over 7 times. Erg!

Onto what the title says, my top 15 teams in the NCAA FBS Division (aka D1). I rank after four weeks have been played and pay no consideration to what the experts or other polls say because they are predetermined based off of nothing. I base mine after four weeks of play. So without further adu here it is:

  1. Georgia Bulldogs (4-0) Survived South Carolina and dominated Arizona State after traveling father in one trip than they had in the past 10 years combined. Big test against Alabama this weekend.
  2. Missouri Tigers (4-0) Out to prove that the best defense is a strong offense. So far so good, plus a quality win over Illinois.
  3. Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0) One sloppy game (Tulane) after a huge win (Clemson), but the real measuring stick will be against Georgia.
  4. Oklahoma Sooners (3-0) Total domination of every opponent in all aspects of the game against nobodies. What can they do against TCU and that highly ranked defense?
  5. LSU Tigers (3-0) Only played one real game but managed a victory on the road against a talented Auburn team.
  6. Penn State Nittany Lions (4-0) Have won by an amazing 43 points a game against no one, that's what you call taking care of business. Let the comparison begin this weekend after they play Illinois. *Update - they slaughtered an Oregon State team that just beat USC
  7. Southern California Trojans (2-0) Two games in four weeks, the PAC-10 is a joke but one slip up in 8 consecutive weeks will cost them a shot. The schedule maker should then be fired if they happen to lose. *Update - They lost to Oregon State on the Thursday night game.
  8. Wisconsin Badgers (3-0) Survived Fresno State thanks to the inability of the "other" FSU to make a FG. October will make or break them.
  9. Texas Longhorns (3-0) Demolished 3 opponents and had one game postponed. I won't fault them but would have liked to compare them with Alabama.
  10. South Florida Bulls (4-0) Seem to play to the level of their opponent, could end up catching up to them. They have won in all so far.
  11. Wake Forest Deamon Deacons (3-0) Without San Swank this team is 1-2, but thanks to his FG's they squeaked by Ole Miss and FSU. They are the pride of the ACC, lol.
  12. Florida Gators (3-0) Haven't played anyone yet and do not have a running game to speak of. Despite winning were not impressive against a young Miami team.
  13. Brigham Young Cougars (4-0) Eight straight quarters of scoreless football for their opponents after surviving Washington. Is that a statement? Must keep winning to bust the BCS.
  14. Texas Tech Red Raiders (4-0) Easiest schedule of any BCS school so far, but they have managed victories while their defense keeps improving.
  15. Kansas Jayhawks (3-1) Played South Florida close and was handed a defeat. Thye have a rough schedule ahead of them and this may be the only time they are ranked by me all year.
Waiting to join to rankings should anyone slip up.
  • Utah - Will most likely have to wait until collision with BYU at end of season.
  • TCU - Beat OU and you are in, play them close and earn some respect.
  • Boise State - Real test will be season finale against Fresno State.
  • Auburn - Get by a surprising Vandy team and look forward to the end of the season where it is back loaded. YIKES!
  • Colorado - Three brutal weeks in a row to prove themselves; FSU, Texas and Kansas. Beat two or all three and people will recognize you.
  • Vanderbilt - Beat Auburn to prove you belong in the polls.
Overrated in the polls
  • Ohio State - Will most likely lose four games this year. It really depends on how quickly the phenom develops.
Feel free to correct, bash or ridicule me. these are my opinions based of what I have seen. My Saturday's are spent watching college football from dawn to midnight. I have seen every team play and feel as though I am very unbiased in these rankings.

Maybe I will post more often with updates on these rankings. It all depends on the kind of reaction I get from all of you.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Football Camp vs. All-Star Extravaganza

Alright, let clear a few things up as some people are taking what I have said on my radio show personal.

Both of these events are awesome for women's football and needed to get more recognition of the sport. My only complaint is that there seems to be a lack of communication from both sides on why they ended up being on the same date. I have had talks with league officials and heard from Dion and guess what; both stories are very similar. Let's put the reasoning and/or excuses as to why both were not 100% open with the other behind us.

Both these events are happening and both will be something to see. I see them conflicting with each other in one area. Coaches will not be able to attend both. I already had plans on that specific date, so I am not referring to me. There are several coaches attending and participating at the camp, yet there is a coach’s event on Friday of the All-Star event. Other than that, the two events are complete opposites.

One is a camp, the other is a celebration. One is catered to players, coaches, owners looking to learn more about various things. Starting with the players, the ones attending should be looking to get better with the basics. Coaches are there to learn skills needed to put your team in the best position to win. While the owners part is to get them together, building upon ideas to raise money and run their team. Anyone has been around for a couple years should know the basics as a player. Also, those who have managed to succeed probably don't need to attend because the cost outweighs the benefit.

