Pugh: Welcome Back, College Football

Criminals. Sanctions. Controversy. A terrible offseason for college football has left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. I don't need to recap the tragic events at Penn State, or all of the headaches that conference realignment/playoff discussions bring. Tonight, we can turn the page on those things and focus on what matters most: playing the games.

Courtesy: USA Today

2012 season kicks off with a bang as #9 South Carolina travels to Nashville for a date with Vanderbilt. Closer to home, Ball State will start its season in Muncie under the lights. The important thing is that we can finally forget about all the bad things, and focus on a new season and the excitement that it brings.

Unlike any other sport, every week matters in college football. The games you play in August and September go a long way to determine your fate in December. As you move through the season, each week gets bigger and better as schools make their push for conference championships and national recognition. Coinciding with the start of the new school year, college football brings that fresh, new smell to the sporting world as fans prepare for the Fall season. It's about talking trash with your co-workers near the water cooler, showing off your school spirit (College Colors Day is Friday), and making Saturday your favorite day of the week. College football is back and it's time to celebrate!

Here's a look at some of the key matchups this opening weekend:

1) Notre Dame vs Navy, Saturday, 9 AM
The Irish travel across the pond for a showdown with the option offense. With some key suspensions, can they handle Navy or will the Midshipmen spoil the green party overseas?

2) Ohio vs Penn State, Saturday, 12 PM
The first game in a new era for the Nittany Lions. How will they respond after a tumultous offseason? Look out for Ohio. Frank Solich and this veteran group have enough tools to pull the upset.

3) Miami (OH) vs #18 Ohio State, Saturday, 12PM
Urban Meyer's first game of the Buckeyes era. They won't be bowling this season, but watch out for the Buckeyes. A favorable schedule means they could start 10-0 before showdowns with Wisconsin and Michigan.

4) #14 Clemson vs Auburn, Saturday, 7 PM
The suspension of all-world recevier Sammy Watkins leaves a big hole for the Clemson offense, but does Auburn have enough tools in the shed?  A chance for the ACC to get some national recogniton back by beating an SEC school in Atlanta.

5) Indiana State vs Indiana, Saturday, 8PM
With Isaac looming on the horizon, we might start calling this the "Water Bowl." Can ISU hang with a member of the Big Ten? This opener is a big measuring stick for both teams in what could be a surprise season.

6) #8 Michigan vs #2 Alabama, Saturday, 8PM
The biggest game of opening weekend. Okay, Big Ten, you want to climb out of the SEC doghouse...here's your chance. Denard Robinson vs Saban's defense in front of a national audience. Should be fun to watch.

7) Georgia Tech vs #16 Virginia Tech, Monday, 8PM
There's no NFL yet so we have an ACC showdown on Monday night. Georgia Tech will try to "option out" of Blacksburg with a win.

Just a sampling of some of the helpings that college football is offering us to feast on this weekend. There's a reason this sport begins around a holiday. Enjoy!

Mayer: A New Era of Dodger Baseball

Let's start this off with a disclaimer: I am a serious Los Angeles Dodgers fan. I grew up in LA and baseball is the sport that inspired my passion. As you can imagine, the news of the mega deal involving the Dodgers and Red Sox which brought Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, and Nick Punto to Southern California was a bit jarring. This comes after the Dodgers picked up Hanley Ramirez and his 30 plus million dollar contract along with Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton, Randy Choate, and Brandon League for the rest of the season.

Courtesy Sports Illustrated

 It may be hard to understand for non Dodgers fans, but the ownership transition and ability to spend money appropriately for a team in the second largest market is a complete shift in what fans are used to. While the Dodgers had a decent payroll for a number of years before and sometimes during the McCourt era, it was never close to what is appropriate for the market size. In the last two years, clouded by the Frank McCourt soap opera divorce, along with his pillaging money from the team, LA operated like it was in Minneapolis.

