Tumblr

So I started a tumblr for my daughter, posting a picture of her everyday with the intention of looking back at it with her when she gets older to see what it was like in her first 2 years. 

Then I came up with the idea of posting whatever I read at work when I'm not dealing with retirees and the world's most renown professors and surgeons who cannot fill out forms properly.  Just about every article I read I post, along with videos and comments about what I am reading.  It is pretty easy and I found that I like to comment on other people's work, rather than do the work myself. 

You can find me at jamiedupler.tumblr.com and elladupler.tumblr.com. 

I am most active on here with my college football betting and I am not sure how I can do that over there (I haven't found how to add pictures to a post with a caption), but I have about 10 readers so I don't think it matters.  Anyway, I will be over there more often than not.

Let's welcome Memphis to 2013 Big East Football

With news coming down that Memphis has accepted an offer to become the newest, and 12th member of Big East football and in all other sports, the Big East's goal of surviving as a conference is complete.  However, surviving the exits of Syracuse, Pitt and WVU, they may solidified their status as a mid-major conference.  Let's take a look at the new Big East (assuming all the teams leaving are able to leave for the 2013/2014 school year):

Big East East:
Central Florida (added 2012, C-USA)
Cincinnati (added 2005, C-USA)
UConn (added 2004, Independent. I-AA 1980-1999)
Navy (added 2015, Independent)
Rutgers (Original member)
South Florida (added 2005, C-USA. I-AA 1997-2001, Independent 2001-2003)

Big East West:
Boise State (added 2012, MWC/WAC)
Houston (added 2012, C-USA)
Memphis (added 2013, C-USA)
Louisville (added 2005, C-USA)
San Diego State (added 2012, WAC)
SMU (added 2012, WAC)

Teams lost:
Boston College (2005, ACC)
Miami (FL) (2005, ACC)
Pittsburgh (2013, ACC)
Virginia Tech (2005, ACC)
Syracuse (2013, ACC)
TCU (2012, Big XII)
West Virginia (2012, Big XII)

Now if these teams do not define a mid-major conference, I do not know what does.  The Big East could not have expected, as the weakest auto-BCS league, to lose the "best" programs, raid C-USA and keep their BCS status.  Oh and the football program they just added had their fired coach say this at his exit presser.

Good luck with that, Big Least (ahhhyyyoooo)

*AD response Update* Memo to the B1G: Keep up or get out of the way

Who wants some?!

"You're pissed because we went after a committed guy?  Guess what?  We have 9 guys who better go do it again.  Do it a little harder next time".  Shots fired (back).

This is what Urban had to say at the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Clinic this morning, first reported by TheOZone.net and I found it from @LostLetterman.

This is a response to Bielema and Dantonio's bitching after signing day where the Buckeyes landed the 3-6th best class (depending on who you ask) while taking Se'Von Pittman who was committed to Sparty and Kyle Dodson, a lineman from Cleveland who had committed to the Badgers in the summer.

Things are getting hot and heavy and Urban hasn't been in the B1G for 3 months.  The two coaches who have had the best run in the last two years are not too happy with an SEC coach coming into the B1G and doing things the wrong way.  The way that has led the SEC to win 6 straight national championships, beating the B1G (Ohio State) in the title game twice.  Florida pounded, arguably, the best B1G team in the last 10 years ('06 Buckeyes) by 4 scores on the biggest stage.

You know who you don't hear bitching?  Michigan and Penn State.  They would have something to say about the Buckeyes "stealing" committed guys, but they haven't said anything.  You would think that Hoke would maybe chirp in because he likes to talk and forget the State part of Ohio State, but he has stayed quiet.  Michigan did finish with a Top 10 class themselves, however, I am sure he would have said something if he was pissed.  He probably isn't because Michigan is a top class program on their way back, and they probably like the challenge.  Penn State's coach, who is calling plays for the Pats in the Super Bowl, has not been quoted after Ohio State took 2 of their guys.  Michigan and Penn State are big time programs and understand you have to do what you have to do to get your guys.



He was good. In the 90s.



