2011 College Football Offseason News

[Poli]

Cause it deserves it's own thread instead of the coaching changes/recruiting thread.

Tennessee safety Janzen Jackson has withdrawn from school to address some issues back home that he had before the bowl game. He missed about a week's worth of practices back then. UT expects him back and that he won't miss the 2011 season. Personally, I don't know.

Also out are Ted Meline, Jerod Askew, and Cody Pope. Meline was a Kiffin early enrollee that apparently didn't make the cut with Coach Dooley. Askew redshirted during Kiffin's season here and played just one game (opener).

Pope was the starting center until a stinger caused him to miss the rest of the season. Cody had issues with concussions early on and was often injured. It took him a year or two to get to UT as well. He was also the only vegetarian on scholarship last year at UT. He'll be a medical scholarship type if I'm not mistaken.

[Poli]

Additionally, senior Art Evans, a corner who just looked completely lost at times last year (before being suspended for five games), was re-instated.

[Ksyrup]

Not to make light of what sounds like a serious issue, but....

I'm taking the spring semester off for personal reasons - but I'll be back for the fall semester so I can play!

You can do that?

[Poli]

Seems kind of odd to me as well. I can't say I've ever heard of it.

My guess? He won't be back. I've never seen anything like that ever work out.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Sources say UGA's leading rusher, Washaun Ealey, has been suspended from the team indefinitely. Apparently he failed to report for a punishment run last week, rumor around campus is that he's already quit the team but the associate AD says he's still on campus & still part of the squad so who knows.
UGA rusher Ealey suspended indefinitely || OnlineAthens.com (http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/020811/bre_782547039.shtml)

Seems to me that at least one Dawg wasn't thrilled with the signing of #1 RB prospect Isiah Crowell, who was already anointed as a candidate to start. CMR saying that he "wouldn’t be shocked to see him running that rock in the (Georgia) Dome against Boise State on the opening play.”"

[Poli]

Sounds like Richt is following through on a recruiting promise with that statement.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Sounds like Richt is following through on a recruiting promise with that statement.

Hard not to start the only RB on your roster that doesn't have a probation officer ;)

[Ksyrup]

So when Richt had the offense line up on the field without a tailback when Crowell visited, that might have been an actual practice and not just a recruiting gimmick, huh?

[digamma]

No news is good news. Unless it is about your rivals.

[dawgfan]

So when Richt had the offense line up on the field without a tailback when Crowell visited, that might have been an actual practice and not just a recruiting gimmick, huh?
I'm curious - when I read about that stunt, I wondered what the difference was between something like that and the secondary violations Sarkisian and Kiffin were hit with a couple years ago when they had recruits run through stadium tunnels with smoke machines and out on to the playing fields with an announcer track running on the PA. The violation was for "simulating a game day experience" - how was what Richt did any different?

Not that it's a big deal - the secondary violations Sark & Kiffin were hit with only resulted in reprimands and no tangible punishments.

[Ksyrup]

ACC football schedule isn't out as early as it usually is, and that's apparently due to the ACC trying to schedule [force] FSU and Miami to play on Labor Day again. FSU is opposed, since it would mean 3 games in 12 days, including the 3rd game of the bunch against Oklahoma. Those games were horrific football games the 3 or 4 times they played that early. I'm not sure what effect a new coach, on the road, etc., would have on Miami if that was its first game of the season. I think it would be a good thing for FSU. But only if they could move the in between game against Nobody U.

[Ksyrup]

I'm curious - when I read about that stunt, I wondered what the difference was between something like that and the secondary violations Sarkisian and Kiffin were hit with a couple years ago when they had recruits run through stadium tunnels with smoke machines and out on to the playing fields with an announcer track running on the PA. The violation was for "simulating a game day experience" - how was what Richt did any different?

Not that it's a big deal - the secondary violations Sark & Kiffin were hit with only resulted in reprimands and no tangible punishments.

I wondered the same thing when I read about it in Feldman's article. He didn't address it, so I assume it was permitted somehow.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The violation was for "simulating a game day experience" - how was what Richt did any different?

1) He's Saint Mark
2) UGA hasn't actually played without a tailback recently. If they had been trying to simulate the gameday experience they would have put this guy back there.

http://www.barefootfloor.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Revolving_Door.jpg

[BishopMVP]

Not to make light of what sounds like a serious issue, but....

I'm taking the spring semester off for personal reasons - but I'll be back for the fall semester so I can play!

You can do that?I assume you would have to take a large load during summer classes, or at a CC near home that could transfer back in.

[MrBug708]

In other news, UCLA has gone on for over 2 months without a DC. Awesome!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Not to make light of what sounds like a serious issue, but....I'm taking the spring semester off for personal reasons - but I'll be back for the fall semester so I can play!You can do that?

From the Knoxville newspaper coverage
he could conceivably return by fall practice if his issues are taken care of even without passing credits this spring due to a one-time missed-semester NCAA waiver.

[Ksyrup]

Interesting, thanks. Never heard of that, but it makes sense. Otherwise, we'd be seeing a bunch of guys who barely scrape by in the fall having "personal issues" to resolve in the spring, only to show back up for summer/fall again.

[bhlloy]

In other news, UCLA has gone on for over 2 months without a DC. Awesome!

What really went down with Seto? I saw an article that he got fired/no longer considered for announcing his hiring on Facebook before UCLA had confirmed it, but it didn't look very reputable so I thought it might have been a joke.

If so that's a crappy way to make a smart decision. Neiuheisel needs to be on Randy Shannon's lawn with a boom box right now.

[Ksyrup]

Shannon's interviewing for Maryland's DC position, which was vacated right after signing day for the same job at ... UConn! Really sucks to be a Maryland defensive commit if the DC was one of the reasons you committed.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Shannon's interviewing for Maryland's DC position, which was vacated right after signing day for the same job at ... UConn! Really sucks to be a Maryland defensive commit if the DC was one of the reasons you committed.

Speaking of that sort of thing, former Vol & NFL'er Chuck Smith is out as DL coach at Tennessee. LB coach moves back to the DL, new LB coach is former Titan/Oregon Duck Peter Sirmon. Maybe this is more common than I realize but I thought it was interesting that Sirmon had been on staff for the past year (or 2) as a "graduate assistant".

[tarcone]

Iowa has their Spring game scheduled for April 16th. Im considering attending.

[MrBug708]

What really went down with Seto? I saw an article that he got fired/no longer considered for announcing his hiring on Facebook before UCLA had confirmed it, but it didn't look very reputable so I thought it might have been a joke.

If so that's a crappy way to make a smart decision. Neiuheisel needs to be on Randy Shannon's lawn with a boom box right now.

Rocky was told he was going to be offered the job and the first place Seto went was the Daily Trojan, who leaked out the confirmation that he was going to UCLA to be the DC. UCLA's AD wasn't happy about that, which I can agree with.

[Ksyrup]

Speaking of that sort of thing, former Vol & NFL'er Chuck Smith is out as DL coach at Tennessee. LB coach moves back to the DL, new LB coach is former Titan/Oregon Duck Peter Sirmon. Maybe this is more common than I realize but I thought it was interesting that Sirmon had been on staff for the past year (or 2) as a "graduate assistant".

Is that the same (or related) thing that the NCAA is supposed to be cracking down on with consultants? I think Saban was singled out for having a bunch of consultants technically not on staff.

[Chief Rum]

Rocky was told he was going to be offered the job and the first place Seto went was the Daily Trojan, who leaked out the confirmation that he was going to UCLA to be the DC. UCLA's AD wasn't happy about that, which I can agree with.

That's the story that's out there, and I believe there is truth to it.

What I believe to be far more the root cause is that the AD was floored by angry boosters/donors when the news leaked out, because all hints, rumors and the long drawn out process would suggest UCLA was going after some big name DCs. And on top of that, they really needed a big name DC, a guy who actually runs an aggressive D and has a name with weight. Rocky Seto, as good as he might end up being, is not currently that guy.

As a Bruins fan, frankly, I'm more than a little disgusted with the AD. That department has just been an awful mess for too long now. There is no excuse for the debacle that has been the UCLA search for the OC and the DC and for how the Chow thing all played out.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Is that the same (or related) thing that the NCAA is supposed to be cracking down on with consultants? I think Saban was singled out for having a bunch of consultants technically not on staff.

I think this is more of a deal where the former pro player went back to grad school & became a graduate ass't. Those positions, as I understand them at least, are limited & monitored by the NCAA so hopefully CDD was too smart to do anything really stupid (since I think there are probably NCAA investigators living in his closet).

[MrBug708]

That's the story that's out there, and I believe there is truth to it.

What I believe to be far more the root cause is that the AD was floored by angry boosters/donors when the news leaked out, because all hints, rumors and the long drawn out process would suggest UCLA was going after some big name DCs. And on top of that, they really needed a big name DC, a guy who actually runs an aggressive D and has a name with weight. Rocky Seto, as good as he might end up being, is not currently that guy.

As a Bruins fan, frankly, I'm more than a little disgusted with the AD. That department has just been an awful mess for too long now. There is no excuse for the debacle that has been the UCLA search for the OC and the DC and for how the Chow thing all played out.

I didnt have a big issue with the hire, but I think that running out to the Daily Trojan, of all places, shows that he might not be trusted. I think if any other newspaper leaked it, I dont think anyone would care

[dawgfan]

Is that the same (or related) thing that the NCAA is supposed to be cracking down on with consultants? I think Saban was singled out for having a bunch of consultants technically not on staff.
No, teams are allowed two graduate assistants per year, and grad assistants can coach a maximum of two straight years. They have to be enrolled as grad students at that school.

I think what the NCAA is cracking down on are people hired in other capacities that actually do coaching duties. One place where schools are getting creative (and this includes Washington) is in hiring guys to their "Strength and Conditioning" staff. One advantage of hiring former players and guys with coaching aspirations to those positions is that in the off-season, coaches aren't allowed to supervise "voluntary" workouts (outside of the NCAA allowed Spring and Fall practices) but Strength and Conditioning staff can be there, ostensibly to make sure the players don't hurt themselves. Well, if you happen to have a former QB like Marques Tuiasosopo on your S&C staff there at those workouts, and he happens to show a few things to the guys on offense, well...

