Erin Andrews Wins Again!!

Some of you may have heard about the the contest being run by Playboy to find America's sexiest sportscaster. Well all the votes have been tallied, and the results are in. Once again for the second year in a row ESPN's Erin Andrews has taken the title of sexiest sportscaster in America. Not too surprising really. Congrats to Erin, although our vote here at Walker-Sports still goes with Washington D.C.'s own Lindsey Czarniak

A-Rod Test For Positive For Steroids, What's That Mean For MLB?

By now, everyone has heard the news that New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez tested positive for anabolic steroids during the 2003 baseball season. At the time A-Rod was playing shortstop for the Texas Rangers. He was also the AL's home run champion and the AL MVP. According to four different sources, A-rod tested positive for two anabolic steroids.

To be completely honest I could careless what this means for A-Rod or for the New York Yankees as I am not a fan of either. However, I do find the situation very interesting for Major League Baseball. This has not been the best week for Bud Selig and company in the home offices. Earlier this week Selig was ripped for earning $18 million last year. On Wednesday the federal government unsealed documents that will confirm the steroid use by Barry Bonds, and now you have one of the biggest names in the sport on the biggest team in the game testing positive for steroids. To be frank, MLB is hurting.

It seems that no matter what Major League Baseball does it just cannot get out of it's own way. They have tried to put the entire steroid era behind them by ignoring it, and it did not work. They confronted it with the Mitchell Report and it did not help. And now you have another major player testing positive and it just makes this whole thing feel like the nightmare you just cannot wake up from.

MLB has taken some major hits over the last 10 years. If it's not one thing it's another and obviously Bud Selig cannot right what is a very slow sinking ship. Perhaps MLB should scrap their leader bring in someone else and try start over again. Baseball will never return to it's glory days that is for sure. It is pretty sad to see how what was once an American pride has crumbled in the national spotlight.

Shaquille O'Neal Neal Anti Gay?

According to some gay rights groups the Big Daddy came across as being anti-gay in this commercial he filmed for ESPN. As a result ESPN chose to pull the ad before he made its way into regular circulation.

The funny part about all of this is, anyone who has checked up on Shaq's track record he is anything but anit-gay. He was one of the first players to come out a few years ago and stated he would have no problem with a gay teammate. To add to that, when Shaq was a member of the Miami Heat he once put on his sheriffs hat and chased down and arrested a group outside of a club who were taking part in a gay bashing beat down. So in reality Shaq is anything but anti gay. Nonetheless ESPN chose to air on the side of caution with this one.

Walker's Favorite Super Bowl Ads

Super Bowl XLIII was phenomenal. Really it was, the game far exceeded my expectations and if you lived under a rock and did not know who Larry Fitzgerald was before the game kicked off, you better realize who he is now. While the action on the field was hot, some of the biggest companies in the United States proved they did not care about the recession and went out, spent big and struck gold with some great commercials. Listed bellow are our favorite Super Bowl commercials.

The PETA Super Bowl Commercial that NBC Doesn't Want You to See

We all know what PETA's agenda is. In addition we also know what the Super Bowl is really about, Viagra and Beer ads. So I'm not too sure why this PETA ad was considered too racy for the Super Bowl. Nonetheless, I've gone out of my way to find the ad that the Super Bowl does not want you to see.

Reggie Bush Has Surgery, And We Ask Is He a Bust?

There is something wrong with Reggie Bush. Well, we have known since October that the onetime top pick of the New Orleans Saints has suffered from knee injuries the sidelined him for the bulk of the 2008 season. However, today our understanding of the extent of Reggie Bush’s knee injuries just became a little bit clearer, while our understanding of the future for the star tailback just become clouded.

The New Orleans Saints admitted today in a phone call that Reggie Bush underwent a microfracture surgery procedure on his left knee. The surgery took place in mid-December shortly after the Saints back was placed on injury reserve due to lingering problems in the knee. The microfracture surgery will sideline Bush for several months as he works to rehab the injured knee. Saints officials are hoping that Reggie Bush will be healthy enough to play come mini-camp in June.

However, the more interesting story behind all of this, is one has to examine the idea that Reggie Bush is a NFL bust? Just take a look at the stats, and see for yourself how effective the one time USC star has been since entering the NFL in 2006. Since entering the NFL in 2006 Reggie Bush has competed in all 16 games just once. Over the course of his three year career, Reggie Bush has rushed for 1550 yards, and he has 1599 yards receiving, that’s his combined total. Yes, Bush shares times one Pro-Bowler Deuce McAllister, but those numbers are flat out horrible for a player who was labeled as the savior for the franchise.

Reggie Bush has had his moments of stardom where he can take over a game with his big play ability, especially on special teams, where he is a threat to return a punt for a touchdown nearly every time he touches the ball. However, the sum of his overall body of work has to leave most wanting more from the top draft pick. In reality Reggie Bush’s impact on the Saint’s offense has been little more than the impact Devon Hester has had on the Chicago Bears offense.

Now with two years of limited action due to a bum knee, and the recent news of microfracture surgery, one has to seriously consider the overall effect of having Reggie Bush on the roster. His production on the field has been limited at best. He proved he cannot run between the tackles and therefore he is not an every down back. Not to mention, Bush seemed to pick up a bit of a fumbling problem this past season when he was in action. In addition one has to wonder just how seriously Reggie Bush takes his football career. He has plenty of distractions in his life now that he is dating tabloid headliner Kim Kardashian. Will he spend more time jetting between L.A. and Vegas than rehabbing? Hey, it is a legitimate question to ask, if Jessica Simpson is the antichrist for Tony Romo, who’s to say Kim Kardashian does not have the same affect on Bush.

Granted hind sight is 50/50 as Steve Spurrier would say, but one has to think the Houston Texans got it right, when they picked up Mario Williams with the first picked and passed on Reggie Bush. The injuries plus the lack of size, it’s just not possible for Bush to live up to expectations and he will never amount to much more than an above average special teams player.

