College Football - Week 11

[DeToxRox]

Pretty down week of games, though a couple that intrigue me:

San Diego State vs TCU

- SDSU is 7-2 and looking good. Brady Hoke is without question on any Michigan HC short list, though RR is likelier to stay.

South Carolina vs Florida

- Spurrier vs UF is always fun

Alabama vs Miss. State

- Dan Mullen is a rising star as a HC. Bama should win easy but they could letdown after last week.

[Greyroofoo]

You forgot the Toledo Rockets vs N. Illinois, a game that could decide that fate of the MAC West!

[Matthean]

Georgia vs. Auburn.
Penn State vs. Ohio State.
Kansas St. vs. Missouri.
VT vs. UNC.
TA&M vs. Baylor.

Also have potential as good games.

[tarcone]

Iowa is on upset alert. We travel to Northwestern. And without a doubt Coach Fitz will have them ready to beat down the Hawks. Always a tough game for Iowa.

[Dr. Sak]

I dont think Penn State stands a chance against Ohio State in the horseshoe. The Buckeyes will expose the PSU defense and put up at least 35.

[tarcone]

I agree. PsU gets dominated.

[CU Tiger]

For the first time in a decade I will not watch my Tigers play live. (either by TV or in person) as I will be away from a TV all weekend, here is hoping I canlive in a bubble until Sunday night late when I watch the Clemson FSU DVR....

[Izulde]

In a clash of former Izulde schools, Wyoming comes to play at UNLV's Homecoming.

...This might be the only other win the Rebels have a shot at this season.

[RomaGoth]

Looks like Hawk is finally getting canned.

Reports: Embattled Dan Hawkins out as Colorado coach - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5782842&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines)

[RainMaker]

Source: Auburn QB Newton left Florida after cheating scandal - CFB News - FOX Sports on MSN (http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/Source-says-Newton-left-Florida-after-cheating-scandal)

[Young Drachma]

Man who did Cam Newton sleep with? Folks are really trying to crap on his Heisman parade.

[Young Drachma]

Looks like Hawk is finally getting canned.

Reports: Embattled Dan Hawkins out as Colorado coach - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5782842&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines)

Finally.

[Honolulu Blue]

Something I found interesting in the article linked above about Dan Hawkins' firing:

Hawkins is making nearly $1.5 million this season in base salary and incentives, less than every coach in the Big 12 except Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads. His buyout would be around $2 million.

(emphasis mine)

It boggles my mind that a bottom-feeder coach in a big-time conference is making $1.5 mil a year. I guess I'm really behind the times. I'll have to do some research sometime into what other coaches make elsewhere - including the pros (even the UFL, if I can find it).

Sorry for the interruption. Carry on.

[RomaGoth]

Something I found interesting in the article linked above about Dan Hawkins' firing:



(emphasis mine)

It boggles my mind that a bottom-feeder coach in a big-time conference is making $1.5 mil a year. I guess I'm really behind the times. I'll have to do some research sometime into what other coaches make elsewhere - including the pros (even the UFL, if I can find it).

Sorry for the interruption. Carry on.

That jumped out at me as well, so you aren't the only one. I don't see how most of these guys are worth even a fraction of that high a salary, I guess I am behind the times as well.

[panerd]

Something I found interesting in the article linked above about Dan Hawkins' firing:



(emphasis mine)

It boggles my mind that a bottom-feeder coach in a big-time conference is making $1.5 mil a year. I guess I'm really behind the times. I'll have to do some research sometime into what other coaches make elsewhere - including the pros (even the UFL, if I can find it).

Sorry for the interruption. Carry on.

I think he was supposed to be the savior from Boise State that was going to turn that program around. I think the 1.5 million was spent to bring a winner not a bottom feeder.

[MJ4H]

Arkansas hosts UTEP this Saturday. What should I expect?

[miami_fan]

Man who did Cam Newton sleep with? Folks are really trying to crap on his Heisman parade.

It is not who he slept with, it is who he is being compared to. When you starting hearing a QB that left your program (by choice or by force) being compared to Jesus Tebow, you come out with this type of stuff.

[JPhillips]

Source: Auburn QB Newton left Florida after cheating scandal - CFB News - FOX Sports on MSN (http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/Source-says-Newton-left-Florida-after-cheating-scandal)

The system of colleges using public funds to pretend to educate professional athletes is so fucking stupid.

[DeToxRox]

Urban Meyer is sure butthurt about Cam Newton no longer being at Florida. I mean the kid was a fuckup there so they moved on. Seems like he has grown up. Let it be.

I will note if it comes out he accepted money then fine, I agree it needs to be handled, but it is just funny that this is all basically a one man assault from Urban Meyer.

[Noop]

The whole SEC is full of cheaters.

[RomaGoth]

It is not who he slept with, it is who he is being compared to. When you starting hearing a QB that left your program (by choice or by force) being compared to Jesus Tebow, you come out with this type of stuff.

I thought it was Tebow Christ.....

[RomaGoth]

It is now official:

Dan Hawkins Fired at Colorado -- NCAAFB FanHouse (http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/11/09/dan-hawkins-fired-at-colorado/)

[JonInMiddleGA]

It boggles my mind that a bottom-feeder coach in a big-time conference is making $1.5 mil a year. I guess I'm really behind the times. I'll have to do some research sometime into what other coaches make elsewhere - including the pros (even the UFL, if I can find it).

The D1 average last year was about 1.3 million.
56 of 120 make $1m or more, with 25 at $2m or more

College football coaches see salaries rise in down economy - USATODAY.com (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2009-11-09-coaches-salary-analysis_N.htm)

[MacroGuru]

BYU has to win 2 out of 3 to be bowl eligible.

With the next two games @CSU and New Mexico I would normally say it's a lock, but I don't think it will be.

I would like to see them win all 3, but our game against Utah has me pretty scared...especially after the ass raping they took from TCU.

[JPhillips]

But it's okay because Colorado has a balanced athletic budget.



If you include over seven million dollars in student fees and direct institutional support.

[molson]

And it's not like coaching is some unique skill. There's hundreds of guys out there who could probably do as well or better at Colorado.

I guess there's an upper, elite level of coaches worth the money, but it's kind of hard to tell - the guys perceived as that are mostly at elite institutions and have all of the inherent advantages that go with that. It's be pretty hard for anyone to fail at Florida or Texas.

[RomaGoth]

It's be pretty hard for anyone to fail at Florida or Texas.

Ron Zook managed it just fine. ;)

[Greyroofoo]

You forgot the Toledo Rockets vs N. Illinois, a game that could decide that fate of the MAC West!

Game starting right now!!!

[MrBug708]

Ron Zook managed it just fine. ;)

Mackovich did it so much better though

[M GO BLUE!!!]

So with Hawkins having coached his son the last few years, what were the NCAA rules? They do tend to frown on such things from coach to student as gifts. And students really aren't supposed to hang out at the coach's pad either. Did he have to refrain from giving his kid any gifts other than the starting QB job?

[RainMaker]

Not a fan of Doyel at all, but thought this was a good article.

Consider the source on Newton story - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/14267701/consider-the-source-on-newton-story)

[DeToxRox]

Breaking news: Cam Newton and father admitted in phone conversations that money played a part in picking Auburn. Was just on SportsCenter.

Dun dun dunnn

[kingfc22]

Breaking news: Cam Newton and father admitted in phone conversations that money played a part in picking Auburn. Was just on SportsCenter.

Dun dun dunnn

Where there's smoke, there's fire...

[BishopMVP]

Utah @ Notre Dame should at least be interesting. Utah isn't as bad as TCU made them look, at least on defense, thus that 5.5 point spread is probably a little low. But ND does have some talent, and hopefully some pride. While I don't like Utah per se, I do want to see TCU in the title game (assuming Oregon, or more likely Auburn, falters) so against any other team I'd be rooting for them in a blowout. Heck, given this ND team and this season I don't even think it would make me think less of them, but I still can't quite root for them outright.

I don't want to get involved in a huge Cam Newton debate when so much more will come out in the next days/weeks/years, so I'll just say my little piece. I don't think Cam himself ever asked for or received money, but I think it's quite possible that people around him (probably including his father) did. At what point does that make the player ineligible? The second part is that these allegations are not new and in fact have been known to the SEC and the NCAA for close to a year - just as in the Derrick Rose SAT situation, how can you punish a university retroactively for playing a player you yourself cleared and said was eligible at the time? Finally, it really does seem odd that ESPN and the NYT haven't changed their stories about John Bond and Kenny Rogers to reflect the fact that it is 3rd hand info at best. (Bonus points - I absolutely do believe that Urban Meyer is behind most of this - why I don't entirely know - and the scandal is almost worth it just for the material it gives EDSBS and LSUFreek.)

[RainMaker]

I think Utah wins by double digits. It's a real solid Utah team and Notre Dame is without Crist. I've watched a lot of Notre Dame this year for some reason, and they just don't have much enthusiasm. Really thought I'd see more fire from them with Kelly as coach, but they just aren't very good. Sad too since I do think they have good talent at key positions.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Breaking news: Cam Newton and father admitted in phone conversations that money played a part in picking Auburn. Was just on SportsCenter.Dun dun dunnn

Is this different/updated beyond the story from a couple of hours ago that had two sources claiming that those conversations with the Newton's had taken place?

(Referenced here)
ESPN sources: SEC informed of alleged Cam Newton pay-for-play plan in January; has been OK'd to play throughout | al.com (http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/11/espn_sources_sec_informed_of_a.html)

[Ksyrup]

The second part is that these allegations are not new and in fact have been known to the SEC and the NCAA for close to a year - just as in the Derrick Rose SAT situation, how can you punish a university retroactively for playing a player you yourself cleared and said was eligible at the time?

