I signed onto "Blog"

I'm rapidly finishing at the office so I can pick up my son and catch a flight to So Cal and go tomorrow with my Father-in -Law, son and 90,000 other folks to the USC/UCLA game. If SC plays half as well as it did agaist ASU and UCLA plays like it did against Dixonless OU, then USC should easily win, but these games are unpredictable, just look at last year when we played horribly and lost. Bueno, I like Mizzou, just the name is fun, but that QB is something else. But Oklahoma has McFadden and that gut is good. Adios for now, hope this "post" finds the "blog". Jose.

Rosebowl Musings

Love your post Pete --I'm glad you made some $ on Aggie BB! They say you shouldn't bet on your team because it's impossible to be objective but my son, Jason, made a killing betting on UF against Ohio State last year (enough to go on a Spring break cruise!). So obviously the Fraxedas clan doesn't subscribe to conventional wisdom! SC v Ohio State would be great for the Rose Bowl. I'd love to see my counsins' team whomping the Buckeyes! I may even fly over for it if I can hook up with a ticket!

SC/UCLA Memory

Victor--Your waxing of the SC/UCLA rivalry/game is extremely vivid. It brought me back to the only SC/UCLA game I attended and it was with you. I remember it well. We dropped Gordie and Nancy at LAX and then drove to the Rose Bowl for the game. It was an incredible day in SoCal. One of those rare ones that was extremely clear and as we drove out to Pasadena you could see the mountains (read: no smog) and it was spectacular! We got into the Lite beer tent somehow (Victor's pre-lawyer negotiating skills I'm sure) and drank for free (gotta love that huh?). We sat in the end zone and I believe John Katnik was at Center for the Trojans. Thinking hard about it, I believe this had to be the 1986 game. Funny when you think about John Katnik. He was our Center on the aforementioned TJAAF Jr. Pee-Wee Blazers in 1974 and I was the QB (sometimes). But what a great day and I believe a great win for SC. Thanks for the memory Vic and I believe I need to thank you for the ticket as well. As for your question Joaq...no I don't think Mizzou will beat OU, but then again, I didn't think Mizzou was going to beat KU! Lastly, if Mizzou and WVU play in the championship, will anybody really watch? But that will be better than seeing OSU getting wiped out again. I hope, for SC's sake, that OSU goes to the Rose Bowl and we get back to what's right in college football...the Pac 10 and Big 10 (11?) in Pasadena. OK, one more, I'm in Vegas right now and won money on my Ags in hoops last night. While I was enjoying Danny Gans, they were taking down 'Bama last night AND covered! Another SEC team goes down at the hands of the Ags...Whoop!

SC vs. UCLA...A Rivalry Like No Other

Gang, I am sure each region, conference, and state has their "big game". The rivalry which ends all rivalries. The beginning and the end when it comes to intensity, build-up, competitiveness, and pageantry all rolled up into one game. Here are just a few... Texas vs. Texas A&M Texas vs. Oklahoma Michigan vs. Ohio State SC vs. Notre Dame Florida vs. Georgia Florida vs. Florida State LSU vs. Anybody Alabama vs. Auburn SC/UCLA is intrastate, intra-conference, and inter-city. None of the others can make this claim. As a matter of fact, unless you count University of Houston and Rice (which have no rivalry to speak of), the City of Angels is home to the only 2 major universities who compete all year long in a variety of sports. Yesterday's L.A. Times sports section (aka world's greatest sports section) went through all the major sports, both men and women, in which SC and UCLA compete. It was staggering, not only in the variety of sports, but the level of play that is maintained. National championships are decided in everything from swimming, tennis, water polo, baseball, basketball, football. Incredible. When the teams meet in some of these sports, extra bleachers are brought in to accommodate the overflow crowds. Even the various coaches involved are amazed and say there is nothing like SC/UCLA. The individual students are often times from the same high school teams and from the same neighborhoods. Once teammates, they are now enemies. The football rivalry, which is to be renewed this Saturday, is not that old (dates back to 1923) because UCLA did not field a team until then (they are still trying to catch up!), but what it lacks in longevity it more than makes up for in intensity. It, literally, divides not only the city, but families, offices, and friends. Anyways, I did not see last year's upset due to a soccer game for Valen. And, it looks like I will miss most of the game on Saturday due to the same series of soccer games. No big deal. I love to watch my daughter play soccer (she is quite good; an all-star). I have been to so many of the SC/UCLA games, I enjoy just try to catch it on the radio, heading to and from the soccer field, and I can draw a picture of the packed Coliseum, awash in Cardinal and Gold and Powder Blue and Gold. It will be a day game. Quite unseasonably warm. Smiling faces. Bands blaring. SC ahead....The memory is so vivid, I can reach out and touch it... Victor

