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Time-Out I'm taking a break from my hectic schedule. After another wonderful Street Turkeys event....it's time that I chilled out and got my priorities straight for the year ahead. I would like to thank everyone who participated in our 8th annual Street Turkeys celebration....we had another great turnout and there will be tens of thousands of people that will benefit from your generosity and goodwill. There was over $15,000 raised, over 1,500 turkeys and 7,500 pounds of food that will all go to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and Loaves and Fishes. It's my understanding that Wilmington, which celebrated its second Street Turkey event, also had a tremendous turnout, too. As if I have enough stuff to work on, it's my goal to have every affiliate and their market create a Street Turkey event in 2011. This year has been especially busy with the daily radio and television gigs, speaking engagements, sponsor events, blogs, not to mention the best Southern Fried Football™ Tour that we've ever experienced....I realized that I need some time off to concentrate on some additional projects that I'm working on in addition to getting caught up with my wife and kids, too. I still look forward to seeing everyone at our final Southern Fried Football™ Tourstop this weekend in Charlotte....I love the commute....be sure to log onto www.southernfriedfootball.com for all the details. I know the Charlotte organizers for the upcoming ACC title game have to be a little bummed out with the Wolfpack losing to Maryland, which allowed FSU to grab the invite. Nothing against Florida State....their fans will be excited and they will spend their cash coming to the Queen City looking for a title in Jimbo Fisher's first season as coach. But NC State would have been the preferred choice...even if nobody will admit it. Either way, Charlotte is going to look like a savior when the Hokies and Noles square off for the championship. After dreadful attended title games recently in the Sunshine state, Charlotte will look like a jewel. Let's face it, the ACC was politically correct in awarding Jacksonville and Tampa the chance to host the title game. Now the league will get to experience its final destination. Charlotte should be the permanent home of the ACC Football Championship game. Randy Shannon is out as head coach of the Miami Hurricanes. I'm not surprised. The Canes are loaded with talent, and Shannon should get credit for that accomplishment. However, on gameday, Miami was just another team....and therein lies the problem. This Canes team is surely better than the 7-5 mark that they just posted....and there had to be a change. I've always believed that a coach should get five years to turn around a program, but in this day and age, some schools and coaches don't have that luxury. While the school goes through the hiring process, it will be interesting to see if the school can land a big name coach as the post-season bowl schedule approaches. Miami is not the easiest of jobs, and you can tell by the 50,000 empty seats that were present for their last game against Skip Holtz' squad. The area is a fertile recruiting center, but the school doesn't have the same raucous following as their in-state neighbors to the North. It's a tough job....but given the current status of ACC football, the Canes are past due to be a factor in the conference. I can't wait for the Auburn-South Carolina title game this weekend in Atlanta. Both teams are rolling and fresh off beating their in-state rivals on the road. Auburn's win was simply spectacular. Down 21-0 before generating their first first down, Cam Newton and Co. methodically got back into the game and held on for a stunning 28-27 victory. Auburn has been doing this magic trick all season....and now you just expect the Tigers to find a way to pull it out. On the flipside, the Gamecocks beat-up Clemson....again. It wasn't even close or competitive. For the second year in a row, USC has bragging rights in the Palmetto state and it's been a while since the Gamecock faithful can make that claim. In fact the last time it happened was forty years ago back in 1970. This USC team is playing with great confidence and balance. They can run it, throw it and they play great defense. The rematch with Auburn is going to be a good one....and with the exception of Arkansas, there is no doubt that these are the two hottest teams in the SEC. Atlanta will be rocking on Saturday. The ACC-Big Ten Challenge gets underway again this week, and the Midwestern kids are looking to keep the belt. Last year the Big Ten finally won the "challenge", and based on what I've witnessed so far this season, they've got the chance to do it again. I like the depth of the Big Ten more than the ACC....but we'll see how that plays out. One thing is not up for debate and that is the Duke basketball team. I know the Blue Devils are the defending champs, and that was last year. What I've seen so far, there is no doubt that Duke is by far the best team in the land. I'm not sure I can tell you who is #2....but the best team plays in Durham. And right now, it's not even close. I know we have a long ways to go before we're cutting down the nets in the Final Four....but is there any doubt that Coach K will have his team improving as the season progresses? Kyrie Irving has been fantastic and teamed up with Nolan Smith in the backcourt, Duke can beat you in so many ways. They have terrific shooters, size, great guard play....and Coach K. You don't have to like them....but you have to appreciate the way this team gets after it. |
Packman
on Sports Commentary
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