College Football: Arkansas Legislators Want New Rules After Newton Scandal

It looks like the lawmakers of Arkansas want to see some major changes in the way sports-agents are penalized for "rogue" behavior—at least by their state.

According to published reports, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel is introducing new legislation that would make it a "Class D felony for agents or their representatives to induce student-athletes to sign a contract by furnishing goods or services of value".

The bill would also "make it illegal for parents or others to seek the same illegal financial benefits in exchange for the promise of a student-athlete's commitment to a college or university athletic program."

Hmmm, sounds like Mr. McDaniel may not be too happy that his alma mater's (no surprise here, it's the University of Arkansas) shot at BCS glory was thwarted by a team many still feel was winning games with a dirty player who should have been deemed ineligible—Auburn.

Not that this was his only motivation for pushing the bill—sponsored by David J. Sanders—said McDaniel,

"Sports agents need to know that we in Arkansas will not tolerate them coming into our state, breaking the law, and jeopardizing the future of our student-athletes...further, we're going to make sure that our kids aren't used as pawns by their parents or others who think they can get away with selling their services to the highest bidder."

Wow, that language sure sounds pointed, no? He goes on to say,

"NCAA penalties could cost the hotel owner in Fayetteville or the convenience store owner in Jonesboro, all because of the actions of some unethical sports agent from outside the state...we support this legislation because we want our local economies to thrive and we want our student-athletes and our universities to be protected. It just makes for a better experience all around when everybody plays by the rules."

Well, not for nothing, Mr. McDaniel, but your head coach isn't exactly a saint himself—just saying.

If put into place, the penalties could be pricey if an agent or agent-representative is found in violation. The current penalty is $50,000 per offense, that would increase to $250,000 under this new law.

WATCH: Oregon Ducks "Take It All" Music Video

Is he a rapper? A singer? A producer?

Whatever he thinks he is, this video is his contribution to the 2010 Oregon Ducks and their trip to the National Championship game in January.

My advice would be for him to have a nice backup plan—just in case this whole rapper/singer/video production thing doesn't work out to his liking.

Randy Edsall Imploring UCONN Fans To Buy Tickets to Fiesta Bowl

It's safe to say that no one figured on UCONN making a trip to a BCS bowl game this year. They slid in by the hairs of their chinny-chin-chin and will now reap the benefit of a nice little payout.

Unfortunately for UCONN, their fans aren't as excited about their trip to Arizona as the players and coaches. So far, according to Darren Rovell's Twitter feed, the Huskies have only sold 4,700 of their allotted 17,500 tickets.

That puts them well shy of where they'd like to be at this point in the bowl season—financially—and makes the possibility of them taking a loss on this trip a major probability.

In response to the slow-going sales, UCONN head coach, Randy Edsall, has asked that fans and supporters of the program consider the magnitude of this opportunity to see their football program play on the national stage.

Said Edsall, "If you have the opportunity and the wherewithal to make it happen, (you) should make it happen, because this is a once in a lifetime experience for the most part,” Edsall said. “There’s (other) BCS (games), but this might be the only Fiesta Bowl we go to. We hope it’s not, but if you have the opportunity to go, (you) should spend the money and go."

You would hope that fans wouldn't need such prompting but, the truth is, times are tough for many, and UCONN football doesn't have the following of an SEC or a Big Ten school—convincing people to spend upwards of $700 (tickets are $111 minimally) is going to be a much tougher proposition.

Edsall isn't naive to the fact that the school could lose more than it gains, from a financial standpoint, but he wouldn't trade it for anything—the recruiting benefits alone could speak volumes for his program's future.

That said, there are still those who wider if it's worth the cost. If maybe the BCS shouldn't have been bait more cognizant of the locales before making their decision to allow UCONN to play in the Orange Bowl—they stand to lose just as much if no one is watching.

It'll be interesting to see how it all shakes out but, right now, it doesn't look like anyone is winning.

Related articles

• UConn coach confident heading into Fiesta Bowl matchup with Oklahoma (nypost.com)

The 10 Most Dramatic Bowl Games of All Time

Every true fan of college football, regardless of whether they’re an ardent supporter of the BCS or an advocate of a playoff, can’t get enough of late December and early January. Bowl season is the most wonderful time of the year, when a veritable buffet of games is at your fingertips. Given the sheer amount of bowls in existence — 35 for the 2010 season — there are sure to be a few dramatic moments that’ll carve their place in college football lore. The following games have done just that, as evidenced by their endless airings on ESPN Classic. Hopefully, if we’re lucky, we’ll see one this year worthy of supplanting the lowest-ranking game on this list.  

1. 2006 Rose Bowl — Texas 41, USC 38: Defending champion USC was dubbed "the greatest college football team of all-time" by some media members during the ’05 season despite its apparent vulnerabilities and the presence of an equally talented Texas team. During the second half of the BCS Championship Game, the Trojans seemed to be on their way to meeting the hype, leading by 12 with 6:42 remaining in the contest. But Vince Young’s presence ensured the Horns were never out of it. After he ran in a 17-yard touchdown with 4:03 left, the Longhorns defense made a dramatic fourth-down stop on an up-the-middle run by LenDale White, who had gashed them all evening long. Young proceeded to orchestrate a 56-yard drive that ended on an eight-yard, fourth-down touchdown run with 19 seconds remaining. He passed for 267 yards and ran for 200 in the game, and all three of his touchdowns came on the ground. His memorable performance helped earn Texas its first national title in 35 years.




2. 2003 Fiesta Bowl — Ohio State 31, Miami 24: The ’03 BCS Championship Game wasn’t supposed to be close. The vaunted Miami Hurricanes were the defending champs, while the upstart Ohio State Buckeyes overcame a few close games to remain undefeated and in contention. The game had everything — a nasty knee injury suffered by Hurricanes star running back Willis McGahee, Maurice Clarett’s awesome strip of Sean Taylor after an interception that put the Buckeyes in control of the game, a game-tying Miami 40-yard field goal as time expired in regulation, two overtimes, and of course, a controversial fourth-down pass interference call at the end of the first overtime that cost Miami the title. The Canes’ 34-game winning streak was ended and second-year Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel was only beginning his successful career with the storied program.