The All-Star extravaganza is catered to the experienced athletes & coaches that made the All-star squad to have fun with various events with friends, colleagues and fans. And before you think or say anything, yes, I know rookies made the All-Star team. To me, this seems like a more relaxed way of a networking and meeting colleagues. Also, one of my big complaints is that coaches don't seem to have a voice when it comes to league decisions. This is something that the league is hoping to remedy by having the coaches meeting. In addition, new coaches will be able to pick the brain of the more experienced and successful coaches.

No one is going to be happy all of the time and I think that in time both of these events can and will grow. Maybe the communication will be better so that both events can happen without being on the same date. Until that time, I wish both of events the best of luck in having a great turnout and continuing to build women's football. I will be in Tallahassee watching Bowden Bowl, Go Noles!

Monday, July 28, 2008

Comparing teams from year to year

Let me just say this. Every year, every team is a new team. This is not the NFL or even college, whereas you can base a team on the previous year's team with a couple additions or subtractions. Every year, each team is a new team. There are changes within the coaching staff, management and more significantly the players. Stop comparing leagues via how teams perform the following year in a new league! They are a different team no matter how little things changed. Women's football cannot be compared that way. I have been around way too long to accept this notion being accepted by so many out there.

Here are some myth's about this year that seem to be the fact known by people on the message board(s):

Myth #1,2,3,4 - Dallas, H-town, Los Angeles, Las Vegas are the same teams that were in the 2007 WPFL. (The same thing happened when Detroit and Pittsburgh joined the IWFL.)

Reality #1 - Each of these teams were much better than the previous year. I have seen film, watched in person or had the chance to coach against each of these teams. The rookies came in with a year of experince under their belt, the new rookies added depth (some cases had an immediate impact) and people came out of retirement (Dallas) because they had something to prove.

Reality #2 - H-town is not the Energy. You can look at the rosters of these teams, and yes; they do have 14 players from the Energy. Calling H-town the Energy is an insult to what the H-town coaches, management and players accomplished this year. With a core group of players from the Energy they started a new team and made it a championship team with an infusion a leadership and desire.

Reality #3 - Dallas did not want it last year and not only had players playing out of position, but had members of the coaching staff and players being complacent. They had one goal this year, prove that they are the best! They never wavered from that sight and proved it against the Force.

Reality #4 - Los Angeles had a difficult year in that they were never really challenged and had the unfortunate circumstance of being in a league that had limited west coast teams. They are a very good team that needed to have the consistent challenge of playing every week. The H-town/LA would have been an even better battle had LA played more recently than three weeks prior.

Reality #5 - The biggest difference to me was to watch Vegas '07 and Vegas '08. Vegas in '08 was no joke! The only surprise to me was that they lost to Sacramento. But then again, that did happen after they had lost a hard fought battle to California for the division crown. That loss cost them a playoff spot. Just thought I would throw that out there.

Myth #5 - One league is better than other.

Reality #6 - Both leagues have their positives and negatives and I believe unless you are very familiar with the inner workings of both leagues, you should just keep your mouth shut because you don't know what you are talking about. I had the distinct advantage to see how things are run over at the IWFL Championship games and those ladies busted their asses the whole time I was there. Does that make this a better league? I can only simply answer that the only way I would coach in another women's league was if the IWFL was folding or being taken over by new management that had yet proved to me their willingness to sacrifice what they had for the betterment of women's football.

Reality #6 - With that being said, there are still others out there trying to create more leagues. Just because that is the easiest answer, doesn't mean it is the best way to go about things. I bet both leagues are very approachable with ideas, especially when it involves taken a share of the talent away from possible teams and possibly improving their position in the sport. Will they give up control, probably not? Instead become an innovator by building on what is there, insteading of starting from scratch. Why dilute the pool even further with the creation of a new league? Oh yeah, selfishness.

In my opinion, two leagues is good number to have. You may ask why because I have previously stated that we need one league in order to further this sport. The reason behind htis statement is that neither league is ready to be that league quite yet. With the competition between the two leagues, things can only continue to improve. Unless C.M. is willing to see her championship team leave year after year for the IWFL, she is going to have to up her game for sake that she may have no league within a couple years. Can she just keep creating teams to keep her league afloat, yes, but with all of the top notch teams leaving to join the IWFL, she will continue to lose credibility. I see the trend continuing and the IWFL growing into a three-tier league within three years, if not earlier.

I have been part of four different leagues and know all about league pride. Women's football will continue to grow and each year, every team will be put to the test in the league they play in and what needs to be recognized is the present. It isn't about what was done last year, it is about what you are doing right now. Just ask all the champions that no longer exist.

