University of Arizona football's never won an outright Pac-12 Conference championship, much like the Philadelphia Eagles and the Super Bowl prior to Sunday's 41-33 win over the New England Patriots. In 2009, Nick Foles led the Wildcats team that came the closest. Arizona had better teams in its history than the 2009, which finished an…
Welcome to the first edition of What Went Wrong, where we take a look at football teams that came into the season with a lot of hype, only to fall short by season's end. Consider this like The Worst but in a different way. These seasons might open old wounds. Between now and the start…
Who says Super Bowl bye week is uneventful? The announced relaunch of the XFL headlines a busy week, and naturally, kicks off our Q&A. XFL, will you watch? (and if not, what could entice you to watch?) — Alicia de Artola (@PenguinOfTroy) January 25, 2018 Short answer: No. I vividly remembering the original incarnation of…
The death of Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski Tuesday is a tragedy beyond comprehension for those not afflicted with the factors that lead to suicide. Depression and other mental health issues are medical concerns. In the same way that a sufferer of shingles cannot make you actually feel the same sensation if you have never…
"You can put a piece of lettuce in one of the buns." I nervously chuckled in response to the woman's suggestion. I wasn't certain if she was kidding; her furrowed brow told me she wasn't, and she did not appreciate me laughing at her suggestion. She looked to be in her late 60s, and I…
HBO announced over the weekend a spring premiere date for its long-rumored, already controversial biopic Paterno. The network has typically debuted its big-budget, original productions like The Normal Heart and last year's critically acclaimed, Bernie Madoff biopic The Wizard of Lies over the Memorial Day weekend, so I'd anticipate the same for Paterno. If you…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY_DcN001NI "They call it in some circles the Hail Mary. It was certainly perfect..." - Keith Jackson, Colorado/Michigan game When you write about a legend like Keith Jackson, how do you pick the game that best exemplifies his broadcast career? That's a challenge. You're talking about a man who has called the Olympics, baseball, even…
You did it! You made it through an entire college football season with me, and I hope you're proud. You should be! If you can survive this, then you can survive anything. The College Football Playoff has come and gone, and Alabama came storming back to win again -- but not to worry, Georgia fans;…
This June marks the 20th anniversary of Michael Jordan's second, and what most would contend was the most meaningful, of his departures from the NBA. I still remember the end of Jordan's career with the Chicago Bulls vividly: I was attending basketball camp when I watched the poetic climax of his time with the organization…
UCF claiming the 2017 national championship sparked conversation among the college football community about the fluid nature of titles in the sport's history. Last week, I spotlighted a few teams that I felt worthy of making such claims, but I wanted to reserve special consideration for one program in particular: the 1951 San Francisco Dons.…
Maybe one or both of Sony Michel and Nick Chubb could have been a bigger individual star had they played on different teams. Perhaps if fate took one to another program, they would have made the trip to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony. Then again, they might have traded Los Angeles and Atlanta…
Since athletic director Danny White announced intentions to raise a championship banner, hold a parade and pay bonuses in recognition of a national championship, UCF has been the talk of the college football world. The attention paid to UCF football has in and of itself made this championship claim a success, even if the current…
In February 2015, Macon County High School senior Roquan Smith was the nation's leading sports headline -- though it wasn't a position the 4-star football prospect sought. Verbally committed to UCLA, Smith was set to add his name to the growing legacy of Bruins linebackers; a natural heir apparent to Anthony Barr, Eric Kendrick and…
UCF’s Peach Bowl defeat of Auburn capped the only perfect season in the FBS in 2017, punctuated the sheer stupidity of the Knights ending the regular season at No. 12. After not factoring into the College Football Playoff conversation whatsoever, UCF scored a win in some ways identical to the seminal Sugar Bowl that helped…
When it comes to Alabama vs. Clemson, we've been spoiled. The last two games featuring these two teams have been epic. It was a treat to watch them play in the last two national championship games. When they face off in the Sugar Bowl Monday night, it will be just as much a treat. In…
