College Football Beat

IS IT SEPTEMBER YET?

2010-03-25T07:36:00.000-07:00

I'm getting the itch and it is only March. Spring practice and the eternal hope that comes along with it has a tendency to do that. I miss the game already. I keep reading the stories and wishing it was September already. I find myself looking forward to pre-season rankings just because I know the real deal is just around the corner.

The off season has been interesting so far and here are some quick tidbits. No, I'm not going real in-depth just going to graze the top:

What is happening in Oregon? Chip Kelly has his hands full with the misconduct of his Duck football players. After last seasons opening night fiasco you would have thought that Oregon had put come of these transgressions behind them.

Urban Meyer is back!!!! Just ask the Orlando Sentinel reporter who asked a question concerning John Brantley as quarterback over Tim Tebow.

Speaking of old Timmy. Seems he is drawing interest from some pro teams concerning playing quarterback in the NFL. I think it would be a shame if Tebow do not get a fair shot in the NFL after being one of the most highly decorated college football players of all-time.

Brian Kelly is working hard to get Notre Dame on the right track after the Charlie Weiss era came to and end. Kelly is preaching discipline. On and off the field.

Louisville is opening spring practice and new head coach Charlie Strong has come out and said, "We need some leaders". The first time head coach is trying to turn the program around after Steve Kragthorpe did not live up to expectations for the Cardinals.

Florida State is a different program. All the reports coming out of Tallahassee say everything about the program has a different feel to it under Jimbo Fisher.

All I have for right now but I will be picking up the pace over the next few weeks.

Recruiting

2010-02-04T06:01:00.000-08:00

National Signing Day came and went and the University of Florida has seemed to come out the big winner with a recruiting class, that if you look at just ratings, is one of the best ever in college football.

Urban Meyer and his staff assembled 4- Five Star, 15 - Four Star and 7 - Three Star recruits among the 28 total signed. A great haul for the Gators, even though some questions still remain about the health of Meyer. While next year may be a slight down year for the Gators it looks like the future is very bright in Gainesville.

If you look at ESPN's ranking there are not a whole lot of surprises but there are a few. Texas and Alabama rounded out the top three behind Florida. Auburn surprised with a class that ranks #4 when the final tallies are completed.

The Tigers wound up with 1 -Five Star, 10- Four Star and 13- Three Star commits among the 32 strong signing class. Head coach Gene Chizik and his staff worked hard and and if everything goes as planned should contend in the near future in the SEC.

Oklahoma, no surprise, rounded out the top five but the sixth rated recruiting class is a little bit of shocker considering the 2009 record of 7-6 and the loss of a legendary head coach. Florida State and Jimbo Fisher proved that the staff he assembled can recruit and close some deals. The Noles assembled a class that includes 2 -Five Star, 9 - Four Star and 9 - Three Star among the 24 signees. The Noles were also able to get some much needed defensive help with 14 defensive recruits that include many of the higher ranked players.

The biggest shocker of National Signing day was where Tennessee finished, 9th. With Lane Kiffin leaving to take the head coaching job at USC many thought that this recruiting season would be a lost one for the Volunteers but Derek Dooley and his staff dug their heels in and pulled in quite a haul. The class included 10 - Four Star recruits and 6 - Three Star recruits in the total 25 signed.

The over all view of recruiting is that the SEC continues to get stronger with four schools ranked in the top ten and two more among the top 25. The PAC-10 fared well with two schools in the top ten and and three more among the top 25. The ACC has four teams among the top 25.

The biggest surprise may have been the Big 10, not having a school among the top and only three in top 25. Penn State came in 11th followed by Michigan and then Ohio State.

As with the NFL, recruiting is like the draft. They look good in high school and do well at the high school showcases but you still never know what you have until they buckle those chin straps up on Saturday and see some real game action. The funnel effect will start to take place. Some of these highly touted recruits will fade and never see the field and some who went unnoticed may some day find themselves winning a Heisman Trophy.

Taken a look back you have to think the big winner of course was Florida, because with the ability to recruit that much talent the odds will be in their favor for some of that talent to pan out and have an impact.

Who is right?

2010-01-15T11:46:00.000-08:00

There seem to be conflicting stories coming out of Lubbock, Tx, concerning the firing of Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach and conflicting stories coming out of Tampa Bay, FL concerning the firing of head coach Jim Leavitt.

First to Leach. Leach is contending that the accusations flying from Adam James all stem from James being demoted to third string and storming out of the coaches office after being informed. Leach contends that James slammed a door so hard while leaving the meeting, with assistant coach Lincoln Riley on hand, that over a $1,000 worth of damage was caused.

Leach further contends that phone calls from James's father. ESPN analyst Craig James, started flowing and messages were left with assistant coaches on the staff of Texas Tech. It also being reported that Craig James also approached an assistant coach prior to the Red Raiders bowl game letting him know that they were making a big mistake pertaining to his son. All this is being reported by ESPN.

Leach also contends that James put himself in the electrical closet, punishment in question, and took pictures with this cell phone.

It is also alleged that Craig James and Texas Tech chancellor Kent Hance have a business relationship together away from football. It seems that university president Guy Bailey has brought this to light.

Leach was fired just days before he was set to receive a $850,000 bonus for staying on for one full calendar year.

The Leavitt saga seems to have more wheels than that involving Leach. Leavitt is accused of choking a player, Joel Miller, and slapping him in the face during half-time of a November 21 game against Louisville.

Leavitt says, he grabbed the player around the shoulder pads and tried to motivate him.

The players father at first said Leavitt struck his son but later recanted that and said Leavitt did indeed grab him by the pads and try to motivate him after receiving a penalty on special teams during the first half. Miller was also on the field when Louisville returned a kick for a touchdown.

The player at first said, that Leavitt grabbed his shoulder pads and did not strike him in anyway, during the initial interview trying to deflect attention away from the episode.

