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 | | Posted on: 11/6/2008 |
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Around the Spectrum: LIVE Recent Shows |
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| Written by Dan Mesday |
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Posted on 12/13/2007 7:25:57 AM |
I am not going to lie. Going in to Saturday’s Floyd Mayweather/Ricky Hatton superfight, I was rooting for Hatton. I did not like Mayweather because after watching him on Mayweather/De La Hoya 24/7 last spring, I saw him as the Terrell Owens of boxing (which is really saying something if you think about it). That was until about 5 minutes before the match began. As is the custom at sporting events, the national anthems of each country were sung before the fighters were introduced. As Tom Jones sang “God Save The Queen”, Americans stood there and listened respectfully as the English contingent sang along (perfectly acceptable, I actually like that they sing along with their anthem). Yet once Tyrese (TYRESE!?!? England got Tom Jones and we got Tyrese? Come on, we have to do better than that) began to sing the “Star Spangled Banner”, the Brits in the crowd began to boo (ignore the end of the article where they blame Cortez and everyone else for Hatton’s loss).
Now, you listen here, England… I am tired of your b.s. It was not enough for you guys to levy unfair taxes and burn down the White House. It was not enough that after we saved your country in TWO wars, you still look at us in disgust and think of Americans as unrefined and loathsome. You had to boo our national anthem… in our country… after we opened our doors to you for a week and let you have free reign of one of the greatest cities on earth, where it is reported that you were drunk 24 hours a day and caused many disturbances at all hours of the night in hotel hallways (without any repercussion I may add). After we gave your homeland hero an opportunity to face the best that America had to offer, this is how you repay us? (For a reminder of how much you embarrassed yourselves and your country, read the posts at the bottom of the article linked above.)
Once I heard the booing, I began to question my rooting interest for the fight, and hen when Pretty Boy came out to Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.”, my allegiances immediately changed. I was hoping for Mayweather to kick the stuffing (I cannot use the word I want on here) out of your boy, and send you back to your fish and chips and terribly dreary weather and dental problems in complete and utter defeat. And that is exactly what happened.
Now, I hope that Bernard Hopkins’ challenge to Joe Calzaghe comes true. I hope that he faces the Welshman, that he does it on the 4th of July, in Yankee Stadium, wearing the shorts that Apollo Creed wore in the first Rocky movie. And I hope that when they hook up, Bernard Hopkins abuses “The Pride of Wales” in ways that he has never been abused in the ring before. And as I watch this happen, I will laugh and laugh and laugh, all because you booed my national anthem.
For a country that is supposed to be so refined and proper, you really showed your true colors. You have the gall to talk about Americans and this is how you act? Next time you want to talk about us, take a look in the mirror and reflect about your actions from Saturday night, compared to how Americans reacted to your song. Then come talk to me.
Division I-AA Championship Preview
In last weekend’s I-AA football action, Appalachian St. ran (literally) past Richmond and into the National Championship game for the third straight season, while Delaware went to Carbondale and stunned Southern Illinois. This Friday, these two teams will square off for all the marbles.
Appalachian St. (12-2) vs. Delaware (11-3) (@Chattanooga, TN), Friday, 8:00 PM, ESPN2
Armanti Edwards showed last week that he is one of the best players in all of college football (regardless of division) with his 182 yards and 3 TD’s passing and 313 yards and 4 TD’s rushing. He will be tough for Delaware’s defense to stop and is the “X-Factor” that will carry App. St. to the victory.
The Pick: Appalachian St.
Division II Championship Preview
Last week, Valdosta St. came from behind to defeat California (Pa.) in the first semifinal game of the day, while NW Missouri St. exercised their GVSU demons by defeating the team that beat them the past two seasons in the championship game.
Valdosta St. (12-1) vs. Northwest Missouri St. (12-1) (in Florence, AL), Saturday, Noon, ESPN2
This week, NWMSU running back Xavier Omon and his 7,000 career rushing yards (including 292 and 4 touchdowns last week) will take on a Valdosta St. team still riding the high from their comeback win over California (Pa.) last week. I think that Omon is too big of a playmaker and, like Armanti Edwards, will carry his team to the title.
The Pick: Northwest Missouri St.