There are other areas where schools are getting creative to get around the NCAA limits on the number of coaches - I believe USC was cited for having a guy hired as a "consultant" on Carroll's last staff that was really an extra coach.

[Swaggs]

UConn QB making some crazy trick throws:

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[Matthean]

Too bad that doesn't work against Oklahoma.

[Matthean]

Ex-Michigan Wolverines QB Tate Forcier transferring to Miami Hurricanes - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6105876)

Forcier to Miami.

[CU Tiger]

I'm curious - when I read about that stunt, I wondered what the difference was between something like that and the secondary violations Sarkisian and Kiffin were hit with a couple years ago when they had recruits run through stadium tunnels with smoke machines and out on to the playing fields with an announcer track running on the PA. The violation was for "simulating a game day experience" - how was what Richt did any different?

Not that it's a big deal - the secondary violations Sark & Kiffin were hit with only resulted in reprimands and no tangible punishments.

I've never figured this rule out. I know for a fact the last oh say 16 years Clemson has taken recruits into the locker room given them jerseys with their name on it, then bussed them around the stadium and rubbed the rock and ran down the hill....if thats not simulating a gameday then...

[MacroGuru]

Rumor has BYU and TCU at Cowboys Stadium on Oct 28th next season...

If that is the case....BYU has a pretty decent schedule next season


@Ole Miss
@Texas
Utah
UCF
@Oregon State
Six lowly WAC teams
TCU
Hawaii

[cartman]

Rumor has BYU and TCU at Cowboys Stadium on Oct 28th next season...

If that is the case....BYU has a pretty decent schedule next season


@Ole Miss
@Texas
Utah
UCF
@Oregon State
Six lowly WAC teams
TCU
Hawaii

So, you gonna make it to either of the games in Texas?

[MacroGuru]

So, you gonna make it to either of the games in Texas?

I'm working on the Ole Miss, Texas and TCU games.

I need finances to free up a bit before I can say yes....but it's looking good.

[cartman]

You know the deal for the Austin game. I can more than likely offer something similar for the TCU game as well.

[DeToxRox]

Rumor is Greg Brown may already be done at Michigan. This is notable because he enrolled in January and didn't make it to Spring Ball. Truthfully I don't think he was ever going to play meaningful snaps here and thus it's another schollie for 2012 but still.

[MrBug708]

UCLA is interviewing Greg Brown of Kentucky for their DC position

[Dr. Sak]

For those interested....rule changes for next season.
Latest News - NCAA.org (http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/ncaa/resources/latest+news/2011/february/football+rules+committee+recommends+restrictions+on+blocking)

[MrBug708]

UCLA is interviewing Greg Brown of Kentucky for their DC position

By Greg Brown, I mean Steve Brown of Tennessee

[Poli]

Who?

[Poli]

For those interested....rule changes for next season.
Latest News - NCAA.org (http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/ncaa/resources/latest+news/2011/february/football+rules+committee+recommends+restrictions+on+blocking)
Committee members cited player safety as the primary reason for modifying when players are allowed to block below the waist. Blocking below the waist will now be illegal except on scrimmage plays in the following instances:

Wide receivers more than seven yards from the center at the snap of the ball can block below the waist only against a player facing him or toward the nearest sideline.
Running backs/receivers in the backfield and outside the tackle box (the area five yards on either side of the center) or players in motion can block below the waist only on players facing them or toward the nearest sideline.


Poli's comment: THANK YOU.

[Poli]

I won't mention that crap that happened at the end of the UNC-UT bowl game. Wait, I just did. At least it's in there now.

[MrBug708]

Who?

Not my night *Of Kentucky

[CU Tiger]

Committee members cited player safety as the primary reason for modifying when players are allowed to block below the waist. Blocking below the waist will now be illegal except on scrimmage plays in the following instances:
Wide receivers more than seven yards from the center at the snap of the ball can block below the waist only against a player facing him or toward the nearest sideline.
Running backs/receivers in the backfield and outside the tackle box (the area five yards on either side of the center) or players in motion can block below the waist only on players facing them or toward the nearest sideline.

Poli's comment: THANK YOU.


Those wails of anguish you hear are the collective cries of Jim Grobe and Paul Johnson

[JonInMiddleGA]

Those wails of anguish you hear are the collective cries of Jim Grobe and Paul Johnson

Yep. If I'm reading this correctly, that's likely the end of the GT offense for the next several seasons, since they'll have to restructure the OL as well as much of the blocking scheme.

Horrible change afaic, but then again what would you expect me to say under the circumstances?

[digamma]

Yep. If I'm reading this correctly, that's likely the end of the GT offense for the next several seasons, since they'll have to restructure the OL as well as much of the blocking scheme.

Horrible change afaic, but then again what would you expect me to say under the circumstances?


There is an additional sentence beyond the one Poli quoted:

"Players on the line of scrimmage within seven yards of the center are still allowed to block below the waist anywhere on the field."

Based on that, I actually don't think it changes the blocking schemes all that much. The biggest change will be what receivers can and can't do, but they weren't really throwing any blocks for GT last year anyway...

[BYU 14]

There is an additional sentence beyond the one Poli quoted:

"Players on the line of scrimmage within seven yards of the center are still allowed to block below the waist anywhere on the field."

Based on that, I actually don't think it changes the blocking schemes all that much. The biggest change will be what receivers can and can't do, but they weren't really throwing any blocks for GT last year anyway...

This is correct, tackle to tackle is still considered a free block zone so this won't effect what the interior line can do. This actually gets the College rules more in line with current High School rules which are almost identical now in this area.

[MrBug708]

Probably known for the worst officials in sports, the PAC-10 has fired its top ref and hired.....

Mike Pereira

Pac-10 hires Pereira to restructure officiating program - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/14676954/pac10-hires-pereira-to-restructure-officiating-program)

[JonInMiddleGA]

There is an additional sentence beyond the one Poli quoted:

"Players on the line of scrimmage within seven yards of the center are still allowed to block below the waist anywhere on the field."

Oh thank God.

Based on the snippet, I thought our current linemen had been legislated into oblivion.

The biggest change will be what receivers can and can't do, but they weren't really throwing any blocks for GT last year anyway...

Lemme me see, they don't block, they can't catch passes ... what do they do again? ;)

[I. J. Reilly]

Probably known for the worst officials in sports, the PAC-10 has fired its top ref and hired.....

Mike Pereira

Pac-10 hires Pereira to restructure officiating program - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/14676954/pac10-hires-pereira-to-restructure-officiating-program)

Hopefully his first order of business will be a public flogging of Verle Sorgen.

[CU Tiger]

There is an additional sentence beyond the one Poli quoted:

"Players on the line of scrimmage within seven yards of the center are still allowed to block below the waist anywhere on the field."

Based on that, I actually don't think it changes the blocking schemes all that much. The biggest change will be what receivers can and can't do, but they weren't really throwing any blocks for GT last year anyway...


Understood.....but what GT and Wake do extensively is cut with a 2nd tight end or up back who is an off the line man. That is now illegal.

No more rocket man cuts either to spring Qb sweeps.....

[digamma]

Understood.....but what GT and Wake do extensively is cut with a 2nd tight end or up back who is an off the line man. That is now illegal.

No more rocket man cuts either to spring Qb sweeps.....

Again, I think this is semantics. The cut from an RB is still ok as long as the defender is facing the RB. So, the RB leaving the backfield and cut blocking the second level linebacker is still legal so long as it is not a crack back block.

Basically, this really is a new writing of the existing crack back blocking rules.

[Poli]

This is correct, tackle to tackle is still considered a free block zone so this won't effect what the interior line can do. This actually gets the College rules more in line with current High School rules which are almost identical now in this area.
I actually figured this was assumed, I apologize for the omission. I just figured this would be a given.

[Poli]

Again, I think this is semantics. The cut from an RB is still ok as long as the defender is facing the RB. So, the RB leaving the backfield and cut blocking the second level linebacker is still legal so long as it is not a crack back block.

Basically, this really is a new writing of the existing crack back blocking rules.
The part that will come in question is the "facing" bit.

[BYU 14]

I actually figured this was assumed, I apologize for the omission. I just figured this would be a given.

You scared the triple option fans :)

[CU Tiger]

The part that will come in question is the "facing" bit.
bingo

[JonInMiddleGA]

I actually figured this was assumed, I apologize for the omission. I just figured this would be a given.

Given how screwy NFL rules can get, and given how most of the rule changes (not just these but the whole package) are described as making CFB more like the NFL, I wasn't taking anything for granted.

[Poli]

Tennessee suspends the other starting safety today pending a domestic assault charge. That's 8 up, including the return of Art Evans, and 3 down in this month alone.

[lungs]

Tennessee suspends the other starting safety today pending a domestic assault charge. That's 8 up, including the return of Art Evans, and 3 down in this month alone.

Brent Brewer, right? Former Milwaukee Brewer farmhand.

Is he any better at football than he was baseball?

[Ksyrup]

Seems to be a pretty good hitter.

[Logan]

Well played sir.

[lungs]

Seems to be a pretty good hitter.

A skill he has picked up after his baseball career was over.

[Dr. Sak]

This is correct, tackle to tackle is still considered a free block zone so this won't effect what the interior line can do. This actually gets the College rules more in line with current High School rules which are almost identical now in this area.

There still a difference between the high school and the proposed college rules if we are talking NCAA vs NFHS for blocking below the waist.

High School: Blocking below the waist is permitted if the block is made within the free blocking zone, however the person making the block AND the person getting blocked below the waist must both be in the zone at the snap. Also, the ball has to also be in the zone when the block below the waist occurs.

College: With this proposed rule the players in the free blocking zone can block anyone below the waist with no regard to the player being in the zone or not, or the location of the ball at the time of the block.

[Poli]

Brent Brewer, right? Former Milwaukee Brewer farmhand.

Is he any better at football than he was baseball?Yep, same guy. Came on strong last year to provide some help to the depleted secondary.

[MrBug708]

It took Rick two months to hire.....

Joe Tresey

*sigh*

[JonInMiddleGA]

Nate Montana transfers from Notre Dame to ... Montana.

Poetic.

[cschex]

Nate Montana transfers from Notre Dame to ... Montana.

Poetic.