Who says the NCAA cleared him to play? I'm sure they get all sorts of allegations and can't follow-up on them immediately (look at how the UNC stuff has unfolded). I would think it's up to the school to decide whether there's any substance to the allegations, and the NCAA moves on its investigations at its own pace. The NCAA won't rule someone ineligible until they've got proof, and in this case, it seems quite clear the investigation is just now getting started.

This really seems to boil down to how much investigation Auburn did back then (assuming they were made aware of these statements when MSU reported them - is that the protocol?). I don't give much weight to the fact that the NCAA didn't declare him ineligible before, since they are only now investigating. If they had announced that they had investigated and closed the book on it, that's one thing. Ultimately, nothing (provable) may come out of this, but depending on the extent of Auburn's investigation, they are taking a huge risk of being Reggie Bush/USC all over again.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Who says the NCAA cleared him to play?

He had to be cleared to play at some point, otherwise he wouldn't be on the field. Whether he was cleared to play in relationship to these particular claims is a different matter, although as one local sportswriter in Alabama pointed out this morning, at the very latest both the conference & the NCAA knew about these charges in July at the latest, plenty of time for them to advise Auburn not to dress him for the season opener.

[Ksyrup]

I don't know, I think that just meant no one had a smoking gun that made it more likely than not he'd be ruled ineligible, if substantiated. With the UNC or AJ Green situations, there was more than enough evidence to convince them to have the players sit. Here, if all you have is a couple of statements and no hard evidence, and you haven't started the investigation yet, then you have no basis for advising the school to sit the player. I mean, you can't tell every school they should err on the side of caution based on every allegation that comes in. I don't think they are off the hook yet.

I'd be interested to know whaat Auburn did to investigate this, as they had the ability and motivation to make sure things were above-board before any NCAA investigation commenced. Could they ask for bank account info?

One thing is for certain - whatever comes of this, it has essentially soiled this season for Auburn because unless something dramatic comes out in the next 45 days or so, we won't know the answers to all of these questions until Auburn's already played in whatever bowl they make and the Heisman voting is done. So everything is going to be under the constant question of whether it's all for nothing.

Imagine a scenario where TCU ends 3rd and Oregon and Auburn play for the championship, and then a few months later Newton is declared ineligible. Wow.

[Ksyrup]

Of course, I guess some would consider it to be Auburn's ultimate payback for 2004...

[molson]

Imagine a scenario where TCU ends 3rd and Oregon and Auburn play for the championship, and then a few months later Newton is declared ineligible. Wow.

Aren't we looking at more like 2015 on the NCAA timetable?

I wonder if any of the BCS voters will be influenced though

[molson]

I don't want to get involved in a huge Cam Newton debate when so much more will come out in the next days/weeks/years, so I'll just say my little piece. I don't think Cam himself ever asked for or received money, but I think it's quite possible that people around him (probably including his father) did. At what point does that make the player ineligible? The second part is that these allegations are not new and in fact have been known to the SEC and the NCAA for close to a year - just as in the Derrick Rose SAT situation, how can you punish a university retroactively for playing a player you yourself cleared and said was eligible at the time? Finally, it really does seem odd that ESPN and the NYT haven't changed their stories about John Bond and Kenny Rogers to reflect the fact that it is 3rd hand info at best. (Bonus points - I absolutely do believe that Urban Meyer is behind most of this - why I don't entirely know - and the scandal is almost worth it just for the material it gives EDSBS and LSUFreek.)

Everybody is technically eligible at the time they play, otherwise they wouldn't play. If the Newton investigation was completed at the time he was "cleared", that might carry some weight, but presumably, they're trying to get to the bottom of things now. Part of that responsibility is the risk involved with recruiting dirty kids. Anyone who brought in Cam Newton this season knew they were taking a huge risk.

And I always roll my eyes at the "kid didn't know" or the "school didn't know" justifications. Whether that's true or not is irrelevant. It's your responsibility to know, otherwise you have this structure not unlike the trainer/athlete relationship in MLB ("I don't need the details, just shoot me up".) Dirty programs are built on keeping kids and head coaches out of the loop. Thats why you have boosters dealing directly with kids and their families, and gifts to parents/high school coaches/others that influence a kids decision.

The whole thing is kind of silly. The SEC in particular, followed by most of the BCS and 1-A as a whole really just needs to turn pro. I really think we're going to look back in these days with amusement, when big-time college football programs felt the need to hide all these financial arrangements, and when everyone was obsessed with pushing the myth that Newton is some kind of student-athlete.

[MrBug708]

Is it illegal to ask for money but eventually take none?

[mckerney]

Pretty down week of games, though a couple that intrigue me:

San Diego State vs TCU

- SDSU is 7-2 and looking good. Brady Hoke is without question on any Michigan HC short list, though RR is likelier to stay.

Yesterday it was reported Hoke was the latest coach contacted by Minnesota this week. No idea where he's supposed to stand on their short list after the top tier of candidates who will turn them down.

[Ksyrup]

Aren't we looking at more like 2015 on the NCAA timetable?

I wonder if any of the BCS voters will be influenced though

I don't know. Depends on what they find and when they find it.

The Bush thing was a post-mortem, and thus they had as much time as they wanted to take because none of it blew up until after he was gone, so there was nothing they could immediately fix or "make right." This is happening real-time, so presumably there would be a bit more urgency to the investigation. Because yeah, I could see a scenario where more and more stuff leaks out about his potentially taking money from Auburn to the point where maybe Auburn gets screwed out of a BCS Bowl game because the voters don't want to put college football in the position of having another illegitimate champion. The Heisman would be the easier issue - who cares? The BCS champion is the much bigger issue (at least IMO).

[bronconick]

Is there another conference that comes even close to the level of bus throwing that SEC schools do to each other? I can't think of any.

[Swaggs]

Yesterday it was reported Hoke was the latest coach contacted by Minnesota this week. No idea where he's supposed to stand on their short list after the top tier of candidates who will turn them down.

I would have thought that Jeff Jagodzinski would be a pretty good candidate for that job, but I haven't heard his name associated with it.

[sovereignstar v2]

I would have thought that Jeff Jagodzinski would be a pretty good candidate for that job, but I haven't heard his name associated with it.

We don't need a guy that will bolt for the NFL after two seasons.

[bhlloy]

The NCAA did a full investigation into OJ Mayo and USC still got hit for those violations. I don't think it's relevant at all whether the NCAA cleared him and when they knew about the violations. If he received any benefits at all, Auburn's season is gone. I don't think asking for benefits is illegal so Auburn needs to hope it stops there.

That being said, I'm becoming less and less convinced that Auburn is clean in this one. I basically see two realistic scenarios - 1) Miss St is making all/most of this up or 2) Auburn paid for Newton. Are we really to believe that he went from a $200,000 asking price with teams allegedly willing to pay, to playing out of the goodness of his heart in a matter of weeks? I don't buy it at all.

[RomaGoth]

The NCAA did a full investigation into OJ Mayo and USC still got hit for those violations. I don't think it's relevant at all whether the NCAA cleared him and when they knew about the violations. If he received any benefits at all, Auburn's season is gone. I don't think asking for benefits is illegal so Auburn needs to hope it stops there.

That being said, I'm becoming less and less convinced that Auburn is clean in this one. I basically see two realistic scenarios - 1) Miss St is making all/most of this up or 2) Auburn paid for Newton. Are we really to believe that he went from a $200,000 asking price with teams allegedly willing to pay, to playing out of the goodness of his heart in a matter of weeks? I don't buy it at all.

I agree with this, and will add that if we look at his history, character has been an ongoing issue with this guy. He tried to cheat twice with bogus papers in class, obviously he is not this stand up guy that Auburn is trying to portray.

[mckerney]

I would have thought that Jeff Jagodzinski would be a pretty good candidate for that job, but I haven't heard his name associated with it.

His name has come up a few times in the media for the Minnesota job, but after reading that he wasn't interested in the work that for a onto recruiting and wanted out of college coaching when he got himself fired at BC I am hoping he's not a serious candidate.

[DeToxRox]

Yesterday it was reported Hoke was the latest coach contacted by Minnesota this week. No idea where he's supposed to stand on their short list after the top tier of candidates who will turn them down.

Hoke would be an excellent choice. I'd hate to see him in the Big 10.

[DeToxRox]

A Dallas radio station is reporting Cam Newton will be suspended at some point today. No idea how legit the source at the radio station is since it is a Dallas station but it's worth at least acknowledging.

[Atocep]

A Dallas radio station is reporting Cam Newton will be suspended at some point today. No idea how legit the source at the radio station is since it is a Dallas station but it's worth at least acknowledging.

A guy on the Rivals mainboard (consider the source...) said that a Mississippi State booster turned over a recording of a conversation with Newton's dad detailing how the $180k would be paid.

[molson]

A Dallas radio station is reporting Cam Newton will be suspended at some point today. No idea how legit the source at the radio station is since it is a Dallas station but it's worth at least acknowledging.

People are saying Ian Fitzsimmons tweeted this. But he says he didn't. According to many other tweets.

I hate twitter.

[DeToxRox]

A guy on the Rivals mainboard (consider the source...) said that a Mississippi State booster turned over a recording of a conversation with Newton's dad detailing how the $180k would be paid.

Auburn is gonna' be dead if this turns out to be true. The USC case took years to gather evidence, this is coming together in weeks.

[DeToxRox]

People are saying Ian Fitzsimmons tweeted this. But he says he didn't. According to many other tweets.

I hate twitter.

Was just coming to post this.

Twitter is a gift and a curse.

[DeToxRox]

Chizik said Newton will start Saturday.

He's playing a mighty big game of poker now.

[RomaGoth]

Auburn is gonna' be dead if this turns out to be true. The USC case took years to gather evidence, this is coming together in weeks.

