http://www.yardbarker.com/content/school/61 Recent Yardbarker Articles: Texas Longhorns en-us If Missouri is going to prove that they can win the Big 12 this year, their defense will need to step up and be more physical. Seems that the spring practices were designed to do just that. I think it will be Mizzou and OU in the Big 12 title game in December. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:31:46 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287657 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287657 Which college football rivalries shape up to be for more than just bragging rights in 2008? Here's a my top 10. Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:15:10 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/286313 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/286313 Rivals.com has handed out the first report card for the 2009 college football recruiting classes and the Ohio State Buckeyes have a grade of A+ so far. USC, Texas, Michigan and LSU round out the Top 5 classes. Sat, 05 Jul 2008 09:52:29 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/285979 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/285979 In a year where gunslinger quarterbacks reign supreme, the Big 12 has no shortage of fantasy receiver options either. Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree is the top fantasy receiver in the nation. In fact last season, Crabby had arguably the top fantasy season by a college receiver - ever. Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:02:01 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/282172 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/282172 10) Penn State's roaring Nittany Lion - Described by one Pittsburgh alumnus as "sounding like a man belching." Maybe Paterno should get him some Alka-Seltzer. 9) Clemson Tigers rubbing a rock on a hill - What does this mean? Why don't they have a Tiger walking around like LSU? Seems it is the late Frank Howard's final jest on "the administration that gave him a lifetime contract, and then declared him dead." 8) Southern Cal's Trojan horse and band - Who says Trojans dressed like Greeks? What is the proof these outfits are accurate, or are they just cool to wear? Why do they have a white horse—wasn't the Trojan Horse a bad thing that allowed the Spartans to slip in at night and conquer the men of Troy? Maybe they should avoid playing Michigan State. 7) Ohio State's dotting of the i - How did this become important? Seems like it would be a bigger deal at Mississippi. Why not have two band members cross the t? Maybe it's to take away attention from the fact the mascot is a nut. 6) Colorado's Buffalo - Holy Cow, what would happen if this tank-like creature escaped? Should we really trust the kids with the rope and chain leading it around? 5) Texas' Longhorn Bevo - See No. 6. Run! 4) South Carolina's Rooster crowing - The piped-in sound is frightening to friend and foe alike the first time you hear it. Incredibly loud, it is said that it can be heard four miles away. The opponents' bench often looks to the sky as if they were being attacked by supernatural creatures. One man reportedly fled the stadium the first season it was used. 3) Florida State's Indian Chief - Maybe the most recognizable of all the traditions in the past quarter century, we have the Seminole throwing the spear into the ground before the kickoff. Impressive and entertaining, it actually inspires the home team along with the fans. Now, if they could just get the players they had in the 1980s and '90s, they'd be all set. 2) Tennessee singing Rocky Top - Oh, it must be heard and experienced to be believed. Thousands of people standing and singing an old folk song doesn't sound intimidating, but when you're on the receiving end of it, you know you're in trouble. 1) Stanford's Tree - The worst tradition is one of the newest traditions—the stumbling, staggering Stanford tree. Prior to the early '70s the Palo Alto teams were known as the Indians. This was deemed offensive to native Americans, and so a choice was made that would offend no one—the cardinal. Not the bird or the clergy official, but the color. In order to have a "live mascot," an earth-friendly symbol of a tree was chosen. Apparently none of the mascots over the years can see out of the outfit because they have all walked around like drunken sailors and have sometimes fallen down to the ground. Eerie and strange, if you're not familiar with this symbol you can watch the game and wonder, "What is that thing that looks like a man in a tree costume?" There you have it. A tongue-in-cheek review of what we all hold dear. If your school didn't make it, it just could be that your tradition doesn't irritate opponents. If that's the case, congratulations. This is what the site said i agree with the Tree and some of the Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:16:31 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/281238 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/281238 Fantasy owners should find no shortage of roster options in the Big 12 this year and just like the quarterback position, running backs are stocked. Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:13:41 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/279452 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/279452 2008 should be a huge year for quarterbacks in the Big 12 and there are plenty of fantasy options at this position. Check out these fantasy quarterback rankings from the Big 12 - Graham Harrell is the obvious number one pick, but Missouri's Chase Daniel isn't far behind. Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:02:50 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276880 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276880 Let the Yard Know the cra-ziest things you do to get ready for your team play. Ok ill go first, I dress everyone in the household in Tenn Orange including cat and dog, make sure all seven Tvs are on that channel, Madatory Orange fanta soda and unplugg the phone.Smoke a orange flavor Swisher Sweets --------------Done ,Victory in the making. Top that Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:42:23 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276578 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276578 I continue on with my rankings for Big 12 defenses. This info should be helpful to those who play in leagues where points are earned based on team play. Some players are mentioned to help out those who play in individual player leagues. These rankings are my opinion and are based on several factors including experience, talent, schedule strength, etc. This is also in no way a reflection of my picks for how teams may or may not finish in the standings or polls during the season in terms of overall and conference records. Thanks to all who view these rankings, and feel free to reference back to my site when the season is on-going. Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:27:11 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276525 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276525 Now we move onto my favorite conference, the Big 12! Today, we cover the Big 12 offenses. This should be beneficial to those fantasy players that play fantasy college football that uses offensive and defensive units like Sporting News with their game. I will throw some players out there on teams that you could also use in individual player leagues, too. I'm using various methods to determine my rankings which include, but are not limited to, returning starters, skill level on that side of the ball, balance, schedule strength, etc. Having inexperience or lack of skill on each side of the ball can have a direct effect on how they do on either side of the ball, so each intrical part is important and could explain why they are performing well or not. Also, these are my rankings, and in no way reflect or necessarily pick how I predict teams to finish in the standings of each conference in terms of won-loss records. Boomer Sooner! Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:05:20 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/275247 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/275247 Anyone following college football knows that the game has become big business, so big in fact that major college football programs have begun taking pages for revenue generation from their counterparts in professional sports. Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:05:31 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/275180 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/275180 I originally compiled this list in early January but have revised it to reflect early entries into the NFL Draft, injuries and player dismissals. My top 25 for the 2008 season takes into account returning starters, including the vile creatures known as punters and kickers. In addition, I've factored in each team's schedule and coaching changes. Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:05:19 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/274618 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/274618 The Scout.com 2008-09 Hot 100 high school football players are quickly being gobbled up by the BCS powers. As of June 2, 47 of the top 100 players have committed to play college football at 22 schools, 21 of them BCS teams. Mon, 02 Jun 2008 03:35:59 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/273214 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/273214 Moving along in our look at the upcoming 2008 college football season, FIO staff writer Dan Mesday gives you the first installment of his College Football Conference Outlooks. Included, you can find: Key Returnees, Key Losses, Best H.S. Signings, Must-See Games and Previews for each team. This time around - the Big 12. Fri, 30 May 2008 08:46:15 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/272407 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/272407 NORMAN, Okla. – Former Lt. Gov. Jack Mildren was remembered Tuesday as an "extraordinary human being" during funeral services that drew together Oklahoma's political elite as well as the legendary football coaches and players who trained with Mildren at the University of Oklahoma. Hundreds of mourners, including former OU coaches Chuck Fairbanks and Barry Switzer and dozens of Mildren's former OU teammates, packed into the McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church for Mildren's funeral 36 years after Mildren and his wife, Janis, were married in the same chapel. Wed, 28 May 2008 13:41:11 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/271759 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/271759