Radio: Johnny Ballgame Show – 12.27.2010

Talking Ohio State suspensions

Terrelle Pryor tends to be a topic of debate. I discuss his legacy on The Johnny Ballgame Show. Getty Images

The Johnny Ballgame Show, heard weekdays 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. PST in eastern Oregon.

On Monday night I was invited back to The Johnny Ballgame Show, a sports talk show heard in La Grande, Oregon Monday-Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific time. I have made multiple appearances on the show this season but my conversation Monday night may have been the most fun. Rather than breaking down any games on the bowl schedule we took a look at the recent suspension of players at Ohio State, including quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

You get my thoughts on the alleged hypocrisy of the NCAA and what the legacy of Pryor, the highly recruited quarterback out of western Pennsylvania, looks like after this episode and moving forward. Don’t forget that Pryor is about to play in his third BCS bowl game and has put together a rather impressive record at Ohio State despite some of his flaws in the passing game. Is he one of the greatest college football players?

Listen to what I have to say and let me know what you think.

Is Pryor one of the top college football players? Is his ego an issue? Should he or any of the oher suspended Buckeyes return next season or consider going pro? What is your opinion on the NCAA’s ruling and should these players be playing in the Sugar Bowl against Arkansas?

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Bowl Predictions – Sheraton Hawaii Bowl

Overall: 5-1

I took my first hit of the bowl season last night as Navy failed to beat San Diego State, so I’m looking to get back on the winning track on Christmas Eve with a successful pick in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. Whoever wins, I expect the offenses to be the story of the night.

Hawaii (10-3) vs. Tulsa (9-3)

Preview

Tonight marks Hawaii‘s seventh bowl game of the 2000′s and only once have they not played in their home state’s bowl game. Outside of a dream season that saw Hawaii receive an invite to the Sugar Bowl, where they were roughed up by the Georgia Bulldogs, Hawaii has routinely played in the Hawaii Bowl, where the Warriors have a standing invitation to the game on a yearly basis. This year Hawaii clinched a share of the WAC by doing what they always have done, pass the ball. The Warriors are the leading passing offense in the nation and if the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl was a lesson to me it was that I should place more faith in the team with the better passing game.

But Tulsa has a much more balanced offense than Hawaii, ranking 16th in the nation in passing and 15th in rushing. The scoring is ranked tenth in the nation, just a smidgen behind Hawaii at ninth. And just because Hawaii is playing what is essentially a home game does not mean they have much of an advantage. They are 2-2 in the game since 2002 with losses to Notre Dame and Tulane (wins against Alabama Birmingham and Arizona State).

I tend to pick against the one dimension offenses in bowl games (last night as an exception), and so I’m going to side with Tulsa in this one. What about you?

Pinstripe Bowl Mayor Bet

I mentioned this in the previous post, but now I have the video to share with you.

Pinstripe Bowl: First look at Syracuse, Kansas State end zones

The folks at the New York Yankees and the New Era Pinstripe Bowl sent along a couple photos of the beginning stages of the preparation for the football field for next week’s bowl game between Syracuse and Kansas State. It’s not much but here’s a look at the end zones.

Kansas State end zone at Yankee Stadium. Photo: New York Yankees.

Syracuse end zone at Yankee Stadium being painted. Photo: New York Yankees.

By the way, the traditional mayor bet between the mayors of Manhattan, Kansas and Syracuse, New York took place this week as well. The folks of Syracuse have put up some genuine Syracuse sausages and Syracuse Pale Ale while Manhattan is putting up some hickory smoked ribs and an assortment of local brews, Oasis Pale Ale and Buffalo Sweat.

I’ll be covering the game live next week form the press box, so be sure to check back for more updates. I’ll also be covering the Military Bowl in Washington D.C. the day before.

Bowl Predictions – San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl

Overall: 5-0

As I expected, Boise State blew by Utah in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas Wednesday evening, winning 26-3 in a game that was a little more sloppy than I expected in terms of ball control. Both teams turned the ball over and Kellen Moore missed a couple of passes that should probably be blamed on wide receivers not bringing the ball in, but Utah had an even worse offensive night. With the Broncos victory over the Utes the changing of the guard in the Mountain West Conference has officially taken place and I improved to 5-0 in my bowl predictions.

Now it’s going to start getting tricky.

San Diego State (8-4) vs. Navy (9-3)

Preview

Contrasting offenses may each be hampered by flooded playing surface. San Diego has experienced an unusual amount of rainfall in recent days and the field at Qualcomm Stadium has been flooded by a reported ten inches of rain. San Diego averages 10 inches of rain per year, just for your reference. Officials still believe there will be enough time to pump the flood water out of the stadium and have the field in a playable condition in time for the scheduled kick off but I honestly am not sure the field will be in a greta condition no matter what they do to the surface.

Navy, who always relies on the running game, may have a difficulty in getting any solid traction. Not even Ricky Dobbs may be able to do any significant damage against San Diego State, who tends to do well against the run. The Aztecs though take to the air to move the ball when they are on offense but don’t expect too many deep passes in this game if the receivers fail to move quickly on a spongy field.

So who has the advantage here? I still think Navy has the better chance to win this game but given the uncertainty surrounding the playing conditions I am finding it hard to go against San Diego State. Does a swamp for a football field benefit the running game or the passing game more? I’ll stick with Navy, but in a close one.

Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego was flooded this week but should be playable by kickoff. AP Photo/K.C. Alfred

Previous Picks

• New Orleans Bowl, New Mexico Bowl, Humanitarian Bowl
• Beef O’Brady’s Bowl
• MAACO Bowl Las Vegas