I’m heading to Southern California on Saturday to call the RSL/Chivas USA match. We are less than a month away from the World Cup kicking off in South Africa. If you want to get pumped up for the World Cup or simply just see another really OUTSTANDING Nike short/commerical, well here you go enjoy….
Well let’s see I’ve been in Columbus, Ohio all of 2 hours and I’ve had a Celebrity sighting and been told I can’t stay at the team hotel, because someone screwed up my reservation.
Let’s start first with my celebrity sighting…Standing in the baggage claim area at the airport waiting for my bags and who settles in next to me, but 1980′s comic genius Sinbad! Yes boys and girls that’s right. The winner of Star Search, beating out Dennis Miller of all people. But the high water mark must have come in 1987 when he landed the role of Walter Oaks in “A Different World”. He looks a bit smaller in stature today than he did back in the day….No real interaction, just gave him the “what’s up” head nod.
That was the high point of the trip to Columbus so far. Then I arrived at what I thought would be my hotel. The Easton Hilton Only to find out that someone (not named Bill Riley who made my travel arrangements) didn’t have a room for me tonight and had me arriving Saturday. This is why I prefer to make my own flight and hotel reservations. So instead of being at the Team Hotel, I’m a couple of miles away, without transportation. GOOD TIMES! Let’s hope the rest of the trip goes better for me and RSL.
Speaking of RSL, Javier Morales trained with the team today. I don’t believe he will start tomorrow, but could be in the 18. Robbie Findley will like not start either tomorrow night, look for Sabario and Espindola to start up top tomorrow night. Broadcast on KALL at 5:30…
Let the Madness begin!! After 4 months of college basketball we are down to the final 64, notice I didn’t say the best 64 because that is never the case. The NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament is never about getting the “best” 64 teams in…It’s about creating a tourney field with teams that have earned the right to play in the field. It’s my favorite 3 weeks of sports annually, so needless to say I’m quite stoked right now (some of it might have to do with the fact my alma mater is among the favorites to win it all).
I will give you my quick thoughts and initial observations on the tourney in a moment, but first let me say this: You will not ever here me complain about who got left out of the tournament. We in the media tend to spend way too much time bemoaning the fact that Virginia Tech or Illinois got left out of the field. At the end of the day, the selection committee has a difficult job trying to sort out who is in and who is out. There will always be the opportunity to make a case for th 66th, 67th or 68th team, but at the end of the day those teams will NEVER, I repeat NEVER win the National Championship. This is a tournament for the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, it should be treated that way. Everyone has a chance to qualify and the process is simple–WIN!!! Ok I’m done ranting about this…and don’t even get me started with expanding the field…
Here are my quick hit thoughts:
1. I have no problem what so ever with the top seeds-Kansas, Kentucky, Duke and Syracuse. All are deserving of their seed and status.
2. I believe there are about 5 teams that have a legit chance to win 6 in a row and cut down the nets in Indy on April 5th. They are: Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse, West Virginia, Kansas State. That’s all…All 5 have flaws of some sort,but I really do believe that they are all more complete than the rest of the field. Duke is missing from my list and I simply believe they rely to heavily on their Big 3 (Scheyer, Singler and Smith) and the perimeter game, plus I don’t think they guard well enough…
3. Toughest Region: Midwest and it’s not even close. Kansas, Ohio State, Georgetown, Maryland, Michigan State are the top 5 seeds…Are you kidding me??? Talent galore-Collins, Aldrich, Turner, Monroe, Vasquez, Lucas-that’s an All American team right there…
4. Easiest Region: South. Duke avoids heading West as the last #1 seed and the region has very little challenge, outside of the #2 Seed Villanova. I would be shocked if those two aren’t matching up in the Elite 8.
5. Sleeper’s to keep an eye on: Murray State and Siena. Both teams play in smaller leagues but are extremely athletic and tournament tested. Don’t be surprised if one or both make a Sweet 16 run.
6. Happy to see the MWC get reward with 4 teams. The league was very much deserving of getting 4 into the field. Of the 4 teams in I like New Mexico’s chances best of making a deep run. The Lobos are a great mix of talent and athleticism and can play defense when need too. All ingredients needed at this time of year.
7. I think that this is the year that BYU wins a first round game. The Cougars are a much more veteran group and the best that Dave Rose has had in 4 years. Plus the team they will face in Florida, while athletic, doesn’t pose the same type problems teams in recent years have. I like the Cougars to beat Florida, but getting past Kansas State will likely prove too much. It’s a team that can match BYU’s backcourt and is a match up nightmare up front.
8. My Final Four: Kansas, West Virginia, Kansas State and Villanova
9. My Champion…Do you really think I’d pick someone else….KANSAS–at least I’m hoping!!
10. I will post my entire bracket in the next couple of days, so feel free to pick it apart and mock me mercilessly!!
LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!