Miller has asked Leavitt for an apology. Leavitt is denying that is how everything unfolded. The university has conducted it's own investigation and has five witnesses who can testify that Leavitt did assault the player. USF also contends that Leavitt interfered with the investigation by having contact with Miller

Both Leavitt and Leach are now both unemployed and it is doubtful either one will be roaming any sidelines any time soon. And lawsuits have been filed. But the fact of the matter is all parties involved in both issues will come out as damaged goods. There will be no winners and the truth will eventually come to the surface.

I would like to add as far as Texas Tech is concerned, is this not the same school that has Bobby Knight coaching basketball?

2010

2010-01-15T07:08:00.000-08:00

We are less than eight months away from the start of the college football season and about seven months away from pre-season rankings. The rankings don't mean a lot right nowor when the season starts but we can start the debate now. Here is how I think the Top-25 should look to start 2010.

1) Alabama - Plenty of talent still on hand. Defending National Champions.

2) Boise State - Time to give the Broncos some respect. Two BCS Bowl wins in last three years. A ton of returning players.

3) Oregon- Look what Chip Kelly did in his first year with the Ducks.

4) TCU - Head coach Gary Patterson got some wooing done by some other teams. Patterson knows what he has so that is why he stayed.

5) Nebraska - Defense. Enough said. Bo Pelini has the Huskers on a good path.

6) Ohio State - A Rose Bowl win now in hand and Terrelle Pryor leading the way.

7) Virginia Tech - Leader of the ACC. Beamer ball will hang tough in 10'.

8) Texas - The Longhorns regret not letting their freshman get some more mop up duty. The kid looked strong as the game progressed. It's still Texas and Mack Brown still has plenty of talent in the Lone Star state.

9) Iowa - Kirk Ferentz wants to finish what he has started.

10) Georgia Tech - Some talent leaving but hardly any team can figure out how to stop the hybrid option.

11) Wisconsin - Clamped down on Miami in Champs Sports Bowl. Plenty of returning talent to hang in Big Ten.

12)Arkansas - Not an elite SEC team yet but surging.

13)Florida - Too much talent leaving to warrant a top ten pre-season ranking.

14) Brigham Young - The Mormons will bring it again.

15) Oregon State - Mike Riley had a chance to leave but wanted to stay in Corvalis, there had to be a reason.

16) Pittsburgh - Dave Wannestadt has the Panthers getting some respect and wants to keep the program heading in the right direction.

17) Cincinnati - Should probably be ranked higher but after the Florida bowl beat down and a coaching change Bearcats will have an uphill climb in 2010.

18) Georgia - Mark Richt will be out to prove 2010 was an anomaly.

19) Miami - Randy Shannon is having a good recruiting season. Still has plenty of horses in the barn. Not the "U" yet but college football is becoming relevant again in Coral Gables.

20) LSU - Never that far off. LSU will have to step it up in 2010.

21) Utah - Another team that gets little respect. The Utes always seem to be hanging around though.

22) USC - Carroll gone. Kiffin in. Norm Chow says he'll stay at UCLA. It's still USC so we know they still have impact players as of now.

23) Stanford - Was 09' for real. Jim Harbaugh and the Cards are out to prove student/athletes are real.

24) Mississippi - After all the hype in 2009 and high rankings. The Rebels will be playing with a chip on their shoulders.

25) West Virginia - Third Big East entry in my poll. May be the best Big East team in 2010.

Some teams worth paying attention to but not quite Top-25: Oklahoma, North Carolina, FSU, Rutgers, Auburn, Texas Tech, Notre Dame, South Carolina, UCLA, Washington, Michigan and Navy.

Confusion Reigns Supreme

2010-01-14T12:05:00.000-08:00

When the college football season hits the field for the 2010 season things will look different on the sidelines let's take a quick look:

Pete Carroll - Left USC to become head coach for Seattle Seahawks. Wonder if it had anything to do with sanctions, loss of talent or any other NCAA issues.

Lane Kiffin - Left "Rocky Top" in the middle of the night for USC. Kinda like when the Colts left Baltimore. Held a press conference but didn't answer any questions from the media. For a guy with a big mouth, that in itself was impressive. Said "USC" was his dream job.

Urban Meyer - Quit on Friday. Came Back on Saturday. Taking a leave of absence until August, sighting health issues. Word out of Gainesville, still business as usual. Meyer's footprint still all over program. Downside for Gators for next season, a lot of talent leaving.

Bobby Bowden - Retired, if you want to call it that, from Florida State. Won his last game upsetting West Virginia in Gator Bowl.

Jimbo Fisher - No longer the head coach in waiting at FSU. He is now the shizz. Has come out of the gate strong as far as recruiting concerned.

Charlie Weiss - Fired at Notre Dame and is now on staff for Kansas City Chiefs. Didn't take long.

Mike Leach - Learned an important lesson. Pirates are forced to walk the plank. Fired at Texas Tech for stepping over the line for punishing a player who was injured. Didn't help matters that player was son of an ESPN College Football analysts. Can you say awkward? Leach now heading to court with Texas Tech.

Eric Mangino - Fired at Kansas for being abusive to players. Heard a rumor going to be new spokesperson for Jenny Craig.

Jim Leavitt - Fired from University of South Florida for assaulting (choking/slapping) during half time of a game . Player, first denied it happened and is now asking for an apology from Leavitt. Just like Leach, Leavitt and USF will be having some litigation going on.

Charlie Strong - New head man at Louisville replacing the fired Steve Kragthorpe.

Brian Kelly - Takes Cincy all the way to Sugar Bowl undefeated but leaves town before game to take over at Notre Dame. Cincy gets waxed by Gators and Tim Tebow.

Rich Brooks - Retires from Kentucky. Replaced by Joker Phillips. I'm serious no joke. Sorry it was just to easy to pass up on.

Al Groh - Fired from Virginia. Replaced by Mike London.

Tommy Tuberville - Finds himself back on the sidelines replacing Leach at Texas Tech.

Mark Snyder - Resigns from Marshall. Replaced by "Doc" Holiday. No not making this stuff up.

