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You already knew this if you follow recruiting and/or are a fan of Maryland or Illinois football. But if not, here's a sad, sad tale.

Melvin Alaeze was an all-world defensive end recruit out of Randallstown, Maryland a few years ago. He had offers from literally every major school and put on an amazing performance in the US Army High School All America game. He was tall, powerful and fast. There simply wasn't a better physical prospect in the country.

He was destined for stardom. Unfortunately, he's a terribly messed up kid.

His latest boo-boo is one that probably ends whatever limited chance he had to get his life back together. You see, Alaeze is now facing several charges including attempted murder.

Alaeze has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, armed robbery, car theft and use of a hand gun in the commission of a violent crime, according to Baltimore County court records.

He was arrested Jan. 13 in connection with the Christmas Eve incident at an apartment complex. The charges against Alaeze carry sentences ranging from life for attempted murder to five years for auto theft.

Those charges will effectively slam the door on any kind of college career if he doesn't end up behind bars.

You'd think that after four straight winning seasons and what is to be a fourth straight Bowl game, Navy football would have earned some respect from the local press. And although they certainly have, it's obviously not enough to convince one Baltimore Examiner writer the Midshipmen would make a fine opponent for Maryland in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Matt Palmer, who operates as a sports columnist for the little-read but but not hopelessly biased Examiner, published an article today contending that the Terps won't prove anything by beating Navy in a Bowl game, and would be best to show the country that Maryland football has truly returned to the national stage by tacking their 8-4 record somewhere else. After making several statements about how Maryland would be better to hold out for an invite to play South Carolina in the Music City Bowl, Palmer dropped the hammer on Paul Johnson's 8-3 team.

Maryland, at 8-4, is about two touchdowns better than Navy (8-3) this season, even though Navy has been to four straight bowl games while Maryland is ending a two-year drought. That's no slight on Navy. Maryland's just a better team, more battle-tested against far tougher competition. Navy's good for what it is.

More battle tested? Last I checked, the current Navy team is the most experienced football team in all of Division I-A, at least according to Phil Steele Magazine. And woe to the man who doesn't heed the advice of Phil Steele. Tougher Competition? Would anyone in their right mind classify William and Mary, Florida International, Middle Tennessee State, Virginia, and North Carolina State as "tough competition?" I know Navy plays some cupcakes in Temple, Duke, Stanford, and Eastern Michigan, but at least the Mids blew out those teams. It's not as though Navy needed a last second interception to hold on against what is generally considered to be the worst team in Division I-A (FIU). Maryland played some good teams this year, no doubt, but from what I hear Notre Dame, Rutgers, Tulsa, and East Carolina aren't too bad either.

I'm really not sure what Mr. Palmer is trying to say. Can Maryland beat Navy? Of course, but if last year's game was any indication of how these two teams may face off, I certainly think Navy would stand a shot in the rematch. The Terps have improved this year, but you'd be a fool to think that Navy hasn't gotten better either. Let's face it, Maryland escaped last year on the heals of some "rookie" mistakes by Navy players, most of whom were starting their first college football game ever. Furthermore, Maryland has struggled against the run all season, and looked down right worn-out against Wake Forest last week. I'm not trying to knock Maryland, I'm really not, but I think it stands to reason that the Terps, while a good team, would find playing Navy no easy task.

Today's Thursday night ESPN game (7:30 p.m. Eastern) is an ACC/Big East battle between Maryland and West Virginia.

More upcoming, take a seat, tune into the game and leave your comments below!

-Pregame notes: West Virginia is a 17-18 point favorite with the betters right now.

-Both teams are 2-0, with Maryland owning wins over badly named cupcakes William & Mary and Middle Tennessee State and West Virginia owning wins over Marshall and Eastern Washington. Clearly this is the first game against a team with a pulse for both schools.

-Pregame chatter obviously about this weekend's big games (Florida/Tennessee, Miami/Louisville, Oklahoma/Oregon, USC/Nebraska, Michigan/Notre Dame, Auburn/LSU). ESPN's calling it "Separation Saturday". I'm shocked USC/Nebraska gets the primetime slot.

-Lou Holtz isn't doing himself any favors wanting to talk about the Notre Dame/Michigan game. Mark May's been killing him about the Notre Dame thing three weeks in a row now. Remember the Kool-Aid packet before the Georgia Tech game? Great stat: Michigan is winless in its last six road openers.

-Chris Fowler clearly ditched his bottle of "Just For Men" this offseason.

-Obligatory shot of the midfield meeting between coaches. Rece Davis called it a meeting between offensive minds. That's great and all but Maryland hasn't had a good offense since 2003.

-In case you haven't heard, Steve Slaton is not happy with Maryland about having his scholarship offer rescinded during the recruiting process. Early results: a nine yard run on his first carry. Eight yards on that second carry. West Virginia is running downhill.

-Maryland's defense is going to have a loooooong night. Touchdown Slaton on a simple outside pitch. One juked defender, two broken tackles, 38 yard touchdown. West Virginia's good, but that touchdown's all on Maryland's defense.

West Virginia 7, Maryland 0

-What is with Slaton's haircut? It's a real short buzzcut with jagged cuts all over his skull. Looks like his stylist needs to lay off the coffee with that shaky hand.

-Fumble! West Virginia ball again at the Maryland 11 on the kick return. Ladies and gentlemen, Maryland football! Oy...

-Touchdown West Virginia. This is getting repetitive. Eight yard pass to Reynaud, 10:11 in the first quarter and it's already 14-0.

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