At this point I don't see how these allegations could be anything but true. It is one thing to make stuff up and watch it disappear quietly. That is clearly not the case here though.

[molson]

Was just coming to post this.

Twitter is a gift and a curse.

From reading some of this stuff, I absolutely believe that he intentionally posted a fake/misleading story just so hundreds of people would call him, and he'd get to go on the air everywhere to "set the record straight", and so idiots like me would do a search for him within Twitter.

[molson]

Chizik said Newton will start Saturday.

He's playing a mighty big game of poker now.

Makes sense. Future coaching contracts seem to consider wins, vacated or not.

[mckerney]

Hoke would be an excellent choice. I'd hate to see him in the Big 10.

It wouldn't surprise me if Hoke is near the top of the second tier of candidates Minnesota has that the coach they hire will likely come from. It seems the administration is set on trying to hire a big name by offering $2.5 to $3 million a year to Patterson, Petterson, Harbaugh and Mullen before looking at guys like Hoke, Troy Calhoun, Randy Edsel and Mike Stoops.

[Ksyrup]

At this point I don't see how these allegations could be anything but true. It is one thing to make stuff up and watch it disappear quietly. That is clearly not the case here though.

Newton's excuse: "OK so here's what happened. I really thought Mississippi State was the place for me, but my dad was like, 'Son, do you realize you just committed to MISSISSIPPI FUCKING STATE? What the hell? I don't care if Mullen's there or not, it's MISSISSIPPI FUCKING STATE! What have they won, except the Cam Newton sweepstakes?' I realized he was right, but I really felt bad about screwing Coach Mullen over and reneging on a promise so quickly, so pops and I came up with an excuse about me needing money to play, and since they wouldn't pay, I had to de-commit and find another school. And that's how I ended up at Auburn. I didn't get no money, I was just embarrassed at having made such a stupid mistake to being with."

If any of the MSU stuff turns out to be true, that's about the only plausible scenario I can come up with where Newton isn't found to be taking money from Auburn. Either that, or he pulled out of MSU thinking he was going to get paid by Auburn or another team, but it never happened, he got stuck without a team, and chose the best fit for him.

[RomaGoth]

Newton's excuse: "OK so here's what happened. I really thought Mississippi State was the place for me, but my dad was like, 'Son, do you realize you just committed to MISSISSIPPI FUCKING STATE? What the hell? I don't care if Mullen's there or not, it's MISSISSIPPI FUCKING STATE! What have they won, except the Cam Newton sweepstakes?' I realized he was right, but I really felt bad about screwing Coach Mullen over and reneging on a promise so quickly, so pops and I came up with an excuse about me needing money to play, and since they wouldn't pay, I had to de-commit and find another school. And that's how I ended up at Auburn. I didn't get no money, I was just embarrassed at having made such a stupid mistake to being with."

If any of the MSU stuff turns out to be true, that's about the only plausible scenario I can come up with where Newton isn't found to be taking money from Auburn. Either that, or he pulled out of MSU thinking he was going to get paid by Auburn or another team, but it never happened, he got stuck without a team, and chose the best fit for him.

I hope your first scenario is correct, but I wouldn't bet the farm on it. Just the implication that getting paid to play at a school, regardless of which one it is, is enough to make me cringe. Add in the academic cheating (twice, allegedly) and the stolen laptop incident, and Newton is looking more and more like another douche athlete.

[dawgfan]

It seems the administration is set on trying to hire a big name by offering $2.5 to $3 million a year to Patterson, Petterson, Harbaugh and Mullen before looking at guys like Hoke, Troy Calhoun, Randy Edsel and Mike Stoops.
I'm becoming convinced that schools float these upper-tier names of coaches just to placate fans, but knowing full well that they have no shot in hell of landing these guys.

Thing is, are there any Minnesota fans that seriously think they'd have a shot at landing guys like Harbaugh, Peterson or Patterson?

[BishopMVP]

Who says the NCAA cleared him to play? I'm sure they get all sorts of allegations and can't follow-up on them immediately (look at how the UNC stuff has unfolded). I would think it's up to the school to decide whether there's any substance to the allegations, and the NCAA moves on its investigations at its own pace. The NCAA won't rule someone ineligible until they've got proof, and in this case, it seems quite clear the investigation is just now getting started.This situation is less clear cut than the Derrick Rose situation, where the NCAA Clearinghouse completed an investigation, said his SAT was fine and then later punished Memphis because it was allegedly taken by someone else, but clearly there was some sort of investigation/knowledge of the MSU/Newton allegations. In Georgia and UNC's case, the NCAA advised them to sit players before actually completing the punishment, but elected not to do so here (or Auburn blatantly ignored it.)And I always roll my eyes at the "kid didn't know" or the "school didn't know" justifications. Whether that's true or not is irrelevant. It's your responsibility to know, otherwise you have this structure not unlike the trainer/athlete relationship in MLB ("I don't need the details, just shoot me up".) Dirty programs are built on keeping kids and head coaches out of the loop. Thats why you have boosters dealing directly with kids and their families, and gifts to parents/high school coaches/others that influence a kids decision.Let's posit a hypothetical. Star athlete "Cam N." knows that his father/coach/family friend is asking for money - but it's not for him. He can even come out and explicitly tell coaches he's not interested in extra benefits, but that won't stop random boosters. Is he supposed to turn himself in to the NCAA? Cross all his finalists off the list and pick a random school out of the blue that might not be a good fit for him? Even if he got the money, that almost certainly wasn't the only reason he ended up at Auburn - I mean like KSyrup said, he chose Auburn over MSU here, if anything it would have been more suspicious the other way.

Heck, (other than the Feds stepping in if/when things get out of hand) what's to stop me from telling/intimating to a shady booster from SC, Clemson, Auburn, FSU etc that for $5,000 up front and $50,000 on the back end I can get Jadeveon Clowney to commit to their school of choice? If he goes elsewhere, I can just say that more money beat them out and they can't go public without screwing their school, and if he does go there suddenly I'm the Rainmaker who made it happen and I can blackmail them into giving me the money. All that despite the fact I have never spoken to Clowney, let alone influenced his decision, let alone controlled it.

(I also do hope this blows back on CUM/Florida if proven true. We're expected to believe that his dad wanted $200,000 for him coming out of JC but never asked for anything coming out of high school?)

[sovereignstar v2]

I'm becoming convinced that schools float these upper-tier names of coaches just to placate fans, but knowing full well that they have no shot in hell of landing these guys.

Thing is, are there any Minnesota fans that seriously think they'd have a shot at landing guys like Harbaugh, Peterson or Patterson?

No. But I do believe you have to at least ask these guys even if there is a 99% chance you get rejected. I think the most likely hire is a Mr. Kevin Sumlin from Houston.

[JonInMiddleGA]

My advice would be not to overlook this little bit of the story

The NCAA requested financial statements from Cam’s dad the Pastor Cecil Newton. They apparently requested bank statements and records from his church. A church that just went through a big overhaul. A church that was set to be demolished. A church where it now up to code even though Cam’s mom said of the church that “we don’t have any money…we have nothing.”

[RomaGoth]

My advice would be not to overlook this little bit of the story

The NCAA requested financial statements from Cam’s dad the Pastor Cecil Newton. They apparently requested bank statements and records from his church. A church that just went through a big overhaul. A church that was set to be demolished. A church where it now up to code even though Cam’s mom said of the church that “we don’t have any money…we have nothing.”

Gotta love how one thing leads to another to another to another.......:)

[CU Tiger]

And it may be protected by federal legislation regarding churches according to some I have heard.

Quick anyone want to start a church of football, we will gladly accept donations for delivery of studly players.

Then we will use our money to bribe Scouts/Rivals et. al. into making our players rank higher so we can demand more.

You know it will work exactly like the MLB farm system.

By the way..200k wont touch Clowney...his dad has a new job and so does his mom. Dad makes ~50k/year as a project manager where he was previously a janitor.

He will announce SC on signing day.

[molson]

Let's posit a hypothetical. Star athlete "Cam N." knows that his father/coach/family friend is asking for money - but it's not for him. He can even come out and explicitly tell coaches he's not interested in extra benefits, but that won't stop random boosters. Is he supposed to turn himself in to the NCAA?

Cross all his finalists off the list and pick a random school out of the blue that might not be a good fit for him? Even if he got the money, that almost certainly wasn't the only reason he ended up at Auburn - I mean like KSyrup said, he chose Auburn over MSU here, if anything it would have been more suspicious the other way.

Heck, (other than the Feds stepping in if/when things get out of hand) what's to stop me from telling/intimating to a shady booster from SC, Clemson, Auburn, FSU etc that for $5,000 up front and $50,000 on the back end I can get Jadeveon Clowney to commit to their school of choice? If he goes elsewhere, I can just say that more money beat them out and they can't go public without screwing their school, and if he does go there suddenly I'm the Rainmaker who made it happen and I can blackmail them into giving me the money. All that despite the fact I have never spoken to Clowney, let alone influenced his decision, let alone controlled it.

(I also do hope this blows back on CUM/Florida if proven true. We're expected to believe that his dad wanted $200,000 for him coming out of JC but never asked for anything coming out of high school?)

If the family gets money from a school without the kid's knowledge, and then pushes the kid towards the school, the kid is inelligible. (Or he should be - I haven't memorized the NCAA rules to see if there's loopholes where a school can payoff the kid's decision-makers). That's not necessarily "fair", but the family screwed the kid over for cash. Wouldn't be the first time a family ruined a kid's life/career/opportunities.

Someone else starting rumors about a kid's family looking for money wouldn't make a kid inelligible. In the hypothetical you describe, you can certainly get eyebrows to raise pretty easily, if you're credible. If it's another school, or a booster of another school making those false claims, I would hope that's a serious violation in it's own right.