Terrell Owens Ruins Ed Werder's Career

Okay so everyone knows about all the drama and BS circulating around the Dallas Cowboys. NFL fans who are more in tune with what is going on have now heard the post game press conference where Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens attacks ESPN reporter Ed Werder. The clip bellow shows that maybe T.O. wasn't spewing randomness, the fans are taking his side.

Here is Ed Werder trying to do his thing, and one Dallas fan does his best to expose him for what he is worth. This is just funny.

Top 25 Poll: It's About to Get Ugly

The college football landscape got a bit of a makeover on Saturday thanks to Oklahoma pounding Texas Tech. The results have already been shown in the BCS standings, but now it’s time to figure out what the shake up did to the Walker-Sports College football standings.

1) Alabama: The Iron Bowl is right around the corner, but for all the obvious reasons this years edition of a great Southern rivalry is not as exciting. What Alabama needs to do is make sure they stay focused. First they must focus on Auburn and pour everything they have into that game. Once the final whistle is blown they can look around the corner to Florida. But they have to take it one step at a time, as there is still a lot of work to do.

2) Oklahoma: The Sooners put together their best performance of the season on Saturday, and it could not have come at a better time. National television against the second ranked team in the country and the Oklahoma Sooners destroyed the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The Sooners offense looked dangerous and their defense smothered Texas Tech. While Saturday was great, the Sooners must put it behind them and now focus on Oklahoma State. Handle business there, and this whole BCS/Big 12 mess should sort itself out and the Oklahoma Sooners will end up exactly where they deserve.

3) Florida Gators: Some people will say, Florida got screwed by ending up third in this poll, but at the end of the day, they are in the best position of any team in the top 25. While they are sitting in the third spot, Florida controls its own destiny. Yes the Gators still need to get by in state rival Florida State next weekend, and God only knows which FSU team will show up. But once they are done with that, it’s pretty much assured that the Gators will match up against Alabama for the SEC title. If Florida wins that game, then they is in, it’s pretty simple.

4) USC: It’s going to be very funny to me when USC finishes the season in the top five in the country and fails to win the Pac-10. Nonetheless, the Trojans have put together a good season, but that one lost on a Thursday night looks like it will bite them in the ass. I bet you that Pete Carroll and company are wishing the Pac-10 had a conference championship now.

5) Texas: The Longhorns are getting screwed. No other way to put it really. Texas has done everything right, but they will need a lot of help to get back into the mix of things. The way Oklahoma destroyed Texas Tech actually hurt Texas because Texas lost to the Red Raiders. It also does not help the Longhorns that they lost to the Red Raiders just a few weeks ago. Teams that lose early are rewarded, while those who lose late are punished.

6) Utah: The dream season remains in tact and after winning in their big game against BYU. It is set and done that that the Utes will be a part of the BCS one again. This will make them a two time BCS party crasher. It has been a great season, and they will enjoy playing the Bearcats in a game that Utah should win.

7) Boise State: America’s favorite BCS busters are still in the mix and alive and well. Boise State has worked its way into the top ten in the BCS rankings and if they can hold on against Fresno State they too will be BCS dancing once again. If the chips fall correctly, Boise State could get a shot at an ACC team, and if that is the case they will be celebration their second win in a BCS game.

8) Penn State: Joe Pa could not have written a better exit plan for his storied career. Penn State has dominated the Big 10 all season, and after destroying Michigan State, PSU is on their way to the Rose Bowl. Everything has just fallen into place for Penn State, now let’s hope that Joe Pa does the right thing and steps down after his big game.

9) Ball State: I feel like a broken record saying this, but this has been a great year for Ball State and they have done everything right. However at the end of the day, they fail to have a marquee victory over anyone. And the result is Ball State is left out of the BCS Bowl games.

10) Missouri Tigers: The more I look at the Tigers just hanging out in the Big 12 North, the more they scare me. Missouri will play the Big 12 Championship in their back yard, and I keep getting these visions of them playing spoilers. If they knock of Texas, Texas Tech or Oklahoma, the BCS computers may explode.

11) Ohio State: The best part about this ranking is we will not have to watch Ohio State be the whipping boy for another SEC team in a BCS game. That alone makes this season better than either of the previous two years.

12) Texas Tech: Texas Tech fell back into their old ways and old habits on Saturday night. The Air Raid offense was grounded, and the Texas Tech defense looked like Swiss cheese. Texas Tech can still factor into the Big 12 race but they are likely out of running for a BCS Championship.

13) Georgia Bulldogs: It just wasn’t the season for Mark Richt and his boys. They get in state rival Georgia Tech this weekend. Other than that, they will play in a New Years day game, which is great, but it will seem extremely anti-climatic.

14) Oklahoma State: The Cowboys have had a great season, and things could get even better by next week this time. Oklahoma State has the opportunity to play spoiler when they take on the red hot Oklahoma Sooners. Oklahoma State has a history of kicking the Sooners when they are at their best, pulling the upset this time could prove to be as sweet as a trip to a BCS game.

15) Cincinnati Bearcats: Look who showed up and won the Big East. I have to admit that I did not see that one coming. Now the biggest question in Cincinnati is where their head coach will end up as he is high on the Tennessee Vols wish list. The way he handles the next few weeks going into his BCS game could prove to be very important to the Bearcats welfare.

16) TCU: Great year played some great football. Their two losses came against two BCS teams, really TCU did everything they were supposed to do, but just did not have enough in the tank. This is the life that is college football.

17) Oregon State: One win away from the unthinkable, a trip to the Rose Bowl. Truly Oregon State upending USC and taking their spot in the Rose Bowl would have to go down as one of the all time great moments in college football. However, before the Beavers can pack their bags for southern Cal, they must take on in state rival Oregon in the Civil War battle. You can bet the atmosphere will be crazy for this game.