Turner Gill - Brought Buffalo back to life now gets a chance at Kansas replacing Mangino. Gill, if you remember, was a standout QB at Nebraska.

Butch Jones - Resigns at Central Michigan to become head coach at Cincy. Is replaced at Central Michigan by Dan Enos.

The biggest question mark though will be who is going to replace Kiffin at Tennessee? Early names include the usual suspects, Gary Patterson (TCU), is saying no, Chris Peterson (Boise State), Jon Gruden, has ties to UT, Kippy Brown (Interim Head Coach) and no Phillip Fulmer will not be coming back.

Urban Meyer

2009-12-28T10:37:00.000-08:00

I'm confused. First Urban Meyer resigns. Then Urban Meyer doesn't resign, it's then reported he will be taking a year off. Then the latest, he will take some time off but be back on the sidelines when the Gators take the field for the first time next season. Steve Addazio will be the interim head coach, as reported, until coach Meyer returns.

With the announcements this weekend Meyer has accomplished a few things. He has stolen the thunder from Tim Tebow and his last football game in a Gators uniform. He has taken the Sugar Bowl away from his players to enjoy and put all the attention on him. He has become a distraction for the Gator football team that will be playing an undefeated Cincinnati Bearcat squad.

Now, I'm not saying that Meyer does not have have every right to step away from the game and get his health in order, but he is also sending mixed messages to the college football world, the university and his family. I question the timing of the announcement and the quick reversal for the need to come back next year. If his health and family are his number one priority I see no reason to be swayed by his players request for him to return and not resign or to take a year off . I fully understand his commitment to Florida and his players but his health must come first. Why not take full year off and get his health in order. Does he not have that much faith in his staff to keep the ship heading in the proper direction? Does he feel he may need this distraction for what could be a down year for the Gator Nation next year? Does he feel this could be used as an excuse if the Gators should fall flat in 2010?. I'm not in Urban Meyers head so I don't know what he is thinking and feel the last two comments are way out there but those points will be raised.

I started writing this entry on Sunday evening but had to hold off as more news started to come in from very credible news organizations so I had to wait to draw a full conclusion. I have concluded this though, there is something wrong with Urban Meyer, nobody except for Meyer, hopefully his wife, and doctors know what it is for sure. If Meyer feels he can come back in the fall then more power to him.

I find it though very disturbing though, that the hospital stay after the SEC Championship game was for a heart related issues and not the dehydration as reported by the university. The 911 call seems to point obviously to something more serious. Was the reason for the dehydration excuse to calm nerves in the Gator Nation. Was it used to help sway any recruits that were on the fence that all is well in Gainesville? Was the reason for the quick reversal of the resignation because national signing day is less five weeks away?

I do not want to know all the details of Meyer's ailments but would like to know the truth if they are going to talk about it. I feel the university and Meyer owe that to the players, future recruits and fan base. If the ailment was enough to warrant the thought of resigning then it is something that needs to be discussed concerning the future of the program.

I fully support Meyer's right to privacy and that line though does get blurred when living in the public eye. I would much rather him come out and say what the problem is then listen to or watch the endless hours of speculation from so called experts as to what is wrong with his ticker.

Coach Meyer needs to remember though that it is just football and if I had to choose between being healthy by walking away from football or living in pain because I'm walking the sidelines, I would choose to walk away and enjoy the time I spent on the sidelines and then enjoy my life.

Meyer Steps Down at Florida

2009-12-26T17:11:00.000-08:00

Shocking new today coming out of Gainesville (FL). University of Florida head football coach Urban Meyer resigned today sighting health reasons.

Meyer said he consulted with his family, his doctors, school president Bernie Machen and athletic director Jeremy Foley before deciding it is in his best interest to focus on his health and family.

"Coach Meyer and I have talked this through and I realize how hard this was for him to reach this decision," Foley said. "But the bottom line is that coach Meyer needed to make a choice that is in the best interest of his well being and his family. I certainly appreciate what he has meant to the University of Florida, our football program and the Gator Nation. I have never seen anyone more committed to his players, his family and his program. Above all, I appreciate our friendship."

The Jacksonville Observer is reporting the reason for the resignation is because of a heart condition. Just after the Gators loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship game game, Meyer was admitted to Shands Hospital, for what was reported as dehydration at that time. A source from the NFL is reporting that Meyer informed the team of a heart problem being the reason for the resignation. The Huffington Post is reporting that Meyer's heart condition came to light during the the hospital stay in November.

In 1988 an arachnoid cyst was discovered on his brain while on the coaching staff at Notre Dame. While the cyst was determined to be non-life threatening, stress could cause Meyer to have severe head pain.

The Gators will have Meyer for the Sugar Bowl against Cincinnati but will then head into next season with Meyer, Tim Tebow and defensive coordinator Charlie Strong, who is now the head coach at Louisville.

************update*********************update******************update***********

It is now being reported that Urban Meyer is scheduled to hold a press conference tomorrow in New Orleans, sight of the Sugar Bowl. Meyer is expected to announce that he will be staying at the University of Florida in some capacity, just not as head football coach. It is now being speculated that University of Florida officials have known for sometime that this was coming down the road due to the length and completeness of the e-mail that Florida officials sent to members of the the media.

**************update #2***************update #2**************update#2*********

Everyone already knows this but I figured I would update the blog with the news. Urban Meyer has decided he will not be resigning as head coach from the University of Florida. He will be taking a one year leave of absence from head coaching duties. Steve Addazio, offensice coordinator, will be the interim head coach. Meyer is expected to be back on the sidelines in 2011 if all health issues are worked out and he is deemed fit to resume his duties.

Just Some Random Thoughts

2009-12-22T14:37:00.000-08:00

As the college football bowl season starts to get in full swing I'm seeming to get over my writers block that has been plaguing me for the last couple of weeks. I've seen some events transpire but couldn't figure out how to put my thoughts down on this keyboard. Well I seem to have found that second wind, so here we go.