Two days until college football starts….Just some random thoughts on the games coming up this week locally and nationally…
1. Who’s going to be closer in their loss this weekend, Utah State or BYU? This is not meant as a slight to either program, I just don’t think that either one will win their openers. Utah State and BYU are both roughly 21 to 21 1/2 underdogs. Utah State travels to Utah and BYU travels to Dallas to play Oklahoma. I know that Utah has the big QB question and that Gary Anderson will have his team up and ready to play, but I just don’t think that the Aggies will have enough to match up with the Utah defense and be able to score much at all. On the other hand, I think the Cougars have enough offense to score points even against the 3rd ranked Sooners. Plus if OU gets up early I’d look for Bob Stoops to play his reserves and give BYU a chance to make the game respectable..What do you think?? Let me know in the comment section…
2. Let’s assume for just a minute that Terrance Cain is the starting QB for Utah on Thursday night (Safety Robert Johnson hinted at it last night on our show). Is this a bad thing for Jordan Wynn? Not at all, he’ll like get his shot at some point this season, plus give him a chance to mature and grow into his body, let’s remember he is still just 18 years old. Plus Ute fans should remember the way Alex Smith got his shot some 6 years ago…You just never know….The better question is what would this mean for Griff Robles? Is he content being the #3 guy and backing up the true freshman Jordan Wynn? How long will he stay and try to compete for a job he may never win (no pun intended)
3. I’m still continually baffled by the national media’s love affair with this BYU Football team in it’s picks for the conference title and potential BCS Busting selections. I have nothing against Bronco Mendenall, in fact I think the world of him, or his program. I just have a hard time comprehending how the Cougars get selected to be “that team” when they have their most daunting non-conference schedule in years and have to face 4 extremely athletic teams (Oklahoma, Florida State, TCU and Utah) this season. The same type teams that have given them all kinds of trouble in recent years. The most troubling thing to me and the biggest question is the defense. Is it good enough??? How much has it improved? Once this question is answered I will have a better handle on just how good this team can or will be….Again feel free to share your thoughts….
4. Here are the Top 3 games I want to see this weekend outside the locals…
Oregon at Boise State–Sadly this one is being played on the same night as Utah/Utah State. If Boise is going to be a BCS player this season, then this is the game!! Just how good is Oregon? I guess we’ll find out Thursday.
Georgia at Oklahoma State–Saturday in Stillwater. There’s been talk that OSU is this year’s Texas Tech and a BCS darkhorse. They will be tested against a talented Georgia defense, but may be lacking offensively without Stafford and Moreno.
Alabama vs. Virginia Tech–The biggest match up from a rankings standpoint this weekend, #5 vs. #7. Both teams have been hyped as national title contenders, not sure I believe it, but I guess we’ll see…
Well it’s been about 24 hours since the news came down about the Utah QB Depth Chart after the first scrimmage. I have to say that I was quite surprised how the situation played itself out…I have believe since the Spring Football Game that Jordan Wynn was the future at QB for Utah and that he was the most complete of the 3 QB’s battling for the job. But from the 6 practices and scrimmage I saw this fall Wynn looked inconsistent to me. He would look great at times and struggle at times too. For my money Terrance Cain has been the most consistent of the three Quarterbacks: Poise, throws and movement in and out of the pocket. Based on play in camp it really isn’t surprising that Corbin Louks is 3rd and likely out of the QB picture. After speaking to Brian Johnson, Steve Tate and Frank Dolce yesterday afternoon, I’m of the firm belief that the coaching staff wants Jordan Wynn to be their Quarterback and it will be extremely difficult for Terrance Cain to catch him in that battle. As for Corbin Louks, I think once the hurt feelings calm down just a bit he will move to another position and likely still keep a small package of “trickeration” at the QB spot. So buckle up Utes fans, it could be an extremely interesting ride this fall with a “freshman” QB running the show!!!
Well we’ve had a ton of feedback from our listenership over the last couple of days about our major programming announcement of ESPN Radio joining the KALL 700 Sports family on August 31st. Some of it is very positive and some of it not so much, which is exactly what I expected. We were approched a number of months ago by ESPN about becoming their Salt Lake City affiliate. They liked our signal reach (best in the state during the day and 2nd best at night) and the vision and approach we have taken in building our brand. They wanted to be “true” partner in the radio business with us and frankly we didn’t get the same feeling from our last partner. They are the biggest brand in sports today and continue to grow adding quality shows and play by play programming all the time. Our last partner had a number of financial challenges in the last year which hindered their product in my opinion. We loved our relationship with Jim Rome, but WE had to let him go in order to make this deal happen. He didn’t leave us, we had to let him go. We are extremely please to be keeping Dan Patrick and having him as a lead in to our show in the afternoon. I think most of you will agree it’s a much better alternative than the programming that was previously in the 1-3 timeslot. In addition, our ability to cover/carry the MLB, NBA and College Football regular season and postseason games was a huge plus. As always, I’d love to get your feedback so make comments below or email me at bill@kall700sports.com
This Friday Afternoon during our show at 5:00, we will have a major programming announcement to make regarding some OUTSTANDING additions to the KALL 700 Sports Family. We are building a brand that Utah Sports Fans of all team loyalties will be drawn to and I know that the latest addition to our programming line up will continue in a major way to help build that Brand!
