As we close out 2006, I just wanted to thank you all for your support. Those who have trolled the blogs for the last year know just how much has transpired, namely two Next Great Sportswriter contests. People have come and gone, but many of the originals remain.

Though I've now officially written 21 columns for FOXSports.com, my favorite piece was posted one year (and one day) ago while attempting to solidify a spot as a top 16 finalist in the first NGS contest.  Ahh yes, those were stressful days that I will never ever forget.  And I could think of no better way of celebrating the one year anniversary of the Quick Slants blog than re-posting a link to it. Ladies and gents...

December 28, 2005: Why I Should Win This Contest

Thanks, everyone. Thanks for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime!

Happy New Year and see you in 2007!

--Ty

As promised, I’ve consolidated your questions from email and blog comments into an NGS “mailbag” of sorts.  Some were technical questions, others were more philosophical.  Judging from the number of emails I received, this contest is going to dwarf the first one.  I think I speak on behalf of the website when I thank you for your interest.

Onto the questions…  names and handles have been withheld to protect the innocent…

 

Question #1:  When will this contest be over?

The winner will be announced on June 28th.

Question #2:  How did you prepare your material for the first round?

For all the newcomers, the first round of NGS 2 is more or less a free for all.  You're given absolutely no guidelines about what you can or can't write about.  If the powers-that-be deem your body of work worthy of the next step, you will be notified at the end of the first round and advance to the Sweet Sixteen.  That’s where the real fun begins.

What was my approach to "preparing my material?"  It wasn't so much an approach as it was a mindset.  I knew that I only had a finite amount of time to showcase my strengths, so I tried to formulate all my ideas with that in mind.  No matter what topics you choose to write about, try to play to your strengths and put forth a solid and consistent effort.

If you are serious about trying to win this thing, I would also suggest proofreading your work before you post.  Ultimately, you're trying to win over a lot of people -- a piece littered with errors screams "unprofessional," and that's certainly not the impression you want to make.  Furthermore, the fact that you may one day have the safety net of an editor does not mean that you shouldn't submit clean bodies of work.  At the very least, it's good practice.

That’s about the best answer I can give.  By no means am I an authority on telling you what your writing process should be, but that’s how I attacked things back in December.

Question #3:  What should I write about? 

Again, there are absolutely no restrictions on this -- it's totally up to you.  The bottom line is that your entries should be sports-related and consistently good.  Pick out some topics that will put you in the best position to do this and blog away.

Question #4:  If I’m interested in NGS II, where do I post my material?

The great part about the contest is that you can blog as normal and be rewarded for it.  There is absolutely nothing tricky about it.  Just keep posting like you normally would and the contest officials will review your blog, I promise.

Question #5:  Are performance enhancers allowed?

If by “performance enhancer,” you mean a dictionary, thesaurus, or another research tool, then by all means, yes!  And also, keep this on the down-low, but FOXSports.com will not be urine testing for caffeine, so don't worry if you're battling a raging Dr. Pepper addiction.

Question #6:  Can former finalists compete?

Absolutely.  From the sounds of it, I’m the only previous finalist not allowed to enter, which all but shatters my dreams of a WWE-style title defense.  I suppose I could enter under an assumed name, but that would just be… well…  stupid.

Question #7:  Can I submit a previously written piece for the contest?

As long as you’re the one that wrote it, you’re more than welcome to post it if you feel strongly about it.

Question #8:  Can you give us a word of advice for surviving the contest?

Actually, I can give you a whole paragraph.

I know that this contest provides a glimmer of hope to thousands of prospective sportswriters, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself.  When you start comparing your pieces to the other ones that have been written by the thousands of competitors out there, it’s very easy to get down on yourself and lose confidence.  Don’t fall into this trap.  Likewise, you should know that negative feedback is commonplace in this field – I haven’t been writing that long and already I’ve figured this out.  (Let’s face it, everyone knows everything about sports!)  Take things in stride and don’t let the inevitability of negative comments hold you back.  Ignore the bad, focus on the good.

