SCOOPS & PLIERS: MEDIA DAY 2009

PLIERS:

Top 5 College Football Bucket List (In order)
1. See the national championship game played at the home stadium of a Big Ten team (as a result of home-field advantage for the higher seed in the PLAYOFF system)
2. Go to Hattiesburg with a copy of “Origin of Speices” without getting stoned by the “Science Department”
3. Roll into the The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" in an RV emblazoned with “NASCAR IS FOR PUSSIES” across the sides and rear of the vehicle.
4. Take an Upper-Decker in Nick Saban’s toilet.
5. See Notre Dame football win more than 4 games in any given season.

Favorite announcer: Keith Jackson. He retired? Really? I hadn’t noticed.
Most hated announcer: Thom Brenneman. Fox has no place in the college football world. Or the news business, for that matter.
Favorite college football media personality: Kirk Herbstriet. His high “Q” rating and overall non-disheveled appearance give him a slight edge over Lou “The Professor” Holtz
Underrated Media Personality: Glen Mason. Horrible coach. Great media guy. Robert Smith gets a close 2nd.
Overrated Media Personality: Mark May. I’m all about putting adding some color to my ESPN Football mornings, but Mark May is the best that ESPN can do? His statements about football are about as cogent and relevant as Jesse Jackson’s comments about ANYTHING.
Favorite Historical Team (other than favorite team): 1983 Penn State. Classic jerseys, the “best man” won (eff you for 1997, Dr. Tom). Yes, Joe Paterno is my all-time favorite Republican.
You’re athletic director, who do you hire: Other than Joe Paterno (for the comedic flair and public outrage that would ensue over hiring an 80-year old man who thinks Twitter is a sex act perpetrated by the evil Al Jolson fan base)? Hmm. I’m not sure, but I bet I could get Ty Willingham to do it for free. It’s a tough economy out there for these cash-strapped Universities. I’d go with Ty. In the real world though? Paul Johnson. Easy.
You’re that coach….which player do you want on your club more than any other: Tony Mandarich. Ohhhh, you mean current players. Adam Weber. I’ve heard that the Gopher staff is “Very Excited” about his leadership abilities, and his Mounds View pedigree can’t be beat.
Best uniforms: Top 3: Penn State, Alabama, Virginia Tech
Worst uniforms: Bottom 3: Hawaii, Florida State, TCU
“Rudy” or “The Program”?: Rudy. The program is HORRIBLE. Just horrible.
Your ideal conference realignment: I can’t answer this question right now since I don’t have six hours to dedicate to the socio-economic implications that this would have on our already fragile economy.
Your playoff solution: 16 team playoff with 10 automatic bids and 6 at large. Done.

SCOOPS:

Top 5 College Football Bucket List (In order):
Since I’ve been to the Rose Bowl & parade, I knocked off #1 off my list, so here’s the remaining:
1. Army-Navy game
2. Red River: Texas & Oklahoma
3. Sugar Bowl with a good matchup
4. SEC Championship with a good matchup (none of this Arkansas B.S.)
5. Ohio State-Michigan

Favorite announcer(s): Musberger with Bob Davie
Most hated announcer(s): Thom Brennaman, Pam Ward
Favorite college football media personality: Stewart Mandel, SI.com
Underrated Media Personality: Jesse Palmer, Pete Fiutak (Collegefootballnews.com)
Overrated Media Personality: Mark May, Dennis Dodd
Favorite Historical Team (other than favorite team): 1996 Florida Gators (due to man crush on Danny Wuerffel)
You’re athletic director, who do you hire: Mark Dantonio or Gary Patterson (Meyer & Richt will leave for NFL someday, Carroll & Mack Brown are getting a bit older)
You’re that coach….which player do you want on your club more than any other: This year, Taylor Mays….for the next few, Terrell Pryor
Best uniforms: Kansas
Worst uniforms: Iowa State
“Rudy” or “The Program”?: Individual parts of The Program are great, but you have to go with Rudy when comparing from top to bottom.
Your ideal conference realignment: Notre Dame to the Big Ten to end the economic battle with the Big Ten & SEC once & for all, then find a way to get Boise into the MWC. I don’t mind the non-BCS teams getting in the title hunt, but get the WAC & Mountain West combined so you only have one of those teams.
Your playoff solution: 10 team playoff (with the same processes as what currently gets used, 1 team guaranteed from each BCS conference, plus the at large clubs & Notre Dame, no more than 2 per conference in the dance. However, at larges aren’t selected in terms of attendance as much anymore (Ohio State & Notre Dame don’t make it just because they bring more fans). Strict ranking system for the at larges). First two rounds are played at the higher seed home with 15,000 tickets guaranteed to the visiting team, semis & final rotate between the 4 major bowl games. This allows for a champion to be determined, yet doesn’t diminish the regular season any because 2 losses will most likely knock you out.