News-Record.com

I have a confession to make.

After initially being creeped out by the plastic-faced perpetually smiling king on those new Burger King ads, the funky looking fella in tights is starting to grow on me. I particularly like those ads in which The King is spliced into NFL highlights.

Apparently so do other people. Check out the photo on the bottom left of this collection, apparently from a recent FSU game.

Now, I'm not condoning running on the field during a game, and I'm guessing this guy was probably arrested shortly after the photo was taken. But I've got to admit this one gave me a chuckle. I'm betting the guy that ran on the field in Cincy on Sunday and stole the ball from Brett Favre is wishing he'd thought of this.

I'm trapped in the bowels of the RBC Center, so I can't get any breaking news reports. But if, by chance, there are reports of Canadian troops massing at the border and planning an assault on Buffalo, here's an explanation why.

N.C. State is playing an exhibition against the University of Guelph, a school in Ontario about 30 miles southwest of Toronto. That means the Canadian national anthem has to be played before the game.

Apparently though, no one told the first string organ player at the RBC. Midway through a few notes were missed and the whole rhythm of the song broke down.

Then things got really bad.

By the time the organ player had stumbled to the end, I was having flashbacks to the time Carl Lewis mangled the Star Spangled Banner. Really, it was that bad.

So, in order to avert an international incident, allow me to apologize to the Great White North on behalf of peace-loving Americans everywhere.

I believe we have averted an international crisis. After much in-depth reporting (i.e. loudly complaining in the press room about how horrible the Canadian national anthem was) I have since learned that the anthem that was played was actually a recording and that - apparently - there were a few scratches on the CD.

Hope you understand Canada. Unfortunately though, I still have no explanation for all that acid rain we keep sending across the border.

I'm going to try to explain the logic behind my pick in N.C. State's game at Boston College on Saturday.

As a wise man once said - perhaps just before cracking a coconut over the head of Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka - "Just when you think you know the answers, I change the questions!

The same could be said for the Wolfpack this season. Just when we think we know what this team is really about, they turn in a performance that throws our previous assumptions out the window.

After State narrowly lost to Virginia Tech, this looked like a team that could make a run for the ACC title game in Jacksonville. The exuberance in Raleigh didn't seem that irrational.

Two weeks later, State laid an egg in the second half against UNC. The second half was so bleak - the offense stagnated, the defense was a sieve - that we all knew what was going to happen the next week at Georgia Tech. Plus, the Wolfies never won in Atlanta.

So what happened? Yep, State pulled off the win.

That gave the Pack plenty of momentum heading home to play Clemson. A tight contest was expected by all, so naturally, State got clubbed, 31-10. Worse yet, State's run defense was horrid against Clemson. One could only imagine how bad it would be against Wake's vaunted misdirection.

Of course, State stuffed Wake's running game. Nine times out of 10, if the Wolfies hold in the Deacs in check on the ground, they win. This was that one other time, thanks to horrid quarterback play.

Everyone spent the next week wondering just how well a new QB - Marcus Stone - would play against Southern Miss. Everyone left that game talking about how well the new RB - Andre Brown - ran in the 21-17 win.

Still, we all knew that Brown couldn't duplicate such an effort against FSU's stingy D. Naturally, that's just what Brown did in the 20-15 upset.

Sensing a pattern here? Take the conventional wisdom, stand it on its head, and you have State's performance in almost every game this season.

That brings us back to Boston College. State's on a roll now, so you would think that you'd want to go against the expected and pick the Eagles to dominate in Chestnut Hill.

You'd think. But by now, State has done the unexpected so many times that it's become, well, expected. So in reality, the unexpected thing here for State would be to actually follow the apparent trend and continue to play well, knocking off the Eagles.

In other words, the unexpected thing here is to do the expected, rather than unexpected, which we've all come to expect from State.

Got it? Remember, you heard it heard it here first.

For the record, I support the use of instant replay in both the NFL and in college football. But, if it's not going to be applied fairly or judiciously, then what's the point?

Sunday's example comes to you from Tampa Bay: There was about one way, and one way only, Mike Alstott got the ball in the end zone on the Bucs' game-winning two-point conversion: In his helmet. That's all that crossed the goal line.

Of course, replays showed the ball was actually tucked in his right elbow, which was clearly down outside the goal line. But, hey, who wants to face Chucky when he's mad, or 40,000 drunk Floridians? So the officials (in the booth, if not on the field) demonstrated gutlessness and let stand a call that seemed reasonable when made.