At least they'll save money on the printing on the jersey

[Ksyrup]

The ACC knows fuck-all about scheduling. What a horrible job they do. You'd think a conference that has been embarrassed in recent years by the lack of a true national championship contender would try not to put up roadblocks for teams to give it their best shot to go undefeated or lose 1 game, and also try to put their teams in the best possible position to do well in marquee games against other conferences.

FSU plays Oklahoma on September 17th. We then travel to Clemson the next Saturday. Ridiculous. Why would you schedule a game that could likely decide the division when one team will not be totally ready for it, coming off a game against #1 and going on the road?

Then, we have 36 days (!) before our next home game.

Later, we play NC State and then turn around and travel to BC for a Thursday night game. Why would you do that?

One of the blogs also makes a great point about the 3 ACC/SEC rivalry games (FSU/UF, GT/UGA, and USC/Clemson) and how smart the SEC is in how they schedule the week before. In the last 4 years, the ACC team has played a conference game 11 out of 12 games (the 1 non-conference game was actually a bye). The SEC team has played 2 out of 12 conference games, with 5 byes. The rest of the SEC matchups were basically cupcakes.

These people have got to get their act together.

[JonInMiddleGA]

FSU plays Oklahoma on September 17th. We then travel to Clemson the next Saturday. Ridiculous. Why would you schedule a game that could likely decide the division when one team will not be totally ready for it, coming off a game against #1 and going on the road?

Seems presumptuous for the conference to base their portion of the scheduling on who they think is going to be a contender.

Then, we have 36 days (!) before our next home game.

Later, we play NC State and then turn around and travel to BC for a Thursday night game. Why would you do that?

Because the conference wants as many Thursday night games for exposure as they can get. Once you're into the season, somebody is going to get that four day turnaround unless they can tell teams in advance far enough to spend an off week on it.

One of the blogs also makes a great point about the 3 ACC/SEC rivalry games (FSU/UF, GT/UGA, and USC/Clemson) and how smart the SEC is in how they schedule the week before.

Probably best to take GT out of that equation. In the last 4 years, yes, they've played a conference game the week prior to playing UGAg. But two of those games were against Duke, '07 was against a 4-8 UNC, and the other was against a Miami team that was 7-3 at the time but ended up 7-6. But the Jackets had a bye week mid-season between Clemson & Va Tech 2x, between (then) #19 UNC & #23 Miami, as well as an odd bye between Army & Va Tech. From a conference standpoint (never mind which game I'd prefer to see GT win), what they've had was better.

I don't think the scheduling is optimal, but I don't think it's all that horrible either. {shrug}

[Logan]

Because the conference wants as many Thursday night games for exposure as they can get.

I remember the days when the Big East was laughed at for playing football on Thursday nights.

[Ksyrup]

I'm not saying play favorites. I'm saying the schedule should make sense. Although I think that without a doubt, the SEC plays it smart in both respects.

Also, I don't have a problem with Thursday games, it's the idea of forcing one or both teams to play that game immediately after a Saturday game.that is the problem.

[Dr. Sak]

I remember the days when the Big East was laughed at for playing football on Thursday nights.

Now the Big East plays on Friday's where it belongs...same as High School football. ;)

[gstelmack]

Also, I don't have a problem with Thursday games, it's the idea of forcing one or both teams to play that game immediately after a Saturday game.that is the problem.

My problem with Thursday games is that the kids have to miss school for traveling. Isn't time away from school the key alleged reason we can't have a playoff?

[Ksyrup]

The reason FSU rarely plays Thursday home games (I think they've played one) is that they would essentially have to cancel classes on the entire campus for the afternoon to deal with the traffic.

[digamma]

Because the conference wants as many Thursday night games for exposure as they can get. Once you're into the season, somebody is going to get that four day turnaround unless they can tell teams in advance far enough to spend an off week on it.



I think teams have to agree to a 4 day turn around week and both teams playing in the game must have the same rest (if one team is playing on 4 days rest, the other must be doing so too).

The nonconference schedules this year kind of forced the ACC's hand. FSU is a good example. With 3 nonconference games up front and one at the end, the ACC only had 9 consecutive weeks to schedule 8 games. There's only so much you can do with that.

[digamma]

Incidentally, I read an article that the reason why the ACC schedule was delayed an extra week was because they were trying to arrange FSU-Miami to be on Labor Day weekend again, but FSU was not able to move the Louisiana-Monroe game.

[Ksyrup]

FSU didn't want to play that game. They would have had to move 2 games to play Miami on Labor Day, from what I read, because they were dead-set against playing 3 games in 12 days, with the 3rd game being Oklahoma.

So instead, we get Maryland/UM.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The nonconference schedules this year kind of forced the ACC's hand. FSU is a good example. With 3 nonconference games up front and one at the end, the ACC only had 9 consecutive weeks to schedule 8 games. There's only so much you can do with that.

That's what I was getting at, or trying to at least, probably should have gone with simple sentences instead of trying to illustrate what I was thinking.

The conference schedule only has so many options once you consider everyone's non-conference preferences & obligations.

[Ksyrup]

I don't know, other conferences seem to manage it just fine and at least work to put their teams in the best position to succeed.

[JonInMiddleGA]

and at least work to put their teams in the best position to succeed.

Tell it to Tennessee ...
2010 - @ LSU + @ UGA back to back (traditionally that's tough)
2009 - Auburn + UGA back to back
2008 - Florida + Auburn back to back

It comes back to them most years with November schedules that are a joke, but that's not exactly optimal scheduling to have your season wrecked in the first 6 weeks of the year.

Heck, look at Alabama
2010 - 3 top 25's in a row with Arkansas, Florida, and South Carolina
2009 - 3 in a row with #20 Ole Miss, at #22 South Carolina, then UT rivalry
2006 - at LSU followed by Auburn rivalry
2005 - same at 2006

The difference seems to be that those brutal stretches come earlier in the year for some of the SEC teams, but then again GT usually has that the same way (i.e. Va Tech & Clemson feel handcuffed together)

[digamma]

The SEC also has a lot of traditional scheduling so teams are able to adjust their non-conference schedules around those.

Just to name a few...
Alabama-Tennessee 3rd Saturday in October
Cocktail Party around Halloween
Auburn-Georgia 2nd weekend in November
Auburn-Alabama Thanksgiving weekend

The ACC could go for that approach, but it takes years to implement.

[Noop]

I really hate the ACC. They have no interest in getting with the program of big time college athletics. Florida State should either seek to be independent or join up with SEC or the BIG 12(Big 9 or whatever) because the ACC has consistently shown they have no respect for Florida State. Please see the soccer fiasco for proof of their blatant disrespect.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Please see the soccer fiasco for proof of their blatant disrespect.

The "fiasco" there was entirely of FSU's making. They got off light afaic, they should have been banned from conference play for at least a year after that little stunt.

For those who aren't familiar, FSU's women's soccer team tanked the conference tournament by leaving his entire starting lineup at home for the conference tournament, in order to rest them for the upcoming NCAA tourney ... Happily, they were shellacked by Stanford in the Elite Eight.

The sooner FSU is not a part of the ACC, the happier I'd be.

[Ksyrup]

The sooner FSU is not a part of the ACC, the happier I'd be.

I bet!

[Matthean]

Heck, look at Alabama
2010 - 3 top 25's in a row with Arkansas, Florida, and South Carolina

With 6 straight teams having a bye week before playing 'Bama. 'Bama only got one bye week in there.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I bet!

Well, I hate to give up the wins on the football schedule (2 in a row & 2-2 in the last four ... that's the same record we've got over that time against NC State & Virginia).

Men's basketball really doesn't matter much who they play they can find a way to lose as long as Useless is on the bench, and the baseball team can fold in the post-season to anyone just as well as they can to FSU, it's not as though the 'Noles are the big stumbling block on the diamond or anything.

What's left to worry about, women's basketball? You've got us there at the moment, but the program is improving & neither of us are likely to challenge UNC or Duke for dominance for a while anyway.

[Butter]

The ACC knows fuck-all about scheduling. What a horrible job they do. You'd think a conference that has been embarrassed in recent years by the lack of a true national championship contender would try not to put up roadblocks for teams to give it their best shot to go undefeated or lose 1 game, and also try to put their teams in the best possible position to do well in marquee games against other conferences.

What do you think this is, 1991? FSU is far from an assumed national title contender.

[digamma]

I really hate the ACC. They have no interest in getting with the program of big time college athletics. Florida State should either seek to be independent or join up with SEC or the BIG 12(Big 9 or whatever) because the ACC has consistently shown they have no respect for Florida State. Please see the soccer fiasco for proof of their blatant disrespect.

Well the ACC power is still centered around the research triangle and everyone knows John Swofford is a little girl, but good luck with branching out to a new conference.

[Ksyrup]

What do you think this is, 1991? FSU is far from an assumed national title contender.

I wasn't referring solely to FSU, since the ACC could use any contender at the moment. These issues have been ongoing and have affected a bunch of schools over the years. But yeah, of course I care more about how they affect the team I root for.

[Ksyrup]

Well, I hate to give up the wins on the football schedule (2 in a row & 2-2 in the last four ... that's the same record we've got over that time against NC State & Virginia).

Men's basketball really doesn't matter much who they play they can find a way to lose as long as Useless is on the bench, and the baseball team can fold in the post-season to anyone just as well as they can to FSU, it's not as though the 'Noles are the big stumbling block on the diamond or anything.

What's left to worry about, women's basketball? You've got us there at the moment, but the program is improving & neither of us are likely to challenge UNC or Duke for dominance for a while anyway.

Well, I was being sarcastic in that I would think the last thing the ACC would want would be its top TV audience-drawing football program to leave. We're ranked 2nd in bowl ratings over the past 12 years according to the Wall Street Journal. I would assume TV draw and TV contract money go hand in hand, and thus, it wouldn't be a good thing for the ACC if FSU left - particularly since 4 of the bottom 5 worst-drawing teams also happen to be in the ACC.

[bbgunn]

Oak trees poisoned at Auburn (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=6129272)

This is why I'm sometimes embarrassed to be from Alabama and a Crimson Tide alum. It's just football, guys! And I know I'm in the 1% of Alabamians who can think rationally about football, but this is ridiculous.