Of course, the NCAA has no ability to get down to the truth of any of these complex business relationships, so what you really have is just a business where everyone's playing by different rules.

[mckerney]

No. But I do believe you have to at least ask these guys even if there is a 99% chance you get rejected. I think the most likely hire is a Mr. Kevin Sumlin from Houston.

I agree with this. I expect they'll say no, but as long as you're willing to offer a competitive salary you may as well make them say no. Sumlin certainly wouldn't surprise me as the hire either.

Also, I'm not really sure floating those names as targets helps Minnesota's AD. There's a lot of anger in the fan base at Joel Maturi for his handling of the football and hockey programs in recent years, saying he intends to hire a big name and then getting someone who doesn't excited could work out poorly in the short term.

[molson]

And it may be protected by federal legislation regarding churches according to some I have heard.

Quick anyone want to start a church of football, we will gladly accept donations for delivery of studly players.

Then we will use our money to bribe Scouts/Rivals et. al. into making our players rank higher so we can demand more.

You know it will work exactly like the MLB farm system.

By the way..200k wont touch Clowney...his dad has a new job and so does his mom. Dad makes ~50k/year as a project manager where he was previously a janitor.

He will announce SC on signing day.

I think Notre Dame prep in my hometown of Fitchburg, MA already uses this business plan for basketball.

Notre Dame Prep of Fitchburg, MA (http://www.notredameprepfitchburg.citymax.com/page/page/4429281.htm)

I'm sure they'll take your religious donations. Just put somewhere on the check what your favorite Div-I school is (they've placed dozens of kids in div. 1 basketball programs all over the country.) There's about 30 students at the school. All but a few are on the basketball team.

[Young Drachma]

Newton will be in the NFL before the hammer drops. But that's a lot of smoke out there.

[jbergey22]

I'm becoming convinced that schools float these upper-tier names of coaches just to placate fans, but knowing full well that they have no shot in hell of landing these guys.

Thing is, are there any Minnesota fans that seriously think they'd have a shot at landing guys like Harbaugh, Peterson or Patterson?

Well they some how land Tubby Smith for the basketball program and their football program has a great history and a new stadium which the hoops team didnt have. They have the pieces in place to land a bigtime coach.

There is simply no excuse for the Minnesota football program to have been down for the past 50 years. The early ages of college football were dominated by the Golden Gophers.

[dawgfan]

There is simply no excuse for the Minnesota football program to have been down for the past 50 years. The early ages of college football were dominated by the Golden Gophers.
Early era, sure. But post WW2, they had, what, a couple good seasons in 1960 and '61, when they won a (questionable) National Championship?

Does Minnesota produce enough D-1 talent to rival Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania or Wisconsin? Because if not, why exactly would they be expected to be a college football power?

I'm not trying to be a dick with this line of questioning, just generally curious. With Washington, there's enough D-1 talent that the UW can build off the homegrown guys and poach enough talent out of California and Hawai'i to round out the roster and produce a strong team (when they have good coaches in place of course).

I'm curious what the route would be for Minnesota to turn into an annual bowl team (besides good coaching) - where would the talent come from?

[jbergey22]

Early era, sure. But post WW2, they had, what, a couple good seasons in 1960 and '61, when they won a (questionable) National Championship?

Does Minnesota produce enough D-1 talent to rival Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania or Wisconsin? Because if not, why exactly would they be expected to be a college football power?

I'm not trying to be a dick with this line of questioning, just generally curious. With Washington, there's enough D-1 talent that the UW can build off the homegrown guys and poach enough talent out of California and Hawai'i to round out the roster and produce a strong team (when they have good coaches in place of course).

I'm curious what the route would be for Minnesota to turn into an annual bowl team (besides good coaching) - where would the talent come from?

The homegrown talent in Minnesota isnt great by any means but what talent is in state needs to stay here. (Michael Floyd, Seantrel Henerson are a couple of big names recently from Minnesota that got away)

As it is right now Iowa, Wisconsin, and Notre Dame are coming into Minnesota and taking their better players to their programs. Minnesota only has 1 D1 program so while the talent isnt great they also arent splitting it up among 3-10 schools like Cali, Florida, and Texas.

I certainly think they can match the success that Iowa has had lately with a coach that knows what he is doing.

As for Wisconsin. The states are very similar in size and they play pretty much the same type of schedule. Wisconsin and Minnesota produce very similiar talent IMO. The difference is the Wisconsin coaching staff can make their players better. Brewsters recruited 2 top 40 classes 3-4 years ago back to back. Unfortunately the coaching staff did very little to make these players better.

[dawgfan]

IAlso, I'm not really sure floating those names as targets helps Minnesota's AD. There's a lot of anger in the fan base at Joel Maturi for his handling of the football and hockey programs in recent years, saying he intends to hire a big name and then getting someone who doesn't excited could work out poorly in the short term.
Sure, but isn't it better to say you went after a guy like Harbaugh or Peterson and got rejected than to not have tried in the first place?

[mckerney]

Sure, but isn't it better to say you went after a guy like Harbaugh or Peterson and got rejected than to not have tried in the first place?

I agree that it's best to go after them, but knowing the Minnesota fan base there's a decent chance they won't be happy with the hire if it isn't a known name. A lot of the fans wanted to see Maturi fired before Brewster so he wouldn't take part in the hiring of the next coach, so there's not a lot of trust in his decision making. Some fans have already taken issue with their interpretation of what Maturi meant saying it would be, "a Tubby Smith hire," and demand the next coach is a Harbaugh level hire. If its someone like Hoke I could see a decent part of the fan base be either angry or apathetic.

I definitely think its best to aim for the top on the hire, I'm just not sure it helps with PR and the fanbase if they state they're going after Peterson and Harbaugh if they can't end up landing them.

[sovereignstar v2]

Here's the quote:

I've asked Tubby Smith if he wanted to coach football, but he's declined, but we're out here to find a Tubby Smith. We're out here to find somebody that people can recognize, people have confidence in, and people are going to bring instant credibility and notoriety to the football program.
That is my goal. Whether there is that interest remains to be seen, but I'm excited about the time line that we have.

In Maturi's defense (and trust me, I don't like defending him), he's just saying that he'd love to make another Tubby-like hire if he can. That's really all I get from that. I'm confident they really want to make the right hire this time around (see the $2.5M figure that's floating around). If they fuck up again, there is going to be significant backlash and any momentum the program had going for it with the new stadium will be gone in just a few years. The reality is that in the end it almost solely depends on who is interested.

[mckerney]

Here's the quote:



In Maturi's defense (and trust me, I don't like defending him), he's just saying that he'd love to make another Tubby-like hire if he can. That's really all I get from that. I'm confident they really want to make the right hire this time around (see the $2.5M figure that's floating around). If they fuck up again, there is going to be significant backlash and any momentum the program had going for it with the new stadium will be gone in just a few years. The reality is that in the end it almost solely depends on who is interested.

I don't have an issue with the Tubby Smith hire comment myself, but I've seen some Gopher fans comment on it to say that if Maturi doesn't hire someone like Harbaugh he has lied to the fans. It's not that I have a problem with what he said, but I can see some fans using it to rip a hire like Brady Hoke or Kevin Sumlin and could see casual fans remaining apathetic if the hire isn't someone with name recognition. I'd obviously love it if they could get one of the top big name candidates, but I don't think the hire needs to be a big name coach. A coach who has had success at smaller schools could be a very good hire along with some top coordinators, though I think it is best that the new coach has head coaching experience. My main point was that I'm not sure Maturi or Bruininks have anything to gain by saying they're going after some of the top available coaches if they can't land one.

[dawgfan]

I agree that it's best to go after them, but knowing the Minnesota fan base there's a decent chance they won't be happy with the hire if it isn't a known name. A lot of the fans wanted to see Maturi fired before Brewster so he wouldn't take part in the hiring of the next coach, so there's not a lot of trust in his decision making. Some fans have already taken issue with their interpretation of what Maturi meant saying it would be, "a Tubby Smith hire," and demand the next coach is a Harbaugh level hire. If its someone like Hoke I could see a decent part of the fan base be either angry or apathetic.

I definitely think its best to aim for the top on the hire, I'm just not sure it helps with PR and the fanbase if they state they're going after Peterson and Harbaugh if they can't end up landing them.
Ah, OK, I get it now.

Sounds like there are some Gopher fans that need a reality check - I just don't see any way they land someone like a Harbaugh, Peterson or Patterson. Now, a guy like Kevin Sumlin or Brady Hoke - that seems more realistic, and really, those would be solid hires IMO.

[mckerney]

Ah, OK, I get it now.

Sounds like there are some Gopher fans that need a reality check - I just don't see any way they land someone like a Harbaugh, Peterson or Patterson. Now, a guy like Kevin Sumlin or Brady Hoke - that seems more realistic, and really, those would be solid hires IMO.

A reality check is part of it, dealing with the disappointments of the last 50 years, and especially the last 5-6 are another part of it. A big name coach will get a lot of the casual fans excited, someone like Hoke a lot of them will scoff at his 38-46 or Houstons record this season under Sumlin, some will mock the idea that they were hired after looking at big names. I agree that both would be good hires and people will be onboard if they're winning in a couple years, but either could be a tough sell in the short term as relative unknowns at the BCS level. Especially after the last 4 years.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Former MSU player implicated by Bond says Newton's dad set the price
Kenny Rogers: Cecil Newton put price tag on Cam Newton for Mississippi State - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5792707)

[Ksyrup]

So should we read anything into the fact that Auburn now has "no comment" about Newton's status for tomorrow's game, after Chizik stated so confidently the other day that he was starting? Or do we think that was just a general no comment about anything dealing with Newton? I guess we'll know in about 23 hours.

