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The Real Story of How Alabama Got Twelve National Titles

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:55:18 -0500

Just in time for Alabama possibly winning it's eighth legitimate national championship, we have this article from The Birmingham News that finally answers the age old question of how Alabama came to claim 12 MNCs. It is a subject that many have speculated on for quite some time. Meet Wayne Atcheson, former Alabama sports information director and the man that 'won' more national titles for the Crimson Tide than anyone except the Bear. In 1983 (he claims) as the first year director, he added five back-dated and minor-selector titles to the Tide media guide. Taylor Watson, current director of the Bryant museum in Tuscaloosa, says that it was in 1986. A look back at the 1982 media guide lists only those six titles won under Bryant (other than a footnote denoting 1934 as one).

Said Atcheson: "I've talked to university officials about it. You're about the first reporter to ever ask me about it. I want to say the right thing here. I made the change because Coach Bryant had these 25 years and six national championships and they were emphasized so much. It was on all the stationery. And when I got there, it was a matter of seeing there were five others and we should put them all together. It was as simple as that."

According to the NCAA, only 'consensus' national titles go into the 'record books', a term used selectively as we all know that the NCAA does not sanction a title in FBS football. A consensus national title is considered to be any title bestowed after 1950 by any (but not necessarily all) of the following NC selectors: AP, UPI, Football Writers Association of America, National Football Foundation/College Football Hall of Fame, USA Today/CNN or USA Today/ESPN. Hmmm. So what made Atcheson do it?

"I tried to make Alabama football look the best it could look and just make it as great as it could possibly be," Atcheson said. "I was a competitor myself with the other schools, and what they bragged about and boasted about, I wanted people to know the best about my school."

In other words, he embellished it. And so many Tide faithful take that as the gospel for Alabama football tradition--and it happened from the mere stroke of a pen. And so as Paul Harvey used to say, now you know the rest of the story.

h/t: DC Hammer

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Breaking: Meyer not retiring; will take leave of absence

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:24:48 -0500

Despite text messages from his wife saying there was "no chance" Urban Meyer would reconsider his shocking retirement announcement, apparently he has done exactly that.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Gators coach Urban Meyer will take a leave of absence for an indefinite amount of time before returning as head coach. Offensive coordinator Steve Addazio will take over as the interim head coach.

Meyer, who had attributed his retirement decision to concerns over his health, admitted to the New York Times that he had been suffering from chest pains. Meyer revealed that he had passed out for 90 minutes and needed hospitalization following the SEC championship game. Multiple outlets have said that Meyer told his team that he has been hospitalized several times since that incident, all related to additional medical tests for a cardiac condition.

Palm Beach Post beat writer Benjamin Volin commented that Meyer may need a heart valve replacement, an in-patient surgical procedure which would require Meyer to be monitored in the intensive care unit and be sidelined for considerable time before until cleared to return to work.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen said that Florida AD Jeremy Foley had floated the leave of absence option to Meyer for at least a week before Meyer made his initial decision to retire.

In a press conference in New Orleans today, Meyer said his change of heart and decision to take the leave of absence rather than retire came after spending time with the team at practice in the wake of his initial announcement.

"It was our players," Meyer said.

He informed his wife and children of the decision as they joined the team for the flight from Gainesville to New Orleans.

During the Q&A portion of the press conference, Meyer declined to discuss any specific medical condition that prompted his decision, but said that he did not have a heart attack. He would not disclose medical advice doctors have given him regarding stepping away from coaching.

As far as a timeline for his return, Meyer said the "intention is there" to be back as the head coach.

"If I am able to go coach, I want to coach at one place... it's the University of Florida," Meyer said.

When pressed for his "gut feeling", Meyer said that thinks he will be back on the sidelines for the 2010 season.

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2009-2010 College Football Bowl Game Television Schedule

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:09:51 -0500

Despite what you may hear from skeptics, there's no better season in all of sports than college football bowl season and the complete television schedule for the bowl games is right here on Fanblogs, brought to you by BangTheBook.com.