Basically, all you can control is what you write.  Do that well, and the rest will fall into place.  I read one entry that really hit the nail on the head:  “I’m just going to do my normal routine and write what I feel about the day.”  My thoughts exactly.

…..

Again, best of luck to everyone that plans to compete.  Obviously, some will take this more seriously than others, but don’t get so caught up in it that you stop having fun. 

As always, I’m committed to helping you all out by answering your questions and posting new information as it becomes available – please let me know if you feel this is helpful.  My email address is tyhildenbrandt@gmail.com... consider it an open door.

More details in the next few days!

Since many of you were kind enough to contribute to the good news I received back on February 8th, I begged the higher-ups at FOXSports.com to let me be the first to break this news.  Thankfully, they obliged.

Yes, yes…  the Next Great Sportswriter contest is back and better than ever.

I realize this will spark a flurry of questions, so before my inbox gets flooded with 10,000 messages, let me field the most obvious ones first.  Many more details are forthcoming from those directly in charge, but here's what I can tell you as of now:

1) When will the next contest be starting up?

The first round of the next contest will be starting next week.  Surprise!  Again, you’ll want to stay tuned to FOXSports.com for all the details.

2) Have changes been made to the format?

Yes, the diligent folks at FOXSports.com have made some tweaks to make this upcoming contest even better.  At this juncture, I won’t comment on the exact nature of the changes, but I will say that I had the opportunity to offer my own feedback from NGS 1.0 and am very excited about the amendments.  Again, you’ll find out more details in the coming days -- I didn’t want to leave out anything critical, so I’ll leave the meat of this question to the real experts.

3) What should I do now?

Gear up for the weeks ahead.  If you’re serious about making a run at this thing, give your entries a little extra elbow grease.  I know from my conversations with Tom Seeley that the website is enthusiastic about finding another talented writer, so if you fit the bill, don’t be afraid to leave it all out on the field.  If you write your heart out, the rest will fall into place.

4) What if I have more questions?

For now, you should consider me a liaison between the blogosphere and FOXSports.com.  I’ll sort of be like the Iraqi Information Minister, only minus the ridiculous statements. 

One of the biggest things that needed to be fixed after the first contest was the flow of information from top to bottom, so I’ve volunteered to help get everyone on the same page.  If you have any pressing questions after you get the full scoop in the next few days, feel free to send them my way at tyhildenbrandt@gmail.com.  I'll be putting together semi-frequent NGS Mailbags to keep you plugged into all the latest information.  And don't worry, to avoid creating any whirlwind for prospective participants, I promise to keep your identities anonymous.

…..

So, there it is.  It is with great pleasure that I officially announce the coming of Next Great Sportswriter II.  I am overjoyed to be involved with the proceedings and very much looking forward to the weeks ahead – I haven’t been this excited since Major League II.

Best of luck to everyone and stay tuned for more details!

Among the dusty old trophies, Starting Lineups, and cheesy pennants scattered throughout my room, you’ll find a humble relic of college football history:  my ticket stub from last year’s Notre Dame – USC football game.  Laminated to preserve its integrity, the ticket reminds me of where I was on October 15, 2005:  Notre Dame Stadium, Gate A, Section 106, Row 3, Seat 27.  Likewise, it serves as a memento of my fondest football memory.

Thankfully, I was given the opportunity to attend the showdown between my beloved Irish (#9, 4-1) and the seemingly invincible Trojans (#1, 5-0) of Southern California.  As expected, I jumped at the chance to witness one of the greatest rivalries in the history of college sports.  After all, how could I resist the urge to see the two-time defending National Champions with my own eyes?  How could I pass up the chance to see Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush in the flesh and blood?  Most importantly, how could I defy the feeling in my gut that Notre Dame was sneaky enough to pull the upset of the season and knock off USC?  Needless to say, I took the tickets… and my friend Curt (a USC fan) and I made the ten hour pilgrimage from our homes in eastern Pennsylvania to attend the game. 