[GrantDawg]

So should we read anything into the fact that Auburn now has "no comment" about Newton's status for tomorrow's game, after Chizik stated so confidently the other day that he was starting? Or do we think that was just a general no comment about anything dealing with Newton? I guess we'll know in about 23 hours.


IDK. I just hate all this stuff. We could end up missing out on one of the most spectacular seasons for college player ever. Whether his dad "sold" him or not, it is his actual play that put him on the top. It would be heart-breaking for it to end because of this crap.

[Lathum]

Idahos football field looks like a practice bubble.

[Lathum]

Thats one way to keep Boises offense off the field

[RomaGoth]

BSU took their foot off the pedal in that second quarter, well, except for the last 1 1/2 minutes....

[Balldog]

Pryor comes out and says he is coming back for his senior season, which is a no brainer.

This is the part that annoys me:
"I'm a Buckeye until I break all the records," he said during preparations for the eighth-ranked Buckeyes' showdown on Saturday at Ohio Stadium against Penn State.

Lets not come back to win a National Championship or win a Big Ten Championship outright, lets come back so you can set all the records. He's still all about himself.

[Matthean]

IDK. I just hate all this stuff. We could end up missing out on one of the most spectacular seasons for college player ever. Whether his dad "sold" him or not, it is his actual play that put him on the top. It would be heart-breaking for it to end because of this crap.

Or he isn't found to be guilty until after the bowl games happen, Auburn gets hit, and somebody like TCU is on the outside looking in from playing in the title game.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Yahoo Sports reporter is saying on Twitter that NCAA has told Auburn that there are possible eligibility issues with Cam Newton and that they could run risk of forfeit if they play him.


http://twitter.com/YahooSportsNFL/statuses/3194245544415233#

[GrantDawg]

Or he isn't found to be guilty until after the bowl games happen, Auburn gets hit, and somebody like TCU is on the outside looking in from playing in the title game.

Or he isn't found guilty at all, but he is sat because he might be and we lose a very special season to allegations.

[DeToxRox]

Michigan D just scored a TD. I assume a patch will be out to fix the issue at halftime.

[DeToxRox]

Pryor comes out and says he is coming back for his senior season, which is a no brainer.

This is the part that annoys me:


Lets not come back to win a National Championship or win a Big Ten Championship outright, lets come back so you can set all the records. He's still all about himself.

You know everybody murders people, but not everyone breaks records.

[Matthean]

Or he isn't found guilty at all, but he is sat because he might be and we lose a very special season to allegations.

I think if you are Auburn you don't sit him at this point unless you know there is wrong going on. If they are going to get nailed, him playing today isn't going to change much in the grand scheme of things. They are screwed anyway. For me, there's just way too much smoke for there not to be fire at this point. Sure, he could be clean and this is a big misunderstanding, but the odds are this isn't simply going away. Somebody did something wrong. It's just a matter of who and how much.

[GrantDawg]

I think if you are Auburn you don't sit him at this point unless you know there is wrong going on. If they are going to get nailed, him playing today isn't going to change much in the grand scheme of things. They are screwed anyway. For me, there's just way too much smoke for there not to be fire at this point. Sure, he could be clean and this is a big misunderstanding, but the odds are this isn't simply going away. Somebody did something wrong. It's just a matter of who and how much.


I agree. It makes no sense to sit him now, regardless of rumours. I have no doubt something happened, but the question is was he involved.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I bet Matt Simms wishes he had played against Memphis & Ole Miss instead of Alabama & LSU.

[mauchow]

Badgers up big at halftime against Indiana, 38-10. It was 31-10 when Chappell came out with an injury; so it was not due to Chappell injury that the Badgers are routing the Hoosiers. Iowa losing against Northwestern at halftime, which of course was expected by Big 10 country as NW always gives Iowa fits... I'm sure lady-luck will be on Iowa's side again though come the end of the game.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I bet the Tennessee defense wishes they had seen Jeremy Masoli more than once this year too ;)

[larrymcg421]

Hey Jacory, are you sure you're ready to come back next week? No need to rush. Take as much time as you need!

[Mustang]

7 minutes for Wisconsin to hit 80..

[Mustang]

7 minutes for Wisconsin to hit 80..

Aaaaand 83-20

[SackAttack]

2 minutes left for Wisconsin to hit 90?

[Matthean]

Nice to see Wisconsin is getting in shape to play Michigan's D.

[Dr. Sak]

Northwestern upsets Iowa :)

[Matthean]

Northwestern upsets Iowa :)


And the OSU/Iowa game gets a lot less interesting to me.

[RomaGoth]

Northwestern upsets Iowa :)

Paging Tarcone....Tarcone.....Tarcone.....?

[miami_fan]

Hey Jacory, are you sure you're ready to come back next week? No need to rush. Take as much time as you need!

I agree. Especially with the greater emphasis on the effects of head injuries!
He probably needs to sit next year as well.

[Galaxy]

Nice win by the Wildcats.

Impressive building coaching jobs by Harbaugh and Fitz at Stanford and Northwestern, respectfully.

Notre Dame's argument for having higher academic standards (I wonder if they are as high as Stanford and Northwestern) looks weak these days.

[sovereignstar v2]

I wish there was a way to woo Pat Fitzgerald from his alma mater. I'd let him name his price.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Don't get carried away Miami fans, you're playing the GT defense.

Hanging 35 on that group & putting too much stock in it is about like anointing Tyler Bray as a Heisman candidate because he's got 8 TD passes against Memphis & Ole Miss.

[miami_fan]

Don't get carried away Miami fans, you're playing the GT defense.

Hanging 35 on that group & putting too much stock in it is about like anointing Tyler Bray as a Heisman candidate because he's got 8 TD passes against Memphis & Ole Miss.

I saw this team play FSU and Virginia. I am shocked whenever they put up 21+ points. Sadly, Hurricane fans are no longer in a position to consider who they are playing against when it comes to victories. We take them where we can get them.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Sadly, Hurricane fans are no longer in a position to consider who they are playing against when it comes to victories. We take them where we can get them.

I've been watching UT-Ole Miss this afternoon, believe me, I understand.

[JonInMiddleGA]

My gut at this point says Cam wasn't aware of just how shady his dad was being. Not in detail at least. His dad, on the other hand, might be one of the scummier characters to emerge in a while.

That makes it pretty easy to hope Auburn scores about 90 this afternoon.

[Dr. Sak]

I'm liking Matt McGloin more and more every week.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Y'know, I really think Oregon might score 120 on Auburn.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Aaaaaand .... Newton throws a pick, Georgia returns it to the Auburn 9.

Meanwhile, if the players stay as jacked up as they are so far, this game has ugly brawl written all over it.

[cmp]

Touchdown Penn State. Make that 14-3.

[Dr. Sak]

Previous Games in Columbus Penn State has thrown zero passing TDs.

Today McGloin has 2 passing TDs and PSU is up 14-3

[GrantDawg]

Aaaaaand .... Newton throws a pick, Georgia returns it to the Auburn 9.

Meanwhile, if the players stay as jacked up as they are so far, this game has ugly brawl written all over it.


Auburn is playing out their anger over the week, but by being undisicplined and taking cheap shots. 21-7 UGA.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Auburn is playing out their anger over the week, but by being undisicplined and taking cheap shots. 21-7 UGA.

The only thing that has surprised me so far is that Georgia has a stop. Them lighting up the scoreboard is exactly what I expected though.

[BishopMVP]

Utah fumbled the opening kickoff of the 2nd half and ND scores on the next play to make it 21-3 Irish. Poor TCU.

[Chief Rum]

Vegas needs to run out a line on whether Wisky's basketball team will top 83 points in even one game this year. My guess is no, short of overtime/regulation.

[kingfc22]

Utah fumbled the opening kickoff and ND scores on the next play to make it 21-3 Irish. Poor TCU.

Yea I was just about to post something similar. If Utah starts losing to teams like ND then TCU could be in trouble with Va Tech continuing to help Boise by winning.

[Dr. Sak]

I don't like that Penn State didn't kick the FG. Take the points on the road.

[JonInMiddleGA]

with Va Tech continuing to help Boise by winning.

You mean the Va Tech that trails UNC 10-9 at the half?

[kingfc22]

You mean the Va Tech that trails UNC 10-9 at the half?

Heh. Been out on the road all day and hadn't seen that score yet.

I love how everything changes from week to week.

[GrantDawg]

Tony Barhart's clarification needs clarification.

[Dr. Sak]

Momentum has clearly shifted to the Buckeyes.

[BishopMVP]

Yea I was just about to post something similar. If Utah starts losing to teams like ND then TCU could be in trouble with Va Tech continuing to help Boise by winning.I think the computers like TCU too much for Boise to be a problem for them. It hurts them when it comes to whether voters will keep them above 1-loss Auburn/LSU/Oregon/Nebraska. (I don't think OSU/Wisconsin will have enough computer strength to matter.)

[mauchow]

Vegas needs to run out a line on whether Wisky's basketball team will top 83 points in even one game this year. My guess is no, short of overtime/regulation.

I'd bet everything I own that that Badgers would score 83 no problem. I know you're just being funny but still..

[Dr. Sak]

welp it was fun while it lasted

[Dr. Sak]

I'd bet everything I own that that Badgers would score 83 no problem. I know you're just being funny but still..

I swore I heard that they only scored more than 83 once last year.

[markprior22]

Northwestern upsets Iowa :)

As a big Iowa fan, I certainly hated to see this but NW sure earned it. Fitzgerald is an excellent coach and really gets his guys to play. I love Ferentz too but damn Stanzi makes some poor decisions. I couldn't believe he threw the long pass into the wind that got picked when there were two receivers wide open underneath. Iowa was up by 10 at the time and driving. They had some big pass plays in the third qtr but that was with the wind. I like the kid but he makes some very questionable decisions at times. Congrats NW.