3. 1984 Orange Bowl — Miami 31, Nebraska 30: Miami’s great run of success that spanned two decades started in the ’84 Orange Bowl. The Canes played ahead of the undefeated and favored Huskers for most of the game, but Tom Osborne’s squad rallied and put itself in position to win the game. In the fourth quarter, backup I-back Jeff Smith scored two touchdowns, the latter of which occurred on a fourth-and-eight pitch from Turner Gill with less than a minute left, bringing the Huskers to within a point of tying the game. Then, Osborne made perhaps the gutsiest call of all-time, deciding to go for two, the win and the undisputed national championship. Gill’s pass was broken up and the Canes went on to win their first of five national championships. Earlier in the game, Osborne made another memorable call, successfully executing the trick-play known as the fumblerooski. Never before has a coach been so praised after a loss.



4. 2007 Fiesta Bowl — Boise State 43, Oklahoma 42: The ’07 Fiesta Bowl was a classic David versus Goliath matchup. Oklahoma had just won its fourth Big XII Championship under Bob Stoops. Boise State, the WAC champion, had just earned its first BCS bowl appearance. The Broncos stunned the Sooners and most of the nation by dominating most of the game. Midway through the third quarter, the Broncos held a commanding 28-10 lead after Marty Tadman’s interception return for a touchdown. But the Sooners made ferocious comeback, scoring the next 25 points. The game was seemingly over after Jared Zabransky’s pick-six to Marcus Walker with 1:02 left, but the Broncos regrouped and completed the first of the their memorable plays — a hook-and-ladder with seven seconds remaining that led to the tie. At the end of the first overtime, the Broncos responded to an Adrian Peterson touchdown by scoring on a touchdown throw made by backup receiver Vinny Perretta. Ian Johnson’s subsequent two-point conversion on a Statue of Liberty play capped of a huge win for the little guys.




5. 1973 Sugar Bowl — Notre Dame 24, Alabama 23: Two of football’s elite programs and elite coaches met for the first time during the ’73 Sugar Bowl. Both Bear Bryant’s Crimson Tide and Ara Parseghian’s Fighting Irish were undefeated and loaded with All-Americans. The game lived up to the billing, as the teams exchanged leads during most of the game. Early in the fourth quarter, the Tide took a 23-21 lead after a trick play in which halfback Mike Stock connected with second-string quarterback Richard Todd from 25 yards out. Bill Davis failed to make the extra point, which enabled Notre Dame to go ahead with 4:26 remaining. It was the sixth and final lead-change of the game. The Irish sealed the deal with 2:12 left after an ultra-risky 36-yard pass — from inside their own five yard line — from quarterback Tom Clements to receiver Robin Weber. Notre Dame proceeded to finish No. 1 in the AP Poll while Bama, previously No. 1, dropped to No. 4.



6. 1963 Rose Bowl — USC 42, Wisconsin 37: The ’63 Rose Bowl featured the first No. 1 versus No. 2 matchup in a bowl game, so it was, in effect, an early national championship game. Trailing 42-14 in the fourth quarter, the second-ranked Badgers made a ferocious comeback, scoring 23 unanswered points and reducing the Trojans lead to six points. Ron Vander Kelen threw for 401 yards and orchestrated key drives that enabled Wisconsin to get back in the game. Despite outgaining USC 32-15 in first downs and 486 to 367 in total yardage, the Badgers fell short and Trojans coach John McKay secured his first national championship in just his third season with the program.

7. 1965 Orange Bowl — Texas 21, Alabama 17: When two mammoth programs like Texas and Alabama come together, there’s bound to be drama. The ’65 Orange Bowl matched-up Darrell Royal and the ’63 national champion verses Bear Bryant and the ’64 national champion. It was the first primetime college bowl game, making stakes even higher as everyone involved knew it would be must-see TV. The Horns jumped out to an early 14-0 lead after tailback Ernie Koy Jr. ran for a 79-yard touchdown and quarterback Jim Hudson connected with receiver George Sauer on a 69-yard touchdown pass. Alabama quarterback Joe Namath, who hadn’t started the game due to a knee injury he suffered in practice, was sent in by Bryant to right the ship. He immediately led an 87-yard touchdown drive in which 83 yards were through the air, and eventually brought the Tide within four points of Horns. The game’s most significant play came in the fourth quarter, when Texas made a goal line stand in which Joe Namath was met head-on by linebacker Tommy Nobis, apparently short of the endzone. Namath finished the game and his college career with a valiant effort, tallying 255 yards and two touchdowns.




8. 1980 Holiday Bowl — BYU 46, SMU 45: Although the Holiday Bowl has never been considered a first-tier bowl, it has certainly provided some heart-stopping games through the years. The ’80 edition brought together two very different teams. Brigham Young, the Mormons who did things the right way, led the nation in total offense, passing offense and scoring. Southern Methodist, who would receive the death penalty later in the decade, featured an unstoppable running attack led by Eric Dickerson and Craig James. The duo combined to run for 335 yards against the Cougars defense, enabling the Mustangs to establish a comfortable lead. With just four minutes left in the fourth quarter, SMU led 45-25 and BYU was preparing to punt on fourth and long to concede the game. Quarterback Jim McMahon, however, had other plans, throwing for a touchdown pass instead. The Cougars proceeded to recover the onside kick and score another touchdown. Down 45-39, BYU forced SMU to punt on the next possession, and Bill Schoepflin’s block put the ball on SMU’s 41-yard line. The game culminated with a miraculous Hail Mary completion from McMahon to tight end Clay Brown as time expired. The extra point gave BYU the victory, capping off a 21-point rally in the final two minutes and 33 seconds of the game.



9. 1979 Cotton Bowl — Notre Dame 35, Houston 34: The legend of the Comeback Kid began in the icy ’79 Cotton Bowl — also known as the Chicken Soup Game. Notre Dame quarterback Joe Montana, who was suffering from the flu, battled hypothermia during the game as his body temperature plummeted to just 96 degrees. In order to warm up, he was taken back the Notre Dame locker room, covered with blankets and given warm chicken soup. That facilitated his return midway through the fourth quarter, when the Irish were trailing the Cougars 34-12. The team then proceeded to score 23 unanswered points, including Montana’s game-tying touchdown pass to receiver Kris Haines. The extra point, which took two tries due to a penalty, won the game for the Irish, completing the most dramatic Cotton Bowl of all-time.