Michigan State won a share of the B1G title in 2010 but didn't make it to the Rose Bowl and lost to Alabama by 40 in the Citrus Bowl after a season that marked the most wins in school history.  Wisconsin made the Rose Bowl the last two years, losing both, to TCU and Oregon respectively.  The Badgers were the lead dog in the B1G the entire year and seemed to be on the path to the national title after a dismantling of Nebraska when Gameday came to Madison.  It was Wisconsin's first (and only) "huge" win where they were favored.  All their other program-defining wins have been an upset in the Rose Bowl in the late '90s and wins over the higher ranked Buckeyes, Wolverines and Nittany Lions (usually at home).  Their best players have been Ron Dayne and a QB that transferred for one year after playing at N.C. State.



After Wisconsin put
83 on IU in 2010


The Badgers are upset Urban is doing things the wrong way.  Here's a fun history fact: Wisconsin put 83 on Indiana in 2010.  Also, after going for two after a passing touchdown to put his team up by more than 5 touchdowns in the 4th last year, Bielema responded that his card told him to go for two after he was asked why he would run up the score.  It seems to me, on gameday, Wisconsin goes by the "if you don't like it, go ahead and stop it."  They also seem to love to beat up on the bottom-feeders of the conference, but when they get some competition, they tend to come up short (see: 2011 at Ohio State).

Do you think Urban gives a shit what those guys think?  The rest of the countries' elite programs laugh at the B1G.  Sure, Bielima doesn't want to do things the "SEC way", however, their way works, and dominates.  Get on the train or get run over.  They are pissed because Urban knows what it takes to compete with the SEC and the country, not just the Leaders and Legends.

If you would have told me before Memorial Day that Tressel would be fired retired, TP would be gone, Boom and Posey would miss a majority of the games, Ohio State would end up with a bowl ban after a 6-7 season, hire Urban Meyer and bring in a top 5 recruiting class, I would have punched you in the dick.

Michigan is back (maybe, probably).  Wisconsin is on top.  Michigan State is second.  Nebraska is lurking.  I hope they enjoyed Ohio State's one transition year.  I'll see you in Indy for the B1G Championship Games starting in 2013.



As Bo Ryan would say,
"JUST DEAL WITH IT"


Update:
Barry Alvarez has a response (and it sides with Urb) that he shared with ESPN's Joe Schad:
"Recruiting is recruiting until they sign.  If we had somebody who changed their mind and came to us, that's OK.  Urban was very aggressive but there is no pact within the conference not to continue to recruit. Open season until they sign."

Geno had his take as well:
"I am disappointed that negative references have been made about our football coaches, and particularly head coach Urban Meyer regarding recruiting. In our league appropriate protocol, if you have concerns, is to share those concerns with your Athletic Director (AD). Then your AD will make the determination on the appropriate communication from that point forward. The ADs in our league are professionals and communicate with each other extremely well. Urban Meyer and his staff have had a compliance conscience since they have arrived."

There you have it.  Once again, suck it ya big baby.  JUST BIEL WITH IT.  Next up, after Bert runs to the principals office, Jim Delany's take...Stay tuned for more BIG TEN IS BURNING!!!!

Rest in Peace: Jim Rome is Burning

Today marks the end of Rome's run on ESPN.  His last show of Jim Rome is Burning is airing today, 4:30 on ESPN2.  He is leaving to join the CBS Sports Network for his daily show "that will be a little different" than his current show, with the first show airing April 3rd.

I have probably watched around 80% of JRIB, starting my sophomore year in college when it debuted in the fall/winter of 2003-04 at night.  I would come home from pick up games at JO South or Larkins (now the RPAC) to catch it.  Then he took a hiatus.  Then came DVR and it has been on my watch-list ever since.

