USC vs Washington

It is pretty clear to people who follow college football that USC has a ton of depth on their roster. Obviously, this is best illustrated by the running back situation. They have at least four backs who would be the feature back in most other programs- Chauncey Washington, C.J. Gable, Stafon Johnson, and Allen Bradford. They aren't the most experienced group, but running back is a position that doesn't require much experience. Blocking is really the only job a running back has that may require experience. Other than that, running comes pretty naturally, especially for USC's talented runners.

The receiving corps for the Trojans isn't the most experienced in the world, but they have as much talent as anyone. Junior Patrick Turner hasn't been extremely productive, and they can definitely expect more from him. After all, coming out of high school, he was the #1 ranked receiver in the nation (not that that means a whole lot). Other talented athletes include the young group of David Ausberry, Ron Johnson, and Vidal Hazelton. Even though they are young and inexperienced, they posses a ton of speed, explosiveness, and are a threat on every play. Probably the most impressive receiver, in my opinion, is emerging leader Fred Davis. Davis is a monster former wide-receiver who can run around defenders, or simply run them over. Look for the Trojans to get the ball to hyped freshman Joe Mcknight. Mcknight is capable of big plays, but he may not be ready for the big time yet. I don't know many names, but I do know that the O-line is also capable of dominating the game for the Trojans.

Defense may be the biggest strength for the Trojans, as they have ten returning starters. Every one of their eleven defenders is a star and capable of taking off someones head at any time. However, I have yet to see them truly strike fear into their opponents and take over a game. They will play well for sure, but they are capable of playing amazing.

As good as USC is, don't be sure that Washington is out of it. Washington has a very exciting quarterback in Jake Locker, who is pretty much the Tim Tebow of the west. They definitely don't have the athletes that USC has on their offense, but they are capable of putting some points on the board. Look for Jake Locker's running ability to be a key for the Huskies. It could also help them convert on crucial third downs. It will be very important for ther offense to avoid turnovers so they don't give the already potent Trojan offense a short field.

As with Washington's offense, their defense isn't star-studded. They are however, a good defense, that plays well together. To be successful, they must make sure tackles and avoid big plays. USC has looked surgical this year in driving the ball down the field, so it may not be enough just avoiding big plays. Washington will also need to create big plays, and maybe score some points on defense.

Washington is over matched in just about every category, and they should be. USC is the #1 team in the nation, and they have been called one of the best, if not the best team ever. Washington is playing at home though, and the weather will probably help them and maybe slow down USC a little. Washington could play very well in this game, but I don't think that they will be able to last 4 quarters. USC just has too much talent. Pete Carroll also has his team extremely focused, and I doubt they will let anything get in their way of another national title. An upset wouldn't have me terribly surprised, and I think Washington could do very well, but I just don't really see how.

USC 37 Washington 17

Sitting in the Boise Airport

I'm sitting in the Boise airport now waiting on a flight to Seattle-this gives me some time to finally write a little. It's been a real pain trying to write down everything that I eat for an entire day. It also stinks looking up the nutrition values of everything. I'll try my best to do it in the future though. I've also had some late-night fast food binges that I haven't accounted for. Sitting in the airport also gives my computer some time to download movies over a faster connection, because the connection in my room is horrible. I'm downloading Donnie Darko. I've honestly never even heard of it, but it was on the list of the top 250 movies on IMDB. Flying is definitely not something I love doing, so I hope the movie will entertain me for at least an hour. I'm going to go sit over by the outlet now----

db

I don't Feel Like Writing

I just finished writing an analysis on Lou Gehrig's "Farewell Speech" for three hours and I'm dead tired of writing. So I'm sorry to say that I will not be writing anything at all about what I did today (so sad).

bye bye

;)

What Did I Eat Today?

After my 7:40 psychology class, I was exhausted (after trying to go to sleep while my room mates were playing Halo 3). So, I went to my room and passed out for several hours. Naturally, this didn't leave me time to eat anything (duh). Before I could grab a bite to eat, it was time to lift weights-no time to eat. Next thing I knew, it was time for study hall. Three hours of study hall-only enough time to buy a protein bar. After study hall, I actually got to go to dinner. ---

Met-Rx Protein Bar- 360 calories, 32g of protein.

2 servings mixed fruit-300 calories, 2g of protein

Soft Serve Ice Cream-350 calories 8g of protein.

