Bovada's Latest National Championship Odds

Bovada.com has released their latest team odds to win the National Championship.  Give this a read before betting your life savings aka two week pay check.

1) Alabama - 12/5 - Last year at this same time Bama was the overwhelming favorite to win it all.  We all know what happened.  Can you really see Jacob Coker leading them to a Natty?

2) Ohio State - 11/4 - Led by the best coach in the nation the Buckeyes are just starting to hit their stride.  Granted they haven't played anybody of significance yet.  Michigan State and Michigan should challenge them the next two weeks and then Iowa awaits in the Big Ten Championship.

3) Clemson - 15/4 - Clemson is 10-0 for the first time since 1981.  Yes the last and only time they won a Natty.  North Carolina is the only legitimate hurdle left for the playoffs.

4) Notre Dame - 9/1 - We all know what happened the last time ND played for a Natty.  It wasn't pretty.  If they can beat Boston College and Stanford they will be in the playoffs.

5) Oklahoma - 12/1 - One of the hottest teams in the nation.  I could see the Sooners sneaking into the playoffs.  This might be one of the best long shots to take here especially with a scorching hot QB in Baker Mayfield leading the charge.

6) Oklahoma State - 12/1 - No chance.  They will probably lose to both Baylor and Oklahoma.  Cute story but it would be foolish to throw any money on them.

7) Florida - 14/1 - FSU and/or Bama in the SEC Championship will beat the Gators.  They have a great defense but their offense is not going to win them any of those games.

8) Iowa - 22/1 - The Hawkeyes should be undefeated going into the Big Ten Championship game.  A small bet here could pay off huge if they go on a similar 2014 Buckeyes run

9) TCU - 25/1 - No chance without Trevon Boykin and Josh Doctson this week vs Oklahoma.  Barely beat Kansas last week.

10) Michigan State - 45/1 - They need a monumental upset of the Buckeyes to even have a chance of reaching the Big Ten title game.  Could it happen?  Sure.  Doubtful though and I wouldn't bet on it.

11) Baylor - 50/1 -  The Bears were eliminated last week when they lost to Oklahoma.  Too many wacky things need to happen for them to even reach the playoffs.  Then again this has been one of the craziest seasons so far.

12) North Carolina - 66/1 - This is the long shot everybody should at least lay down a case of beer money on.  Since losing to South Carolina to open the season UNC has won 9 straight, all in impressive fashion.  They continue to get better and they have an X factor at QB in Marquise Williams.  If they win their next 3 vs Virginia Tech, NC State and Clemson they should squeeze into the playoffs.

SportsCrack's Top 10 for Week 11

Please tell me you got the chance to sit on your ass for at least 12 hours on Saturday and watch the madness that is college football unfold.  It was glorious and with three weeks left in the regular season it's going to be an all out battle to secure a playoff spot.

Right now the seeding appears to be as followed. 

Playoff spots:

1. Clemson if they win out.

2. Alabama if they finish 12-1.

3. Ohio State if they win out.

4. Notre Dame if they finish 11-1.

5. Big 12 Champ left out unless Oklahoma State finishes undefeated.

With Stanford and Utah both losing the PAC 12 conference is officially eliminated from the playoffs.

1. Clemson

Clemson didn't play exceptionally well at Syracuse but at this point it doesn't matter.  They just need to win and they should get the #1 seed in the playoffs.  Winning out is hardly a guarantee with a scorching hot North Carolina team waiting for them in the ACC Championship.

2. Alabama

Bama is hitting their peak.  The defense especially the front 7 looks nasty as they completely destroyed Miss State on the road.

3. Ohio State

Did you know the Buckeyes haven't played a single game vs a top 25 team all season?  Insane.  This week they face their first in Michigan State.  I expect the Buckeyes to win rather easily vs an overrated Sparty team.

4. Notre Dame

It wasn't pretty on Senior Day for the Fighting Irish as ND "struggled" to win by 3 touchdowns vs a lousy Wake Forest team.  This week they travel to Fenway Park to take on Boston College.  They should cruise until the big game at Stanford.