10. 1987 Fiesta Bowl — Penn State 14, Miami 10: Very few games in the history of college football have received the hype and anticipation of the ’87 Fiesta Bowl. Previously considered a minor bowl game, it had maneuvered to accommodate the match-up between undefeated independents Miami and Penn State, which were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 respectively. The two teams couldn’t have been more different and that was especially evident during the lead-up to the game. During Miami’s flight to Arizona, the team changed into military-style fatigues. Penn State players, on the other hand, wore suits and ties to the pregame steak-fry. It was at that event that Miami defensive tackle Jerome Brown revealed his fatigues and attempted to lead a walk-out after Penn State punter Joe Bruno made jokes at the Canes’ expense during a skit. The game proved to be a close-fought contest despite Miami outgaining the Nittany Lions 445 yards to 162. Trailing 14-10 with 3:07 left in the game, Heisman-winning quarterback Vinny Testaverde began to lead the Canes downfield, eventually moving inside of Penn State’s five yard line with 45 seconds remaining. On fourth-and-goal, Testaverde’s pass into the endzone was intercepted by linebacker Pete Giftopoulos, ending the game and securing the national championship for Joe Pa and Penn State. The pick was Testaverde’s fifth, Giftopoulos’ second, and Miami’s astounding seventh turnover of the game. Despite the sloppy play, the telecast earned the largest TV audience in the history of college football.




This article was offered via courtesy of bestcollegesonline.com.

ATS Bowl Predictions 2010: Who Will Shine In Las Vegas—Utah or Boise State?

Neither Boise State, nor Utah figured to end their season playing in a lower tier bowl and it was only a handful of weeks ago that both teams were sitting atop the BCS standings with hopes of playing for a national title.

However, Boise State didn't count on Nevada's tenacity—or a kicking game gone south—and Utah could not have imagined the epic meltdown they suffered at the hands of TCU—at home.

Now both are playing in the MAACO Las Vegas Bowl—far from the spotlight of the BCS—with much less on the line.

Kudos to the Vegas Bowl for sealing up such a terrific match-up this early in the bowl season, but this game certainly could not have been in the travel plans of either team's fanbase.

That said, the bigger question now is which team will be best prepared to win the game?

Boise State has two potential NFL stars in Austin Pettis and Titus Young, but the two will face one of their greatest challenges this season playing against the talented tandem of Brandon Burton and Lamar Chapman who—despite their sub-par performances against TCU and San Diego State—are potential NFL stars in their own right.

Utah's defense is often overlooked due to the aforementioned games against TCU and SDSU, where they were lit up for more than 700+ passing yards combined. However, that means little in a game where both teams should be well-rested, well-focused, and minus much fanfare.

This is a football game that should be great to watch—who will win could be anyone's guess.

The  'Lady' walked away with a 2-1 record after the weeks first slate of games. Let's see what happens this week—all lines courtesy of VegasInsider.com—as I cover games to be played 12/21-12/26.


December 21st:


Southern Mississippi vs. Louisville, Beef O'Brady's Bowl: Louisville (-2.5)

You have to love what Charlie Strong has been able to do in his first year as the Cardinal's head coach. Last season the Cards were 4-8 and sporting the 65th ranked defense in the nation. This year, they ended their campaign bowl eligible with the 15th ranked scoring defense in the country—what a difference a year makes.

The Golden Eagles sport a talented and potent offense, but the Cardinals defense can be tough to move on. This game could be very tight, but you have to love the Cards' chances to eek out a big win.

The Lady's Pick: Louisville to cover

December 22nd:

Utah Utes at Boise State, MAACO Las Vegas Bowl: Boise State (-17)

This game is tough to pick for one reason: you just don't know which version of either team will show up. Boise is always stout, but even before the loss to Nevada, they suffered through some mistake-laden football games. The same can be said of a Utah team that came up very short against both TCU and San Diego State.

That said, with Jordan Wynn out and Boise State sporting a Top 10 run defense, this is easily a game that should be won by the Broncos.

The Lady's Pick: Boise State to cover

December 23rd:

Navy vs. San Diego State, San Diego County Poinsettia Bowl:  San Diego State (-5)

This is a home game for the Aztecs and the Midshipmen aren't as impressive on the road this year. While the Aztecs aren't nearly as tough against the run as they may need to be to stop Navy from executing their gameplan, they have had several weeks to prepare—that could be the difference here.

Also worth considering, Navy will have a tough time keeping up with the Aztecs passing attack and, if San Diego can get on the board early, they may be able to sustain the advantage and walk away with a win in this one.

The Lady's Pick: San Diego State to cover

December 24th:


Hawaii vs. Tulsa, Honolulu Bowl: Hawaii (-8)

Hawaii is a tough play in their home state and this game won't provide many breaks for the Golden Hurricane's.

The Lady's Pick: Hawaii

December 26th:

Florida International vs. Toledo, Little Caesars Bowl: Toledo (-1.5)

Don't underestimate the Golden Panthers. If they can control the clock with their better than average rushing attack and keep the ball off the ground, they can win this game. Toledo relies on good line play—on both sides—to control and win but,  if the Panthers can keep it close, they have an opportunity to pull the minor upset.

If this were an outdoor game, the edge would decidedly be in the favor of Toledo. The dome of Ford Field will be the ultimate equalizer here.

The Lady's Pick: Florida International to cover

Related articles

• Las Vegas Bowl Welcomes Boise State, Utah, And The Disappointed Hopes Of Both (sbnation.com)

BCS Bowl Game Head-Scratchers: What Games Are Likely To Bore You The Most?

The first thing that might have struck many of you when the bowl selections were made on Sunday night is this: is Connecticut really getting a shot to play in the Fiesta Bowl?...Seriously?

While it's through no fault of their own, the Huskies have become the poster team for just another thing that's wrong with the BCS.

The Huskies, by default, are the Big East Champions. They beat West Virginia—a team that has a slightly more Fiesta-friendly record (9-3)—and won the tie-breaker. It happens and, as Randy Edsall (Connecticut's head coach) stated, "We played by the rules. Those are the rules, that the Big East champion gets an automatic bid to a BCS bowl game and we’re the conference champions and we’re going to accept that invitation".

