HAPPY NEW YEAR!

WOW! What a Whirlwind!

Sorry I haven't posted anything of late!
I have been VERY busy, and have had quite a bit going on!
First, I am a GRANDPA! Preston Daniel Hundley was born on January 7th, 2012, weighed 7 lbs, 11 oz, and was 21 inches long! He arrived early enough to make it home Monday for the BCS National Championship beatdown of LSU by THE University of ALABAMA Crimson Tide.
Mother, Baby, and father all doing fine.

Don't Forget! Picks Over On NEW Brentoons Bama Blog!

My weekly college football picks are over here on the new "Brentoons BAMA Blog"...!

Roll Tide!

WOW! Ingram, The TIDE Pull It Out!

TIDE WINS! TIDE WINS!

Talk about a 'nail-biter'! Ryan Mallett and the 10th-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks took advantage of a tentative, young BAMA secondary to take a 20-7 lead, but the CRIMSON TIDE fought back with three picks and a late Mark Ingram touchdown to top the Hawgs 24-20.

Hard-fought, tough SEC matchup by some tough teams. Arkansas shouldn't drop too much after this game, but the pollsters are a bit unpredictable.

Auburn stymied my picks by taking advantage of a couple of Stephen Garcia fumbles (from HARD, clean licks, I might add) and an interception of his backup. Another tough nail-biter.

Ole Miss even got lucky and beat Fresno St. Houston Nutt's Akbars live to fight another week.

Mississippi State...?? Are you KIDDING me...? Boy, is Mark Richt ever on the hot seat... AGAIN...!

UCLA upset Texas in one NOBODY saw coming.

Boise State foiled my upset pick by making some big plays.

I LOVE college football.

P.S.: NOTE TO EVERYONE- Functions, showers, Weddings and ALL non-football-related events should NOT be scheduled during FOOTBALL SEASON. This makes for poor attendance, and for a miserable experience for the half of the guests who can't concentrate on the festivities.

Just sayin'......

This Week's Picks

Alright! Week four of college football, and here are my usual predictions and picks. THIS edition includes one big upset pick, a little later in the post.

THE University of Alabama opens up their SEC play with a trip up to Fayetteville to face the 10th-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks.
In a game to be nationally televised by CBS, all the hype seems to be about Ryan Mallett's arm and the Hogs' high-powered passing attack. Much like last year, I expect The Tide to be all up in his grill, and I hope our young secondary can cover their speedy receivers. Look for the Bama 'D' to put a 'Colt McCoy' on Mallett.
Offensively, I see The Tide's initial plan to be a grinding, power ground-control strategy to keep the Razorbacks off the field. Possibly two 100-yard rushers...? If it does, however, turn into a foot-race.... I still like our chances. A poised McElroy and fleet of hungry receivers?
Pick: ALABAMA 42, Arkansas 20.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: This season, as in the past, I WILL be continuing my ritual of consuming representations of our opponent. This week I will be having bacon and other forms of pork yet to be determined!)

Everyone Else

SEC:

South Carolina 24, auburn 21 Spurrier is a little more slick.

Florida 31, Kentucky 24 Gators start to gel after tense 3 1/2 quarters.

Georgia 24, Mississippi State 17 MSU comes alive, but Georgia finally puts one together.
LSU 31, West Virginia 28 Tigers pull one out in raucous Baton Rouge night game.

tennessee 5, UAB 3

Fresno State 28, Ole Miss 14 Akbars are in trouble.

National:
TCU 31, SMU 14
Texas 31, UCLA 14
Penn State 21, Temple 10
Oregon 28, Arizona St. 20
Stanford 35, Notre Dame 21
Oklahoma 49, Cincinnati 24

UPSET ALERT!

Oregon State 31, Boise State 27 Mike Riley is the giant-killer.

On a totally relevant and related note, I've been calling local talk and sport radio stations with picks and commentary using the name "Cook". I then, to their surprise, do a long Beano Cook impersonation to spice up the shows.
A little self-gratification, if you will.

My Picks For This Weekend

Well, last week I did pretty decent, except my choosing of tennessee over Oregon. I also missed on Miami-Ohio St. and Michigan's squeaker over Notre Dame.
I don't care about any of these teams anyway, so 'Whatevah!'

Now for THIS week:
S.E.C.-
ALABAMA 42, Duke 3 If The Tide steps it up a notch, this could be a shutout.
Florida 21, tennessee 7 Will probably be ugly.
Arkansas 35, Georgia 21 Should be the most interesting matchup of the weekend.
Ole Miss 5, Vandy 3 Akbars can score, but can they stop even the 'Dores...?
LSU 21, Mississippi St. 20 Bulldogs keep getting closer and closer. Miles is due to blow one.
Kentucky 28, Akron 14
South Carolina 42, Furman 17
auburn 24, Clemson 21 Too much orange. Both Tigers.

