Football rules on NBC, 'Undercover Boss' and 'Desperate Housewives' take hits in ratings

Sports definitely ruled in primetime on Sunday, leaving shows like Desperate Housewives and Undercover Boss to scurry after their scraps. The latter two series, in fact, posted record low-rated telecasts among adults18-49 opposite NBC’s Colts-Redskins football matchup and Fox’s baseball playoff game between the Giants and the Phillies.
NBC won the night among 18-49 (5.4 rating/14 share) and total viewers (14.1 million) but CBS still managed to tie Fox for second place among adults 18-49 (3.0/8). CBS came in second for the night in viewers (11.8 million) while ABC followed in third with 9.2 million. Fox finished the night in fourth place among viewers with 8.9 million. Each 18-49 ratings point represents 1.3 million viewers.
The Amazing Race averaged 11.2 million viewers on CBS and came in second place in the adult demo (3.4/9) for the 8 p.m. hour, behind football. Undercover Boss built on its time slot lead-in and averaged a 3.5/9, but was still down 5% versus last week. It was the reality show’s lowest-rated telecast ever and averaged 12.1 million. CSI: Miami, however, was up 4% versus last week among adults 18-49 (2.8/7) and averaged 11.1 million pairs of eyeballs.
On ABC, Desperate Housewives posted a 3.8/9 in the demo — down 3% versus last week and its lowest-rated fall telecast ever. It averaged 12.4 million. And Brothers & Sisters tied last week’s lowest-rated fall telecast ever (2.7/7) and lured 8.9 million. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (2.3/6) averaged 8.5 million.

Reggie Bush Apologizes To USC Athletic Director Pat Haden (UPDATE: He Didn't)

UPDATE: Reggie Bush has not apologized, according to the Los Angeles Times. "Never did he say I'm sorry or I apologize. Never did he say, 'I lied to the NCAA or I took stuff,'" USC athletic director Pat Haden said. (via Sports By Brooks)

EARLIER:

Reggie Bush apologized to new USC athletic director Pat Haden last week in a 15-minute phone conversation, according to USA Today.

According to Haden, Bush was "really contrite" and apologized for receiving benefits while playing at USC.

"He knows he made a series of mistakes. It wasn't just one mistake. It was a series of mistakes," said Haden. "He told me, 'If I could turn the clock back, I would. If I could give the Heisman Trophy back, I would.'"

USC removed Bush's 2005 Heisman trophy from display and the team is banned from playing in bowl games for the next two years.

Southern Cal has also been ordered to distance itself from Bush.
Haden went onto say "I wish I could ask Reggie to come talk to our football team. I can't. He's not allowed on the campus."

In June, the NCAA stripped USC of its victory in the 2005 National Championship game and vacate the entire 2005 season.

Trophy thrills in Indonesia and Malaysia

(Total comments 7)

Indonesians and Malaysians revelled in a rare luxury today as the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola hit their shores. Innumerable football enthusiasts were able to see the hallowed Trophy in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, and the buzz among them was palpable.

"I am very pleased and I thank you for bringing the FIFA World Cup Trophy to our country as part of the international tour,” enthused President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia, where over 10,000 fans attended the event over the course of two days. “I can assure you that the whole nation will be thrilled by this momentous sport event.”

Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was among the many dignitaries who, along with thousands of supporters, witnessed the Trophy in the capital city. Another, Datuk Seri Redzuan Sheikh Ahmad, the Deputy President of the Malaysian Football Association (FAM), said it was “an honour and inspiration for players, fans and the country.”

The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola will travel 83 countries in 225 days, covering 138,902 kilometers in the process, before arriving in South Africa ahead of the 19th edition of the FIFA World Cup.

Hyundai Best Young Player Award

2006 Lukas PODOLSKI (GER)

German hopes of lifting the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ on home soil died with a semi-final defeat by Italy yet for striker Lukas Podolski there was a small consolation in the shape of the Best Young Player award, his three goals for the Mannschaft helping him finish ahead of superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the voting for this prestigious individual accolade.

Born in Poland, Podolski moved to Germany with his parents in 1987 and started playing organised football with FC Jugend 07 Bergheim, in the vicinity of his current home in Cologne. The youthful 'Poldi', a mobile and potent striker even then, soon attracted the attention of Bundesliga club FC Cologne whom he joined in 1995.

His career took off from there. Podolski made his first-team debut at 18 and signed professional forms soon afterwards. However, it was a turbulent period in the history of the three-time Bundesliga champions, who were relegated in the 2003/04 campaign but bounced straight back the following season, Podolski finishing top scorer in the second division with 24 goals. Just a season later Cologne dropped through the relegation trap-door again. By now a regular for Germany, Podolski announced a summer 2006 switch to Bayern Munich in advance of the FIFA World Cup in the same year.

In international terms, Podolski rates as an outstanding product of the German Football Association's (DFB) youth development system. The left-footed striker first pulled on a national jersey in 2001 for his country's Under-17 team, before appearing successively for the U-18, U-19 and U-21 sides. He featured in a total of 21 youth internationals, scoring 12 goals.

