Opportunity is Knocking Coach!

You know, if you think about this, Rich Rodriguez has a great opportunity before him.

It is often hard to distinguish between the hard knocks in life and those of opportunity. ~Frederick Phillips

The Mountaineers and their coaching staff have a huge opportunity in front of them. Beat Oklahoma and win another BCS bowl game.

Here's the logic:
Throughout the entire month of December media people would be complaining about how West Virginia didn't deserve to be in the national championship game because of their weak schedule (35th toughest according to Sagarin Ratings), or their weak conference (2nd in the nation compared to the Sagarin Ratings) or a number of other excuses.

Well, now they are able to prepare and compete against the team that everyone thought SHOULD have been in the championship game but isn't. Beat Oklahoma and all of a sudden West Virginia has proven than maybe they do belong up near the top with the rest of the blue bloods.

A victory over the Sooners could have people saying, "West Virginia just may be able to compete with the big dogs after all."

Two BCS wins in three years three consecutive bowl victories ..... hmmmm.

It will help recruiting, AND when the preseason polls come out in 2008, maybe a #3 pre-season ranking, and a more experienced team can accomplish what seemed to slip away in 2007.

The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes. ~Benjamin Disraeli

BECAUSE

Opportunities are never lost; someone will take the one you miss. ~Author Unknown

Why?

http://dailymail.com/News/200712050221

A story has surfaced in West Virginia concerning Mountaineers' place kicker Pat McAfee receiving death threats.

Come on people, lighten up! I know it's tough and disappointing, but don't be idiots!

I am sure that Pat McAfee inentionally missed those field goals. (please read with sarcastic tone) West Virginians have enough trouble with the stereotypical misunderstanding that many unintelligent people in this country have. DON'T MAKE IT WORSE BY DOING STUPID THINGS!

Pat McAfee is a 20-something year old young man who is not paid to perform his duties. He has four things he needs to do in his life at the present time:
(1) Go to class
(2) Stay out of trouble
(3) Kick field goals
(4) Punt the football

Now I know he missed 2 FGs, but let me ask you this question, who doesn't make a mistake or two at work every now and then. Now some of you may say I am being cavalier about this but let's remember again, HE'S 20-SOMETHING years old.

If someone can honestly say they NEVER make a mistake at work every now and then, you should see if you have eligibility left, and I am sure Pat would step aside and let you kick for the Mountaineers.

Here's my suggestion, if these morons who vandalized his car, and house and have managed to threaten his life should be caught, they should be made to kick a field goal in front of 60,000+ screaming people, and a national television audience. If they make it, they get the minimum jail sentence. If they miss it, they get the maximum jail sentence. I think they need to understand the true meaning of the word pressure.

There's only two people who should be angry with Pat McAfee. Pat McAfee and Rich Rodriguez. That's it. Nobody is blaming Pat White for what he said was a bad throw into the end zone of 4th and 17, except for Pat White.

Bottom line don't judge these players too harshly for making a mistake while playing a football game, and don't Mountaineers fans, don't give our state and fans a bad name by doing something stupid.

In addition, if you analyze the game a little closer, I don't think Pat McAfee should be solely blamed for the loss. How about the coaching staff, and pretty much the entire team.

Finally, when this thing is resolved and we would happen to find out that the death threats and vadalizing were being done by people from some place other than West Virginia, like say, a WVU students from other states, I would hope that it would be publicly noted. Even though in my mind I know it won't.

Because in my heart, I find it hard to believe that a West Virginian would do something like this. We respect each other too much.

THE COMMON TIES OF RED SOX NATION AND MOUNTAINEERS NATION

The sun didn't shine Sunday, nor is it shining today

Sure, there’s daylight, but it wasn't a good yesterday because of everyone begrudgingly canceling all of their NOLA travel plans.

In a matter of one week, we have experienced college football's highest of highs, and of course lowest of lows.

Some would say the Pitts.

Over the past months, the hopes of Mountaineer fans have hinged on needing a series of major upsets.

We've watched and secretly cheered as USF, USC, Cal, Oklahoma, Oregon, BC, LSU, Ohio State, Kansas, and LSU have fallen one by one.

Finally, all the upsets and stars aligned to thrust our beloved Mounties into the right position, Almost Heaven.

Well, live by the sword, die by the sword.

All those teams against whom we have cheered against over the course of this crazy season along with the media pundits got the last laugh Saturday night.

Once again, as we have experienced throughout the long and somewhat depressing history that is Mountaineer Football, we took that unexpected punch in the gut.

It's not any different than any of the following:

* 1955 Sugar Bowl disaster,

* 1970 36-35 loss to Pitt -
after leading 35-8 at half,

* 1972 Peach Bowl loss to N. C. State,

* 1975 undefeated season, lost to Penn State (20-0) then lost to Temple the next week,

* 1982 24-0 loss to Penn State when we were undefeated and out gained them 2 to 1.

* 1982 16-13 loss to Pitt after leading 13-0 in the 4th quarter.

* 1984 (3) losses to end a season after we had posted the 2 greatest
back to back wins in school history.

* 1988 loss to ND in the national championship.