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Date/Time/TV	Bowl	Site	Matchup
Saturday Dec. 19 2 :30 pm ET ESPN	New Mexico Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Albuquerque, NM University Stadium	Wyoming vs. Fresno State
Saturday Dec. 19 8:00 pm ET ESPN	St. Petersburg Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	St. Petersburg, FL Tropicana Field	Rutgers vs. Central Florida
Sunday Dec. 20 8:00 pm ET ESPN	R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	New Orleans, LA Louisiana Superdome	Southern Miss vs. Middle Tenn St
Tuesday Dec. 22 8:00 pm ET ESPN	MAACO Bowl Las Vegas Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Las Vegas, NV Sam Boyd Stadium	BYU vs. Oregon State
Wednesday Dec. 23 8:00 pm ET ESPN	San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	San Diego, CA Qualcomm Stadium	Utah vs. Cal
Thursday Dec. 24 8:00 pm ET ESPN	Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Honolulu, HI Aloha Stadium	SMU vs. Nevada
Saturday Dec. 26 4:30 pm ET ESPN	Meineke Car Care Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Charlotte, NC Bank of America Stadium	North Carolina vs. Pitt
Saturday Dec. 26 5 :00 pm ET ESPN	Little Caesars Pizza Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Detroit, MI Ford Field	Ohio U vs. Marshall
Saturday Dec. 26 8:00 pm ET ESPN	Emerald Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	San Francisco, CA AT&T Park	Boston College vs. USC
Sunday Dec. 27 8:15 pm ET ESPN	Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Nashville, TN LP Field	Clemson vs. Kentucky
Monday Dec. 28 5:00 pm ET ESPN	AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Shreveport, LA Independence Stadium	Texas A&M vs. Georgia
Tuesday Dec. 29 4:30 pm ET ESPN	EagleBank Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Washington, DC RFK Stadium	Temple vs. UCLA
Tuesday Dec. 29 8:00 pm ET ESPN	Champs Sports Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Orlando, FL Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium	Miami vs. Wisconsin
Wednesday Dec. 30 4:30 pm ET ESPN	Roady's Humanitarian Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Boise, ID Bronco Stadium	Bowling Green vs. Idaho
Wednesday Dec. 30 8:00 pm ET ESPN	Pacific Life Holiday Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	San Diego, CA Qualcomm Stadium	Nebraska vs. Arizona
Thursday Dec. 31 2:00 pm ET NFL Network	Texas Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Houston, TX Reliant Stadium	Missouri vs. Navy
Thursday Dec. 31 Time TBA ESPN	Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Fort Worth, TX Amon G. Carter Stadium	Air Force vs. Houston
Thursday Dec. 31 12:00 pm ET CBS	Brut Sun Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	El Paso, TX Sun Bowl Stadium	Stanford vs. Oklahoma
Thursday Dec. 31 5:30 pm ET NFL Network	Insight Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Tempe, AZ Sun Devil Stadium	Minnesota vs. Iowa State
Thursday Dec. 31 7:30 pm ET ESPN	Chick-fil-A Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Atlanta, GA Georgia Dome	Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee
Friday Jan. 1 11:00 am ET ESPN	Outback Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Tampa, FL Raymond James Stadium	Auburn vs. Northwestern
Friday Jan. 1 1:00 pm ET CBS	Konica Minolta Gator Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville Municipal Stadium	FSU vs. West Virginia
Friday Jan. 1 1:00 pm ET ABC	Capital One Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Orlando, FL Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium	Penn State vs. LSU
Friday Jan. 1 5:00 pm ET ABC	Rose Bowl presented by Citi Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl	Ohio State vs. Oregon
Friday Jan. 1 8:30 pm ET FOX	Allstate Sugar Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	New Orleans, LA Superdome	Florida vs. Cincinnati
Saturday Jan. 2 12:00 pm ET ESPN2	International Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Toronto, Canada Rogers Centre	South Florida vs. Northern Illinois
Saturday Jan. 2 2 :00 pm ET ESPN	PapaJohns.com Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Birmingham, AL Legion Field	Connecticut vs. South Carolina
Saturday Jan. 2 2:00 pm ET FOX	AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Arlington, TX Cowboys Stadium	Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss
Saturday Jan. 2 5:30 pm ET ESPN	AutoZone Liberty Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Memphis, TN Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium	East Carolina vs. Arkansas
Saturday Jan. 2 9 :00 pm ET ESPN	Valero Alamo Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	San Antonio, TX Alamodome	Michigan State vs. Texas Tech
Monday Jan. 4 8:00 pm ET FOX	Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Glendale, AZ University of Phoenix Stadium	TCU vs. Boise State
Tuesday Jan. 5 8:00 pm ET FOX	FedEx Orange Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Miami, FL Dolphin Stadium	Georgia Tech vs. Iowa
Wednesday Jan. 6 7 :00 pm ET ESPN	GMAC Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Mobile, AL Ladd Peebles Stadium	Troy vs. Central Michigan
Thursday Jan. 7 8:00 pm ET ABC	BCS National Championship Game Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl	Alabama vs. Texas

The 2009 college football season will be capped by exciting college football bowl games, including the 2009 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, the 2009 Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona, the 2009 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana, the 2009 Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida and the 2009 BCS National Championship Game in Pasadena, CA.