Top 25
Ohio St. 35, Ohio 14
Penn St. 24, Kent St. 7
Texas 31, Texas Tech 28
Notre Dame 17, Michigan St. 14
Boise St. 28, Wyoming 14
Utah 21, New Mexico 14
USC 21, Minnesota 10
BYU 21, Florida St. 14
TCU 35, Baylor 20
Oklahoma 31, Air Force 10


That's all I have to say about that.

BAMA-Spurrier Scheduling Trivia

This season, beginning this Saturday (September 18), THE University of ALABAMA will play all former and current college teams that Steve Spurrier coached.
In chronological order.
Duke. The Blue Devils job was The Ol' Ball Coach's first head coaching gig.
Florida. Spurrier's alma mater and the site of his greatest success.
South Carolina. Currently, the Gamecocks are finally playing closer to his expectations. That will all come crashing to a halt when the meet The TIDE.

Well, I thought it was interesting, anyway.

On a totally unrelated note, I had a customer use the term "Shipoopy!" as an expression of disgust and disappointment. I thought it was cool.

WOW! First Weekend of College Football!

Jacksonville State...? Seriously....?

I can't believe that Ole Miss let this team come back on them. Boy, talk about a 'hot seat' for Houston Nutt. The Rebel faithful will be ALL over this!

I will be posting my suggestions for the new mascot later today! (Stay tuned!)

And Les Miles didn't do himself any favors, either, by having his LSU defense allow a comeback scare by a North Carolina Tarheels squad with 14 starters suspended...! (Memo to self: Check out the Tigah fan blogs....!)

One last observation: Boise State actually looked better than I thought they would. They played Virginia Tech hard, and the Hokies couldn't over-come their OWN mistakes to pull this one out.

First Picks of the Season!

Okay.

New season. New players. ALABAMA's not 'defending' their National Championship. They're trying to win another. Here's hoping that they DO.

I was a little sad that we didn't have a 'marquee' game, taking center stage with sole possession of the national spotlight. With the 'creampuff', The TIDE will be able to rotate players, giving many younger and freshman players 'game experience'. (Though they probably get more competition in practice! Just sayin'...!) San Jose State MIGHT score 3, but I doubt it.

I have been unable to be at my computer, so I missed picking Thursday's games. Here, for MY enjoyment, are this week's SEC picks, followed by some national ones.

THE University of ALABAMA 54, SJSU 0 (First-string sits after 4-score 1st qtr)

Florida 56, Miami, OH 14 (Post-Tebow, Gators air it out)

Arkansas 42, Tennessee Tech 17 (Mallett puts up big numbers against patsies)

LSU 49, North Carolina 14 (NC uses freshmen due to suspensions)

Georgia 45, La-Lafayette 10

Ole Miss 35, Jax St. 14

Kentucky 24, Louisville 21

Tennessee 3, UT-Martin 2

Mississippi State 17, Memphis 14

Vanderbilt 10, Northwestern 9

auburn 45, Arkansas State 10

South Alabama 35, Pikeville 17

Texas 66, Rice 21

TCU 14, Oregon St 13

Oklahoma 49, Utah St. 21

Nebraska 38, Western Kentucky 7

Penn State 45, Youngstown St 10

Florida State 77, Samford 3

W. Virginia 55, Coastal Carolina 14

Monday:

Virginia Tech 35, Boise St. 20 (Shut up & sit down, Boise!)

Nice Pic

Meant to post this last week, but got sidetracked. Go, Vols! Go directly to JAIL! Do not pass 'Go', do not collect $200!

Two of My Favorite Things

The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team travelled to Pasadena Friday to prepare for The BCS National Championship Game this Thursday night. After a few bouts of sightseeing and some promotional events, including a trip to Disneyland, BAMA will begin final practices before facing the Texas Longhorns and the bitter, Heisman-jilted Colt McCoy.

Photo by Bill Starling/Press-Register Nick Saban takes a moment to pose with Mickey Mouse during the Crimson Tide's visit to Disneyland in preparation for Thursday's BCS national championship game.

A perceived slight by Heisman voters will be the least of McCoy's worries, once the game kicks off and he begins to take the relentless beatings from the punishing attack of the Crimson Tide defense. Texas is no pushover, regardless of recent struggles, and Coach Saban is putting a stop to any possible over-confidence from this focused and purpose-driven BAMA unit. That being said, by listening to ESPN announcers Ron Franklin and Bob Davie one would think that the Longhorns are the team to beat. Good. Those pricks have no idea what they're talking about. Bama's played better competition all year, week-in and week-out. Coach Saban will have these young men prepared.

While watching the Sugar Bowl the other night, I was amused when - during Florida's blowout of Cincinnati- one of their announcers asked: "If this Gator team is this good, just how good is Alabama...?" This, of course, was in reference to the SEC Championship beatdown.