2 Servings of Powerade-150 calories

Grilled Chicken Burger-500 calories 40g of protein

Potato Salad- 350 calories 7g of protein

French Fries- 450 calories 5g of protein

This is pretty damn unhealthy but I don't really care right now, and I was hungry. Maybe I'll try and be a little healthier and see how it effects my weight down the road.

Calories 2460 Protein 94g

Halo 3

I'm sure everyone knows that Halo 3 came out today, and it's pretty awesome. The only down side is that my room mates were playing it the ENTIRE night. It took me forever to get to sleep. I hung out with them for awhile and played it, but when it was bedtime, I couldn't get the gunfire out of my head. Halo 3 is a great game, but it's not conducive to sleep. I was tired today.

Halo 3= No rest

latr hatrs

Tough Workout

Today was one of the hardest workouts I've had here so far at Boise State. We did a series of cleans, snatches, and some ab/flexibility work. As hard as the weight was the outside part was definitely harder. We ran up the bleachers a few times and did some other stuff. . .. . it was hard. My legs were serious shaking for an hour after the workout. As hard as it was, it was worth it. You feel so good and pumped up after a long workout, I almost want to work out again----maybe tomorrow. -I also weighed 195 at the beginning of my workout. I usually gain weight during it because I drink so much water.

This reminds me of another CLASSIC video....

What Did I Eat Today?

This is the first day that I've really kept track of the stuff that I eat in one day, so here it is.

1. Slim Fast-180 calories, 10g of protein.

2. Met-Rx Protein Bar- 360 calories, 32g of protein.

That's all I ate until dinner and up until my 5 p.m. workout. (not very much, I was a little hungry)

Dinner

2 servings mixed fruit-300 calories, 2g of protein

Spinach Salad, No Dressing-30 calories 2g of protein

Grilled Chicken Burger-500 calories 40g of protein

Pasta Salad-Healthy-No Mayo or anything-200 calories 5g of protein

Mozzarella Balls-200 calories 15g of protein.

Soft Serve Ice Cream-350 calories 8g of protein.

2 Servings of Powerade-150 calories

Totals------

2270 Calories 114 Grams of Proteing

These numbers are only estimates of course, but I think that they are pretty close. I think I definitely need to eat more, because I'm starting to feel a little hungry now. Someone might order a pizza, and then my calories for the day are going to go through the roof. I'll definitely eat more tomorrow, and maybe cut out the ice cream.

latr

One of My Favorite Videos

It's Time To Start Counting Calories

For the next couple weeks I'm going to write down everything that I eat. I will also weigh myself everyday that I lift. This should give me a pretty god idea of the things I need to eliminate from my diet, and the things I need to add (it should be pretty obvious). I also hope to put some pics up to show how my tan is coming along.

It's time for Sunday Night Football, and maybe a little homework. . .

latr

My Poor Shins

Yesterday I had a good day in the weight room, but the running outside didn't go too well. We were running up the metal bleachers in Bronco Stadium. On the very first one, I slipped and nailed both of my shins on the metal bleachers. One of them got cut so deep you could actually see the bone, it was awesome! I wanted to keep practicing, but I couldn't. I'm fine, but it was funny because it was the first time I've ever seen my coach kind of scared. I would have put up a pic, but I can't because I don't have a digital camera. ;( I'm going to go eat dinner and play some basketball now. (Something just blew up in my room, and I'm the only one here, I seriously almost pissed my pants).

db

You Never Know Who You'll Meet

This is a pic of me running the 100m (bad form I know). I was just looking at this the other day when I realized that the kid on the left of me is in the same dorm as me. How crazy is that?

db

Amazing Highlight Reels

One of the most important things you can do is tape yourself playing your sport. Football is obviously the sport most synonymous with highlight reels, but it doesn't what sport you play! Do you think a coach is more interested in you telling him you long jumped 23'5 or actually watching you jump 23'5? It doesn't matter what sport you are in, college coaches want to see with their own eyes what you are capable of. Plus, with the advent of modern technology you can just post your videos to youtube. No more troublesome VHS tapes to send around.

Here are a couple classic football examples of athletes who had their stock shoot through the roof after their highlight tapes debuted.

Demarco Murray -

He is probably my favorite college running back, just because he is from my home state of Nevada (Ian Johnson, I love you too). He was relatively unknown until this tape was released. Soon after it was released he was a five-star running back and the number 1 multi- purpose back in the nation (although he dropped to 4-stars after a poor performance in his last game). He received offers from every major school in the nation and now attends Oklahoma. He scored 5 touchdowns in his first game as a red-shirt freshman. Would he have ended up in the same position had this highlight reel not created so much hype? Probably. However, needless to say, it didn't hurt things.