[Mustang]

I swore I heard that they only scored more than 83 once last year.

I believe so. 83 vs Indiana back in Feb.

Of course, you are seeing all the 'OMFG they ran up the score!!'. The worst play was the long pass by the 3rd string QB.. obviously you don't want that to happen, but he was on the bench the next play and the 4th string QB came in.

The 4th quarter TDs were the long pass, a QB bootleg by the 4th string QB and a INT for a TD. It was just the perfect storm of points in the game as the Badgers were working with a very short field for many of the scores. (mostly fumbles, kick returns, pooch kick offs and very long runs).

[mauchow]

I swore I heard that they only scored more than 83 once last year.

That is true, but the Badgers are much better offensively this year.. so we'll see. But yeah, i guess if it only happened once last year it would be something worth creating a bet for.

[Dr. Sak]

Nightmare 2nd half

[kingfc22]

VERY late there by the Auburn DE

[miked]

Hey Jacory, are you sure you're ready to come back next week? No need to rush. Take as much time as you need!

Do you want him back? He's a walking INT machine who needs max protect every play just to complete a 5 yard pass.

[cmp]

Well Penn St. just screwed up my parlay.

[Greyroofoo]

Without Cam Newton is Auburn even a ranked team?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Without Cam Newton is Auburn even a ranked team?

Even with Newton, their defense threatens their ranking every week.

[RainMaker]

Without Cam Newton is Auburn even a ranked team?
I don't know their backup situation but I think it'd be close. He is worth every penny.

[Greyroofoo]

Even with Newton, their defense threatens their ranking every week.

At least the defense comes through as Georgia turns the ball over on downs.

[GrantDawg]

Without Cam Newton is Auburn even a ranked team?


I think their record would be about what UGA's is right now. The broadcasters quoted one of their players saying "people talk about trick plays, but we don't have trick plays. This is our offense." And it is. This isn't like Urban Myers system. There is almost no system to it. It is how many mis-directions can we do. The only reason it works is Cam Newton. He can make every throw, he can move the pile with his body, he can make anything possible. A regular running QB, or a pocket passr type, would be killed trying to do the things he does.

[RainMaker]

Cheap shot on Georgia's QB again. Glad Georgia took it into their own hands.

[Greyroofoo]

You stay classy Auburn-Georgia

[cmp]

I really hope Alabama beats them.

[Greyroofoo]

WOW

[Greyroofoo]

Auburn gets 2 players ejected on separate plays, both for throwing punches. You'd think that being up by 18 would cool your temper.

[cmp]

Way to win with class there Auburn.

[BishopMVP]

I think their record would be about what UGA's is right now. The broadcasters quoted one of their players saying "people talk about trick plays, but we don't have trick plays. This is our offense." And it is. This isn't like Urban Myers system. There is almost no system to it. It is how many mis-directions can we do. The only reason it works is Cam Newton. He can make every throw, he can move the pile with his body, he can make anything possible. A regular running QB, or a pocket passr type, would be killed trying to do the things he does.They scored 34 points per game last year (25ppg in SEC play) with what, Kodi Burns at QB? Malzahn's offense worked phenomenally well at Tulsa, and he was running a lot of it at Arkansas (the popularization of the Wildcat/Wild Hog) when they got out to an 8-0/9-0 start before Nutt went on his power trip. Yes it relies heavily on misdirection, but its value is in that you have to account for every player as a run/pass option, creating 1 on 1's because it forces defenses to stay at home on their assignment, and open lanes when they try to swarm the football. Newton is the perfect player that turns it from very good to superior, but it still works without him.

[BishopMVP]

Horrible day for TCU - allowing SDSU to come back within 5, Utah getting smoked at ND and Oregon State losing badly to Washington State. They could really use a Baylor win tonight.

[Dr. Sak]

On the game winning TD pass Dan Persa blew out his Achilles tendon and is out for the year.

[Big Fo]

I don't think I've ever seen that before. California's kicker made a short field goal but was called for a false start, he did some kind of stutter step during the snap. Having to kick again, he missed. Oregon still leads 15-13 early in the fourth quarter.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Cal's defense looks like they're matching the tempo of Oregon, that seems to be the key I guess.

[Galaxy]

I don't why Cal turned out the 10-yard penalty. I get the thinking, but seems like you want those extra 10 yards.

[mauchow]

I don't why Cal turned out the 10-yard penalty. I get the thinking, but seems like you want those extra 10 yards.

My only question would be "Does the clock stop if we accept the penalty?" If the clock runs after the penalty is accepted, then the game is nearly over. I am pretty sure it stops, so it would be a tough call yet even then. Oregon was nearly unstoppable on that last drive so I am not sure it would have mattered.

I am pissed that ASU had so many chances and just absolutely choked it away against Stanford. A win like that helps the Badgers out big time. Obviously a Cal win helps, too.. Then all the Badgers would have had to do is jump LSU, Boise and TCU... Ah, well. It's been an interesting season to date. No real dominant teams so far this year other than Oregon on occasion. Auburn's defense isn't good enough, which might not matter. TCU and BSU are TCU and BSU; same as usual.

[tarcone]

As exciting as last season was, this season is equally disappointing.

[Mustang]

I don't why Cal turned out the 10-yard penalty. I get the thinking, but seems like you want those extra 10 yards.

More time would drain from the clock. I'd rather have the time. You run the extra time redoing the 2nd down play and then the third down play as opposed to just running the 3rd down play.

[Jas_lov]

Wasn't there only about 1:35 left when the penalty occurred? So they accept the penalty, Oregon runs on 2nd and 3rd downs and the game is essentially over. The time was the key, not the 10 yards.

[SirFozzie]

Wow. Just wow. 55 yarder by FSU to win the game with :03 to play. That thing was good from 70.

[Noop]

So glad we beat Clumpson.

[Izulde]

UNLV up 28-13 early in the third vs Wyoming in a battle of sad sack Mountain West teams.

[cartman]

Texas's offense is as sad sack as I've ever seen.

[JonInMiddleGA]

This is the kind of stuff I think makes the ol' ball coach kind of an entertaining curmudgeon at this stage of his career.

Spurrier acknowledged that he orchestrated part of the celebration in the closing seconds. He whispered in an assistant's ear, then removed his headset and electronic equipment.

The assistant talked to players, who then doused Spurrier with -- what else? -- Gatorade. Several others carried Spurrier toward midfield after the clock hit zero.

"We haven't had many championships," Spurrier said. "We had to coach them up a little bit. But we never talked about it until the game was over."

[Izulde]

42-16 UNLV clobbers the Pokes. At least we won't get stuck with just 1 win all year.

[Suicane75]

Horrible last drive from Fresno State there. It almost looked like they were conceding the frigging game.

[BishopMVP]

Wasn't there only about 1:35 left when the penalty occurred? So they accept the penalty, Oregon runs on 2nd and 3rd downs and the game is essentially over. The time was the key, not the 10 yards.+1. -1 to the announcers for questioning it, then minus another 1 for praising Chip Kelly for not running up the score by kneeling down instead of attempting to go for a TD.

[RainMaker]

Horrible day for TCU - allowing SDSU to come back within 5, Utah getting smoked at ND and Oregon State losing badly to Washington State. They could really use a Baylor win tonight.
Yeah, the ND game really hurt. But SDSU is actually a pretty good team. Not a big surprise that it was a little close.

[Matthean]

"We haven't had many championships," Spurrier said. "We had to coach them up a little bit. But we never talked about it until the game was over."[/i]

I know it's at least winning the SEC East, but it's not even an actual conference title.

[timmynausea]

Here's a quick recap of the WVU-Cincy game:
http://i52.tinypic.com/efs6mw.jpg

http://i53.tinypic.com/23rqvlv.jpg

[kingfc22]

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/14/three-southern-miss-players-shot-critically-wounded/?related=1

Three Southern Miss players shot, critically wounded

Posted by John Taylor on November 14, 2010, 10:44 AM EST
Based on the sobering headline above, it goes without saying that Southern Miss’ upset win over No. 25 Central Florida is the very last thing on the Conference USA school’s mind.

While the details are very sketchy right now, a Mississippi State television station is reporting that three Golden Eagles were seriously wounded in a shooting early Sunday morning. The players, whose names are not yet known, are all in critical condition, WDAM-TV is reporting.

The school has refused to comment on the report, but head coach Larry Fedora and several members of the football program have been seen at a local hospital throughout the morning.

According to the station, the incident that led to the shootings began inside Remington’s Hunt Club in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, at around 1:20 local time this morning. The incident spilled outside, where the three football players were reportedly shot.

No arrests have been made in the shootings.

[mauchow]

Vegas needs to run out a line on whether Wisky's basketball team will top 83 points in even one game this year. My guess is no, short of overtime/regulation.

Took all of one game. :)

edit: 86 and counting with 4+ to go.

[CU Tiger]

So glad we beat Clumpson.


Congrats on the win, read the recap havent had a chance to watch the game yet.

Finding it necessary to prove your "dominance" by intentionally mis spelling your opposition's name, and not even doing it phonetically shows how far FSU has fallen.

Deion, Dunn, Ward et.al. didn't make fun of your name, they just celebrated while you watched. Then again getting drubbed all over your home field by a team with exactly 5 total upperclassmen starters and squeaking out a victor IS cause for celebration in Tallahassee these days.

[cartman]

Texas announces that Tre Newton is having to give up football due to repeated concussions.

[Ksyrup]

Congrats on the win, read the recap havent had a chance to watch the game yet.

