The Blue Workhorse

Clemson Regional

1. Clemson Tigers (40-19) vs 4. Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (30-22-1)
2. Alabama Crimson Tide (37-19) vs 3. Oklahoma State Cowboys (32-22)

Winner to take on champion of Tempe Regional.

After missing the NCAA tournament for the first time in 21 years last season, Clemson is back in the dance this year, and the #14 ranked team in that nation is hosting a regional. This year’s version of Jack Leggett’s Tigers are led by strong pitching that has seen 18 different pitchers take the mound, and only three of those arms have ERAs above 5.00.

Clemson’s team ERA of 3.68 ranks 6th in the nation. The key starters will be Tony Delk (4-1, 2.98 ERA), who missed part of the season with a back injury, and Casey Harman (7-3, 3.86 ERA), who leads the team in innings pitched and strikeouts. Leggett also has six relievers with sub-3.00 ERAs.

…more…

Last season after each round of the NCAA men’s basketball national tournament, we compiled the candidates for the ‘Workhorse’ of the round (our version of Most Outstanding Player) and then let your votes decide who should be given the award. We culminated the ‘Workhorse candidates’ series by naming Mario Chalmers the NCAA ‘Championship Workhorse’ and you voted the tourney darling, Stephen Curry, as the NCAA ‘Tournament Workhorse.’

And we’re bringing it back!

…more…

All we heard about this college football season was the gunslingers from the West and the high-powered, high-oiled Big 12 South offensive machines. Choke-lahoma regularly scoring 40 in the first half, the resurgence of Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and the “Air Raid”, Texas and Colt McCoy putting up massive numbers.

Every Saturday night (it seemed), we had to watch each installment of the Big 12 South showdowns. Brent Musberger roaring about the offensive proficiency and how good these teams seemed to be. This season was the Big 12’s moment. This was their time to shine….

Until the bowl season came upon us.

..more…

That’s right folks. The votes have been tallied. There were 73 ballots cast with each having an outcome on the overall standings (including the final ballot I received, which moved Michael Crabtree back into 4th place).

We received ballots from as far south as Florida, as far west as California and Oregon, and as far north as the great white north of Canada. Thirteen different players and one unit received votes while another 12 players and one unit were noted as honorable mentions.

Without further ado…

(drumroll) Your 2008 Sports Blog Heisman Trophy winner is…

…more…

As I wrote earlier this week, we will be awarding the Sports Blog Heisman Trophy to (FCS) college football’s player of the year tomorrow.

I am taking in the ballots and compiling the votes of Sports Bloggers & Internet Sports Fans who are answering the question of “Who Is Your Heisman?” If were able to cast your ballot for the Heisman Trophy award (which will be given out this weekend), who would be on your ballot.

I have received several interesting ballots with some intriguing selections, including some of the candidates listed at the bottom of this post, but there is still time to cast your ballot!

…more…

There was a great competitive matchup for the SEC title and then there was a blowout where the opposition never even looked prepared for the Big XII title.

The winners, Florida & Oklahoma, of these games will now faceoff for the right to be crowned the BCS national champion.

Another week means another re-evaluation, and thus, we give you our new The Blue Workhorse College Football Top 25 after Week 14. Some things to note from this week’s rankings:

…more…

Oklahoma won impressively yet again, and it was just enough to bump them past Texas and into the Big XII championship game. With a win, they appear to be destined for the national championship against the winner of the SEC championship game. Too bad Texas can’t replace Missouri in the championship game. Now that would make for an entertaining championship weekend.

Another week means another re-evaluation, and thus, we give you our new The Blue Workhorse College Football Top 25 after Week 13. Some things to note from this week’s rankings:

My selections last week were pretty good. I only missed two games. Of course, I did miss the big one. I thought Texas Tech would at least put on a better showing in Norman.

This week, however, I’ve got all the winners with a couple of unexpected upsets during Rivalry Week:

(all rankings from are from The Blue Workhorse College Football Top 25)
#3 Oklahoma at #12 Oklahoma State

There will be Bedlam in Stillwater this year. This year’s rivalry game may have the most riding on it in the history of the series. Oklahoma comes into the game with the apparent advantage and fast track in the Big XII South. With a win, the Sooners should be have the advantage in the BCS standings and, therefore, win the tiebreaker between themselves, Texas, and Texas Tech.

…more…