Texas to the Big Ten

Lately there have been a lot of rumors about Texas having preliminary talks with Big Ten officials about perhaps joining the conference. From the Big Ten's perspective this would make perfect sense. Texas provides a package of big-time football, a rising basketball program and strong academics (47th among national universities). Texas could be a huge potential revenue source for the Big Ten.

Only a school like Notre Dame could bring a package like Texas, but we all know that won't happen. As good as this might sound to some people, I don't see it happening. First, I don't think the Texas baseball team would ever lose a game in the Big Ten, and it could effect their recruiting. Second, would Mack Brown want to play a late November game in Happy Valley? Would fans travel across the country to see tennis matches, cross-country meets, etc.?

There are too many roadblocks for Texas to accept the invitation but it is still an intriguing idea. If Texas were to join the Big Ten, I feel they would have to keep the OU rivalry and Texas A&M game. Then, you got think about how hard of a schedule that would be because of your conference opponents being the likes of Ohio St., Penn St. , Wisconsin and Michigan.

Being the biggest brand in college athletics, Texas deserves to be in a better conference. Although, they do have a bright future with the evolution of the Texas Sports Network that will be similar to the Big Ten Network. Joining the Big Ten would boost revenue, but Texas has so many revenue streams that I don't think that would matter.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out, and whether or not other schools will express interest. If the Big Ten is serious about expanding, it should consider schools that are much closer. There’s been talk in the past of other Big 12 schools like Missouri and Nebraska joining the Big Ten, but nothing has happened in the conference since Penn State joined in 1990. An interesting idea would be if the Big Ten offered a package deal for Texas, Oklahoma and Texas A&M. The creation of a "Super Conference".

Best Non-Steroid User during the Steroid Era

by Nick Szafranski

When you think of steroids in baseball several players come to mind; Barry Bonds, Jose Canseco, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Roger Clemens and more recently as A-Rod, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. Steroids have been around since the 1930’s but really started to surface during the 1980’s and a high percentage of players were using during the 90’s and 2000’s.”The Steroid Era” which presumably started in 1988, will always be associated with steroids whether the MLB ever officially puts an asterisk next to the names of the players that came forward.

With the retirement of former White Sox player Frank Thomas on Thursday, this brought up the question; of the hitters not tied to steroids who played during the “Steroid Era,” who is the best?

It may very well be “The Big Hurt.”

Eliminating the names of Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, Rafael Palmeiro and Sammy Sosa because of their ties to Steroids, the list of elite players during this era really narrows.

Only a few other players’ have had outstanding careers spanning the time period; including Ken Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas, Craig Biggio, Mike Piazza, and Mark Grace.

At 22, Frank Thomas made his major league debut o August 2nd, 1990, at the height of steroid usage. In his first full season he finished third place in the AL MVP voting batting .318, hitting 32 home-runs and slugging in 109 RBI.

In 1993, Thomas became the first White Sox player to win the MVP award since Dick Allen in 1972. Hitting 41 home-runs with 128 RBI, he led the White Sox to the American League Championship Series where they fell to the eventual World Series Champion Toronto Blue Jays.

In 1994, he became the second first basemen to win back-to-back MVP, hitting .353, 38 home-runs and 101 RBI in a season shortened by 49 games. Between 1991 and 1997 Thomas finished in the top 10 every year for AL MVP voting. His five all-star appearances, four silver slugger awards, a comeback player of the year award in 2000 and a 2005 World Series ring put him among the greats of all-time.

His 521 career home-runs puts him at 19th on the all-time list behind several tainted names, also his 269 home-runs puts him only behind steroid user David Ortiz for most as a designated hitter.

Perhaps the most impressive stat of them all is that Frank Thomas became part of an elite class of four players including Mell Ott, Ted Williams and Babe Ruth to have at least a .300 batting average, 500 home runs, 1,500 RBI, 1,000 runs and 1,500 walks in a career.

Thomas’ longevity solidified his name in history. In 2006 after leaving the White Sox for the Oakland A’s, Thomas placed fourth in MVP voting finishing the season with an amazing 39 home-runs at the age of 38.