5. Iowa

Like Ohio State the Hawkeyes are benefitting from a dog shit schedule.  Granted they beat Northwestern and Wisconsin who on paper are top 25 teams but it's not like those programs are world beaters.  

6. Oklahoma State

The Cowboys so far have to be the luckiest team in the country.  They came back 17 down vs an awful Iowa State team to win and stay undefeated.  Their out of conference schedule is holding them back from a top 4 stop at this spot.  They get Baylor and Oklahoma the next two weeks.  I see defeats in both as the law of averages catches up.

7. Oklahoma

The Sooners are playing great ball after going into Baylor and winning with an impressive performance from QB Baker Mayfield who may have vaunted himself into the Heisman discussion.  If the Sooners can beat TCU and Oklahoma State they are one upset (Clemson or ND losing) from cracking the top 4 of the playoffs.

8. Florida

The Gators are absolutely brutal to watch.  Just a boring fucking team but you know what isn't boring?  SEC East champs.  If they win out they are in the playoffs.

9. Baylor

The Bears played their asses off but just didn't have enough vs a loaded Oklahoma squad.  Baylor is basically eliminated unless about 5-6 things happen.

10. UNC

I don't think there is a hotter team in the country.  The Tarheels are putting up 50 plus points on the scoreboard with ease and will get their shot at Clemson in the ACC Championship.  Could UNC squeeze into the playoffs with a victory?  It's possible but they would still need ND to lose, the Big Ten and Big 12 to cancel each other out also.

Back, Back, Back ESPN's Chris Berman Settles a Sexual Harassment Claim

According to The Big Lead ladies man extraordinaire Chris Berman and ESPN have reached settlement on a sexual harassment claim by some deviant who was obviously jealous of Berman's mandingo personality...

A former ESPN makeup artist recently settled a sexual harassment claim against ESPN, and the focus of her claim was NFL host Chris Berman, multiple people tell The Big Lead.

The former ESPN makeup artist, Sue Baumann, was represented by the office of high profile lawyer Gloria Allred. A person familiar with the matter told The Big Lead that there were allegations against Berman – including comments he allegedly made in the makeup room and text messages going back a few years – and ESPN decided to settle. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the claims.

In a statement to The Big Lead, ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said: “Our thorough investigation revealed the harassment claims had no merit. We settled it solely to save a considerable amount of time and litigation costs.”

You trying to tell me this swordsman is capable of sexual harassment?  In the famous words of Matt Harvey, NO WAY!



Prayers sent to Berman and his family.

SPORTSCRACK'S TOP 5 HEISMAN

These are the 5 guys I think have the best shot of being invited to New York City for the Heisman Trophy presentation.

 1) Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor - He leads the nation with 20 touchdown catches and is on pace to shatter the NCAA record. A wide receiver hasn't won the Heisman since Desmond Howard but Coleman's resume is stronger than Howard and Tim Brown at this point during their Heisman campaigns. With Baylor's back loaded schedule he will have plenty of times to shine.

2) Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson - He's the QB of the #1 rated team in the country. While his numbers aren't eye popping there is no doubt Clemson is a legit title contender with Watson behind center.  The only thing keeping him away from NYC at this point is a loss and I don't see Clemson losing anytime soon.

3) Christian McCaffrey, All-Purpose, Stanford - Leads the nation in all-purpose yards. Ed's son has been dynamite all year and if he can help lead Stanford to a PAC 12 title he should have a New York City invite sealed with a heavy West Coast bias in his favor.

4) Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama - Henry outshined Fournette by a crimson mile. The 242-pound bruiser dominated LSU's defense while running for over 200 yards. He's still not the best back in his own conference but right now he's ranked ahead of Fournette because he dominated in prime time while Bama shut down Fournette.

5) Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU - 31 yards rushing is straight up pathetic. Fournette's Heisman campaign is basically over. You can't get shut down this late in the season on prime time tv. He is no longer the run away front runner but he can solidify a New York City invite by finishing up strong and hoping LSU finishes the season with 1 loss.