Thursday can't get here soon enough.

ROLL TIDE!

MARK INGRAM TIDE'S FIRST HEISMAN WINNER!

WOW! Tailback Mark Ingram became BAMA's FIRST Heisman Trophy winner last night! In the closest voting EVER, he emerged the victor! Some 'talking heads' in the media say he was undeserving, or somebody else was better, blah, blah, blah....!
He was the BEST player on THE BEST TEAM IN THE COUNTRY! Deal with it!
Roll Tide!

Motivational Poster

Rolling TIDE Domination! ON To Pasadena!

ROLL TIDE! Wow! What else can you say? THE University of Alabama Crimson Tide pounded on the Florida Gators to the tune of 32-13 last night in The SEC Championship game on national television.

With a relentless, ball-control offense and a very efficient defense, The Tide pretty much shut the Gators down and sent Tim Tebow out crying like a little girl.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not gloating. I'm just happy. This is the way we were raised. This is the way things are supposed to be. BAMA on top, everyone else looking up.

Not to take anything away from the BCS Title game in Pasadena, but I don't think there's a tougher game out there than last night. The beauty is that Coach Saban won't allow the team to let up until they finish. Last year was great, with an undefeated regular season. This year will be considered by the players and coaches a success only if they finish.

I would like to thank auburn for lighting the fire to make this possible. And now that Mark Ingram had a banner 3-td game (and both Tebow and McCoy were basically shut down), he is squarely back in the middle of the Heisman picture.

I LOVE college football. I love it even more when BAMA wins.

ROLL TIDE!

BAMA Twins Watch as TIDE Pulls One Out

Irvington, AL---- Wade and Colton Ellis nervously munched on snacks and leftovers as they watched The University Of Alabama Crimson Tide narrowly escape an upset by auburn in the 2009 Alabama-auburn Game.

Wade seems to be saying "I can't look...!"

After The Tide came from behind in the final
moments, Wade appears to be telling an obviously very distraught Colton that "Yep! I knew we were gonna win all along....!"

Colton almost looks like he's waving and singing the classic "Nah nah Naaah Nah! Nah nah Naaah Nah! Hey, Heeeyy, Hey, ROLLL TIIIDE!! Buh-Bye, auburn.....!"

Happy THANKSGIVING!

Wishing you ALL a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
We are going to celebrate and eat with the New BAMA Twins, Wade & Cole Ellis, and their family today.
Only 1 day til The Iron Bowl!
ROLL TIDE!

BIG AL Responds To LSU Smack-Talk, Wins SEC West

24-15.
THE University of ALABAMA Crimson Tide beat LSU in Tuscaloosa yesterday to clinch the SEC West Title, and advances to play Florida in the SEC Championship Game.
A friend from New Orleans, Rod Cochran of PlanetVooDoo Radio, had been sending smack over on facebook. The first comic below was one of my pre-game responses, which included a prediction:
This next one was rendered post-game a bit later, as I had an appearance obligation and didn't get home until pretty late:

Roll Tide, everyone. Roll Tide.

BAMA Kicks Ole Miss

Well, Mark Ingram's single touchdown would have sufficed. OR, just two of Lee Tiffin's five field goals. Regardless, THE University of ALABAMA beat the university of mississippi 22-3 yesterday in an SEC 'Showdown'.
I thought both teams had to show up and participate for it be a 'showdown'. Heck, if Bama hadn't shot themselves in the foot inside the red zone, it could have been a horrible blowout. It probably SHOULD have been anyway.
At least now we won't have to hear the rebels whine about being 'robbed' or 'gyped', or that The Tide was helped by the officials. Can't blame Bama's blitzes and pressure on home-cooking when you're in your own stadium...!
And can we stop with the whole "Snead for Heisman" garbage...?

So Busy.... No Time To Post Picks!

Wow! Drew caricatures at The Wharf in Orange Beach last night. I was so busy getting prepped and peeling wallpaper border that I neglected to post my weekly college football picks!
More on the drawing gig later!
Since many games are already underway, I'll stick to the later ones:

ALABAMA 42, Arkansas 14 The Tide stifles Hogs' giant qb
auburn 10, Ball St 9

OUCH! Arkansas, So. Cal, BYU & Utes Expose My CFB Ignorance

Sean Reese told me. He stated that the USC Trojans were ripe for an upset. I laughed at him. Openly. There was NO WAY that the team that slogged around and looked sloppy and played so poorly against the LSU Tigers would topple the perennially-dubbed "potentially the Greatest Team EVER" in college football....!
Washington 16, USC 13.

What do I know....?
Florida State 54, BYU 28.
Utah bellies up.
Arkansas made Georgia look like an SEC contender...!

These anomolies have negatively impacted my picks percentage.

ROLL TIDE.

53-7