Is it really only Wednesday

It has been a bit too long since last post, for which I apologize. I also promised some non-hurricane type stuff, but truth be told it has been hard to concentrate on anything but.

I figured that I would take these pages for the next couple of days for some personal updates and information sharing.

At the present moment, it seems that everyone in my finacee's immediate family is safe and sheltered. They are from New Orleans, the Metarie area, and most have made temporary shelter in Baton Rouge.

My friend Luke, has started a New Orleans Refugees Blog in an effort to help convey contact informatoin for anyone who may not konw the wearabouts of friends and family. Make sure to check it out and give him your information.

NewOrleansRefugees

The LSU vs. North Texas football game scheduled for this Saturday has been postponed for the time being. We'll bring you news as to the reschedule date. LSU is serving as an evacuation shelter, including one special needs shelter.

Most of Baton Rouge and the BR Area is stll without power, we are lucky in that we have maintained power throughout the storm and its aftermath.

We are placing wedding plans on hold for the time being. More information coming soon.

The area Citadel stations are doing a really great job of continuous coverage, check them out when you need good local information.

The Heisman Run is officially sending out best wishes for anyone and everyone effected in anyway by the storm. Please know we are thinking about you and that we offer our assistance in anyway possible (even if it just to grab a beer and get our minds off of this thing, because it is really only Wednesday)

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

A bit handcuffed at the moment since the worst seems to have passed us at the moment and now we play the waiting game until we find out just how much damage the storm caused to our friends/family in New Orleans as well as the Baton Rouge area. Patience is a virtue, and I hope we can all be virtuous people as no details are being given as to when the city of New Orleans/area cities will be ready to once again receive her citizens.

Breathing a short sigh of some relief at the moment, but realizing that the hardest job, recovery, is ahead of us. If we can be of any help/service to any of you or your friends/family, don't hesitate to let us know.

I may do some non-hurricane posts soon, as a means of keeping my mind away from the worst case scenarios, so check back soon for some good discussion topics.

Watching Katrina

Keeping updated on Hurricane Katrina - keeping in mind everyone that may be in harm's way. Send them your blessings and prayers.

If any of our New Orleans friends need anything, please dont' hesitate to contact us!

What a year it was!

Sorry about the small abscence in posting. Motivation (more specifically follow through), is dipping into the negative, however all signs point up!

In the meantime, you should venture over to my friend Kyle's blog (Kyle's brain on the links to your right) and check out his newest feature - dedication to the music of the 90's. This post is all about 1994 and his top 5 albums. Maybe I appreciate it greatly becasue those are some of my all-time favorite albums, not just of the year. For the year, I ranked them in a bit different order, but that is only based on how much I played each one out myself. I'll put my rankings in the comments section, so as to not spoil the fun. Visit Kyle's Brain and then check back wiht us here at the Heisman Run for my takes on the year that was 1994.

And a thanks again to our friend Necrite98 at Useless and Pointless Knlowledge for the shout out - he called us a "good read." Thanks have been delayed because we were told by legal that we had to double check the claim for its legitimacy before we could regonize it, legal didn't believe he was talking about our blog!

You know that guy too!

In my travels across the internet, I stumbled across an old friend yesterday. You should get to know him too:

ADAM WILSON ONLINE

Adam and I are the same age and entered LSU at the same time. We stayed in the same hall, had some mutual friends and were in an organization together (where we sat in the back of the room and laghed through the meetings). We always took a minute to catch up when we saw each other on campus, but as we moved away from freshman year we went in separate directions. It wasn't until my second senior year (his too!) that we had a chance to reconnect as he and my girlfriend, now fiancee, were in the same improv comedy show. Since then, Adam (along with some other highly talented comedians/actors) have really made an effort to bring comedy and other quality arts to Baton Rouge.

This guy is hillarious! Maybe we are just on some of the same wavelenths as to what we find funny, but I cannot be around him without side splitting laughter. I have been a complete slacker and not caught his stand up act yet, and haven't seen his current improv troupe in about 2 years and it is defanately my loss!