Coliseum

Victor, what's with the Trojans moving from the Coliseum to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and sharing that venue with your rival UCLA? Is building your own stadium on campus not an option? Actually, I just checked the SC campus on Google earth and the Coliseum appears to be part of campus or right next to your campus. Why don't you just buy it? Or take it over, invade it, do something? Aren't SC alumni a very influential, super rich, powerful group? Couldn't you guys just pass a law or do something to take over that venue? Who are these old men in some strange commission to make decisions that have such an impact on a proud and powerful university? Isn't the coliseum essentially for the use and benefit of USC? Does anybody else (other than rock groups and an occasional Olympiad) ever play there? I'm sorry to be so ignorant, but I thought you guys owned the place, if not legally, at least had an equitable interest in the place. Would love to hear your thoughts on this monumental news!

Big Time College Football Playoffs Is No Dream

--Everybody, Check out the article about playoffs Jason just posted below. Really interesting and exciting. --Rob, your analysis of SEC cannibalism is great. Does anybody out there think Mizzou will beat Oklahoma? I don't they will. I think the Tigers are a flash in the pan.

I got a kick out of this article - The dream of college football playoffs is alive! http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=ApW5VJQTzgP6DYvdStk54Uw5nYcB?slug=dw-playoff112707&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Right on Pete!

Kudos to Pete for correctly predicting Mike Sherman taking over @ A&M. Now if Les Miles goes to Michigan as I predicted over a month ago the blog will be batting 1,000!

Sorry Pete!

Pete, I got home around 10pm tonight from a medmal case in Gainesville and was so excited to see the blog on fire that I asked you about your head coaching prospects before noticing that you mentioned Mike Sherman in your earlier post. Can't blame it on beer this time. I'm sober. Just a little tired! Goodnight y'all!

Oklahoma on Top!

I join Pete and Victor in predicting that OK will beat Mizzou. I may be partial to our old defensive coordinator during the Spurrier years, Bobby Stoops, but I really think Oklahoma is going to kill Mizzou. Is there anybody out there who thinks that the Tigers will win this one?

The Blog is Alive!

Wow! Fabulous posts by Victor, and Aggie Pete. Congratulations to the Trojans again for a dominant shellacking of ASU and to the Aggies for butchering the Longhorns. And to the Bruins for pushing the Ducks further down the hill. Confession: We had a kegger at Mimi's the other night and I (Joaq) made the mistake of posting a blog after quaffing a few. I meant to congratulate the Aggies and Trojans and Bruins at the same time and ended up blaming Pete's Aggies for pushing the ducks down the hill! Blame it on the keg. Anyway, I've deleted that inebriated posting. Pete, I am really fired up that you've logged in and started posting. Do we actually have a Longhorn in the group? Because if he doesn't speak up soon I'm going to delete the logo! And make the Aggie logo even bigger. Pete, what's the scoop on your search for a head coach? Your interim guy was our interim guy around the late 80s before Spurrier took the head coaching job. Is there a hot prospect waiting in the wings?

Oh, the possibilities

With all the upsets, we may have a silly matchup of West Virginia and Missouri (ridiculous). They have played nobody and come from weak conferences. We have been writing about this all year long. Personally, I believe Oklahoma will knock off the Tigers and, believe it or not, the Buckeyes will qualify (again) for the title game. As an SC guy, we would rather face off against the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl. Now, if Mizzou falters, we lose Ohio State but we may gain Georgia. It would be projected to be SC (maybe #6 by then) against #3 Georgia in the Rose Bowl. This was projected by the LA Times today. If Mizzou holds on against the Sooners, then it is Trojans/Buckeyes. Disaster looms if both Mizzou and West Virginia falter. Then, it would be Buckeyes/Dawgs in the title game. We would be left holding the bag. As Georgia does not qualify for the Sugar Bowl (since they did not win the SEC), we could not get a matchup against LSU either as they are set to either: (a) win the SEC and go to the Sugar Bowl; or, (2) lose to Tennessee in said SEC title game and, with 3 losses, go to some silly bowl game (certainly not the Rose Bowl game against SC. By the way, I am assuming we beat the Bruins. I am not tempting fate here. UCLA is always a formidable foe in this cross-town rivalry, however, they are so banged up, we should handle them easily. All the bowls are jockeying for position. Buckeyes would be best and highest ranked. Georgia next. After that, disaster.... Victor