* 1993 Sugar Bowl loss to Fla.

* 1994 Kickoff Classic vs Nebraska 34-0 - embarrassment on National TV where the only good play was a 92 yard punt

* 1996 loss to Miami - blocked punt in the final seconds (undefeated no more).

* 1997 loss at ND when a win was definitely within the team's grasp.

* 2004 losses to BC and Pitt

* 2006 fumbled opportunity at Louisville.

* 2006 loss to USF.

* 2007 fumbled opportunity at USF.

There are probably more, but the pain of this loss is blocking my memory.

Last night was probably the combination of a lot of things; all of which were needed for Pitt to win a game that really shouldn't have been close.

Missed opportunities and missed field goals.
Missed blocking assignments and reads.
Over confidence.
Lack of focus.
Lack of preparation by the coaches and players.
Fumbles!

While it is the end of a dream that started with the 2005 Louisville comeback, it isn't the end of our hopes.

We still have one of the best coaches in the sport. Rich Rod will make the adjustments needed and get things corrected. Look what he did in taking a defense from the low of last year to the strength of this year.

We will ask questions and Monday morning quarterback this game for weeks, months and probably years.

Is our offensive line average at best?

Why didn't we throw the ball across the wide open middle?

Why did we limit the touches by Devine, Reynaud and Schmidt?

Why has Rich, who talks about the importance of the Pitt Rivalry only have a 4-3 record against what is certainly a lesser opponent during his tenure? Two of these losses have been really expensive - 2004 costing us a BCS bowl and 2007 costing us a BCS title game spot.

Disappointment is historic for Mountaineer fans.

But, keep in mind that if you are going to play this game at the highest of levels, which we really are, than the disappointments will be magnified.

Think how many Wide Rights and Wide Lefts have keep Bobby Bowden from winning national championships.

None of this explains how a 28-1/2 pt underdog beats a team with the opportunity to play for a national championship.

But, what makes sense in this season of college football, or in the history Mountaineer Football

Here’s the deal….we are the Boston Red Sox of college football….…NOW that being said…..you have a choice…love ‘em or leave ‘em, because as much as the Red Sox Nation has been through years of frustration, disappointment and pain, and as much as they “whine” about said frustration, and wear the disappointment around their necks like an albatross……They LOVE THEIR TEAM!

SO PICK YOURSELVES UP OFF THE MAT MOUNTAINEERS FANS BECAUSE WE HAVE A TEAM TO SUPPORT AND A FIESTA BOWL TO WIN!
Let’s Go Eat Some Tostitos!

The Two Left Standing May Surprise You! Ohio State plays West Virginia in the National Championship Game

Am I crazy? Try this on for size.

This weekend....
(4) Missouri beats (2) Kansas
(3) West Virginia beats (20) UConn
(1) LSU in a panic over the thought of Miles bolting for Mich., the team falls to Darren McFadden and the Arkansas Razorbacks
It's McFadden's chance to win the Heisman on National TV, a Friday no other big games really on except for Texas vs Texas A&M. It's the Hogs chance to save their season to a certain extent. Plus they are playing for Coach Houston Nutt for possibly the last time. They will more than likely play in a bowl, but what better way to show you care than playing your heart out for your coach and beating the #1 team in the nation on their turf?

After this weekend the BCS standing will breakdown like this....

(1) Missouri will leap frog West Virginia because they played the higher ranked team.
(2) West Virginia could conceivably be in the drivers seat
(3) Ohio State moves up because all the rankings have been this season is nothing more than an escalator, and
(4) Georgia who won't even get to play in the SEC Championship game but is ranked the highest in the Conference

The next weekend...
Missouri loses to Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship game because it's the only way the Sooners can manage to salvage their season

WVU beats Pitt in the 100th Backyard Brawl

Ohio State sits on the couch and watches the whole thing unravel and then is handed a place in the National Championship Game on a silver platter.

The Craziest Season in recent college football memory ends and the media is left scratching their heads and asking the question WHY? They also have 38 days to discount West Virginia's cred by saying that if it wasn't for every other team losing the Mountaineers wouldn't even be here. Tim Brando of CBS will be the one who fires the first shot, and oh yes, we can't forget Colin Cowherd who thinks the Big East should move down a level into the Sub Championship bracket. OK that's maybe exaggerating it a little but Colin has been less than nice to the conference, and the Mountaineers.

Ohio State fans get excited because this should be a cake walk.

Hold on to your hats fans....last year it was the Boise State Broncos who were, I believe 17 point, underdogs to the Oklahoma Sooners in the Fiesta Bowl, and those same West Virginia Mountaineers were 12 point underdogs in the 2006 Sugar Bowl to the Georgia Bulldogs, both won their respective games handing college football what could have been a sign of the birth of the new age of college football. Maybe the establishment has some company and those teams aren't going to be able to walk over the mid-level teams any longer.

Call me crazy, but I said after the Mountaineers loss to South Florida, "If West Virginia wins out they will play for a National Championship." Save your breath when talking about WVU's weak schedule. Focus on Kansas and Missouri's before you criticize the Mountaineers.

Maybe I am not so crazy after all.