Road-weary from our travels, we marched onto campus that Saturday morning with football on our minds and anticipation in our hearts.  We didn’t know what to expect, but like most, we were quickly engulfed by the magical atmosphere and nearly swept off our feet by the electricity of the environment.  It was impossible to avoid; the excitement controlled our actions like a mysterious spell cast from afar in the name of college football. 

The hype only intensified once the crew of ESPN’s College Gameday arrived.  Hundreds of faithful fans crowded the plot of land between Notre Dame Stadium and “Touchdown Jesus” to cheer and jeer at Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, and everyone’s favorite beat rug, Lee Corso.  As expected, some fans carried signs to the broadcast, including my personal favorites that read “Osama Bin Leinart” and “Catholics versus Contraceptives,” which brought down the house with a steady stream of laughter.  By the time the trio unveiled their predictions, South Bend was ready to burst at the seams. 

After hitting the tailgating circuit and reveling in the pageantry with other fans, we funneled into the stadium to watch warm-ups.  Though I’ve been a Notre Dame fan my entire life, I couldn’t help but be captivated by the moment as the illustrious Trojans entered the field, nearly 20 minutes before game time to the tune of trumpets, cymbals, and a triumphant melody.  It felt like a scene out of Gladiator, as it should’ve; they were the kings of college football and the owners of an incredible 27-game winning streak at the time, not the mention the top team in the land.  They were prepared for battle.

On the other side of the field, the Irish were busy with their pre-game regiment and sought to redeem themselves after a miserable loss at home to Michigan State a month earlier.  I couldn’t help but wonder if the Notre Dame offense under Charlie Weis would have enough firepower to outwit, outplay, and outlast the Trojans for four quarters.  Furthermore, I was concerned that the porous Notre Dame defense would have difficultly keeping the game close.

The tension continued to mount well after the opening kickoff and had a noticeable impact on some of the folks around us, particularly the man sitting to my right who nearly developed an aneurism after spotting Notre Dame’s infamous green jerseys.  In fact, on several occasions he was forced to leave because of an anxiety-induced breathing problem.  I counted at least five times that he left his seat and went for either a drink of water or breath of fresh air.  I was concerned for his well-being, especially after he looked at me midway through the second quarter and said, “I can’t breathe.”  The ironic part is that I felt the same way.  I think everyone in the stadium did.  There was something about the game that left each and every one of us gasping for air.

More than anything else, it was the wizardry of Reggie Bush that left an indelible footprint in my mind.  In person, there was no question that Bush was the best player on the field with the potential to score on every play from scrimmage.  In fact, it looked like Bush had unlocked the secret to a higher level of football.  Maybe that’s why he scampered for 160 yards and three touchdowns on only 15 carries.  Yes, his numbers were admirable, but it was the manner in which he amassed those numbers that I found most impressive.  The way he zoomed around the field with apparent calmness seemed like an illusion to the naked eye… an illusion we’ll soon be seeing in a Texans uniform.

The brilliant play-calling of Charlie Weis was equally as remarkable.  While I fully expected Weis to attack USC’s secondary, I was surprised by his aggressive mix of 52 rushing attempts for 153 yards by Darius Walker, Travis Thomas, David Grimes, and Brady Quinn.  Then as the game wore on, slowly but surely, Weis dialed up the Quinn-led passing assault and picked apart the Trojan defense with a barrage of buttonhook and fly passes to Notre Dame’s big wide receivers.  The balance was masterfully designed and almost lethal for USC.

Though my team lost, I’ll always remember the final 15 minutes as the dramatic quarter that woke up the echoes of Notre Dame Stadium and reminded me of the fundamental reasons why college football is so special.  With the game tied at 21-21, the two teams traded blows like heavyweight fighters and rekindled the mystique of the renowned sports venue.  Notre Dame struck first with a field goal by D.J. Fitzpatrick, only to be trumped by Reggie Bush’s third touchdown of the game, which put USC in front 28-24.  But Notre Dame roared back on the shoulders of Brady Quinn, who marched his offense 87 yards and put the Irish on top 31-28 after a five yard touchdown run with 2:02 remaining on the clock. 

