Sports Editor’s Choice

This archived article was written by: David Osborne Jr.

Many stories have been written that could have made the SEC this time around, especially since we had a week longer break from publishing the paper because of Thanksgiving, but of the many possibilities that could have been, only five will make the list. The college football regular season ended, and the final weeks were anything but boring. Tiger Woods almost won a golf tournament, but gave up a lead on Sunday and ended up losing. Professional football is getting interesting, as the playoff races are either getting closer for some, and out of reach for others. Professional basketball has had thrilling games and blowouts. Without further ado here is the last SEC of 2010.
5- Snow, check. Touchdown, check. Snowball fight, check.
During the final game for both the University of Cincinnati and the University of Pittsburgh, a fight broke out, but it wasn’t your typical football fight. The Pittsburgh Panthers’ quarterback, Dion Lewis, had just thrown his second touchdown pass during Saturday’s game when he began to be pelted by snowballs thrown from Cincinnati fans in the stands. Fans of the Bearcats and even the mascot were told to stop. The mascot however continued to throw snowballs and then pushed a security guard. The mascot was then detained and cited. Luckily for Bearcat fans, the mascot was replaced with a temporary at halftime, but to no avail, Cincinnati lost 28-10.
4- I need consistency please.
The National Football League has instituted and been enforcing the policy of big and unnecessary hits. I am fine with that; as long as it doesn’t take anything away from the game, I am happy. But what I do need is the commissioner and the referees to be consistent on their calls of big and unnecessary hits. The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for their “steel curtain” defense and that has shown in how many times they have been fined and flagged this year. James Harrison, one of the Steelers’ linebackers, has been fined by the league a total of $125,000, and some of those have been questionable. On Sunday night’s game against the Steelers’ rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, there were two hits that Harrison would have been penalized for if not fined by the league. The first was a hit to the face that QB Ben Roethlisberger took from Haloti Ngata of the reasons that had Roethlisberger walking of the field with an apparent blood and broken nose. The second came when defenseless receiver Heath Miller took a helmet-to-helmet shot from Jameel McClain and sustained a concussion. Mr. Commissioner, we are okay with the rules changing, but we would really like it to be consistent.
3- Rivalry week re-cap
The week that I look forward to and dread the most out of the NCAA football season is without a doubt, rivalry week. It can either be the best or the worst game of the year depending on who you are rooting for, and never is the saying “you can throw out the records” more true than during week. So here is a quick re-cap. Auburn beat Alabama in the Iron Bowl 28-27, while at one point Alabama at one point lead 24-0. Unfortunately this year two rivalries ended, at least in the sense that they will no longer be played during rivalry week. Ohio State and Michigan ended this year with the Ohio State Buckeyes blowing out the Michigan Wolverines 37-7. Michigan leads the series 57-44 with six ties. Another rivalry that is ending, and may matter more here than in other areas is the “Holy War” between the University of Utah Utes and the Brigham Young University Cougars. Utah won the final chapter of this rivalry by blocking a last second field goal by BYU kicker Mitch Payne that would have won the game. Utah won 17-16, and leads the series 54-34 and 4 ties.
2- NBA to buy a team
The National Basketball Association is planning on owning the New Orleans Hornets from the majority owner (George Shinn) and minority owner (Gary Chouest.) Because no new owner can be found to buy the Hornets, Commissioner David Stern said, “the best way to assure stability and the adequate funding of the franchise would be for the league to step in, and complete the transaction and assume control.” The Hornets started the season 9-0 but many have fallen off of the bandwagon now that they are 13-7. Stern also commented that the Hornets would have everything they need to make sure they are competitive and keep the fans happy in New Orleans. If the NBA does assume control of the Hornets and the Hornets win a national championship, I am sure many skeptics will be asking lots of questions.
1- Let’s go bowling …
As of Dec. 5, 2010, the college football games have been determined. Starting locally the BYU Cougars will play the University of Texas El Paso on Dec.18, in the New Mexico Bowl. The University of Utah will face Boise State in the MAACO Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 22. Now with the major bowls, in the Rose Bowl, Texas Christian University will play Wisconsin on New Year’s Day in the afternoon. The Tostitos Fiesta Bowl will pit the University of Connecticut against the University of Oklahoma the night of Jan. 1, 2011. Stanford will take on Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 3. The Buckeyes of Ohio State will take on the Razorbacks of Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl on the Jan. 3. On Jan. 7, the Louisiana State University Tigers will face the Texas A and M Aggies in the Cotton Bowl. To top it all off, on Jan. 10, 2010, we will crown a new National Champion in the BCS National Championship Game between the Oregon Ducks and the Auburn Tigers.
Have a wonderful rest of the year and the SEC will pick up next semester.