Kansas and what the hell happened on the way to the BCS

Folks--Some more ramblings from the guy that was on the KU bandwagon. KU wins that game if not for two INT's thrown in the red zone. Can't do that and still beat a team as good as Mizzou. However, I still think OU will beat them. OU looks tough and they will be looking to play in, what they think is their annual January ritual, a BCS game. BTW, does anybody else think that Chase Daniel looks like Johnny? My wife pointed that out to me on Staurday and said, "doesn't that guy look like Johnny?" and I said, "you mean that black guy with the huge afro?". She said "No, the Chase Daniels (sic) guy...you know...#10". And I said, "quite possibly...except that guy's IN shape!". HA Johnny!

Aggies...what else?

Folks--A great win for the Ags (sorry Charlie!). I'm sorry i've been a little lax in giving you my thoughts, but do you know how hard it is to write when you have THAT many beers in you? You didn't want to hear the ramblings of a "semi-buzzed" Aggie after that win. And to think we win AND win by getting rid of Fran! However, allow me to quote a famous line by Richard Burton in the movie "Where Eagles Dare" (yes Gordie, it co-starred Clint Eastwood). The line in the movie was "easy now, we musn't cheat the hangman". Coach Fran "cheated the hangman" by announcing he was stepping down. I really wanted to see him get his just due...a public firing! Alas, it didn't come to that, but I'm still embarassed of his actions regarding our proud university! Vaya con Dios Fran and hope you never show up again in D-1. (Memo to Fred: Hope UCLA doesn't think he's their savior either!). Now for who will replace Fran in Aggieland? All speculation at this hour is centering on Mike Sherman, the Houston Texans Offensive Coordinator. He was with the Ags (Coach Slocum era) and then with the Packers. An amazing X's and O's guy. A players coach if there ever was one. However, and you all know this, it comes down to recruiting and he will have his hands full with the likes of "Silver tongued" Mack Brown of tu and Bob "I'll tell you Texas high schoolers anything if you'll just commit to OU" Stoops. Yes, recruiting will be a big question mark for Mike Sherman. However, I would be excited to have him come in and see what he can do. Let's put it this way, I'm a helluva lot more excited about Sherman than I was ever about Fran. Did I ever mention that I thought Fran was a shyster? Lastly, it will be interesting to see where the Ags play their bowl game. Some mensas are predicting the Insight.com bowl, others have said the Alamo Bowl (gasp...no!!). Two bowls I wouldn't mind seeing the Ags play in...the aforementioned Insight or the Independence Bowl to take on the SEC (Kentucky??). I'm ready to turn the page on Fran, let Gary D. have his moment in the sun and then get ready for 2008! BTW, will August 2008 ever get here? OK, allow me one more "lastly"...did anyone see the Ags hoop squad win NIT Season Tip-Off? We spanked "the" Ohio State University in the final. Now it's on to the aforementioned SEC where we take on Alabama on Wednesday. Things ARE looking up in Aggieland...Gig 'em! -Peter-

SEC reflections and "conference cannibalism '07"

• Week 1: Cali beats (15) Tennessee.

• Week 2: (17) South Carolina beats (23) GA.

• Week 3: Miss State beats unranked Auburn. (3) UF beats unranked Tenn.

• Week 4: (14) KY beats unranked Arkansas.

• Week 5: Unranked Auburn beats (3) UF.

• Week 6: (7) South Carolina beats (17) KY. (25) Tenn beats (24) GA.

• Week 7: (17) KY beats (1) LSU.

• Week 8: Unranked Vandy beats (6) South Carolina. (14) UF beats (8) KY. Bama beats (20) Tenn.