The crowd was deafening as USC embarked on its final possession.  As time dwindled, an incomplete pass, sack, and short throw set up one of the most memorable fourth-and-nine situations college football has ever seen.  With 1:32 on the clock, Matt Leinart threw a picture-perfect pass that evaded blanket coverage by Ambrose Wooden and landed square in the breadbasket of Dwayne Jarrett for a 61-yard, back-breaking completion.  The stadium instantly deflated.  Then after minutes of confusion and a near stampede of students, Leinart again answered the call, with help from Reggie Bush, and plowed into the end zone for a 34-31 victory and renewed aura of immortality. 

The dream was over for every Irish fan in the stadium.  The overdramatic friend to my right stood catatonic for a solid five minutes.  I shook his hand before we left, but I'm not sure he comprehended my gesture.  Curt and I walked out completely flabbergasted and exhausted.  Instead of elation or desolation, we were struck with utter disbelief from the series of events we just witnessed.  At one point, we turned to each other and asked in unison, “What just happened?!?”

Though I’m still recovering from the defeat, I can’t help but smile when I think back to that pristine October day.  It’s not everyday you get to see two Heisman Trophy winners on the same field.  It’s not everyday you get to see a legendary dynasty bolster its legacy.  And it’s not everyday you get to see a wilted program be resurrected.  Moreover, it’s not everyday you get to watch the epitome of college football before your very eyes.

I was there... and I have the ticket to prove it.

You’ll be happy to know that my pride has almost fully recovered from the setback it suffered after Wednesday’s Rose Bowl.  Again, the key word:  ALMOST.  I’ll keep you posted.

One other thing…

There’s been no word from NGS headquarters, but I’m assuming that Cut Down Day will proceed as planned.  Before the guillotine drops, I’d like to send along a hearty “thank you” to all the people that supported me, particularly the Texas fans that verbally assaulted my USC pick, but voted for me anyway.  It takes moral fortitude to both love and hate at the same time.

I can only hope there won’t be a red tag in my locker...

Like a good weatherman, I left myself a strategic out by saying that The Waterworld Theory is almost always right.  The key word:  ALMOST. 

Wednesday night was an accurate depiction of what can happen when a game goes above and beyond the media hype.  In my previous column, I compared the Rose Bowl buzz to that of Waterworld before it was released and said that the outcome of the game would be equally as disappointing.  Apparently, I was wrong.  Really wrong.  Instead, the Rose Bowl was more like Million Dollar Baby, far exceeding everyone's expectations and leaving no room for a sequel. 

As I mentioned before in this space, I was in attendance for the Notre Dame / USC match up on November 15th, which made it easy for me to jump aboard the Trojan bandwagon before last night's game.  While it's possible to get a good feel for a team by watching on television, it's much different in person.  In the flesh and blood, Reggie Bush is at least three times faster than he looks on television.  It's true.  You can't see it from your living room because field side cameramen focus only on the ball carrier, but it's true.  Plus, Matt Leinart's poise has a deflating effect on opposing teams.  There was something about that final drive in South Bend that had all 80,000 of us on edge.  Despite the ridiculous odds of marching the length of the field and scoring a touchdown in the allotted time, it still felt like USC was in control.

Those are the memories that came to mind as I put my prediction together, as did the hype from last year surrounding Oklahoma.  I had trouble believing that Vince Young and a soft Trojan defense made Texas 36 points better than the Sooners in 2005.  I had questions about the Texas offense and if it could thrive in the heat of battle.  I had difficulty thinking that the Longhorns could outscore USC.  I didn't honestly think it could happen.

But, Vince Young was incredible.  There’s no other way to put it.  His ability to perform in the clutch is almost more impressive than the Texas victory itself.  Plus, I never realized just how much of a force he was.  Like Mariano Rivera's pitching motion, Young runs with an effortless, natural flow that makes him "sneaky fast" on the field of play.  That, combined with his size and improved passing accuracy, is what makes him nearly impossible to stop on the college level.  More amazing is how Young makes everyone around him more dangerous, particularly players like Limas Sweed, who was wide open on almost every play.

