Ten is a valuable number
Here I have dug through the archives and found all the different top ten lists I have published here at CFTT. Take some time, grab a cup of coffee, and browse through some of these lists. I would like to believe they were entertaining.
For those of you have followed CFTT over the years, you know that I publish a Top Ten Offseason Stories. I like top ten lists, and this list has been a fun one to do each year, depending on how the offseason goes.
The Heisman Trophy is really interesting dynamic. The trophy is usually set to go to the nations top player at any position, but to win the trophy, it takes a combination of circumstances, hype and performance. Rarely does a player come from nowhere to win the trophy, but often a player comes from nowhere to compete for the trophy.
In the end, it is always a player which has enough recognition that walks away from the trophy. Who can forget the year that Sam Bradford won the trophy. Sitting in the front were the top three candidates, Bradford, Tim Tebow (a previous winner) and Colt McCoy. All of those players were high profile quarterbacks for high profile schools.
So, with all that said, here are my top ten candidates to win the Heisman Trophy.
I thought this would be fun. Milkshake is really a misnomer, as any good milkshake is made with ice cream, but ice cream, of course, is made with 
milk. So I guess it comes out in the wash.
This list, like so many here at CFTT, is subjective. Since I have only lived in Arkansas and Texas, well, my milkshake consumption is limited. Nevertheless, I have an idea of what MY top ten milkshakes are. So, here goes.
10. McDonald’s
The restaurant that started the hamburger craze also started the milkshake craze, I suppose. They do have good milkshakes and they are nice to have on a hot day.
9. Wendy’s
Few fast food restaurants have the thickness in their shake as the Wendy’s Frosty™. It really is a creamy soft serve ice cream. Dave Thomas would be proud.
8. Jack in the Box
Try their oreo cookie ice cream shake. Enough said.
7. Whataburger
A Texas hamburger institution, and they have a great chocolate shake too.
6. Seattle’s Best Coffee
They announce that they have the “world’s best coffee shake,” and I believe it too. I’ve never tried anyone else’s, but SBC’s is pretty good. They use real ice cream.
5. Dairy Queen
I grew up being treated at DQ. Great soft serve ice cream, and they are the first place that I realized could mix flavors. I gained 5 pounds that week. Peanut butter and chocolate together, wow!
4. Fuddruckers
At least in our town, they use real Blue Belle ice cream to make their shakes and malts.
3. Braum’s
Based out of Oklahoma, they have some of the best ice cream around. A former boss also swore by their milk. Oh, and they do make a good milkshake using that premium ice cream.
2. Pappa’s Burger
One of the waitresses recommended a oreo-peanut butter milkshake and I tried it. It was awesome. She knew what she was talking about.
1. Purple Cow
Based out of Central Arkansas (we have a few in the DFW area), they simply have a great milkshake. I had a peanut butter-chocolate (are you seeing a pattern) and it was outstanding. I couldn’t even slurp up the peanut butter with my straw as it was so thick.
Where do you get your favorite milkshakes from?
OK, I admit it, the title was a little bit of a tease. I have an idea for the spring here at CFTT, and I need your help. I want to create the top ten football movies of all time list. Now, I know that is a daunting task, but I believe in my friends and readers at CFTT.
I have started by brainstorming as many movies as I possibly could. I got help from my friend Lee Cochenour of Celebrity Book Signings and my friend at the Chili’s on University Drive in Fort Worth.
I will start by compiling a list, as many as I can come up with. Then, we will vote on the movies. Then, I will seed the movies for a tournament based on the number of votes each movie received. We will then pair off the movies in a tournament format narrowing it down to the final two where one movie will be declared the top football movie of all time.
During the process, we will identify the top ten movies.
I had help compiling the list from these sites: www.bostonbaseball.com and www.sportsinmovies.com.
Here are the movies thus far.
If I missed a movie you think should be considered, send me an email, or respond in the comments. Thanks.
I will give everyone time to check out the movies (not literally) and decide which ones they like. Next week, we will begin collecting votes for the movies. The following week I will announce votes, etc. and begin pairing off movies for the tournament.
It was another stellar sesaon in college football. There were plenty of controversy, passion, and upsets to really keep the college football fan watching the game. It might be even better if we had a true “post season,” but we had plenty of moments to keep things going.