ESPN's Marcellus Wiley Accuses Notre Dame's Brian Kelly of Being Racist for Shoving GA David Grimes

Why can't ESPN just stick with televising and reporting on sports instead of making up accusations? It's one thing to report on a coach like Brian Kelly pushing his grad assistant David Grimes to avoid a 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty for arguing with a referee. That we can see. Kelly probably shouldn't have pushed him. Grimes also shouldn't be arguing with refs. But it's a whole other ballgame when you infer Kelly is a racist because he's white and Grimes is black. It's another lazy theory with no basis of proof. If I'm Kelly, Grimes and Notre Dame I'm demanding an apology from ESPN and Marcellus Wiley. It's an attack on their characters. All of them. Yes even Grimes. It's Wiley pointing out Grimes is black which in this day and age shouldn't matter but Wiley insists it's why he is getting pushed and not for any of his actions. He's basically not even giving Grimes a chance because he's black and that is why Kelly shoved him. The only racist I see in this whole bullshit argument here is Wiley.

Watch This ND-Temple ICON Video and You Will Get the Idea What it's Like To Be a ND "Student" Athlete

The "4 for 40" year decision Notre Dame coaches and staff throw out to recruits and their parents is not hyperbole.  This is what I try to tell my friends something that makes Notre Dame different and unique.  While other schools just want to win football games (I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that mentality) Notre Dame forces you to get better in the classroom.

Star QB Deshone Kizer is coming off a 440 yard performance in a tough road night game with everybody watching vs Temple.  He just won the game for ND and he has received the game ball for his MVP performance.  And what do you think he is worried about?  It's not the game or next week vs Pitt.  It's not where ND will be ranked by the committee (5th by the way).  It's about getting back to the ND dorms at 3:30 am and having to study for accounting.  That right there is a student athlete.

Kudos to Kizer for keeping his head on straight.

Go Irish!

The Guy Who Never Played, Jonny Gomes, Gives Kansas City a World Series Rally Speech

I know Jonny Gomes is a "great clubhouse guy" but why is he giving speeches at the Royals World Series rally celebration?  Gomes never even played in the postseason.  The Royals basically cut him from the roster.  He's not even up there with the mascot in terms of relevancy to the Kansas City Royals.  I would rather see a season ticket holder up there crying his or her eyes out then see this fucking guy give speeches about the heart of the team.  You didn't win the World Series Gomes!  You played in 12, yes, 12 fucking games and accumulated a whooping 30 at-bats for them.  You are of less significance than the caterer or personal driver for Hosmer's road beef.  Go ride the coat tails a little more buddy.

By the way congratulations to the Kansas City Royals on winning their second World Series title.  Without Gomes it wouldn't have been possible.  What a guy!

Watch Kirk Herbstreit Piss His Pants on Live TV

This was about the only funny thing that happened during the Notre Dame vs Temple game unless you count ND's red zone offense which can be down right hysterical at times.  I seriously hope Herbie was wearing his night night pullups because there is no doubt he discharged some fluid below the waist.  I've never seen a grown man shriek so loud besides the distraught Michigan fans two weeks ago.

"Talk To Your Kids About the SEC Myth" Parody Video

I love the setup for this video.  Let's have a honest discussion with our kids about college football.  You can fault kids all you want for being loud mouth jerks but you know you get the absolute brutal truth out of them.  If something doesn't look right they will flat out tell you to your face.  You know how many times I've been called a "poopyface" by my daughter and her friends?  Hundreds.  And you know what those little bastards are right.  I do have a "poopyface."  I can't help it's genetics and alcoholism and I do fart a lot.  So when a parent sits down and talks to his kids about the SEC myth then you gotta listen.

Even if it's an Iowa fan.

Full disclosure to any other Iowa fans please keep your mouth shut about your 8-0 record.  You haven't played one ranked opponent this year and you will not till the Big Ten Championship so please keep quiet about being undefeated.  It means nothing.  But I do love the Civil War jokes.  Those never get old.

The SEC Myth is going to be exposed for better or worse in November.  LSU is the only undefeated team in the conference and they play Bama in Tuscaloosa this week.  If LSU loses then you do the math.  If Bama wins it will also be their first quality win.  This year a one loss SEC Champion could get squeezed out of the playoffs and this would be a great thing.  You know why?  Because then the playoffs would be expanded to 8 teams.  The SEC would never tolerate one of their teams not being included in the big dance so to speak.