It's just another show of mine that I enjoyed watching that is going away, with no real conclusion.  Other shows that didn't "end" that were in my list were:
American Dreams, NBC (2002-2004, 3 seasons) - cancelled
Chappelle's Show, Comedy Central (2002-2005, 2+ seasons) - host, um, quit
Lights Out, FX (2010, 1 season) - cancelled

Rome leaves ESPN after his contract expires.  He says there isn't any drama like some previous situations (see: Dan Patrick), but is joining a new family.  The ESPN Book guy reported that when ESPN decided to change their "happy hour" schedule and moved JRIB to ESPN2 off of ESPN, Rome found out by reading the script and on the top it said ESPN2.  Not exactly how you want to find out you are changing stations. 

At CBS, he will be featured in different sports, such as the NFL, NCAA Final Four and Tennis.  He appeared on the CBS NFL pregame show before AFC Championship, so he will do more than he did at ESPN.  Nothing is changing from his radio show, and for a short while, he will be able to focus more on his radio show instead of double-dipping every day.  Mark Shapiro, who brought him back to ESPN, is behind his new shows at CBS and it seems to be a nice fit along with something different for Rome.


There are a lot of moments from the show, however here are a few of my favorites from JRIB that stick out off the top of my head:

Rome gets all messed up while doing his show live outside of the Super Bowl in Miami (2007)...the teleprompter is slow and he inserts periods in the middle of every sentence.  Very hard to watch.

Rome's correspondence piece with Delonte West.  Cavs, Delonte, doughnuts.

Final Burn: Annoying pick up basketball guy.

Final Burn: Fantasy Football guy

Final Burn: Modern Warfare 3/Call of Duty guy

I'm going to have a void on my DVR, which will hopefully get filled by Lebatard who is taking over his slot.  Once Rome returns to CBS Sports Net, I'll pick it up again, and when he gets going with this monthly show "Rome" on Showtime in November, I'll be sure to check that as well.  As for JRIB, I will miss you.  He is out.

This move was first reported by The Big Lead.  Here is the post.

College Basketball Unis - Nike going PLATINUM



Courtesy: Nike, Uniwatch


If you have been watching college basketball, you may have noticed that random teams are wearing gray this year.  In the past, Texas, WVU, UConn, Ohio State, Georgetown among others have gone gray.  Hell, last night, Purdue went gray or a gray/gold set.

Today, Nike whipped out new grey "Platinum" uniforms for their "Elite" schools.  The universities include: Arizona, UConn, Duke, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Syracuse.  The women have also been included with Baylor and UConn getting the platinum treatment as well.  What they all have in common (besides final fours as a Nike school)?  None of the teams have gray in their school colors.  Syracuse fans have been all up in arms since the gray has been rumored.  They see as their school should wear orange and not a color of their rivals (Georgetown).  Well, their worst nightmare is here.  Here are what the unis look like.  I couldn't really find any good pictures, but the best come from this Lost Letterman post.

Arizona:
Worn: vs. UCLA (2/25)

UCONN:
Worn: vs. Notre Dame (1/29)

Duke:
Worn: vs. Maryland (2/11)...take that Under Armour

Florida:
Worn: vs. Tennessee (2/11)

Kentucky:
Worn: vs. Tennessee (1/31)

UNC:
Worn: vs. Maryland (2/29)...take that Under Armour

Syracuse:
Worn: vs. USF (2/22)

I don't mind adding a grey uniform, but once again, Nike makes a template and the teams look all the same (as in they are Team Nike).  I like the name on the front of jersey but one of my pet peeves is white numbers on a light color jersey.  Grey shirts should be treated as white and have a darker color for the number.

For the case of Duke, Syracuse and Kentucky, their school-specific pattern is kept but I have no idea why Nike wouldn't release pictures of the uniforms where you can actually see the details.  Also, they have stars above their numbers on the back with the number of championships (with the year inside the star) and the names are under the numbers.

All their "new" uniforms on manikins are in some weird dim lighted future dimension or something.  Whatever...with so many games, a team could have more uniforms than Oregon and if you can sell jerseys and shorts, why not have every team with a pair of unis with their school colors, black, white and grey?  And then "special" uniforms for a random game and then a "special" March Madness jersey, and then a new jersey with all the newest technology and sweat-whisking fabric?  And you cannot forget a special throwback.  You know when Ohio State gets a new uni, I'm all over the new shorts.  So I guess it works.