He's absolutely right. The BCS made those rules, not him, and thanks to that his team will appear in the Fiesta Bowl to take on the Oklahoma Sooners.

While it's safe to assume the Huskies will be the underdogs in this contest, it is also safe to assume that the Sooners will surprise no one if they lose. After all, Bob Stoops has seen his team get beat on multiple occasions—in a BCS contest—during the last decade. So, as disinterested as many a football fan (outside of Stoors, CT) will be in seeing this game played, Sooner fans better hope that the Oklahoma of old doesn't put in an appearance this season.

But enough people are picking on the Huskies and, to be honest, there are quite a few uncompelling match-ups to be had. Below are the Top 5 candidates for the most boring bowl game the 2010 season will have to offer:

1. BYU vs. UTEP, New Mexico Bowl: December 18th at 2pm

BYU started the season losing 5 of 7, but closed out the year 4-1—including a near defeat of Utah—to become bowl eligible. That said, not many are likely to care about their match-up with the Miners. The former WAC foes don't have much to offer in name or excitement this season and the 2pm start (on a Friday no less) isn't likely to have many people rushing home.

2. Kansas St. vs. Syracuse, New Era Pinstripe Bowl: December 30th at 3:20pm

Perhaps the fact that this game will be in Yankee Stadium will give it some appeal—to Yankee and Syracuse fans—but to those of us who could give a flip about new Yankee Stadium, and are still wondering how on earth Syracuse got bowl eligible in the first place, there is little appeal.


3. Nevada vs. Boston College, Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: January 9th at 9pm

By the time these two play, the Auburn/Oregon talk will be in full-swing and few people are likely to notice this final bowl game—played a mere 24 hours before the biggest game of the college football season. Oh, and the fact that Boston College, on offense, has been about as exciting as watching paint dry doesn't help much either.

Seriously, this is the best opponent they could find for the Wolfpack?

4. Notre Dame vs Miami, Hyundai Sun Bowl: December 31st at 2pm

Explain this: how do two teams from Indiana and Florida, respectively, end up playing in Texas...on CBS? Not only does the match-up not make any sense, the chances of anyone outside of Indiana or Florida stumbling across it on CBS (after the other 68 games have been played on ESPN or an ESPN affiliate) seems unlikely.

Even more, both Notre Dame and Miami were supposed to be great this year—both fell far short of expectations—this game seems more like consolation than reward.

5. Florida Interational vs. Toledo, Little Caesars Bowl: December 26th at 2:30pm

Many forget just how many teams the state of Florida fields...this one is no different. This game might  look good to some, but most will probably take a giant pass and return this college football gift to sender—just saying.

Related articles

• No. 9 Oklahoma To Face UConn In Fiesta Bowl (newyork.cbslocal.com)
• BCS breakdown: Looking at the biggest of bowl season (cbssports.com)

CFB Rumor Mill: Randy Shannon Out At Miami, Is Rich Rodriguez Next At Michigan?

It's not even December yet, but the Grinch has already made his annual appearance in college football's coal-giving department. There are reports that both Randy Shannon of Miami and Rich Rodriguez of Michigan will be fired from their respective posts after this season.

Shannon's fate seems a lot less surprising, if indeed true, as he stood to have the most to lose if he finished the 2010 season in poor fashion. The Hurricanes were favored by many to be the front-runners for an ACC Championship berth and, quite possibly, a sleeper candidate in the BCS.

Instead, the Cane's finished the season 7-5 overall—suffering embarrassing conference losses to both Florida State (45-17) and Virginia Tech (31-17). Adding more insult to injury, they lost their final home game to South Florida, in overtime, with Jacory Harris looking as pedestrian as ever.

There was simply no room for error this season, and Shannon's regime played too conservative a hand again.

As for Rodriguez, the verdict is still out on him, but there are just as many who would be for his demise as are for giving him another season.  His offense proved explosive through the first five games, but as Denard Robinson fizzled, and the Michigan defense exposed, the good times ended—Michigan ended the year 2-5, and finish 7-5 on the season.

On the bright side, they're bowl eligible, the spread has proven it can be effective with the right personnel, and Denard Robinson, when healthy, is a legitimate weapon. That said, how many fans and boosters in Ann Arbor can stand to give Rodriguez one more season?

The swirling rumor is they might have their eye on Jim Harbaugh.

The young coach, and Michigan alumnus, has turned Stanford football into a force in the Pac-10. The Cardinals are 10-1, in the BCS Top 10, and, possibly, on their way to a BCS berth. However, he did have some rather unsavory comments about his alma mater in 2007:

"...the athletic department has ways to get borderline guys in and, when they’re in, they steer them to courses in sports communications. They’re adulated when they’re playing, but when they get out, the people who adulated them won’t hire them."

Hmmm, don't know that too many Michigan fans have forgotten that one.

Either way, it's looking like the maize and blue might be looking for another change in the big house—we'll just have to wait and see what happens in this developing story.

College Football: Honestly, The Odds Are Against TCU and Boise State Playing for a Title

If both Auburn and Oregon lose, would TCU and Boise State move into the two top spots?

It's a legitimate question to ask. After all, both Auburn and Oregon are playing legitimate teams this weekend while TCU and Boise State are playing...wait, who are they playing again? Oh yeah, TCU is playing 1-10 New Mexico while Boise gets challenged by 10-1 Nevada.

Listen, there is no need to debate the merits of how worthy either TCU or Boise are where being granted a BCS National Championship berth is concerned because, well, neither of them deserve a shot at the title based on the schedules they've played—specifically when placed up against that of either Oregon or Auburn.

That said, the BCS isn't about strength of schedule—that makes only a small difference where their overall ranking is concerned—so, if Auburn and Oregon both lose, while TCU and Boise State both win out, they should, hypothetically, get the nod—right?

Well, that isn't likely going to happen and you don't have to agree with the math or pour over stats and historical precedent to see the writing on the wall as to why. Just look at the landscape of college football this season, and note the conversations—the BCS big boys never counted on either TCU or Boise State still being undefeated by this point.

Can we be honest about that much?