I won't sugar coat it, I greatly underestimated Vince Young.  I think a lot of people did.  I certainly wasn’t the only one that picked USC.  Special players like Young come around once in a blue moon, and his stock will never be higher.  His elite playmaking ability answered the call of the masses and was the sole determining factor in the best National Championship game ever played.  As a sports fan, I’m glad Vince proved me wrong.

Still, I can’t shake the feeling that I short-changed the Rose Bowl with my previous write-up.  Games like this deserve “instant classic” status, not criticism.  So, to right my wrongs, I’d like to pass out the following awards as restitution for my previous column…

The Chris Webber "Clutch Decision-Making" Award

To Pete Carroll, who should somehow be blamed for his team's inexcusable timeout during Texas' two-point conversion attempt at the end of the game.  I can’t fathom how this happened and I think Carroll needs to take the brunt for it.  With 19 seconds left, did that two-pointer really make that much of a difference?  Take me down that slippery slope…  Wasn’t one timeout more valuable than two Texas points?  I know things happen in the heat of battle, but you’ve got to be kidding me!

This made as much sense to me as one-deck blackjack.

The John “Bluto” Blutarsky “Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?” Award

To Matt Leinart, who apparently isn’t ready to admit that Texas is a better team.  Quite frankly, I don’t know if I am, either, but the Longhorns ARE the champions!  Leinart certainly earned his keep in the second half of Wednesday’s game and kept the Trojans in the game.  He’s a clutch performer in the purest quintessence of the word, but Vince Young and Texas were just plain better.  It’s fitting that an award founded on the teachings of Animal House would go to Leinart, especially after he skipped last year’s draft for a fifth year of college eligibility. 

The Ashley Judd "Overly Intense Celebrity Fan" Award

To Texas alum Matthew McConaughey, who alleged missed the memo that he wasn’t on the active Longhorn roster.  I could hand this award out at every college game if I wanted, but I think this situation was different, namely because Mack Brown kissed McConaughey on the cheek before the start of the game.  That’s right, he actually KISSED him.  Plus, McConaughey reportedly hosted a shindig for members of the Texas football team after the game.  He’s like Mark Cuban and an illegal college booster at the same time!  If Texas has recruiting restrictions in five years, you’ll know why.

The Eric Dickerson "Beleaguered Sports Reporter" Award

To ABC reporter Aaron Taylor, whose celebratory, post-game diatribe was so explosive that it confused the treble on my television.  I can't remember an outburst like this since Howard Dean's victory speech in Iowa.  Don't get me wrong, I rooted for him at Notre Dame and I'm sure he's a nice guy, but how did he get this job?  What happened to Terry Bowden?  Is he really bald or just wearing a shiny, rubber cover over his hair for added effect?  I want answers...

The Ray Charles Memorial "Visions" Award

To the referees officiating Wednesday's game, who inexplicably missed two major, game-changing calls at critical times.  I'm starting to think that the Big Ten pumps out bogus refs the way Clinton Portis does sound bytes.  I knew we were in for a long haul with Big Ten officials.

According to USA Today, the replay equipment in the booth malfunctioned at the same time Selvin Young’s touchdown run was in question, but no integrity was gained by continuing the game.  One of replay’s biggest knocks has been that it slows down football games; however, in this instance, the game should’ve been halted until matters were cleared up.  By the fourth quarter, the technical difficulties had been resolved, but the officials still failed to recognize what I thought was an obvious fumble.  In a game of this magnitude, it’s unacceptable.