The best college football teams from the major conferences, including the Big10 conference, Big 12 conference, Pac 10 conference, ACC conference, Big East conference, SEC conference, and Mountain West conference will face off in college football bowl games throughout December and into January.

If you're looking for updated matchups, odds, insights, betting lines and online wagering for the college football bowl games, please be sure to try BangTheBook.com.

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More SEC Officiating Hijinks

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:57:09 -0500

Early last week, the same SEC officiating crew who allegedly blew both a late celebration call that helped LSU beat Georgia and a phantom personal foul call that helped Florida beat Arkansas was suspended for two weeks by SEC commish Mike Slive. Perhaps smelling blood in the water, some other SEC coaches decided to pile on after Saturday's games, questioning some calls made during some heated conference games.

Vanderbilt's Bobby Johnson, probably the most diplomatic coach in the fracas, took issue with a 35-yard TD catch by South Carolina that showed the receiver's foot on the line:

"I'm not saying anybody's doing anything subversive or anything like that, (but) in my opinion (Moore's) foot clearly was on the line after he bobbled the ball. After he had possession, his left foot was in the air, his right foot was on the line. I don't know what kind of evidence you need for those overrules. But to me, that was fairly clear."

Upon hearing that he might not be the only coach to want to speak to SEC coordinator of officials Roger Redding, Johnson said:

"I think I'd have to get in line.I haven't been in contact with (Redding), but I'm going to give him a call. I'd like to find out what the discussion was up in the booth about (the touchdown catch). It will be interesting to find out."

Next up at the Wailing Wall was 1st-year Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen, who's Bulldogs gave Florida a game until a 4th quarter collapse that included a controversial interception return for a TD by the Gators. LB Dustin Doe, who was showboating as he neared the goal line, might have actually fumbled before the ball broke the plane. The original call was not overturned by replay official Dan Dembinski.

"I don't even know why we have replay right now in the Southeastern Conference if they're not going to utilize it", said Mullen. "I hope he's (Dembinski) severely punished if he ever works another SEC game again, because I think it's completely unacceptable."

Mullen was reprimanded by the conference yesterday. The SEC said it will not comment further on the call and Mississippi State spokesman Joe Galbraith said that Mullen would have no comment on the SEC's actions against him.

But perhaps the most moaning comes from ~~Community Organizer~~ Conference Agitator Lane Kiffin, who received his second reprimand from the conference this year, moving him into possible double-secret territory with Dean Wormer and Commissioner Slive. Kiffin received his first even before the season began, accusing Florida coach Urban Meyer of recruiting violations. A third reprimand could lead to a possible suspension for the 1st-year Tennessee coach.

Kiffin's frustration came after Alabama DT Terrence Cody blocked his second Vol FG in a row, sealing the Tide victory as time ran out. Cody then removed his helmet in the ensuing celebration, drawing Kiffin's ire about the lack of a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct, forgetting that it was a dead ball foul that wouldn't have mattered a hill of beans with the change of possession, assuming also that time didn't run out. Kiffin was equally upset about other questionable calls, perhaps leading him to go for the field goal on 4th down rather than 3rd, and with no time remaining:

"You run another play and you throw an interception or they throw another flag on us -- I wasn't going to let the refs lose the game for us there and some magical flag appear," said Kiffin.

The central theme of this controversy for all you conspiracy theorists out there seems to be a willingness on the part of SEC officiating crews to make the calls for Florida and Alabama, who are ranked 1 and 2 in the polls, setting up a historic SEC title game that in the absence of any other national contender, may possibly be replayed in Pasadena for the BCS title. Although the officiating fix idea is totally preposterous, there seems to be some subscribers.

"I'm sure we'll get one of those letters that really means nothing as Bobby (Petrino) got last week, but Florida and Alabama live on," said Kiffin on Sunday.

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BCS Standings - Week 8 - Oct. 18, 2009

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:06:55 -0500

The initial BCS Standings for games played through October 17, 2009.