Oh, and just in case you thought you recognized him.. you may have if you have ever been to/watched LSU basketball. Adam is "the snake" - you know that guy who shakes his body violently for several minutes straight! I happen to catch a basketball game at my parent's house, and made the comment that I new that guy as he shook violently on tv and my mother goes into a tirade about how proud she is of me becasue I knew him. Not becasue I was going to college, working on a degree, getting slightly above average grades, staying out of trouble - but becasue I personally knew one of the basketball crazies!

SUPPORT ADAM!!

Small Town Louisiana Football Beware!

http://64.233.187.104/search?q=cache:6bNDpfWGmgsJ:www.press-herald.com/sports/sports.html+Cotton+Valley+to+forfeit+Evangel&hl=en

(Apologies for the search being a google post, but that is how I came across it on a message board and couldn't find the actual article, but I did want to post this as a reference)

If the link doesn't work, here's the skinny - some of the state's smallest schools have now found themselves in the same district as Evangel Christian Academy (ECA), a national football powerhouse, and find themselves considering a forfeit of their regularly scheduled district game during the season. It was last year that the LHSAA voted to force shcools to play according to their enrollment, moving Evangel and John Curtis down to 1A and 2A, respectively, despite the fact that both schools have either won or competed for state titles in the last couple of years.

Now, I am seeing this from the small town angle more than I am for Evangel, nor is this post designed to be an ECA slam, but truth is that playing any Louisiana team before the 2nd/3rd round of the playoffs is just a formality for Evangel, their competition has been on the national stage for sometime now and winning state champoinships is just something for these future D1 stars to put on their athletic resume'. I grew up watching my local high school playing 1A football and can sympathize with our friends in Cotton Valley, especially knowing that most of those guys are playing "iron man" football (playing both offense and defense). I remember what it was like to have one highly recruited player destroy the entire football team, I could only imagine what an entire team of D1 prospects would do to a small-town team.

My other angle of the story is that I got to see ECA play in person. While I grew up watching 1A football, I went to a school that played 2A/3A athletics (moved up while I was there). I didn't play football there, but was an avid fan and had a great appreciation for the game. Our homecoming game senior year was against ECA and I witnessed first hand just how dominating and intimidating these future stars of the college game (well, that may be a stretch) can be.

I also don't buy the private/pubic high school separation in all cases because remember the premise of Any Given Sunday (i.e. anyone can beat anyone on any given sunday), well that applies to Fridays too!

How, or is there even a way, to level this playing field?

Good to Know I Still Have It!

I am walking to work today.. actually, let me start a little before that. Classes at LSU are back in session and while that excites me to see everyone back and bring us that much closer to LSU sports seasons it does mean that I have to park a bit further away from my buidling. Of course, I shouldn't complain since I need to start walking more to loose a little extra weight before the wedding.

So on my way to work today, I am giggling wholeheartidly at freshman who have brought their entire set of schoolbooks and their campus map to school and are struggling with both. Now this is not to say that I was not in very similar situations as a freshman, but since that point I have learned much about the campus and have guided several thousand new/transfer students around the campus as an orientation leader/tour leader. Well, that was a long time ago and since my days are pretty well confined to one of two buildings I have pretty much forgot where everything is.

Well this morning, for some odd reason. A young girl (presumably a freshman based on the fact that she was asking and the fact that she looked like a high school student) lowered her window and from Highland Road asked me where Hodges Hall was. She was on the passenger side of the car, and someone looking a little older was in the driver seat, but my first reaction was why are you asking me? Then I realized that in a sea of freshmen with maps out, and the guy rollerblading next to me I was looking my age - see, not a freshman! Here's where my moment of pride came through, in that I was able to point her in the exact direction of where she needed to travel even though I have only been to that side of campus once in the last six or so months.

Maybe its the small things that excite me, like realizing that through the grey hair hasn't meant the beginning of memory loss. Or maybe some of our readers would appreciate the story, given that I have met most of you while we were doing orientation or tours (including my beautiful, future wife!). Or maybe, I just couldnt' think of anything else to post. It's just me taking pride in surprising myself!