18) BYU: When the season opened, the Cougars wanted to go undefeated and make it to a BCS game. When the hopes for a BCS season went down the tubes early in the season, the goal then became beat Utah. Well after Saturday, that goal will go unfulfilled as well. In the end of the day, BYU had a good season, but they fell well short of any expectations they had for themselves.

19) Oregon: The Ducks have hung around this spot of the poll all season and truth is told they have had a solid season; this is a team that knew they were going into a transition year of sorts. Not to mention they have gone through about 300 quarterbacks thanks to injuries. Nonetheless, the Ducks have a chance to play spoiler on Saturday when they travel to take on Oregon State and if they can do that, the season will not seem so bad.

20) Michigan State: So close but yet such a long way to go, that was the story all season for Michigan State. The Spartans were crushed both times they matched up against the elite of the Big 10. That is what happens when a team has a one dimensional attack. Good teams know how to stop it and leave you looking for answers.

21) Northwestern: This has been an amazing season for Northwestern. No many saw this team working their way into a bowl game but that is exactly what they have done. I tip my hat to them on a great season.

22) Boston College: Maybe they are the best team in the ACC; at this point I am not even sure what that means. The Eagles have a chance to play for an ACC Championship, and no matter who stumbles into that game, the Eagles have a chance to win.

23) Ga. Tech: Talk about a great first year. Paul Johnson leaves Navy comes to Ga. Tech and he has his option offense rolling at full speed already, and he has yet to bring in all his players. Ga. Tech has over achieved this season, and that is not a bad thing.

24) Florida State: Bobby Bowden will do whatever it takes to make sure he sticks around long enough to pass Joe Pa on the all time wins list. Why else would FSU be playing up to this level this late in the season?

25) West Virginia: Pat White had his best game of the season on Saturday, but it was far too little too late to save the season.

Walker-Sports Top 25 Poll: The Calm Before The Storm

The College football landscape remained mostly quiet over the weekend, with only one top twenty five matchup on the schedule. This means that many of your top teams saw little to no movement in their rankings. However, that should be considered the calm before the storm. The next three weeks will prove to be a mad dash to the finish, and it is anyone’s guest who will end up being the leader entering the clubhouse. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s take a look at how the top 25 shapes up for this week.

1) Alabama: Alabama must remained focused coming down the stretch of the season. They have a big rivalry game with Auburn coming up. And while Tommy Tuberville may be on his way out and Auburn is horrible, it is a rivalry game, and if Bama gets caught up in looking ahead to the SEC Championship game and Florida, it could all be thrown away in a heartbeat with a lost to Auburn.

2) Texas Tech: The Red Raiders are almost through the fire, but they have another major test on Saturday night when they take on the Oklahoma Sooners. If Texas Tech can hold off the Sooners, they will be a lock for the Big 12 South title, and a spot in the Big 12 Championship against Missouri.

3) Florida Gators: The Gators once again proved they are the hottest team in college football by dismantling the South Carolina Gamecocks. Once again Florida found itself dominating on defense and proving to be simply too fast for anyone to keep up with. Florida finds itself in a similar position that Alabama is in. They cannot look ahead, with the Florida State Seminoles coming to town. They must remain focused on that instate rival. Once they take care of business there, they can focus on the SEC Championship and Bama.

4) Oklahoma Sooners: The Sooners will be forced to lay it all on the table in the upcoming weeks. Saturday Oklahoma host Texas Tech and if the Sooners can pull off the upset, they will slingshot themselves right into the thick of the National Title hunt, and probably cause the BCS computers to explode at the same time. All of which I would consider good things.

5) USC: Like several other teams in this poll, USC presents a number of interesting variables to consider when picking the BCS games. USC does not control their own fate in the Pac-10. Oregon State holds a tie breaker over them. However, at the same time, if the BCS turns into a jumble because Missouri knocks off any of the Big 12 South teams then you can bet USC will start clamoring for the right to play in the national title game. Make any else? Good I didn’t think so either.

6) Utah: the Utes have the best chance of being the team from a non BCS conference to make a BCS game. As it stands a team ranked inside the BCS top12 is automatically qualified to make the big show. Currently the Utes are seventh in the poll, and they are preparing for a big game against BYU. You can also bet that if Utah goes undefeated, and they can get some of the Missouri love they will want to at least throw their hat in the ring for a claim to play for a national title.

7) Texas Longhorns: The Longhorns have played some great football this season, but sadly there is a good chance they may not be rewarded for their effort. If there is a three way tie in the Big 12 South, the tie breaker goes to the team with the highest BCS ranking. The BCS computers tend to slam the team with the most recent lost. That means that despite beating Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout, the Longhorns could miss out on the Big 12 Championship and a national title because they lost to Texas Tech more recently thus allowing Oklahoma to leapfrog them in the standings. I told you this could get real screwy.

8) Boise State: Boise State presents another interest BCS scenario much like their buddies Utah. Boise State is most likely to run the table and win another WAC title. And currently they are ranked ninth in the BCS poll this means they would also likely qualify for a BCS bid. In a perfect world Utah would lose to BYU which would put Boise in the BCS game without a doubt, but the world and the BSC especially are far from perfect. Boise State will need to win out, and get a little luck if they want to make it to the big show.

9) Penn State: Penn State is back on track after their misstep against Iowa a couple weeks ago. Now they are preparing to take on Michigan State in what will be a must win game. If Penn State loses the game, they are out of the Big 10 title hunt and likely out of the BCS. If they can knock off Michigan State, then PSU can punch their tickets to the Rose Bowl.

10) Ball State: The BCS gives this team no love. They dropped from 14-17 despite beating Miami of Oh. A shame really. Ball State did everything they were asked to do, and will get no love. I am sure Jason Whitlock will be complaining about this for years to come. Anyways, at least it has been a great story to watch this season.