He earned his first senior cap on 6 June 2004 at the age of 19 and later that same month had his first taste of a major international tournament as a substitute in Germany's final game of UEFA EURO 2004 against the Czech Republic. Jurgen Klinsmann, who took the Germany helm after that championship, spotted his potential and had his faith repaid as Podolski served up dynamic performances and goals aplenty – beginning with three at the following year's FIFA Confederations Cup.

At the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Germany opened with victories over Costa Rica and Poland before Podolski found the net in the third group fixture against Ecuador, firing home to make the score 3-0. The Round of 16 clash with Sweden rates as Podolski's personal highlight, as he put his country 2-0 up with a brace of goals inside the first 12 minutes to seal the Scandinavians' exit from the tournament.

Germany's goalless quarter-final against Argentina proved one of the most tensely contested matches of the finals and in the deciding penalty shoot-out, Podolski held his nerve and slotted home Germany's third spot-kick, helping the host nation to book their place in the semi-finals. They ultimately had to be content with third place but Podolski's seven appearances on the biggest global stage impressed the experts enough to earn him the plaudits as Best Young Player.

Podoloski's goalscoring touch served Germany well at his next major tournament, the 2008 UEFA European Championship, where he hit three goals to help the Mannschaft reach the final. That same year he was part of a Bayern team that collected the league and cup double yet he never truly settled with the Bavarians and, answering the call of home, he returned to his beloved Cologne in summer 2009.

FC Barcelona wallpaper

FC Barcelona wallpaper

Barcelona Football Club

Barcelona football wallpaper

Barcelona soccer wallpaper

Aquilani admits to Liverpool struggle

Alberto Aquilani believes it would have been easier for him to adjust to Premier League life at Liverpool if the Reds had been in better form.

The Italian midfielder's limited involvement since his summer move from Roma to Anfield has been well documented.

Aquilani was injured at the start of his Reds career and supporters have been frustrated by the length of time it has taken for Rafa Benitez to bring him into the side on a regular basis.

The 25-year-old admits it has been a difficult time but he does not think it was fair that he was expected to be Liverpool's saviour after some disappointing results at the beginning of the season.

"Ideally, I would have been able to start playing in a team that was winning matches," he aid in the Daily Mirror.

"But instead, by the time I was fit, the team was going through a difficult period.

"That made the transition to English football a lot harder. As a foreign player, moving to a new country with different team-mates, it would have been easier for me if I was starting my Liverpool career in a winning team.

"It hasn't been that way, so the pressure has been on me to produce performances straight away - when I have played though I know I can do a lot, lot better."

Aquilani is confident his level will improve now he is getting back into peak condition, while he has told fans they will see his best when the team is at full strength.

"At the moment I am still regaining my fitness after a long time away from football and it will take me time to get back to a level I am happy with - but I don't think I'm that far away," he said.

"The manager has explained to me in detail what he wants me to do for the team.

"When every player is fit, including me, I think it will bring the best out of me, and the fans will see the real player.

"I am happy at Liverpool and am already completely settled.

"It is clear it is a family club and I am grateful for the way I have been treated - and I now want to repay that kindness."

World Cup 2010 Team - England

World Cup 2010 Team-Spain

Players of the decade. Some of the finest players in the Premier League over the past 10 years..

Shay Given

Newcastle 1997-2009, Man City 2009-present

1. A model of consistency for Newcastle United, Shay Given was named in the Premier League Team of the Season for 2001/02 and 2005/06. The Irish stopper was twice picked for the PFA team of the season. Now playing for Manchester City, their new manager Roberto Mancini described him as one of the world's top five goalkeepers.

Rio Ferdinand Leeds 2000-2002, Man Utd 2002-present
Tall, elegant, accomplished centre back, Rio Ferdinand has matured into one of the best defenders on the world stage. Ferdinand has played a major role in United's success of the millennium, winning four Premier League titles, two League Cups and the Champions League. The England international has also been named in the PFA team of the year for five seasons.

John Terry

Chelsea 1998-present
Brave, fearless defender, John Terry puts his head in places where other players would be too scared to put their feet. The England star has skippered Chelsea to two Premier League titles, three FA Cup wins and two League Cup successes. He was named PFA Players' Player of the Year in 2005 and the all-star squad for the 2006 World Cup.

Ryan Giggs

Man Utd 1991-present
Even at the grand old age of 36, Ryan Giggs is still wowing Manchester United fans with his flair and superb goals. His 11 Premier League crowns, four FA Cups, three League Cups and two Champions League wins makes him English football's most decorated player. Giggs has been named in the PFA Team of the Year on eight occasions and voted PFA Player of the Year in 2009. The midfielder is the only player to have scored in every Premier League season.

Roy Keane

Man Utd 1993-2005
Adored by Manchester United fans for his aggressive and physical play, midfield hard man Roy Keane will go down in history as one of Manchester United's greatest captains. Keane helped United to seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups and was named both Football Writers' and Player's Player of the year in 2000.