[CU Tiger]

FSU plays Oklahoma on September 17th. We then travel to Clemson the next Saturday. Ridiculous. Why would you schedule a game that could likely decide the division when one team will not be totally ready for it, coming off a game against #1 and going on the road?



Hah...think thats bad...

9/17 Auburn
9/24 FSU
10/1 AT VT

Thats 3 10 win teams from last year in a row to start the season. And we get the SEC (and National) Champ and both members of the ACC championship game in back-to-back-to-back weeks.

Also Clemson will not play Thursday night home games bcause we refuse to cancel classes to do so....and all Student parking lots have top be emptied on home game week ends to accommodate donor parking. I used to hate that when I went there, home game Saturday you either had to be one of the first to the local BiLo and park there for the day or drive an additional 7 miles outside of town and park in the garage and get a ride back to campus...unless you had friends in off campus apartments of course, but all on campus parking is closed.

[Ksyrup]

Yeah, same at FSU. We did one I recall back when I lived there, and the entire city essentially shut down at noon to get people out of town and fans going to the game into town.

[Noop]

Jon if Florida State leaves the ACC you can bet they won't be the only ones to jump ship to another conference. As for soccergate they shouldn't have been punished for that because they had their eyes set on winning the bigger prize. The ACC is completely shortsighted and so out of touch that it disgusts me. This year's football schedule (not only FSU but Clemson and a few others) is not conducive to putting out premier football programs.

The new ESPN contract will be redone the moment Florida State decides to jump ship because like it or not Florida State is the top draw in the ACC.

As for that Georgia Tech nonsense you posted lets seem them beat us going forward. The amount of dysfunction Bowden has during the tail end of his career was truly baffling and many teams (GT) capitalized off that dysfunction. I would love to see it happen again because it won't... now go watch women's basketball.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I would love to see it happen again because it won't...

Trust me, that dysfunction isn't going away as long as you've stopped paying players. 2-2 over the next four is well within the realm of possibility, if for nothing else than the karmic meltdown the handling of the Bowden situation earned for FSU.

[Radii]

As for soccergate they shouldn't have been punished for that because they had their eyes set on winning the bigger prize.

Has there been a discussion on this anywhere? From what I'm reading FSU had 7 of its 11 starters not even travel to the ACC Tournament site. You're saying that the ACC disrespected FSU by punishing them for this? Surely a lot of people would argue its the other way around.

[Ksyrup]

That's quite a few seasons out. I think we play a home-and-home in 2013 and 14, but after that I don't know when we play GT again.

Personally, I don't think FSU is going to be as good in 2011 as the hype right now has them, and the schedule is absolutely not going to do them any favors. Which goes back to my point about the ACC not helping its teams become contenders. Like it or not, FSU is a clear top 12 team on nearly everyone's (obviously early) pre-season rankings right now. Some have them in the top 5. I think that's ridiculous. But a pre-season top 12 ranking and a win over Oklahoma in week 3 and they are, at that moment, a legit national title contender without a doubt. That's what the rankings will say.

[digamma]

Jon if Florida State leaves the ACC you can bet they won't be the only ones to jump ship to another conference. As for soccergate they shouldn't have been punished for that because they had their eyes set on winning the bigger prize. The ACC is completely shortsighted and so out of touch that it disgusts me. This year's football schedule (not only FSU but Clemson and a few others) is not conducive to putting out premier football programs.

The new ESPN contract will be redone the moment Florida State decides to jump ship because like it or not Florida State is the top draw in the ACC.

As for that Georgia Tech nonsense you posted lets seem them beat us going forward. The amount of dysfunction Bowden has during the tail end of his career was truly baffling and many teams (GT) capitalized off that dysfunction. I would love to see it happen again because it won't... now go watch women's basketball.

Noop,

Georgia Tech is FSU's best friend in the ACC. Clemson tries to be but they are still tied into the ACC old school a bit. But if you look back at pretty much every big change in the ACC in the last decade or so, it has been Georgia Tech and FSU leading the outsider's charge.

And FSU isn't going anywhere. The ACC deal is good for them and has buttered their bread for a while. The SEC doesn't want them because they don't add anything (Florida already brings their market), the Big Ten has the whole research university thing and the Texas conference would just be a bad deal all around.

[digamma]

That's quite a few seasons out. I think we play a home-and-home in 2013 and 14, but after that I don't know when we play GT again.

Personally, I don't think FSU is going to be as good in 2011 as the hype right now has them, and the schedule is absolutely not going to do them any favors. Which goes back to my point about the ACC not helping its teams become contenders. Like it or not, FSU is a clear top 12 team on nearly everyone's (obviously early) pre-season rankings right now. Some have them in the top 5. I think that's ridiculous. But a pre-season top 12 ranking and a win over Oklahoma in week 3 and they are, at that moment, a legit national title contender without a doubt. That's what the rankings will say.

Your opening game in the ACC is with a team that went 6-7 last year and is replacing its starting QB and starting RB, not to mention a top 5 draft pick on the D line. That should be a walk for a "contender."

[Ksyrup]

I don't know if it speaks to the talent that Clemson has under-utilized, the crapfest that is the ACC, or a little of both, but FSU and Clemson are widely considered to be the division's top 2 teams next year. I gues you can throw NC St in there, but I think the consensus is the other 2 first.

And hey, like I said, I'm not sure I buy them as contenders next year, but their ranking will determine that. I see a 3 loss season, probably. With Manuel a senior and two full years under Jimbo, I think 2012 should be a legit year.

[Noop]

Trust me, that dysfunction isn't going away as long as you've stopped paying players. 2-2 over the next four is well within the realm of possibility, if for nothing else than the karmic meltdown the handling of the Bowden situation earned for FSU.

LOL! Everyone pays for players do not think for one second Georgia Tech does not. 2-2 will not happen period.

[Noop]

I don't think Florida State will win the National Title next season but I do see a 10-2/9-3 type season with mean leaning more toward 10-2. Clemson despite their gawd awful record is still talented and has Kevin Steele running their defense. I expect the Atlantic to come down to FSU and CU with the Coastal being VT, Miami, or (Not GT)

[digamma]

I don't know if it speaks to the talent that Clemson has under-utilized, the crapfest that is the ACC, or a little of both, but FSU and Clemson are widely considered to be the division's top 2 teams next year. I gues you can throw NC St in there, but I think the consensus is the other 2 first.

And hey, like I said, I'm not sure I buy them as contenders next year, but their ranking will determine that. I see a 3 loss season, probably. With Manuel a senior and two full years under Jimbo, I think 2012 should be a legit year.


Don't know, I've seen Boston College in a lot of top 2's. They always seem to be there in mid-November.

But, if that is the case, then I think there is logic to the ACC schedule in frontloading your tough games to try to get a second BCS berth. The ACC has tried this before, but the thought to be big teams have crapped out.

[bronconick]

The dumbest things I saw in the ACC scheduling is Virginia at Miami and FSU at BC on Thursday nights after all 4 teams play Saturday games. Those are going to be ugly games with tired teams and one team in each traveling 1000+ miles on top of it. If you're going to do short weeks, wouldn't it be better to aim toward teams that are at least within a couple hundred miles?

[CU Tiger]

Your opening game in the ACC is with a team that went 6-7 last year and is replacing its starting QB and starting RB, not to mention a top 5 draft pick on the D line. That should be a walk for a "contender."

Starting RB is back....2nd team RB left early for the NFL.

An we only have like 5 new coaches so it is a cohesion affinity love fest around here these days.

[JonInMiddleGA]

‘Air of sadness' hangs over Toomer's Corner *| ajc.com (http://www.ajc.com/sports/air-of-sadness-hangs-843685.html)

A retired Texas state trooper? Who the hell had that suspect in the betting pool? I can do rivalry hatred with the best of 'em but I hope this guy ends up with a 400 pound lifer roommate named WarEagle Jackson Cribbs.

[DeToxRox]

Michigan is paying new DC Greg Mattison 750K, with a bonus for winning the Big Ten that can push his salary up to 900K.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Atlanta Journal-Constitution CFB columnist Tony Barnhart moves full-time to CBSSports.com starting April 4th. He'd been with the AJC for 27 years.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Auburn jumps out to an early Fulmer Cup lead, with a starting safety & three backups kicked off the team after being arrested & charged robbing a house.

Four Auburn players dismissed from team after robbery arrest - College Football News | FOX Sports on MSN (http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/Four-Auburn-players-dismissed-from-team-after-arrest-031111)

[MJ4H]

Is it wrong if I have a little smug good feeling at seeing Dakota Mosley's name as one of the 4?

Screw it. I love it.


http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gp1YORjzxIY/TSwI0UxrrqI/AAAAAAAAADY/qpnT0NMgmdE/s1600/daktoamosleymoney.jpg

[Swaggs]

Auburn jumps out to an early Fulmer Cup lead, with a starting safety & three backups kicked off the team after being arrested & charged robbing a house.

Four Auburn players dismissed from team after robbery arrest - College Football News | FOX Sports on MSN (http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/Four-Auburn-players-dismissed-from-team-after-arrest-031111)

That's like hitting a grand slam in the top of the first inning. :)

[Matthean]

Is it wrong if I have a little smug good feeling at seeing Dakota Mosley's name as one of the 4?

Screw it. I love it.


http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gp1YORjzxIY/TSwI0UxrrqI/AAAAAAAAADY/qpnT0NMgmdE/s1600/daktoamosleymoney.jpg


I honestly don't know what goes through somebody's head when they take this type of picture and then post it online.

[Matthean]

Since MSU's men's and women's BB programs are dominating the news right now, this story is getting little press, but two MSU football players got arrested. Both are considered to be starters so it will be interesting to see what MSU does with them. MSU tends to be on the forgiving side.

Article (http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20110311/GW01/303110011/Two-MSU-football-players-arrested-Colorado?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Sports|s)

[Swaggs]

Anyone else hearing that LSU is in similar trouble to Oregon for paying for a "scouting service" that delivered a player?

I wonder if those are some of the "big stories" that were supposed to be breaking soon (as discussed by the guy who supposedly unearthed some of the Ohio State stuff).

[Tigercat]

Even in the worse scenario, it doesn't sound like this "scouting service" had anything BAD to do with the player in the current stories. The player was a mid level recruit (with top level talent, IMO, but not recruited as such because he was a tweener who committed to LSU early.) The Oregon player that started this news was a big name prospect who swapped to a school previously not in the picture until late in the game. Quite a different situation.