• Week9: Unranked Miss. State beats (14) KY. (20) GA beats (9) UF. Unranked Tenn beats (15) South Carolina.Week 10: Unranked Arkansas beats (23) South Carolina.

• Week 11: (10) GA beats (18) Auburn.

• Week 12: (8) GA beats (22) KY.

• Week 13: Unranked Arkansas beats (1) LSU.

Points to ponder: # of times an unranked conference team beat a ranked conference team - 6 # of times a conference team beat another conference team in the top ten - 6 # of times LSU was knocked from #1 spot by conference team - 2 Current #4 GA is not playing for the conference title Sorry for the long post! Wacky year.

Reply to Nora - How to Do a New Post

Nora, Thanks for your comment. We all had a terrific Thanksgiving here in Florida. Lots of family and wonderful food and, of course, football. We hope you enjoyed your West Coast Thanksgiving gathering --sounds like you had a great time! I feel bad for Antonia. With Dixon out the Ducks have really been crippled. That's why Rob referred to UCLA "pushing the ducks further down the hill" --sounds unfair, doesn't it? In re your question on how to do a new post, once you sign in just click "New Post" on the upper right hand corner of the screen, (should be next to your email which should also appear on the upper right hand corner). Once you click "New Post" it will take you to a new window where you can compose your new post, spell check, etc. Give it a title and even save it as a draft until you are ready to "publish" your post. When you are through with it just go to the bottom of the screen by scrolling down on the far right side and click on the "publish post" button. It's really, really easy. I'm going to get Rob to call you this week and walk you through everything. He's become the webmaster and has lauched this site to a new level. Once everyone gets the hang of it it's easier than all get out and really the best way to engage in coast to coast sports banter!

Gators Embarrass 'Noles Again - '07 Version

Last night at The Swamp the Gators utterly anihilated the 'Noles 45-12. The much maligned UF "D" (I, Joaq, hereby plead guilty), kept the 'Noles from scoring a single touchdown. If it weren't for their terrific kicker (Cismesia nailed a 60 yarder), the 'Noles would have been completely shut out. The Gators, on the other hand, scored at will. Tebow had five touchdowns, two rushing and three passing for total 352 personal yards, bringing his season record to 51 touchdowns. The most impressive score was in the first quarter when Tebow dropped back to pass and the 'Noles blitzed. A 'Nole LB came straight at Tebow, unblocked, at high speed and wrapped his arms around him in what appeared to be a prelude to a perfect sack. But instead of going down, Tebow shook him off like rag doll, sending him flying off to the side (Blocker? I don't need no stinkin' blocker). Tebow then took off toward the endzone shaking off another five 'Nole defenders on the way before shoving the ball into the end zone. The Gators ended with 541 total yards --about twice what the 'Nole got. Trash talking 'Nole LB Geno Hayes who boasted before the game that he would "take Tebow down" and "shatter his dreams" never even got close to Tebow. He did, however, come close to taking down a 62 year old AP sports writer who tried to ask him a question after the game (see sidebar).

saturday recap

vols top cats in cliffhanger. bruins kick ducks further down the hill. mizz continues cinderella season. gators rout noles via tebow. new frontrunners: mizz and WV? the bulls of USF may be smirking in january.

LSU madness

Well, the SEC has cannibalized its final contender. I wonder what cute little team will take the taco now. I guess either Kansas or Mizz will have to bow out tomorrow...should be an interesting day.

Florida v FSU - Best Game Ever ('97)