The University of Texas administration made the right call in giving Mack Brown a $2 million raise a few weeks ago to raise his annual salary to $5 million a year. Those are some crazy numbers I agree but look what he has done for the university. Texas is the leading revenue producing football program in the country and has given over $6 million to the education fund over the last few years. Say whatever you want but that would not happen if Texas was losing football games. $5 million a year is outrageous, but if that is the going rate nationally for a winning college football coach than why should Mack Brown not be paid that much. One national championship under his belt and playing for another one this year.

The University of Florida seems to be going after some top notch student/athletes to play football for the Gators. Check out the myspace/facebook pages of lineman Leon Orr and defensive player Lynden Trail, these are some top notch recruits who have pics posted of themselves flashing gang signs and one poses with a gun. Gator fans can not say a word now about any other school and who they recruit and the thugs that are on the field. It seems that Urban Meyer may have a problem brewing in Gainesville and he better get it under control before it spirals out of control. Remember the almighty Tim Tebow is gone after the bowl game.

What the hell was ESPN thinking a week ago? On Saturday night they glorify the Miami Hurricanes teams of the 80's for brash behavior, hanging with drug dealers, having bounties put on opposing players heads and apparently owning the town and being totally out of control. The next morning they run a story on Outside the Lines that vilifies Florida State for their academic scandal and only give one side of the story.The two interviewee's were an advisor that is currently suing the university and a former player who lasted one semester. I'm not saying what happened at FSU was not wrong I'm saying it happens at almost every major college football school in the nation and does not need to just be fixed at Florida State but around the nation. But why the double standard? Did anyone know that the producer of the OTL story was a former Florida grad? What about ESPN's contract with the SEC? You mean this type of thing doesn't happen in the football factory conference of the SEC? I used to hold ESPN to a higher standard for expose stories but after watching the Miami story and FSU story, I have to wonder.

Speaking of Florida State and getting back to on field matters the Noles rise from the ashes may not happen next season but with recruits Jimbo Fisher is landing and the coaching staff he is assembling is may not be that far off. A return to national prominence may be in the future for the garnette and gold.

Bowl season is under way and the Mountain West Conference is coming out the gate strong and making some noise to be given an automatic BCS birth. With BYU destroying Oregon State and Utah putting away California the Mountain West has showed they can compete with the so called major conferences.

Kelly to the Irish

2009-12-11T09:02:00.000-08:00

Angry players...disappointed players....a coach leaving before his team plays in the Sugar Bowl against Florida. Brian Kelly has been hired as the new head coach of the Notre Dame Fighintg Irish, the announcement is not big news or surprising news, since it was expected about a week ago.

What is surprising though is how Bearcat players have reacted to the announcement. Most of the team is disappointed and feel betrayed that the coach won't even be staying around for the bowl game. No one is saying that Kelly should not have taken the job but they are sad to seem him go. They are realists that Notre Dame was able to offer more money, better facilities and more prestige. The best question that Bearcats are asking is this, "Where did Kelly stand a better chance of winning at." Most feel that Cincy was the place, far and above the Irish and South Bend. Many feel that Kelly should have stuck around for the Sugar Bowl though.

Kelly will have his hands full next year with quarterback Jimmy Claussen announcing that he is leaving for the NFL along with standout wide receiver Golden Tate.

FISHER HAVING EARLY IMPACT FOR FSU

2009-12-10T08:35:00.000-08:00

The announcement that Jimbo Fisher will be taking over the reigns at Florida State and is no longer just the head coach in waiting is a little more than a week old but is already having a big impact on the football program and recruiting. For the second time in less than a week the Seminoles have landed a five-star recruit when Larmarcus Joyner agreed to come to FSU. Joyner joins Jeff Luc, another five-star recruit, who committed a few days ago.

Joyner is ranked #5 over-all among high school seniors and is rated the #1 corner back coming out of high school. He attended St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale (FL). Joyner chose Florida State over Ohio State, Florida, Notre Dame and Georgia.

Luc is a beast of a middle linebacker who is expected to have an immediate impact coming in at 6'1" and 241 pounds. He went to Treasure Cost High School in Port St. Lucie (FL). Luc is rated the #6 player coming out of school and the #1 rated linebacker.

With the performance of the defense Florida State is focusing on getting defensive players into the program at this time. FSU has new moved up the rankings as far as recruiting classes are concerned to #9. 2011 is also looking very strong for the Noles as they have some early commitments to the program.

Strong to Louisville

2009-12-09T13:43:00.000-08:00

It all starts. With winning comes the loss of staff. Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators have lost defensive coordinator Charlie Strong to the Louisville Cardinals, where Strong will be the new head coach.

Strong will take over for Steve Kragthorpe, who struggled for three seasons at Louisville.
This will be Strong's first head coaching position. It is unclear if Strong will stay on to coach the Gators in the Sugar Bowl.

An Act of Congress...Really???

2009-12-09T09:53:00.000-08:00

I know when you were growing up you heard this said by your dad, "It would take an act of Congress to get that done.". Well guess what, the NCAA may be forced into to putting together a college play-off system to determine a true National Champion. A House sub-comittee approved today some legislation that would force a some type off college football playoff. It's a long way from becoming law but it is heading that way.

On a personal not I think Congress has more important things to worry about than college football and who wins the National Championship. Some in the House tend to agree.

"With all due respect I think we have more important things to spend our time on." said Rep. John Barrow D-Ga.

While I agree that a playoff system is needed I don't think Congress should be wasting the taxpayers money debating it or making it a law.

Volunteers Under Investiagtion

2009-12-09T08:44:00.000-08:00

Okay, Florida Gator Fans, South Carolina fans and anyone else Tennessee's Lane Kiffin has pissed of or offended. The Volunteers are now under investigation for some possible recruiting violations.

It's now time to jump on the bandwagon and give Kiffin back some of what he has handed out. The issues that are under investigation all took place under the watchful eye of the loudmouth coach and center around hostesses visiting high school games around South Carolina and Tennessee.