1. Alabama crushes Clemson
I don’t know if this game was a sign of things to come or not, but the Crimson Tide who was a paltry 6-6 the year before absolutely beat down the Clemson Tigers who was ranked number 9 in the preseason rankings. The loss would eventually lead to the dismissal of Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden (see below). ‘Bama’s win would lead to the Sugar Bowl.
2. USC routs Ohio State
I think we were all waiting for this early season match-up of the two football behomoths. Ohio State was fresh off of another loss in the BCS Title Game, and USC had what was considered one of the best defenses in a while. Note even close. It didn’t help the Buckeyes that “Beanie” Wells was hurt, but most people would have said that it didn’t matter.
3. Oregon State upsets USC
It happens every year, or at least it seems like it does. USC dominates, but
they slip up against someone in the Pac-10 Conference. The Beavers were rebuilding their front seven on defense and had gotten whipped by Penn Stae in Happy Valley. The Beavers used a freshman running back by the name of Jacquizz to jump out to a big lead in Corvallis and hold off the Trojans for the first real shocking upset of the year.
4. Texas Tech beats Texas on Crabtree touchdown catch
It is probably one of the more memorable plays of the year. I can still hear Brent Musberger making the call, “Touchdown, Red Raiders, with a second to go!” Graham Harrell to Micahel Crabtree. How many times have they done that? This time, it was to beat the number one team in the country.
5. Toledo upsest Michigan in the “Big House”
Last year it was Appalachian State. The first game of the year this year was Utah. And, if that wasn’t enough, the Wolverines have lessened any intimdation factor it has at home with a loss to Toledo. Coach Rod has a lot of work to do.
6. Tommy Bowdon is fired (uh, resigned?) mid-season
It was bound to happen. Things just weren’t going very well at Clemson this season. They started the season ranked number 9, and they were sporting expectations of an ACC Championship and BCS Bowl. First they got whipped by Alabama, and it seemed to go down hill from there. The mid-season firing definitely raised some eyebrows.
7. Tommy Tuberville fires Tony Franklin in mid-season and then resigns at the end of the year
Well, the mid-season thing worked so well for Clemson that Auburn head
coach Tommy Tuberville decided to relieve Offensive Coordinator Tony Franklin of his duties early. The “spread” thing just wasn’t working that well. At the end of the year, Tuberville decided the whole thing wasn’t working that well. Auburn missed the post-season and that was enough to inspire him to move on.
8. Syracuse upsets Notre Dame and Buffalo upsets Ball State
These two upsets also “shook the earth” (see below, Utah). It has been a tough tenure for Syracuse coach Greg Robinson, but he got a parting gift from his players as they knocked off Notre Dame late in the season. Nevertheless, Notre Dame was able to improve on last year’s bowless season by making it to the Hawaii Bowl. Buffalo was among the worst programs in NCAA Division I football when head coach Turner Gill arrived. Just a few years later, the Bulls upset undefeated Ball State in the MAC Championship Game to win the title.
9. Myron Rolle wins a Rhodes Scholarship and then plays in the Maryland game
Florida State Safety Myron Rolle is not just a smart guy, he is a brilliant guy. On the day of November 22, 2008, Rolle interviewed for and won a Rhodes Scholarship, and then he received a police escort to Byrd Stadium to help his team beat Maryland. He had a long day, and he deserved the next day off. This only happens once in every other generation. We should enjoy Myron’s success on and off the field. He has a tough choice to make after school: the NFL, or Oxford.
10. Utah upsets Alabama in the Sugar Bowl
My original list did not include this, but it is well worth the inclusion. Utah, the original BCS Buster, knocked out Alabama on Friday night January 2, 2009 for one of the most “ground shaking” upsets of the year. The Utes, who is not a flashy team, plays very “blue collar” like. Take away a punt return by Alabama in the second half and the score is 31-10. There will be arguments for Utah to be national champions.
As you know from last year, this is not really a ranking of the bowl games. I am more interested in possible sponsors this year for bowls and maybe a few suggestions for games. It seems that several of the games are sponsored by banks and websites. Of course, as you know, half of the games have already been played.
1. The Peet’s Coffee Bowl
The game could be played in Berkley, California at Cal’s Memorial Stadium. Berkley is where Peet’s began, and Peet’s is the best coffee on the shelf. This bowl game would feature a team from the Pacific 10 Conference and the Western Athletic Conference.