Rank	Team	Harris Poll		USA TODAY		Computer Rank		BCS average

1	Florida	1	0.9832	1	0.9925	1	0.990	0.988566756

2	Alabama	2	0.9600	2	0.9478	2	0.950	0.952598870

3	Texas	3	0.9337	3	0.9397	6	0.800	0.891115076

4	Boise State	5	0.8032	5	0.7817	5	0.840	0.808284270

5	Cincinnati	6	0.7625	6	0.7485	4	0.850	0.786976906

6	Iowa	7	0.7175	8	0.7031	3	0.940	0.786864902

7	USC	4	0.8400	4	0.8386	11	0.630	0.769548023

8	TCU	8	0.7070	7	0.7247	8	0.710	0.713921102

9	LSU	9	0.7004	10	0.6746	7	0.750	0.708309049

10	Miami, Fla.	10	0.6653	9	0.6766	13	0.540	0.627291109

11	Oregon	12	0.5533	14	0.5214	9	0.680	0.584896422

12	Georgia Tech	13	0.5225	13	0.5281	10	0.660	0.570197245

13	Penn State	11	0.5684	11	0.6061	17	0.320	0.498174249

14	Virginia Tech	15	0.4484	15	0.4556	12	0.580	0.494671424

15	Oklahoma State	14	0.5039	12	0.5390	21	0.170	0.404280900

16	BYU	16	0.4246	16	0.3912	25	0.080	0.298582615

17	Houston	18	0.2926	18	0.2854	18	0.220	0.266018436

18	Utah	19	0.2200	20	0.2034	14	0.330	0.251129944

19	Ohio State	17	0.3288	17	0.3261	32	0.010	0.221624542

20	Pittsburgh	20	0.1912	19	0.2224	20	0.190	0.201200317

21	Wisconsin	38	0.0063	31	0.0176	14	0.330	0.117980969

22	Arizona	37	0.0067	40	0.0047	14	0.330	0.113804143

23	West Virginia	23	0.0965	22	0.1275	24	0.110	0.111316285

24	South Carolina	26	0.0758	23	0.0963	22	0.140	0.104020220

25	Kansas	21	0.1414	21	0.1505	33	0.000	0.097303994

As my good friend Ben would say, there's a significant gap between Alabama at #2 and Texas at #3. The Horns are not helped at all by their computer standing; however, significant opportunities exist for UT to improve their standing by the weight of the remaining schedule (including a game with BCS #15 Okie State). If the Longhorns can hold serve for the balance of the year, an unbeaten Texas team could punch their ticket for the National Championship Game against the winner of the SEC title game.

Further down, it's difficult to see any substantial lift to Boise State (in other words, the Broncos will *not* be playing for the title). On the other hand, Iowa still has a nice slate that could help boost the Hawkeyes, but there's no question that they need some help above them, including losses by all but one of the teams ranked ahead of them (plus some significant wins by Ohio State to bring up the Big 10's status with the computers).

ALL THAT SAID... it's BCS week one and that means a lot can (and will) change.

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Tech, Bulldogs to face off in Kickoff Classic?

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:14:51 -0500

While Georgia Tech and Georgia have traditionally ended their seasons with their rivalry game, both schools confirmed talks to start their seasons in the 2011 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Classic in the Georgia Dome.

Officials from both schools said Wednesday they are discussing the possibility of playing their state rival in a neutral-site game in Atlanta to kick off the 2011 season.
Georgia Tech, which is scheduled to host the Bulldogs that year under the normal home-and-home format, would not give up a game at Bobby Dodd Stadium, said athletic director Dan Radakovich.

Instead, the talks involve taking a one-year break in the schools' season-ending routine for the chance to face each other in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the 70,000-seat Georgia Dome.

The biggest sticking point could be the makeup of Georgia's 2011 schedule. If the Bulldogs have their season-ending home game with the Yellow Jackets shifted to the first game of the season, the team would finish their season with three straight road games.

Let me say this... I love the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Classic and the ACC-SEC matchups, but... I really don't like the idea of moving a rivalry game to a neutral field if the tradition is home-and-home. It would suck to move Clemson-South Carolina or Florida-Florida State to a neutral field, so... don't.

I also don't agree with taking regular matchups and moving them. I'd much rather see the game continue to pair matchups that we don't normally see, such as FSU-Georgia, Clemson-Auburn, Florida-Virginia Tech, Alabama-Miami, Tennessee-North Carolina or other interesting possibilities.

