When we define greatness we often refer to records, banners, and rings.Based solely on these standards of greatness Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder would not warrant mentioning. Unlike past greats Bobby Bowden, Joe Paterno, Tom Osborne and Paul Bryant or recent greats Pete Carroll, Nick Saban and Urban Meyer there are no national championship banners hanging in the rafters or no crystal balls collecting dusts in the trophy case.
But this does not make Snyder any less greater than his contemporaries. His contributions to college football is immense and nearly covers four decades. Although Snyder’s story of turning K-State from a laughingstock to contender is well documented but what is more remarkable were his methods of achieving greatness. Unlike his ‘championship’ peers Snyder amassed his success without a single scandal or NCAA infraction.
Over Snyder’s 20+ tenure in the Little Apple his rosters may not have included many 4* 
and 5* but unlike his peers it also did not include murders, rapists, thieves, and sex offenders. While mining the infertile recruiting pool of the too small, too slow, or too troubled Snyder unearthed a few NFL champions, an eventual congressman, as well a mentored his fare share of prominent coaches at some of the top programs in the country (Bob Stoops, James Franklin, Brent Venables, Bret Bielema, Jim Leavitt,
Although winning a national championship will always be a factor in evaluating greatness, be sure to consider the thousands of fathers and husband whose life was forever changed due to the impact Snyder had on their life. From the handwritten notes of encouragement to the opposing team to him molding young men into college graduate and instilling in them an unrelenting will to not quit regardless of the odds. Snyder may have come up short a time or two on the gridiron, but he is the epitome of perfection in the game of life. What will he do for an encore? Stay tuned…I know I will.
Anthony Denmark is a writer for eatdrnkslpsprtz.com. Follow him on Twitter@eatdrkslpsprtz2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. Listen to eatdrnkslpsprtz radio Subscribe to podcast
Michael Phelps, the undisputed greatest swimmer of all time graced the cover of Sports Illustrated for the twelfth and possibly final time. Although his athletic prowess is unquestioned, his antics outside of the pool has also been well chronicled as well. But for some reason the possession of illegal drugs, alcohol abuse and his arrest for DUI have been forgiven in exchange for 23 Olympic Gold Medals.
help but think about how differently Mixon was being treated. Although Mixon’s actions were indefensible, the same folks who excused the actions of the ‘GOAT’ in the pool seem determined to prevent this troubled young man’s second chance at redemption.
less heinous or irreprehensible than Mixon’s? Is price of forgiveness paved in gold medals and record breaking peformances?
season Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn turned down multiple HC interviews because he believed he was merely being interviewed to satisfy the Rooney quota. With another season nearly in the books the usual suspects of minority candidates will be mentioned for interviews: Cleveland Browns DC Ray Horton, Detroit Lions DC Teryl Austin, Arizona Cardinals OC Harold Goodwin, and Miami Dolphins DC Vance Joseph.
short of remarkable but the Belichick coach tree has not produced any winners last I checked (O’Brien, Crennel, Mangini). Shanahan offensive genius may be unrivaled, but the success Goodwin has had in the desert has largely gone ignored. Before the bidding war for a coach who missed the playoffs 4 of the 6 seasons that Gruden was in Tampa can Vance Joseph who turned the Dolphins defense into a playoff force get some consideration?
Lynn doubted the sincerity of a few front offices, will others do the same?
The 2016 college football season is only in its infancy, but it already appears that Saban Meyer V in Tampa is all but inevitable. Although parody is supposedly alive and well, thus far we have learned that Ohio State and Alabama are the two exceptions. The gap between these two elite programs and whoever is ranked below them is outstanding, and will only grow wider as the Tide and Buckeyes continue to improve.
been few surprises this season. Although the fortunes of teams often change from week to week, due to injuries or a lack of depth several teams will be the victims of misfortune. Unlike the Buckeyes and Tide, the fortunes of most teams rely too heavily on the play of one player.
bridge the Buckeyes-Tide gap. The Stanford Cardinals are all out of byes and McCaffrey is already averaging 35 touches per game. LB/OW/PK/KR Peppers has amazed on offense, defense, and special teams but maintaining such a heavy workload for 13 week is a lot to ask of anybody. September Heisman winner, Lamar Jackson may be 2nd in the nation in rushing, but each time he flees the pocket the Cardinals faithful all hold their breath hoping Jackson jumps back up.
for the college football playoffs is all but set, everyone else is simply playing for third and fourth. Like Cavaliers v. Warriors, the regular season appears to be meaningless because Meyers Saban V is inevitable. The only question that remains is who will be in the home and away jersey. It took Neo from the Matrix two movies to realize that it was inevitable, how many games will it take you to realize the same? Stay tuned…I know I will. – A. Denmark
Unlike that other program 79.2 miles away, the Louisville Cardinals have not gotten it right the first time. The Cardinals led by once troubled HC Bobby Petrino both appear poised to bring back respectability to a once proud football program.
found along an offensive line that shuffled 11 different starters.
Fields led the nation in tackles for loss with 22 and if he breaks the ACC’s sack record of 19 few will be surprised. Although there were some loses along the d-line should be tough against the run. Although the Bash Brothers will be missed, Keith Kelsey and Treveon Young possess the experience to make the linebacker core remain respectable.
gazelle will make opposing QBs think twice before throwing the pigskin. Thanks to an elite pass rusher cornerbacks Shaq Wiggins and Trumaine Washington will not have to cover receivers for long.