Seriously, Boise was "supposed" to lose to Virginia Tech to start the year. They were not supposed to win that game, playing in hostile territory, on a national stage, against a Frank Beamer-coached team—no way, no how. They caused a collective jaw-drop when they walked off Fed-Ex field victorious because the naysayers knew the consequence of such an act was another run for Boise State in 2010.

It wasn't a hard record to predict because, to be honest, watching Boise play any team in the WAC is a lot like watching a friend play NCAA 2011 on rookie mode—boring and unimpressive. They are, literally, the best team on the field every week because there isn't one team in the WAC that can hold their water bottles.

As for TCU, they kept defying the odds, too.

Some felt Oregon State might have beaten them, but the Beavers didn't seem to feel that way and, as usual, they proved to be ineffective in a big game—outside of the state of Oregon.

Then there was the game against Utah. "Oh my, TCU has NEVER won in Salt Lake City and the Utes are a very good football team". Yeah, and the powers that be were so solid in their conviction of that game that they left it off the national schedule—it wasn't even offered to 70 percent of the college football viewing public.

Honestly, it seems like the big boys aren't all that interested in letting the non-BCS schools come sit next to them at the dinner table. They want them to be content to catch whatever scraps they drop from their meal so, if either Oregon or Auburn lose their games, there is little likelihood that either TCU or Boise will have enough points to jump over them—"no one wants to see that game, so let's keep it from happening".

Of course, most of this sounds like a conspiracy theory, and there is no way to prove that any of this will actually come to fruition unless the Top 2 teams in the nation actually lose. However, consider this, Boise State opened the year ranked 3rd in the nation, yet they've never managed to get higher than that—despite annihilating every team they've played.

Even TCU has jumped them...despite the fact that the Horned Frogs barely beat San Diego State last weekend.

Is it fair? You be the judge, but it's becoming more and more obvious that there is definitely no balance and, in truth, there doesn't seem to be many people who care if it ever actually is.

Georgia Bulldogs Football: Why Boise State and Why Now?

In case you didn't know, the Georgia Bulldogs and Mark Richt will be placed on display for the whole world to see at the start of the 2011 college football season.

The announcement that the Bulldogs would face Boise State, in Atlanta, for the annual Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game was both a surprise, and a statement, that the new athletic director, Greg McGarity, wants Georgia to get back to being a brand that the college football world recognizes a contender.

That said, the turmoil, and the question marks, surrounding Mark Richt, Georgia football, and the overall direction of the program just went from being a local/regional story to a national one.

Is that the kind of attention Mark Richt really wants?

Can this opportunity provide the spark that he and the team both need to get back on the right track this off-season? Will the fans who gave up on the coaching staff long ago come back and support them now—temporarily ditching their seats on the 'Fire Mark Richt' train?

These are the types of questions you have to ask because, while it's easy to applaud this move and say that it will benefit the program from both a financial and, hopefully, a recruiting standpoint, there are also more serious repercussions if the move backfires.

For one, this isn't the Boise State program of 2005. The one that Georgia dismantled and decimated at Sanford Stadium, 48-13. That was Dan Hawkins' team and he left shortly after said season for the "greener pastures" of the BCS friendly Big 12—opening the door for his offensive coordinator, Chris Petersen, to take the reigns. 

Chris Petersen has not only been every bit as successful as his predecessor, but he's moved the Broncos into the realm of major contenders.  His team has become a staple of the BCS Top 10 and, barring some unforeseen catastrophe, they are poised to make yet another appearance in a BCS bowl this year—their third in five years.

By contrast, Georgia hasn't seen a BCS bowl since 2007 and their overall win-loss record has dipped lower in each successive year since that time. 

That said, this time around, Boise is likely to be the favored team entering the contest.

In other words, this game would be a great opportunity for Georgia because Boise will enter 2011 as a Top 10 team, and if Georgia can beat them on a national stage, then it would be a tremendous start to their season.

That said, you also have to entertain the possibility of what it would mean if Georgia lost. That would certainly be a bad omen for Richt's future prospects—especially if the remainder of the season played out in much the same way the prior two have.

Of course, if the team lost but was able to find their footing and go on a run, a scenario pointed out by  one of my loyal readers, Bill B., then who knows. As Bill pointed out, both Virginia Tech (2010) and Oregon (2009) lost their season openers to Boise State, but still ended up finishing well.

That's a very good point, too. Oregon won their next seven games and moved into the Top 5 before a late season loss to Stanford spoiled their season. Still, a Pac-10 Championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl wasn't a bad consolation prize. 

As for Virginia Tech, they stand to win the ACC and they too could end up in a top-tier bowl come seasons end—so, there is a bright side.

However, you still have to wonder if this game is meant to send a message. Is this McGarity's way of letting Richt know this is his last chance to shine?

It could very well be and, for the sake of Georgia's fans, let's hope that he's ready to shine brightly.


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• Georgia Bulldogs Go "All In," Agree to Meet Boise State Broncos in Georgia Dome to Open 2011 Season (dawgsports.com)
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Cam-Gate: It's All One Big Conspiracy Courtesy of...Urban Meyer?

This has turned into quite the soap opera.

Today, Urban Meyer, the head coach of the Florida Gators was forced to make an outright denial of claims that he is the man behind the leaked academic cheating information that has been alleged against Cam Newton.

Said Meyer, "For anyone to think that I or anyone on our staff may have leaked information about private student records to the media doesn't know us very well. It's a ridiculous claim and simply not true."

(forgive us, Urban, but when you play miscreants like Chris Rainey, people are bound to question your ethics at some point—just putting that out there).

The reason for the big hub bub, a FoxSports.com article written by the, oft-wrong, Thayer Evans who states that an unnamed source relayed a story that makes Cam Newton look like a less than honorable character. Making matters worse Newton's own father won't even vouch for him on the claim, saying only "I wasn’t there...I cannot confirm or deny. At a time like this, I’m taking a defensive posture."


Well, isn't that just peachy?


Then came this tweet from Bill "Bubba" Bussey of the, Alabama-based,  Rick and Bubba Show, tweet:

He later would recant the tweet saying that it "did not come from the source I thought it did" and asking that people just dismiss it as "rumor". Well, that's all fine and good, but, why bother stating something like that if you don't have it properly sourced?