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Gator Bowl to match SEC vs Big Ten; more bowl shakeups ensue

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:43:42 -0500

After months of wrangling and having the ACC reject the bowl's latest proposal, the Gator Bowl is finalizing a four-year agreement that will pit an SEC team against a Big 10 team in the 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 seasons.

Officials from the SEC have already confirmed their participation to The Birmingham News. Under the terms, the Gator will get "at least" the sixth pick of bowl-eligible SEC teams. The pick position could vary on a year-to-year basis, but more details would be announced once the Big 10 announces its bowl agreements next week.

The Gator Bowl is also in final talks to become part of a broadcast deal with ESPN, leaving CBS, in a move that could signal the end of the exclusive broadcast window that has been previously negotiated for the Capital One Bowl.

With the Cotton Bowl moving to January 2nd, the result of the Gator Bowl agreement means that all three non-BCS games on New Years Day will feature SEC vs Big 10 matchups.

With the end of the ACC / Big East relationship in the Gator Bowl, the ACC and Big East have signed an agreement with the Champs Bowl which will essentially recreates the conferences past Gator relationship in Orlando.

Under the terms to begin with the 2010 season, the ACC will send its #3 selection to the Champs Bowl to face the Big East's #2 selection or Notre Dame. The Champs can select Notre Dame once over the four year agreement if the Irish have seven wins and are within two wins of the #2 Big East school.

With the Gator Bowl now aligned with SEC, the Independence Bowl finds itself as odd-man out in the SEC bowl mix after 15 years with the conference. Instead, the Independence Bowl will look to sign a new bowl matchup between the ACC and Mountain West.

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Will he or won't he? LSU vs. Florida

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:35:44 -0500

Yes, it's that time...I've awoken from my humbling slumber to regale you all with a midweek missive regarding our memorable tilt in Tiger Stadium on Saturday Night. Rip Van TE has awoken from his long nap, ready to snap off delusion-filled, self-aggrandizing, snarky comments to friend & foe alike.

And what a time to have been roused from my posting slumber. We find the most over-ranked, illegitimate 4th ranked team since, well...since these losers...going up against this year's Greatest Team In College Football History.

Tim Tebow & his Merry Band of 11 AD/HD - Sociopathic-Navy-Seals-with-a-penchant-for-violence -&- a-wanton-disregard-for-human-life-disguised-as-the-Florida Defense will roll into Tiger Stadium to face an LSU Team that's won unimpressively, but at least not apologetically (cough** University of Georgia Football Program & Fans are classless whiners **cough).

Most recently, LSU laid only the third loss on the Georgia Bulldogs at the hands of a conference foe since the Richt Era began, in quite impressive fashion. The Fighting Ifs will tell you that a phantom penalty cost UGA the game, but they'll forget that UGA had the same ability to return a kick from the same spot that LSU did. They had more time than LSU had to score the final touchdown on Charles Scott's 33 yard scamper. They even had 1 timeout, just as LSU did.

What they didn't have was a quarterback who minds throwing into coverage on 3rd & 15 with the game on the line.

Seriously, UGA fans...Since when does an Excessive Celebration Penalty=an automatic touchdown, two point conversion, plus an automatic interception turnover on downs to end a game? Someone call the paramedics!

Moving right along, the main storyline-other than the fact that LSU is a fraud (Thanks, Mark May of ESPN...How do you like us now?), of course-is whether or not Jesus Tebow will play or not.

Tom Rinaldi, Joe Schad, Tom Jones, Joe Perry...hell...everyone but D.B. Cooper have all weighed in on whether or not this kid should play, could play, might play, will play. I do believe, though, that the most important folks with a sayso in this decision haven't weighed in yet.

Having thrown aside all of the amazing hype surrounding this game, along with all of the visqueen we have to hold up whenever Lou Holth talkth to uth about thith gamth, by now, you're wondering who, what, where, & how I think this game will be won.

I got news for you: If you think I'm venturing an opinion after last year's record with me writing articles preceding LSU's biggest conference games, I think you might wanna stop some of Tim Tebow's Neurologists & ask them to examine your head.

Let's just say, I love LSU. I love College Football. I love games of this magnitude. I love our chances, & I sure do wish you had the privilege of being right here on Saturday Night at 7pm (That's me behind the camera, by the way).