11) Missouri Tigers: The Tigers have the chance to play the biggest spoiler roll in BCS history. It does not matter which one of the Big 12 South teams they play for the conference championship, all they need to do is win. If they do, the entire BCS will automatically go into overdrive in an effort to figure out who is the second ranked team in the country.

12) Ohio State: It’s Michigan vs. Ohio State week, and there is barely a buzz circulating around. That just goes to who you how far Michigan has fallen. OSU is out of the Big 10 title hunt, but there is an outside chance they can steal a spot in a BCS game. Especially if it can boil down between them and say a Boise State. The one thing hurting the Buckeyes will be their horrible performances in the last two BCS games and well any game out of conference as of late.

13) Georgia Bulldogs: Georgia had a good season, and a spot in the Capital One Bowl is nothing to be ashamed of. Just not exactly were they wanted to end up at when, they originally had hopes of winning a national title. The Georgia front office may want to start looking at their head coach as well, as his name is becoming a hot topic for many NFL GM’s.

14) BYU: The hopes for BYU’s perfect season are long gone, but they can still play a big roll on the national scene when they face off against instate rival Utah. A win against the Utes will knock them out of the BCS and allow Boise and probably OSU or another BCS Conference team to sneak into a game. BYU is on the clock as a spoiler team.

15) Michigan State: Despite being ranked this low, Michigan State has had a great year. Not many would have thought that coming down the stretch of the season, the Spartans would have the opportunity to win the Big 10 Championship. Their game against Penn State is as big as it gets. A win there and they are Rose Bowl bound.

16) Oklahoma State: Oklahoma State has had a great season. In many ways they are where Texas Tech has been for the past several years, a very good team but not ready to compete with the big boys in the Big 12 South. However, they will get one last crack at it, when they take on the Oklahoma Sooners. The outcome of the Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma game will determine how important the Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State game is. No matter what, it looks like the Cowboys will be in the Gator Bowl and that’s not a bad place to finish things up.

17) TCU: TCU has had a great season with their only two losses to teams within the top 10. They are not in the running for any competition for any national or even conference glory, but they can be proud of the season they have had.

18) LSU: It just was not the year for the Bayou Tigers. The SEC just proved to be too tough for them. Now LSU needs to focus on finishing strong and letting things end on a high note.

19) Cincinnati Bearcats: The best in the Big East. The Bearcats are not a bad team, but it will be hard to swallow seeing them in a BCS game especially if they get stuck playing one of the Big 12 cast offs.

20) Pittsburgh: Pitt is in the exact same position as Cincinnati. The showdown between the two schools will determine who wins the Big East. It will also determine who will be the sacrificial lamb of the BCS.

21) Oregon State: Hanging out near the bottom of the top 25, the Beavers control their own destiny and that is important. With games against Arizona and instate rival Oregon the Beavers are primed to take home a Pac-10 title and in doing so, claim a trip to the Rose Bowl.

22) Maryland: The Terps have had an up and down season, but somehow they have clung around and fought themselves back into the top 25. The ACC is an absolute mess, and it is difficult to tell who will win, or who will do what. But out of a bunch of mediocre teams, Maryland appears to have the edge for the last twenty minutes.

23) Oregon: The Ducks are playing solid football. While they do not factor into the Pac-10 title hunt, they can play the roll of spoiler. They will travel to Oregon State to play in the Civil War. A win there and the Ducks can consider it a good season.

24) Miami: After a two year hiatus, the Canes are back. Miami is in the midst of a six game winning streak, and this team is beginning to look like your fathers Miami Hurricanes. They are tough on defense and have speed on the edges on the offense. The Canes may be young, but you better get used to seeing them in the top 25.

25) UNC: The Tar Heels lost to Maryland in a close one on Saturday, but they didn’t fall too far in the rankings. And considering that the next three teams I would rank are also all average ACC teams, I saw no harm in giving the Heels the spot.

Walker-Sports Top 25 Poll:Bama Survives

It seems like this college football season just gets better and better every week. This past weekend was no exception. Alabama was taken to the limit down in the Bayou, Utah had to fight to keep their BCS hopes alive and Texas Tech is still proven critics wrong by blowing out a top 10 team. Now let’s take a look and see how the top 25 shakes out as teams are feeling the pressure with crunch time getting closer.

1) Alabama: Nick Saban took his boys into very hostile territory but they stayed focus fought hard and came away with the win. This may have been the most impressive win of the season for Alabama. They locked up the SEC West, but they got a Gator buzz saw waiting for them in the SEC championship game.

2) Texas Tech: The Red Raiders flexed their muscles Saturday night against Oklahoma State. The Cowboys never had a chance. Graham Harrell was simply amazing as was Michael Crabtree. I have a sneaking suspicion that Texas Tech is going to screw something up in the BCS this year.

3) Florida Gators: The best team in football right now. The Ole Miss game is long forgotten and Urban Myers has his team on a mission. If they win out it would be hard to deny this one lost team that is for sure.

4) Oklahoma Sooners: The Sooners were underrated all season and that seems to work for them. Remember they began the season ranked 19^th in 2000 when they won a national title. Oklahoma gets a week off, and then they will be thrust into the national spotlight when they take on Texas Tech. A win there and the Sooners will have a major claim to get back into the title hunt.

5) USC: The Trojans fell into this spot simply because they have stuck around long enough. And hopefully that will not be the reason the sneak into the BCS Championship game. Although USC vs. Penn State in the Rose Bowl is not appealing either. This is not Pete Carrols best team and they proved that with another lackluster performance again Cal on Saturday.

6) Utah: They may just be legit this season. Utah survived a tight scare against an upset minded TCU on Thursday night. As a result they live to fight another day, and their BCS hope are a live and well, which actually could spell trouble for fellow BCS buster Boise State.

7) Texas Longhorns: The Texas Longhorns have gotten a lot of love in the BCS Poll and in all honesty it is difficult to dispute that love either. Texas is a very good team and if given a chance they could ruin some ones trip to a bowl game.