Nick Burns: Your Company Computer Guy

Nick Burns, the company computer guy. He'll fix your computer and then he'll make fun of you. Cause he's Nick Burns, the computer guy.

Let me tell you about the book I bought last night....

Sams Teach Yourself Red hat Fedora 4 Linux All in One

And why do you not have linux, you evil-empire supporting, windows seeing, start button pushin' know nothing - JUST KIDDING! I actually bought the book, which includes the Linux Fedora Core 4 Operating System, last night in hopes to learn the software because it sure is hard being an IT guy and having to tell people that you don't know linux! Now, one of our dedicated readers is going to comment to this post and tell me that he offered to install and teach me unix about six years ago, which he did and I didnt' take him up on it - I am kicking myself now!

Anyway, for our readers without backgrounds in CS/IT, if you have ever had to help fix someone's computer you will enjoy these (thanks to Bacardi for the forward):

Helpdesk: What kind of computer do you have?
Customer: A white one...
---
Customer: Hi, this is Celine. I can't get my diskette out.
Helpdesk: Have you tried pushing the button?
Customer: Yes, sure, it's really stuck.
Helpdesk: That doesn't sound good; I'll make a note .."
Customer: No . wait a minute... I hadn't inserted it yet.. it's
still on my desk... Sorry...
---
Helpdesk: Click on the 'my computer' icon on the left of the screen.
Customer: Your left or my left?
---
Helpdesk: Good day. How may I help you?
Male customer: Hello... I can't print.
Helpdesk: Would you click on start for me and...
Customer: Listen pal; don't start getting technical on me! I'm
not Bill Gates!
---
Customer: Hi, good afternoon, this is Martha, I can't print.
Every time I try, it says 'Can't find printer'. I've even lifted the
printer and placed it in front of the monitor, but the computer still
says it can't find it...
---
Customer: I have problems printing in red...
Helpdesk: Do you have a color printer?
Customer: Aaaah..................Thank you.
---
Helpdesk: What's on your monitor now ma'am?
Customer: A teddy bear my boyfriend bought for me in the supermarket.
---
Customer: My keyboard is not working anymore.
Helpdesk: Are you sure it's plugged into the computer?
Customer: No. I can't get behind the computer.
Helpdesk: Pick up your keyboard and walk 10 paces back.
Customer: Okay.
Helpdesk: Did the keyboard come with you?
Customer: Yes.
Helpdesk: That means the keyboard is not plugged in. Is
there another keyboard?
Customer: Yes, there's another one here. Ah..that one does work!
---
Helpdesk: Your password is the small letter a as in apple, a
capital letter V as in Victor, and the number 7.
Customer: Is that 7 in capital letters?
---
A customer couldn't get on the Internet:
Helpdesk: Are you sure you used the right password?
Customer: Yes I'm sure. I saw my colleague do it.
Helpdesk: Can you tell me what the password was?
Customer: Five stars.
---
Helpdesk: What anti-virus program do you use?
Customer: Netscape.
Helpdesk: That's not an anti-virus program.
Customer: Oh, sorry...Internet Explorer.
---
Customer: I have a huge problem. A friend has put a screen saver on
my computer, but every time I move the mouse, it disappears!
---
And the winner is...

Helpdesk: How may I help you?
Customer: I'm writing my first e-mail.
Helpdesk: OK, and, what seems to be the problem?
Customer: Well, I have the letter 'a' in the address, but how do I
get the circle around it?

"We're not gonna protest, We're not gonna protest"

Autographed picture of me goes to the person that can identify the movie that spawned the quote used as the title.

And back to the news... I heard about this yesterday, yes, I heard about it on talk radio, and I am not trying to get into a political discussion about this but thought it was worth passing on.

Move America Foreward

This group based out of Sacremento, CA is planning a several-city-stop tour that will land them in Crawford, TX to protest the Cindy Sheehan protest. Yep.. protesting the protest. I have never been a fan of the protest as a political statement only because I believe there are better ways of presenting a political message and for the small percentage of protests that seem to work, the larger number usually end up with little result and much trouble, sometimes including violence. Never think/thought that a protestor's opinion and voice should not be heard (I'll advocate free speech even when I dont' agree), but as some of us discussed on Useless and Pointless Knowledge what good is debate when you have no chance of changing the mind/system that you are targeting? I advocate effectiveness!

