I don't think I could live with myself if I didn't open up the blog today by wishing a happy birthday to my mother. She tolerated myself and my shenanigans for almost 30 years of her life now and the least I can do is wish her happy birthday here.
As for the Bearcats, I popped out to Kings Island for UC Day and it was a pretty festive atmosphere. The football players were all stylin in their straw hats. It's not a bad look if you can pull it off. I won't lie, I own one. Yet, everyday when I look at it in my closet, I shake my head and wonder why I bought it. Can I pull this off? Probably not. Will people be asking me questions about my headgear all day? Probably so. End of debate.
Moving on...
--- The Zach Collaros diary with Bill Koch has been a great feature at The Enquirer. The latest edition had him talking about the differences in the Brian Kelly and Butch Jones offense. He goes more into depth with what I have been talking about since practice began this year: tempo.
The speed of the game this team will run at is unlike anything I've seen live.
--- Single-game tickets went on sale today for football.
--- Mardy Gilyard's pro debut on Saturday looked a lot like most of his college career -- at least from a special teams perspective. Gilyard returned three punts for an average 16.3 yards, including 23 yarder with all the starters in. He also returned three kickoffs for 70 yards with a long of 28.
Unfortunately, he wasn't as succesful on the receiving. He was targeted three times, but none connected.
--- The AP Top 25 was released on Saturday and looked a lot like the coaches poll. UC was the first team out at No. 26 and WVU was the last team in at No. 25.
Oklahoma came in at No. 7 and Pitt No. 15.
With three games against Top 25 teams already on the schedule and a fourth with No. 31 UConn in Hartford, there are plenty of opportunities to work up the ranks again.
--- When talking about freshman that would make a contribution this year, Roger Bacon product Solomon Tentman always came up. That's why his injury on Saturday was a tough one to swallow on a defense already lacking depth.
There is no official word as of yet, but Butch Jones was thinking ACL, which would have Tentman out for the year.
--- There is some concern at Pitt because their offense was underwhelming in the team's final scrimmage.
--- One of the best matchups to watch on opening night in Fresno will be the battle between Bulldogs G Andrew Jackson and Bearcats NT Derek Wolfe. Jackson is ranked as the No. 3 Interior Lineman in the country by Rivals.com.
If Jackson can neutralize UC's top defensive weapon up front, it could be a long night for the UC defense.
--- Randomness: Here's a list of 12 movies you would be better off watching with Rex Ryan than your mother.
--- More randomness: Sports Pickle rarely misses.
--- I hate the Little League World Series. That's right, I said it.