Finding it necessary to prove your "dominance" by intentionally mis spelling your opposition's name, and not even doing it phonetically shows how far FSU has fallen.

Deion, Dunn, Ward et.al. didn't make fun of your name, they just celebrated while you watched. Then again getting drubbed all over your home field by a team with exactly 5 total upperclassmen starters and squeaking out a victor IS cause for celebration in Tallahassee these days.

You're talking about noop here. He's not all of us. Although, I do thank your team for continuing to refuse to do something about their special teams issues. I thought that was just the previous coach's problem, but apparently not. Amazing.

I'm surprised we won. I'm not sure if it says more about the state of the ACC or FSU that this team is 2 plays from being 9-1 and probably ranked in the top 8, considering how shaky/bad they've looked in the last 4 games. Dana Bible completely exposed the D in the NC State game and UNC and Clemson both worked from the exact same script. Third down D has been horrendous the past month. Early on the penalties and stupid plays seemed to be down from the Bowden years, but the past month has been bad. Old habits are hard to break, I guess.

[CU Tiger]

Yeah, Swinney has 1 more year to turn the corner and then he will be history, the AD is about to take the fall for him it seems.

this team is not good, but they are young and have a top 5-10 class coming in. I think the future is bright, but I have made no secrets that I have major insights into the program as long as the current HC is there...I really don't want to star over and not sure I could at this point.

[MJ4H]

"End is Near For Cam Newton and Auburn Nov 15th, 2010
Sources close to OffshoreInsiders.com are assuring us that the hammer will come down hard on Cam Newton and Auburn. Furthermore, we are ready to state it will happen likely sooner than later.

Though there was little doubt that Cam “Fig” Newton would get whacked, there was some hope at AU that Cecil Newton would get amnesia and the Tiger program would be spared serious punishment, claiming they were caught in the crossfire.

Our source went so far as to promise that Auburn will get as severe of a punishment ever handed out by the NCAA, “other than SMU.”



All records will be expunged from the record books.

OffshoreInsiders.com reported the Wade Phillips firing hours before the lamestream media and also reported that there was plenty of fire behind the Cam Newton smoke when the lamestream media was proceeding with caution.

“The facts are he stole a laptop (or bought a stolen laptop), cheated on his exams at Florida. He’s no boy scout,” said our source.

However, knowing little bloodshed cannot be stopped by keeping Newton out of the Iron Bowl or SEC Championship, it’s not likely that Auburn will keep him out. They are forcing the NCAA hand.

“Look for it to effect the (Iron Bowl and or SEC Championship game) odds by 4-6 points,” said Brian Kayma of Lines-Maker.com."

[Matthean]

"End is Near For Cam Newton and Auburn Nov 15th, 2010
Sources close to OffshoreInsiders.com are assuring us that the hammer will come down hard on Cam Newton and Auburn. Furthermore, we are ready to state it will happen likely sooner than later.

Though there was little doubt that Cam “Fig” Newton would get whacked, there was some hope at AU that Cecil Newton would get amnesia and the Tiger program would be spared serious punishment, claiming they were caught in the crossfire.

Our source went so far as to promise that Auburn will get as severe of a punishment ever handed out by the NCAA, “other than SMU.”



All records will be expunged from the record books.

OffshoreInsiders.com reported the Wade Phillips firing hours before the lamestream media and also reported that there was plenty of fire behind the Cam Newton smoke when the lamestream media was proceeding with caution.

“The facts are he stole a laptop (or bought a stolen laptop), cheated on his exams at Florida. He’s no boy scout,” said our source.

However, knowing little bloodshed cannot be stopped by keeping Newton out of the Iron Bowl or SEC Championship, it’s not likely that Auburn will keep him out. They are forcing the NCAA hand.

“Look for it to effect the (Iron Bowl and or SEC Championship game) odds by 4-6 points,” said Brian Kayma of Lines-Maker.com."

If the source had a site that wasn't one step from a Geocities site back in the day, I might actually buy into this. If he's sitting, it's more than 4-6 points.

[JonInMiddleGA]

If the source had a site that wasn't one step from a Geocities site back in the day, I might actually buy into this. If he's sitting, it's more than 4-6 points.

It he's sitting, they might not score more than 6 points.

edit to add: The only thing missing from that post was a quote from a Nigerian lawyer.

[MJ4H]

Yeah I laughed about that too. It's not the only place I saw that last night. Lots of places were abuzz so I just grabbed one tidbit and pasted it. We shall see, I guess.

[molson]

OffshoreInsiders.com reported the Wade Phillips firing hours before the lamestream media and also reported that there was plenty of fire behind the Cam Newton smoke when the lamestream media was proceeding with caution.



Wow, what insiders. I hear they're also reporting that Brad Childress might be in trouble.

[Matthean]

Wow, what insiders. I hear they're also reporting that Brad Childress might be in trouble.

I'm sure they will even claim he's going to be fired so they can claim to be ahead of the lamestream media again. It's nice to see they use a derogatory term for their competitors just like all other quality media outlets I know. Their postings come across as something one of my former coworkers writes in a attempt to be a wanna be sportswriter.

[Ksyrup]

There's not a Cam Newton thread to discuss the ongoing saga on a weekly basis, is there? Has anyone seen the latest not-officially-reported "news" about this? It seems to be making the rounds on a bunch of messageboards and none of the major news orgs are reporting it, even as a "sources tell us"-type tagline, so I don't know what, if anything, will come out of it, but... this is the general story from one of ht typical threads out there that seem to be burning up the internet at the moment.


FBI found out about Cam before the NCAA did while wiretapping Milton McGregor and others related to the casino/bingo indictments. They uncovered conversations with McGregor, Auburn and Cam's uncle in Michigan. McGregor paid $250K to the uncle through a PAC and other hidden entities and the uncle funneled the money to Cecil.

The FBI gave this information to the NCAA sometime after the indictments were handed down. They had to sit on the information for 6 months until the grand jury indicted the men and women in the gambling deal. All of the wiretap information was sealed and that is why the delay in investigating. The NCAA had to go to Miss St to see if Cecil had solicited money from them as well. That is why Miss St is involved. They are basically connecting all of the dots. Miss St may be cleared because they told Cecil no. He then went to Auburn. The offer was on the table from McGregor but Cam wanted to play at Miss St and not Auburn. When Miss St declined to pay him, he went to where the money was... hence the comment, "The money was too much." The FBI met with the Miss St coaches, John Bond and Bill Bell today to get their official statements.

[Noop]

Congrats on the win, read the recap havent had a chance to watch the game yet.

Finding it necessary to prove your "dominance" by intentionally mis spelling your opposition's name, and not even doing it phonetically shows how far FSU has fallen.

Deion, Dunn, Ward et.al. didn't make fun of your name, they just celebrated while you watched. Then again getting drubbed all over your home field by a team with exactly 5 total upperclassmen starters and squeaking out a victor IS cause for celebration in Tallahassee these days.

Right. I can not stand Clemson at all so whatever. Please do not act like you've never taken swipes at Florida State.

You're talking about noop here. He's not all of us. Although, I do thank your team for continuing to refuse to do something about their special teams issues. I thought that was just the previous coach's problem, but apparently not. Amazing.

I'm surprised we won. I'm not sure if it says more about the state of the ACC or FSU that this team is 2 plays from being 9-1 and probably ranked in the top 8, considering how shaky/bad they've looked in the last 4 games. Dana Bible completely exposed the D in the NC State game and UNC and Clemson both worked from the exact same script. Third down D has been horrendous the past month. Early on the penalties and stupid plays seemed to be down from the Bowden years, but the past month has been bad. Old habits are hard to break, I guess.

Right.

[Ksyrup]

Well, here we go - TMZ is reportingthe McGregor/Newton tie-in. We're only 3 degrees away from a validly reported story!

FBI's Cam Newton Probe Expands to Auburn University Booster | TMZ.com (http://www.tmz.com/2010/11/17/cam-newton-fbi-investigation-probe-auburn-university-booster-milton-mcgregor-sec-football-ncaa/)

[Greyroofoo]

McGregor is a giant douche.

[CU Tiger]

Right. I can not stand Clemson at all so whatever. Please do not act like you've never taken swipes at Florida State.


I've taken plenty of shots.
I think it was embarrassing the way they treated the man that literally turned them from a community college, to a worldwide known brand.
I think his discipline was a joke.
I think Jimbo will be a failure in due time.
I think their heyday is over.

I do not find it necessary to call them elementary names.
Free Shoes University
Criminoles
etc.
etc.
etc
You have heard them all...I condemn it on our rivals board when it is posted, it is not funny, childish and a pet peeve.

By the same token, I take great offense to people making fun of my name as well or the name of my company. Guess its just my thing.

[Greyroofoo]

I've taken plenty of shots.
I think it was embarrassing the way they treated the man that literally turned them from a community college, to a worldwide known brand.
I think his discipline was a joke.
I think Jimbo will be a failure in due time.
I think their heyday is over.

I do not find it necessary to call them elementary names.
Free Shoes University
Criminoles
etc.
etc.
etc
You have heard them all...I condemn it on our rivals board when it is posted, it is not funny, childish and a pet peeve.

By the same token, I take great offense to people making fun of my name as well or the name of my company. Guess its just my thing.

That was probably the most shit I've ever heard Florida State take in one post. :p

[Karlifornia]

what better lamestream media or TRASHPRESS!?

[Noop]

I've taken plenty of shots.
I think it was embarrassing the way they treated the man that literally turned them from a community college, to a worldwide known brand.
I think his discipline was a joke.
I think Jimbo will be a failure in due time.
I think their heyday is over.

I do not find it necessary to call them elementary names.
Free Shoes University
Criminoles
etc.
etc.
etc
You have heard them all...I condemn it on our rivals board when it is posted, it is not funny, childish and a pet peeve.

