December 19 , 2006 HOME - SPORTS NEWS

FREE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS

FREE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS, COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS, FREE NCAA FOOTBALL PICKS, NCAA FOOTBALL PICKS.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS- (covers.com): paterno has off field issues with his players. Off-field issues have managed to do to Joe Paterno what four decades as Penn State's head coach never really could: tire him out. I have to fight sometimes to get out of bed, Paterno said Monday night. It's been a long year. But in a lot of ways, it's been a good year. It just hasn't been so good at times lately. The 80-year-old Paterno, still recovering from a violent sideline collision last season, called an off-campus confrontation involving a few of his Penn State players a team embarrassment. And soon, the number associated with his name might not be his 363 career wins, but his salary. Even when he's swarmed by former players and fans, it's not always easy being JoePa. The Nittany Lions are +2800 on newbodog.com to win the 2008 BCS Championship. Paterno, men's basketball coach Ed DeChellis and women's hoops coach Coquese Washington visited this town 20 miles west outside Philadelphia to meet the media, and fans and alumni. Paterno cracked some jokes and assured everyone his health was fine, but a trial for two of his players still weighed on the coach. While charges were dismissed against four players, Anthony Scirrotto and Chris Baker were ordered to stand trial after authorities said they were involved in an off-campus fight. Scirrotto and Baker face charges including burglary, criminal trespass, simple assault and harassment. Paterno said he heard Scirrotto's side of the story and the coach described it as a little skirmish downtown. He got a little irate, called up a couple of his buddies and said, 'Hey, come on down.' They went over there and they got in a fight, he said. A formal arraignment is scheduled within a few weeks, and Scirrotto's attorney said a trial date would likely be set for early August - about the time Penn State begins preseason practice. My biggest concern is what's going to come out of that incident that we had, Paterno said. I'm hopeful that people will keep their heads, won't go overboard on it. What it basically comes down to is, it was a fight. I'm not condoning our kids in it. While a possible punishment in the courts is still to be decided, Paterno already handed one down to the entire team: the Nittany Lions will clean Beaver Stadium on the Sunday's after every home game. Paterno also said all of his players would do several hours of community service. I don't condone it. Our kids were wrong, Paterno said. While that could be enough to wear down Paterno, he's still ready to start season No. 42 with the Nittany Lions on the sideline and close to the action. A broken right leg and torn knee ligaments suffered when he was run over by a player during a game at Wisconsin in November caused Paterno to miss a game and coach the Outback Bowl from a coach's box. Paterno admits he may feel some apprehension when he stands on the sideline for the first time since that collision when Penn State plays Florida International on Sept. 1. I've been in practice. I went to all the practices, moved around the practice field and got involved in some drills, said Paterno, who can break Amos Alonzo Stagg's record for the most years coaching at one school this season. Stagg led the University of Chicago from 1892 to 1932. Paterno said he can't run yet, but hoped to start sometime this summer. He wears down easily, but insisted he's otherwise fine, saying he recently walked about 55 minutes up and down trails and hills near his house. Paterno even spends less time in his office, but not because of health issues or because he's thinking of winding down after all this time. No, Paterno simply has too many fans popping in to check up on him. So many people come up, I can't get anything done, Paterno said, prompting chuckles. Maybe they're just poking around to find out how much he makes. Penn State will not disclose the salaries of its administrators and employees, and has tried to block an attempt by a reporter for the Patriot-News of Harrisburg to find out the salary of Paterno and three top administrators. The state Supreme Court heard arguments earlier this month on whether secret salaries of Penn State employees, including Paterno, should be released to the public. I don't care whether they release it or don't release it, Paterno said. I don't care if they find out I made 5, 6 million bucks a year. That's fine. Putting up with (the media), I guess I deserve it.
NCAA FOOTBALL PICKS: (associated press): former arkansas quarterback tranfers to usc. Quarterback Mitch Mustain, who went 8-0 as a freshman starter last season for Arkansas, has transferred to Southern California. Mustain, who will have three years of eligibility remaining after sitting out next season, is enrolled at USC for summer school and attending classes, sports information director Tim Tessalone confirmed Monday. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Mustain was a prized recruit after completing over 70 percent of his passes in 2005 for the undefeated state championship team at Springdale, Ark. He enrolled at Arkansas along with three of his high school teammates. In addition, Springdale coach Gus Malzahn was hired as the Razorbacks' offensive coordinator. USC is listed at +250 on SPORTSBETTING.com to win the 2008 BCS Championship. Arkansas is +3000. After Arkansas lost to USC 50-14 to begin last season, Mustain was made the starter. The Razorbacks won their next eight games with an offense that revolved around tailback Darren McFadden, the Heisman Trophy runner-up. Casey Dick took over as the starting quarterback in the season's 10th game. Mustain and Dick both played in the Razorbacks' 17-14 loss to Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl. Arkansas, the SEC West champion, finished the season 10-4 and ranked 15th in the nation. Malzahn left afterward to join the coaching staff at Tulsa, and Mustain asked for and received his release to transfer. Mustain completed 69 of 132 passes for 894 yards and 10 touchdowns with nine interceptions for the Razorbacks. Wide receiver Damian Williams, also from Springdale, transferred from Arkansas to USC as well. Williams will also have three years of eligibility remaining after sitting out next season. Mustain is expected to compete for the starting quarterback position in 2008 with Mark Sanchez, who completed 3-of-7 passes for 63 yards for USC as a freshman last fall. John David Booty, who passed for 3,347 yards and 29 touchdowns for the Trojans last season, will be a senior next year.

