The Biggest Non-Predatory Fish in the World

There are various sorts of fish on our planet, Earth. But the biggest fish in the world that is not a predator is without doubt the Whale Shark. Basically, picture "a shark the size of a whale." As its common name implies, its massive size will remind one that encounters it of whales. Do not worry if you encounter a Whale Shark because "although it may have 3000 sharply hooked teeth, they are only a few millimeters long." This massive whale-sized shark could easily swallow a diver even though "there is nothing to fear from that gigantic mouth because it is really just a big sucker." In other words it is a filter feeder that "feeds on plankton, krill, and macroalgae." While the Whale Shark feeds on the plankton and krill, "like a gigantic vacuum cleaner, it sucks up sea water and filters plankton from nearly a million liters of water every hour." At this rate, "That is more than enough to fill an Olympic sized swimming pool."  Considering it's graceful nature, an encounter with a Whale Shark will not be a nightmare, but a very special occasion.

Considering how the whale shark eats a lot of plankton and krill, "anything this big that eats that much is sure to attract a crowd." In other words, "the whale shark is like a huge floating reef providing shelter for many species of fish and the odd leftover from that massive maw." Despite the whale shark almost constantly having its mouth open, "it is incredibly thick skinned. It's 15 centimeter hide is one of the thickest skins of any living animal."

History of Pittsburgh Panthers football

The University of Pittsburgh Panthers were pretty good back when they had Antonio Bryant, Larod Howling, Lesean McCoy, and Larry Fitzgerald, and today, they are fine in college football. Today, they are led by coach Paul Chryst. They also play in Heinz Field (the same stadium home of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL).

In 2002, the Pittsburgh Panthers under coach Walt Harris were a 9-4 record overall. This was back when Larry Fitzgerald was playing for Pitt. In 2003, the Pittsburgh Panthers were a 8-5 record overall under coach Walt Harris. In 2004, Pittsburgh was a 8-4 record overall under coach Harris. This is when Pitt had WR #81 Derek Kinder, RB#23 Tim Murphy, RB#2 Marcus Furman, WR#82 Kelvin Chandler, and QB Tyler Palko.

But, starting in 2008, Pittsburgh has been really been on their hot streak in good records. Back then, they were led by coach Dave Wannstdtedt. In 2008, Pitt was 9-4 overall. This was also the sophomore year of HB#25 Lesean McCoy, the senior year of HB#34 Larod Howling and WR#81 Derek Kinder. They also had QB Bill Stull. In 2009, Pitt was 10-3 overall. The following year, in 2010, Pitt was 8-5 overall and after the season, Dave Wannstedt left. In 2011, Pitt was 6-7 overall under Todd Graham. The following year in 2012, Pitt was 6-7 for a second straight year under first year coach Paul Chryst. In 2013, Pitt was 7-6 overall beating the BGSU falcons in the Little Caesars Bowl.

Sharing NFL Stadiums with College teams

Although some college football teams like the Michigan State Spartans, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Virginia Tech Hokies, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Boston College Eagles, Texas Longhorns, UCLA Bruins, Arizona Wildcats, Oregon State Beavers, Oregon Ducks, and so on have their own stadiums to play at, other teams simply share the stadium with NFL teams. The precise teams consist of the Pittsburgh Panthers, Tulane Green Wave, Miami (FL) Hurricanes, South Florida Bulls, UMass Minutemen, Temple Owls, and San Diego State Aztecs. These teams most likely share the stadiums in an effort to save money. 

This relation does not only apply to NCAA and NFL teams though. For example, take Tropicana Field the host of the St. Petersburg bowl and also the home of the Tampa Bay Rays of the MLB. Also Back in the Day, the Cincinnati Bengals and Reds played in the same Riverfront Stadium. In 2014, the Cincinnati Bearcats play all of their home games at Paul Brown Stadium since Nippert Stadium is undergoing renovations due to be completed by 2015. 

Personally, I like the idea of sharing stadiums because if I were short on money, I would have to simply share a stadium with another team.