If you are truly a FAN of great sports talk radio then you should be thrilled with our latest addition!! Make sure you are listening Friday afternoon at 5:00 for the announcement!!!
So here we are nearly a full week into University of Utah and College Football Fall Camp….What do we know so far…
Let’s start with Utah..I’ve been to 4 of their practices so far and here are my observations…The QB battle, which has involved 3 to this point will be whittled down to 2 by Thursday afternoon after the scrimmage. I think that the two will be Corbin Louks and Terrance Cain. Those two have been the most consistent through the first nearly week of practice. I like what I’ve seen at time from the Freshman Jordan Wynn, but he’s been to inconsistent and doesn’t appear to have the fire/leadership yet that’s necessary to be a starting QB for Utah or at the D-1 level. So that leaves Louks and Cain, the scrimmage on Thursday should be interesting, though we in the media are only allowed to see the final 45 minutes of the scrimmage. It’s interesting how last year (13-0) there were few if any restrictions but on media coverage, but this season is a different story, I wonder why??? The skill player for Utah in the receiving corps and running back corps are deep and talented. I’ve been impressed with Shaky Smithson and Devonte Christopher on the receiving side and Sausan Shakerin amongst the running backs….I still maintain that Utah may just be better defensively this season, than they were last season. Even with the departures of Sean Smith and Paul Kruger. Keep an eye on Lamar Chapman as a nickelback and the emergance of Derek Shelby on the edge, who played inside last season.
On the BYU front…I’ve not been able to get to Provo for practice, but my sources who have say that Jaime Hill is stepping in and attempting to put his stamp on the defense/secondary which has been a rather weak spot for BYU the last couple of seasons. For me the real question for the Cougars on defense is the Linebacking Corps….When BYU has been good in recent years defensively (that is a relative term) they’ve been strong at “backer” who will it be this season???
Nationally, our old friend Urban Meyer is apparently peeved at Sports Illustrated for his cover picture. Evidently the “Pontiff” didn’t like the photo the SI choose for it’s regional cover, even though he posed for it. You be the judge….
This is so typical of a college football coach to want all the glory that comes from a Cover of a magazine, but upset when he can’t control the content. Why should this be any different for Meyer since he can’t seem to control his player of field behavior either. 24 arrests in 4 seasons, that’s a whole recruiting class!!! Regardless of Urb’s anger, the Gators will be damn good this season!!! In a down season in the SEC (yes I said it) I think they play for their 3rd title in 4 years, wow….Against either Texas, Oklahoma or USC, don’t sleep on the Trojans despite their breaking in a new QB….
It’s day 2 and I’m blogging live/or at least from practice this morning…The 2nd of the split squad practices is underway…Jordan Wynn is the QB working with the 3′s today…In the early practice it was Corbin Louks and Terrance Cain working with the 1′s and 2′s…On the running back side, Sausan Shakerin got a run this morning with the 1′s and 2′s. He and Eddie Wide are battling for the backup job to Matt Asiata this season. I like “Shak’s” chances, great strength and better burst than Wide.
I will continue to update from Camp and later on the show this afternoon…
Just a quick note this morning….The Pre Season ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll just arrived and the Mountain West Conference is well represented!
The TCU Horned Frogs at #17, Utah at #18 and BYU coming in at #24. I’ve got to be very honest with you, I didn’t see this at all. I thought that the MWC representation might come in the #20-#25 range, but not this high. Here’s a look at the complete poll, shockingly Florida is #1….
Headed to Utah Camp in a little while…..
My 3 days in America’s Greatest City is almost done…
Real Salt Lake suffered a tough loss last night (1-0) to the Chicago Fire. It’s a loss that hurts in the standings as they lose ground/time in the West in the point race. It’s a loss that hurts because they were the better team in the second half, but one breakdown cost them a goal and the game. Finally it’s a loss that hurts because Yura Movysisian hurt his rotator cuff. Up next a must win at home at Seattle next Saturday night.
On a positive note…Enjoyed my favorite Chicago-Style Pizza at Gino’s East on Friday Night and my favorite Breakfast place at The West Egg this morning. Plus checked out the next sky overhang at the Sears/Willis Tower (not for the faint of heart or vertically fearful) and the Shedd Aquarium…so all in all a decent trip…
Finally 4 Days until College Football at Utah and BYU!!! Can’t wait…