So, here's the deal. Next weekend I am going to lead a protest to protest the protestors and tell everyone to go home. My only hope for you is that if I am not back in two days.. wait longer. If I am not back by the next weekend, come protest my ass, and make sure you leave home a good friend who, one week later, will organize another caravan to protest all of us!

"We're not gonna protest!"

They Get the Job Done!

I haven't stopped laughing about this all day, so I felt compelled to share.

Last night, myself and Toto Too (my fiance') joined our friends theBigDaddy, "Bacardi" (BigRob) and "Cola" (BS) as well as one other guy (turns out I had class with him in college) at our Local Champps Americana for Karaoke Night!

I can never claim that I have frequented or participated in Karaoke, for the sake of everyone else in the room. And while I continue that same streak, my friends Bacardi and Cola decided they would grace the stage with their vocal stylings. After several frosty adult beverages and enough laughs to make my stomach ache, they had finally picked a song - only the beginning of the roller coaster ride.

We were then forced to sit through several participants (please note the avoidance of singers, artists, performers, or musicians) including shattering renditions of "Earl" by Dixie Chicks and a prize winning "Hot Blooded" by Foreigner. Finally, in the last period of the karaoke competition Bacardi and Cola were ushered onto the stage to the melodious drums, bass and harmoinies of Rick Jame's "Superfreak." That's right, i said Rick James!

In the spirit of Chapelle Show fans my friend Cola declared "Its a celebration bitches, enjoy yourself" to which the crowd burst into random laughter, applause and "rhythmical movements" (see: dancing that I never have seen before). After stumbling through three verses (we didn't know that song had three verses.. and who the hell is Derrick?) and much fan fare the song ended to Bacardi's random dancing about the stage and Cola's prominent Rick James quotes, they were named the winners of $100 prize for best group performance. They can't win again for another 60 days, but each and every Wednesday they'll be a close second!

*Disclaimer if this wasnt' as funny in print, but I am not a good story writer and maybe you had to be there*

What did the five fingers say to the face? SLAP!!!

Maybe I Shouldn't Complain About This...

Let me preface this by saying that I am not a well read man, as some of my blogging friends are. I just never picked up enough books to become an avid reader. For example, I have only finished my way through 2 1/2 books so far this calendar year, and that is a record for me!

However, what was instilled to me was a passion for news and current events. There weren't many days gone by growing up in Gueydan, LA where the news channel wasn't prevlelant in at least one room of the house and newspapers from area towns/cities were scattered throughout the area normally devoted to eating. Combine this with a lifelong passion for radio broadcasting (I wanted to become a radio personality for the longest time) and you have my most recent fascination with TALK RADIO!

Here's the cool thing about it (for me at least), I listen to talk radio on both sides of the "political aisle" for most of my drive into work and home from work and whenever I can at work/home (usually only listen alone b/c not many other people my age app... heck, even like it!).

But yesterday, I was disgusted! I was listening to a certain station in Baton Rouge. I won't name stations becasue I have actually heard this on more than one station in the area. It was a nationally syndicated show in afternoon drive and a caller called who disagreed with the host on the topic. After a bit of bantering back and forth, the radio host, who was very prepared on the subject had met his match in an equally prepared caller. Here's where it got disgusting because this talking head decided that he would start screaming at the top of his lungs once he was called out for being wrong then proceeded to take personal shots at people not even related to the topic. Then in an even more courageous display, he hangs up on the caller proclaiming his victory and announcing "I love calls like that." By this point, I am as outraged as the caller he hung up on becasue the radio host was so caught up in his own ego/ratings that he wouldn't even recognize another side to the argument. Then again... not many do!

I was told by a radio host in Baton Rouge once that you listen to talk radio for one of two reasons. The first is that you like the person on the air and agree with them. The second is that you hate their guts and would secretly love the chance to be the one who personally gets them kicked off the air.

