Behind The Scoreboard - Claude Vinson


Thursday, November 8, 2012
Community \| Obits \| Editorial & Columnists \| Society \| Sports \| Education \| Classified Ads \| Calendar of Events \| Features \| Newsbriefs \| Legals \| Archives \| Subscriptions \| New Photo Gallery

Click Here for the E-Edition of
The South Reporter

Click Here For Full Version

Behind The Scoreboard
By Claude Vinson

Big weekend

Folks, let me warn you that you might find this particular column analytical at times and at others critical. And don’t be surprised if you have both at once – analytically critical.

To set the stage for you, this was yet another big weekend in the collegiate football world. First and foremost, it doesn’t look as if we lost any of our slots in the top 25. However, the Miss State Bullies could slip a bit after being waylaid by the upstart Texas A&M Aggies. They were 16 (Aggies) and 17 (Miss State) before A&M romped over them in the first part of the game. State held the edge (3-2) in these meetings before the two became cellmates. They beat the Aggies six days after Christmas 12 years ago (43-41) in the Independence Bowl in a snowstorm. Not being overly critical, the Bullies had some bruises from the week before. They really could have used another snowstorm.

I am going to be downright punitive toward the ole alma mater. OK, Georgia was ranked number 7 and beat Florida. But the Rebels knew there were chinks in their own armor and where they were. The Razorbacks showed them that the week before. They led the Bulldogs 10-0 at the beginning. What happened? Ole Miss, you need another victory for bowl eligibility. Of the three games left, Vanderbilt just might be the weakest (but don’t bet on it).

Games mentioned above were not watched by this writer because of when they were being played. Along with other knights of council 8760 of the Knights of Columbus, I was taking donations in front of Wal-Mart for our annual Tootsie Roll Campaign to help the mentally challenged. So we were fed tidbits of stats all afternoon.

There was quite a bit of interest in the Notre Dame-Pitt contest. The Irish is looked upon as a possible BCS opponent for the Crimson Tide. Would love to see it, but I don’t think Notre Dame is going to last that long (they did outlast unranked Pitt through three overtimes).

These comments about Alabama-LSU are more analytical than critical. I have stated from day one that the Tide is “my horse” no matter how many races they run. One has to admire the way Nick Saban managed the game. Their lack of high productivity in quarters one and three were studies in resolve and no one came unglued. They took the mistakes in stride and bucked back in two and four. It’s further testimony and proof that they are arguably the best college football team on the planet. After it was all over, one could only take a big gulp of Kool-Aid and say “whew!”

The NFL was also brought up from time to time during the course of the day. And the Falcons, 49ers and Cowboys were mentioned often as persons stopped by to generously make donations. Mayor Andre’ DeBerry stopped by to make a donation and someone asked him, as he was leaving, if the Dallas Cowboys were going to Super Bowl 47. The mayor replied with the perfect caveat, “Sure, if they buy a ticket.”

Report News: (662) 252-4261 or southreporter@dixie-net.com
Fax: (662) 252-3388
Questions, comments, corrections: southreporter@dixie-net.com
The South Reporter
P.O. Box 278
Holly Springs, MS 38635
©2004, The South Reporter, All Rights Reserved.
No part of this site may be reproduced in any way without permission.
The South Reporter is a member of the Mississippi Press Association.

Web Site managed and maintained by
South Reporter webmasters Linda Jones, Kristian Jones
Web Site Design - The South Reporter

Back | Top of Page