Frank Lampard

West Ham 1995-2001, Chelsea 2001-present
The England star's work-rate, excellent passing and unbelievable scoring record makes him one of the best all-round midfielders to have played in the Premier League. Won two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and two League Cups with Chelsea, also named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Robert Pires

Arsenal 2000-2006
Robert Pires entertained Arsenal fans with his creative wing play and wonderful goals. He played an integral role in Arsenal's Premier League title success of 2002 and was part of the Gunners' "Invincibles" team that won the Premier League without losing a match in 2004. The Frenchman also claimed three FA Cups, helped Arsenal reach the Champions League final, scooped the Football Writers' Player of the Year in 2001/02 and placed in the PFA Team of the Year three times.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Man Utd 2003-2009
Cristiano Ronaldo struck fear into opposition defences with his lightning pace and fancy footwork. He was the creative force of United's Premier League title success of 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, the Champions League win in 2008, also helping them to the 2004 FA Cup and 2006 and 2009 League Cup triumphs. Among a clutch of personal awards, Ronaldo was voted Premier League Player of the Season in 2006/07 and 2007/08, also voted in the PFA Team of the Year four times and was FIFA World Player of the Year in 2008.

Paul Scholes

Man Utd 1994-present
One of Manchester United's greats, Paul Scholes has played a pivotal role in the Red Devils' glory over the past decade with his precision passing and eye for goal. He has nine Premier League winners' medals, three FA Cups, a League cup win and clinched the Champions League twice. The midfielder has also been named in the PFA Team of the Year for three campaigns.

Patrick Vieira

Arsenal 1996-2005, Man City 2010-present
An influential figure in Arsenal's engine room, Patrick Vieira would effortlessly stop an opponent in midfield with a crunching tackle before swiftly creating an Arsenal attack with an accurate pass forward. Vieira won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups as well as being named in the PFA Team of the Year six times overall. Now back in the Barclays Premier League with Manchester City.

Dennis Bergkamp

Arsenal 1995-2006
Dennis Bergkamp's pin-point passing, vision and ability to score spectacular goals played a part of Arsenal's success at the start of the decade. Playing just behind the centre forward, the Dutch star had the creative licence to impact matches for the Gunners. He won the Premier League with Arsenal three times and has four FA Cup winners' medals.

Paolo di Canio

West Ham 1999-2003, Charlton 2003-2004
The skillful, fiery Italian really sparkled for West Ham United making him a big hit with the Upton Park faithful. Paolo di Canio helped West Ham qualify for the UEFA Cup and scored one of the greatest Premier League goals of all-time with a sublime volley against Wimbledon in March 2000. Di Canio moved onto Charlton Athletic and played his part in their best-ever Premier League finish of seventh.

Didier Drogba

Chelsea 2004-present
The powerful centre forward continues to trouble defences with his physical presence and scoring prowess. His goals have helped Chelsea to two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and two League Cups with the Blues in pole position for another Premier League crown. The Ivory Coast international was the Premier League's top scorer in 2007 and also featured in the PFA Team of the Year.

Thierry Henry

Arsenal 1999-2007
When Arsenal manager brought in this young winger from Juventus, few would have predicted how much of an impact Thierry Henry would have on the Premier League stage. But switched up front, the pacey Frenchman became one of the most lethal strikers in the world. His goals enabled Arsenal to win two Premier League titles and two FA Cups. Henry was the Premier League's top scorer in 2001/02, 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06, voted the PFA Players' Player of the Year twice, and the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year three times. He was named in the Team of the Year on six occasions.

Michael Owen

Liverpool 1996-2004, Newcastle 2005-2009, Man Utd 2009-present
Now starring up front for Manchester United, Michael Owen will be aiming to add to his silverware collection won at his first club Liverpool. Owen was Liverpool's top goal scorer from 1997-2004 and helped the Reds win the FA Cup, League Cup twice, UEFA Cup plus UEFA Super Cup, claiming European Footballer of the Year in 2001. Injury hampered his career at Newcastle United but he still chipped in with vital goals and he has been an effective super sub for United this term.

Wayne Rooney

Everton 2002-2004, Manchester United 2004-present
Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene as 16-year-old for Everton and his precocious talent caught the eye of Manchester United. The England international went on to win the Premier League three times, the Champions League and also the League Cup since moving to Old Trafford and has his sights on even more trophies.

Alan Shearer

Newcastle 1996-2006
Alan Shearer scored for fun in the Premier League, hitting the back of the net 260 times in 441 matches - more than any other Premier League player. His goals contributed to Newcastle's third place Premier League finish in 2003 and to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Ruud van Nistelrooy

Man Utd 2001-2006
The Holland international's goals played a major part in Manchester United's success in the first half of the Noughties. He won Premier League, League Cup and FA Cup winners' medals and was the Premier League's top scorer in 2002/03. But the forward was particularly devastating in the Champions League, top scoring in 2001/02, 2002/03 and 2004/05.

Steven Gerrard

Liverpool 1998-present
The driving midfielder has kept Liverpool tick over the years, the type of player that is never afraid to shirk a challenge while popping up on the big occasions to score crucial goals. Steven Gerrard has helped Liverpool to two FA Cup wins, two League Cups, a UEFA Cup and a Champions League win. Personally, the England player has won the Football Writers' Footballer of the Year award in 2008/09, the PFA Players' Player of the Year honour in 2005/06 and named in the PFA Team of the Year six times.

World Cup 2010 Team - Denmark

Wayne Rooney aside – The curious case of England’s lost generation

Wayne-Rooney-Manchester-UnitedAs we stumble drunkenly and half cocked into a shiny new decade it’s only natural to let our minds wander over the one just passed. The great and the good, the ups and the downs and the fluffy little bits in the middle which are so numerous that I generally find it much better to take a single example to focus on rather than sprawl my gaze over all and sundry. And what better example, as we wake up grumpy and dishevelled in that most glorious and fleeting of decade occurrences, a World Cup year, than the England Team?