The Vols have been cited for a series of secondary violations since Kiffin took over the program . SEC commissioner Mike Slive has also reprimanded Kiffin twice for improper public comments.

AD Mike Hamilton has acknowledged the investigation and is expected to hold some sort of press conference later today.

WOW!!!!...WHAT A WEEKEND

2009-12-06T07:37:00.000-08:00

Saturday showed us exactly what college football is all about with some great games and some crying on national television, and not just from Tim Tebow. I could write a recap of all the games but why bore you with that? Here are some quick thoughts from the weekend.

* Skip Holtz gets little or no attention for what he is doing at East Carolina. Carolina dropped Houston yesterday to pick up the Pirates second straight Conference USA Championship.

* Ndumakong Suh from Nebraska is the real deal. I have never seen a defensive lineman keep a team in the game like he did against Texas.

* CJ Spiller of Clemson is with out a doubt the most exciting player in college football today. His performance in the loss to Georgia Tech was incredible.

*The major conferences better be glad Texas pulled it out against Nebraska or the National Championship might have wound up with TCU or Cincinnati and, the big boys would not have been happy.

*Alabama, simply put, dominated the Florida Gators on Saturday. Tebow looked confused and hurried most of the day.

*Tony Pike of Cincinnati showed the poise and confidence in the latter stages of the comeback win over Pitt that will serve him well in the pros.

*Hey, college football fans, those wildcat and spread formations are great but Paul Johnson of Georgia Tech is quite happy with how the wishbone is working for the Yellow Jackets.

*With the loss to Arizona yesterday the USC Trojans finished 6th in the PAC-10. Yes, I said 6th.

*I think Tim Tebow takes a loss too hard. He didn't have a chance and it wasn't his fault. I appreciate the emotion but ,"There's no crying in football".

*Don't ever give up. See Cincinnati, Texas and Georgia Tech.

*Colt McCoy almost cost Texas a chance at the National Championship by playing the last play before the field goal a little too casually.

*Did Mark Ingram do enough against Florida to win the Heisman Trophy? Many in the media are thinking so.

*Pitt's freshman phenom running back Dion Lewis is a future Heisman Trophy winner. 47 carries 197 yards and three touchdowns against Cincy.

*Boise State gets no love. Two seasons in a row without losing a regular season game. This is their third season this decade going undefeated in the regular season, and not one chance to play for a National Championship. Yeah, the college football BCS system is fair.

* Jake Locker of Washington will be a Heisman Trophy candidate and Washington may challenge for the PAC-10 title next year if he comes back for his senior season.
Just one season removed from going 0-12. The Huskies finished the season 5-7 after upsetting #19 Cal on Saturday.

* How much did the Gators miss Carlos Dunlap (DUI suspension) and would it have made any difference?

*Mardy Gilyard of Cincinnati is big time. When the Bearcats needed some big plays to rally from behind, Gilyard was ready and stepped it up.

* Much noise was made about LaGarrete Blount and the punch he threw in the opening game loss to Boise State and the subsequent suspension he received. He quietly came into the game Thursday night and silenced some critics, and gained some redemption.

* Cal and head coach Jim Tedford have to be disappointed with how the Bears performed this season. With USC on the snide this year Cal had a chance to step up and grab the PAC-10.

* Does college football get any better than it this Saturday? Gator fans might disagree. But if you weren't on the edge of your seat almost all day Saturday you weren't watching the same games I was.

*Give credit to Tim Tebow because even with about six minutes to play you thought the Gators still had a chance. Call it the Tebow factor.

*The BCS must be doing the happy dance right now because of Texas escaping the Big 12 Championship with a win. Imagine the chaos that would have ensued with a Nebraska win.

*Gator Bowl officials must also be doing the happy dance with Clemson losing to Georgia Tech. Will it be easier to explain allowing an undeserving Florida State team the chance to get waxed by West Virginia on New Year's Day?

*Going to be interesting to watch Florida and Cincinnati play in the Sugar Bowl. With both coaches being rumored, or having been rumored, to be up for the head coaching position at Notre Dame.

*Was the talk of defensive coordinator Charlie Strong leaving for Louisville a distraction for the Gators?

* The officials got it right putting one more second on the clock at the end of the Big 12 Championship game.

Championship Weekend

2009-12-04T07:33:00.000-08:00

It's a huge weekend for college with the ACC, Big East, Big 12 and SEC all deciding conference champions with title games or de-facto title games. One of the major conferences already had their de-facto championship game with Oregon beating Oregon State last night on ESPN. If you missed it you missed a very good rivalry game to decide the PAC-10 Champion and who goes to the Rose Bowl.

#5 Cincinnati, with still some National Championship Game hopes, heads to Heinze Field to take on the #14 Pitt Panthers to decide the Big East and a trip to the Orange Bowl. While not a true championship game it as close as we can get in the Big East. Cincy is trying to finish the season undefeated and ignoring the rumors that head coach Brian Kelly could be heading to Notre Dame next year. The Bearcats are healthy again at quarterback with Tony Pike back in the saddle and commanding an offense that can score points. The Panthers are trying to win 10 games for the first time since 1981, with Dan Marino at quarterback, and win the Big East outright for the first time ever. Pitt is coming off a loss last weekend to West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl rivalry. For Cincy to win they must be able to handle a stout pass rush from the Panthers and shut down Pitt QB Bill Stull who has the second best passer rating in the conference behind the Bearcats Pike. Cincy must also shut down freshman phenom running back Dion Lewis, fourth ranked rusher in the nation.

MY PICK: CINCINATTI

Both of the teams playing for the ACC Championship are coming off losses in rivalry games last weekend. Clemson got thumped by South Carolina and Georgia Tech got shut down by Georgia. This game is also a rematch from earlier in the season when Clemson beat Georgia Tech 30-27 with a field goal in the final seconds. Tech has been running wild all season long with coach Paul Johnson's hybrid wishbone attack. Clemson has been relying on CJ Spiller to carry the scoring load. Tech must shut down Spiller, which no one has been able to do all season, if they expect to win. The Tigers must figure out a way to slow down the rushing attack of the Yellow Jackets if they expect to capture the ACC. With the game in Tampa no one has the home field advantage but Clemson does travel well so expect to see a lot of orange in Raymond James Stadium Saturday.