So in conclusion let's all root for the SEC conference to get shut out of the playoffs.  In the end it will be great for college football and for bragging rights even though rooting for a conference is right up there with the dumbest thing you can do.

Here is Video of Jeremy Roenick Trying to Wrestle an Alligator

Jeremy Roenick vs. The Alligator pic.twitter.com/YCO1IZzWdY

— Rhea Hughes (@rheahughes) October 26, 2015

If you ever questioned who the toughest athletes in sports are it's without a doubt hockey players.  Guys like Jeremy Roenick would rather wrestle alligators on a golf course then work on their short game.  I've always been a big fan of Roenick since he could basically carry my NHL '93 team to the Stanley Cup against anybody.  He was more automatic than Gretzky and Lemieux in that game and the only sports star who was more money was Bo Jackson in Tecmo Bowl.

"The Miracle on Techwood" Radio Call is Spine Tingling

Goosebump City.  Unbelievable play and call.

Elite DE Khalid Kareem Commits To Notre Dame

According to Andrew Ivins of BlueandGold.com Notre Dame has landed one of the elite defensive ends in the nation in Khalid Kareem...


Notre Dame has landed a top-ranked rushing defensive end. 

Farmington Hills (Mich.) Harrison four-star defensive end Khalid Kareem committed to Notre Dame on Friday, just a week after he took an official visit to South Bend. 

Kareem, who is ranked as the No. 19 strongside defensive end in the country, was previously committed to Alabama but he decided to back off that pledge on Oct. 14, citing a desire to explore other options. 

It didn't take him long to find the school that he wants to call home.

Kareem was on campus for the USC game last weekend, and left with the Irish at the top of his list.

"It exceeded (expectations)," Kareem told Rivals.com. "It was great, it really was." 

"I just really needed to see some of the dorms and if I did decide to go there, where I would be staying," he added. "I wanted to sit down with the academic support just to see where I fit into the scheme of things."

Kareem's parents approved, as well. 

"It's pretty much family oriented and it's not just focused around football. It's about the academics as well, which is the main part for me. They treat you like a student," his mother Phillicia Kareem said. 

Kareem is slated to enroll early at Notre Dame where he'll learn from Irish defensive line coach Keith Gilmore, who had spent the past two years recruiting the defensive end. 

"My relationship with Coach Gilmore is good," Kareem said back April. "He recruited me when he was at North Carolina and he carried that relationship over when he got to Notre Dame. So it's a real good relationship with him." 

"It's a huge point," Kareem he added. "Having a good relationship with your coach is going to make a huge difference where you go." 

Kareem becomes commit No. 17 in the class of 2016 for Notre Dame and the fifth prospect to pledge to the Irish that was at one time committed to another school joining quarterback Ian Book (Washington State), safety D.J. Morgan (Arizona State), defensive end Ade Ogundeji (Western Michigan) and safety Spencer Perry (Florida). The 6-4, 257-pound Kareem has 15 sacks this season for Harrison team that is 7-1 season. He's ranked as the No. 9 prospect in the state of Michigan. He also held offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Louisville, Tennessee, Ohio State, Yale and Oregon. - 







As you know the defensive line, especially pass rushing ends, have been hard to find for Notre Dame with the exception of the 2011 class (Aaron Lynch, Stephon Tuitt, Ishaq Williams, etc.).  Getting a one time Bama commit in Kareem should keep the recruiting momentum going for the Fighting Irish.   Look for one time USC commit LB Daelin Hayes to be next on board after he officially visited Notre Dame for the USC game last week.

Also highly regarded DE Wole Betiku officially decommitted from UCLA today and has scheduled a visit to ND on November 13th.  Assistant head coach Mike Denbrock visited Betiku yesterday at his high school and shortly after convinced the 4-star Nigerian transplant to open up his recruitment.  Don't be surprised to see Betiku commit soon since ND spots are closing up fast.

2015 Midseason All-America Team

Well it's time to take a deep breath.  College football has reached it's midseason point.  Which means your team only has 6-7 games left.  Before you get all huffy puffy and start crying like a Michigan fan you need to sit down.  Relax a little.  Put your feet up on one of those empty Bud Light boxes you use for blackout reminders.  And just soak this midseason All-America Team in for what it's all worth.