In preparation for the upcoming battle at The Swamp Saturday (5pm Eastern, 2pm Pacific, CBS) a little look back is in order. Old Gators may disagree on many of the finer points of Gator history but they all agree on one thing: The greatest game ever played at The Swamp in terms of sheer madness and excitement was the '97 Florida v FSU shootout. FSU was undefeated and vying for a national championship. They were already measuring their fingers for the rings. Florida had won the national championship the previous year by beating FSU in New Orleans. The rivalry was at it's all-time peak and the atmosphere at The Swamp was beyond electric. It was over-the-top explosive. Jason and I (Joaq) were at the game. Jason was 14 and in middle school. It was a night game and our seats back then were at the "Sunshine Terrace" - in the North end zone. The game was a classic all-out mega rivalry war between two explosive offenses and two brutal defenses. The lead kept shifting moment to moment trough four incredible quarters of the most beautiful, delicious football I (and Jason) have ever experienced. Nobody, absolutely nobody, sat down for a single moment. Nobody wanted a drink. Nobody dared to go to the bathroom and miss something. There were about two minutes left in the game and FSU had grabbed the earlier lead from Florida with two quick scoring drives. On the last drive the Gator D-line had turned into a concrete wall and kept the 'Noles from scoring a dagger-through-the-heart touchdown. But Janikowski split the north uprights with a field goal to put the 'Noles up 29-25. After the score, Janikowski "chomped" the stands, right in our faces. (An opposing player or fan doing a "Gator Chomp" to a Gator is considered the worst of the worst of all possible insults. In fact, under Florida law, it is considered justifiable homicide if the offending player or fan is killed on the spot.) Then Janikowski sent the kickoff sailing over the north endzone and into the stands. Again, right in front of me and Jason. No possible return. My blood was boiling. Jason learned to hate the Seminoles that day. The Gator offense was about to take the ball at our 20 with two minutes and 80 yards to glory. With four points down we had to score a touchdown or die. Then I saw Spurrier on the sideline, squatting down on the dirt with QB Doug Johnson and WR Jacquez Green. The three of them were practically sitting on the ground. Through my binoculars I could see Spurrier screaming, pounding his playsheet, pounding the ground, his blood vessels about to pop on his neck. Then I saw Johnson nod his head, and then Green nodded his head, then Spurrier nodded. Then they all nodded again several times. Spurrier seemed calmer, incredibly focused. From where we were, Jason and I had a perfect view. I handed Jason the binoculars and said, "Jas, look at Spurrier. Something big is coming down." (I later learned Spurrier actually drew a new play that was not on the playbook and was making sure Doug Johnson and Green got it right). By the time our offense lined up there were 10 seconds left on the play clock. Johnson read the defense and actually had the cojones to change the play Spurrier had just outlined. As he was audibling the change, the play clock was down to a couple of seconds. Spurrier was about to call a time out when Johnson took the snap and dropped back into the pocket. Gator WR Green ran a hitch and turned to look at Johnson. Johnson looked straight at Green for an eternal couple of seconds, waiting for the 'Nole corner to move into position. Then Johnson pumped his arm. The most perfect pump fake I've ever seen. 'Nole cornerback, Samari Rolle, took the bait and moved in front of Green looking for the sure interception and defensive touchdown that would put the final nail in the Gator coffin. He was already chomping us in his mind. Green turned behind him and took off with afterburners, flying down the right sideline. Johnson kept dropping back as a pack of 'Nole defenders closed in on him and the entire Gator Nation held it's collective breath. Then Doug Johnson lobbed the most perfect pass in the history of the world to Jacquez Green. (And, please, don't mention Doug Flutie if you weren't at The Swamp that night). Moments later the Gators were 63 yards down the field at the 'Nole 17. A hand off to Fred Taylor and we were first and goal at the one. Less than a minute after Jason and I were personally chomped by Janikowski, Gator RB Fred Taylor muscled his way into the end zone and The Swamp exploded in a thermonuclear blast that was heard in Orlando and Jacksonville and some say as far as Tallahassee. Mick Hubert, voice of the Gators, coined his famous "insane asylum" line as he screamed over and over into the microphone: "The Swamp's turned into an insane asylum! Oh My! This is crazy! The Swamp's an insane asylum!!!" Jason and I, of course, didn't hear Mick Hubert. We didn't hear each other. We didn't hear anything but that awesome, incredible, otherworldly explosion of sound. As Hubert screamed into the microphone, Jason and I were immersed in a blur of orange and blue confusion, a giant over-ninety-thousand-strong group hug. We were in the asylum. We were the asylum.

Congratulations Trojans!

Congratulations Trojans on a great victory and dominant performance against ASU!! We all saw the game here and whooped and hollered with you guys. The officiating was horrible in the first half. Can't believe that unsporstmanship flag. Sometimes those zebras make me crazy. I have a simple request, since you're done with it this week: can we borrow your defense for Saturday's game against FSU? Our offense is fine but between youth and injuries our D is in serious trouble. It stinks, specially our secondary. So please, let us borrow your D and we promise to return it in time for UCLA.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Hope everyone enjoys good food, family and football!