(I'd like to pat myself on the back while pointing out to all of you Alabama Fans that I went the ENTIRE POST without mentioning you, Alabama's Recruiting Violations, your many stints on probation, or your delusional fanbase! So stop complaining, already!)

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World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party staying in Jacksonville

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:18:41 -0500

Try to feign shock as much as possible... the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party staying in Jacksonville.

The school[s] agreed to a six-year deal Wednesday to keep the game in Jacksonville through 2016. The current contract was set to expire after the 2010 season.
"We have agreed to continue to play the Florida-Georgia game in Jacksonville for an additional six years after the current contract expires following the 2010 game," UF athletic director Jeremy Foley said in a statement. "We are excited about keeping the game in Jacksonville."

Despite an effort by Georgia boosters to move the game to Atlanta or rotate the game as a home-and-home or neutral-and-neutral, it turns out that the rather insightful ancient Taoist saying (that I absolutely fabricated) back in April was spot on: "Money talks. Bullshit walks."

Plain & simple, Jacksonville is the best deal that either team could get. Period. End of story.

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Nation's longest FBS winning streak ends

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 22:22:15 -0500

The longest winning streak in the nation, 16 games from 2007-2009, ended with a 31-24 road loss to Oregon. Their 18 game streak in 2003-2005 is the longest in their history and it was tied with a streak in the 20's for the second longest. Utah's nation leading 9 game road winning streak also ended. Utah still has their nation leading 8 game (6 in consecutive years) bowl winning streak.

Florida now has the longest winning streak at 10 games.

Prior to this week it appeared that a MWC team could make a BCS berth with a loss. After this week that is not so promising. More on that latter this week when I continue my series "MWC: Put up or shut up."

The game was close to the very end, though Oregon had the lead since taking a 14-7 lead in the first. Utah gave up way too many yards on kick returns, including a punt return on their first punt of the game. Utah's offense also look problematic, verifying concerns revealed in the first two games are worse than one could have hoped.

When Utah's last streak ended they had a serious lack of talent and their motivation folded. They stumbled to a win the next week before dropping 3 in a row. I don't expect this to happen again this year, but I also don't think they have the offensive weapons it will take to win the MWC. 9-3 should be in reach and a chance to extend their bowl winning streak, maybe in the Poinsettia Bowl.

Oregon has regained some of the credibility lost in their opening game to Boise State, thought they will have to prove themselves in the PAC 10.

Good game Mayor, now excuse me while I begin trying to forget/justify this weekend. The whole weekend. Every game.

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simulated BCS Standings: Week 2

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:37:44 -0500

Our friend Samuel Chi at BCS Guru has published this weeks simulated BCS standings. For a more detailed explanation of how the ranking is simulated follow the link provided.

For an explanation for why the computers are hating on Florida see his writeup for the current week.

Bold indicates the highest ranked teams from automatic qualifying(AQ) conferences, a strike represent additional teams from the SEC and Big 12. Teams vying for a final AQ awarded to the highest ranked team from a conference without an AQ if at least one makes the final top 12 are in italics. The remaining teams (including those in italics not selected) are fighting for the last remaining BCS openings. Gaps represent large differences in the BCS standigns.

1) USC 0.8727

2) Texas 0.7882
3) Alabama 0.7870
4) ~~Florida~~ 0.7540

5) ~~LSU~~ 0.6655
6) California 0.6460
7) Boise State 0.6097
8) Penn State 0.5992
9) BYU 0.5987

10) ~~Ole Miss~~ 0.5240

11) Ohio State 0.4332
12) ~~Oklahoma~~ 0.4050
13) Georgia Tech 0.3727
14) TCU 0.3651
===BCS Eligibility Line===
15) Utah 0.3505
16) Virginia Tech 0.3500

17) ~~Oklahoma State~~ 0.2552
18) North Carolina 0.2460
19) ~~Nebraska~~ 0.2176
20) Cincinnati 0.1979
===Watch Line===
21) Houston 0.1880
22) ~~Georgia~~ 0.1697
23) Miami(FL) 0.1467
24) ~~Missouri~~ 0.1375
25) Pittsburgh 0.1284

As usual the Big 12 and SEC dominate the standings with 5 teams each, many near the top.

Currently three teams from outside the BCS AQ conferences have crossed the #14 ranking needed to become BCS eligible. Two have made it into the top 10. A total of five are present in the top 25. This all suggests that a robust push by the MWC, WAC and C-USA to earn their AQ is underway.