These are the kinds of tough calls that I'm seeing time and again officials not willing to make late in games in packed stadiums where the home crowd stands to lose if the call's reversed.

Did I say "gutless"? OK, upon further review, the word stands.

And, while I'm picking on referees, I'll let John Bunting vent a little at your neighborhood blog about what he considers a bit of overzealousness on the part of game officials to keep on-field celebrations tasteful.

After Saturday's 33-30 OT loss, which moved the Heels to the edge of bowl elimination, Bunting had this to say about Kareen Taylor holding the ball off to the side before he crossed the goal line on a 4th-quarter interception return:

"If there's one thing that bothers me about this game of football, it starts with the NFL ... They've gotten away from stopping all the absolutely foolish and unnecessary attention-drawing shenanigans and stuff that when I was playing they didn't allow. And now it's the thing to do in that league, every individual trying to outdo another.

"It's unfortunate that it happens in that league. But at the college level they say you're not supposed to celebrate excessively, and you're not supposed to taunt. The referees told me that Kareen Taylor taunted by holding that ball with one hand as he crossed the goal line."

Is that a taunt?

"I'll tell you this," Bunting said, "when I scored a touchdown against Maryland my senior year, I know that I held the ball up over my head as I crossed the goal line. I guess I should've been called for taunting."

Yes, count me squarely among those who is oh so happy to have Steve Spurrier back in the college game.

Why? Two reasons.

One - I'm a native South Carolinian and a life-long fan of the Gamecocks. Beating Tennessee and Florida in the same year? That's good enough for sanctification in my book.

Two - As a journalist, I'm always fond of a guy who can give a good quote. And as Spurrier showed after Saturday's win, he's still at the top of his game. Check out this little grenade he tossed over to former arch-nemesis Bobby Bowden and the Seminoles.

"They've got three losses and they're still in the [ACC title] game?" Spurrier asked. "Guess they picked the right division to be in this year."

For more good stuff on Spurrier - and even if you hate him, you still have to read about him, don't you? - check out Stewart Mandel's weekend rewind for SI.com.

I've gotten a pretty big amount of response on the message boards - as well as one very irate voice mail from a BC alum in DC - about the note I wrote on Tuesday concerning the wet field when Boston College played N.C. State.

I thought it was an interesting side note to the game, which is why I included it. However, upon further review, there are two things I wished I'd changed about it.

One - rather than writing that "a likely explanation" for the watering was that it was an attempt to slow down N.C. State, I should have used the word "possible."

Two - I should have done more research - and to be honest it wouldn't have taken that long - to confirm that it is not extraordinary to water an artificial turf like BC's. And I should have included that in the article as context.

However, the info I found doesn't completely erase the possibility that a little gamesmanship was involved. Here's the description about when field turf should be watered.

"First, if the watering is needed for cooling or playability requirements, the watering will take place shortly before the game and in some cases in between halves."

Certainly no need to worry about cooling the surface in Boston in November, so that one's out. As for playability, I'd have to wonder about that as well, considering the watering served to make the surface very difficult to play on - i.e. very slippery.

One final thought on this. There's really no need for BC fans to feel unjustly accused about this or for State fans to feel like they got jobbed. As Chuck Amato said, it's all about home field advantage. It's the same reason slower teams leave their grass long and faster teams cut it short. There's nothing wrong with it. It's part of the game.

This was bound to happen. I'm sorry for posting this story a couple of days late, but it's still worth reading, from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune regarding Rashad McCants' recent ejection for taunting. McCants might have a solid case regarding the double-standard in the NBA that rewards veterans with favorable calls and penalizes rookies unfairly. In fact, of course he does. But he's not about fixing the league's age-old problems.

This gem of a line might sound vaguely familiar to UNC followers, as it reminds us that, for Rashad, it's not about the NBA, it's about Rashad:

"It's just the disadvantage of being me," McCants said. "What I did [Sunday] night was who I am."

Apparently so, and quite a diabolical one. Well, is there any other kind of serial killer? Here'a story that came up on a Google News Alert today, obviously not about the Tar Heels coach but a guy in Adelaide, Australia, who liked to kill people in vats of chemicals.

If this guy ever becomes a household name like Charlie Manson, that would be an unfortunate inconvenience for UNC's John Bunting, much like what Mike Bolton went through in "Office Space." Of course, he held firm, reasoning about the singer of the same name: "Why should I have to change my name because of that no-talent a**-clown?"