With a lot more detail and better commentary, check out my guy Paul Lukas at Uni Watch.

Uni Watch
Uni Watch full column

*Minnesota Update* College Uniform Release Day: What they wore back then now and beyond, featuring 2011 Nike Pro Combat Uniforms

1/20 Minnesota Gopher Update
The Golden Gophers first unvieled their helmet, and today they released a video showing their new uniforms, like it was a new ipod or car or something.  As a noted Buckeye honk, Minnesota is a nobody in the B1G so this video is kind of amusing.  It has Alabama or Clemson "swag" (and I use swag as a dig) but the acutal uniforms seems to be pretty plain with all the new nike technology.  I was fully expecting an Oregon-ization with some black and some silver/shiny to be featuring outside of the maroon and gold, but it looks like Nike went back to the glory days of the early 2000s.  Shoulder numbers, no stripes, and a contrasting collar.  Plain pants with some type of honey-comb padding.  Maroon, gold and white shirts and pants.  The numbers have a pattern that has something to do with Eskimos or the lakes, but overall I love the look.  Simple, classy, true to the colors and with the newest fabric.  Well done Gophers, well done.  You could have totally mucked it up, but you went the other way.  And no black jersey (that they show).  Here's the video:

The Jay-Z song from 3 years ago is a nice touch, by the way.  I don't think Sean Carter even knows what Minnesota or a gopher even is.  Anyway, in the time of (see below) uniforms, the Gophers keep it classy.  BRAVO.

Here is a video that explains the details of the uniform.  The numbers have a brick pattern on the white and gold (maroon numbers) jerseys.  The number font goes back to the font that was used on the 1940 jerseys when the Gophers won the national championship.  There is no mention of overall look being similar to the early 2000s but I think they look almost identical. 

Here's the video that explains the details:

Here are videos of the players showing them in a photo shoot:

Schticky

Vince the Sham-Wow guy is back...and apparently he is ok making fun of himself (mug shot)...here's the Official Schticky commercial

*RESULTS UPDATE*Straight Ca$h Homey - BOWL SEASON NCAA Picks

Bowl Week Final:
I finished 5-2 and took the overall championship.  My final record was 67-35-3 (.638) with 11-4 in money games.  Brad went 4-3 so I won by 3 games.  The winner gets their earnings along with $20 from every other player.  That puts me over $350 for the year.

How I did it:
If you have read what I have posted about betting, you know that I like to take the favorites with the big offenses and I also like to bet against teams that are horrible.
I also made a spreadsheet of all my picks so I can look at the trends and what each team did the past few weeks.  I got on the Houston bandwagon and rode them for 4 money games.
I also kept the games I liked but took off the board, so I could see what my gut told me the past week and to see how I did with the games I liked, but took off.  I ended up around .500 with the "alternate" games.

My consistent picks this year have been with...
Oklahoma State - 12 picks (8-4), 0 Money Games
Wisconsin - 9 picks (7-2), 1-1 in Money GamesAlabama - 7 picks (5-2), 1 Money Game
LSU - 7 picks (7-0), 1-0 in Money Game
Houston - 7 (6-1), 4-0 in Money Games
Oregon - 4 picks (2-2), 0-1 in Money Games

College Gameday Picks:
11 picks, 9-2 record, 2-1 Money Games

My consistent picks against:
Minnesota
Iowa State
Kansas
Kentucky
Ole Miss

Out of 105 games, I took the favorite 87 times (60-27).  I took the underdog 18 times (12-6).

Conclusion: This year was lucky.  I took the favorites and they covered 69% of the time.  When I took the underdog, they covered 2/3 of the time.  I looked at a few teams that should win and I looked at a few teams that are bad and should be blown out.  This first week, I wanted to make the Gameday game as the money game, but then I realized that if you lose the money game, you pay up a lot.  If you win, you get some money.  I also learned that one game here or one game there isn't going to make the season so if one team kicks a late fieldgoal to beat the spread by 1, I shouldn't beat myself up about it.  The fact I won is great, but every week I had 7 games circled and it was the most fun thing I have done.  I really hope this continues down the road and I doubt I will ever come near the amount of success I had this year.
Basically I say this: Go with your gut, have fun, and when in doubt, take the teams you want to see win.  And never bet with money you don't have or can't afford.  HAVE FUN! See you for the 2012 season.  Hint: I'm taking USC, LSU and Oklahoma a lot.