8) Boise State: They have done everything right, except they do not have a marquee win. And in the end that could be what cost this team even when they complete the year undefeated. When it’s all said and done Utah will have wins over TCU and BYU both ranked teams. Boise will just have another successful run in the WAC. You cannot live off the success of 2007 for so long.

9) Penn State: I was given the hint to bet Iowa in this game and I should have taken them up on it. Joe Pa’s crew finally found reality on a cold windy Saturday afternoon. So the National Title is out of the question, but Penn State still has the inside track to make the Rose Bowl and they better remain focus if they want to keep that effort up.

10) Ball State: Much like Boise State, Ball State will do everything right this season but still be left sitting on the sidelines. When your marquee wins are against Indiana and Navy there’s just not much to hang your hat on there. Maybe they should create a special “Best of the Rest” Bowl game where Boise State and Ball State can match up.

11) Missouri Tigers: The more I watch this team just hanging out in the Big 12 North the more dangerous I think they are. Missouri got beat up when they had to travel through the Big 12 South, but now they have had easily sailing and they will continue to as they go through the end of the season. The Tigers will be on upset alert when they walk into the Big 12 Championship in a few weeks.

12) Ohio State: The Buckeyes have not had a bad season, their only loses have come against Penn State and USC, plenty of other teams can claim losing to either one of those schools. However, OSU has not done anything exceptional this season either. Even if they manage to blow out Michigan, I doubt anyone will be surprised or impressed.

13) Florida State: I can honestly say I did not expect to see the Florida State Seminoles sitting this high in the rankings this year. Granted they have not done a whole lot to deserve this spot, but they have handled their business. Much like OSU and several other teams this season FSU have not had any impressive victories, but they keep plugging along and racking up the wins. I like this team to make the Orange Bowl.

14) Georgia Bulldogs: When the dust settles, this will be considered a disappointing season for the Bulldogs. They will not play for a national title or an SEC title. However, the rumors and the possibility of losing head coach Mark Richt could prove to be more devastating than any lost on the field.

15) BYU: Just hanging around and waiting to play spoiler to Utah’s BCS party, that is what the Cougars can hang their hat on this season.

16) Michigan State: Michigan State could have a massive year if they can keep their heads on straight. A win against Penn State in a few weeks and MSU can pack their bags for the Rose Bowl. I’m not sure they want to square off against USC, but just making the Rose Bowl would be a massive accomplishment for this team.

17) Oklahoma State: Saturday night was ugly. There’s really no other way to put it. The Cowboys had no answer for Texas Tech. Their defensive line could not get any penetration and the secondary acted like they had never heard of Michael Crabtree. Well, I am sure after three touchdowns, they know who he is now.

18) North Carolina Tar Heels: Butch Davis is doing his best to leave his mark on this program. They racked up another impressive win over a conference foe. Now they have to win out and make it to the ACC Championship to make this season a success.

19) TCU: They tried to play spoiler twice this season, and unfortunately they just did not have enough in the tank.

20) Tulsa: Not a whole lot to this Tulsa squad, because of the conference they play in they don’t have many options to reach a big bowl game, and that is a shame. This is a fun team to watch, and everyone should catch them at least once just so they can see what the spread offense looks like when it is run to perfection.

21) Wake Forest: Wake Forest pounded the Virginia Cavaliers early in the first half then held on in the second half to get the win. The important part of this victory is it gave WFU a little bit of life to look forward to going ahead into the season.

22) LSU: It is not LSU’s year. There is really no other way to put it. A young quarterback means a lot of growing pains, especially in a conference like the SEC where teams like to apply pressure and get after you.

23) Cincinnati Bearcats: Two big wins in consecutive weeks and the Bearcats have broken into the Top 25. Not only that, but with the jumble that is the Big East, it is not out of the question for the Bearcats to sneak into a BCS game.

24) Pittsburgh: This Pittsburgh team is playing their ass off right now. Perhaps they are trying to save their coaches job. No matter what it is, they are in the thick of things and have a chance to reach a BCS game as well.

25) Oregon State: How about the Beavers just hanging around out west and with that win over USC they have earned the right to make this list. It would take a bit of luck, but Oregon State could luck up and make the Rose Bowl, now that would be something.

Walker-Sports Top 25 Poll:Nick Saban Did It

Another great week of college football and we have a new team topping the polls once again. Not only that we saw one of the greatest football games ever. Let’s take a look around and see where everyone ended up, once the rankings shook out.

1) Alabama: A good win on Saturday, nothing too impressive, but they got the job done, and that’s what matters. More importantly Bama managed to out wait the Longhorns and were able to capitalize on their miscue.
2) Texas Tech: What a game on Saturday night. One of the best games I have ever seen. The Red Raiders proved me wrong, and took a much needed step to legitimize their program. They may not be the number one team in the nation, but they played like they were for three hours on Saturday.


3) Penn State: This is when being idol hurts you. Not to mention playing in the Big 10 hurts as well. Penn State was at home on Saturday and got leap forged. This may be the case for Joe Pa’s bunch all season since they do not have a signature win to hang their hat on.

4) Florida Gators: Complete domination. I warned everyone about Tim Teabow having a big game, and in my opinion he threw his name right back into the Heisman talk. Great game plan by Urban Myers and the Bulldogs never had a chance.
5) Oklahoma Sooners: Just hang out wait, and take care of business. The Sooners have a date with the Red Raiders coming up later in the season, and that means they have a chance to throw their hat back into the title hunt. Just keep plugging away.


6) USC: The beast of the Pac-10 is still scary out west, but not so much anywhere else in the country. For all intents and purposes the Trojans are out of the national picture, there are just too many good teams in better conferences but a rematch against OSU in the Rose Bowl doesn’t look that bad.


7) Utah: Just lurking around and waiting to crash the BCS. Saturday’s game against TCU will be huge. With BYU out the picture this becomes the day of the year.