When I saw the amount of money the Dodgers would be taking on (near 300 million) in addition to giving up two great pitching prospects in Ruby De La Rosa and Allen Webster, my first reaction was fear. Adrian Gonzalez is well worth his contract, but Carl Crawford (and his 100 million dollar deal) has struggled in the past two seasons and just had surgery. Josh Beckett was no longer welcome in Boston, but even if he recovers in a new atmosphere, he's not worth 15 million dollars each of the next two seasons.

I trust Stan Kasten, the new team president who helped lead the Atlanta Braves to a decade of domination. When I listened to his interview and explanation for the move it alleviated my concerns a bit. The thinking of the Dodgers front office and ownership is as follows: The LA farm system, scouting, and international player development departments have been devastated. The lack of financial support due to McCourt using that money to buy mansions number four and five will make rebuilding a long term process.

 Principal owner Mark Walter, Magic Johnson, and company want to win now. They paid an astronomical price of over two billion for the franchise and will not hold back on spending in any way to improve the team. In the eyes of Kasten and general manager Ned Colletti, this move gave them an elite hitter and first basemen for the foreseeable future in Adrian Gonzalez. They believe Carl Crawford, playing in a more relaxed environment and finally injury free, will return to the all-star form he showed while in Tampa Bay. Josh Beckett could be a solid pitcher, but no one expects him to regain elite status. When you have pockets as deep as these new Dodgers, taking on an extra 30 million seems to be no big deal.

I still am not totally sure how I feel about the trade. I'm happy to hear that the move was done in part to compete, while focusing on rebuilding and revamping a badly depleted farm system. In baseball there is no better way to create a constant winner than by drafting smart and dominating the international market. There is no doubt the Dodgers overpaid, but seemingly, with the new ownership group, LA has stepped into the upper echelon of wealth alongside the New York Yankees. It's hard for me to complain about a lineup that could look like this: Carl Crawford, Mark Ellis, Matt Kemp, Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez, Andre Ethier, A.J. Ellis, Dee Gordon. I mean...WOW that's just incredible.

 There is one thing that is definite after the flurry of moves and revamping of the Dodgers roster which has already led to an image of the "Yankees West" in terms of wealth. The expectations have changed mightily. I won't say LA needs to make the playoffs this year because everything happened so suddenly, but many fans will label anything but a deep October run a failure. In my mind, the Dodgers now must reach and probably win a World Series within the next five years or these moves were a flop. By taking such a risk, and adding salary near equivalent to what the previous owner spent to buy the team, massive pressure is on everyone wearing blue.

If you want to spend like the Yankees, you better win like the Yankees. Welcome to a new era in Dodger Baseball. 

   

Pensky on Armstrong's Legacy

   
     What to make of Lance Armstrong waving the white flag on the fight to prove his innocence? We know that the United States Anti-Doping Agency sees it as a sign of guilt from the 7-time Tour De France champion. As a longtime cycling fan, and someone who has been very conflicted in my own feelings toward Armstrong, I must say I find all of this to be very sad.

      It's been roughly a week since the USADA announced it was stripping Armstrong of those Tour De France titles and banned him from cycling for life, based on their findings that he used drugs. Interestingly enough, donations to Armstrong's cancer foundation have gone through the roof since the announcement from the USADA.
    
     While many non-cycling diehards are yelling and screaming that Armstrong has been wronged since he never failed a single drug test, I think a lot of purists in the sport are realistic to know that Lance did indeed use PED's.

      All of this has left many confused about Armstrong's legacy and reputation. I will share some of what has gone through my mind, both over the years, and as the findings were released last week by the USADA:

--Armstrong's work to raise money to put an end to cancer far outweighs any banned drug he put in his body to try and win a bike race.

--Armstrong's work with cancer patients far outweighs any banned drug he put in his body to try and win a bike race.

--Armstrong did without a single shred of doubt in my mind take banned substances to try to win the Tour De France.

--Armstrong at times is beyond arrogant and defiant.

--Armstrong is a liar.

--Armstrong is perhaps the single most important role model in the history of the fight against cancer.

