ozark trout fisher

The (relative) decline of Boise State this season and last is kinda hard to watch. They made college football so much more exciting over the past few years. They will still likely end up in the 10 win range as they did last year. But with (depending on what happens from here with teams like BYU) no more regular season chances at a top 25 win it will be a far cry from the "are they finally gonna make it to the title game" type of seasons that we're used to. Watch out for Northern Illinois though to potentially take their place at the top of the non-BCS conferences. You could argue that they already are there for all intents and purposes. Another BCS bowl is not out of the question after beating Iowa and having a schedule they should be able to roll through. Though they didn't look great at all this weekend. Will they have a BCS resume? Well no (beating Iowa isn't what it used to be), but they didn't really last year and they still made it.

I agree their are a lot of problems with exploitation of the resource......but those doomsday scenarios about how this state has such crappy smallmouth fishing compared to everywhere else is just silly. I've fished for smallies a lot of other places including some famous streams and the right Ozark streams compare favorably to most. Just sayin'. Sure there are plenty of overfished streams that are not surprisingly full of small, skittish fish but why would you want to fish those rivers anyway?? The size is usually subpar but the numbers will compare to anywhere, bar none. I am on board with doing anything to help the resource but to say we do not have quality smallmouth fishing here is just ridiculous in my opinion. As for my fall expectations......I expect it to be a lot better than last fall because the creeks I like to fish aren't 90% dry this year. That is an improvement at least.

That one will be fun on so many levels. Andy Reid going back to Philly will be quite a scene. And it's a good test for both teams which have played well but definitely aren't perfect. Unfortunately it's stuck on Thursday night which means the NFL network, which I don't get

They are the only undefeated team in the SEC east, courtesy of Tennessee losing to Oregon on Saturday. Georgia, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Florida, and Kentucky all have losses as well. Which is weird early season in a major conference. Although it is affected by a couple of early SEC games and the only team with a remotely bad loss is Kentucky (and even they look okay so far.) SO it looks worse than it is, but it's just not as dominant as we're used to seeing in the SEC. There is no one team in the conference that is unbeatable even when you do consider the stronger west division. Alabama has the best "resume" if you will with a couple of good wins over Virginia Tech and A&M. They are supremely talented but haven't put a whole game together.....their offense was mediocre against Virginia Tech and their defense did not look good against A&M. Georgia is in a similar boat with a great offense and a talented but thus far less than perfect defense. I would argue that LSU passes the eye test a lot more and I think they are the team to beat in the league this year. Their defense is great as always and their offense is actually starting to catch up. TCU was their toughest game and they are a mid-tier Big 12 team, so there are questions about the schedule and how it will translate to SEC play. Still glad we do not play them.

Even in week 1 he played great for three quarters and it's (in my opinion) a mistake to draw too much off of a bad quarter against an elite defense. They straight outscored Philly on the road and that is not to be taken lightly. Their defense does not look strong though so that may end up costing them a run at the playoffs. We'll see.

Barring some disaster....... Denver should run away with the division. As long as Manning is healthy they are the best team in football and it's not close at all. I am biased but objectively I think that is true. Seattle is the only other team with any claim but they struggled to beat Carolina just last week while Denver has rolled over a couple of very good opponents including the defending champs. (Assuming we're there of course) I worry about the playoffs and if we will be able to turn it around then. But barring injury I'm looking forward to another fun regular season. With that said, the division is not pushover this year. KC should be expected to win 9-10 games and I wouldn't be surprised if San Diego was in the wild card race too. Phillip Rivers looks so good this season and they are going to be a handful if they can stop anyone at all. Oakland was able to beat Jacksonville but they are not really a concern. They may get 5-7 wins instead of the expected 1-4 wins but they do not look like they are ready to do more.

This game was always severely overhyped. Alabama is simply the better team at every position (including quarterback.) Texas A&M saw one of AJ McCarron's worst games ever last year and still only won a very close one. Not a surprise today to say the least as this A&M defense is not up to the task. They struggled with Rice and Sam Houston State. Texas A&M has serious questions to deal with if they are going to finish better than 4th in the west. In other football stuff, the SEC east is still not looking very good. We've seen the top teams stumble but now it's really a mess top to bottom. Mizzou is now the only undefeated team pending a UT-Oregon game where the Ducks are up by around 50. I'm not implying that this means much other than we are probably better than Kentucky and Tennessee (and even with their play against Oregon, the latter is arguable.) But this looks like a pretty weak division in comparison to what we expect and the opportunity for some wins will be there for any team that can just be solid every week.

The whole "amateur system" is a fraud, in my opinion. We all know that college football is a professional sport. It's just that the coaches, schools, and NCAA are making all the money off of it. When you do the math, in most cases it is not practical for a school to pay its players a significant salary without dipping into funds that are used for a variety of other sports. Also for a variety of legal reasons it's practically impossible. So to me, the way to handle it is to let players get any sponsorships they can on their own and keep all the money from that. If people want to pay for autographs, let them and let the player take the money. The school doesn't lose out on any of the funds that way and it's purely beneficial. I understand the charade of amateurism makes college football more special to some. But it's just a charade and nothing more, because the only amateurs are the ones doing all of the hard work. It's not worth preserving something that isn't real anyway at the expense of those that are out there risking their health every day for months at a time.