Just saying.


In other news, Gregg Doyel is no longer welcome at any Gator tailgate parties after writing this inflammatory piece that all but outright accuses the University of Florida for being the catalyst behind all of Cam Newton's recent problems.

Says Doyel,

"...this smear job now has escalated to the point where Florida isn't even pretending to stay out of it. It's no coincidence that Bond's "information"—which he shared almost 10 months ago with Mississippi State—is coming out now that Florida has fallen by the wayside while Auburn has surged to No. 2 in the BCS. Even before the latest academic allegations came out, Meyer was said to be in the middle of the Bond-Newton saga."

Ouch...guess Doyel isn't worried about what Meyer can do to him—he should have a chat with Jeremy Fowler. 

Either way, this whole thing gets funnier by the minute—at least for those who could give a flip about Florida or Urban Meyer. It's like watching a train wreck...in slow motion...and HD.

Wonder if any one will come through the wreckage with their reputations intact?

As for Meyer, well, aside from denying culpability, he's getting his team ready to play the Gamecocks this Saturday. A team that, should they beat them, will grant them an easy trip to play Cam Newton and Auburn in Atlanta for the SEC Championship.

Hey, wait a minute...ya think...nah, never mind. 

College Football: Utah Likely Out of BCS Top 10 If TCU Wins—As Expected

TCU has never beaten the Utah Utes in Salt Lake City before but, if the Utes can't start finding both their offense and their defense, that will likely change by the time this day is over.

Andy Dalton has led the Horned Frogs to a commanding 30-0 lead, at the start of the third quarter, and  there doesn't seem to be any sign that the overwhelming defense of TCU's front seven are looking to relinquish any points anytime soon.

Utah quarterback, Jordan Wynn, has been harassed and pressured all day and has 85-yards (passing) and an interception to show for his "efforts".

The rushing game for the Utes has fared no better as the talented combination of Eddie Wilde and Matt Asiata have a total of 30-yards between them—their simply has been no room to run against the Frogs.

If the domination continues, Utah can be assured of one thing: they will fall out of the BCS Top 10 on tomorrow. 

College Football: Michigan State Remains Undefeated Behind The Arm of Kirk Cousins

You have to give a lot of credit to both teams, Northwestern for showing up from snap one to push the Spartans to the very brink of upset and to Michigan State for finding a way, yet again, to stave off defeat.

From the very start, it seemed the Spartans were shell-shocked. After a failed first possession, Dan Persa and his Northwestern Wildcats moved the ball with ease, on their second possession, converting two key third-down plays inside the 30-yard line before Persa tucked the ball and ran in for the score—7-0 Northwestern.

By stark contrast, Kirk Cousins and company found little room to breathe against the Wildcats—early—committing two three-and-outs before Edwin Baker fumbled in Spartan territory to return the ball to a rabid Wildcat team that was ready to pounce.

While that was by no means the only opportunity the Wildcats would have on the day, it was the best point for them to make a major statement. Instead, the goal line challenge was met by the Spartans, and the Wildcats would have to settle for three.

The latter point is a valid one, given the missed opportunity Northwestern left on the table to really place Michigan State squarely behind the eight ball—by entering the half with a 21-point lead instead of a 10-point one.

By the start of the second-half, Michigan State remembered their top 10 ranking and started to play like a team that actually wants to be taken seriously by the BCS. They finished the game on a 28-10 run—capped off in the final seconds by a 25-yard touchdown run by Edwin Baker.

The Spartans escape the State of Illinois undefeated and a valiant effort by Dan Persa, who rushed for three touchdowns on the game, is all but erased by defeat. 

BCS Rankings: The Biggest Surprises and Mistakes of the Top 25

The BCS Poll is out and, as usual, there were some surprises—Oklahoma at No. 1...seriously? And some oversights—how on earth is Wisconsin ranked BELOW Ohio State?

In either case, the release of the poll has set into motion the conversation of what team is championship caliber. Who will rise above all and play for the coveted BCS Championship in January?

Plenty will be said about the latter between now and Christmas, but tonight we can marinate on some of the surprises and mistakes that the BCS made in choosing the 25 best teams in the nation.

The Surprises

1. If Oklahoma is the No. 1 team in the nation, then someone is drinking.

The Sooners struggled against Utah State and Air Force this season, and looked only mildly impressive against a youthful Texas Longhorn team two weeks ago. No way they should be ranked anywhere near the top spot.

2. Boise State can't get no satisfaction from the pollsters.

No doubt some figured the tumble of both Nebraska and Ohio State would grant the Broncos a shot at No. 1, but no dice. The Broncos fall to third—behind Oregon.

3. Why on earth is Wisconsin ranked behind Ohio State?

Talk about swigging some sizzurp. This is the reward the Badgers get for beating "THE" Ohio State University. Tim Brewster must know some people.

4. Virginia Tech...for real?

Adding truth to the adage: better to lose early than late, the Hokies slotted in at No. 25 in the BCS Poll.

How on earth they were more deserving of this honor than, say, Georgia Tech or Nevada is a touch perplexing. The obvious reason would have to be strength of schedule, but, if that were the case, there would no Boise in the top 5 so...again...what makes the Hokies so worthy?

5. Mississippi State—good for them.

After beating Florida—in Gainesville—there seems to be little doubt that Dan Mullen's team will go bowling this season. The Bulldogs have certainly been impressive this year.

The Mistakes

1. Ohio State should not be in the top 10.

Sure, playing cupcakes is easy but, in their first true road test of the year, they folded like  cheap suit. Ohio State is a paper champion, Pryor is not Heisman worthy, and people are still giving too much respect to the Buckeyes based on absolutely nothing.

They are not a top 10 team...don't believe the hype.

2. Iowa is too low.

They lost a close game to Arizona early on, but have played well since that time—including a 38-28 win in Ann Arbor.

The Hawkeyes deserve better than 15.

3. West Virginia at 20?

The Mountaineers might be 5-1, but, they are a "we haven't played and won against anybody" 5-1. Their one chance to prove their legitimacy—versus LSU—ended in a loss. Not sure if they are any better than the 6-1 Nevada Wolfpack team that didn't even find it's way into the poll.