2. The ESPN.com Bowl
The “mouse ears” as Randy Galloway refers to them already runs several bowls ( I think 7) so why not go all out and have a bowl sponsored by their website. It would be great. It could feature teams from the Big East and the Big Ten since the game would be played in at Rentschler Field in East Hartford near the ESPN headquarters of Bristol, CT.
3. The ING Penny Bowl
Several bowls have the backing of financial institutions, but none would be more confusing than a bowl sponsored by ING. Do you remember the commercials where the guy looking for the rest of the word, but it’s just ing? They have some of the best deals for online banking, helping you save pennies. There you have it. The teams that play in the game can be the highest ranked teams with lions for their mascot. The game would be played in Denver, CO where one of ING’s affiliates are located. The match-up would pit a team from the Western Athletic Conference against a Mountain West Conference team.
4. The Wal-Mart Retail Bowl
Wal-Mart is the retail standard bearer. Everybody measures themselves based on Wal-Mart. Their brand is well known, and they could have a great bowl game. This bowl would be played at Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, AR just down the road from Wal-Mart’s headquarters in Bentonville. Playing in the game would be teams from the Conference USA and the Sun Belt.
5. The Collegefootballtopten.com Bowl
Hey, I might as well have a bowl game. It seems websites get in the act every year. And while we are at it, I think I want my bowl game to be played at the new Cowboys Stadium. I really don’t care who plays in the game, but I’ll take a Mountain West Conference team and a Big 12 Conference team.
6. The Cracker Barrel Apple Butter Bowl
Cracker Barrels are all over the country, and they have the best apple butter around, at least when you add it to their biscuits. Since there is no real big stadium in Lebanon, TN where Cracker Barrel has its headquarters, they could play the game at Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium in Murfeesboro. Teams from the Sun Belt Conference will play a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
7. The Panera Bread Bowl
Sponsored by Panera Bread of St. Louis, the Bread Bowl would be played in St. Louis at the Edward Jones Dome featuring teams from the Mid American Conference and the Big Ten.
8. The Starbucks Seattle Bowl
I know, I know, we already have a game sponsored by a coffee, but Starbucks is an institution. It has the brand power behind it already. And, it is a great opportunity to have a bowl game in Seattle. The game would be played in Seattle’s Husky Stadium, and it will feature anyone willing to travel to Seattle in December.
9. The Idaho Potato Humanitarian Bowl
This bowl can be held in Boise at the famous “blue turf,” we just want to replace the sponsor with the potato growers in idaho. Idaho is, you know, the home of the best potatoes in the world.
10. The Riceland Foods Rice Bowl
This bowl can be played at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, AR. The game would feature teams from the Sun Belt and the Conference USA.
There you have it. There are suggestions, but mostly additions. Enjoy the rest of the bowl season.
I think that this might become an annual event. Maybe people will even make a big deal about it. Oh well, it is a lot of fun to do. I have my ten things together, and some will be similar to last year’s post. So, here they are.
10. Technology
Technology allows us to do what we do on the internet. My job is much easier with technology, computers that is. We use cell phones, watch TV’s, listen to music, and surf the internet because of technology. My wife even baked Thanksgiving pies because of technology.
9. Christmas Season
Last year I mentioned autumn. I do love autumn, but I like the Christmas season too. We celebrate Christmas on December 25th, but the season lasts about four to five weeks. In fact, Friday will be the first “official” shopping day for Christmas. Many of you will be out trying to catch those deals. We get to hear Christmas music for about two months, listen to Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and see some of the best movies like It’s a Wonderful Life.
8. Work/Job
It might not be the absolute best job in the world, but I have one. It provides me with a paycheck and health insurance. We also get to talk to customers about books. I also have some pretty cool co-workers.
7. Stories
I love stories. People have stories to tell. Currently, I am reading about the story of the great Red Grange, the The Galloping Ghost by Gary Andrew Poole. I have read a lot of stories in the last year, and I enjoy hearing other people’s stories. Most of the time.
6. Serafina
My cat serafina
She’s my cat. She is pretty entertaining, and she gives good hugs. She usually roots for tigers, lions or wildcats when we watch football.
5. Football
My site is a football site, right? Well, I enjoy watching it. Mostly, I enjoy watching college, but I watched a couple of high school games this year for my friends who play at Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth, TX. I’ll even watch the Dallas Cowboys play.