The ups and the downs are there, with the ups usually coming from the restoration of expectations so freely destroyed by the often multiple downs, rather than the realizing of the expectations themselves – which never happens with England anyway. The fluffy little bits in the middle are still there, being fluffy all over the shop. And the great and the good..erm, well. Hmmm. Now this is where I get stuck. In fact the more I think about it, the more I decide that the last decade for the English National Team has been almost entirely comprised of the fluffy little bits in the middle. Shall I tell you why?

In the’ 90s, The England Team became a very different beast from its ’80s incarnation. A new generation emerged. Shearer took over from Lineker, Sheringham from Beardsley, Seaman from Shilton and Gazza attempted to live up to his role as the great white hope. Even within the decade itself, an even newer generation emerged on the coat tails of the last. ‘Fergies Fledgelings’ stormed British football, backed up, in as much style, if not as much substance, by Liverpool’s ‘Spice Boys’ and the latest offerings from the perennial International conveyor belt that is West Ham United. David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand Frank Lampard, Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard. David James and even little Joe Cole, all made their first impressions on football in this decade. Some more notably than others, but all, bar Gerrard and Cole, had already gained their first England caps by the turn of the century (with Gerrard making his bow in 2000 and Cole 2001) From the beginning to the end of the ’90s the team had changed completely with only Gazza still considered a real contender from the ’80s crop. And even he was banished by the Hand of Hod in 1998, destined to wander the complex landscape of his own head forever more.

Using this template, one would assume that the same progress and transition would have been made as we fumble and burp our way into a new decade 10 years on. Erm, well no. In fact as we gear up for another crushing disappointment at an International tournament with nothing but our own ludicrous expectations to blame, very little has changed at all. Paul Scholes has retired, but all the rest are still very much in contention, with Forgetful Ferdinand, Fat Frank, Steve Starfish and even Lord David of Beckenham, considered certainties for the trip to the land of the horrendously sounding plastic horns. Were it not for the troubled injury records of messes Owen, Neville and Cole, they would almost certainly be certainties too. So what is wrong with this picture? Do not adjust your sets.

No doubt there will be some who’ll instantly lay the blame at the door of those dastardly foreign hoards who’ve invaded our beautiful English grass with their greasy gringo ways and ‘took our jobs’ so to speak. I’m not one of these people, for I see the globalization of our game as doing nothing but good for the standards of our homegrown players. The fault, unfortunately for Daily Mail readers, lies at our own doorsteps. The generation that should have taken over from the media-christened ‘Golden Generation’ just weren’t good enough. They were there, and still are, but they’ve been lost. Take the right wing for example, a position where we’ll no doubt be more covered for than any other. David ‘Baby’ Bentley, Aaron ‘I can run really really fast but I’m not quite sure what to do with this ball thingy when I get there’ Lennon and Mini Wrighty-Phillipsy will all be clamouring for a chance to displace the mighty Lord David of the holy pants salesmen come the summer, but the likelihood is that we’ll still be relying on the expert passing ability of Golden Balls for sustenance in South Africa. At the very least from the bench. So why? – I hear you scream in frustration.

Well, I can only speculate, but as good a reason as any is the culture in which this generation have grown up. Beckham et al grew up in a footballing world of humility. A world where they still had to clean the boots of the senior players before making the step up. A world before mega hype. A world where you had to work for your Ferrari, not pick it up nonchalantly with your first paycheck. Brazil still produces extraordinary talent yearly, and most Brazilians see football as a way out of poverty. Many, if not most of them, have suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune at some stage of their life. Most peak too early, and seem to lose interest in the game with nothing left to prove or earn by their late twenties. Little (but now Large) Ronaldo (better known as Ronaldinho) and even larger real Ronaldo are both busy proving this as we speak. You can’t blame this lax attitude solely on money of course. Each individual is different. The one shining exception of the ‘Lost’ generation is Wayne Rooney, a player subjected to nothing but hype, fame and riches as soon as he stepped on a professional football field. Yet he has managed to avoid the pitfalls of nonchalance and complacency. But then again he is a once in a generation player. The Gazza of the Noughties, without the madness. One thing that both David Beckham and his replacement in the Manchester United No.7 shirt, Cristiano Ronaldo, share is a fearsome work ethic. Ronaldo is 10 times the natural talent that Beckham was, but both rose to global prominence due to a personal desire to be the best they could be.

So maybe this is what was missing from the ‘lost’ generation – an actual desire to be the best? Can attaining all the material wealth you desire at an early age really explain the loss of this desire? Neither Beckham nor Ronaldo would have faked the death of their Grandmother to go on the lash during the season. But Gazza might have, and George Best would’ve been killing of Grandmothers on a weekly basis. But they were exceptional. They were Ronaldos not Beckhams. Can this trend be bucked by good man management? The kind that Ferguson and Wenger seem so adept at? Could Bentley, Pennant et al have been reprieved with a better mentor? We can only hope, because this generation, bar Rooney, seems irreversibly lost. With Jack Wilshere making strides at Arsenal and Ravel Morrison breezing his way through the United academy system to significant hype, we must hope that the future is bright for England. Because we don’t want to be wheeling Sir David out of his lucrative retirement advertising hair replacement technology on Dave to take last minute free kicks in 2020. Do we?