Without playing head-to-head, how do we know which team is truly the best?

As the chaos continues in college football, the question is, "Does anyone really want to win this thing?"

Kansas appears to be the most determined team out there, and can prove itself worthy of the title by winning out.

KU's remaining schedule includes #5 Missouri and #4 Oklahoma. If the Jayhawks can get past the Tigers.

Win those games, and KU will be the only 13-0 BCS Conference Champion.

Shouldn't that be enough to get them a title shot?

Or, did KU start too low in the popularity contest initially to make it to the Title Game?

Lose to Missouri and the Jayhawks will enjoy the spoils of a BCS game, just not the BCS title game.

Without a couple of upsets, the teams in the title game will likely be the winner of the off-field popularity contest known as major college football.

A one-loss LSU will most certainly get a shot at the BCS title.

After all, they would boast a resume that includes winning the title of the self-proclaimed "best conference in college football." Plus, they may be able to say that they beat the champion of another BCS conference, Virginia Tech.

This could potentially leave several one-loss conference champions scratching their heads wondering what it takes to get to the coveted BCS Title game.

Did Ohio State, who until this past weekend was seen as a lock to get in, mess-up because they lost late in the season rather than early like Oregon, Oklahoma, LSU, Missouri and WVU? Or, were they pretenders with an advantageous schedule.

Can Oklahoma, who lost to a bad Colorado team really lay claim to being the best team in college football?

If Oregon and WVU win out, and that may be a big if, they will have a lot to ponder in the off-season.

Two plays for both of these teams could be the difference between these teams playing each other in the Title Game.

The real question gets to be: "What defines the #1 team in Major College Football?"

Is it the best team, or is it the most consistent team, or is it the luckiest team, or a team with the right schedule, or the most popular team?

Is time to take the media out of the mix and give it to a computer? Honestly!

ESPN is constantly telling you one week that TEAM A is a lock to play for a national championship, only to watch TEAM A go down in flames over the weekend. Then the next week they move on to TEAM B, "who is deserving and are now the lock."

My question is, "Where is the responsible journalism?" Does no one have to take take some owership in their words or show some accountability, step up and say, "I WAS WRONG?"

No they don't because they think you hang on their every word. Egomaniacs, that is what the media has become. Leave the teams alone let them play the games and let's have a playoff! Geez, it's not rocket science. I don't want the National Championship in college football left to bunch of Know-it-alls with no accountability.

How about this. All of the "so-called" experts can continue to spew their knowledge, but if they are incorrect, how about an electric shock every time they get it wrong?

This my friends is what the NCAA, and the current BCS system gives us.

Questions, nothing but questions, along with a healthy dose of confusion from the media and their so-called expertise. CONFUSION is COLLEGE FOOTBALL.

Without playing head-to-head, how do we know which team is truly the best?

Now that is THE question.

Sal-Pal Nice Question

Sal Palintonio interviews New England Patriots QB Tom Brady after his team's exciting win over the Indianapolis Colts. In the interview Palintonio says, "You're 9-0, and I know you. You're not into 9-0. What's this team's ultimate goal?"

I know you. You're not into 9-0. What's this team's ultimate goal?

Are you kidding me? Brady should have answered, "Well Sal, I think our ultimate goal is to go undefeated and lose in our first playoff game. That's the goal we set in training camp and we are focused on achieving that goal."

ESPN used this as their, Sunday Conversation." Wow! Come on Palintonio, can you come up a better questions than that?

It's Hard to Root Against Joe Torre

I recently caught Bob Costas' interview with former Yankees and new Dodgers manager Joe Torre on the latest episode of HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumble. As I watched the interview I couldn't help but think about how much I despise the Yankees, but love Joe Torre. He is without a doubt on of the classiest figures in sports today, and he seems to be a players manager.

Being a Red Sox fan second to being a Pirates fan, it's very hard to watch the Yankees let alone cheer for them, and baseball season is over, so let's not get into the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry, ESPN does that enough for us all. Not to mention when it comes to the poor Pittsburgh Pirates, the small market basement dwellers, the Yankees are all that's wrong with baseball. The "evil empire," if you will. Huge salaries, and plucking any decent talent from small market teams so they can position themselves for a title run. Greed. It's all wrong, but I will save that revenue sharing post for another time, (insert sarcastic tone)

because I know baseball is doing everything correct and the NFL and NHL with their salary caps and revenue sharing don't know what they're doing. Let's face it, being a GM and owner in a parody-laden league allows you the opportunity to show off your talents at managing personnel. Anyone can buy or trade for a championship.

I am sorry about getting off on a rant but, Joe Torre is different, and in watching the HBO interview I couldn't help but think about what an honest person he is. It was difficult to cheer against him, and it's a shame that we sometimes get so caught up in a sports-type of hatred for a the team and everyone associated with it, when nearly all of the people associated with that hated team are decent individuals.

To me Joe Torre fits into that category. I am not a Dodgers fan, but I can honestly say that if he would take the Dodgers to the World Series and win it, hopefully not at the expense of my Pirates and Red Sox, I would say in the end, "He deserves it and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy."