SI.com releases its post-spring game football top 25 for 2009

The kickoff for college football season is still a few months away, but the polls are rolling out already.

Per SI.com, Sports Illustrated college football analyst Andy Staples turned out an early Top 25 poll after many schools' played their annual Spring games.

Defending national champion Florida -- whose 2007 Heisman-winning quarterback Tim Tebow returns for his senior season -- tops the poll. Rounding out the top 5 are Texas, Oklahoma, USC and Virginia Tech.

The SEC and Big 12 conferences have the most teams on the poll with five each, followed by the Pac 10 with four.

Additionally, there are four teams from non-BCS conferences ranked -- #11 TCU, #12 Boise State, #17 East Carolina and #19 Utah. The Utes caused controversy within the BCS by remaining undefeated in the regular season in 2008 without playing in the national title game. The poll's release comes as Congress plans to meet on Friday to discuss whether the BCS system for determining a national champion is fair.

College football fans tweeted their thoughts and excitement for their favorite teams:

1. 
   CrysDawn Longhorns behind the gators? That's crap! 29 Apr 2009 from txt
2. 
   kdierking I talked 2010, but how about 2009. It will be the best year yet for Sooner State football schools. OU and OSU top 10 -- TU can crack top 25. 29 Apr 2009 from TwitterFon
3. 
   j_nunn According to SI bama is preseason #10 and va tech is #5.. Can't wait to roll the hokies opening week in the Georgia dome 29 Apr 2009 from Tweetie
4. 
   EVILLAGE Nebraska makes SI top 25, Thank Bo Pelini! http://tinyurl.com/cxw89u 30 Apr 2009 from web
5. 
   IBGPN @SECLiveNews Surely that is a joke. Ole Miss #7. I spit Stella Beer on my monitor when I saw that. Good one Sports Illustrated! 30 Apr 2009 from web in reply to SECLiveNews
6. 
   ned_c Who is ready for 2009 college football rankings? I am when my Gators are on top! http://bit.ly/hUnqE 30 Apr 2009 from TweetDeck

SI.com releases its post-spring game football top 25 for 2009

Hawks Finish off Heat

In another lopsided game, Atlanta ran all over Miami 106-91 to take a 3-2 series lead in their 1st round NBA matchup. This series has been the opposite of the Celtics-Bulls series, which has seen three games go to overtime.

Our guest Tweeter Alex Curtis-Step over at NBATipOff.com finishes off his breakdown of the game and if the Hawks can close it out in Game 6:

1. 
   NBAtipoff 2 win this series, they hawks need more consistency. Both teams have beeb VERY inconsistent, whoever isn't the most wins. Just execute! 30 Apr 2009 from TwitterFon
2. 
   NBAtipoff If horford's out for game 6, I can say right now they'll lose. The heat will come out hot and the hawks need 2 also b hot, if they wanna win 30 Apr 2009 from TwitterFon

-- this quote was brought to you by quoteurl

Hawks Finish off Heat

Hawks-Heat Halftime, the mighty Quinn

If you are a hoops junkie, this time of year feeds the habit.

The Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat are battling in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference 1st round matchup with the series tied at 2.

This series has been the opposite of the nail-biting Bulls-Celtics games--with each team taking turns pounding the other. Game 5 is no different as the Hawks are smoking the Heat at halftime 63-40. Hawks center Al Horford was knocked out with what looked like a twisted ankle. Horford is done for the night.

Our buddy Alex at NBATipOff.com is dropping in a few guest Tweets on Horford's injury and what the Heat need to do to get back in the game:

1. 
   NBAtipoff So, horford hurt, in the locker room.If he's out,O'Neal will have a field day and Solomon Jones will show why he's a bench guy- hope he's OK 30 Apr 2009 from TwitterFon
2. 
   NBAtipoff Heat game plan for 2nd half: let wade go and score a billion. Maybe he can use chris Quinn's back 2 be more mobile 30 Apr 2009 from TwitterFon

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This begs the question...how is Chris Quinn cashing an NBA paycheck? He looks like a dude I could take.

Hawks-Heat Halftime, the mighty Quinn

Texas officials cancel high school sports due to swine flu

Per the Associated Press, Texas officials announced Wednesday that all high school athletic and academic competitions would be postponed until May 11 because of the swine flu outbreak.

State golf and tennis championships are scheduled to begin May 11, the baseball season is suspended and regional track championships eliminated, according to the article.

Twitterers felt that this measure heightens the seriousness of the swine flu.

1. 
   RWSparkle Ok, NOW I know it's serious: "Texas ostponing all high school athletic competition until May 11 because of the swine flu outbreak." 29 Apr 2009 from web
2. 
   WiiPigSooie Sports? Texas? Now this is gettin serious boys RT @littlerockark Texas high school sports suspended due to swine flu http://ff.im/2s25n @ 29 Apr 2009 from web
3. 
   ozbanks1 All Texas high school sports canceled due to swine flu? How about the people who made that decision just cancel their life!!! 29 Apr 2009 from web
4. 
   scotthyden When Texas cancels all high school sports you know its serious. Swine flu forces Texas HS officials to halt sports http://bit.ly/aHmZy 29 Apr 2009 from TweetDeck
5. 
   tcherryx So Texas is under a Diaster declaration and ALL HIGH SCHOOL GAMES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED until May 11. Swine Flu. geez. Im sheltering in place 29 Apr 2009 from web
6. 
   chascrockett @scotthyden Would Texas have canceled high school sports over swine flu concerns during football season? http://tinyurl.com/cqnphk 29 Apr 2009 from web in reply to scotthyden

Texas officials cancel high school sports due to swine flu