NCAA FOOTBALL FREE PICKS- (associated press) : georgia cornerback's career comes to an end.

Paul Oliver wanted to return for his senior season at Georgia. Poor grades will force the cornerback to get started on his pro career. Sportsbook.com has Georgia listed at +4500 to win the national championship in 2008. Oliver, one of the key players on the Bulldogs' defense, failed to meet academic standards and was declared ineligible to play this season, the school said Thursday. He plans to petition the NFL for entry into its July supplemental draft after initially passing up the chance to leave school early. We'll miss him for sure, Georgia coach Mark Richt said. Of course, he could have made a decision to leave for the draft immediately after his junior season. He was aware there could be risks, but he decided to continue in school and get closer to his degree. Last season, Oliver had three interceptions, two sacks and was the team's fifth-leading tackler. He started 15 games in his college career. Shortly after leading the Bulldogs with nine tackles in their Chick-fil-A Bowl upset of Virginia Tech, Oliver announced that he would stay at Georgia.
NCAA FOOTBALL PICKS- (associated press): wyoming punter transfers

Placekicker and punter Aric Goodman, who handled most of Wyoming's kicking duties last year as a true freshman, will transfer to another school, coach Joe Glenn said Monday. "He just wasn't happy here," Glenn said. "That's what he told
me." Goodman led Wyoming in scoring with 48 points, converting on 10 of 16 field goal tries and 18 of 20 extra-point kicks. But Goodman and Jake Scott shared kicking duties throughout the season. It was Goodman who missed the extra point in overtime at Virginia that allowed the Cavaliers to take a 13-12 victory. Glenn said he didn't know where Goodman would transfer. Glenn also cited academic reasons in saying that wide receiver Darion Donnelly would not return next fall. Donnelly played in 10 games last year, but caught just one pass for 18 yards.
NCAA COLLEGE FOOTBALL FREE PICKS- (covers.com): odds to win 2007-08 heisman. Steve Slaton +600
John David Booty +600
Darren McFadden +700
Brian Brohm +750
Colt Brennan +900
Ray Rice +900
Mike Hart +1100
Tim Tebow +1300
Pat White +1600
Chad Henne +1600
C.J. Spiller +1600
Colt McCoy +1900
Percy Harvin +2100
Chase Daniel +2100
C.J. Gable +2300
Johnathan Stewart +2600
Anthony Morelli +4100
Matthew Stafford +5100
NCAA COLLEGE FOOTBALL FREE PICKS: (associated press): penn state linemans has career ending injury. Penn State offensive lineman Elijah Robinson's football career is over after he sustained a neck injury in spring practice. Sportsbook.com lists Penn State at +3000 to win the 2008 BCS Championship. Robinson walked off the field and was not hospitalized after the injury, but team doctor Wayne Sebastianelli discovered after examinations that Robinson was born with a tight spinal canal, team officials said. Any impact to Robinson's head could pinch the spinal column and result in paralysis, the team said Thursday in a statement. Robinson, of Camden, N.J., had been in the running for a starting spot on the line. He had two years of eligibility left. "This is a big loss for the team," coach Joe Paterno said. "I'm disappointed for him in regards to his football career, but you can't take any chances with his future." FREE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS- (covers.com): hoosiers coach still under going treatment.

