This is truly the biggest matchup we’ve had so far in the Joe Morgan Memorial Tournament with two of the pre-tourney favorites going head to head in the Elite 8.  This battle of two awful members of the bowels of the sports media is worthy of a final, but only one will earn a place in the semifinals.  Colin Cowherd of The Herd and SportsNation takes on ESPN counterpart Skip Bayless of First Take and 1st & 10.  One will advance to be the third semifinalist in our tournament to put a new face on Awful Announcing’s Mount Rushmore.  Let’s just all be thankful these two haven’t crossed paths for any sort of conversation or debate on the airwaves… yet.  That would surely be the worst moment in the history of sports television… and that’s not hyperbole.

Colin Cowherd vs Skip Bayless

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Colin Cowherd

Fact File: Host of ESPN Radio’s The Herd and co-host of SportsNation on ESPN2

Why He’s Here: When polled last month, nearly 85% of respondents said that ESPN should end its relationship with Colin Cowherd.  His stereotyping and pontificating are legendary for all the wrong reasons.  Very few in the sports media get away with offensive and flat out wrong statements like Cowherd has the ability to do.  Cowherd likes to pander to intellectual elites and openly mock large portions of his audience.  Thankfully, CBS passed on a sitcom pilot based on the life of Cowherd.

Links:

Cowherd Shuts Down The Big Lead Just To Be A Douche
Cowherd’s Ignorant and Insensitive Take On Sean Taylor’s Death
Cowherd’s Race Bating Includes Ridiculous Comments Towards John Wall
Cowherd Tells The Unemployed It’s Your Own Fault

Round 1 Result: Defeated Bobby Valentine 88.47% – 11.53%
Round 2 Result: Defeated Joe Theismann 61.71% – 38.29% 

Skip Bayless

Fact File: “Star” of ESPN’s First Take and 1st & 10

Why He’s Here: The former antagonizing columnist transformed into an antagonizing TV personality with his transition to first Cold Pizza and then First Take on ESPN2.  Bayless traditionally squares off against a debate partner in segments that contain enough hot air to lift the Hindenburg.  Often, Bayless will say outlandish things just for the sake of saying outlandish things.  Thankfully, most people have stopped listening.

Links:

Rob Parker & Skip Bayless Said What About Chad Ochocinco
Skip Bayless And Chris Broussard Have Exchange For The Ages
Nelly: Why rappers want to kick Skip Bayless’ butt on ESPN
The Best (Worst) Of Skip Bayless – 2006

Round 1 Result: Defeated Woody Paige 77.91% – 22.09%
Round 2 Result: Defeated John Sterling 64.14% – 35.86%

Results: Colin Cowherd defeated Skip Bayless 65.43% – 34.57%