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Matt Youmans

Playoff necessary for college football

With the bowl season upon us, we’re constantly reminded how a great game is reduced to an imperfect, nonsensical mess. Cincinnati is one of five undefeated teams, but only two — Alabama and Texas — are allowed to play for the hoax that is the BCS national championship.

Saints good, lucky enough for 16-0 regular season

A week ago, Drew Brees was a surgeon, precisely cutting up one of the NFL’s most respected defenses. On Sunday, the New Orleans Saints quarterback was a magician, escaping in a matter of seconds from a straitjacket while being attacked by a swarm of bees.

Johnson, Young should help Titans run with Colts

What has changed to trigger the Tennessee Titans’ turnaround is obvious. Running back Chris Johnson has been a constant, however, producing highlights even during the team’s lowest moments.

Gerhart deserves Heisman

If only because of his name, Colt McCoy was perfectly cast for his role as Texas Longhorns quarterback. It’s also easy to picture the undersized tough guy as a bull rider or NASCAR driver.

Titans showing grit after poor start

A long, strange journey for Vince Young and the Tennessee Titans reached a fitting end Sunday. Ninety-nine yards were required, the clock was winding down and several times it seemed the Titans were done.

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Difference in QBs gives Vikings edge

About two years ago, Brett Favre was crying and sniffling. He mumbled something about how he had nothing more to give to the game. It was a sad day when he retired from the NFL.

Boise State a safe bet to pass test

If he lined up against the UNLV defense every week, Colin Kaepernick, UNR’s Ostrich-legged quarterback, would be high stepping his way to the Heisman Trophy. He’s not that lucky.

Dazed, confused Steelers leaving backers empty

Dazed and confused most accurately describes how Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger looked at the end of a long Sunday afternoon in Kansas City.

Time is now for Eagles after back-to-back losses

If the Philadelphia Eagles are to emerge as something other than phonies, it’s imperative that coach Andy Reid and quarterback Donovan McNabb show some urgency.

Michigan can rescue Rodriguez

Scrambling with reckless abandon and throwing darts, freshman sensation Tate Forcier appeared to be the quarterback to lead Michigan into a bright future. Forcier was the savior as he stuck it to Notre Dame in dramatic fashion.

Belichick might’ve been right

Always propped up and praised for his higher intelligence, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick found himself in an odd position Sunday — being fitted for a dunce cap by the talking heads of the national media. But it’s not as simple as that, so this being the NFL, the play call in question is now under further review.

Patriots dangerous as ‘dogs

A razor-thin line separates the NFL’s top teams, but no coach is more cutting edge than Bill Belichick. His game-management decisions and defensive schemes are almost always sharp.

‘Bama on borrowed time

It’s debatable if there’s a luckier guy alive than Hugh Hefner. If there’s a college football coach luckier than Alabama’s Nick Saban right now, who is it?

Colts still AFC’s best despite failing to cover

Even when Peyton Manning falls short of perfection, the Indianapolis Colts still win. Sometimes they win with ease and occasionally, as we’ve seen the past two weeks, they do it ugly.

Warner should help Cardinals bounce back

Inconsistency has been an obvious trait of the Arizona Cardinals this season. If the personality of a football team is perplexing, the quarterback is often the reason, and Kurt Warner is an example.