8) Texas Longhorns: It’s a shame someone had to lose that game on Saturday night. Unfortunately Texas had to lose the game and they lost their number 1 ranking. There’s still a lot of football left and the Texas Longhorns can work their way back into the title hunt with the competition in the Big 12.


9) Boise State: I just love this WAC team. They should be in the Pac 10, but that is another story. They may not be able to pull the upset they did a couple years ago, but this is a good team that will once again make the BCS exciting.
10) Oklahoma State: I have a bad feeling things won’t go well for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. They had a great season. But Texas Tech and Oklahoma will be hungry and have a lot to prove. There’s a good chance OSU blows those games and ends up missing out on everything. A trip to a solid bowl game will be nice though.


11) Ball State: Only here because they are undefeated and that means a lot to all of us here at Walker-Sports. Ball State will not make the BCS nor should they, but this is a pretty cool story to watch unfold.

12) Missouri Tigers: The Tigers don’t have to do a whole lot. Just win the Big 12 North (witch should not be too hard). Then they have a shot at Texas, Texas Tech or OU in the Big 12 Championship game. Then all they need is one win and they are BCS bound.

13) Ohio State: The Big 10 is not what they used to be. The best thing the Buckeyes can do is hope that Penn State makes the BCS Championship and then they can sneak into the Rose Bowl. Oh wait that would mean a date with USC, not sure they want that either.

14) Florida State: Some how this team has climbed its way back into the ACC race and suddenly they don’t look that bad all around. They are not a good team, but there is a good chance they will make yet another appearance in a BCS game.


15) TCU: TCU has done everything right this season. This weekend they have a chance to put their mark on the national scene by taking down Utah. This could prove to be their game of the year.

16) Georgia Bulldogs: Two blowouts against the top teams in the SEC. Georgia is lucky they landed in the top 20. The Georgia Bulldogs are not who we thought they were. Chances are this team will stay close to home in the Peach Bowl.

17) BYU: They are still a top 25 team but much like Ball State it’s because of their record and nothing else. Don’t expect this team to do much of anything. 18) Michigan State: Solid running game, good team in a bad conference. The Capital One Bowl will be a good place for this team to land.
19) LSU: Much like Georgia, LSU has proven to be a fraud. Inexperience at the quarterback position and an overrated defense helped this team to get such a high ranking.

20) North Carolina Tar Heels: The Tar Heels are like the majority of the ACC they are an average team that is good enough to be in most any game, but not good enough to make any serious waves in the water. Right now the Tar Heels have a chance to play in the ACC Championship game; it will be interesting to see how they finish up.


21) West Virginia: West Virginia is not a very good team. Lucky for them they play in the Big East, and they are still right in the thick of things. Don’t be surprised if WVU makes an appearance in a BCS game.

22) Cal: Ranked in the top 25 two weeks in a row, congratulations. Oh yeah, good win over Oregon on Saturday.

23) Georgia Tech: Another ACC team that has the same M.O. as pretty much everyone else in the conference adds another team to the log jam that is the ACC.


24) Minnesota: Well guess it was only a matter of time before this team returned to reality. Good for them for taking advantage of a weak schedule and turning things around. Even though the Gophers won’t rock any boats this year they will go to a bowl game and that’s a lot better than their 1-11 mark last season.

25) Tulsa: They had a great run going for them and it came to an end this past week. Nonetheless this is still a fun team to watch. Check them out and see exactly how the spread offense was meant to run.

Is Greg Oden the Next Ralph Sampson?

NBA fans around the world have waited for Greg Oden to make his professional debut with the Portland Trailblazers. Tuesday night, Oden took the court for the first time in his NBA career, and you have to think that the fans were disappointed.

Granted his stats were not impressive 0-4, 2 rebounds 1 blocked shot and 1 turnover. However, what Trailblazer fans have to be disappointed about is that Greg Oden injured himself during the season opener. That's right Greg Oden got hurt again. This time he hurt his foot after playing just over 12 minutes. At this time it is unclear as to how severe the injury to Oden's foot is.

However, if you are the Portland Trailblazers you have to be concerned about the overall health and longevity of their one time number 1 pick. Greg Oden only played one year of college basketball at Ohio State. That season was cut short when Oden sat for the first half of the year with a wrist injury. Even upon returning to the court he was limited in what he could do. Oden missed his original rookie season in the NBA after undergoing micro-fracture surgery to repair an injured knee. And now he has another injury.

Even if it is a minor injury, this has to serve as proof that Greg Oden is a brittle player and his NBA career could be cut short due to a rash of injuries. If I was part of the Trailblazers management, I would be concerned that they just drafted the next Ralph Sampson.

Ralph Sampson was a three time national player of the year at the University of Virginia and is widely considered one of the best college basketball players ever. He was picked up by the Houston Rockets and along side Hakeem the Dream they combined to create a massive front court with two seven footers. However, a lack of size and a rash of foot injuries would end Sampson's career before he ever made an impact on the league.

Right now Greg Oden seems to be on the same path as so many other big men turn disappointments. I am not writing him off just yet, but I am warning, don't be surprised if/when it happens.

Walker-Sports Top 25 Poll:Texas Does it Again

The college football season just keeps rolling on, and things are getting tense. The Big 12 and the SEC appear to be ready to go down to the wire. However, there are plenty of other schools from around the country who are ready to put their stamp on the title hunt as well. Let’s take a look at where everyone stands in the Walker-Sports Top 25 Poll after another week of action.

1) Texas Longhorns: The Longhorns has their first true test of the season and they handled it well. Oklahoma State game at Texas with everything they had, but in the end, Colt McCoy and company proved to be too tough to bring down.


2) Alabama: On the road in the SEC, no problem for Nick Saban’s crew. Alabama made the trip to Tennessee and they put together a solid performance. With LSU getting knocked off, the SEC West should be all Bama’s for the taking.


