In college athletics, no aspect is as important as recruiting. It is the life blood of a program. For every major college program, hockey to football, off-season recruiting is as important as in season success.

But lately, something has been horribly wrong with this aspect of college athletics. Recruiting has become this uncontrollable monster with the booming of the internet age. There are literally dozens of sites dedicated to recruiting, but two of them, Rivals and Scout set the pace for the rest of the web. These sites are clustered with rankings, message boards, interviews, columns and everything else you could possibly imagine. They are all about young men who are just figuring out what that funny feeling they get when they see a pretty girl. (more…)

What is a Patriots fan to do after seeing the 19-0 dream turn into the 18-1 disappointment? I will say this, that Super Bowl was one of the finest played by either side in quite some time. This game was football the way it was meant to be played – relentless and tough. Both defenses really brought the lumber with them on every single hit, and the game was a joy to watch as a fan of the game. It has taken me almost this entire week to try and let it all sink in. I’ve watched the game three times now on my DVR, and a few things are sinking in. (more…)

Good news from the world of the Awful Human Being. This last weekend I got engaged to the woman who will from here on out be known as the Awful Fiancé. I don’t really think that fits, but for the sake of consistency and the column, it’s going to have to work. My lack of columns lately has been a direct result of working extra hours at my two jobs to afford the ring, so now that I’ve brought her into my awful world, I can get back to the business of pissing you all off on a weekly basis.

That being said, this column is about the NBA All-Star game this year. I’m hoping you will appreciate knowing what is going on in the National Basketball Association outside of Cleveland, where the greatly overrated LeBron James is currently leading the Cavaliers into mediocrity before he jumps to New York in a few years. Ahhhh that feels better. My place on the site feels secure once again. (more…)

In a college bowl season that can only be described as unsatisfying, I had a chance to watch at least some of every single bowl game on the slate this year. I did this for one reason; to make sure that I had something to write about after a lengthy writing sabbatical. Thank you grad school for killing my love to write.

Also, I promise, sometime in the next year, you will see/hear the debut of the Awful Podcast. I’m going to have a co-host that is going to be the funniest voice on this website. Trust me on that.

So, without further adieu, here is my bowl-by-bowl wrap up. (more…)

Since Lloyd Carr retired on November 19th, the University of Michigan program has been in complete chaos. In part because their athletic director, the much maligned Bill Martin, doesn’t really know how to successfully conduct and go after a top shelf coach; and in part because Carr did not leave behind a hand-picked successor. (more…)

The final week of the college football season is here, and wow what a ride it’s been. Outside of my Irish being used like an extra in a porno, I haven’t had as much fun watching college football in my life. I also have had a tremendous time writing this column for you, and love me or hate me; I hope you at least enjoyed reading it.

The Heisman race is officially down to three guys. Tebow, McFadden, and Daniel. That’s it, that’s the end of the list. Nobody else can pass go or collect $200. With all three, you can make a tremendous argument for. (more…)

I thought you could all benefit from less of me this weekend. After all, it is a weekend to give thanks, not hate.

Here are the Vince Carter-esque mailed in picks for the week. As always, the home team is in caps.

Happy Thanksgiving,
AHB (more…)

Before we get started, today was supposed to be the debut of “The Awful Podcast” but some technical difficulties have pushed this back a week. I know I make the weekend for most of you, so you are just going to have to be patient for another seven days. (more…)

It’s on to week 11 for my column, and since last week I was able to write about my Red Sox winning the World Series, this week I can focus on the next great Boston team … The Celtics. The Big Three are mopping up the league right now. Yes, I know the season has just begun, but this team looks possessed, and that is all due to the addition of the greatest competitor on the planet, Kevin Garnett. (more…)

I’m back for another week, and I’m calling this one my victory lap. My Red Sox won the World Series in convincing fashion, Notre Dame didn’t lose, and Alex Rodriguez once again tried to make true fans care about him, and he was obviously shunned. More importantly, I was a perfect 5-0 on my highlight games last week, including the Tennessee upset win over South Carolina. I couldn’t be happier with all of these events transpiring. (more…)