Despite winning its 3rd Big Ten title in 5 years, the Michigan State Spartans will not be remembered for its 5th 10+ win season but instead will be remembered for the goose egg it laid against the Alabama Crimson Tide, the eventual National Champion. In one night the Spartans went from being on cusp of a national championship to now being dismissed all together. But Spartans HC Mark Dantonio would not have it any other way, the seismic chip on the Spartans shoulder has returned.
and WR Aaron Burbridge will be no easy task, there are talented unproven players anxiously waiting for their chance. The experience that fifth year senior QB Tyler O’Connor gained in beating the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Horseshoe last year was invaluable and it all but solidified his spot at the top of the depth chart. Although Conklin will certainly be missed, the depth of the o-line should have no problem opening up running lanes for LJ Scott, who may be the best running back in the Big Ten.
The Spartans receivers may be inexperienced, but their talent is undeniable. Each year RJ Shelton’s production has increased and if talented redshirt freshman Darrell Stewart and early enrollee Donnie Corley are as impressive in games as they have been during practice the Spartans will be fine. Blessed with the strength to block, the speed to separate, and the size to win 50/50 balls TE Josiah Price is poised for a breakout season.
there will be three new starters on the d-line, Malik McDowell may be the best defensive tackle in the nation.There may not be a better linebacker duo in the country than Riley Bullough and Ed Davis, they each possess both the speed to run sideline to sideline as well as the toughness to make guys think twice about hitting the whole and running across the middle.
Besides one game, the Spartans had a season for the ages, and they may just do it again. The fellas in East Lansing have made a habit of proving folks wrong, why should 2016 be any different? Although the Spartans may have been down after their last game, but with HC Dantonio at the helm, the Spartans are far from out. Doubt them if you dare. Stay tuned… I know I will? – A. Denmark
The Honeymoon in the Plains is over, and the Gus Malzahn era is at a crossroad. The Auburn Tigers started the season with their quarterback Jeremy Johnson being mentioned as a dark horse Heisman contender but it ended with him being glued to the bench. An offense that was supposed to stretch the field sputtered to an abrupt holt. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong: Johnson lost his confidence, All-American wide out Duke Williams was kicked off the team, and the running attack failed to live up to its top billing.
national title game. Similar to the other JC QB predecessors, Cam Newton and Nick Marshall, he has the athleticism and wheels to thrive in Malzhan’s offense. Running backs Roc Thomas and Jovon Robinson, now healthy, had their fare share of growing pains last year, but the experience gained from last year’s struggles may lead to a dynamic encore season. Despite returning an experience offensive line, playmakers must be found to stretch the field and keep defenses honest.
Another Saban-disciple Kevin Steele will attempt to make the Tigers defense respectable. Although the Tigers lack depth in the trenches, Byron Cowart, Montravious Adams, and Carl Lawson anchor a very talented d-line ripe with potential to terrorize. Although there will be new faces at each linebacker spot, the secondary will serve as a reliable last line of defense. Led by super sophomores, Carlton Davis who may be the next great shutdown corner and All-SEC safety Stephen Robert the secondary will be the strength of the Tigers defense.
the Tigers surprise and thrive like they have done in the past? Malzhan learned last season that his job security lives and dies with a quarterback whose a threat to run. Has Malzhan learn from his failures or will he be the next Auburn HC to be given his walking papers? Stay tuned…I know I will. – A. Denmark
While the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate another national championship, the LSU Tigers yet again are left wonder why not us. Its one thing to lose due to a talent gap, but to fall short year in and year out due to a lack of execution is completely unacceptable. Les Miles two yards and a cloud of dust philosophy simply will not cut it in 2016.
attempt (5.7 yd per) it certainly was not due to a lack of talent at wideout. Plagued by inconsistency at quarterback wideouts Malachi Dupre & Travon Duval were only able to show us glimpses of the impact their size and speed can cause when defense dare too stack the box.. Despite the speed and talent, the Tiger offense will only be as good as the quarterback under center allows them to be. Quarterback Brandon Harris showed glimpses, but can he finally put it together when it counts most in November or is Purdue transfer Danny Etling the answer?
Despite the annual NFL exodus on defense the cupboard is far from bare. The defensive line combined for 34 sacks last year and the depth the Tigers boast in the trenches is downright ridiculous. This talented d-line goes three deep and takes a back seat to no one. Opposing offenses will think twice before testing a back seven that is littered with All American candidates. All SEC linebacker Kendall Beckwith and safety Jamal Adams said no to the NFL and returned for their senior seasons to make 2016 a season to remember.
with leadership and execution. Last season LSU had the talent but lacked the execution. Fournette may be the unquestioned star, but Harris is the key. The key to the Les Mile era. The key to #BEATBAMA. The key to winning a national championship. Will the Tigers be able to put it all together ? Stay tuned…I know I will.
Although the Oklahoma Sooners fell short of the College Football Playoff title game, the season was far from a disappointment.The Sooners won their first out right Big 12 Conference Championship since 2010 and with Coach Bob Stoops signed through 2022, winning conference titles may be destined to continue.
in order to keep opposing defenses from putting nine in the box. Thirty percent of the Sooners receptions must be replaced and early buzz suggests that talented sophomore Mark Andrews just may be the next great Sooner receiver. Unless the Sooners intend to run a wing-t, playmakers will have to step up and fast because the Houston Cougars and the Ohio State Buckeyes will certainly be ready.
On defense the Sooners have talent but most are largely unproven. The Sooners may have lost 4 1st team BIG 12 players to the NFL but 4 BIG 12 2nd teamers are poised to take their place. Cornerbacks Jordan Thomas and PJ Mbanasor boast both the size and speed to likely play on Sundays. And despite questions at linebacker, an experienced defensive line led by All-American Charles Walker will be terrors in the backfield.
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