MY PICK: GEORGIA TECH

When #3 Texas takes the field Saturday at Cowboys Stadium to face #22 Nebraska for the Big 12 titile the Longhorns know that a victory means a chance to play for the National Championship in Pasadena. The Horns' will be riding the hot hand of quarterback Colt McCoy who is coming off a performance last week over Texas A&M that might have cemented the Heisman Trophy for him. Nebraska has one thing in their favor though, Texas may be looking past the Cornhuskers and having sights already on the National Championship Game. Nebraska also must look at the fact that Texas A&M was also able to roll up over 500 yards of offense against on the best defensive units in the nation. Nebraska head coach Bo Pellini has led the Cornuskers to two consecutive nine win seasons and they have their sights set on capturing their first Big 12 Championship since 1999.

MY PICK: TEXAS

All eyes with be on the Georgia Dome Saturday afternoon when the #1 Florida Gators and #2 Alabama Crimson Tide line up to decide the SEC Championship and who will be representing the conference in the National Championship Game. Florida comes in to the game riding high after embarrassing in-state rival Florida State last weekend. Bama comes in after after a hard fought victory of Auburn in the Iron Bowl. This game will come down to which defense cracks first. Both are ranked among the best in the nation. Bama must contain Tim Tebow who is looking to pick up his third National Championship ring in his spectacular college career. Bama is looking to end Florida's dominance and will rely heavily on running back Mark Ingram. Florida will be playing without outstanding defensive end Carlos Dunlap, who was suspended for getting a DUI arrests earlier in the week. The difference in this game may not be Tebow or Ingram but Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy. If he maintains composure under the ferocious attack for the Gator D, Florida might be in for a long day at the office.

MY PICK: FLORIDA

Bobby Done Wrong?

2009-12-02T08:51:00.001-08:00

The feeling from many around Tallahassee and from the national media is that the retirement of Bobby Bowden was done in a fashion that has shamed Florida State University. Bowden helped build the program into the national powerhouse that it became and many feel he should have been able to say when and how he left FSU. Bowden wanted to come back in 2010 for his last season and many are feeling he should have been given the opportunity for all he has given to Florida State.

Bowden, though, did decide how he wanted to leave years ago. He came right out and said, "When I leave here I don't want no parades or farewell tours. I just want to go quietly". That is exactly what happened. Bowden was given a choice to come back in 2010 as a puppet head coach, with Jimbo Fisher making all the day to day decisions, or to retire. Bowden took a look at the choices and decided it was in the best interest of Florida State and himself to walk away after the bowl game this year. He knew that it would never work with the other choice.

FSU fans will have their chance to bid a a found farewell to an icon of college football, more than likely at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville (FL). I would not want it any other way. I knew this year would be his last, the writing had been on the wall since October. If other FSU fans didn't see it they were standing in the wrong bathroom stall. I would rather see it this way than having Bowden fired mid-season or completely run out of town. He was able to leave with his dignity and on his terms.

Even though FSU, by Bowden's own standards, have been on tough times, FSU is in a position to come out of this funk rather quickly. With the coaching change made prior to the bowl game future prospects will now know the status of coaching at FSU. They will now be able to decide whether or not FSU is a choice. This does not hurt FSU and the football program.

While the argument will be made that the Florida State administration showed little class in the retirement of Bowden. Was there any other choice? When do you tell an icon its time to go? How do you tell a legend to hang it up? In reality Bowden probably hung on a few years too long and help create this mess but always being the optimist and thinking he could turn it around. The time came for the administration to take a stand.

The time will come to thank Bobby Bowden for all he did for football at Florida State and all he did for college football on a whole. The Seminole Nation and the college football world will come out and recognize him for all he did. The administration at Florida State will do it the right way and in a fashion that honors Bowden and his wife Ann.

As a fan base it is time for the Seminole Nation to rally around Bowden in his last game and then turn the focus to supporting Jimbo Fisher and the Seminole football team. Many of the Seminole Nation rooted for and became fans because of Bobby Bowden. When the Noles kick-off next year root louder and more wildly than ever before, and do it for Bobby.

Thank You Bobby

2009-11-30T19:14:00.000-08:00

Dear Coach Bowden,

Thank you for coming to Florida State and leading the Seminoles for 34 years. You are the only coach I have ever known at FSU and I am shedding a tear today after hearing you announce your retirement. I have spent all of my adult life and most of my childhood rooting for the Garnet and Gold. Even though you may not be walking the side lines anymore you will cast a shadow over every game that the Seminoles lace up the cleats and buckle up their helmets for a long time to come.

Thank you for coming to Florida State and making the Seminoles into a national powerhouse, respected and feared around the country. Thank you for 34 years of never having a losing season. Thank you for taking our Noles to a bowl game every year since 1982 and taking our Noles to bowl games in 31 of the 34 years you coached at Florida State. Thank you for leading the Noles to 14 consecutive years of being ranked no lower than 5th nationally at the end of the year. Thank you coach, for leading the Noles to 12 ACC Conference Championships. Thank you for bringing home two National Championships to Tallahassee.

I remember the first time we ever met. You shook my hand and asked if I was a Seminole fan. Of course I said yes, and you said, "thank you" to me. The last time I had the chance to speak with you was in a radio interview in 1991 after a Cotton Bowl victory and you let me know that you remembered us meeting, and you thanked me again for being a Seminole faithful. You let me know how important the fans were.

You have given so much to Florida State and so many smiles to Florida State fans. Even in heartbreaking losses you made us smile. You made a nation smile. You leave Florida State a legend just like your hero Paul Bryant left Alabama. You are respected not just by Florida State fans but by a nation of college football fans. You brought a style and class to the college game that will never be matched.