Now, LSU supposedly worked with this guy and his scouting service in previous years, just as Oregon did. Did this guy fully steer previous Texas prospects to LSU and thus LSU get some scrutiny and punishments? Possibly. But if something serious did happened, I don't think it involves the 2011 recruit in question.

[Swaggs]

Even in the worse scenario, it doesn't sound like this "scouting service" had anything BAD to do with the player in the current stories. The player was a mid level recruit (with top level talent, IMO, but not recruited as such because he was a tweener who committed to LSU early.) The Oregon player that started this news was a big name prospect who swapped to a school previously not in the picture until late in the game. Quite a different situation.

Now, LSU supposedly worked with this guy and his scouting service in previous years, just as Oregon did. Did this guy fully steer previous Texas prospects to LSU and thus LSU get some scrutiny and punishments? Possibly. But if something serious did happened, I don't think it involves the 2011 recruit in question.

Yeah. I'm not sure it is going to be much of a big deal. Particularly with the precedent already in place that a person's father can receive money without the player (or school, to the best of my knowledge) being punished.

I am more just wondering if these are the so-called big time stories that were supposed to come out in the next few months. I can't recall the exact details, but the guy said that he was working on breaking a handful of other NCAA violation-type stories and there was one that was bigger than the Ohio State story. If the Oregon and LSU stuff is as juicy as it gets, I'm thinking he overestimated their impact.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I think Auburn has already built a nearly insurmountable lead for the Fulmer Cup but Notre Dame isn't going down without a fight apparently.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish WR Michael Floyd arrested on DUI charge - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6242523)

[Swaggs]

Looks like the Auburn players got their postseason bonuses:

http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/4-armed-robbers-how-did-auburn-miss-the-signs-29571

http://simg.sportsbybrooks.com/5/1/5109de0c70ea5ff3383672e21f059584_auburngangsigns.jpg

http://simg.sportsbybrooks.com/f/3/f3898e93fd1e7be103083a3e789f1bf0_auburnganggun.jpg

[JPhillips]

I still think Auburn's a dirty program, but those looked Photoshopped to me.

[DeToxRox]

I think Auburn has already built a nearly insurmountable lead for the Fulmer Cup but Notre Dame isn't going down without a fight apparently.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish WR Michael Floyd arrested on DUI charge - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6242523)

Apparently he failed 3 sobriety tests and blew a .19. All of it happened after he ran a stop sign on campus.

[Matthean]

The Onion needs to run an article that talks about how Auburn finally runs out of money and can't afford to pay it's players anymore.

[Easy Mac]

I still think Auburn's a dirty program, but those looked Photoshopped to me.

I dunno, those website graphics look real.

[RainMaker]

HBO has a rather damning piece coming out tonight. SportsByBrooks has a lot of info on it. In a nutshell, 4 players talking about how they received money from Auburn and other schools. Sort of makes you wonder what the point in pretending its amateur athletics anymore.

[JonInMiddleGA]

In a nutshell, 4 players talking about how they received money from Auburn and other schools. Sort of makes you wonder what the point in pretending its amateur athletics anymore.

Thought it was from boosters, not the program itself.

If that's the case, the booster handshake I've read the players describing has existed since before I was born & probably before even Bucc was born, so the word I'd quibble with in your post is "anymore".

[CU Tiger]

What I understand is that in at least one case a former coach purportedly Tubberville handed an envelope full o cash to a player....

[Ksyrup]

From Bruce Feldman's blog:

• An attorney who has represented coaches and schools in hearings before the NCAA Committee on Infractions believes that the Ohio State Buckeyes (http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/194/ohio-state-buckeyes) and head coach Jim Tressel will have difficulty avoiding stiffer penalties than those already self-imposed for Tressel's admitted NCAA violations, writes Bruce Hooley (http://www.foxsportsohio.com/03/30/11/Attorney-Could-Get-Much-Worse-for-Tresse/landing_ohiostate.html?blockID=493685&feedID=3724).

"If I was representing a coach in that similar situation, I would advise my client to expect not only a show-cause order assessed against him or her, but also significant individual penalties that may cause their employer, which is the university, to either terminate their employment or some other significant employment action," said Michael L. Buckner, of Pompano Beach, Fla., whose law firm specializes in representing schools and individuals before the NCAA. "I'd tell them they should be prepared for that."

A show-cause order is the harshest penalty the NCAA can impose against a coach. It requires any school that wants to employ the coach to petition the NCAA Committee on Infractions for permission to hire them until the duration of the penalty expires.

That school risks the imposition of sanctions for hiring the coach, which is why no coach with a show-cause order has ever been hired until its expiration. Coaches who have received such penalties include Ohio State's Jim O'Brien, Minnesota's Clem Haskins, California's Todd Bozeman, Baylor's Dave Bliss and Indiana's Kelvin Sampson.

[molson]

A show-cause order would be pretty shocking, I'll believe that when I see it. I don't think the NCAA has the balls to do that with a coach of that stature.

[dawgfan]

A show-cause order would be pretty shocking, I'll believe that when I see it. I don't think the NCAA has the balls to do that with a coach of that stature.
People said the same thing about whether USC would get severe penalties or not.

Granted, the NCAA has been spotty with their enforcement, but the public momentum sure seems to point towards the NCAA laying down a show-cause penalty on Tressel.

[molson]

People said the same thing about whether USC would get severe penalties or not.

Granted, the NCAA has been spotty with their enforcement, but the public momentum sure seems to point towards the NCAA laying down a show-cause penalty on Tressel.

Pete Carroll didn't a show cause order - that would be the part that would be shocking. I can't recall the NCAA ever directly forcing out a high-profile coach that wouldn't resign.

And USC's penalties were more serious than what the NCAA usually gives out - but after the bowl ban they'll be back in business like nothing happened (as they continue to stock pile talent in the meantime.)

[Ksyrup]

I don't recall there being any evidence of direct wrongdoing by Pete Carroll. That's what sets this apart.

That said, from the list of coaches in the article I cited, it's obvious what the common denominator is - none is a football coach.

[cartman]

The Fiesta Bowl might be at risk of losing BCS status after the bowl CEO was ousted due to corruption charges.

Fiesta Bowl fires CEO amid scandal, now must justify place in BCS - San Jose Mercury News (http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_17736100?source=rss&nclick_check=1)

[dawgfan]

Pete Carroll didn't a show cause order - that would be the part that would be shocking. I can't recall the NCAA ever directly forcing out a high-profile coach that wouldn't resign.
There was never any proof that Carroll broke any rules, unlike Tressel.

And USC's penalties were more serious than what the NCAA usually gives out - but after the bowl ban they'll be back in business like nothing happened (as they continue to stock pile talent in the meantime.)
You are severely underestimating the effect the scholarship limitations will have on them. They were smart in appealing the decision and using that appeal to stockpile as much as they could for this most recent class, but unless their penalties are reduced, they will still face an overall roster limit of 75 and individual class size limits of 15 over the next 3 years, and that's going to have a major impact.

[Swaggs]

The Fiesta Bowl might be at risk of losing BCS status after the bowl CEO was ousted due to corruption charges.

Fiesta Bowl fires CEO amid scandal, now must justify place in BCS - San Jose Mercury News (http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_17736100?source=rss&nclick_check=1)

Say hello to an excuse for Jerry World to get a BCS game.

[Ksyrup]

Uh...wow.


A grand jury in Pennsylvania is investigating former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky on allegations of indecent assault against a teenage boy, The Patriot-News (http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/03/jerry_sandusky_former_penn_sta.html) of Harrisburg (Pa.) reported Thursday.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Decent short column about how the latest arrest will put Muschamp to the test. It'll be interesting to see what "the Florida Way" really means anything or not.

Janoris Jenkins testing the 'Florida Way' - College Football Nation Blog - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/41221/janoris-jenkins-testing-the-florida-way)

[Young Drachma]

The College Athletics Programs Most Reliant On Student Activity Fees - SportsMoney - news on the business of sports - Forbes (http://blogs.forbes.com/sportsmoney/2011/04/24/the-college-athletics-programs-most-reliant-on-student-activity-fees/)

This led me to wonder which schools rely on institutional support the most, in particular student activity fees. Here are the top ten:

1 University of South Florida $13,026,289.00 33.24%
2 University of Virginia $12,160,103.00 14.86%
3 University of Connecticut $8,626,506.00 14.74%
4 Rutgers University $8,441,092.00 13.15%
5 Florida State University $6,919,449.00 9.30%
6 University of North Carolina $6,859,868.00 9.42%
7 Virginia Tech $6,533,756.00 10.27%
8 Auburn University $5,261,604.00 5.68%
9 Georgia Tech $4,643,368.00 8.39%
10 North Carolina State University $4,200,610.00 8.49%

[DeToxRox]

Muschamp isn't fucking around at UF. He just dismissed Janoris Jenkins from the team.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Muschamp isn't fucking around at UF. He just dismissed Janoris Jenkins from the team.

Good for him. Not a Gator fan, but as a fan of CFB, this is the kind of leadership more coaches ought to show.

[digamma]

Not sure he had much of a choice here. Wasn't it Jenkins's third arrest?

(Well, I'm sure CMR could have made a case for a fourth chance.)

[dawgfan]

Not sure he had much of a choice here. Wasn't it Jenkins's third arrest?

(Well, I'm sure CMR could have made a case for a fourth chance.)
Yeah, good for him for making that call, but it was an obvious call to make.

[DeToxRox]

He also kicked Chris Dunkley off of the team last week.

Seems like he is putting his foot down early, though I agree Jenkins was a no brainer. Still, a lot of coaches don't always have the foresight.

[Logan]

Ugh. Rutgers brings in a solid JUCO center to help stabilize the offensive line, expected to start from Day 1...and he tears up his knee in one of the last spring practices and is done for the year.

[digamma]

NC State grants QB Russell Wilson a release allowing him to pursue other football options. Wilson is also a minor league baseball player, so I guess the NCSU coaching staff didn't think he was able to fully commit to another season at QB. Interesting move, as I think Wilson is a fantastic QB. I will be happy not to see him this fall.

