Friday Morning Links

1. O'Brien vs. Davis: LINK
NCSU: “We’re the best football program in the state, without question,” O'Brien said. “We are the state university and we expect to be here.”
UNC: Davis said, “...Before anybody anoints themselves, I’d say there probably needs to be some time invested into the programs, and then we’ll see what happens.”
LJ: I really hope O'Brien dropped a "41-10" around Davis in Greensboro a couple of weeks ago. Maybe it would let Butch know he needs to hold his own in the state. I guess it would help inspire Butch more if NCSU could post a winning season...
PT: Fact: O’Brien is 6-1 against the Division I schools in the state. Included in that is a 2-0 record against Butch and all is star recruits. I loved reading all the quotes from Tar Heel players at last year’s ‘Muffler Bowl’ saying they felt like they should be playing in the Orange Bowl? Really???? You were 4-4 in the conference, and that was while playing in the weaker division.


2. ACC/SEC Comparison (with a twist): LINK
LJ: "Southeastern Conference diehard football fans have claimed for years that the SEC is a superior conference...However, NFL general managers, coaches and scouts might beg to differ." Steve Dorsey makes some great points by looking at the talent farmed into the NFL by both conferences, but why can't the ACC coaches win big with said talent? I guess it's spread around the league evenly with every team then (exception Duke & UVA)? This year will show what direction the programs are going.
PT: It is rather simple. To be a great team in college, you need solid play at the quarterback position. There has been a void in the ACC over the last few seasons, while at the same time the SEC has had guys like Tim Tebow, Jamarcus Russell, and Matthew Stafford. The universal poor quarterbacking in the ACC has leveled the field to where everyone has a chance.

3. Insure Your Fantasy Team (you read that right): LINK
LJ: Fantasy Sports are spectacular but they carry a certain stigma about them. Imagine the guy that buys a gal a drink and opens with:
Fantasy Insurer: "I'm in the insurance business."
Bar Gal: "Really (hair toss)...what kind (blink, blink)."
FI: "Fantasy Sports Insurance."
BG: "(Turns shoulder) I am really giving you your drink back."
PT: This gives the insurance business a bad name. Ridiculous.

4. Ocho Cinco: A Man of Many Talents

LJ: Is Ocho Cinco a prima donna? Yes. Is he entertaining? Yes. If you are on Twitter he is worth a follow: http://twitter.com/OGOchoCinco. He was up until 4 a.m. last night talking about his kick, among other things.
PT: It was a great kick. If John Kasay had done this in the Super Bowl a few years ago, the Panthers should have a ring. I cannot wait to see Hard Knocks next week to see the reasoning behind him kicking.

5. What is that growing on your face: LINK
LJ: Maybe I'm just jealous since I cannot even grow a full mustache...
PT: The winner has to be the one of Drew Gooden. How does it get like that? And it is wet!!