NCAA Football: TCU, Boise and Cincinnati Still in Nat'l Championship Hunt

The Texas Christian Horned Frogs, Boise State Broncos, and the Cincinnati Bearcats have two things in common. Presently, they're undefeated and still alive for a 2009 NCAA Football National Championship.

Texas and Alabama will be playing in this year's BCS Championship. That's a fact. But what does it really mean when one recognizes what the BCS means, and how these teams arrived in its championship game?

We all know that the BCS has failed again, but this year it has failed miserably. Currently, the system is stuck with five undefeateds, and upon conclusion of the bowls, on Jan. 7, there will still be two left. Maybe three!

Originally, designed to match the two top-ranked teams in a championship game, it was thought of as the first step in the direction of a college football playoff. But through its own biases and faulty ranking system, nothing concrete has changed. This year, as in years before, we will be left wondering who the best team in the land really is.

For one, have you looked at the BCS and how they determined who gets ranked? The BCS ranking system is made up of three equal parts: The coaches poll, the Harris poll, and the computer rankings.

The coaches who vote in the coaches poll don't get a real opportunity to see the teams they are voting for, and they select a preseason poll, which can handicap teams that get ranked low at the start of the season.

At least the Harris poll doesn't release it's first results until week six, but the dignitaries voting are just about as knowledgeable about the teams, as voters in the coaches poll.

The computers are made up of mathematicians like Jeff Sagarin. And although they pride themselves in being totally objective, as opposed to the opinions contained in the coaches and Harris polls, in many cases, their results have left everyone wondering.

The voters on the coaches poll are the same people who started out TCU at No. 17, and Cincinnati didn't even make their top 25. Both teams had to work their way up the ladder all season while Texas and Alabama started in the Top Five.

Texas and Alabama started in the Top Five amongst the likes of USC and Oklahoma, both of whom ended the regular season unranked. Can we all agree that the coaches are pretty much unable to pick their nose?

The Harris poll, as mentioned before, is first released after week six, and all the voters in the Harris poll have to do, is look at the Coaches poll before voting. They don't have to see anybody play, and it's a good guess they don't.

Miami Dolphins color commentator Jim Mandich is a voter on this year's Harris poll. He travels for Dolphin games, preps for Dolphin games, runs a construction company, and has a daily radio show on WQAM in Miami. When does he get a chance to see anyone besides his beloved Michigan Wolverines play football?

One has to wonder how many of the voters have seen TCU play. Have they seen Central Michigan? CMU won 11 games and beat Michigan State on the road. Do any of them know the difference between Central, Eastern, and Western Michigan?

Have any of them seen Temple? Temple won nine games in a row. Have they seen Troy? Troy went undefeated in their conference and won their bowl game.

Temple and Troy aren't top 25 teams, but how do they know?

If the voters are going to vote without seeing the teams, let's let the mathematicians take care of it—they won't have a bias towards name brands.

So there you have it, the BCS is a failed system just based on the selection process. To use a worn out analogy, having these guys pick who plays in the National Championship game is like asking the arsonist to put out the fire.

That's why Cincinnati, TCU, and Boise State are still alive for recognition as the best team in the country and a possible National Championship. One or two of these teams, depending how they perform in their bowl game, has an outside shot to be selected No. 1 by the AP or some other selector.

That's exactly what happened last year to Utah. Utah finished undefeated after beating Alabama 31-17 in the Sugar Bowl, and although a 13-1 Florida team was voted No. 1 by the BCS, and the AP, three other major selectors gave the title to the Utes.

You might remember it happening to USC in 2003. LSU won the BCS National Championship game and USC was selected No. 1 by the AP, New York Times, and five other selectors.

There are 20 other selectors besides the BCS and the AP. Selectors like the New York Times , Sagarin, and Dunkel have been picking National Champions for a long time and frankly, they have a better understanding of what they're selecting than the BCS does—in many cases.

When I look at TCU, and the record the Frogs have produced this season, I honestly question if the wrong team from the state of Texas is playing in the BCS Championship game.

Texas, though undefeated, has struggled in big games. The Longhorns barely beat Oklahoma, 16-13, in the Red River Shootout and we all know what happened against Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship game.

In case you forgot, Texas came within one second of losing to Nebraska. When it appeared the game had ended, and Nebraska won 12-10, one second was put on the clock—just enough for Texas to kick a 48-yard field goal for the win.

TCU had close games on the road at Clemson and Air Force but have steamrolled everyone else on its schedule, including No. 15 BYU and No. 23 Utah.

In this year's bowl games, BYU beat No. 18 Oregon State and Utah beat 8-5 California, both of the Pac 10.

TCU's quarterback Andy Dalton has a top-five quarterback rating. He hasn't passed for 3,000-plus yards because TCU has four runners that have each gained over 500 yards on the ground this year. Has anyone heard of this guy?

Nothing against Texas' Colt McCoy, but if TCU was on television as much as Texas, maybe we'd be talking about Andy Dalton more?