You showed a nation that a college football coach can profess his beliefs in Jesus Christ and God and use that as a building block to overcome any adversity that came your way. You showed a love of family.

I want to thank you for so much but most of all I want to thank you for just being Bobby Bowden.

We love you coach and we will miss you.

Love,

A Fan

Bowden to Meet Wednesday

2009-11-30T09:39:00.000-08:00

Florida State Football head coach Booby Bowden is scheduled to meet with FSU president TK Whetherell and athletic director Randy Spetman on Wednesday to discuss Bowden's future at Florida State.

The administration met with head coach in waiting Jimbo Fisher today. No announcements have been made concerning that meeting.

***************UPDATE********************UPDATE*****************UPDATE*******

The meeting that was scheduled to take place Wednesday apparently happened today just before lunch, as being reported by ESPN. Bowden was given two choices. One choice was a diminished roll with Jimbo Fisher making most of the decisions concerning gamplan and hiring of staff. The other choice while not mentioned has to be retirement. Bowden stated that he will meet again with Wetherell and Spetman on Tuesday and decision will come at that time.

*************UPDATE #2 *****************UPDATE#2*************UPDATE#2*****

ESPN is reporting that Bobby Bowden will be announcing his retirement Tuesday morning at press conference. A deal has been reached with Jimbo Fisher to replace Bowden begining in 2010.

Butch Davis to Notre Dame

2009-11-30T09:22:00.000-08:00

It's not official but sources, who wish to remain anonymous, are saying that Butch Davis could be announced rather quickly as the new head coach at Notre Dame. This announcement, if it happens, comes out of left field after all the talk of who may be the next coach for the Irish.

"Davis has been contacted by Notre Dame and has expressed interest in becoming the new head coach." one source said, "It may be announced by the end of the week."

Another source added this, "It seems that Coach Davis' days here in Chapel Hill may be coming to an end. The vibe around here is that it is an almost done deal."

None of this information can be confirmed at this time. Both sources requested anonymity because they are not authorized to comment on the issue.

Neither Davis, North Carolina and Notre Dame are not commenting.

Davis has found success before at a high profile program when he was the head coach at Miami. Davis' name comes as a surprise after the names of Tony Dungy, Brian Kelly, Gary Patterson and Chris Peterson all came up as being on the wish list of Notre Dame officials.

What's Next for Two Elite Programs

2009-11-30T06:18:00.001-08:00

Today we should start to see the dominoes start to fall at a couple of high profile football programs. Notre Dame is currently evaluating Charlie Weis and the job he has done or hasn't done for the Irish. Florida State administration is meeting with head coach in waiting Jimbo Fisher today to discuss the program.

No word on which way Notre Dame officials are leaning concerning Weis. Popular opinion is that Weis is finished as the head coach. The major sign was that Irish officials asked Weis to come back to Indiana following the loss to Stanford instead of staying on the west coast to get some recruiting done, that has happened in years past.

Some new names have popped up on the radar screen for the Irish head coaching position and one that is quite intriguing is former NFL and Super Bowl winning head coach, Tony Dungy. It does seem though that the leading contender for the position is Cincinnati Bearcat coach Brian Kelly. Kelly has made it public that he would be interested in the position.

Florida State on the other hand has a head coach in waiting, Fisher. I find it odd though that the administration is meeting with Fisher today and no time table has been set, though expected later this week, to meet with the actual head coach Bobby Bowden.

Bowden said after the loss Saturday to Florida that he would have to go home and look at the game, and I'm paraphrasing here, and digest the loss before he made up his mind about returning. On Sunday he came out and said, that he would like to return for one more season but the decision was out of his hands.

FSU president TK Wetherell is a Bodwen supporter. Wetherell has announced his retirement already though. That could be a sign that Bowden is finished at FSU.

The coaching carousel has started in other programs. Lousiville has dismissed Steve Kragthorpe and it is rumored that Florida defensive coordinator, Charlie Strong, is high on the list for Louisville officials to take over. Al Groh is gone from Virginia and it appears like Al Golden from Temple is a leading candidate to replace.

So it begins. Where it ends no one is for sure. But by the end of the week there should be more clarity to what is happening.

Last Regular Season Week-End

2009-11-29T17:01:00.000-08:00

The college football regular season came to a close this weekend. The end results were much as expected by many for the top three. The rest of the field took some on the chin.

The #1 Florida Gators treated the Florida State Seminoles like a Division III football team on Saturday. Tim Tebow in his final home game at Florida Field put on a dominating performance and along with his defense showed why the Gators are the team to beat. I'll be the first to say that I have thought all year long that the Gators have flaws, and I thought the Noles might pull off the upset. I could not have been further from reality. Tebow was flawlessin almost every facet of his game. The Gator defense was just as flawless in keeping the Seminoles out of the end zone for much of the day with the first team in. While the Noles are no powerhouse this year the Gators put to sleep many of the questions on Saturday pertaining to the quality of this team. The Gators are for real and may just be the next National Champions.

The #2 Alabama Crimson Tide had to rally to overcome the Auburn Tigers on Friday in the Iron Bowl. The Tigers took the Tide to the brink but Bama quarterback Greg McElroy hung in all day and continued to show maturation in leading Bama to the win and keeping the Tide in the discussion for the National Championship. Bama will have to bring their A game if they expect to get by Florida next weekend in the SEC Championship game.

The third ranked Texas Longhorns showed some weakness against the Texas A&M Aggies on Thanksgiving Day on defense and allowed the Aggies to ring up 39 points and 532 yards of offense. The only thing Texas had going for them was Colt McCoy who threw for over 300 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for another 175 yards and 1 td. McCoy may have cemented himself as the Heisman Trophy front runner on a 65-yard highlight worthy touchdown run.

#4 TCU continued to roll trouncing New Mexcio 51-10. TCU will find themselves in BCS Bowl but most hope for a Texas loss to Nebraska in the Big 12 Championships game if they hope to play for a National Championship.