The Mike McDermott "It's immoral to let a sucker keep his money" Award

To Keith Jackson, ABC's longtime commentator and one of my all-time favorites.  Though it was only fitting that he called this game, I'm still reeling from the fast one he pulled on the NCAA in 1998.  Was there anything more su####ious than the Keith Jackson "retirement tour" almost a decade ago?  This guy marched from campus to campus, received dozens of extravagant gifts and plush accommodations as part o####randiose farewell trip, then changed his mind, started calling West Coast games…  and now, he's just as popular as before.  The obvious question is:  What did he do with all those gifts?  Did he keep them?  Give them back?  Sell them on Ebay?  Was it a diabolical scheme to get free stuff?  I give him credit for pulling it off.  Moreover, what's stopping the rest of us from trying the same thing?  Hmmmm…

The R. Kelly "I Believe I Can Fly" Award

To Reggie Bush, who hasn't been involved in any molestation suits, but has come closer to actually flying than any human I've ever seen.  If you check the replay of his touchdown run, Bush jumped from about the four or five yard line and landed three yards deep in the end zone.  Do the math, that's roughly 21 to 24 feet.  For most people, it takes three hops to even come close to that distance.  He also managed to get perfectly parallel to the ground in mid-flight, which seemed like something straight out The Matrix and not the Rose Bowl.  I can't wait for the NFL Network's exclusive coverage of pre-draft combines to see what Bush can do.  I'm starting to think he's both Gumby and Pokey rolled into one.

The QB Eagles Honorary "Unstoppable Player of the Game" Award

To Vince Young, who gave the most accurate impersonation of Randall Cunningham's generic avatar that we've seen since the inception of Tecmo Super Bowl.  Young actually took matters a step further and played like he was a user-created juggernaut with 99's in every attribute except kick power.  It was like Young was playing a different game altogether and the USC defense had no answer for either his arm or his legs as was evident from his 467 total yards and three touchdowns.

I'll be honest... this guy has potential to be the player that video gamers fear most:  a bigger, stronger, more accurate version Michael Vick from Madden NFL Football 2002.  Furthermore, if both Bush and Young leave for the draft this year, who will have the higher player rating in Madden NFL 2007?  I say Young starts with an overall 84 rating, complete with 95 speed, 95 acceleration, and a beefy 110 break tackle attribute.  Bush could start as high as 89 overall, but I’ll leave that to the programmers.  It’s definitely something to start thinking about.

And, finally…

The Richard Nixon "I Am Not A Crook" Award

To myself, for boldly picking USC to dismantle a Texas team that I greatly underestimated and berated in what turned out to be one of the greatest games ever played.  Yes, my prediction was way off the mark, but I'm over it.  I assure you, Texas diehards, I am now a believer...

…and I'll never bet against Vince Young, again.

 

 

Well, so much for that. 

To the handful of you who adamantly opposed my comments on the Rose Bowl…

I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.  I eat my words.

You were right.  I was wrong.  Please don’t #### me.

(At least I was close with my total points prediction.  If you round up, that is.)

If you’re seeking revenge, you can start a brand new thread tomorrow when I post the lessons that I learned from the 2006 Rose Bowl.

In the meantime, may visions of Vince Young’s Madden rating dance in your head…

By now, most college football fans are aware of the glorious storylines surrounding the 2006 Rose Bowl.  In fact, nobody should be surprised by the intricate subplots being circulated by every media outlet this side of Pasadena:  Reggie Bush's wizardry, Vince Young's electricity, Matt Leinart's pageantry, Mack Brown's sanity, Pete Carroll's camaraderie, Texas’ capability, and USC's invincibility.  Heck, we’ve known about all these things for the better part of a year thanks to the national media, which has carefully recycled each storyline several dozen times like the Hulk Hogan era WCW.

No matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise, my favorite storyline leading up to the Rose Bowl has not been Reggie Bush’s incredible season.  It hasn’t been Vince Young’s childhood, LenDale White’s fake suicide, or Matt Leinart’s drinking binge after the Heisman ceremony, either.  It hasn’t been Mack Brown’s poker face, Pete Carroll’s NFL possibilities, or the BCS finally “getting it right.”  And, it hasn’t even been Booty…  John David Booty, that is, the heir-apparent to Matt Leinart and owner of the best name in college football.

Instead, my favorite story (and the one with the most impact) has been the production of the story by the national media.  If you think about it, the media has not only over hyped The Rose Bowl to the point of Todd Van Poppel, but done something far more damaging and convinced a lot of people that Texas will win.