What say you? Did the polls disappoint, shock, or leave your mind boggled?

Boise State Would Contend For An SEC Championship?...Andrea Adelson, Surely You Jest

Andrea, Andrea, Andrea. It's not enough that you had the idiotic gall to rank the Georgia Bulldogs No. 64 in a recent preseason poll, but you are still finding ways to take pot shots at the Bulldogs now that the idiots over at E$PN have seen fit to give you a job—when will you ever learn.

Yesterday, Chris Low was paired up against Andrea Adelson in a blogger debate (h/t Get The Picture). The question was whether or not a one-loss SEC team would get the nod over an undefeated Boise State team for a shot at the BCS national title and would Boise State be able to survive an SEC schedule? 

Chris Low, of course, said that a one-loss SEC team would be more worthy of a title shot than an undefeated Boise State—no question. Furthermore, Boise State would find it very difficult to go undefeated on a yearly basis if they had to contend with the SEC's schedule.

No argument from me there.

Well, proving once again that you simply cannot fix stupid, Ms. Adelson had this to say:

"And which of these mighty SEC teams would take down Boise State? Georgia? Tennessee? Ole Miss? Mississippi State? The Broncos would be favored against every SEC team this year except two. This is nothing against the SEC. I think it is the best conference in the country. But to say Boise State would be in over its head in the league is a specious argument. The Broncos are proven winners and would absolutely be contenders for an SEC championship. "

Excuse my french for just a second, but...the HELL you say?

Let's forget for a moment that Boise State has yet to beat an SEC opponent. Let's not even discuss that fact—yet. No, no...let's focus in on this little gem again: "And which of these mighty SEC teams would take down Boise State? Georgia?"...tell me she didn't go there!

If memory serves, and mine is pretty dang good, Georgia played Boise State in 2005—and DEMOLISHED them 48-13. Sure, that was a different coach, a different team, and a different time for Boise State, but to insinuate that in the past four years Boise has become exponentially better than Georgia just because you are an obvious Gator homer is beyond ridiculous—it's ludicrous.

Boise is a WAC team in a WAC conference. They have played four SEC opponents in their history and lost all four times. It doesn't matter how good their smoke screen is right now, the fact remains that they haven't done well, overall, against the SEC, the Pac-10, the Big Ten, or the ACC—all of which receive automatic bids from the BCS sooooooo...you do the math.

Now, the entry yesterday may have attempted to offer a more balanced approach to Boise's situation in the BCS but, rest assured, this author is not yet ready to sip the kool-aid.

"Contenders for an SEC Championship"? Ay, yi, yi...wake me when the stupidity is over.

Virginia Tech vs Boise State: Frank Beamer Is In An Unenviable Position

Here are the three indisputable facts about the Boise State Broncos:

1) They have one of the best records in college football over the last four years.
2) They have beaten BCS competition.
3) They play in the WAC—for now.

That last fact is the one that raises the ire of most every college football fan who detests the endless hype Boise State has received—since stunning the Sooners in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl. That infamous "Statue of Liberty" play, executed perfectly by former Broncos signal-caller, Jared Zabranski, both announced Boise's arrival to the rest of the college football world and began the conversation that continues to intrigue us all today—"is Boise really that good"?

The fact that the question continues to exist and pose heated debates among fans and experts alike, nearly five years later, has made it difficult for Chris Petersen's program to receive the two things they are certain they deserve the most—respect and a shot at the BCS Championship.

You see, in 2006, it was okay that Boise won a lot of games and dethroned the big bad Sooners—it was a Cinderella story and every dog is entitled to its day. But, now that they've stuck around long past midnight, long enough to make a fuss about not having a shot at a national title, all anyone wants them to do is go away.

They are supposed to go back to being the "little school" in the "soft conference". The message from the peanut gallery it loud and clear: We don't want you here at the big boy table.

The oft heard refrain has become: "If they played (insert your automatic-qualifying BCS school here) schedule, then they wouldn't go undefeated every year".

However, we all forget that college football left the door open for teams like Boise State, and their "soft" schedules when they decided, in 2004, to omit 'strength of schedule' as a factor in determining the BCS standings—it's merely a consideration now.

With that fact in mind, Boise State has only done what they were supposed to do—play the schedule they have in front of them, and beat every team on it. The WAC may not be a powerhouse conference but that's hardly Boise's problem—is it? Even more, is the schedule they play soft because the opposition is so bad or because Boise is so good?

Think about it, objectively for a moment, why hasn't any other team in the WAC been as consistently good as Boise State has? Fresno State and Nevada have both had opportunities to come out on top—why haven't they?

Admittedly, the latter is a debatable point because there are so many factors to consider—recruiting, coaching, out-of-conference (OOC) schedule, etc. However, when you consider the fact that Boise has beaten Oklahoma, Oregon (twice), TCU, and Utah in the last four-years while Fresno and Nevada have fallen short when given their shot to shine, you have to give a little credit to the Broncos.

Boise has, consistently, shown up when given the opportunity. So, again, what's the problem? Why the outcry of "they're not worthy"...an outcry that this author has, at times, screamed quite loudly as well?

For one, the fans of college football still consider the difficulty of the schedule when assessing Boise as a contender. They simply do not respect the fact that the Broncos play cupcakes all season—no way around that fact.

Secondly, the arrogance of the fan who has a team in one of the BCS "power" conferences immediately cries foul at the fact that their school's road is so tough while the Broncos, seemingly, skate through theirs—remember that refrain mentioned above?

Whether or not 'strength of schedule' is a factor, perception is still reality for the everyday college football fan. They don't give a hoot about Boise getting respect because, in their minds, they haven't earned it yet.

That said, even if Boise defeats a legitimate power, the natural inclination will be to belittle Boise and make excuses for the other team—several examples follow.

Against Oklahoma in 2006, the excuse was Stoops' teams always choke when the opposing team has time to prepare. People referred to the Sooners as "Choklahoma" and pointed to the loss as yet another example of an overvalued team getting their jocks handed to them—Boise didn't win, the Sooners were just overrated.

When Boise beat Oregon last season, it was, "Yeah, but if they played Oregon later in the year, that game would have been different"...uh-huh, well, they played them in August—what can they do about that?