Having played football at the University of Auburn on a scholarship, Frank avoided many steroid accusers because he stood at 6′5″ and weighing in at 257 lbs throughout his lengthy career.

Mark Grace had the most hits in 1990’s, Craig Biggio is a part of the 3000 hit club, and Mike Piazza may be the best catcher of all-time but none of them compete with the numbers Ken Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas put up.

While Griffey had a little over one hundred more home-runs than Thomas, Frank batted more than fifteen points higher. Frank also had a .417 OBP while Kenny had a .371 OBP. Although Griffey had more RBI in over 300 more games played, their statistics just about evened out.

Both players regardless of era would be considered among the best players of all-time. Had Griffey not been injured as often he may have won more than one MVP, and if the “Steroid Era” continues for many more years Albert Pujols will be considered the best non-steroid user in the era. However with all this said from 1988 to 2010 in a time where “juicing” took over the game, one player emerged as the leader of the anti-drugs, “The Big Hurt.

NBA All-Star Weekend

Here are my predictions for the weekend:

Taco Bell Skills Competition- Derrick Rose, he will defend his title with another monster dunk at the end. Him and Jennings will face each other in the finals.

Rookie/Sophomore Game- I am going to pick the Rookies in this one simply because Derrick Rose will not be participating. I expect Stephen Curry to get the MVP.

3 Point Contest- Stephen Curry, his smooth shooting stroke will be perfect for this competition.

H.O.R.S.E.- Kevin Durant, the real question is why is Rajon Rondo in this competition when he can't even shoot regularly. Hook em

Dunk Contest- I am going to take the underdog in this one and go with Shannon Brown. If you don't know about him then you are about to find out. Demar Derozan should have some tricks up his sleeve but no one can fly like Shannon.

All-Star Game- East, Lebron will get the MVP just because of all the fast break dunks he will get. Hopefully, he will turn an ankle. Although it would be nice for Dirk to go off in front of his fans because he has had a great season thus far.

Dent Left out again. Rice, Smith headline HOF Class.

On Saturday the NFL announced its 2010 class of Hall of Famers, but for seventh straight year Richard Dent was denied entry. Dent, a former defensive end of the Chicago Bears ranks sixth all-time in quarterback sacks with 137.5 in his career.

Dent is arguably the second best defender on arguably the best defense of all-time, the 1985 Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears. During his first stint withe the Bears between 1983-1993 he had 124.5 sacks and accumulated a Super Bowl MVP and ring. Including another year with the Bears in 1995, he played for San Francisco 49er’s (1994), Indianapolis Colts (1996) and Philadelphia Eagles (1997).

When Dent retired in 1997 he was third all-time in career sacks. Over his 15 seasons he averaged an amazing .92 sacks per start, imagine averaging almost a sack per game. The only defensive end in the modern era with a higher sack per start rating was Fred Dean with 1.14. However Dean only had 93 sacks over his career which doesnt even put him in the top ten all-time, while Dent had 137.5.

Dents’ average of .92 sacks per start puts him ahead of “the Minister of Defense” Reggie White (.87), all-time sack leader Bruce Smith (.75), and ahead of Giants great Michael Strahan (.69). Richard Dent also had eight interceptions, a modern-era record for defensive linemen.

Richard Dent was a finalist for six out of his seven years of eligibility for the NFL Hall of Fame. Highlighting this years class was the best wide receiver of all-time 49er’s Jerry Rice, and career all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith who both were enshrined on their first years. Vikings defensive end John Randle had the same amount of career sacks but was a less dominant player then Dent. Among the others that entered were Saints outside linebacker Rickey Jackson, Redskins linemen Russ Grimm and as veterans’ Dick LeBeau and Floyd Little.

The Chicago Bears have 26 players enshrined in Canton, which is the most by any single franchise. Of the Super Bowl champions Bears, Walter Payton, Mike Singletary, and Dan Hampton are the only players inducted in the Hall.

Waiting eight rounds to be drafted out of Tennessee State in 1983, Dent may find his luck in 2011, his eighth year of eligibility.