This. My thoughts exactly. They are making a ton of money for the schools and they ought to get some of it.

Looks like at least one of them may have been (or more precisely, it looks like some may have been payed, though probably not through the school.) Anyone else seen the Yahoo report on that? Looks pretty bad for Alabama and could potentially result in them losing their titles/wins. Seemingly so many blockbuster pieces coming out right now about potential violations at big-time football schools that it's hard to keep track of. This is a really bad time for those schools too right as the schedule is starting to ramp up for most of the schools involved (especially Alabama.)

Looks like maybe they are. Anyone else seen the Yahoo report on that? Looks pretty bad for Alabama and could potentially result in them losing their titles/wins.

But coaches aren't responsible for making football exciting to watch. They are responsible for winning, and winning over the long term, which lets be honest, is all that matters to most fans. If you cannot get a Peyton Manning or an Aaron Rodgers than, yeah, you might as well run the read option to compensate for the talent deficit at that position. But...... Here's what I think-Of the first year starters/rookies that were elite last season, you had all of the read option guys who are getting exposed to all of these hits and are going to have a correspondingly short/injury riddled career you would think. And then you have Andrew Luck who is a traditional pocket passer who did just as well and can be expected to have a fair chance at a very productive 10-12 year career. The thing is, Kaepernick, Wilson, and RGIII are all imminently capable of running a traditional offense and doing a very good job at it. They are highly accurate passers. For a few extra wins early on those coaches are putting their QB of the future at tremendous risk. I don't understand that. I am a fan of a team that runs the most traditional, conservative offense on this planet (Broncos), and let me tell you, it could not possibly be more exciting than what we get to see every week.

I know it worked against the Redskins last night.....but I still have my reservations. Michael Vick will never stay healthy in that system and good defenses should shut it down. Personally I have always preferred the more traditional offenses (gotta keep your QB healthy as the #1 priority) but if it works long term it works. You only want Chip Kelly's system (or what is happening in San Fran, Seattle, or Washington) if you have a really young QB and you are not worried about them getting hurt. It's better to have a great QB, a good power running game and not have to use gimmicks IMO. I think we'll see all of this fizzle out soon when these guys careers get cut short because they are taking so many hits.

Just look at Bill Snyder at K-State. I understand a week after a loss to an FCS team isn't his finest hour but he consistently contends without sniffing the talent of Oklahoma, Texas, or even OSU. Also while I'm not a huge fan, Bobby Petrino is a good example. Arkansas never had the talent to hang with LSU and Alabama but did so anyway. That is the mark of a great coach. And yes, until last year, you'd have to have Gary Pinkel on that list somewhere near the top. I get the sense that Saban would be pretty good anywhere at this point in his career. No team avoids complacency or stays focused on a more consistent basis. That in itself has very little to do with talent.

Goodness, SD beating up on the Texans. This will be a three team division race.

No one will call Raiders fans fairweather fans, that's one thing I'll admit. You gotta be some kinda crazy to stick with that team which I do grudgingly admire.

Not often that I can find a common ground with a bunch of KC fans-but I'm with you on the Raiders. KC is our rival but Oakland is on a whole other level and I find myself actively rooting against them in every game they play (including against other division rivals.) San Diego is just.......kind of there. I have a hard time getting as hyped up for those games even if they have given Denver more trouble than anyone else lately. There just aren't enough things to dislike about them.

Could see Florida State winning it. Their freshman QB looked really good against Pitt and their defense is always great. They are basically a SEC clone so they may have a chance against the Alabamas of the world. And outside of the Clemson they should be heavily favored in all their games including Florida. I think the winner of Clemson/FSU plays for the title, facing the SEC champion. Wouldn't be too surprised to see Oregon or Stanford either but I don't think OSU or anyone in the Big Ten comes anywhere close. Don't think any Big 12 teams go undefeated though I agree that Oklahoma State has the best chance.

OU should have no trouble with Texas at all. That program is in total disarray and Mack Brown has to be in his last season as good of a job as he did in the past. I don't think they are headed to a bowl game after their performance on Saturday. They have more talent that anyone not named Alabama and it is just ridiculous that they can never get it together. OSU, on the other hand.....gonna be tough. Right now I think they are the co-favorite in the Big 12 with Baylor, with Texas Tech and their high powered offense just behind. Even after leaving I really like the Big 12. Those high powered offenses are fun, so outside of Missouri games I tend to pay more attention to that league than the SEC. Here's how I see that conference.....1. OSU 2. Baylor 3. Tech 4. OU 5. TCU 6. WVU 7. KSU 8. Texas 9. Iowa State 10. ?