Sam Mcguffie -

Sam has been called the "Great White Hope" by many football analysts and it all stems from this one play.

His video has received hundreds of thousands of views on youtube, and has vaulted him into the top 100 player rankings in high school football. Regardless of the video, he is also a great athlete who has run a 4.3 40, a 3.8 shuttle run, and long jumped 23'9 as a sophmore in high school. As good as his numbers were, he didn't really get looked at until this video came out. He now holds offers from major schools like USC and Notre Dame, not bad.

Maybe your video won't get thousands of views on youtube, hell, maybe it will. Regardless, coaches don't want to read about your achievements, they want to watch your achievements. So, make sure you get some good footage.

db

The Decathlon of Wisdom

This was written by my coach here at Boise State, Petros Kyprianou. The profile for him on our website is down so here is another article he has written. (I couldn't get the hyperlinking to work) ;) http://www.decathlon2000.ee/eng/10athlon.php?art=1153&hi=petros

1. You only achieve what you believe. (Ironically, I say that jokingly all the time, but I think that it's true).

2. Have a smart ego and keep a low profile.

3. Be patient.

4. Don't ever quit.

5. Be a learner. Ask for everything you don't understand.

6. Set high goals, be the owner of them, and don't stop until you succeed them.

7. I know I know nothing. (Socrates)

8. Be positive.

9. Listen before you establish a decision.

10. Fight to a finish. . .

Definitely some good stuff to think about.

I'm going to go play some ping-pong now, and hopefully get some rest for my three hours of study hall tomorrow. . .

Wrestling Coach

I got in a big fight a couple days ago with one of the wrestling coaches in the weight room cuz he wouldn't give me a chocolate milk after my workout. I was gonna make a big fuss about it with the athletic admin, but I decided not to. If I see the guy again, I'm just gonna tell him to leave me alone. I did a little write up on it that goes something like this.

"

I am here on a 20 percent scholarship, which isn't bad for an incoming freshman when you consider there are only ten scholarships to divide up between the boys cross country and track teams. I chose Boise State over schools like Idaho State that offered me larger scholarship opportunities. I also chose Boise State over Pac-10 schools like Washington State and Arizona State that offered me scholarships similar to the one offered by Boise State. I dare you to find many people in this school, or area that have ran a faster 40 yd dash than I have (4.41). I am probably the best eligible long jumper at this school (23'5). I am also potentially the best decathlete. I say all this not to brag, but as more of an attempt to give myself some credibility (as I have yet to compete for Boise State). For lack of a better term, I did not come here to screw around, or argue about whether or not I should receive a chocolate milk. I also did not come to this school to be called a “little smart ass” multiple times, and be told to “get the hell out of here”, for doing absolutely nothing wrong. I am a focused athlete and I want to do as well as I possibly can. As well as I can do for myself, and Boise State. I know it may seem silly to be so offended over something as not receiving a chocolate milk, but I feel like he was intentionally trying to intimidate me and be a “big, bad, hard ass wrestling coach” for no reason. I have received chocolate milk and power bars multiple times post workout without a problem.

Scenario-

I asked for a chocolate milk (after an hour and a half workout)...

I was told by a wrestling coach and snack bar manager that chocolate milk was only for athletes who had completed a workout or were on the “weight gain list”.

I responded “I just finished working out and I am also specifically trying to gain weight.” (I had never heard of a “weight gain list”).

He responded “I don't like your attitude, if your not on the 'weight gain list', no chocolate milk”.

I responded “You're kidding me right? (I felt like he was just joking around, but was confused) I just finished working out, and I am specifically trying to gain weight.” I this point I was looking at a sign that says “Chocolate milk and power bars for post-workout athletes. . .” I had just asked for a chocolate milk and he “didn't like my attitude”, I was completely confused.

He responded “You're being a little smart ass and you can just get the hell out of here.”

At this same time two other track athletes who clearly were not on any weight gain list (weight gain would probably be severely detrimental to anything these two athletes want to accomplish, as they are strictly jumpers) bellied up to the snack bar and received their chocolate milks. I swear that the wrestling coach gave me a little nod when he gave the other athletes their milks. At this point, I was furious and on the brink of exploding.

I said one more time, rather sternly, “I have just finished working out, and I am also specifically trying to gain weight.”

He replied “Stop being a little smart ass and just get out of here”.