I am currently 2 games ahead of Brad for the best record with one week left.  If I hold on, I get $20 from the other 10 guys in the pool along with my winnings that are totaled at $137 as of week 14.  For all the games I didn't take to Bodog or Sportsbook.com, this may be a great way to bring in the new year.  Enough of my personal finances, here are my final picks for the year and the most glorious time of the year...BOWL WEEK!!!

Take the Horned Frogs, you guys

Money Game:

Wed Dec. 21st

Poinsettia Bowl 8:00 ESPN

18TCU -10.5 vs. Louisiana Tech

TCU started out a little rocky, losing to Baylor the first week in one of the games of the year, and lost to SMU in overtime.  Patterson and the bro at qb righted the ship and went into Boise and beat the Broncos after scoring a touchdown in the last seconds and the two-point conversion to win 36-35.  They will have no problem with Tech.
Loss TCU 31 Louisiana Tech 24
LTech was up 24-17 at one point and even with the score to put up TCU by 7, the spread was never in doubt and I debated to take TCU or Boise, I made the wrong pick.  TCU didn't play too bad, I just under estimated a frisky LTech squad.  They have a little something going on down there.

Football things that piss me off

I watch football.  A lot of football.  More college than pro (unless I get free Sunday Ticket/Redzone Channel, then I'm all in).  I love football.  I don't like to bitch and moan about things I love (America isn't perfect, but it's the best).  If there was no football, I'd be greatful to see a touchdown.  Then a replay break for a commercial. Then a PAT.  Then a commercial.  Then a kickoff (touchback).  Then a commercial.  Then a play and an injury.  Then a commercial with the soft Fox/Techmo Bowl injury music.  Then another play, a pass, with a roughing the passer/PI/illegal touching/defensive holding penalty.  And after tonight, I'm going to miss and countdown until opening day for college.  BUT...there are things that happen game to game that really piss me off.  If I was in charge of such things, as on xbox, these are the things that drive me nuts and what I would do instead.  Coaching for the couch is fun!

Offense:
Going for it on 4th and Punting/Kicking on 4th and 1 (inches):
     I wish more teams would call plays like they have 4 downs instead of 3.  3rd and 8, you can call two plays to get 8 yards instead of one pass for 10-15 yards and a punt.  Also, I am a big believer of "if you can't get a yard, you don't deserve to score".  Keep your offense on the field.  Also, if you punt it at when you are at the 50 and kick it into the endzone, they get the ball at the 20.  Then they have a good chance to get the ball to the 50 anyway, so why not give yourself a chance and go for it.  Most teams are not conditioned to defend against 4th down.  After 3rd down, they automatically go into the "we stopped them" mindset.

Craig James' first political Ad

If you know anything about me, or have been on the Internet this past year, you know that I do not like Craig James.  I don't didn't mind him as an announcer, but his role in the firing of Mike Leach from Texas Tech and ESPN's have-his-back-at-all-costs is utterly dumbfounding.  My favorite meme ever is #FireCraigJames and after this season, he announced he was in the running for the Senate seat of his home state, Texas, which took him off the air.  The fact he is running is laughable at best, but at least he is off my TV.  His first ad hit the airwaves this week and here it is:

The fact he wants to be the next Rick Perry is awesome.  I'm not political at all, and I hope he gets tens of votes.  As long as he is off my TV and not getting coaches fired because his son is a spoiled entitled slow receiver with the dropsies, I'm good with it.

Awful Announcing has been all over this entire thing, along with the outstanding college football community on twitter.  The day Craig James stepped down at ESPN was a victory for every college football fan.

Awful Announcing featuring Craig James

Here's a nice post about hating on James.

#VoteCraigJames