4. Coffee
What would I do without coffee? I would probably be much better off. Coffee that keeps me going include Seattle’s Best Coffee, Peet’s, Community Coffee, and Aduro Bean Coffee from right here in Fort Worth. Check those guys out. They do a great job, and they roast their own beans. They will ship to you or you can arrange to pick it up if you live in Fort Worth.
3. Writing
I have done more of it in the past year than in a long time. I have written here at Collegefootballtopten.com, Pegasus News and the Nebraska Sports Journal. Word is that Sports Illustrated is looking to replace Stewart Mandel with me (not really!).
2. Blogger Friends
I have made some blogger friends in the past year. Let’s take an inventory. When I really got going in the Spring, Brian from Inthebleachers.net was very helpful. He answered all of my emails and added my site to his blogroll. Thank you Brian for being the class of the college football blogosphere. Next, I met Kevin from Fanblogs.com. Kevin too has answered all of my emails. Then, there is the Wiz who has also answered my emails. He gave me credit for two poster schedules that I sent in giving me a lot of visits. Then I met Eddie at The Red Zone Report. He helped me with my Texas Tour. Then there was Doug at Collegefootballwalkon.com. He is establishing an award for college football walk ons. Locally, I met Josh Harvey from Big Purple Nation, theFinch from SpitbloodTCU.com, and Harry Miers from GoMeanGreen.com. I am sorry you guys from UNT didn’t have more to cheer about this year. Finally, I made friends with Seth from Double T Nation, Thomas Gray who runs Mean Green Cougar Red and John who runs the Nebraska Sports Journal. Thanks guys!
1. Family/Wife
How does one make it in life without his/her family? My wife goes to all of my surgeries, and puts up with me. She probably endures way more than she is allowed to. My mom and dad are pretty cool living in Conway, AR. My brother and his wife have three beautiful kids. His oldest, will be the next great Razorback quarterback, right? Or maybe slugger on the baseball team. Great family!
I thought I would do an update of the Top Ten Returning QB’s article I wrote earlier in the year. How are some of those QB’s doing anyway? Have you ever heard of Nate Davis?
1. Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
Sam was spectacular Saturday night against Texas Tech, and, well, has been all year. Remember, he has one more game left with Oklahoma State before he plays in post-season play.
Numbers: 193.76 QB Rating, 68.2%, 3,710 and 42 touchdowns, 6 INT’s and a 193.76 rating.
2. Tim Tebow, Florida
Tebow started slow, but he and Florida cranked it up after Ole Miss. Tebow also hasn’t had to worry as much about running the ball as Florida has found other ways to run it. He is, however, still a threat.
Numbers: 175.19 QB Rating, 65.8%, 2,114 yards passing, 427 yards rushing, 22 passing TD’s and 11 rushing TD’s.
3. Todd Reesing, Kansas
Kansas has struggled after their Orange Bowl year. The Jayhawks will make another bowl, but it won’t be as pretty.
Numbers: 144.99 QB Rating, 64.8%, 3,200 yards, 24 TD’s, and 10 INT’s
4. Rusty Smith, Florida Atlantic
I expected more from Florida Atlantic this year, but then Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger found himself a marked man after talking like Texas wasn’t very physical. The Longhorns whipped them in the first game, and they were never the same.
Numbers: 123.30 QB Rating, 54% 2,529 yards passing, 17 TD’s and 13 INT’s.
5. Nate Davis, Ball State
Davis just helped Ball State to a perfect 12-0 record and the MAC West Division Championship. David Letterman will be very proud. I wonder if Davis will end up doing a “Tonight’s Top Ten” on Letterman.
Numbers: 168.98 QB Rating, 67.2%, 2822 yards passing, 24 TD’s and 7 INT’s.
6. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
A dream season for the Red Raiders in spite of the loss to Oklahoma. Texas Tech has a legitimate shot at a BCS bowl game. Harrell and his receiver, Michael Crabtree, are possible Heisman Trophy finalists.
Numbers: 164.96 QB Rating, 70.5%, 4,438 yards passing, 39 TD’s and 6 INT’s.
7. Chase Daniel, Missouri
The Tigers were number two in the country before losing at home to Oklahoma State. Then, they went to Austin and lost, but have been winning ever since. We all know that Chase was playing well.
