SI.com - SI On Campus - The Vent: 10/08/2006

10/13/2006 12:45:00 PM

Share Your Midnight Madness Memories

Fireworks explode and streamers fall during Michigan State's midnight madness last year.

Photo by AP

Midnight Madness begins tonight at 7 p.m. (Why not midnight? That's another question for later. Let's just say for now that the NCAA forgot about the fun of being in college). The tradition began in 1970 when Maryland coach Lefty Dreisel wanted to get his team practicing at the earliest possible time allowed under NCAA rules and told his Terps to report to Cole Field House at midnight for the team's first get-together. Thus, Midnight Madness was born. Since then, the event has evolved into more of a pep rally/party for students than a serious practice for teams, which is fine when an event can draw 23,000, as it did last year for Kentucky’s "Big Blue Madness" at Rupp Arena.

We've heard that Kansas' "Late Night at the Phog" is a must-see event. That's why we want to hear from you about your Midnight Madness memories -- if you have any (the event is pretty much made for drinking, which is why the NCAA moved it to 7 p.m.). Share any stories, memorable speeches, great plays or whatever comes to mind.

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10/11/2006 11:39:00 AM

Who are the Nation's Most Indispensable Players?

If Mario Manningham is out longer than the expected 2-5 weeks, Michigan's title hopes may disappear. Which other players can teams not live without?

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Just as Michigan fans were beginning to burn their "Fire Lloyd Carr" signs and prepare for a national championship bid, breakout receiver Mario Manningham went down for 2-5 weeks with a knee injury. While nobody will accuse Michigan of suffering from a lack of talent on the offensive side of the ball, Manningham's big-play ability forced defenses to focus on him, which freed up Mike Hart's running and Chad Henne's short game. If Michigan can get past Penn State and Iowa in the next two weeks, they may be okay until Manningham comes back for the match-up with Ohio State on Nov. 18th. But if the injury turns out to be more severe, Michigan can kiss its national title chances goodbye.

This got us thinking. Besides quarterbacks and running backs, who are the nation's most indispensable players? For instance, if USC lost its top linebacker, Keith Rivers, the Trojans may suffer a brief letdown, but would end up on their feet because Dallas Sartz, Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing are talented enough to compensate for Rivers' absence. Other teams, however, can't boast the same depth. Here are our three players that teams simply can’t live without:

Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan: We’ve already discussed his big play ability and its effect on the Wolverines. The next two weeks (games against Penn State and Iowa) will reveal just how reliant the team is on its stud receiver.

Dan Mozes, C, West Virginia: The two-time all-Big East Conference lineman has been one of the main reasons why RB Steve Slaton, who has rushed for 768 yards in five games, is a Heisman Candidate.

Marcus Thomas, DT, Florida: The senior was suspended two games for his second-substance abuse violation, but came back in a big way against LSU last Saturday, recording eight tackles in the Gators’ 23-10 victory. If the Gators want to win the national championship, they won’t be able to do it without Thomas.

Those are our choices. Let’s hear yours.

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10/09/2006 11:55:00 AM

Biggest Disappointments

Dan Hawkins and the Buffaloes have been among college football's biggest disappointments this season. Who else makes the list?

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Although this college football season has been chock full of feel-good stories (Rutgers and Arkansas most notably among them), SIOC can't help but notice that not every team or player has lived up to their hype. Nowhere is this more evident than at Colorado, where Dan Hawkins was brought in after a highly successful five-year tenure at Boise State (53-11, four straight WAC titles). But Hawkins' performance at Colorado has been miserable. The Buffaloes are 0-6 and not showing many signs of improvement. But Hawkins and CU aren't the only disappointments.

At Arizona, Mike Stoops came in with a big name and lots of promise. Two-and-a-half years later, the Wildcats are 2-4, (8-20 during Stoops' tenure) and going nowhere. But nobody has had a worse year than BC kicker Ryan Ohliger. The junior was suspended indefinitely by coach Tom O'Brien after his alleged involvement an fight outside a local bar at 2:15 a.m. early Thursday morning. This came weeks after Ohliger missed three extra points in two weeks, including one against ASU that cost the Eagles the game.

Those are our three candidates for biggest disappointments. What are yours?

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