Again, Boise didn't win, the Ducks just weren't ready to play yet.

Their win against TCU in the Fiesta Bowl prompted more excuses: "So what? TCU didn't get stomped or anything. The game was won by the Broncos because TCU's offense stunk"—Boise didn't win, TCU lost.

Excuses, excuses.

So, here we sit, eight-months later, still talking about how good the Boise State Broncos aren't, how they do not deserve to be ranked in the Top 5, and how Virginia Tech will prove all of this on September 6th when the two teams meet—poor Frank Beamer.

This game was just supposed to be the one that replaced their home-and-home series with Syracuse. However, what it has transformed into is a lose-lose for the Hokies.

If Frank Beamer's team wins the game, the Boise naysayers will rejoice and say, "see, we told you". If they lose, the Boise State "we deserve a shot" train continues—with nothing to stand in its way.

In either case, the Hokies are shouldering a monumental burden because the media and the fans have made this game into an epic event—for both teams. 

In truth, however, this is just a game between two teams in the Top 10. Nothing is guaranteed–despite what anyone tries to tell you. Boise State could win this game, run the table, and still not get their shot. Or they could win and be upset later—it doesn't matter—that's why they play the games.

As for Frank Beamer, no coach in college football wants to be in his shoes right now. Win or lose, the rest of his teams' season will be judged according to what they do in this game. The kicker is, his team has question marks coming into this match-up too, they have some holes to fill too—there is a reason the Broncos are favored to win.

One thing is for sure, if the Broncos win this game, in convincing fashion, the rest of the season will be a calling card to the BCS...sponsored by 'No More Excuses'.

BYU Football Is No Longer Content With A BCS Window Seat

Multiple reports are suggesting that the BYU football program might be ready to take a Notre Dame approach to getting their shot at a BCS berth.

Late yesterday evening, Colorado State University's football department tweeted the following:

@CSUFootball: BYU and ESPN to hold join (sic) news conference Thursday morning to discuss BYU going independent from the MWC conference. Possible 2011 football. 

 That tweet was followed by this:

@CSUFootbal: Schedule could include Notre Dame, Navy, Army, Utah in addition to already schedules games versus Texas Oregon State Utah State.

The information came as a surprise to Mountain West Conference (MWC) football fans who felt that the move by Boise State to the MWC in 2011 would be a boon for their conference—despite the loss of Utah to the Pac-10.

However, that obviously wasn't the case for BYU who felt jilted during realignment talk and now wishes to take the future of the football program into their own hands.

Currently, Notre Dame is the highest profile team with Independent status and the FBS has a deal with them that if they finish in the Top 10, they will receive an automatic BCS berth. BYU is hopeful that they can wrap up a similar deal and avoid the pitfalls of being mired in a conference which does not guarantee an automatic bid.

If this decision by BYU does turn out to be legitimate, it will definitely change the rules a little bit for some of the other teams in the league.

For one, the MWC suddenly goes from being a conference with some legitimate power—in TCU, BYU, and incoming Boise State—to one that isn't nearly as interesting—to advertisers or fans. I mean, honestly, the TCU/Boise match-up looks intriguing the first year or two, but those teams will only face each other once (possibly) and the rest of the league isn't nearly as competitive.

Secondly, the MWC would have looked a lot more attractive with Utah, BYU, TCU, and Boise State in the mix. All four teams are consistently looked upon as potential BCS busters and the attention their play might have attracted on a national level could have eventually led to some consideration of receiving an automatic bid—particularly if the OOC schedules were up to par.

Lastly, what will it mean for Boise if BYU exits? They made the decision to move to the MWC in order to gain a little more respect for their program—as their WAC schedule wasn't getting much. Now they have essentially traded their WAC colors for a MWC schedule that looks eerily similar—offering only TCU as any real competition.

Is that what they bargained for when they signed on?...Doubtful.

At any rate, you cannot blame BYU for getting tired of watching the opportunities pass them by. Utah received a Pac-10 nod over them and that had to sting quite a bit. Furthermore, despite their tougher OOC schedule and slightly more challenging conference slate (compared to Boise), they still aren't gaining any ground with voters or viewers—Boise appears to be the chosen one at present.

The Cougars may or may not jump ship, this could all be a wild goose chase—especially considering the CSU Football account has curiously rid their timeline of the tweet that started it all—but if it's not, then BYU finally has done, alone, what they couldn't seem to do once this off-season...become relevant.

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• Sources: BYU closing in on football independence, joining WAC for other sports (sports.espn.go.com)

Tuesday Morning Coffee: Some Links to Click While You Sip (6/22)

Jadeveon Clowney's father tells him to stick to football, 'don't do what I did'.  I'm pretty sure that if Jadeveon's college career becomes anything close to what is expected, his father will never have to worry about that happening.

Nick Saban gives a "revealing" interview to The Sporting News in which he talks about the public perception of him being a "liar"—especially given the way he ditched Miami like a two-dollar street John to flee to Alabama.

This writer thinks that Texas was cowardly for sticking with the Big XII instead of moving on to the more competitive Pac-10.

The Football Outsiders have released their preseason Top 25 and some very surprising teams show up in the bottom-half of their rankings. All I can say is, Ole Miss at 25?....Seriously?!?

I don't think that eliminating Arkansas for Georgia Tech or South Carolina for Florida State, would "perfect the SEC", but, to each their own.

The "have-nots" were smart to give up their money so that Texas and Oklahoma remained in the Big 12? Uh-huh....sounds like a load of bull to me. Bend over Baylor, Kansas, and Kansas State and make sure that you say "thank you sir, can I have another" with each beating you get from the chosen ones. 

It seems that Trojan fans aren't the only ones looking to strip Reggie Bush of something valuable.

What would football be like without the Big XII?....Hmmmm, I'd say it would be just fine considering that more than 60 percent of the teams in that conference are awful.

I fail to see the good in E$PN controlling all the BCS Bowls for the next four seasons. That network would sell it's anchors for a good billboard location. They are charging an absurd amount of money to have these bowls sponsored and one must wonder how good the crack is in Bristol because everyone there is clearly smoking it.

The UFL plans to start another franchise, this time in Virginia.

Rivals released it "All-Losers" Team today—those poor, defenseless, Vanderbilt players.