If BYU wins this week against FSU they should take the lead from Boise State and hold it until they lose a game.

California (or USC) and Ohio State (or Penn State) are the only obstacles blocking the BCS from being forced to take a second team from outside the six AQ conferences. Virginia Tech and North Carolina are on deck to fill any vacancies, despite the media bombardment directed at the ACC so far this year.

The ACC certainly is not looking to be as even across the board as it was last year. If they are, it will be serious trouble for them.

The Big East also advanced further into the standings with Cincinnati entering the watch list and Pittsburgh joining them in the top 25, reflecting a strong early performance against mostly outmatched opponents. This week should be a good barometer of how good the Big East really is. Have we all really forgotten 2006 and 2007 already?

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How good is Auburn?

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:01:59 -0500

Two weeks into the 2009 season and the Auburn hype machine is getting ready to move into full swing.

Say what you will about the Tigers strength of schedule so far -- which has featured two impressive home wins against Louisiana Tech (W 37-13) and Mississippi State (W 49-24) -- but no one can dispute that Auburn is seriously moving the football.

In two games, the Tigers have 1,145 yards of total offense under new head coach Gene Chizick. Yes, you read that right - one thousand one hundred forty five... in two games.

Where's all that offense coming from?

Quite simply, the big boys in the trenches are getting it done. The Tigers have rushed for 691 yards in two games. At school long known for outstanding running backs, Auburn set a new rushing mark this week with two running backs going over 100 yards each for two consecutive weeks. Against SEC West division competition this past weekend, the Tigers AVERAGED 6.6 yards per rushing attempt. Are you kidding me? That's sick. That's vulgar. That's just nasty. This O-line is seriously pushing and clearly believe in this offensive system.

The defense? Not great, but pretty salty. The Tigers are getting it done - creating some turnovers and putting their offense in a position to win... even when the offense isn't needing a lot of help. I'm not certain you can measure this defense against LaTech and the Bulldogs just yet, but.... there could be something happening here.

But the question remains... how good is Auburn? The honest answer is nobody knows.

Auburn plays host to West Virginia this weekend in a nationally televised game for ESPN. While WVU represents another BCS test for the Tigers, the early lines have Auburn at nearly a touchdown favorite, with that number expected to trend up. After WVU, Auburn gets an over-matched MAC conference opponent Ball State at home. In other words, it's quite likely that the Plainsmen will finish September at 4-0.

And what will all that mean? Expect Auburn to get a big boost in the polls by the first of October and the hype machine to be in full effect. Pundits will begin repeating the observation that the Tigers miss Florida in the SEC East rotation this season... ramping up expectations that could place Auburn in the SEC championship game.

But the million (or in the SEC's case, multi-million) dollar question remains.... how good is Auburn?

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2009 - Week 2 College Football Polls

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:10:24 -0500

College football polls for week two - games played through 9/7/2009.

AP College Football Poll
1. Florida (56) 1-0 1493 1
2. Texas (2) 1-0 1424 2
3. USC 1-0 1355 4
4. Alabama (2) 1-0 1331 5
5. Oklahoma St. 1-0 1201 9
6. Mississippi 1-0 1095 8
7. Penn St. 1-0 1082 9
8. Ohio St. 1-0 985 6
9. BYU 1-0 984 20
10. California 1-0 971 12
11. LSU 1-0 890 11
12. Boise St. 1-0 882 14
13. Oklahoma 0-1 782 3
14. Virginia Tech 0-1 652 7
15. Georgia Tech 1-0 630 15
16. TCU 0-0 523 17
17. Utah 1-0 404 19
18. Notre Dame 1-0 383 23
19. North Carolina 1-0 338 21
20. Miami (FL) 1-0 315 NR
21. Georgia 0-1 294 13
22. Nebraska 1-0 266 24
23. Cincinnati 1-0 248 NR
24. Kansas 1-0 196 25
25. Missouri 1-0 126 NR

Others Receiving Votes:
Oregon St. 113, Michigan St. 83, Pittsburgh 82, Texas Tech 53, Oregon 47, Clemson 40, Florida St. 39, West Virginia 32, Tennessee 30, Iowa 24, UCLA 18, Michigan 18, Baylor 17, Boston Coll. 14, Arizona 12, East Carolina 6, Auburn 4, Colorado St. 4, Air Force 4, South Carolina 3, Arkansas 3, Tulsa 1, Southern Miss 1, Houston 1, South Florida 1