Can't wait to see what they are talking about today on my way home!

"I got a fever, and the only cure is MORE COWBELL"

Please do not take the following as any type of endorsement, judgement or condemnation of the following, only a relay of information. I promise you that I take current events more seriously than to jump to this quick a conclusion, but I did want to pass this along.

Christopher Walken for President

Stumbled across it on my lunch hour and wanted to share. Doesn't mention too much about his platorm (the politics link actually wouldn't work for me), and no disclaimers stating the legitimacy of the entire campiagn (either way, serious or not serious).

Actors running for political office... its like Arnolod Swartzeneger on steroi... oh nevermind!

Anyone esle need more cowbell??

Guess Who Joined the Party!!

I'll admit that I talk a bit much sometimes, and my favorite topics are often things that are either irrelevant or irreverant. I am lucky enough to have someone in my life that is patient enough to listen to all the filler and eventually see the substance.

I have been talking to my fiance for sometime about reading friend's blogs, having online discussions about the topic or non-topic of the day and eventually developing the Heisman Run. She took an immediate liking to it and has decided it was her turn to blog away...

http://followtheyellowbrickrd.blogspot.com

It is also listed on the right sidebar menu, so it will be with us through our blogging experience!

Enjoy the blogging!!

Who's Your Horse?

This one is for my buddies who are as into LSU football as I am. Its a two part question, and you know your answer.

1. Who is your horse - Matt Flynn or JaMarcus Russel?
2. What are the chances we see Perilloux?

I have never really been shy about my bias toward Matt Flynn because I think they type of quarterback he has the potential to be is hard to beat (very cerebral, mobile and visably smart) and based on that he is my guy because we will need a quarterback that can adjust every single week and I think Flynn can do that and still win. What he has not proven to me just yet is his leadership skills, and the minute I see that he lacks there I will eat these words.

The only thing I have seen about JaMarcus that I have not liked is an apparent inconsistency to toss the routine pass and misreadings of defense. However, given he can toss 40+ yard strikes that have the velocity of stelth jets - he will be fun to watch.

All in all, it is win-win (maybe even win-win-win) for now and whoever takes the reigns of our Tigers better be humbled enough to respect the role, but confident enough to beat the crap out of anyone standing in the way of our next SEC Championship!

As for Mr #11 (Perilloux), if he is the guy this year then let him take the reigns. I just think he has to develop a little too much to take the reigns this year. This guy is a star in the making, I just hope he can wait until his time. If he is not named the starter this year, I predict that he will see some experience building gametime but that his best bet is to redshirt.

GEAUX TIGERS!

"There's a song for everything"

Ever come across one of those songs that just gets ya... you know, just make ya happy to be a music fan! The kind of song you can't just hear once and makes you glad they created a previous/rewind button, unless of course you still listen to 8-tracks. Here's my list....

"Your Mistake" by Sister Hazel

"Hillbilly Shoes" by Montgomery Gentry

"Mexican Sky" by Cross Canadian Ragweed

"Unsung" by Helmet

"Banquet" by Bloc Party

"Brian Wilson" by Barenaked Ladies

Of course, this will probably change by next week.

What's on your list right now? (please let me know if you are listening to something right now that I should check out - always enjoy new/new to me music)

Bama, Bama, Bama Won't You Bite My Ass

Sent to be via email by a good friend, thought to be worth sharing -


A family of Alabama football supporters heads out to the mall one Saturday to do some Christmas shopping. While in the sports store in the mall, the son picks up a LSU jersey and says to his older sister, "I've decided to become a LSU fan and I would like this for Christmas." His big sister is outraged by this and promptly kicks him in the leg and says, "Go talk to Mom!" Off goes the little lad with the LSU jersey in hand and finds his mother. "Mom?" "Yes son?" "I've decided I'm going to be a LSU fan and I would like this jersey for Christmas." The mother is outraged at this, promptly whacks her son in the head and says, "Go talk to your father!" Off he goes with the LSU jersey in hand and finds his father. "Dad?" "Yes son?" "I've decided I'm going to be a LSU fan and I would like this jersey for Christmas." The father is outraged and promptly slaps his son in the face and says, "No son of mine is ever going to be seen in THAT THING!" About half an hour later, they're all back in the car and heading towards home. The father turns to his son and says, "Son, I hope you've learned something today?" The son says, "Yes, Dad, I have." "Good son, what is it?" The son replies, "I've only been a LSU fan for an hour and I already hate you Alabama bastards!"