Division III Championship Preview
Saturday in Wisconsin was a day for football purists, as the UW-Whitewater game was played in bitter cold (16 degrees, 8 degree wind chill at kickoff). As for the game itself, Whitewater and Mary Hardin-Baylor played pretty even… Whitewater had 14 first downs, Mary Hardin-Baylor has 11; Whitewater totaled 273 yards of total offense, UMH-B had 269; Whitewater ran 66 offensive plays to UMH-B’s 67. Whitewater escaped with a 16-7 win and had a good test before this week’s National Championship game. Meanwhile, in Alliance, OH, Mount Union rolled up 493 yards of offense and 62 points on a totally outmatched Bethel squad. The Purple Raiders sent a message going into their clash with Whitewater for D-III supremacy this weekend.
UW-Whitewater (13-1) vs. Mount Union (14-0), (@ Salem, VA), Saturday, 4:00 PM, ESPN
This is the third consecutive year that these two teams have met in the championship game, and Mount Union has won the two prior contests. What many people do not realize is that this Mount Union club could probably hang with, if not beat, teams from higher classifications. This team is that good. If you have any doubt, watch this game on Saturday, and you will definitely come away impressed. The third time will not be the charm for the Warhawks, and Mount Union will roll to their 10th championship in the last 15 seasons.
The Pick: Mount Union
Last Week’s Record: 2-0
Overall Record: 21-9
FIO’s Bracket Brawls Preview
Here they are… eight previews for the eight games that will be taking place this weekend in the comfort of my own basement. Round 1 has some interesting match-ups and no matter how things fall, the Second Round is sure to be very entertaining.
(What is FIO's Bracket Brawls: College Football Championship Series? CLICK HERE to find out!)
#16 Tennessee (9-4) @ #1 Ohio St. (11-1)
Erik Ainge and the Vols look to do something that no team in the NCAA Basketball Tournament has ever done, upset a #1 seed as a #16 seed. They will have to go into The Horseshoe to do it, where the Buckeyes are almost unbeatable. Tennessee will have to deal with a swarming OSU defense and a rabid crowd as they look to move on to the Second Round.
#15 Clemson (9-3) @ #2 LSU (11-2)
Clemson travels from their Death Valley to Baton Rouge to take on LSU in their Death Valley. LSU’s Tigers are still stinging from their defeat the last time they played at home and will be looking to take it out on Clemson’s Tigers. Which set of big cats will reign supreme? Check back next week to find out.
#14 Boston College (10-3) @ #3 Virginia Tech (11-2)
The rubber-match between these two clubs happens in the same place that this series started in October. Last time in the stadium, Matt Ryan led the Eagles to a come-from-behind upset. The Hokies are looking to avenge that loss and Blacksburg Bounce all over the Eagles.
#13 Illinois (9-3) @ #4 Oklahoma (11-2)
In what could be the biggest game in school history the Fighting Illini, the team will travel to Norman to take on the Crimson and Cream. Oklahoma is coming off of their Big 12 Championship win over then-#1 Missouri, and Illinois could still be suffering a hang over after beating then #1 Ohio St. in early November. This game would seem to favor the Sooners, but do not count out Ron Zook’s boys.
#12 Arizona St. (10-2) @ #5 Georgia (10-2)
My favorite (eye roll) coach in America, Dennis Erickson, will take the Sun Devils between the Hedges to hook up with Uga and the Bulldogs. Georgia is a hot team, but Arizona St. has been impressive this season. The 12 vs. 5 match-up is the most common upset in NCAA Basketball Tournament play… will it hold true in football as well?
#11 Florida (9-3) @ #6 USC (10-2)
In what could be the most intriguing match-up of the weekend, the Gators will travel to the Coliseum for a meeting with the Men of Troy. USC may be the hottest team in American, but Florida and their Heisman winning QB Tim Tebow will give one of America’s best defenses all it can handle.
#10 West Virginia (10-2) @ #7 Missouri (11-2)
This game could end up being 49-42. Both teams run wide open styles of offense which could mean a lot of points. Whichever defense can make that one stop will probably win the game for their team.
#9 Kansas (11-1) @ #8 Hawaii (12-0)
Kansas travels to the islands to take on the only undefeated team in America in what is shaping up to be a very entertaining game. Colt Brennan is looking to take his team deep into the tournament, while Todd Reesing & Co. will be looking to prove that the regular season wasn’t a fluke. |
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