On the heels of a 41-38 victory over No. 22 Boise State in the 2007 Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, East Carolina was once again tabbed to finish second in the East Division in 2008 by the league's 12 head coaches. The Pirates are coming off back-to-back bowl appearances for the first time since 1999-2000 and finished 8-5 last season.
What is the perception of most kickers in college football? Most probably imagine a short and scrawny walk-on, one who spends most of his Saturdays on the sideline and his time in the weight room cowering in the corner. Others see a timid special-teamed individual being toppled over by or easily shaken off by breakaway return men.
For the 17th straight year, a Bowden-coached team is the preseason favorite in the Atlantic Coast Conference. For the first time in that span, it isn't Florida State. Clemson - coached by Tommy Bowden, the son of Bobby Bowden, major college football's wins leader at Florida State_ was announced Monday as the favorite to win the ACC title.
The 2008 MLS All-Star game will be held this Thursday at BMO Field in Toronto (ESPN, 7:30 pm). The affair will pit the MLS All-Stars against West Ham United of the English Premier League. It is the fifth time the All-Stars have faced a foreign opponent and they will look to remain perfect against such opposition.