Former Georgia Bulldog, Verron Haynes, Has a Message for UGA Haters

Verron Haynes is a former running back for the Georgia Bulldogs. He solidified his place in Bulldog lore with the well-known "P-44 Haynes" play...you know the one:



Yeah, that one.

The play that started the run of wins and championships for Mark Richt at Georgia. The play that, arguably, marks the moment the tide changed in Athens, GA and Georgia football went from perennial mediocrity to national contenders.

Well, Mr. Haynes has a message for all the people who decided to call for Mark Richt's head when the chips were down.

He, along with many other former players, didn't take too kindly to the shots that coach Richt, the program, and the team took during the four-game losing stretch. So, he had this to say to the bandwagon jumpers who are now back to being "loyal" to the red and black:

Gotta love that. I always did like, Mr. Haynes.

Wisconsin Badgers Football: Ohio State Gets Bucked By The Badgers

The chants of "OVER-RATED" can already be heard, by the thousands, as the Wisconsin Badgers have just dethroned the, newly birthed, Ohio State Buckeyes from their spot as the No. 1 team in the country.

Terrelle Pryor went back to being the guy everyone once thought he was—mediocre and inconsistent—throwing no touchdowns and completing less than 50 percent of his passes. He wasn't the leader that people thought he became after leading the Buckeyes to that 2009 Rose Bowl win last year, but rather the guy who had trouble beating Navy, at home, to begin the 2009 season.

As for Wisconsin, they simply took the home field and used it to their advantage, as John Clay ran and powered his way to another 100 yard performance and two touchdowns.

What does this mean for Ohio State?

Well, for one, it means they will no longer be the No. 1 team in the country, but they aren't out of the game just yet, there is still plenty of time to prove that their play earlier this season was no fluke—if they can win out and avoid the lackadaisical attitude that can sometimes taint the focus of a team that has gone from undefeated to defeated.

That said, Wisconsin should be careful not to enjoy this win too much as they are still apt to trip up somewhere along the way—perhaps at Iowa next week?

Boy, this has been one crazy Saturday.

What say you? Who should be the No. 1 team come Sunday night?

The USA Today Coaches' Poll Is Out—Who Won? Lost? Got Totally Hosed?

This morning, the dawn of the college football season officially peaked through the bedroom windows and dormitories of rabid fans across the nation as USA Today released it's annual Coaches' Poll.  While it offered very little in the way of a surprise at No. 1 (Alabama), there were some glaring omissions, low blows, and head-scratchers.

The poll, in it's entirety can be found at the link above, but here are just a few quick thoughts on a few of the picks. 

Winners:

Alabama (No. 1)

I don't think there should be any doubt that Alabama is the No. 1 team in the nation. They have some holes to fill, absolutely, but they are also loaded with talent and return the bulk of their position players on offense.


Iowa (No. 10)

The talk of the Big Ten has largely been focused on two teams this offseason, Ohio State and Penn State. Wisconsin has been looked at as a sleeper, but Iowa has gotten little, if any, love thus far. So, it has to feel pretty good to Kirk Ferentz that his peers can see what others cannot—the Hawkeyes have a good team this season and will definitely be making a little noise.


Oregon (No. 11)

Say what you want about their lack of an experienced QB, Chip Kelly has been on this train before—just ask Dennis Dixon. He has all that he needs at QB and the Ducks will be just fine—as long as their potency in the running game continues.


Georgia (No. 21)

After finishing the season unranked, ridiculed, and doubted by many as a feasible team in the SEC, much less the nation, Georgia makes a triumphant return to the polls after finishing the season unranked. It's a small victory as they are slotted in at No. 21, but when you consider the fact that South Carolina—the team many picked to win the east this season—wasn't ranked at all, you have to feel pretty confident that the Bulldogs are on the right track.


Losers:

South Carolina (Not Ranked)

Speaking of which, where on earth is South Carolina? As mentioned above, aren't they the team that many pundits are locking in as the sexy pick to overtake? Talk about billboard fodder. Spurrier's team not only lagged behind Utah. They fell behind Cincinnati, Houston, and Ole Miss—ouch!

Boise State (No. 5)

Boise State is at five, which is okay, but they can't be too happy about it. Many thought they would at least rate as the second team in the nation. After all, they did finish the season undefeated and return 22 starters—the most of any Division I team in the country.  Oh, and did anyone else find it curious that the coaches' chose to rank Virginia Tech directly after them?

That game at RFK Stadium in September just got more interesting if those rankings stand up. Virginia Tech as the underdog?...Interesting.

Wisconsin (No. 12)

They return a lot of talent, most importantly John Clay, and they have a schedule so blah that a Pee Wee league team could get ten wins—easy. So, why are they ranked behind Iowa? My best guess is the coaches tried not to rank teams ahead of the ones that beat them, but this is supposed to be the Badgers year, isn't it? Or maybe the coaches just didn't feel a need to reward mediocrity—just saying.

Glaring Omissions:

USC (Received No Votes)

Quick...tell me the last time you saw a poll that did not include the Trojans? It's been a long time. Again, it is the coaches' poll and I am sure they didn't feel a need to include a sanctioned team that isn't going to be bowl eligible for two years, but it still looks a touch odd, doesn't it ?

Michigan (Received No Votes)

Something tells me that people aren't buying the talk of a resurgence in Ann Arbor this season. Rich Rod is in the news for all the wrong reasons...again and none of his peers seem to be on board with his tactics. I still like the Wolverines to make it back to bowl season in 2010 but the fact that the team didn't even warrant one vote is astonishing.

Head-scratchers:

Florida (No. 3)

I do find it curious that Florida came in at No. 3. How on earth do you lose Tim Tebow, Joe Haden, Major Wright, Aaron Hernandez, and Riley Cooper and still be considered a Top 5 team? Obviously, people either think a lot of Urban Meyer or the Gatorade coming out of Gainesville is laced with something a lot stronger than electrolytes.

Texas (No. 4)

The same song applies for the Texas Longhorns—seriously? Garrett Gilbert may be the all-world quarterback that Mack Brown needs to replace the exited Colt McCoy, but he's not THAT guy THIS season—no way. No. 4 is tremendously optimistic for the 'Horns in my opinion. 

Utah (No. 24)

Really?...Why? I understand they have a soft schedule and a new home in the Pac-10 starting in 2011, but their are other teams more worthy of this spot than they are right now—see South Carolina, Connecticut, Navy...

Jordan Wynn is a talented QB and the Utes have a better than average offense with him in place but, last I checked, he doesn't play defense. This is a lame duck year for Utah in the Mountain West and every team will be gunning for them to fail—miserably.

Well, those are my thoughts on the poll...what say you?

Georgia Basketball's Connor Nolte Finds Fame Through Tricks

A very cool trick shot video created by Georgia basketball player, Connor Nolte. Nolte was a walk-on who eventually laded a full-scholarship playing ball for Coach Mark Fox and the Georgia Men's Basketball team.

The best part may very well be the end, however, I found myself wondering what on earth Charles Barkley was doing in Athens in the first place?

Enjoy!