Five for Friday

1. Oklahoma thought they were heading to the PAC 12. Larry Scott had other ideas as he squashed the idea that OU was enough for his conference when he thumped Sooner Nation by informing them that without Texas, the PAC 12 was just not interested in hearing "Boomer Sooner" for the foreseeable future without Bevo grazing on the sidelines. While Texas and OU run the Big 12, Texas is in control of the realignment debacle when it comes to the members of the Big 12. They are the prize and Boren hung his institution out to dry by stirring the pot by seeking other alternatives.

2. Twitter makes Gossip Girl seem tame. With respect to realignment talks, the amount of information that is thrown around as fact is mind numbing. Here is what we know: Texas A&M will leave the Big 12 for a much tougher road in the SEC and for virtually the same amount of money now that the Big 12 has apparently agreed to revenue sharing regarding its Tier 1 and 2 rights. Today, the highest I would rank the Aggies would be the 4th best team in the SEC. That does not spell BCS glory. And at what cost? You are a Big 12 team. Your roots, traditions, history and namesake are tied to Texas and its member institutions. Nevertheless, enjoy Hattiesburg.

3. There is a Big game in College Station this weekend as the Aggies host the Pokes. The Aggies need a statement game here and I think their defense is going to be stingy enough for the victory. That being said, I hope the Pokes dump truck them into oblivion. In the spirit of full disclosure, Mrs. Five_O is a Poke. This is the marquee matchup for the weekend and the idiots in Bristol have decided to take College Game Day to Morgantown, WV instead of Texas. How do I determine the game of the week? It's simple: I add the ranks of each team and the lowest total is crowned. Simple, really. Perhaps they are preparing to come to Dallas, TX for the second time in six weeks when the Sooners and Horns clash in the Red River Rivalry. But, that is mere politics. LSU and West Virginia has very little national appeal.

A). It's West Virginia.
2). It's West Virginia.

There was a reason(s) Game Day had never been to Morgantown, WV before. When they arrive, they will remember as to those very real reasons. Enjoy the "culture." Game Day should be on location at the most intriguing matchup each week. If it was not Pokes/Aggies, then it was Alabama and Arkansas. ESPN makes me dislike them more and more with each passing week without even trying.

4. Is there anything more painful in sports than the last month of the major league baseball season when the Astros are firmly lodged in 30th place? It is the equivalent of watching Jersey Shore on a never ending loop while being force fed haggis with a day-old, room-temperature pitcher of Coors Light as the only refresher of choice. I don't think anything else needs to be added here.

5. Sports Talk Radio's "fantasy lineup dilemma guy." Hey asshat: this is horrible radio. Nobody cares if you are struggling with starting Cadillac Williams over Danny Woodhead. What sort of narcissist seeks fantasy advice from radio hosts anyhow? Hey dorks: there is a channel on XM that is devoted to your "struggles." Seek it out and leave the free radio airwaves void from your moronic drivel. Pony up the $15 per month and get satellite radio. Matter of fact, if it keeps those calls off the airwaves, I bet we will all pitch in a $1 so you can set that lineup in peace.

Sports Talk Radio: My Friends, My Addiction

I began calling into local programs in the Houston area in 1995. At times, I would phone from my desk on the 37th floor of an infamous building on Smith St. Of course, during this period of time, I would ask the producer to leave me on hold at the end so I could listen to the responses at the end of my call. I also remember 8-track tape players as well, for those who are interested. My moniker changed over the years. I began as Tony in Downtown. When I moved to Kingwood, I was then known as, wait for it, Tony in Kingwood. Eventually, I moved to The Woodlands, and low and behold, I was Tony in The Woodlands. My how Twitter has morphed handles, monikers, and namesakes. Today, I am known at Tony_Five_O when I have the privilege and time to phone my friends, who happen to talk about sports for a living.

Keith Olbermann & My 15 Minutes

Think back to 1995.  Are you there?  There was no ESPNews network.  I did not own a cell phone and the internet was a foreign concept to me.  Each Sunday, I would speak with one of my best friends who lived across the country.  Remember long distance calls?  Yeah, me neither.  We deftly titled this conference call the "Sunday Convo."  We would chat for an hour or two about the day's games, events, oddities, and any other hilarity which would garner our attention.  Without shame, it was inspired by ESPN's Sunday Conversation from "The Big Show" with Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann.  It should be noted that ESPN executives balked at that title and forced Patrick and Olbermann to refer to the show by its proper title: SportsCenter.   Fast forward to today...or, December 30, 2010 to be exact.  What, you didn't hear?  Then you aren't on Twitter...

Guilty Until Proven Innocent

I began playing the game of baseball at the age of five.  I've been a fan ever since.  The pinnacle of baseball is located in Cooperstown, NY:  The Baseball Hall of Fame.  It is here where the legends and greats of the game are recognized and adored.  It is the highest honor one can achieve while playing a kids game as a means to put bread on the table.  Rest assured, if you end up here, it's a damn nice table in a mansion located in any geographical locale your heart desires.  But, this piece is not about lifestyle, financial accomplishments, or how fame led to a surly demise of one's character.  No.  This is about a narcissistic group of individuals who somehow are led to believe that they are the guardians to Fort Knox.  Follow along after the jump...