In reality, there are going to be a lot of cowboys singing sad, sad songs.

When it comes to critical, media-hyped games of this magnitude, I have a personal mantra I like to call The Waterworld Theory.  Most of the time, it’s right on the money.  Remember Waterworld with Kevin Costner?  If not, you’re probably like the rest of us who intentionally chose to forget it.  At the time, Waterworld was the most expensive movie ever produced and featured a popular main character as well as unprecedented special effects.  The hype that preceded it was equally as enormous and the movie seemed to be on a collision course with box office history.  Whether you were reading a magazine, around the water cooler, or at Blockbuster Video, EVERYBODY was talking about Waterworld.

So, what happened?  Well, it flopped.  Miserably.  Why?  Moviegoers didn’t get what they were paying for.  Furthermore, at the end of the day, Waterworld had more to do with flashy effects and lucrative promotions than actual plot substance and marquee acting.  End of story.

That said, I developed this important theory to remind myself and others of a very basic, two-pronged lesson:  hype is almost always an illusion… and Kevin Costner usually sucks.

Say what you want about Wednesday’s game, but the theory applies and it can’t possibly live up to all the hype.  After all, didn’t we hear most of the same arguments for Oklahoma last year that we’re hearing for Texas?  Take a second to think about all the quips we heard last season for the Sooners…  A great offensive line!  A Heisman-caliber quarterback!  The best defense ever assembled!  A young, star running back!  The best game ever!  Now, multiply that by two because of Vince Young and this game has last year’s Orange Bowl, which ended with a 55-19 score, written all over it.

I’m not contending that Texas isn’t one of the best two teams in the nation, they are.  Instead, I’m saying that the media has tricked many into believing the Longhorns are something that they’re not.  Consider this…  the only two teams that have come remotely close to legitimately beating USC have been Notre Dame and Fresno State.  The common denominator between the two:  balanced offenses with quick-strike, vertical passing games.  Neither team, top to bottom, was better than USC, but both offenses were built to beat the Trojans and they almost pulled it off.  I know first-hand, as I was one in attendance for the Notre Dame – USC showdown.

Contrary to some belief, the key to this game is the Texas offense, not their defense.  I’ve said it a million times over the past few weeks, but Texas is not built to beat USC.  Yes, Vince Young is the most athletic quarterback we’ve seen since Michael Vick, but does his deep ball really scare you?  Are the Longhorns multidimensional or just Vince-dimensional?  Can you honestly look in the mirror with a straight face and say “Texas has a balanced offense” ten times, fast?  I think you get my point.  While the USC defense isn’t exactly the ’85 Bears, it will be able to match Vince Young’s speed, and it excels when opposing offenses rely too heavily on one facet of their game.  In order to stay competitive, Texas will need to have an evenhanded offensive game plan.

Moreover, let’s not forget that USC is still the two-time, defending national champions with the first two picks of the NFL draft on offense, and enough all-around depth to make any adjustment under the sun.  So what if the Longhorn defense is one of the best in the nation?  Pete Carroll is a master when it comes to adjusting his attack, a concept that seems to have gotten lost somewhere in the media shuffle.  Take it to the bank, the Trojans WILL put up points on Texas… and they could just do it in droves.

So, while it may be tempting to take the media’s hand and walk through the valley of a million storylines, then jump aboard the Texas bandwagon, it’s important to remember that hype is almost always a mirage.  Though some will argue with my assessment, I refuse to pick against the best team in the country for the past three seasons simply because I’m “sick” of them or because the media has convinced me otherwise.

Quite frankly, I’m not buying anything other than a USC victory.  I’m sorry, Texas, but every rose has its thorn.

My prediction:  USC 48, Texas 24

After a torrid two weeks of posting, I'm proud to announce that the Quick Slants blog has qualified for the Sweet Sixteen! We can only hope that my first assignment is to go undercover with the Carolina Panthers' cheerleaders.