[Wolfpack]

NC State grants QB Russell Wilson a release allowing him to pursue other football options. Wilson is also a minor league baseball player, so I guess the NCSU coaching staff didn't think he was able to fully commit to another season at QB. Interesting move, as I think Wilson is a fantastic QB. I will be happy not to see him this fall.

Predictably, the internet fans are in an uproar over it. Some view it as the sky falling (this is the position of those who aren't sure that the new QB Glennon is going to be any good or else those who are so beaten down by how lousy State athletics has been that this is just piling on), while others it as O'Brien being forced into a bad situation because Wilson wouldn't make an obvious commitment (the position of those who think Wilson coming back may have caused Glennon--who was a highly prized recruit--to decide to transfer and thus screwing State out of any decent QB after this year). I'm more in the latter camp than the former, though I don't know whether Glennon would have transferred or not. Ultimately, the program must go forward without Wilson at some point anyway, so you might as well start now when you can be sure that the QB position has a somewhat known quantity in it. The whole thing was becoming a Favre-esque sideshow the way it's been the last couple of offseasons.

[Swaggs]

Did Wilson graduate so that he can play somewhere else immediately?

If he was on the fence whether or not he was going to play this season, wouldn't he almost certainly NOT want to redshirt next year and just go for the baseball career?

[Wolfpack]

Did Wilson graduate so that he can play somewhere else immediately?

If he was on the fence whether or not he was going to play this season, wouldn't he almost certainly NOT want to redshirt next year and just go for the baseball career?

Yes, he graduated, so he'd be eligible for that special transfer to play at another school immediately if they offered classes State doesn't have.

As to question two, there was an article in the local paper today that Wilson didn't want to leave State, but O'Brien wasn't going to let him compete to get the job back from Glennon in fall practice (whether Glennon said he'd transfer if he wasn't going to start is unknown, but a lot of State fans think it to be the case). Naturally, this had lead the fanbase to begin looking for the nearest bridge to jump off.

Admittedly, things are different for Wilson this year as opposed to last year. He participated in spring drills last year and played in short-season A ball in Washington state during the summer months before coming back for the football season. This year, Wilson started out in Asheville, Colorado's high-A affiliate, so he was there at the start of baseball season and thus couldn't participate in spring football this year, leaving O'Brien trying to decide how or whether he wanted Wilson back and whether that would cause issues with Glennon.

Wilson still harbors aspirations of being able to play both pro football and pro baseball. However, he's not got the prototypical size to play in the NFL. He's got a decent arm, good athleticism, and good intangibles like leadership, but he won't be confused for Michael Vick or even Cam Newton when he drops back in the pocket. I have a hard time picturing him making it in the NFL.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Ealey transferring from Georgia | DogBytes Online (http://dogbytesonline.com/ealey-transferring-from-georgia-45393/)

[Easy Mac]

Fiesta Bowl can stay in BCS, must pay $1M fine over spending - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/15053734/fiesta-bowl-can-stay-in-bcs-must-pay-1m-fine-for-lavish-spending/rss)

The Fiesta Bowl gets to stay in the BCS after paying a <del>bribe</del> fine.

[DeToxRox]

A lot of twitter buzz about OU player Austin Box being found unresponsive and rushed to the ER. A few ex OU guys like DeMarco Murray have posted about keeping him in your prayers so it seems pretty legit but who knows?

[DeToxRox]

And now reports are saying the ME Office confirmed Box has died. Rumored to be an Oxy OD.

[JonInMiddleGA]

NBC affiliate in OkC among those reporting that M.E.'s office confirmation (just so it doesn't seem as much like Twitter mania)

[DeToxRox]

NBC affiliate in OkC among those reporting that M.E.'s office confirmation (just so it doesn't seem as much like Twitter mania)

Gracias. Crazy stuff. Apparently the rumors of the OD stem from the fact he had a really bad back injury that had done a number on him.

[Cuckoo]

Terrible, terrible news... By all accounts a great kid who had been dealing with a lot of pain the last couple of years but still kept fighting. He just graduated from OU too, I believe.

RIP Austin.

[Atocep]

Fascinating article/interview with the guy that poisoned the trees at Auburn.

Harvey Updyke talks with Wright Thompson about life, death and the trees at Toomer's Corner - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?id=6575499)

[Logan]

Haven't decided if I'm for or against this yet, but would be an interesting discussion here.

Politi: Inspired by Eric LeGrand's injury, Greg Schiano hopes to change kickoffs | NJ.com (http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2011/06/politi_inspired_by_eric_legran.html)

This is Schiano’s plan: Replace all kickoffs with a punting situation, including after the opening coin toss and to start the second half. So, as an example, when Team A scores a touchdown, it immediately gets the ball back on a fourth and 15 from its own 30-yard line.

It can punt it back to Team B — the most likely outcome and a safer play since the bigger collisions usually happen on kickoffs.

Or it can line up and go for the first down, essentially replacing an onside kick with an offensive play that would require more skill than luck.

Onside kicks work about a quarter of the time in the NFL, according to the website advancednflstats.com, a deceptive figure because the play is far more successful when the other team isn’t expecting it. Schiano isn’t sure if going for it on fourth and 15 is a higher percentage play — according to the same website, it’s about 18 percent or 19 percent — but success would be less dependent on a favorable bounce.

Either way, Schiano said, this is the bottom line: “It would lead to much less impact and fewer collisions, but it would still be a way to get the game started in similar field position.”

[molson]

That's better than just starting by default at the 25, which is where I thought we were heading eventually. If kickoffs are deemed too dangerous someday, replacing them with punts is better than replacing them with nothing.

[Tigercat]

Smoke coming from West Virginia that some serious bad news is on the horizon. Talk about something that could blow up the coaching staff and possibly wreck the football program. Weird that no details have yet emerged though.

[Noop]

Smoke coming from West Virginia that some serious bad news is on the horizon. Talk about something that could blow up the coaching staff and possibly wreck the football program. Weird that no details have yet emerged though.

The head coaches wife was spreading rumors about the OC. The rumors turned out to be false and as a result the backlash is Stewart will be forced to resign. Apparently the offensive staff and defensive staff are beefing.

[Tigercat]

The head coaches wife was spreading rumors about the OC. The rumors turned out to be false and as a result the backlash is Stewart will be forced to resign. Apparently the offensive staff and defensive staff are beefing.

Ah, not as big as my imagination was believing. But that is sad and ridiculous.

[Atocep]

Smoke coming from West Virginia that some serious bad news is on the horizon. Talk about something that could blow up the coaching staff and possibly wreck the football program. Weird that no details have yet emerged though.

Completely overblown at this point. Definitely won't wreck the football program.

The rumor right now is that the source behind Chuck Landon's (very pro-Marshall/anti-WVU columnist) article last week about Holgerson was Bill Stewart's wife. The article was full of inaccuracies that were disputed by a guy that covered WVU for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. It said Holgerson had been banned from his hotel bar, tossed out of multiple bars, ect in the state, and was thrown out of a Huntington bar after the Houston/Marshall game a couple years ago. Basically some half-truths filled with lies is what has been said by people that know the program pretty damn well.

There is a small chance Stew "resigns" because of this, but I wouldn't necessarily see that as a bad thing. The only reason Stew is sticking around this year is money and a belief he could handle having a HCIW.

From what I've been told Stew has handled it as well as anyone would have expected and that he and Holgerson get along fairly well. Not perfect, but good enough for it to work for a year. However, his wife has called into local radio stations crying and now we have this. I could see Oliver Luck and Stew just deciding that him resigning is best for everyone at this point.

[Logan]

Stewart was out in a year anyway.

[Swaggs]

I think the stuff about his wife is a reach, right now.

The website that posted the entry about her is not of the highest journalistic integrity (not that it is particularly bad, just more of a fansite with messageboard-ish tendencies).

I don't really see how this would wreck the football program or anything like that. It would tarnish Stew's nice guy image, but the offense is Holgorson's and the defense is Casteel's. Stewart's strengths as a head coach are his social skills (w/ fundraising), recruiting/closing, and his (supposed) loyalty to the state/university. In other words, he is largely a figurehead/administrator.

Hopefully, things don't go down the way they are looking right now, because Coach Stewart has been a good coach and a great representative of the school/state. But, if it happens, I don't see it affecting our wins or losses next season.

I do put a lot of blame for this on the A.D. If he wanted a new coach, he should have just installed Holgs and had the balls to fire Stew.

[Atocep]

I think the stuff about his wife is a reach, right now.

The website that posted the entry about her is not of the highest journalistic integrity (not that it is particularly bad, just more of a fansite with messageboard-ish tendencies).

I don't really see how this would wreck the football program or anything like that. It would tarnish Stew's nice guy image, but the offense is Holgorson's and the defense is Casteel's. Stewart's strengths as a head coach are his social skills (w/ fundraising), recruiting/closing, and his (supposed) loyalty to the state/university. In other words, he is largely a figurehead/administrator.

Hopefully, things don't go down the way they are looking right now, because Coach Stewart has been a good coach and a great representative of the school/state. But, if it happens, I don't see it affecting our wins or losses next season.

I do put a lot of blame for this on the A.D. If he wanted a new coach, he should have just installed Holgs and had the balls to fire Stew.


I had heard the wife thing before that article went up, but at that point there were so many rumors floating around it was hard to separate fact from fiction. Some are shooting that down now.

I do agree that Stew shouldn't be coaching this year. Luck should have just manned up and given Stew his buyout money.

[Swaggs]

Colin Dunlap, who was the WVU beat writer for the Post-Gazette up until earlier this year, just said (on a radio) show that Bill Stewart contacted him and another journalist to try to "dig up dirt" on Dana Holgersen last December.

If true, and it seems unlikely that Dunlap had any reason to lie, I don't see any way that Stew and Holgorsen can work together any longer.

I expect that Stewart is going to be unemployed in the next day or two. It is a shame, as this will really tarnish Stew's nice guy, team/school-first legacy and, I suspect, end any chance he had at getting a lower prestige (MAC or CUSA-type) head coaching gig.

[Atocep]

Colin Dunlap, who was the WVU beat writer for the Post-Gazette up until earlier this year, just said (on a radio) show that Bill Stewart contacted him and another journalist to try to "dig up dirt" on Dana Holgersen last December.