Not saying he is a bad QB or that the blame for Jacksonville's disaster zone offense should be placed all on his shoulders. He has no one to help him out outside of MJD. The man is also playing through an injury which shouldn't be downplayed, But when a team is losing and looking terrible offensively, quarterback changes usually follow. Just the way of the NFL world. That's not to say he won't ever get another chance, but it will probably take an injury somewhere. Although given the Jags qb situation behind Gabbert it's not out of the realm of possibility he could start for much of the rest of this season. As rough as his play has been he is still likely better than Chad Henne, or at least it's close. But is there any question they will draft a rookie like Teddy Bridgewater or Tajh Boyd to replace Gabbert/Henne? No, not at all, barring the most unlikely of breakout seasons. And unless the surrounding talent gets dramatically better whatever poor rookie gets thrown into that situation will also look terrible and get replaced in a couple years. Such is life for franchises like the Jags. Can't expect a QB to do well if they have no offensive line or receivers. Honestly, given their talent level, I would say teams like Oregon and Alabama could at least hang around for a few quarters. But none, probably. Even though they are a terrible NFL team, talent like Luke Joekel and Blaine Gabbert would still tear up even the better college teams.

The Chiefs looked really good today. They are going to be a handful for my Broncos especially in KC. After seeing exactly how much their QB situation is upgraded you have to like their chances to win 9 or so games and be in the hunt for the playoffs. But, as a Missouri fan, my first emotion after that game: poor Blaine Gabbert. I fear his time as an NFL starter is coming to an end sooner rather than later.

Yes, the SEC is far from dominant this year. Still good, likely the best conference, but not by a mile. Of all things it looks like the ACC could be the biggest challenger this year. Clemson, FSU, Miami-all legit contenders IMO that could have a chance at taking out an SEC team in the title game. They are all three better in my mind than teams like Ohio State -which would be lucky to fare as well as Notre Dame did last year. One thing that is abundantly clear is that no one in the east is remotely close to invincible. The only teams that are even without a loss two games in are Mizzou and Tennessee. Of course that is mostly a function of schedule, but it still shows that there is no dominant team. Mizzou cannot realistically hope to win the east but a top 3-4 finish is well within range if our defense can improve. The only two teams I'm confident we will finish behind in the final standings are Georgia and South Carolina. Yes, I think we can be neck and neck with middle of the road teams like Vandy and Florida. Of course if our defense doesn't improve, the only team I'm fairly confident we'll be ahead of is Kentucky, and even they looked okay on Saturday. It will interesting to see which way this goes. Wouldn't be the least bit surprised with either one.

A solid W for Mizzou today. Franklin is the man again and is making the whole offseason qb competition look pretty silly. He is the duel threat quarterback we thought we would have last season. If he can stay healthy he will likely carry Mizzou to 7 or so wins. The offensive line looked nothing short of fantastic. Franklin often had more time than he needed. So refreshing even if we may face some tougher defenses. With that said......that defense has some improvement to get done before SEC play and certainly before Indiana in a couple of weeks. Those screen passes for 20 yards could get old really, really quick. If that unit doesn't improve we are at risk of becoming 2012 Tennessee.....losing every game in SEC play by scores like 50-45. I don't think that happens but it is worrisome all the same. With that said they did make some good plays including the goal line stand at the end of the first half and the pick six. If they can build on that and the offense can stay healthy this team has big potential. One more thing. Franklin's running skill while awesome to see worries me. I found myself cringing and nervous every time he got hit. If he can't stay healthy another 5-7 record might be the ceiling. Got to keep him healthy and on the field.

As a general rule, Mizzou should never look past anyone. If you combine basketball and football the horror stories are too many to count. The thing is, a lot of those stunning losses have come in the midst of really good seasons where the team has some legitimate reason to look ahead to the next game. I am a diehard and constantly optimistic Mizzou fan. But the only thing that Mizzou has to "look ahead" to in the Georgia game is a hearty shellacking, and Vandy the week after Arkansas State is no cupcake (though I think we should find a way to win.) Thing is, those games against teams like Arkansas State, Indiana, Kentucky, and Toledo this afternoon are the ones that Mizzou needs to win. Take care of business in those games and they will probably find one more for a bowl. There is no reason to look ahead to the games against the upper echelon teams. Last year we lost to Syracuse, and another embarrassing loss like that and this fanbase will be ready for a new coach, even if I disagree with that sentiment. I won't judge Pinkel's success this year by how we do against Georgia or South Carolina. For me it's about whether we can take care of business and handle the opponents we should handle.

On many of my favorite western streams brookies are the primary species. I know they are an invasive species......but it's so hard to see them that way when they are in such beautiful country and seem to belong perfectly. They don't belong, of course. So I would be willing to keep them in situations where it's beneficial. I have in fact done so on a number of western creeks. But I don't enjoy that. It's just better to fish for them back east where you can release them in good conscience like any angler would want to anyway. They are really good to eat though.