Nothing really.  But still you need to read it.

QB - Trevone Boykin (TCU)
RB - Leonard Fournette (LSU)
RB - Dalvin Cook (FSU)
WR - Corey Coleman (Baylor)
WR - Will Fuller (Notre Dame)
WR - Josh Doctson (TCU)
TE - Tyler Higbee (Western Kentucky)
OT - Spencer Drango (Baylor)
OT - Taylor Decker (Ohio State)
OG - Joshua Garnett (Stanford)
OG - Dan Feeney (Indiana)
C - Nick Martin (Notre Dame)

DE - Myles Garrett (Texas A&M)
DE - Carl Nassib (Penn State)
DT - Adolphus Washington (Ohio State)
DT - Robert Nkemdiche (Ole Miss)
LB - Jaylon Smith (Notre Dame)
LB - Joe Schobert (Wisconsin)
LB - Su'a Cravens (USC)
CB - Vernon Hargreaves (Florida)
CB - Shawun Lurry (Northern Illinois)
S - Jeremy Cash (Duke)
S - Karl Joseph (West Virginia)



K - Ross Martin (Duke)
P - Tom Hackett (Utah)
All Purpose - Christian McCaffrey (Stanford)

Mike Ditka Does The Casual Leaning Fart and Blows One Out on Monday Night Countdown

Been there.  Done that.  Thankfully it wasn't on live tv though like Mike Ditka last night on Monday Night Countdown.  Since it wasn't silent Cris Carter should be fine.  The loud farts are always the funniest but the least smelliest.  I love Ditka's face when he just blows it out.  It's the face of a guy at his age who just doesn't give a shit anymore.

The Colts Fake Punt Attempt - Tecmo Bowl Version

Not even Bo Jackson had a shot at getting the first down there.  Idiots.

3 Days Later and Michigan Fans are still Crying over the Michigan Muff

This will never ever get old.  On my deathbed I will still have a little smile on my face knowing Michigan got their hearts ripped out over a muffed punt.  By the way it's been over 750 days since Michigan scored a point vs Notre Dame.  Think about that while you cry into your maize and blue kleenex.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Trailer

Sign me up.  You got the real Hans Solo plus Chewie and not some fucking Jar Jar Binks bull shit and that pretty much sealed it for me.  I'm all in.  I'm just going to pretend the last three atrocities didn't even exist.  J. J. Abrams can take all my money.  Star Wars for Life.

Michigan Stunner

Can't.  Stop.  Laughing.

Poor Michigan.  You finally got the coach everybody wanted in Jim Harbaugh.  You finally were going to beat your big brother Sparty and vault back into the top 8 in the rankings.  The college football world was again going to be your oyster.  And then it all went to shit thanks to an incompetent punter and improbable return.

Ann Arbor is on suicide watch.  Prayers sent.

This Notre Dame Football Primer Video vs USC Will Get Your Juices Flowing

Give them hell Irish.  Give them hell.

Notre Dame's season and future rides heavily on this game.  With more than 40 recruits in town and USC floundering with an interim head coach it's time for ND to stomp the shit out of the Trojans.  ND owes them big time for last season when a defeated and dejected Everett Golson did his best nose dive and sent the Trojans to a brutal blowout.

The season rides on this game.  If ND wins they will go on to win out and make the playoffs.  If they lose though I got a feeling this team will tank and they will be looking at another 8-4 season.

PREDICTION: ND 37 USC 24

Stanford WR Francis Owusu With The College Football Play of the Year

A decade ago before he shattered his leg and is now flipping burgers at McDonalds Alabama WR Tyrone Prothro made a similar catch.  Just a wild guess but I think Stanford WR Francis Owusu will go on to do bigger and better things after this catch then Mr. Prothro.

Hands down this is the college football play of the year.  Double reverse, QB throw while the receiver is getting mugged catch behind the back.  Don't look now but Stanford is now a legitimate playoff contender coming off a humiliating open season loss to Northwestern.  They ran all over UCLA and essentially eliminated Mora and his baby blue crew from any significant bowl game this season.