3) Penn State: Great game on the road in a hostile environment that has dominated Penn State since the 1970’s. To this point it has been the Penn State spread offense that has been the talk of the town. However, Saturday night PSU showed they still have a dominate defense. The Buckeyes had no where to run and were shut down all day long.


4) Florida Gators: Kentucky was supposed to be a test and the Gators beat them 63-5. Do you think that Urban Myers was looking to get some extra love from the pollsters by running up the score? It wouldn’t be the first time he tried such an act.


5) Texas Tech: Texas Tech just might be real… maybe. Saturday they went on the road to Kansas and destroyed them. Granted, Kansas does not appear to be as good as we originally thought, but the Red Raiders are a team that must be respected. The schedule will not get any easier with top ranked Texas coming up next weekend.


6) Georgia Bulldogs: The Georgia Bulldogs are legit. Don’t believe me? Take a look at the 52-38 thumping they put on LSU, the worst home lost the Tigers have ever suffered. Georgia is legit and they are going to make a strong play to win the SEC. A rematch with Alabama could be huge.


7) Oklahoma Sooners: The Oklahoma Sooners are doing everything right. But time is running short on them if they want to get back into the National Title hunt. As long as Texas is winning, the Sooners will continue to be locked out of the Big 12 title race and as a result the national title as well.


8) USC: I keep getting this sneaking feeling that USC is going to back their way into the BCS scene. USC was not impressive in their win over Arizona but then again Arizona is not ranked. Nonetheless, USC is still doing their thing and waiting for Oregon State to lose.


9) Utah: Not a whole lot to see here. Utah keeps trucking along and as long as they can avoid a pitfall Utah will keep their invitation to crash the BCS party in January.


10) Boise State: The kings of the WAC continue their reign at the top. Playing on random nights also helps to give this team plenty of national exposure. They will need to continue to impress and do it big time if they want back in on the BCS hunt.


11) Oklahoma State: A tough lost on the road for Mike Gundy and company. However, the Cowboys are still a stacked team. Saturday they get Iowa State and even though they dress like USC, they have a very long way to go before they can come close to playing like them. Oklahoma State will get their program back on track Saturday.


12) Tulsa: Undefeated and just rumbling along. Tulsa is a team that many have not seen, but they may run the best spread attack this side of Florida. Tulsa most likely won’t figure into the BCS scenario but they are a great team to watch and you can bet they’d give any WAC or Mountain West team a run.


13) Ball State: Much like Tulsa Ball State is just a good story. Jason Whitlock has been all about this team all year. Granted, that actually hurts this team in my book, but I can overlook that and see a good team in Ball State. Perhaps there should be an one off game were Tulsa and Ball State can meet up in since they will just miss out on the BCS but are far too good to play in their conferences respective bowls.


14) Missouri Tigers: Missouri snapped a two game losing streak by destroying Colorado. Mizzu is likely out of the Big 12 title hunt, but they are in prime position to make a repeat trip to play in the cotton bowl.


15) Florida State: Seemingly this team has come out of nowhere. Florida State has not done any very well all season, but they have not done anything poorly. Right now they have to be considered odds on favorite to win the ACC Championship.


16) TCU: TCU continues their winning ways with their beat down of Wyoming. The only blemish on the TCU record is a lost to a then top ranked Oklahoma Sooner’s team. It will be interesting to see where TCU lands when all the dust has settled.


17) BYU: Back to their winning ways, but t has to seem a little deflated with the hopes of a BCS game gone. One has to think that the BYU vs. Utah game will be huge with BYU’s goal to upset Utah’s season.


18) Minnesota: They aren’t very good but they are that bad. I liken Minnesota to a poor mans Texas Tech. They have avoided the dangerous chunks of their schedule and won the games they are supposed to win.


19) Michigan State: The Spartans knocked off their instate rivals Michigan on Saturday, but it seems as though everyone who plays UM has done that. Nonetheless, Michigan State has done enough to keep them in the upper part of the Big 10. It looks as though the Spartans will beat out Wisconsin for that trip to the Capital One Bowl.


20) Oregon: Welcome back Oregon Ducks! They’ve only gone through about 15 quarterbacks and there is a chance there are not even the best team in their own state. That hasn’t stopped them from working their way back into the top 25.


21) LSU: Horrible lost at home. That should seal LSU’s fate by knocking them out of the BCS and SEC title races. Now the Tigers will have to play for pride. Also I feel bad for Troy who gets LSU on Saturday.


22) North Carolina: This is a tough ranking for me personally. The Tar heels are a much improved team but I am not completely convinced they are a legitimate Top 25 team. They are alive and well in the ACC competition, so are 9 out of 12 teams. Time will tell with this squad.

23) South Florida: The Big East is horrible. South Florida is the highest ranked team and they are 1-2 in conference. If I was Tulsa I’d be clamoring right now to get the Big East BCS for themselves.


24) West Virginia: See #23 ranked South Florida.


25) Cal: The Cal Bears seem to make the random appearance in the Top 25 here and there, but they can never keep it together for multiple weeks. I have a feeling this trip to the Top 25 will not be any different.

Walker-Sports Top 25 Poll:Don't Mess With Texas

Week 8 is in the books, and the Texas Longhorns put their stamp on the college football polls with their beat down of the Missouri Tigers. Elsewhere in the country the ACC proved why it is an average conference at best, Penn State is ready to put their name in the ring for a BCS Championship run. Basically what it comes down to is this is a great season for college football so keep up with your top 25 polls and make sure your favorite team doesn’t get dropped.



1) Texas Longhorns: The Longhorns had a big home game on Saturday night and they did not disappoint. Texas came out swinging against the Missouri Tigers and the Longhorns put on a show for the ages. Colt McCoy is the best playing in college football today, and completing 81% of his passes proves that. The Texas Longhorns may be around for a while.


2) Alabama: Ole Miss just finds a way to mess with peoples heads. They gave Alabama all they could handle on Saturday afternoon. However Nick Saban’s defense showed up and they were strong to hold the fort down. Next week they get to square off against lowly Tennessee.