By the same token, I take great offense to people making fun of my name as well or the name of my company. Guess its just my thing.

You forgot one thing.

Jimbo is 1-0 versus Clumpson as Head Coach see you next year.

[Ksyrup]

I don't understand why so many people think Jimbo will fail. He's been great in every position he's been in, he's a Saban disciple, and he's implementing changes to FSU that should have been made 10 years ago. I don't see how he can't be better than they've experienced since the turn of the century. I doubt anyone's going to be top 5 for 14 straight years again, but consistent 10 win seasons - why not? Look at the recruiting class he's putting together right now - top 5, and that's with a ton of linemen, who usually are rated below skill players.

[Atocep]

Looks like the poster on the Rivals mainboard that I mentioned earlier was correct.

Mississippi State Bulldogs booster Bill Bell says he received payment plan for Cam Newton, QB of Auburn Tigers - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5818428)

Bell said he told the NCAA that Rogers sent him a text message outlining a payment schedule. Bell said the text included a request for $80,000 the day after Cam Newton signed with Mississippi State, $50,000 30 days after that and another $50,000 30 days later.

"When he asked for it, it was like 'Bam!'" Bell said. "He told me this kid's dad is going to want money and the next day he sent me a text message. He didn't say anything other than 'This is what I want and I want it in three installments.'"

Bell said he kept Rogers' text message on his old cell phone, which was damaged by water, but he is currently trying to retrieve the text message through his cell service provider.

Bell also said he has recordings of several voice mail messages from Rogers, which he played for NCAA investigators.

[BishopMVP]

I don't know how much is true, but at the least a comprehensive breakdown of Auburn and pay for play history - As the Plains Burn......(Updated 11-17) - SEC Football - TigerDroppings.com (http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/messagetopic.asp?p=22778676)

EDIT - wow. I was on post 2 when I posted this here, and just got done. Message board rumors almost always overshoot, but if even the potential for loss of accreditation is there this dwarfs USC or any other scandal since the Big 8.

[Matthean]

I don't know how much is true, but at the least a comprehensive breakdown of Auburn and pay for play history - As the Plains Burn......(Updated 11-17) - SEC Football - TigerDroppings.com (http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/messagetopic.asp?p=22778676)

It's one of those things that even if half of the stuff that is getting pointed to is true, there's going to be a lot of carnage to come out of it.

Here's a decent article that got referenced in the message board thread.

Plenty of Loose Threads Left in Cam Newton Case - Team Speed Kills (http://www.teamspeedkills.com/2010/11/17/1819860/plenty-of-loose-threads-left-in-cam-newton-case#storyjump)

[Atocep]

Plenty of Loose Threads Left in Cam Newton Case - Team Speed Kills (http://www.teamspeedkills.com/2010/11/17/1819860/plenty-of-loose-threads-left-in-cam-newton-case#storyjump)

This is the stuff that's been discussed on Rivals today and explains why the FBI is involved. If any of that is true Auburn is looking at the death penalty and Alabama will very likely get pulled into the investigation as well.

[Matthean]

This is the stuff that's been discussed on Rivals today and explains why the FBI is involved. If any of that is true Auburn is looking at the death penalty and Alabama will very likely get pulled into the investigation as well.

I haven't read the "epic" thread initial postings, so how does 'Bama get pulled into this unless we are talking old stuff?

[Atocep]

I haven't read the "epic" thread initial postings, so how does 'Bama get pulled into this unless we are talking old stuff?

What was being discussed there was money being funneled through Casinos to boosters for both Alabama and Auburn to pay recruits.

[Poli]

Where's my popcorn?

[RomaGoth]

Where's my popcorn?

:popcorn:

[Matthean]

At the rate info is coming out I figure there's going to be a some rather juicy info to come out and force Auburn's hand before the Iron Bowl, or SEC Title game. It would still be nice if 'Bama beat Auburn and thus countered the future mess of the BCS title game being marred.

[Swaggs]

Good stuff. I had always wondered why Terry Bowden hadn't gotten another job (after going 47-17-1/30-14-1 in the SEC while largely under probation). Sounds like he was trying to clean things up, but "honoring" the existing deals and he got shoved out (and possibly sabotaged).

I don't know if I buy all of what I have read, but it kind of feels like it is too crazy to be made up. If half of this stuff is true and gets uncovered, the SEC is going to be down to 8 or 9 teams for awhile.

[molson]

Everyone does tend to overreact about about potential penalties - weren't people here talking about the death penalty for North Carolina earlier this season? I don't think the NCAA is every going that route again. Certainly not for stuff involving boosters. I think it would take blatant lack of cooperation with the NCAA once a scandal hits to get beyond loss of scholarships/minimal bowl bans. And everybody cooperates once they're caught.

There's enough out there on Auburn though, that I'd think it woud start influencing neutral BCS voters. But most of the coach's poll voters are probably sympathetic to Auburn's situation. And the Harris poll alone isn't going to make much of a difference. Odd scenerio though. It seems almost guaranteed Auburn will have their season vacated, and here they are competing for a national championship.

[Ksyrup]

It's sad to say, but college football needs Auburn to lose to either Alabama or South Carolina. The SEC championship is already screwed up, so the best they can do is try to salvage the BCS championship. And rather than strip them of their appearance, it would be best for everyone if they just lost it on the field so the Auburn players aren't screwed out of their moment, too.

[Butter]

Pretty much agree, Ksyrup. Puts me in the highly uncomfortable position of rooting for Saban and 'Bama. Yuk.

[Ksyrup]

Yeah, no kidding. Or Spurrier. Although I have to admit I was rooting for him to beat UF in Gainesville. But otherwise...ugh.

[molson]

Of course, if Auburn loses, LSU has a shot to jump into the title game. Do we have anything dirty on them yet?

[RomaGoth]

Pretty much agree, Ksyrup. Puts me in the highly uncomfortable position of rooting for Saban and 'Bama. Yuk.

Yeah, no kidding. Or Spurrier. Although I have to admit I was rooting for him to beat UF in Gainesville. But otherwise...ugh.

Totally with you both on this one.

[bronconick]

Of course, if Auburn loses, LSU has a shot to jump into the title game. Do we have anything dirty on them yet?

Les Miles' clear possession by Satan in late game situations allowing his team to somehow win?

[Butter]

Of course, if Auburn loses, LSU has a shot to jump into the title game. Do we have anything dirty on them yet?

Let's hope not. That would be high comedy.

[Ksyrup]

Of course, if Auburn loses, LSU has a shot to jump into the title game. Do we have anything dirty on them yet?

That's not true, is it? I thought Auburn clinched the SEC West title last weekend, so even if they lose to Alabama, they are in Atlanta regardless.

[molson]

That's not true, is it? I thought Auburn clinched the SEC West title last weekend, so even if they lose to Alabama, they are in Atlanta regardless.

Oh ya - but if LSU finishes in the top 2 of the BCS, they don't need the conference title to get in to the national title game, right? Didn't something like that happen a few years ago in the Big 12?

[Matthean]

Oh ya - but if LSU finishes in the top 2 of the BCS, they don't need the conference title to get in to the national title game, right? Didn't something like that happen a few years ago in the Big 12?

Yes, but I just don't think there is a ground swell that's going to move LSU from 5 to 2 just because one team gets beat.

[molson]

Yes, but I just don't think there is a ground swell that's going to move LSU from 5 to 2 just because one team gets beat.

It seems like a big jump until you consider that just have to pass Boise St/TCU and their schedules, and they're pretty close in points now. If nothing else, they'll definitely gain ground if they beat Arkansas while Boise St/TCU are playing lesser teams and having bye weeks. Which basically would make it a photo finish.

[Ksyrup]

Boise State has 6-3 Fresno State and 9-1 #18 Nevada the next two weeks, so if they beat both impressively, it would be difficult to jump a team over them considering where they are right now.

[molson]

If they win out Boise St. will definitely finish ahead of TCU, but I'll still believe it when I see it that they actually end up #2. It's still something that's never happened and there will be some hesitation from the human voters to pull the trigger, I would think.

[Ksyrup]

If - and it's a big if - they convincingly beat Fresno and particularly Nevada and get dropped below LSU or another 1-loss team, that will be a huge crock of shit. It's one thing not to move them over a 1-loss team, if that 1-loss team has been ranked ahead of them all year. It's entirely another to put them in the top 3 and then in the final vote, drop them below a lower-ranked team with them coming off a spanking of a top 15-18 team. That would be horseshit. And it would basically signal what we all kinda figure anyway - a non-AQ's limit is #3, no matter the circumstances.

[sovereignstar v2]

Also, I'm not really sure floating those names as targets helps Minnesota's AD. There's a lot of anger in the fan base at Joel Maturi for his handling of the football and hockey programs in recent years, saying he intends to hire a big name and then getting someone who doesn't excited could work out poorly in the short term.

So Minnesota hires Northern Illinois' Jerry Kill and AD Joel Maturi is getting raped by the hardcore fanbase and will get reamed at tomorrow's press conference by the media. Reality is a sonuvabitch. No one wants to coach here.

[sovereignstar v2]

Actually, hardcore fanbase isn't very accurate. He's getting criticized by everyone but a few realists.

[Swaggs]

On the one hand, he seems pretty underwhelming (name-wise, at least). But, he has signficant head coaching experience, it looks like he has been pretty successful at every stop, and he is relatively young (looks like he is 49).

[sovereignstar v2]

Yeah, I think he's a fairly solid hire. You can't really tell me that Hoke, Golden, Edsall, etc. would necessarily do any better with any reasonable amount of certainty - it's really a crapshoot when it comes to "up and comers". There were a LOT of people that wanted Mike Leach. Don't think it was ever an option though.