Indiana football coach Terry Hoeppner is still undergoing medical treatment and remains intent on returning to the sideline this fall. Athletic department officials released a short statement from Hoeppner on Tuesday, the first update on his health since an announcement nearly two months ago that he would not coach spring practice to recuperate from brain surgery. I continue to receive medical treatment and remain inspired to return to coaching when my health permits, Hoeppner said. I love Indiana University and Indiana football and will make decisions in the best interest of the program, as I have always attempted to do. Sportsbook.com has Indiana listed at +5000 to win the National Championship in 2008. Hoeppner had brain surgery twice in a 10-month span and has now left the team three times since December 2005. His last major public appearance was in late February when he spoke during an NCAA luncheon in Indianapolis. He also attended a news conference earlier that month to announce Indiana's newest recruits although the assistant coaches answered most of the questions and provided most of the details. Hoeppner left Miami (Ohio) in December 2004 to return to Indiana, his home state, and take over a Hoosiers program that last went to a bowl game in 1993. A year later, he had a tumor removed from his right temple and last September he had a second operation on the right side of his head. He then left the team for two weeks but watched both games from the press box before rejoining the team. Hoeppner later implied follow-up tests showed no recurrence of the tumor, but that doctors had removed only scar tissue. Hoeppner is 9-14 in his two seasons at Indiana, and he has reinvigorated enthusiasm in the program by reaching out to students and fans. In December, Hoeppner signed a two-year contract extension that would keep him in Bloomington through June 2012. But last month, Hoeppner announced he was skipping spring practice to regain his strength and energy, and when the Hoosiers played their annual crimson-and-cream game on April 14, he did not attend. Assistant Bill Lynch filled in as interim coach during each of Hoeppner's absences. Indiana also has two football camps scheduled in mid-June, but there has been no announcement regarding whether Hoeppner would run them. Athletic director Rick Greenspan has not provided many updates on Hoeppner's condition, citing both privacy concerns. In Tuesday's statement, Hoeppner again asked the media to respect his privacy, and Greenspan said he hoped Hoeppner would recover quickly. Hep's health is of the utmost interest and concern to us, Greenspan said. We'll continue to provide him with all of the support that we can with hopeful anticipation that he'll get well as quickly as possible.

FREE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS- (associated press) mother of stabbed punter say's he's doing fine.

Florence Mendoza squirmed in a fourth-row bench Thursday as lawyers discussed the case against the former Northern Colorado backup punter accused of trying to kill her son. I don't think anybody would like to sit and hear what went on the night that their son was hurt, Mendoza said after a motions hearing for Mitch Cozad, charged with attempted first-degree murder in a knife attack on her son Rafael, the starting punter. It's hard (being here), she said. Rafael Mendoza was attacked on Sept. 11 in a dimly lit parking lot outside his apartment in Evans, a small town adjacent to Greeley. He suffered a 3- to 5-inch-deep wound in his kicking leg. Cozad, of Wheatland, Wyo., has pleaded not guilty and remains free on $500,000 bail. If found guilty of attempted murder, he could face up to 48 years in prison. Police have said they believe Cozad stabbed Mendoza to try to get the starting job, and the case drew quick comparisons to the assault by Tonya Harding's hit man on Nancy Kerrigan. Cozad's case is scheduled to go to trial July 30. A pretrial readiness conference was moved up to July 2, the last day the judge will accept a plea agreement. Asked whether talks were under way about a plea deal, defense lawyer Joseph Gavaldon said only that they're always ongoing. District attorney spokeswoman Jennifer Finch declined to comment. Florence Mendoza said she doesn't know how she'd feel about a plea deal. I think that would be up to my son, she said. Prosecutor Michele Meyer called four witnesses: two Evans police officers; a university police officer; and Nathan Cole, the university's coordinator for student rights and responsibilities. Cole testified about bringing an eviction notice and a no-trespass letter to Cozad's dorm room on Sept. 12. Cozad, who was suspended from the university and kicked off the team, had an hour to vacate his dorm room. While Cozad waited in Cole's office for his mother to pick him up, Evans police arrived, handcuffed Cozad and took him away, Cole said. After nearly two hours of testimony Thursday, Florence Mendoza walked outside and leaned against a concrete wall in the bright sun. She said her son still can't put the attack behind him. Too soon, she said. I think he's doing the best he can to handle it. Rafael Mendoza returned to the team just two weeks after the attack and averaged 39.9 yards on 56 punts last season. He hopes to punt for the Bears again next fall, his mother said. You've got to try out, same as every year, she said. COLLEGE FOOTBALL FREE PICKS: (associated press) odds to win 2008 national championship. USC +250

Florida +700

Michigan +800

LSU +1200

Texas +1000

West Virginia +1200

Oklahoma +3000

Penn St +3500 Arkansas +3500

Georgia +4500

Nebraska +3500

Virginia Tech +3500

Ohio St +2000

Florida St +3500

Wisconsin +3500

Texas A&M +6000 Louisville +2000

Auburn +6000

California +5000

Tennessee +5000

Miami FL +4000

Rutgers +5000

Notre Dame +4000

Alabama +7500

Iowa +10000

UCLA +5000

Clemson +7500

Oregon +10000

BYU +20000

Colorado +20000

South Carolina +10000

TCU +20000

Arizona St +20000

Oregon St +20000

Boston College +20000

Missouri +20000

Texas Tech +2000

Boise St +20000

Arizona +20000

Wake Forest +20000

Maryland +20000

North Carolina St +20000

Georgia Tech +20000

Hawaii +20000

Oklahoma St +20000

Pittsburgh +20000

Kansas St +20000

Purdue +20000

South Florida +20000