--Armstrong has probably helped prolong many lives.

--Armstrong was one of many many cyclists taking PED's during his career.

      So many thoughts, and to be honest, so little to do with all of them. I admit that by the end of his 7 year winning streak, I found him to be so arrogant I was rooting against him. By the time he said he was finished fighting the charges of drug use, I was incredibly sad for him. Ultimately, I care way more about the cancer patients he's helped in the past, and the cancer paitents he's going to help in the future, than I do about anyone cheating to win a bike race.

Mayer: Battle for the Victory Bell Approaches

Bears vs Packers. IU vs Purdue. Yankees vs Red Sox. Lakers vs Celtics. Red Wings vs Blackhawks. Ohio State vs Michigan. Terre Haute South vs Terre Haute North.

Alright, so maybe the entire nation won't be transfixed to their televisions watching the battle for the Victory Bell, but everyone in the Wabash Valley understands the significance of Friday's match-up between North and South.

The game goes far beyond a win or loss in the early part of the high school football season. This is about pride and bragging rights for the year. This game may mean more to the players and coaches then any other all season.

The entire Wabash Valley has been waiting for Friday since the thrilling ending to the contest last year resulting in a 14-7 Braves win in overtime.

 Some background: (Courtesy of TribuneStar)

• The all time series between the Braves and Patriots is close. South leads 25-22.
• The game has gone into overtime the last two years. South won 14-7 after a Tyler Evans rushing touchdown last year and North won 22-21 in 2010 after a second half comeback and touchdown/two point conversion by Daniel Gabbard. 
• The last OT game before 2010 was in 1976.
• In the last ten meetings the Patriots have won six, but the Braves have won three of the past five. 

Records/Schedule: (Courtesy of John Harrell, http://indianahsfootball.homestead.com/)
In the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference in the last five years Terre Haute South has finished above Terre Haute North three out of five times. The highest finishing position for either team was the Patriots in 2010 (5th place).

TERRE HAUTE NORTH PATRIOTS Coach: Chris Barrett, 38-71 in 11th year at school

DATE	OPPONENT	EASTERN TIME	OA 24.0, DA 35.0
Aug. 17	at Castle {5A}	L 24-35
Aug. 24	(n)Terre Haute South {5A}‡	7:00 pm	ISU Stadium
Aug. 31	Northview {4A}	7:00 pm
Sep. 7	Center Grove {5A}‡	7:00 pm
Sep. 14	at Ben Davis {5A}‡	7:00 pm
Sep. 21	Warren Central {5A}‡	7:00 pm
Sep. 28	at Lawrence North {5A}‡	7:00 pm
Oct. 5	Carmel {5A}‡	7:00 pm
Oct. 12	at North Central (Indianapolis) {5A}‡	7:00 pm

‡METROPOLITAN INTERSCHOLASTIC CONFERENCE GAME

TERRE HAUTE SOUTH BRAVES Coach: Mark Raetz, 13-38 in 6th year at school

DATE	OPPONENT	EASTERN TIME	OA 34.0, DA 24.0
Aug. 17	at Indian Creek {3A}	W 34-24
Aug. 24	(n)Terre Haute North {5A}‡	7:00 pm	ISU Stadium
Aug. 31	at Vincennes Lincoln {3A}	7:00 pm
Sep. 7	at Carmel {5A}‡	7:30 pm
Sep. 14	at Center Grove {5A}‡	7:00 pm
Sep. 21	Ben Davis {5A}‡	7:00 pm
Sep. 28	North Central (Indianapolis) {5A}‡	7:00 pm
Oct. 5	at Warren Central {5A}‡	7:30 pm
Oct. 12	Lawrence North {5A}‡	7:30 pm