3) Penn State: Talk about halftime adjustments. I’m not sure who made the speech but it sure worked. Penn State was in a slow tough game with Michigan on Saturday even. Then I ordered a beer, looked up and they were crushing the Wolverines. This is an explosive Penn State offense, when they face Ohio State it will be a game for the ages.


4) Florida Gators: Tim Tebow has willed this team all season and there is no more important time for him to put his mark on the Florida Gators than right now. He may not have the numbers that he put up last season, but you can believe he is every bit as important. The race for the SEC East will be a tight one, but in Tebow we trust.


5) Texas Tech: Just win baby. The Red Raiders keep winning games, and they keep avoiding Big 12 opponents. I feel like they are a boxed who knows they are not a real champion. Despite great talent, I still think this is the fifth best team in the Big 12 and they will exposed shortly.


6) Georgia Bulldogs: This is a team that I just like. They are horrible to gamble with, as we have see in the College Football Pick’em game, but they are a solid squad nonetheless. The Bulldogs are just hanging around and taking care of business. The Worlds Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville this year will be huge and you can believe that Walker-Sports will be there.


7) Oklahoma Sooners: Sam Bradford is playing his ass off. He set Oklahoma records for passing yards on Saturday against Kansas. If the Sooners want to get back into the BCS Title hunt, he will need to continue to perform at a high level on the football field. The Sooners have an uphill battle to fight especially with the way Texas is playing. Bob Stoops will need to work extra hard to keep his team focused and sharp going through the rest of the season.


8) Oklahoma State: Mike Gundy has put together a good team. There really is no other way to put it. Add in the fact that Gundy is one of my favorite coaches in college football, and I like OSU. I don’t think they are a BCS team but they are damn good and they are fun to watch.


9) Ohio State: The Buckeyes put an end to all that Michigan State talk last weekend. Now it’s time for them to step back up to the big leagues. OSU has a history of blowing big college football games. The last time the whole nation watch them they were being run out of L.A. by the Trojans. Saturday they have a grudge match against Penn State. The winner will likely get the Big 10, the Rose Bowl and maybe a chance at the BCS Championship. Let’s hope Jim Tressel has learned to coach under pressure.


10) USC: The Trojans proved that Washington State is the worst team in BCS Conference football. 62-0 is beyond embarrassing. The Trojans are a good team and it’s hard to ignore the rumors of them slipping into the backdoor of the BCS Championship. Personally I think that is B.S. If the Trojans make it the BCS Championship and leapfrog a one lost SEC or Big 12 team, then the BCS has failed us once again.


11) Utah: Well BYU is out of the way, and Utah is getting votes in the Harris Poll. This could be their year to make a second run to a BCS game. However, BYU taught us, that staying focused the entire season may not be that easy.


12) Boise State: With Hawaii out of the way, Boise has reclaimed their rightful position atop the WAC. However, this team has grown too big for their own good. Winning the WAC is no long the big accomplishment it used to be, not when you have won a Fiesta Bowl. Boise has their eyes on another BCS trip and they will stop at nothing to get it.


13) LSU: The Tigers seem to follow this formula every year. Lose against good SEC teams, hang around till someone else in conference knocks that team off, and then slip away with an SEC Title and chance at the BCS. Right now it looks like the LSU Tigers are right on schedule.


14) South Florida: The Bulls are a good team in a horrible conference. The Big East should trade in their BCS Spot with a WAC or Mountain West team.


15) Pittsburgh: It’s just strange seeing this team in the top 25. However, good ole Dave may have finally put together a team he can be proud of. Now they just need to make sure they don’t stumble coming down the stretch.


16) BYU: Well they had a good run.


17) Kansas: Sometimes life just isn’t fair. Playing Oklahoma a week after they lost a potential national title. Now that’s just not fair. On the bright side of things, Kansas gave Oklahoma all they could handle and made it a very interesting game.


18) Ball State: Undefeated, no chance at the BCS, but still fun to watch. Chances are you have never seen this team or any team they play on the field but that doesn’t mean they don’t belong on this poll.



19) Missouri Tigers: Chase Daniels is still a very good quarterback, but you won’t be seeing this Missouri Tigers team anytime soon. A trip to the Cotton Bowl is nothing to be ashamed of, really it isn’t.


19) Tulsa: Much like Ball State, this is a college football team most of you have never seen, but do yourself a favor and try to check them out. If nothing else, just watch how they execute their spread offense, one of the best in the country.


20) Georgia Tech: The triple option is alive and well in the south. More importantly quietly the Rambling Wreck has compiled a 6-1 record and has a chance at an ACC title. Saturday they are facing the hottest team in the ACC, Virginia in a game that could have a huge affect on the outcome of the conference.


21) Florida State: The job Bobby Bowden and have done with the Seminoles this season is largely overlooked due to the success Joe Pa is having up at Penn State. What that tells me is no matter where FSU end this football season at, Bowden will be another year just so he cans one up Joe Paterno.


22) TCU: Back in the top 25 for the second time this season. Sounding beating BCS crasher BYU will do that to a team. TCU is solid on defense and they can shut down just about any offense in football.


23) Boston College: Like most of the ACC, Boston College has flown under the radar all year, but they have compiled an impressive 5-1 record. The crowning moment of which was a win at home against Virginia Tech. Boston College now has a chance to control its fate and reach the ACC Title game once again.


24) Minnesota: Talk about one of the great turnarounds in college football. 1-11 last season 6-1 to this point of this season. Some of that is due to cupcake scheduling in the first half of the season. It will be interesting to see how Minnesota holds up against the Big 10 going down the stretch of the season.


25) Northwestern: Two weeks ago, nerdy schools wee all the rage in the top 25, now Northwestern is the lone one remaining. Not surprising considering they are one of the only smart schools to have at least some success on the football field at one time or another.