Boise State beat the Pac 10 Champs Oregon on the opening night of the season. The rest of its schedule wasn't as impressive as TCU's, but the Broncos get their chance to make a statement when these teams meet in this years Fiesta Bowl.

And we all know about undefeated Cincinnati! The Bearcats beat No. 18 Oregon State, No. 17 Pittsburgh, and No. 16 West Virginia. They won the Big East and nobody's found a way to stop the Bearcats offense.

They lost their starting quarterback for four games in the middle of the season and they kept going. Now, they've lost their coach!

Brian Kelly, former Cincinnati coach, left for Notre Dame after the Big East Conference Championship. He told ESPN that if Nebraska beat Texas, and Cincinnati made it to the BCS National Championship game, he might have stayed to coach.

Maybe he didn't figure his former team would still be playing for a National Championship. If they can go out and beat Florida, in the Sugar Bowl, they stand a good chance of bringing home at least one major selector's National Championship.

It won't be from the BCS, but who cares. If Cincinnati dominates Florida, although it is an 11-point underdog, the Bearcats likely get a championship. And if the school has any class, they'll do what Joe Paterno did in 1994. Paterno's undefeated Penn State team was denied a National Championship by the Coaches and the AP, but he declared them champions anyways and made rings for the players.

So there you have it. Cincinnati, TCU, and Boise State still have a lot to play for. If one of these teams can put on a huge performance, there's a good chance they will be National Champions.

If Texas and Alabama play an error plagued close game, and if TCU, Cincinnati, or Boise State wins by two or three touchdowns, they may end the season with the AP National Championship!

And that's nothing to sneeze at—it may be more meaningful than this year's BCS trophy.

World Cup 2010 stadiums: where England will be playing in Group C

England will play at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, Green Point Stadium in Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth after being draw in Group C at the World Cup 2010 draw in Cape Town, South Africa on Friday evening.

Match 1: England will face USA at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg

Match 1: England will face USA at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Match 2: England will face Algeria at Green Point Stadium, Cape Town Match 3: England will face Slovenia at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth

CASTROL FIFA WORLD CUP™ PREDICTOR

Two of the world’s most passionate footballing nations, Spain and Brazil, are favourites to go head to head in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Final according to the Castrol Predictor. While Spain seem to be most bookmakers’ favourite, the Castrol Predictor shows that they actually have only a 16.1% chance of glory and are second favourites behind the five time winners Brazil, with a 23.6% chance of success.

View team chances of winning the FIFA World Cup™

Castrol’s analysis shows that the best placed teams to qualify from Group G, the so called ‘Group of Death’, are Castrol Predictor tournament and group favourites Brazil (91.7%) and Portugal (52.4%). Carlos Queiroz’s men cannot afford to be complacent as they are almost inseparable from their group rivals and African favourites Ivory Coast, who have a 50.5% chance of reaching the last 16.

The Castrol Predictor measures past team and player performance and works out the attack and defence ratings of each nation. Then, by simulating the tournament more than 100,000 times and taking into account the draw groupings, Castrol has calculated each team’s chances of progression through the FIFA World Cup™ group stages and ultimately, of winning the world’s most famous trophy.

Castrol has applied the same expertise they apply to the development of their oils to create the Castrol Predictor, using objective analysis and highly advanced technology to offer unique insights into winning performances.

Castrol Ambassador Marcel Desailly says: “I am surprised that the Castrol Predictor shows Brazil as favourites because I really thought Spain were the team to beat this time. I will be hoping that my home nation Ghana does better than predicted as the Castrol Predictor only gives them a 0.2% chance of success! It’s great being able to look at the teams’ predicted success in this way and I’m sure it will be a talking point for football fans everywhere."

Rutgers football notebook: DL Scott Vallone a big fan of Nebraska's Heisman finalist

• LedgerRutgers defensive tackle Scott Vallone (94) is impressed with Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh being one of the finalists for the Heisman Trophy. Scott Vallone generally doesn’t give the Heisman Trophy announcement a second thought. Few defensive linemen do. But that was before Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was among the five finalists Saturday night.

“It’s awesome that he even made it to New York (as one of the finalists),” said Vallone, also a defensive tackle. “That’s a testament to him. He’s a great player. He’s a dominant player.”

Vallone, a redshirt freshman who capped off an impressive debut year as a starter by being named a first-team All-America by College Football News, said he was able to catch a few highlights of Suh during the season as his legend grew.

“What he did, that’s what every defensive lineman wants to be — just a dominant force that can’t be ignored,” said Vallone. “Whole game plans are focused around him and he still had (4½) sacks against Texas. That’s crazy. I’m sure they gameplanned for him too.”

Vallone isn’t at that point yet, but he did offer plenty of promise in starting 11 games this year, recording 36 tackles, with seven tackles for loss and six quarterback hurries.

He heads into Rutgers’ first-ever meeting with Central Florida in the St. Petersburg Bowl familiar with at least one player on the Golden Knights’ roster: Back-up quarterback Rob Calabrese, a sophomore from East Islip, N.Y. Vallone is from Central Islip, N.Y.

“I talked to him a couple times at awards stuff (growing up on Long Island) and I’m friends with him on Facebook,” said Vallone.

• Wide receiver Tim Brown (ankle) skipped a third straight practice, though he did participate in some walk-throughs Saturday.