Numbers: 171.18 QB Rating, 76.5%, 3,592 yards passing, 30 TD’s and 11 INT’s.
8. Trevor Vitatoe, UTEP
Vittatoe is a poduct of Euless Trinity High School in Texas and he has just been a great QB for UTEP. Unfortunately, the Miners haven’t matched his play.
Numbers: 149.08 QB Rating, 59.2%, 2,961 yards passing, 31 TD’s and 6 INT’s.
9. Colin Kaepernick, Nevada
Nevada gave Boise State everything that it wanted and some more Saturday before bowing out to Boise’s perfect season. Kaepernick runs Chris Ault’s Pistol really well, and he still young.
Numbers: 128.03 QB Rating, 54.4%, 2,082 yards passing, 1,087 yards rushing, 15 passing TD’s and 4 INT’s, 16 rushing TD’s
10. Zac Robinson, Oklahoma State
Robinson has led Oklahoma State to one of its best seasons in years, and a win Saturday against Oklahoma would mean 10 wins.
Numbers: 178.02 QB Rating, 67.2%, 2,481 yards passing, 21 TD’s, 7 INT’s and 418 yards rushing.
5. June Jones signs with SMU–After leading Hawaii to the greatest season in history, and launching the Warriors all the way to the BCS promised land, a rout at the hands of Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, the Run and Shoot Guru himself was lured away by the SMU Alumni who were willing to Pony Up the cash. Jones inherits a fairly talented, but downtrodden program which he will make a contender in the Conference USA. Jones, after moving to SMU, moved Katy, TX QB commit Bo Levi Mitchell to Dallas as well (from a commit to Hawaii), and he, subsequently, went on to be named the starter for the opener against Rice. June Cometh.
4. Interesting Coaching Changes–Every year coaching changes happen. Many happen before the bowl season, therefore, they are not technically offseason. However, the consequences are felt throughout the offseason as the new staff comes in to their first Spring practices, first recruiting class, etc. Some of the more interesting hires this year are Houston Nutt from Arkansas to Ole Miss, Rick Neuheisel to UCLA, Paul Johsnon from Navy to Georgia Tech, Bobby Petrino from Atlanta (NFL) to Arkansas, Art Briles from Houston to Baylor, June Jones (see Above) and Rich Rodriguez from West Virginia to Michigan (see Below).
3. Terrelle Pryor signs with Ohio State–Every year it seems as some kid is the coveted prize of the recruiting world. Pryor seemed to be wined and dined by the programs and fans who wanted him to sign with their school. A photo even surfaced of Pryor at a Michigan basketball game talking with Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez. Pryor delayed his signing, he remained uncommitted, until after he finished his basketball season which went deep because his team won the state championship. Pryor considered Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State where his father lobbied for him to play. In the end, the Buckeyes won the prize. Think Vince Young, only bigger. Buckeye fans are thinking National Title!
2. Ryan Perrilloux dismissed from LSU–The highly recruited QB who waited his turn at LSU struggled with off the field probelms. No need to rehash all of that. Head Coach Les Miles gave him several opportunities to remain on the team. Perrilloux showed his abilities last season leading LSU to a win over Tennessee in the SEC Championship game with starting QB Matt Flynn injured. Without Perrilloux, the Tigers go from defending national champions with a proven QB to defending national champions with no proven QB.
1. Rich Rodriguez to Michigan and Saga–Rodriguez bailed on the Mountaineer fans. At least that is how they feel about it. Rodriguez, a West Virginia Alum, was poised to stay for many years in Morgantown and lead them to the elusive national title. However, when it was all over, Rodriguez took the Michigan job feeling as if he had been cheated by his employers. The Hawaii athletic director apologized to fans when June Jones left, no such action from the West Virginia AD. He and WVU sued Rodriguez for the $4 Million buy out in his contract which Rodriguez claimed was void due to an oral agreement between he and the AD to take out the clause. Of course, we know, contracts don’t mean anything. Meanwhile, in Ann Arbor, Rodriguez wasn’t a hit with every player. QB Ryan Mallet decided to transfer to Arkansas to play in Spread Offense that doesn’t need the QB to run the option like in Rich Rod’s offense. And, Michigan lineman Justin Boren transferred saying that the “family values” have left under Rich Rod. And that was only Spring!
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