If true, and it seems unlikely that Dunlap had any reason to lie, I don't see any way that Stew and Holgorsen can work together any longer.

I expect that Stewart is going to be unemployed in the next day or two. It is a shame, as this will really tarnish Stew's nice guy, team/school-first legacy and, I suspect, end any chance he had at getting a lower prestige (MAC or CUSA-type) head coaching gig.

On top of this there seems to be a divide in the athletic department between the old guard (mostly left from the Nehlen era and big Stew supporters) and Luck along with the people he's brought in. There's even a small number of donors that are pissed over Stew being forced out that are causing problems as well.

I know Luck has made some changes to break up the good ole' boy network that has pissed off a lot of people and those that support Stew seem to think if they can get dirt on Holgerson they can save Stew's job.

Right now all I know is Stew needs to go sooner rather than later. It would solve a lot of problems in the short term and I've heard Luck is slowly bringing in new people to the Athletic Department. Of course, a lot of this could have been avoided by simply firing Bill Stewart to begin with.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Mike Hamilton resigns in Knoxville

[DeToxRox]

lol Mike Leach.

dennisdoddcbs Dennis Dodd
by schadjoe
Mike Leach just calls West Virginia situation "underhanded and hillbilly." Channel 91 XM, folks. Now.

[Swaggs]

I'm hearing that Coach Stewart and WVU have reached a settlement and that he will be out (probably resign) by the end of the week. As I mentioned above, I hate to see him go out like this and probably end a good, long career, but I think it will be better than dealing with the HCIW situation any longer.

Plus, it will allow us to add another member to the coaching staff that is permitted to recruit since HC and HCIW have the same restrictions. Will be interesting to see who fills the final coaching slot with Holgorsen moving up.

[Swaggs]

Looks like Coach Stewart and the University will have a press release shortly and a conference this evening to announce his resignation. I feel bad for the guy, but it was getting too messy with the HCIW thing.

Early speculation is that Seth Littrell from Arizona may get the invitation to become the new OC.

[DeToxRox]

Michigan's Legacy jersey for the Night Game vs Notre Dame. I used this pic because it is insane how fucking jacked Denard got:

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/254565_234147106599973_100000140564752_1140266_1854930_n.jpg

[Eaglesfan27]

A political action committee called CAPA has been formed to "initiate transformation of the NCAA's guidelines and arbitrary governance of college athletics." The group is not about just USC issues but has representation from multiple schools.

So far the following things have been accomplished:

1. An AmLaw 100 legal firm has been engaged and has agreed to represent this group once it has been formally established, and all filings for its status as an entity are completed.
2. An international public relations group has also agreed to handle all media and awareness of this group once formally established.
3. A leading think tank and lobbying group has also agreed to be involved in the handling of legislative matters in regards to the mission of this group.
4. Other research and strategic programs have begun.
5. Engagement of possible persons and groups with interest in the mission of this group has also begun.

One of their goals is to get all punishments against all schools suspended immediately while they challenge the fairness of the NCAA's punishment process and bring about change in that process.

[Logan]

Good luck with that.

[Tigercat]

One of their goals is to get all punishments against all schools suspended immediately while they challenge the fairness of the NCAA's punishment process and bring about change in that process.

Wow. My school got screwed 15+ years ago primarily because the NCAA hated the way our coach spoke out against the NCAA. But in the end some wrong was done by representatives of the school, and life went on. Sometimes when you do the crime the time isn't fair, but life isn't fair, move on and don't break the rules next time.

[DeToxRox]

Not just on FOFC, but in general it seems as if OSU fans are taking their punishment far better than USC fans have taken theirs.

[DeToxRox]

Dear God Sparty:

MSUAD Mark Hollis
Mike "the Situation" Sorrentino of Jersey Shore is going to be a #Spartan fan this season. Catch him at a game in Spartan Stadium.
6 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Tigercat]

Not just on FOFC, but in general it seems as if OSU fans are taking their punishment far better than USC fans have taken theirs.

One can understand being upset and pissing a moaning for a few years because the punishment seems unfair. But it seems USC as an institution and its supporters think that a HORRENDOUS wrong has been done and that the Earth should stop moving just because of a possibly heavy handed sentence given for breaking the rules.

[gstelmack]

Not just on FOFC, but in general it seems as if OSU fans are taking their punishment far better than USC fans have taken theirs.

What punishment? OSU lost some players for a few games, big whoop. Isn't one of the issues here that OSU has not really been hit at all?

[Matthean]

Dear God Sparty:

MSUAD Mark Hollis
Mike "the Situation" Sorrentino of Jersey Shore is going to be a #Spartan fan this season. Catch him at a game in Spartan Stadium.
6 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

It's times like these I get reminded of how glad I am to be a Michigan fan instead.

[dawgfan]

What punishment? OSU lost some players for a few games, big whoop. Isn't one of the issues here that OSU has not really been hit at all?
Exactly. Let's hear what they have to say after the NCAA weighs in...

And while I think that USC fans should really buck up and move on (as a Washington fan, I can relate to the feeling of being screwed-over by the NCAA), they also have legitimate reasons to feel like they got punishment that significantly exceeded the crime when compared to previous NCAA punishments.

[I. J. Reilly]

Uh Oh Oregon, Willie’s talkin’

Scout details relationship with Oregon, Kelly - College Football - Rivals.com (http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ys-robinson_scout_details_deal_oregon_kelly_070111)

[dawgfan]

Uh Oh Oregon, Willie’s talkin’

Scout details relationship with Oregon, Kelly - College Football - Rivals.com (http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ys-robinson_scout_details_deal_oregon_kelly_070111)
I'm am so enjoying watching Oregon begin their descent into NCAA penalty hell...

:popcorn:

[gstelmack]

Some tips for college coaches:

Chip Kelly, Jim Tressel need guide to smarter NCAA rule-breaking - Andy Staples - SI.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/andy_staples/07/05/cheating-for-dummies/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_t11_a1)

[gstelmack]

Carolina signs Tomas Kaberle 3 yrs/$4.25 million a year.

They then ship Joe Corvo to Boston for a 4th round pick.

Well at least the teams are open about buying players now.

:D

(pssst, wrong thread...)

[dawgfan]

Some tips for college coaches:

Chip Kelly, Jim Tressel need guide to smarter NCAA rule-breaking - Andy Staples - SI.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/andy_staples/07/05/cheating-for-dummies/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_t11_a1)
I really am amazed at how stupid Oregon appears to have been in all of this. Also highly amused and happy, but amazed too.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Well at least the teams are open about buying players now.

:D

(pssst, wrong thread...)

Someone needs to report this shit. Links taking you to the wrong thread CANNOT STAND.

And I refuse to believe I hit the the wrong link. So don't bother...

[cartman]

WR Marquise Goodman of the Longhorns announced he is going to redshirt this year to spend time getting ready for the 2012 Olympics. He just qualified for the World Championships in the long jump, and will compete at the event in September.

[Ksyrup]

What would possess a coach to use the word "orchestrate" in ANYTHING having to do with recruiting, legit or not?

[JonInMiddleGA]

UGA takes another hit as leading returning rusher RB Caleb King is declared academically ineligible, just weeks after last year's other leading rusher Washaun Ealey left school following two disciplinary suspensions.

That clears the way for freshman Isiah Crowell as the likely starter.

[Atocep]

The NCAA accepts WVU's self imposed sanctions.

2 years probation, loss of 3 scholarships over 2 years, along with some coaching restrictions that have for the most part already happened.

Not quite the USC level penalties a certain coach at Marshall was telling recruits.

[Atocep]

And Tyler Gabbert leaves Louisville a week after transferring there.

There's a rumor that he tried to get back with Mizzou but was told "thanks, but no thanks". I'll let the Mizzou posters here confirm whether or not it's true.

[DeToxRox]

So what's the story here Jon?

NCAA will announce GT findings at 3 p.m.; Thomas denies involvement

9:22 am July 14, 2011, by rcox

The NCAA will announce the results of an investigation into alleged violations committed by Georgia Tech’s football program at 3 p.m. today.

The alleged violations occurred within the football program within the past several years. An NCAA spokesman declined to say whether the nature of the violations are serious or minor because the NCAA doesn’t comment until investigatory finds are released. A phone conference is scheduled with Dennis Thomas, the chair of the NCAA’s infractions committee, at 3 p.m. Georgia Tech President Dr. G.P. “Bud” Peterson and Athletic Director Dan Radakovich will hold a press conference at 4:30 p.m.

Demaryius Thomas denied a blog report that he accepted improper gifts while enrolled at Tech. In a text message, Thomas said he was offered things by people not affiliated with Tech, but never accepted. Morgan Burnett was also implicated in the report. Attempts to reach him or his agent haven’t been successful.

If there are immediate penalties, it would be the second time within five years the Jackets have been punished.

Tech learned in 2003 that it had been misapplying an NCAA eligibility rule and worked with the NCAA to investigate the nature and results of the error. They learned that 17 athletes, including 11 football players, who were academically ineligible were allowed to compete during the 1998 and ‘99 seasons.

As a result, Georgia Tech was on a two-year probation that resulted in self-imposed scholarship cuts (from 85 to 79) and a reduction in signing classes (from 25 to no more than 19) in 2005 and 2006. In addition to those penalties, the NCAA infractions committee added a limit of 79 total football scholarships for the 2006 and 2007 teams, six below the normal maximum.

The infractions committee also recommended that Tech vacate wins from seasons, 1998-2002, plus 2004, which were all winning seasons that ended in bowl trips. Tech appealed and the NCAA appeals committee agreed, allowing the results of those seasons to stand.

The NCAA did say that if Tech commits another major infraction before Nov. 17, 2010, it will be subject to added penalties as a repeat violator

The NCAA has been in what appears to be a testy mood regarding alleged violations in wake of scandals at Ohio State, Southern California and North Carolina, among other places. The Trojans were forced by the NCAA to forfeit its 2004 national championship and the Buckeyes voluntarily forfeited 12 wins and their 2010 Sugar Bowl victory in an attempt to appease the infractions committee. Penalties against North Carolina’s program haven’t been announced. However, numerous players were suspended for all or parts of last season.

Please keep checking back for news.