His status remains uncertain for the St. Petersburg Bowl, with head coach Greg Schiano saying earlier in the week that Brown would be a game-time decision.

“He’s getting better,” Schiano said. “It’s just going to be (is he) better in time to play the game?”

Brown, a senior, is Rutgers’ leading receiver with 51 catches for 1,051 yards.

• With Rutgers players in the midst of final exams while preparing for Central Florida, Schiano said he has generally been pleased with the focus in practice.

“It has been good,” he said. “I can tell they’re tired. (Friday night) we had guys — even (yesterday) afternoon — taking final exams. So there were guys up late studying. There were guys up late writing papers.”

Rutgers will leave for St. Petersburg following a morning practice on Tuesday.

FIFA World Cup Football Fixtures

Friday, 11 June 2010

FIFA World Cup

South Africa v Mexico, Gp A, 15:00

Uruguay v France, Gp A, 19:30

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Saturday, 12 June 2010

FIFA World Cup

Argentina v Nigeria, Gp B, 15:00

England v USA, Gp C, 19:30

South Korea v Greece, Gp B, 12:30

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Sunday, 13 June 2010

FIFA World Cup

Algeria v Slovenia, Gp C, 12:30

Germany v Australia, Gp D, 19:30

Serbia v Ghana, Gp D, 15:00

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Monday, 14 June 2010

FIFA World Cup

Italy v Paraguay, Gp F, 19:30

Japan v Cameroon, Gp E, 15:00

Netherlands v Denmark, Gp E, 12:30

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Tuesday, 15 June 2010

FIFA World Cup

Brazil v North Korea, Gp G, 19:30

Ivory Coast v Portugal, Gp G, 15:00

New Zealand v Slovakia, Gp F, 12:30

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Wednesday, 16 June 2010

FIFA World Cup

Honduras v Chile, Gp H, 12:30

South Africa v Uruguay, Gp A, 19:30

Spain v Switzerland, Gp H, 15:00

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Thursday, 17 June 2010

FIFA World Cup

Argentina v South Korea, Gp B, 12:30

France v Mexico, Gp A, 19:30

Greece v Nigeria, Gp B, 15:00

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Friday, 18 June 2010

FIFA World Cup

England v Algeria, Gp C, 19:30

Germany v Serbia, Gp D, 12:30

Slovenia v USA, Gp C, 15:00

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Saturday, 19 June 2010

FIFA World Cup

Cameroon v Denmark, Gp E, 19:30

Ghana v Australia, Gp D, 15:00

Netherlands v Japan, Gp E, 12:30

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Sunday, 20 June 2010

FIFA World Cup

Brazil v Ivory Coast, Gp G, 19:30

Italy v New Zealand, Gp F, 15:00

Slovakia v Paraguay, Gp F, 12:30

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Monday, 21 June 2010

FIFA World Cup

Chile v Switzerland, Gp H, 15:00

Portugal v North Korea, Gp G, 12:30

Spain v Honduras, Gp H, 19:30

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Tuesday, 22 June 2010

FIFA World Cup

France v South Africa, Gp A, 15:00

Greece v Argentina, Gp B, 19:30

Mexico v Uruguay, Gp A, 15:00

Nigeria v South Korea, Gp B, 19:30

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Wednesday, 23 June 2010

FIFA World Cup

Australia v Serbia, Gp D, 19:30

Ghana v Germany, Gp D, 19:30

Slovenia v England, Gp C, 15:00

USA v Algeria, Gp C, 15:00

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Thursday, 24 June 2010

FIFA World Cup

Cameroon v Netherlands, Gp E, 19:30

Denmark v Japan, Gp E, 19:30

Paraguay v New Zealand, Gp F, 15:00

Slovakia v Italy, Gp F, 15:00

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Friday, 25 June 2010

FIFA World Cup

Chile v Spain, Gp H, 19:30

North Korea v Ivory Coast, Gp G, 15:00

Portugal v Brazil, Gp G, 15:00

Switzerland v Honduras, Gp H, 19:30

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Saturday, 26 June 2010

FIFA World Cup

Winner Gp A v Runner-up Gp B, 16R, 15:00

Winner Gp C v Runner-up Gp D, 16R, 19:30

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Sunday, 27 June 2010

FIFA World Cup

Winner Gp B v Runner-up Gp A, 16R, 19:30

Winner Gp D v Runner-up Gp C, 16R, 15:00

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Monday, 28 June 2010

FIFA World Cup

Winner Gp E v Runner-up Gp F, 16R, 15:00

Winner Gp G v Runner-up Gp H, 16R, 19:30

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Tuesday, 29 June 2010

FIFA World Cup

Winner Gp F v Runner-up Gp E, 16R, 15:00

Winner Gp H v Runner-up Gp G, 16R, 19:30

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Friday, 2 July 2010

FIFA World Cup

Wnr Gp A/R-Up Gp B v Wnr Gp C/R-Up Gp D, QF, 19:30

Wnr Gp E/R-Up Gp F v Wnr Gp G/R-Up Gp H, QF, 15:00

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Saturday, 3 July 2010

FIFA World Cup

Wnr Gp B/R-Up Gp A v Wnr Gp D/R-Up Gp C, QF, 15:00

Wnr Gp F/R-Up Gp E v Wnr Gp H/R-Up Gp G, QF, 19:30

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Tuesday, 6 July 2010

FIFA World Cup

Winner Q/F 1 v Winner Q/F 3, SF, 19:30

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Wednesday, 7 July 2010

FIFA World Cup

Winner Q/F 2 v Winner Q/F 4, SF, 19:30

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Saturday, 10 July 2010

FIFA World Cup

Loser SF1 v Loser SF2, F, 19:30

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Sunday, 11 July 2010

FIFA World Cup

Winners SF1 v Winners SF2, F, 19:30

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All -Time Premier League Top Goal Scorer