I paced around for a few seconds contemplating smashing weights on the ground. Fortunately, I decided just to get his name and told him I would find a way to solve the problem. He said he didn't have a problem with that.

I am not trying to go behind anyones back. I tried talking to him and he wasn't listening. I would just like to know why a professional coach was trying to intimidate me and make a scene, when he doesn't even now who I am. I would love to talk to him. I honestly don't think he could come up with a good excuse. I haven't heard of any other track athlete having a problem receiving a chocolate milk (maybe the whole track team is on the weight gain list. If they are, put me on the list).

I am very excited about the opportunities that Boise State has offered me, and I am ready to make the most of them. I just don't want to be pushed around and have anything get in the way of my goals."

I don't know, I just got really super pissed off and I was about to throw weights through the windows.

latr hatrs

Study Hall

Fortunately, study hall was closed for some reason and I didn't have to go. The only problem is that I am five hours short of completing my required eight hours. I bet they're going to give me some sort of a physical deterrent, oh well. . .

Study Hall. . .

One of the things you will definitely notice in college athletics is that schools (at least Boise State) don't want to waste money on their athletes. How can they avoid that? Keep the athletes grades up and the athletes will stay on the field. Here at Boise there is an entire computer lab just for athletes. There is also free tutoring. I came into this school with a 2.0 core G.P.A. from high school (fortunately, I got a 1900+ on the SAT). Needless to say why, the school wants me to spend 8 hours a week in study hall. I have only spent 3 hours this week, so I'm headed off for another 5.

So long. . . .

The Importance of Supplements...

There is obviously a lot controversy about steroids, and growth hormones etc going on in the sports world today. Thank goodness, when you are a young athlete, there is no reason to even let the thought of those things enter your mind. I have been lifting weights for almost five years and have yet to even come close to peaking. Every time I have ever struggled in the weight room, or feared that I might not be gaining strength, I have been wrong. It is amazing what the human body can naturally accomplish on its own.

That said, there are several legitimate ways to enhance ones strength, speed, and endurance.

Protein- Whether it's in the form of a protein shake, or grilled chicken breast, it is important to receive at least 100 grams of protein a day. Many people will tell you to eat a gram of protein for every pound you weigh. I'm not sure about that, but regardless, you should make sure to drink plenty of water as protein can be a little rough on the kidneys.

Multi Vitamins-Try a simple Multi Vitamin like Centrum. You don't need to take any fancy vitamins made specifically for athletes.

Creatine -(don't take if it isn't approved by your sporting organization)-I am currently not taking creatine, but it can be one of the most effective supplements you will ever take. Creatine is widely available in red meat. However, it is ruined when you cook the meat. I could go on forever on the benefits of creatine, but I will just say that it basically makes you're muscles a little swollen and allows you complete more reps, which in turn makes you stronger. I suggest purchasing cheap raw creatine monohydrate and mixing it with juice. It is also very important to drink plenty of water while taking creatine. It may not be the best idea to take creatine during times when speed is of crucial importance, because of the potential for weight gain. I would stop taking it about a week before you want to peak for a race, or a running of a 40yd dash for example.

NO2, Hemodilators-Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate is an advanced form of the amino acid Arginine used by bodybuilders and athletes to prolong the muscle pump, accelerate muscle growth, and speed recovery. Basically, it lets more blood into your muscles and increases the "pump" that you feel. Once again I think it's best to buy Arginine in bulk on the cheap and take it right before your workout. You WILL notice the difference.

These are just the basics, and there are several other supplements worth looking into that I will talk about later.

The most important thing is to combine the supplements you take with a well-balanced diet that is low in fat.

I'm done for now, I will make sure to talk about weight gain/loss in the future.

db

First Post- Hello World

In this blog I will be talking about everything that goes on in college athletics. Everything from recruiting, to the weight programs, to campus life.

I am currently a freshman on the Boise State track team. I compete in long jump, and am also running the decathlon. I am on a partial scholarship (an especially competitive process for track athletes that I will talk about later).

In high school I also played football and ran the fastest 40 yd dash time of any player in my state of Nevada (4.41). I received several D-1A recruiting letters letters just for my speed. I will talk about the importance of the 40 yd dash for you football players at a later date. In track, my best long jump was 23'5 and my best 100m dash was 10.9. I never actually competed in the decathlon.

I chose to go to Boise State because I feel like they give me the best chance to succeed. Plus, I like the coach and he wants me to do the decathlon which should be a good event for me.

Bye for now. . .