This week at Radio Free Sports: News & Record sports writers Jeff Carlton, Rob Daniels and Jim Young discuss what makes Clemson-South Carolina and Auburn-Alabama football rivalries worth spilling blood over while other state rivalries fall short. Where might N.C. State go bowling? And will Navy blockade them out of San Diego? Most importantly, who besides the former A-Team star would we like to do voice-overs for our in-car GPS systems?

Why? Because Rob loves athletes with great names. Guys like I-Perfection Harris and Majestic Mapp. Or girls like Peaches Squirrel.

This one has to be added to the all-time list.

Playing at center for the Stetson Hatters ...

Chief Kickingstallionsims!!!!

Yep. I've confirmed it. Thought it might be some inside joke on the Stetson roster, but I went to the media guide and there he is.

Chief's 7-1 by the way, and his nickname is Dizzle Fizzle.

If only the upcoming State-Stetson game was this exciting.

How are the two connected, you ask? In two depressing ways.

One, I did not catch a single down of Bush's electrifying 513 all-purpose yard effort against Fresno on Saturday night. Instead, I was watching Iron Chef America with my wife. Such are the sacrifices that come with married life, I'm afraid. Plus, after spending 11 hours in Raleigh on Saturday watching State beat down Middle Tennessee State in football and The Citadel in basketball, I was all sportsed out. I know, that's no excuse.

Second, as I was mulling over Bush's greatness this morning, this though popped into my head:

"You know, USC hasn't used him as an every down back. I wonder if he'll be in a platoon when he goes to the NFL. That would really kill his fantasy football value."

Yes, yes, it is a strange, twisted world that inhabits my head. And it's gotten even darker since I found out McNabb's going to have surgery and probably won't be back this season. Goodbye fantasy football season title.

Sniff, sniff.

Was that former N.C. State cornerback - now a Vikings rookie - Dovonte Edwards returning an interception for a touchdown on Monday night football? Why yes, yes it was!

Who'da thunk it? Not me.

For those out there who don't think Virginia Tech fans have a sense of humor when it comes to football, here's a fun Web site to contradict the inevitable calls from disgruntled UVa fans to fire Al Groh. In C'ville, Groh's long-term contract is looking a lot the albatross that was Pete Gillen's 10-year deal.

He's been away for a while, or I just haven't been around for his late-afternoon wacko fits: But today marked the return of Crazy Bicycle Guy to Market St., where he delivered one hell of a fist-pumping rant at the News & Record offices as he walked his bike up the street. Not to be confused with Duke's Crazy Towel Guy, this rumpled character apparently harbors some longstanding grudge against the newspaper, which for those of us next to a window in the sports department, is at least good for entertainment purposes.

CBG once told me: "Those turkeys can't prove anything." I'm still trying to corner him for a follow-up interview. Prove what?

Oh, and on that note, happy turkey day.

Just came back into the press room here at the RBC to see that Duke is ... up by two? Over the Drexel Burnham fighting junk bonds? What in the heck is going on?

Other things that are perplexing me: State now has a video it show pregame leading the fans in a cheer in which they clap in rhythm to the school fight song. That's not so confusing, but then the guy on the video calls the cheer a "new tradition."

How exactly do you have a new tradition? File that under jumbo shrimp and working press in the oxymoron hall of fame.

Every time I hear the Virginia Tech band play the Imperial March from "Star Wars" tonight -- and I know that they will -- I'll be checking over my shoulder for Darth Vader. That's because, much like the Death Star in "Return of the Jedi," the Lane Stadium press box remains a work in progress. It was supposed to be fully operational in August, Tech beat writer (and former N&R intern) Kyle Tucker tells me, but the project is WAY behind schedule.

The elevators aren't entirely reliable, there's sawdust on press row and the smell of fresh paint everywhere. Apparently, the UNC game is the first week they've had carpeting in here.

Still, it's pretty impressive how this stadium has evolved into Southwest Virginia's ultimate hot spot. Lane Stadium and the football facilities have expanded quite a bit from 15 years ago, when Tech football was barely relevant.

Miami has just beaten Virginia -- unimpressively, I might add -- which takes the pressure off the Hokies. They've clinched the Coastal Division title an hour before kickoff. That could be good news for the Heels, who may now face a softer, less focused Tech team. Not counting on that, I'm sure.

You're supposed to "wear flowers in your hair," according to that groovy 60's song. But in 2005, if you're a fan of a certain unfortunate ACC school, you'll be wearing your team colors.

Yes, San Francisco and college football go together like ... well, I don't really know what analogy to draw here.

