Doomsday Hill – 8 Weeks Away

Brian

NikeFlyknitLunar1 When me and my wife decided to visit friends in Spokane, Washington I had no intention of entering a race. Let alone the famous (probably infamous depending on who you talk to) Bloomsday 12K.

Originally, we had planned to visit over Memorial Day, but flight prices increased around the middle of May so we bumped our potential dates up a few weeks. Turns out the first week of May worked great for everyone, and one of our friends is actually running the Bloomsday 12K. Being a runner, I was roped into participating as well.

Now, I haven’t trained for a race in a long time. Currently, I use running to stay in shape for other things like basketball and surfing. Also, the last race I really trained for was just a 5K. I’m faced with having about eight weeks left until I tackle Doomsday Hill while doing my best to prepare for the increase in elevation. Good times!

Honestly, I am excited to participate in one of the most well-known races in the country, regardless of my time. It gives me a chance to draw upon my old race training strategies, and to see how my body responds. Right now I’m just hoping that Doomsday Hill doesn’t defeat me on May 3.

Project Car Chronicles: The Hunt is On!

Brian

Alfa Romeo VeloceAfter kicking the idea around for far too long, me and my dad have finally decided to get serious about working on a project car together. I’m surprised, and somewhat sad, that it’s taken this long given our shared interest in automobiles. Guess it’s better late than never, though.

And what have we decided to pour our blood, sweat, tears and probably too much money into?

The answer is: We’re still deciding.

We kicked around various Porsche models, and he checked out a few. We also have British sports cars like certain Triumphs, MGs and Austin-Healeys on our list. Mostly because I’ve never turned wrenches on cars like that, and he owned quite a few of them before kids came along. The most serious one we’re currently pursuing is a 1989 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce.

I discovered it on Craigslist, and sent the listing to my dad. Turns out he knows the guy selling it. That guy is currently putting in a new fuel pump, and as soon as it’s installed we’re going to inspect it further. My pops checked it once and said “it’s definitely a project,” but he seems excited about the prospect of getting a classic Italian roadster back tearing up the streets. I have to say, I am too.

The Swamp: Only Gators and Occasionally Other Opponents Get Out Alive

Brian

BenHillGriffinThis past Saturday, Will Muschamp lost his sixth home game as head football coach for the University of Florida. That brings his record in The Swamp to 18 wins and six losses. What was once an intimidating place for opponents under Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer has returned to Zookian levels.

For comparison, Steve Spurrier lost five home games total in his 12 years at Florida. With the fifth one coming in his second to last game as head coach for the Gators. All of his home losses also came against ranked teams:

#1 Florida State
#6 Auburn
#21 Alabama
#1 Florida State
#5 Tennessee

Urban Meyer? He also lost just five home games during his six year tenure as head football coach at Florida. Though, not all of his losses were against ranked teams like Spurrier:

Auburn
Ole Miss
#12 LSU
Mississippi State
#22 South Carolina

Obviously, we know that up to this point Muschamp’s career hasn’t followed the same arc as Spurrier or Meyer. What about Ron Zook? How did he fare in The Swamp? Read more →

Is Will Muschamp Done In Gainesville?

Brian
https://secure.flickr.com/photos/antciardiello/

Courtesy SAM_5582 via Flickr.

Let me start by saying that I really wanted Will Muschamp to succeed as the head football coach at the university of Florida. That probably seems silly to a lot of people because most fans would want any newly hired coach to be successful. However, Muschamp wasn’t exactly the “homerun hire” many expected athletic director Jeremy Foley to make after Urban Meyer’s exit. As a fan of hard-nosed defense, I was excited to see what Muschamp could do with the type of talent available in the Sunshine State. The 2012 season showed a glimpse of exactly what Muschamp’s defenses are capable of. Unfortunately, it’s the other side of the ball that’s probably going to do him in.

Muschamp inherited a roster that included incumbent starter John Brantley, and brought in new recruits Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett. The Gators did finish 2011 with a winning record and a bowl win over Ohio State, but they were ranked 105th in total offense. The passing offense managed to average just 185.7 yards per game while the rush offense averaged 143 yards per game.

The anemic passing game carried over to 2012, which saw Florida average just 146.3 yards per game through the air. Thankfully, the rush offense averaged 187.69 yards, and the defense finished at, or near, the top of many statistical categories.

The 2013 season was mostly lost due to a rash of injuries on both sides of the ball. Though, that loss to FCS Georgia Southern certainly hasn’t helped Muschamp’s cause.

Now, we’re three games into the 2014 season, and Muschamp’s seat is hotter than ever. The offense looked more than capable against an overmatched Eastern Michigan team. Then it took a while to get going against a Kentucky team that may or may not be much better than last year. Versus Alabama? The offense put up 200 total yards, 93 through the air and 107 on the ground. What started out as a promising 2014 has deteriorated into a quarterback controversy and a defense that looks like it might be the worst Muschamp has ever fielded.

So can Muschamp calm a restless fanbase and cool the smoldering inferno he currently sits upon?

Read more →