The other Uncle Rick

Hello everyone - this is the other Uncle Rick, Father of Todd, Jennifer, Jessica. Brother (fraternity) of Rick Frax. Brother-in-law of Joaquin. Glad to be here and looking forward to hearing more about left coast sports. I'll post more later, but just wanted to say thanks for invite and Go Gators! rick

Baseball Question For Victor

Rick, It was very good to see you Sunday. Really enjoyed our visit. I"m flipping your baseball question to Victor our West Coast baseball guru. I've seen the porque no te callas video as well as the song. Funny stuff. Victor, what's the answer to Rick's question?

Greetings from Davie

Joaquin, It was good to get together on Sunday. If you didn't do it yet you need to look at the clip of "porque no te callas?" that has become world famous and the song that has received equal fame. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9X8DYOA5DE This is the link to the song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfptfI30QEM&feature=related This is the link to the clip. You will definitely enjoy it. Enough of politics on a sports blog. Since you brought up a baseball question for Juan, here is one for you: What is the greatest number of pitches (excluding foul balls after the first two strikes) that a hitter can have on a single at bat?

Hello Everyone!

I'm Tiffany Fraxedas, Rob's wife :) I want to thank everyone for including me in the infamous blog I have heard so much about! For those of you who don't know me, Rob and I got married on April 14, 2007 and are happily living in St. Petersburg Florida. I'm a Gator Alumni and follow the football and basketball teams. As for the rest of the NCAA football teams, unfortunately I probably won't have much to contribute. I am, however, a diehard Orlando Magic fan and my family has had season tickets since the very first season (and still do!) I'm looking forward to basketball season and interacting with all of you!

Wow, Rob! Really Nice Tweak

Rob, your tweaking of the blog is really nice. I hope everyone migrates here. People, once you sign in, ask your computer to remember your login and you won't have to do it again. Just click "New Post" if you want to write something new or "comment" if you want to reply to a particular posting. That way we can carry on a number of different conversations at the same time without having to dig trough 70 emails as Jose commented. Frankly either way works for me because I can access both at all times. But I think this is a much better format and will avoid the Jose syndrome which Jason commented on. The poll and other links are really nice touches! You were also successful in attaching the different logos! I tried in an earlier version and they were too big. Guys, we also can post photos of your tailgates, games, whatever. As Rob pointed out, this is a private site. Only those registered from our group can post comments or new postings. For now anyone can see it (if they know the URL) but I can also read-limit it once you guys are used to it. Let's give it a try!

What's the pac-10 inside info?

Is SC expected to trounce ASU? I read that ASU hasn't had any "real" victories and may be a paper tiger.

this saturday

We have to win without Harvin again! Poor guy, he sounds like he is in rough shape. I will be glued to the tv one way or the other to cheer for Oregon. I have concluded that the only remaining nat'l championship matchup that would be interesting is oregon v. lsu. they earned it, they are both great teams.

reponse

creating a new post makes an original post that goes on the main page. "comments" are basically remarks made by people in resonse to an original post; they are viewed/created by clicking on the "comment" link under the original post. hope that helps!

If I write in the area of "new post", where does the reply get sent and is it different if I just go under "comments"? Anybody, please let me know. Victor

Joaquin, I want to thank you for everything. Un abrazo fuerte, Victor

Joaquin; the King

Write me back Victor

Victor you are in. You are an official author. I saw your replies to Rob. I'm still working on getting this thing working but you are definitely in. I've been trying to get this thing right and I think I inadvertenly deleted some early postings but it won't happen again. I am the worst tech guy in the world. But we can do this guys. Sorry for all the angst. I hate computers and tech stuff but I think this is going to work real well if we get the hang of it. Hang tough! Joaquin

hello!

very nice site! glad to be a part of it. got a hearing coming up in a few minutes but I definitely plan on contributing as this Saturday approaches!

Welcome to Gators&Trojans&Bruins&Tigers --Oh My!

Guys, Welcome to our new blog. I'm going to need some technical help to really get it going. But it's officially registered. The title is Gators&Trojans&Bruins&Tigers --Oh My! and its a blog for all who love college sports. Look forward to hearing from the gang Joaquin