‡METROPOLITAN INTERSCHOLASTIC CONFERENCE GAME

2011: Braves: 3-7            Patriots: 2-8
2010: Braves: 2-8            Patriots: 6-5
2009: Braves: 2-8            Patriots: 4-6 
2008: Braves: 3-7            Patriots: 2-9
2007: Braves: 2-8            Patriots: 3-8 
2006: Braves: 0-10          Patriots: 3-7
2005: Braves: 3-7            Patriots: 5-7
2004: Braves: 2-8            Patriots: 4-8
2003: Braves: 0-10          Patriots: 5-6
2002: Braves: 3-8            Patriots: 4-6
2001: Braves: 3-7            Patriots: 3-8
2000: Braves: 2-8            Patriots: 4-7
1999: Braves: 6-5            Patriots: 4-6
1998: Braves: 5-6            Patriots: 4-6
1997: Braves: 2-7            Patriots: 5-4 
1996: Braves: 3-6            Patriots: 7-4
1995: Braves: 1-8            Patriots: 3-6
1995: Braves: 3-7            Patriots: 6-3

Historic Team Leaders and Records: Courtesy of Max Preps
Braves Notable Alumni:

Cam Cameron 1979
    Baltimore Ravens Offensive Coordinator
Trent Miles 1982
    Indiana State University Head Football Coach
Mark Jackson 1982
    Former NFL Wide Receiver
Tony McGee 1989
    Former NFL Tight End

Patriots Notable Alumni:
Steve Weatherford 2001
    New York Giants Punter
 Anthony Thompson
    Phoenix Cardinals Running Back
Ernie Thompson
    Kansas City Chiefs Running Back


- Lucas Mayer

Mayer: Why We Love High School Sports

   High school football season returned last week under the bright lights of Friday night. It's a bit of a cliché, but the symbolism reads true. The amount of personal investment by members of the community and alumni of the school is extreme. The teenagers on the field are playing for more than themselves or the team, which leads to a lot of pressure.

   What better place to try and get back to the true essence of sport than high school? The format provides a high level of competition with impressive athletes, but everything is less commercial. Players don't need to worry about their image, contract, or tabloid profiles.

  

    It should be said that in the age we live in, nothing is totally pure anymore. High schools in Texas build fifty million dollar football facilities, Lebron James and Bryce Harper find themselves on the cover of Sports Illustrated before they can go to a bar, and the AAU has become tainted with college basketball coaches circling like vultures. Social media has allowed for easy access to high school players, who often have to deal with ludicrous fans.

   Despite all the change that has led to a "professionalization" of high school athletics, it still remains a basic form of community togetherness. Many people in the stands are friends and relatives of the players. Others have been rooting on the school's team for decades. There are many towns across the nation and in Indiana that shut down to attend the game.

   In the Hoosier State amateur sport starts with basketball, but in recent years (spurned by the success of Peyton Manning and the Colts) football has slid up the pantheon. That may bring more media attention each Friday night, but it's not what matters most.

   High school athletes play for love of the game. They are invested in their teammates and want to have success because of the hard work put in and the pure joy elicited from giving their all and coming out victorious. Motives are not dictated by upcoming free agency, the desire to be the star of a team in a big city, or parlaying athletic ability into endorsement deals.

   We love high school football because it allows us to step back and see the sport for what it truly is: Young men competing in a brutal physical contest, relying on each other, and pushing their limitations to extraordinary places in order to accomplish a singular goal.

- Lucas Mayer

Welcome

Hello to all you sports fans and welcome to the WTWO NBC 2 Sports Blog. We decided to put this blog together to create an outlet for ideas, observations, and topics of discussion that may be covered on the show, or may be totally unrelated. We'll see how things go, but you can expect all kinds of different entries ranging from editorials, short thoughts and comments, obervations, and features. We want to give the viewer (and now reader) the utmost opportunity to voice your opinions. Is there something going on in sports you feel should be talked about? Is there a sports story going on in the Wabash Valley or Indiana we need to know about? We want your input and suggestions. Along with this blog we have estbalished a Twitter account @WTWOsports and Facebook page NBC 2 Sports which will provide updates and links to everything going on with the show. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!