Geaux Tigers

Put me in coach...

So I got to thinking about putting together this season's softball team (if you are interested in playing league softball in BR this fall let me know) and I came to the harsh realization that I did the dumbest thing last year during one of our league games. I look back now in appreciation of the stupidity and realize that I am lucky that my stupidity did not cause serious injury to myself or a square, sponged filled bag (more commonly referred to as the "base").

Let me preface the story by saying that I am not the best ball player to live, heck, I am really not even that good but I sure to enjoy baseball. I grew up on it and some readers here will even remember me working out harder than I ever have for a chance to dress out with the JV team! With that said, with the help of a good friend, the Big Daddy (called you out by name, so you better comment now!) we put together a spring league softball team and... well, we had a great time.

With that said, let me set up the game where I did the stupidest thing ever. I had went hitless (see: popped up a bunch) for the first couple of games in the season, until I finally got some wind under me and started seeing and hitting the ball very well. I actually had the "intestinal fortitude" to invite my brother and his girlfriend to a game, now mind you that both my brother and his girlfriend have been on collegiate baseball/softball teams, in an effort to show him that I still "had it". I went back into the slump for this game and after my third at bat, where I had popped up for the third time I decided I would make a complete ass of myself. After a tirade of cursewords that would make Jenny McCarthy take notice I make the conscious decision to take my anger out on first base. Nope, not the first baseman, the inatemate object that is the base. With the fires of steam in my soles, I decided to kick the bag David Beckam style with everything that I had. Upon kicking the back, and screaming one final expletive, I felt my foot getting caught up in the string that attaches the bag to the ground. With extreme force, I felt myself headed straight for the ground. Luckily, my shoulder broke my fall and after 3 full barrell rolls I was able to compose myself to sit Indian-style about 10 feet away from first base. The entire field was silenced at this point and it wasn't until I finally chuckled that everyone in my dugout, the opposing team, the stands, the officials and a random dog busted out laughing and pointing.

Moral of the story - The bases are your friends, 3 and 2 counts aren't. I can't think about that night without slapping myself upside the head and letting out a Homer Simpson-like "DOH"

Just Some Good Old Boys!

After a little convincing, I took the small journey from my apartment to the local cinema last night to view THE DUKES OF HAZZARD. It was every bit worth it.

I was extremely skeptical about this one, especially because it was all we heard about in Baton Rouge over the course of several months. In case you aren't from the area, the entirety of the movie was shot in South Louisiana including parts of St. Francisville, Baton Rouge and New Orleans. I actually used a lunch break to watch one of the car chase scenes being filmed on campus and on another occasion got stuck in traffic as they filmed a car-jump scene on the interstate. I was also skeptical because of my new anti-apprecaition for remake movies/tv movies/comic movies.

Dukes purists will probably disagree. The storyline and dialect were updated some to reflect the times. I do remember some Dukes in my younger days, but not enough to really even say I was a fan. However, I enjoyed the movie.

The car scenes were very well done and very well placed throughout the movie. The actors were well palced in their roles(I am actually not even going to go their with Jessica Simpson - another post for another day) and did a really good job with them. Oh, and a special cameo by an extremely funny comedy move troupe.

I actually wont' post any details. Unless you ask in the comments - then I'll elaborate. I just wanted to convey my enjoyment of The Dukes of Hazzard and reccommend that you think about putting it on your movie list for the month!

Have I been asleep for a year?

I only ask that becuase I have heard too much this week about USC three-peating as college football champions. I guess I am just wondering if I fell asleep sometime in between January 4, 2004 and now and USC had played two seasons of undefeated football.