USA Today Coaches Poll
1. Florida (56) 1-0 1472 1
2. Texas (2) 1-0 1407 2
3. USC (1) 1-0 1352 4
4. Alabama 1-0 1299 5
5. Penn St. 1-0 1145 8
6. Oklahoma St. 1-0 1114 11
7. Ohio St. 1-0 1106 6
8. Mississippi 1-0 1006 10
9. LSU 1-0 977 9
10. California 1-0 935 12
11. Boise St. 1-0 803 16
12. BYU 1-0 755 24
13. Georgia Tech 1-0 685 15
14. Oklahoma 0-1 682 3
15. Virginia Tech 0-1 633 7
16. TCU 0-0 543 17
17. Utah 1-0 503 18
18. Nebraska 1-0 360 22
19. North Carolina 1-0 358 20
20. Notre Dame 1-0 335 23
21. Georgia 0-1 304 13
22. Miami (FL) 1-0 276 NR
23. Cincinnati 1-0 187 NR
24. Oregon St. 1-0 169 25
25. Kansas 1-0 139 NR

Others Receiving Votes:
Michigan St. 133, Missouri 97, Iowa 70, Florida St. 62, Texas Tech 53, Oregon 50, Pittsburgh 26, Clemson 24, South Carolina 23, Tennessee 21, West Virginia 13, Auburn 13, South Florida 12, Kentucky 8, Arizona 5, Northwestern 4, Michigan 4, Boston Coll. 3, Arkansas 2, UCLA 2, Baylor 2, Tulsa 1, Colorado St. 1, Minnesota 1

CBS College Blogpoll

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New college football helmet designs for 2009

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:15:33 -0500

The world's authority on college football helmets - The Helmet Project - spotlights four new helmet designs for the 2009 college football season. Here's a look:

MISSISSIPPI STATE - For the first time since 2003, the Bulldogs will sport maroon helmet shells. For connoisseurs, the maroon face masks in 2009 are the first time - at least in the modern era - that Mississippi State will use a tone-tone scheme. The block "M State" logo design first introduced in 2004 remains with an updated inverse color scheme.

BOISE STATE - The slightly redesigned 2009 edition of the Broncos helmet completes the "touch of gray" motif introduced with this season's new Boise State uniforms. Unlike the Grateful Dead staple, the touch of grey for BSU amounts to uniform accents and a new grey face mask. Time will tell if this iteration will survive.

NEW MEXICO STATE - In the most disappointing change of the 2009 season, New Mexico State has shelved the white shells with crimson script "Aggies" in favor of this... boring... white block print "NM State" outlined in black on crimson shells. Yawn.

TOLEDO - The 2009 Rockets helmet redesign is a subtle but well-executed change. Toledo has dumped the bright yellow face masks in favor of a black face. Bravo!

All images credit to their respective copyright holders.

PS - I think I deserve *huge* props for not inundating you with uniform posts this summer, so indulge me a little. HA! Let's play some football!!!

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2009 Preseason BCS Standings (Simulated)

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:46:08 -0500

The legendary BCS Guru has his simulated preseason BCS standings posted for the 2009 season. With the Coaches poll on the books along with three computer polls already posted, it's never too early to dig deeper on the BCS implications.

The results? No big surprises, but a few interesting notes....

BCSGURU.COM Simulated BCS Preseason Standings
For the purpose of this preseason simulation, BCSGURU uses AP, Coaches, and three computer polls. Remember that AP poll is *not* a BCS component. This is a simulation.

1. Florida
2. Texas
3. Oklahoma
4. USC
5. Ohio State

BCSGuru already sees a lean for USC in the computer polls over Texas and Oklahoma. It will be interesting to keep an eye on this trend, especially when you factor the bump that the USC-Ohio State winner will get after week one.

Three non-AQ teams are lumped together in the simulated BCS, just as they are in the human polls. Boise State (#15), TCU (#16), and Utah (#17) all have an outside chance to make a run into an qualifier position.

Finally, Notre Dame is *not* getting any respect in the computer polls. The Irish average a #47 ranking, which means they will really need to prove it on the field this year. It seems unlikely that UND will crack the BCS top 15 without some really strong performances against what has the appearance of a soft (by UND standards) schedule this year.

For much, much more analysis, check out the entire preseason simulation at BCSGuru.com.

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