The fifth ranked Cincinnati Bearcats welcomed starting quarterback Tony Pike back into the line up and Pike lit up Illinois for 399 passing yards and six touchdowns. Cincy will find themselves in BCS Bowl after finishing the season undefeated and winning the Big East.

With some help from an Oklahoma State loss, #6 Boise State find themselves in a postion to go BCS bowling this January. The Broncos took care of business dispatching of Nevada with a final of 44-33. Boise quarterback and Heisman hopeful Kellen Moore threw for 262 yards and five touchdowns.

Starting at the seventh ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets is where the weekend started to get crazy. Already secure with the knowledge that they would be playing the ACC Championship the Yellow Jackets were held to just 205 yards rushing in a 30-24 loss to the un-ranked Georgia Bulldogs.

Quarterback Bill Stull was held to just 179 passing and threw one touchdown and two interceptions as the #9 ranked Pitt Panthers lost the Backyard Brawl to West Virginia 19-16 on Friday. Pitt had been trying to show they were getting back to elite status and loss to the Mountaineers shows they still are a work in progress.

Oklahoma proved Saturday that the Sooners are still a good football team, that had to deal with a rash of injuries this season that derailed the high hopes the Sooners had. Oklahoma laid an old fashion butt whooping on the #12 Oklahoma State Cowboys, 27-0. The Sooners held the Cowboys to just 109 yards of total offense and totally shut down Cowboy quarterback Zac Robinson.

The Clemson Tigers came into Saturdays match with South Carolina ranked #18 and like Georgia Tech, knowing they would be in Tampa playing for the ACC Championship next Saturday. With that knowledge they failed to show up against the Gamecocks and will head to Tampa stinging from a 34-17 loss.

#24 North Carolina fought all season to get back in the top twenty five and were hoping to end the season on a high note. NC State on the other hand was trying to save a lost season and give head coach Tom O'Brien some redemption. Mission accomplished for the Wolfpack as they dropped the Tar Heels 28-27.

Which Ole Miss team and which Jevon Snead would show up Saturday for the 25th ranked Rebels against Mississippi State was the question of the day. Mississippi State was played the toughest schedule of any team in the country this season and put itself on position to have a tremendous 2010 campaign by thumping Ole Miss 41-27. Snead threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns but was also picked off three times.

Who's Gonna Win FSU/UF?

2009-11-24T21:24:00.000-08:00

Florida comes into the game against the Seminoles ranked #1 in the country and riding a 21-game winning streak. Florida has Tim Tebow and Brandon Spikes. Florida has the #2 defense in the country. Florida will be playing this game at "The Swamp". This will be Tebow's final home game in front of the UF faithful.

Florida State struggled just to become bowl eligible. Florida State's defense is the worst it has been in recent memory. Florida State will be playing with a quarterback that has just two career starts. The Noles are playing with the turmoil surrounding Bobby Bowden, that has been around most of the season.

It defies all logic but I think the Seminoles pull this one out. Why? I have no idea. I mean that. There is every reason to believe that the Gators will clean the Seminoles clock from end zone to end zone at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Why wouldn't they? They are going to be playing for the SEC Championship in a few weeks with sights set on yet another National Championship.

Many reading this will feel I making this pick because I'm a FSU homer and you could be right about that. I also consider myself a realist as well and the Noles are not of the same caliber of the Gators, but my gut is just telling me that the Gators may be looking beyond this game. I think the Gators won't even consider this game a challenge and will try to breeze beyond the struggling Noles with all eyes on Alabama. The Gators have the better team and they know it. The Gators have the experience and know it. The Gators have the young hot shot coach and know it. The Gators have a Heisman trophy winning quarterback and know it. The Gators should win and they KNOW IT.

Florida State will be playing for pride. FSU does not want to go 0-3 against in state opponents. FSU will want to send Mickey Andrews out in his final game against Florida a winner. The Noles are wounded and that makes them dangerous. Jimbo Fisher will pull out all the stops on offense and throw some wrinkles in the Florida has not seen. The defense will play the game of their life for Coach Andrews. Florida State will be out to ruin the Gators season. This is Florida State's , national championship game. Call me crazy and I know you will but call me Sunday morning and tell me I was right.

FINAL SCORE: FSU 24 FLORIDA 19

25 Greatest Seminoles of ALL-TIME

2009-11-24T05:18:00.000-08:00

1) Charlie Ward
2) Chris Weinke
3) Deion Sanders
4) Derrick Brooks
5) Fred Biletnikoff
6) Warrick Dunn
7) Peter Warrick
8) Ron Sellers
9) Marvin Jones
10) Terrell Buckley
11) Ron Simmons
12) Walter Jones
13) Clay Shiver
14) Greg Allen
15) Michael Boulware
16) Peter Boulware
17) Sam Cowart
18) Andre Wadsworth
19) Derrick Alexander
20) Alex Barron
21) Leroy Butler
22) Renaird Wilson
23) Jamal Renyolds
24) Sebastin Janikowski
25) Lawrence Dawsey

Honorable Mentions: Pat Watkins, Snoop Minnis, "Pooh Bear" Williams, Anquan Boldin, Everette Brown, Darnell Dockett, Derrick Gibson, Paul McGowan, Corey Simon, William Floyd.

URBAN DENIES NOTRE DAME

2009-11-23T10:50:00.000-08:00

First it was Bob Stoops and now it's Urban Meyer's turn. The University of Florida head coach said he has no plans to leave the #1 ranked Gators and will stay as long as they will have him.
Meyer is the second high profile coach to speak about the possible head coaching position at Notre Dame. Meyer said he ahs no intentions of leaving Florida and Stoops said he has not been contacted.

In a recent Fox Sports poll 63% of readers say that Meyer will stay at Florida while 37% said he would be coaching at Notre Dame once Weis is let go. Over 8,500 readers responded to the poll.

I just find it interesting that both of these coaches are on the Irish wish list and Charlie Weis hasn't even been fired yet but they are talking about it.

2009-11-23T08:33:00.001-08:00