Chip on the Shoulder admitted. I would probably not be writing this had any other school beside LSU won the BCS championship in 2003. I will never contend last year's USC BCS trophy, they earned that based on the fact that they played through the BCS system and won in that system. I will always contend even their share of the 2003 championship because they did not play in the BCS sanctioned championship game. Heck, they beat a 4 loss team that played like a bunch of high school second stringers for their AP champoinship. Coincindentally, the AP vote was part of the BCS... AAAAHHH (sorry, emotions took over the keyboard).

They could very well repeat this year. That would give any paper in the nation the right to say they have the opportunity to three-peat. Heck, I wouldn't even care if they specified it down and said that they would three-peat as AP champions.

Bitter - you betcha. GEAUX TIGERS!

Rex Grossman - Heisman Ceremony Dress Consultant

I guess that I am still up in the air as of the direction of said blog. As of the moment, it has really just been a running commmentary of what's on my mind and other random happenings around me.

However, please humor me as I will make attempts at social commentary, music critiuque, technology recommendations and the random sports ramblings. As always, feel free to click that little comment link that will give you a chance to comment, agree or disagree.

In the namesake of our webhome here, this is my incomplete short list of guys to watch out for in this year's Heisman Trophy race:

Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma - legit contender last year and will be just as good as this year, but may fall to the bottom of the voting because OU will not be the force they have been for the last two years. He will rack up numbers due to the fact that OU's receiving corps is not as seasoned and he will have a quarterback with little game experience (maybe even none).

Vince Young, Texas - THIS PAINS ME. I will not ignore him based on the fact that he is a numbers machine and this year has the luxury of playing behind one hell of an O-Line. Will also be called to carry the team in big game situation. Has a true test early in the season in Ohio State and the results of this game will determine his placement on the list.

Reggie Bush, USC - THIS PAINS ME MORE. This guy does deserve some credit, two seasons, touchdowns 4 different ways. Not only is he a numbers machine, but he is a difference maker. USC will play more nailbiters this year than they have in the past and Bush is the only thing that will save them since Leinhart's elbow will act up and their offense will lack the intensity they had under Norm Chow (NOTE: the last 20 or so words of this sentence are completly my speculation, but I am convinced that if I say convinced it will become the truth).

And my Kyle Orton candidate (see: where the heck did this guy come from!):

Drew Tate, Iowa - I am actually going to also credit his team as much as him but I do believe he will be a superstar becuase their defense will keep their games lopsided enough for him to look like he can do anything on the field. Also, these guys are hungry and can play some ball. Tate is the type of leadership-style quarterback that his team really rallies around and becuase of that he'll get some mentions.

By no means is this a complete list, or even a final list. I will probably add guys/take guys from but this is where I stand from my research at the moment.

Last note: I know that all of these guys are media-frendly pics and there is no one from the SEC on the list. I am not seeing an emerging star from either LSU or Tennessee (the two highest ranked SEC teams)at the moment only because they play so well as a TEAM where any guy will step up if needed. Once the season is underway, we'll see who is ready to play and step up into their roles and even the Heisman chase. Actually, it's a compliment - TEAMS win games and I firmly believe that three of the four mentioned teams above will slip at some point becuase of their reliance on their superstar players (Iowa is excluded from that list).

Who is on your list?

AND WE'RE BACK!!!

"Hey man, where you been?" Well, I've been away. "I already knew that. It seems like you haven't touched a computer in a week." Actually, that is correct.

I spent the later part of last week and this week out of town for a wedding (Congrats to the amazing couple!). More notably, In a six day span I spent all of 30 minutes in front of a computer and it was completely out of choice not necessity. This probably marks the longest that I have gone without being in font of a computer since early teenage years. "But arent' you an IT guy?" Exactly - which is why this was actually worth writing about!

In very recent news, former LSU Lady Tigers Basketball Coach Sue Gunter passed away this morning. Please visit www.lsusports.net for the entire story and and heartwarming words about her great career and her great personality. One of my favorite memories of my freshman year was watching Coach Gunter's Lady Tigers take down a nationally ranked #1 Tennessee at the PMAC. The LSU community, as well as women's basketball are both better because of Coach Gunter.