Auburn Is Selling Freeze-Dried Turf To Commemorate Their BCS Victory

So, Auburn fans, how deep is your love? Is it deep enough to shell out 99.99 for a piece of dirt—wait, sorry—I mean, freeze-dried turf? It's a lovely item that comes packaged in a block of plastic with an overhead shot of the field where your championship Tigers played their way to a Sears Trophy.

Well, if you're hankering to get that dirt freeze-dried turf on your shelf before the start of the 2011 season, go ahead and go "all in", Auburn begins taking pre-orders February 4.

It certainly looks authentic (not really), Tiger fans. I mean, wow, this is a piece of the field where Nick Fairley and Cam Newton ran, tackled, and passed (at least that's what the product info says) so who cares if it looks like it could've come from Gene Chizik's lawn, right? You're getting a piece of history (I guess).

I kid, I kid. Have at it, Tiger fans, enjoy your moment.

Photo Credit: Auburn Tigers Online Turf Store

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.

Georgia Bulldogs Football: The Mark Richt to Colorado Reports Are Complete Nonsense

Apparently, Georgia head coach, Mark Richt, along with current ESPN analyst (and former Oregon Duck head coach) Mike Belloti, are considered front-runners for the vacant head coach position at Colorado.

CBSSports' Dennis Dodd, as well as the "Insider" page at ESPN (which, to be honest, is just a glorified message board for anything that a troll can come up with) are both running with the possibility.

However, even the Colorado press is taking the story with a grain of sand.

According to John Henderson of The Denver Post, "Richt isn't believed to be in danger of losing his job, but a source said he may be tired of the SEC's pressure cooker and could seek a change in scenery. Richt lived in Broomfield for part of his youth."

Read more: Bellotti, Richt get early looks for CU coaching job - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/cu/ci_16600621#ixzz15Bkb3Dmr

The article goes on to say that Colorado isn't willing to go over $2 million per season, no matter who they hire—Richt makes $2.8 million in salary (not to mention the compensation he receives for his endeavors outside of coaching). 

Unless Richt loses his final two games this year—particularly the one to Georgia Tech (who is likely to be without star quarterback, Josh Nesbitt, when the two teams meet on Thanksgiving weekend)—there is little reason to believe that he will be fired at the end of the 2010 season. 

Even more, if Colorado has any designs on Richt, they certainly haven't let the University of Georgia's AD, Greg McGarity, know anything about it. McGarity said the interest was news to him and, as late as this posting, no one in his office has been contacted about the possibility of speaking to coach Richt about the position—go figure.

Mark Richt isn't going anywhere—yet. And, honestly, Colorado is likely looking to lock down a head coach much sooner than Richt would be able to commit (assuming he were even interested, which is doubtful). 

Related articles

• Bellotti, Richt get early looks for CU coaching job (denverpost.com)

Will Houston Nutt Take A Chance On Former Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli?

The latest saga in the Houston Nutt Trilogy is who will replace Raymond Cotton?

Cotton, the disgruntled and disgusted No. 2 quarterback for the Ole Miss Rebels, decided that his playing future was better served elsewhere—leaving the Rebels and Houston Nutt wondering "what now?"

If reports are to be believed, former Oregon quarterback, Jeremiah Masoli is getting some major consideration, despite his checkered past. The first question that many will ask is why would Ole Miss or Houston Nutt want a guy like Masoli?

Seriously, do you really have to ask? Despite the fact that he Masoli was a complete idiot off the field in 2009, he was a star on it for the Oregon Ducks last season. Barring any significant injury, had he played for the team in 2010, he was a lock for garnering some Heisman consideration after putting up some impressive numbers in 2009 (2147 yards passing, 668 yards rushing, and 28 total touchdowns).

His presence on an Ole Miss team that not only lost Jevan Snead, but also Dexter McCluster, and Shay Hodge, would be a definite improvement over the relative inexperience of Nathan Stanley. That said, it is tough to discount the baggage that Masoli would bring.

His multiple arrests and all-around ill-advised behavior off the field would offer a huge red flag to the Ole Miss admissions committee and they might not be willing to overlook his past transgressions in favor of their institutions desire for some quality depth at quarterback.

However, if they were to open the door and allow the troubled, former-star to enter the hallowed halls of their program, there would only be one hiccup to consider. According to NCAA transfer rules:

If a student-athlete wants to transfer and immediately compete as a graduate student, the college or university they are transferring to would need to seek a waiver, because in most cases they would have to sit out a year before competing under NCAA transfer rules and would not have any remaining eligibility. One of the factors our members have determined is appropriate for a graduate student waiver is if the transfer is academically motivated.

By "academically motivated", the NCAA means that the student-athlete would need to choose his/her school based on an inability to complete his graduate studies at the institution that formerly held his eligibility. In other words, Ole Miss would have to offer a graduate program that the University of Oregon does not. 

Assuming Masoli is able to apply and be admitted to Ole Miss, under those guidelines, he would be eligible to play immediately.

It's all speculation for now as Masoli is also looking at other Division I programs—including Ole Miss rival, Mississippi State, but one thing is for certain, someone may be willing to take a chance on Masoli in 2010.

Former Oregon Duck, Jeremiah Masoli, Proves You Can't Fix 'Stupid'

I have only one question for Jeremiah Masoli: "How stupid are you?"....No, I'm completely serious.
For those of you who have not heard the news, Jeremiah Masoli, the formerly suspended quarterback of the Oregon Ducks is now the dismissed, former starter of the Oregon Ducks after being arrested yet again.

To recap, back in March of 2010, Masoli and a former teammate were charged with second-degree burglary after they stole, among other things, a couple of Apples and a guitar. 

Okay, I'm being a bit glib with the Apple reference; they stole a couple of MacBooks and a guitar.

Anyway, after being forgiven for his trespasses by head coach, Chip Kelly, Masoli was extended a second-chance. He was going to be allowed to redeem himself by staying pristine, clean, and out of trouble.

Kelly even allowed him back to take some snaps with the team during spring practices. It was interpreted by some as a show of maturity by Masoli. There he was, providing not only advice to those who were vying to take his place but a window to 2011 as well. The message was clear: he was gone for 2010 but would definitely be looking to reclaim his spot in 2011.

There was some talk of a possible transfer, but it was clear that his best course of action was to stay at Oregon, take his one-year suspension, and then try return in 2011.

That was the plan.

Well, Masoli must have cement for sense because on Monday night, he was arrested again. What’s funny is the offense might have been dismissed as a minor traffic violation—he might have even had the chance to talk his way out of it altogether—if not for the marijuana and the suspended license.

What was he thinking?

Well, obviously he wasnt, but...really, it just brings me back to my original question: "How stupid do you have to be?"

I try hard not to ever bash on a player but this isn't a 17-year old high school student or an 18-year old freshman. This is a guy who stood to make a pretty penny at the next level if he could follow up on a great sophomore season. A season in which he threw for more than 2,000 yards while rushing for more than 600—scoring 28 total touchdowns—leading his team to both the Rose Bowl and a Pac-10 Championship.

Now, he’s just another cautionary tale of what happens when stupid is as stupid does.

He may still get his shot at playing football again, possibly even in 2010, now that he has no allegiances for 2011.

The FCS (Division II Football Championship Subdivision) has been kind to other athletes who couldn't seem to stay out of trouble—see Willie Williams and Ryan Perriloux—and if Masoli ends up going that route—good luck to him.

As for the Ducks, the era of Nate Costa can now, officially, begin as there is simply no longer a need to look over your shoulder at Oregon anymore—the thrill is definitely gone.