Thanks to everyone for their undying support and great comments, particularly my friend John who told me about this contest to begin with. No doubt I'll be matched up against some of the finest writers the blogosphere has to offer. If things get tight, I may have to pull a Mack Brown and go lobbying for votes. Don't be alarmed.

As the immortal Jake Taylor would say, there's really only one thing left to do:

"WIN THE WHOLE... F___IN' THING!"



We'll see you all in 2006 for Round One!

After getting no love on the NGS Judge's blog from my readers (seriously, you all should be ashamed of yourselves), I've decided to take matters into my own hands, P-Diddy style, and launch an aggressive self-promotion campaign.  That's right, if you won't do it, I will.  I won’t be giving myself a crazy nickname like “T-Unit,” but whether you like it or not, you're getting the reasons why I should be selected as a finalist.  And, since I don't have any racy photos like some of the others, I'm going to have to do it the hard way, one sentence at a time.

I have never knowingly had contact with Victor Conte.

I am automatic from inside 58-yards with any kicker of 89 or better rating in Madden 2001-2006.

I weigh more than Ashley Olsen.

But, less than Greg Olson.

I think that, in no particular order, Dickie Thon, Mackey Sasser, and Candy Maldonado are the best three names in the history of baseball.

I secretly own a small stash of Pogs and a holographic, baseball-themed "slammer."

I have set spreads and wagered on games of NBA Jam: Tournament Edition.

I want Elisabeth Hasselbeck to go to jail, for something… anything.

I am a podcaster.

I would rather #### fire than endure another season of the BCS.

I have seen and memorized every minute of Journey's Greatest Hits DVD.

I still think Ron Powlus should've won three Heismans.

I own a career .000 batting average on the high school level.

I am worth at least $250,000 in the current free agent market.

I have never popped my collar.

I am concerned for Ruben Studdard’s well-being.

I would trade for Ron Artest.

I think Matt Millen should be excommunicated.

I think Isiah Thomas should be tarred and feathered.

I can beat Bubble Bobble in less than 60 minutes.

I have been booed out of Veterans' Stadium after turning a surefire triple into a ground rule double.

I believe Jack Bauer could kill Walker Texas Ranger in sixteen seconds with his bare hands.

I know a gym teacher who wrestled a live bear, and won.

I have never been to Lake Minnetonka.

I have 5.32 speed.

I am starting to embrace the passing cone in Madden NFL 2006.

I firmly believe that Major League III never happened.

I drive a Dodge …Neon.

I think Owen Wilson should be in every movie.

I feel I owe something the inventor of the computer-generated “first and ten” line.

I would put Eva Longoria and Jessica Alba ahead of Angelina Jolie any day of the week.

I am the host of a popular, national, internet radio show devoted to the New York Yankees that I created and built on my own accord.

I have owned a Mark Gastineau Starting Lineup and had it stolen at a college party.

I enjoy going to the dentist.

I wish fantasy points were awarded for television appearances, in which case, Tiki Barber would’ve earned me 6,728,293 points this season.

I believe Bo Jackson to be the greatest celebrity softball player of all time.

I would ask out JoJo if I were under 18.

I am injury-prone.

I am convinced that Ryan Seacrest is the antichrist.

I think Shaq's role as Neon in "Blue Chips" deserved serious Golden Globe consideration.

I am su####ious that Dan Hawkins is Nick Nolte in disguise.

I frequently substitute black Nike socks for actual dress socks.

I think Mike Tyson has finally faded into “bolivian.”

I have used replica WWE Championship belts as trophies in multiple alcohol-related events.

I believe All Star 2Ball was an even worse idea than the WNBA.

I have prayed for world peace, the end of poverty, and the production of "Old School II."

I believe Drew Rosenhaus is an agent playing an agent.

I will never buy diamonds from Jeff Reardon, again.

I am a card-carrying member of the Daunte Culpepper Fantasy Support Group.

I have owned, and worn in public, a Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf jersey…  before he joined Al-Qaeda.

I once leveraged my formal, technical training to create a low-budget, computerized drinking game.

I have been kicked out of an online baseball league for a petty pitching infraction.

And surprisingly, I am single.