The FA Premier League has been home to a number of great strikers over the years, from the classic ‘fox in the box’ to more creative forwards. Fans of Premiership football have witnessed a number of goal-machines since the division started in 1992 and some strikers have racked up a serious number of Premier League goals. Whether it is old-fashioned British strikers or more modern skilful continental strikers, the Premiership has seen them all. Here is a profile of the Top Five all-time Premier League top goal scorers who have scored almost a thousand Premiership goals between them:

5: Les Ferdinand – 149: ‘Sir Les’ is a classic powerful forward, who was good in the air and had one heck of a shot on him. He was a nightmare for Premiership defenders as his robust style of play caused them no end of problems and he was always difficult to deal with. Ferdinand was playing for QPR when the FA Premier League started back in 1992, before his £6 million move to Newcastle in 1995. Alongside Faustino Asprilla and Alan Shearer, he formed a deadly strike force for the Toon and scored 41 league goals in 68 games in what was the most prolific time of his career, which was capped by winning the PFA Player of the Year award in 1996. Ferdinand moved to Tottenham in 1997, before leaving in 2003 after 6 seasons with Spurs. As his career drew to a close, Ferdinand became the first player to score for 6 different Premiership teams, and just missed out on netting 150 Premier League goals in his career.

4: Robbie Fowler – 163: Known as ‘God’ by Liverpool fans, Fowler was born to score goals and was adored by the Kop. Fowler was relatively short at just 5ft 8in, but this didn’t stop him becoming one of the greatest English goal scorers of the modern era. Having signed for Liverpool in 1992, Fowler spent 9 seasons with the Anfield club in his first spell there and banged in the goals for fun. Despite his goal scoring ability, his career was surrounded by controversy, but that shouldn’t detract from his undoubted eye for goal around the penalty area. He won the PFA Young Player of the Year award in both 1995 and 1996, and peaked for Liverpool at this time before a string of injuries started to get the better of him. He left Liverpool in 2001 to join Leeds, where he played for 2 seasons before moving on once again to Manchester City, before returning to Merseyside in 2006, the scene of his best form to this day.

3: Thierry Henry – 174: The French striker took a while to settle in the Premiership, but once he found he place in the Arsenal team as a striker there was no looking back for him. Henry was a key part of Arsenal’s successful side in the early 2000s in which they won the Premiership twice. The Frenchman had pace to burn and was as composed as anyone in front of goal where he became renowned for his trademark curling side-footed finishes. He was not adverse to scoring spectacular goals either and became a legend at Highbury. He spent 8 seasons at Arsenal before moving to Barcelona and remains on the best foreign players to play in the English Premiership and is certainly the most prolific. He was the Premier League’s top scorer for 5 seasons, as well as being selected in the PFA Team of the Year on 6 occasions and winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year Award twice.

2: Andrew Cole – 187: Cole is the classic goal poacher, the ‘fox in the box’ who would pop up with a goal when his team most needed it. ‘Cole the Goal’ made his name at Newcastle where he scored a remarkable 55 league goals in 70 appearances. This led to him being snapped up by Sir Alex Ferguson for £7 million in 1995, a shock move that paid off for Manchester United. Cole could be criticised for his lack of contribution to the team, but the partnership he formed with Dwight Yorke is one of the greatest forward pairings that the Premier League has ever seen. He was part of United’s treble winning team of 1999 and helped the club pick up 5 Premiership trophies. Cole moved to Blackburn in 2001 and subsequently played for a number of Premier League clubs but will be remembered for his time at Old Trafford where he scored 93 Premiership goals at a rate just shy of a goal every other game.

1: Alan Shearer – 269: The England striker stands head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to all-time Premier League top goal scorers and his Premiership stats are almost mind-blowing. Shearer was snapped up by Blackburn from Southampton in 1992 and immediately hit the back of the net on a regular basis. Shearer had every attribute a striker needs, he was powerful, a threat in the air and with either foot, and even had pace at the start of his career before he was hit by a number of injuries. It is a testament to him that he scored so many goals despite numerous career threatening injuries, and kept coming back again and again to illustrate his drive and determination. After winning a Premier League trophy in 1995, he moved to his boy-hood club Newcastle in 1996 for a world record transfer fee and became a true legend. He still holds the record for the most goals in both a 42 and 38 game Premiership season.

Shearer’s record of 269 Premiership goals in 441 games will be hard to beat and the Toon legend may well remain as the all-time Premier League top goal scorer forever. It is hard to envisage that anyone in the current game could overtake his tally, especially as many strikers move abroad and few spend their entire career in England. If Fernando Torres stayed at Liverpool or Wayne Rooney spent his whole career at Manchester United then maybe they could run him close, but the Premiership Player of the Decade has certainly set the bar high.