Why do I bring this up? Because this weekend, the ACC confirmed what we'd already suspected - that the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco will be inviting an ACC team to square off against Utah. That means that all eight bowl-eligible ACC teams will have a bowl to attend. That also means that someone will have to trek cross-country to play in an otherwise forgettable bowl in a city that probably has more Deadheads than college football fans.

But don't tell that to Utah fan. Nope, he's already started the trash talk. At least, some guy with the email moniker DBorg (Bjorn's younger brother, Dwayne?) sent this salvo to my in-box this morning.

"what abourt NC State playing Utah in the Emrald Bowl?? Quess you think your Team is to good to play Utah?"

(Spelling errors were left as is to give you the true feel of the message)

First things first. State is not "my team." I only cover the Wolfpack. I do not give money to the Wolfpack Club and the State athletics deparment sure as heck ain't paying me.

Second, my story in today's paper merely offered an analysis of where I thought State would likely wind up. Not where I wanted them end up (Orlando, anyone?).

Third, as anyone who knows anything about bowls will tell you, teams are chosen based on how well they travel and how many people will watch the game on television. It doesn't really matter which team is more deserving, etc. So saying a team will play in Boise, and not San Francisco, doesn't mean that the team is too good for the team already committed to play in San Fran.

So, to answer your question, Mr. Borg, I don't know if N.C. State is "to good" to play Utah. But I do know that very few, if any, Wolfpack fans want to travel all the way to the West Coast to find out.

I know everyone's turned their attention to UNC basketball (the freshmen look pretty darned good, by the way, as I'm watching the Heels take on the Illini) but did you happen to catch the comments of a former UNC football star, Dre Bly?

If not, you gotta check out this story in the Detroit Free Press.

If you don't have time to read it, here's the gist of it. Detroit stinks, Steve Mariucci has been fired and Dre Bly thinks it's mostly the fault of Joey Harrington.

I'm not saying Bly's off base here. After all, Harrington has never done much as an NFL QB. And Detroit has spent the past three drafts putting talent around him, to no avail. But isn't there some sort of NFL locker room code against publicly calling out your teammates for incompetence? I've got to wonder what Harrington ever did - aside from being terrible on the field - to engender such public disdain. Did Eric Hipple ever get this treatment back when he set the standard for awful Detroit QBs?

On a serious note, what do you do if you're Harrington? Do you duck your head, bide your time and wait until the season is over so you can just get out of Dodge? (That seems to be his method of dealing with this) Or do you fire back and remind Bly that, um, it' s not like Dre's been the second coming of Deion Sanders since he signed with the Lions for a lot of bucks?

I'm not normally one to advocate public sniping in the press, but if I'm Harrington's agent, I think I tell him to hit back and continue the mudslinging. At some point, Harrington's going to have to walk into another NFL locker room and gain the respect of his teammates. If they see him skulk away from this confrontation without a word, I don't know how he can do that.

First off, Jim, I recall Eric Hipple has actually once led the Lions to the playoffs. How many of his successors can say the same? OK, so it was a strike year and the playoffs were expanded, yada, yada, yada. Still.

But on the point about Bly needing to shut his mouth rather than violating the NFL locker-room commandment, "Thou shalt not throw a teammate under the bus," Detroit Freep columnist Mitch Albom is in full agreement. Read here. And so am I.

Interestingly enough, Bly has taken over for Phil Ford as the Rams Club's pro-athlete fundraiser contact. So, this episode begs the question: What's he saying about UNC quarterbacks while trying to raise a few bucks for scholarships? I'm picturing something like this: "Yo, Willie, send some daneiro Chapel Hill way cuz the Heels can't win with guys like Matt Baker and Joey Bozich playing QB. If only Darian Durant still had some eligibility left."

Getting back to the Lions, I point the finger at Matt Millen. How about spending a high-round draft pick on an offensive lineman instead of a receiver occasionally? Detroit has the worst pass protection I ever did see.

As I type this, N.C. State just turned the ball over ... again. Iowa's now ahead, 37-35, with five minutes remaining. The two teams have combined for 40 turnovers.

The best comment of the night has come from Rick Majerus:

"I don't think this is what Dr. Naismith envisioned."

If you're a State fan, I know you're rolling your eyes right now and muttering something about the Wolfpack's usual December game where the offense stagnates.

But look on the bright side, State's playing horribly on offense (they just committed a 10-second backcourt violation!) and yet they are still within four (well, now six) of the No. 14 team in the country with four minutes remaining. So at least the defense is solid.

I know, that's not very comforting right now.

24 turnovers and counting ...