2008 Season Officially Over!

Can you believe it? The season is finally over for everyone involved. Hopefully everyone learned something they didn't know about football and more importantly themselves. In order to grow, each player coach and owner must grow first. And for that to happen, one must realize that there is always something to learn and improve. I learned a ton about myself this year. Being my first as a Head Coach, I was challenged everyday and second guessed every decision I made. With a year under my belt, I know that I can be better. I offer this to those that will have me as their coach.

It was a very long season indeed and mine was extended through my new radio show on Wednesday nights, 3rd & Long. This show will continue throughout the year with football talk. Each week I will have different subjects to cover. Hopefully, everyone will enjoy what I have to put out there. I have been around women's football for a long time and have lots of information to share. Because of my involvement in the sport and the new radio show, I decided to travel to the championship games in the IWFL this past weekend. That was a great decision and I want to thank my better half, Kara and Cat (owner of the Quake) for talking me into going. I was treated great by all of the members of the IWFL executive council. I informed the league that I would be attending and we came to an agreement that I would help out where needed. I did help out but not nearly as much as I thought I would have to. Because I wasn't really needed during the games, I was able to help out in the booth with teaching the clock operator how to run the clock, spotting for the PA announcer and getting detailed info to the web announcers on the teams playing. The web announcers, Pete and John with Scott spotting for them, and I talked at halftime of the first game and decided to put me on the sidelines for a sideline reporter. I may have been a bit aggressive in requesting this but seeing as they didn't know much about the teams playing (albiet Chicago) and didn't see everything, I pushed the envelope. I think it worked out great as I was able to throw what I saw out there for people to hear. I didn't get to hear most of the broadcast but heard through various people listening that technical difficulties were there; unaware to anyone in the booth.

Needless to say, but I witnessed to great games against two evenly matched opponents. The funny thing part is that in each game one team used passing to move the ball while their opponent focused mainly on running the ball. I will have a detailed synopsis of each game this week and hope to have some guests comment on their experience at this game.

As for the NWFA championship game, it looked to have been no contest with H-town up 26-10 at halftime and eventually winning 39-10. Disappointing that the game wasn't close but I am sure that the heat and weather had an effect on the way the game was played.

Now that the 2008 Season is over, we can officially start the silly season. And actually silly season didn’t even wait until after both leagues had finished their respective seasons. The Philadelphia Phoenix will now be known as the Firebirds and have relocated to the IWFL. I am sure there is a bunch more yet to happen, including the starting new leagues, which I find completely asinine. I will get more into that as it will be one of my many hot topics to cover during the off-season.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

One week left

With only one week left and three championship games to be left, I find myself reflecting on the past season. Congrats to all the teams who survived the season and to all those that were injured, may your injuries heal quickly. The time each of us have to play football lessens with each passing year. Enjoy these rare moments as you will miss them when they are gone. A special congratulations goes out to all the teams that played well enough to make the playoffs. Playing football is hard but playing good football is even more difficult.

I will be in Chicago next week to see the IWFL championship games. Good luck to each team. I am glad to have another season passing but will miss the remarkable year I was a part of with the Quake. We worked hard and won some games. I look forward to what the future holds but will enjoy my offseason for as long as possible. For those that don't know, #5 Monique "Wheels" Zaky was the leading rusher in the IWFL. She had a phenomenal year and gets better every year. While she gets all of the credit, stats and accolades, I want to send a very big thank you to the rotation of offensive line we had this year. Each of you contributed to her leading the league and that is something you should be proud of. So thank you and congrats! Here is a little highlight video of performance this year.



For those that listen to the show on Wednesday's, this weeks show is a big one as I will preview each of the championship games in detail. I have seen film on four of the six teams and have first hand knowledge of two of these teams. I hope everyone is listening this Wednesday and feel free to call in and make predictions. I can always be reached via email at headcoach@californiaquakefootball.com. The number to call in for 3rd & Long is 347.826.7278.

Until the next post then.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

3rd & Long

Alright, so I have been talked into doing an internet radio show, could be a weekly thing. My first show is tomorrow night and I am sure people can't wait to hear me talk about women's football. I decided to call the show "3rd & Long" for a very specific reason and I will discuss that during the first 20 minute segment.

I have coaching women's football since 2002 coaching and watched my sister, A-train, win the 2001 championship with the Quake. I have some knowledge about this sport and look forward to sharing my perspective as well as hear how other's feel or view the sport.

I put a link on this page but in case it doesn't work, try this direct link and feel free to listen and call in.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/WFB-Talk-Continues