Riverfront Stadium (Cincinnati)                          






 Heinz Field (Pittsburgh)
                 

Nebraska Cornhuskers football at its peak (since 2008)

The Nebraska Cornhuskers football program has done rather well in 2002 (7-7), and 2003 (10-3), however, the Cornhuskers of Nebraska have really been at their best beginning in the year 2008 onwards under coach Bo Pelini.

In 2008, Bo Pelini made his coaching debut for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. In that year, he lead the Cornhuskers to a record of 9-4. In 2009, the cornhuskers did better than in 2008, as they went 10-3. In 2010, they were not as good as in 2009, since they were 10-4. But beginning in 2011 onwards, the Nebraska Cornhuskers would be in the Big Ten Conference. In 2011-their first season in the Big Ten Conference, the cornhuskers were 9-4. In 2012, they did better than in 2011, as they went 10-4. To this point, in 2013 the Cornhuskers of Nebraska were 9-4. It seems that the cornhuskers will still be at their peak in the here and now under coach Bo Pelini. However, after the 2014 season finale, Bo Pelini was fired and replaced by Mike Riley.

                                                      Coach Pelini

The True Largest Cephalopod in the World

Initially, the Giant Squid Architeuthis was assumed to be the largest cephalopod in the world. Strangely enough, it it not the largest. In 2007, off Antarctica's Ross Sea, fishermen hauled in a toothfish (similar in appearance to the Cod) with a huge piece missing and was bearing large serrated sucker marks. About three or so hooks further down the line, they unveiled perhaps the largest squid bycatch in history. This bycatch became later known as the Colossal Squid. In the past only pieces of the animal have been found (such as the hooked limbs used to restrain and grasp its slippery prey). It is easy to understand how the Colossal Squid got its name. It is believed that at full adult size, a Colossal Squid could be up to 40 feet long. Thus, it would be the largest squid in the world "in terms of mass." It lives in the waters surrounding Antarctica.

The Pinnacle of Michigan State Spartans Football (since 2007)

While the Michigan State Spartans football team has been pretty good when they had WR Plaxico Burress, WR Derrick Mason, WR Andre Rison, QB Tony Banks, and Kicker Paul Edinger, but beginning in the year 2007, under head coach Mark Dantonio, the Spartans of Michigan State have really been at their best in college football.

In the year 2007, Mark Dantonio made his debut as the head coach for the Michigan State Spartans football team. That year, the Spartans of Michigan State were 7-6. In 2008, the Spartans were 9-4 after losing to the Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital one Bowl. In 2009, they were 6-7 after the Alamo bowl loss to the Texas Tech Red Raiders. In 2010, the Spartans were 11-2 after the loss to the Alabama Crimson tide in the capital one bowl. In 2011, they were 11-3 after the win in the outback bowl over the Georgia bulldogs. In 2012, the Spartans were 7-6 after defeating the TCU horned frogs in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. However, 2013 was without doubt the best season in Michigan State Spartans football history. That year, the Michigan State Spartans were 13-1 after defeating the Stanford Cardinal in the Rose Bowl. The wikipedia article on Mark Dantonio mentions "on October 8, 2011, Dantonio signed a contract extension that made him a "Spartan for life". Michigan state spartans are at their best since 2007.

  MSU logo and coach Mark Dantonio

The Mysterious Life of the Giant Squid

The Giant Squid is "perhaps the most mysterious of nature's giants." Throughout history, the media portrayed the Giant Squid as monsters from the deep ocean. Largely due to specimens found dead on beaches, that is how scientists know of the Giant Squid. Since they live in waters that are so deep and so cold (300-1000m), scientists know virtually nothing about them. Giant Squids live on a diet of fish, prawns, and other squids. The predator of the Giant Squid is the Sperm Whale.

Recently, scientists found a way to study the giant squid aside from dead specimens. The wikipedia article on the giant squid mentions "Because Sperm Whales are skilled at finding giant squid, scientists have tried to observe them to study the squid." In September of 2004, scientists off Japan took the first photographs of a Giant Squid in its natural habitat. More research is seemingly being done to better understand the giant squid and the mysteries surrounding it.