– Doug Roberson, AJC. Follow on twitter @ajcgatech

[JonInMiddleGA]

So what's the story here Jon?
Beats the hell out of me, to be honest I don't even recall knowing that there was an investigation still open.

I recall the '03 stuff but as for anything new ... ?

edit to add: Doing some quick surfing & reading, looks like this is sort of along the lines of the A.J. Green incident, except that instead of selling stuff to an "agent" these guys may have accepted relatively minor (i.e. not cash, things like a watch & whatnot) gifts from one.

If that's the case, we deserve whatever the going rate for that kind of thing is. If CPJ or DR (or whatever) is found complicit in any way then I hope the press conference also announces their dismissal.

[Ksyrup]

Mandel from SI.com tweeted that he didn't know of an active investigation.

[digamma]

Supposedly Morgan Burnett and Bebe Thomas received gifts from a street agent at some point during the 2009 season. Both left early after that season.

The GT staff was apparently unaware of the gifts, and as a result was not as forthcoming with the NCAA as the NCAA would have liked.

The speculation is that it will be a loss of games and maybe the 2009 ACC title, but no scholarship losses.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The GT staff was apparently unaware of the gifts, and as a result was not as forthcoming with the NCAA as the NCAA would have liked.

Am I the only person somewhat confused by this? (which is consistent with what I've read over the past hour).

How can you be not forthcoming about something you didn't know about in the first place?

[Ksyrup]

Yep, I thought the same thing. Maybe it's a "you should have known" thing, more than not being forthcoming?

[digamma]

Maybe a little of both. I get the feeling it is a bit of you should have known, but also some unwillingness to cooperate by the GT admin.

[Ksyrup]

Or, their unwillingness to cooperate suggests they knew more than the NCAA can prove.

[BYU 14]

Wanted to add a good story. If you have ever seen an interview with Eric LeGrand you know what an amazing person he is and how positive he has been about recover.

Long way to go, but I am so happy for him!

Paralyzed Rutgers defensive lineman Eric LeGrand tweets photos of himself standing up - College Football News | FOX Sports on MSN (http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/Paralyzed-Rutgers-defensive-lineman-Eric-LeGrand-tweets-photos-of-himself-standing-up-071311/?gt1=39002)


LeGrand on Twitter: Standing tall, we can't fall. Standing upright again
Eric LeGrand via Twitter


Rutgers defensive lineman Eric LeGrand Wednesday tweeted photos of himself standing up for the first time since suffering a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed nine months ago.

With his mother at his side, LeGrand tweeted a picture of himself standing with assistance, telling his 7,000-plus followers, "Standing up little by little in therapy."

The 20-year-old then tweeted a second photo, declaring, "Standing tall, we can't fall. Standing upright again."

LeGrand, who remains a student at Rutgers, left the hospital in late March to return to his Jackson, N.J., home to continue his rehabilitation.

LeGrand was initially paralyzed from the neck down in a collision on a kickoff Oct. 16, 2010 against Army, fracturing his C3 and C4 vertebrae.

He has continued to make steady progress, regaining sensation in his chest, biceps and fingertips. Last week he tweeted that he was moving his arms "little by little."

[Logan]

I gobble up all the LeGrand news. Was proudly wearing my LeGrand jersey shirt with Keep Chopping on the back last week in Puerto Rico when someone recognized it and asked me how he was doing.

Here's the pic:

http://a.yfrog.com/img740/7782/8hoj.jpg

[GrantDawg]

Hearing strange and seemingly contradictory rumors on the GT thing, and from the same source. The expectation is no scholarships lost, or wins forfeited, yet they still think it will be a LOI ruling. That makes little sense. I hope it is not a big deal thing, because (unlike everyone in yellow and black would be in the reverse situation), I don't wish anything bad on the Techies.

[Swaggs]

I thought this was kind of funny (and short):

CFB - Doug Marrone is the Friendliest Football Coach in America - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6722641)

[digamma]

Hearing strange and seemingly contradictory rumors on the GT thing, and from the same source. The expectation is no scholarships lost, or wins forfeited, yet they still think it will be a LOI ruling. That makes little sense. I hope it is not a big deal thing, because (unlike everyone in yellow and black would be in the reverse situation), I don't wish anything bad on the Techies.

Hey, I resemble this remark!

[GrantDawg]

Uff. 2009 title didn't happen, 100k fine, and 4 years probation.

GT hit hard by NCAA: Must vacate 2009 title - College Football Nation Blog - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/43856/gt-hit-hard-by-ncaa-must-vacate-2009-title)

[digamma]

The main issue appears to be we gave Morgan Burnett a heads up before his interview with the NCAA, which I guess is a violation of NCAA rules. "Manipulation" of the investigation.

4 years of probation for $624 worth of clothes. Hope tOSU is ready.

[Swaggs]

Damn... That seems way too severe for the infraction (and I usually think otherwise in these situations).

[Ksyrup]

They repeatedly stressed that the harshness of the sanction was for the failure to cooperate. The $624 is pretty much irrelevant. Intentionally trying to manipulate an investigation to get through the remainder of a successful year is what nailed them. And yes, I think the OSU situation was a factor here. But arguing that these sanctions are too severe for $624 of impermissible benefits is like saying Clinton shouldn't have been impeached for getting a blowjob.

[digamma]

Obviously GT disputes the failure to cooperate and manipulation. AD says they encouraged the player to tell the truth in the meeting held prior to the NCAA investigation. And they didn't believe at the time there was enough evidence to make an eligibility decision. (As the NCAA report acknowledges a player's cousin was involved, GT says they were told the clothing came from the cousin.)

Benign explanation--we had to tell our head football coach one of his players was going to be questioned by the NCAA as the player was going to come to him to ask about the meeting. How is the head coach going to feel if he is blindsided by a player question and can't respond?

[digamma]

One other tidbit from the GT press conference: NCAA acknowledged in the infractions committee hearing that if GT would have declared the players ineligible prior to the UGA game in 2009, they would have been reinstated and eligible for play. So stupid.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Benign explanation--we had to tell our head football coach one of his players was going to be questioned by the NCAA as the player was going to come to him to ask about the meeting. How is the head coach going to feel if he is blindsided by a player question and can't respond?

Maybe I'm misunderstanding the report, but I thought telling CPJ was fine.
I thought it was CPJ talking to the player about it that was the problem.

[digamma]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding the report, but I thought telling CPJ was fine.
I thought it was CPJ talking to the player about it that was the problem.

Yes and no. D-Rad was dealing with the NCAA and he was who had been told to keep the matter confidential. So his telling CPJ was the initial problem. When the player came to CPJ, both he and D-Rad met with the player. There's your second problem. But the manipulation supposedly started when CPJ was informed.

I was kind of "live" posting that while listening to the press conference. Probably didn't attribute it correctly, but that was essentially D-Rad's explanation or rationale behind telling CPJ to start.

[JonInMiddleGA]

{shakes head} The former player who was involved in this mess (and was eventually barred from facilities & comp tickets)? None other than former backup QB Calvin Booker, whose got his only career start in the embarassing near-loss at home to Gardner-Webb back in '08.

Three guesses where he began his college career? Yup.

Auburn.

[Ksyrup]

Obviously GT disputes the failure to cooperate and manipulation. AD says they encouraged the player to tell the truth in the meeting held prior to the NCAA investigation. And they didn't believe at the time there was enough evidence to make an eligibility decision. (As the NCAA report acknowledges a player's cousin was involved, GT says they were told the clothing came from the cousin.)

Benign explanation--we had to tell our head football coach one of his players was going to be questioned by the NCAA as the player was going to come to him to ask about the meeting. How is the head coach going to feel if he is blindsided by a player question and can't respond?

I'm not really disputing the underlying facts here, since I (or any of us, really) don't know them. I am talking about the conclusion reached - assuming the NCAA has enough to charge them with failing to cooperate (whatever the facts and circumstances are), then they are being punished primarily for that, not for $624 in impermissible benefits. If the NCAA is wrong, then the penalty is too harsh regardless. At this point, I'll give the NCAA the benefit of the doubt. This also included some basketball violations as well.

[Easy Mac]

Is LSU going down next?

LSU Tigers give copies of recruiting material from Willie Lyles to NCAA - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/6771001/lsu-tigers-give-copies-recruiting-material-willie-lyles-ncaa)

BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU has given the NCAA copies of material it received from recruiting service owner Willie Lyles and his Complete Scouting Services.

The school said in a news release Thursday that it paid $6,000 in December for printed information and DVDs of game footage and highlights of 32 California and Kansas junior college prospects eligible to sign national letters of intent in February. LSU also got footage of two players it hadn't asked about, one from 2008, and 91 pages of largely outdated roster-type material from junior colleges in California and Kansas.

LSU is cooperating with the NCAA investigation, and several football coaches met with an NCAA official on campus last week.

The NCAA is looking into Oregon's $25,000 payment to Lyles' firm and his involvement in the recruitment of running back Lache Seastrunk of Temple, Texas.

The probe is focused on what exactly Oregon obtained from Lyles. In recent interviews, Lyles has said that he and the Ducks both knew he was selling access and influence with highly recruited players.

In March, ESPN.com quoted former Texas A&M cornerbacks coach Van Malone as saying Lyles told him the school would have to "beat" an $80,000 payment offered by other schools to get former LSU star cornerback Patrick Peterson to play for the Aggies.

Peterson, who played for LSU from 2008-10, has said Lyles had nothing to do with his recruitment or college choice.

[gstelmack]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding the report, but I thought telling CPJ was fine.
I thought it was CPJ talking to the player about it that was the problem.

Yes and no. D-Rad was dealing with the NCAA and he was who had been told to keep the matter confidential. So his telling CPJ was the initial problem. When the player came to CPJ, both he and D-Rad met with the player. There's your second problem. But the manipulation supposedly started when CPJ was informed.

I was kind of "live" posting that while listening to the press conference. Probably didn't attribute it correctly, but that was essentially D-Rad's explanation or rationale behind telling CPJ to start.

Flere, we need you and your diagrams!

[JonInMiddleGA]

There might be the tiniest hope for a huge silver lining in the GT findings.

If, as the NCAA seems to be saying, the basketball violations were major instead of minor, that would have been cause for Hewitt's dismissal and would negate the buyout.

Of course, I doubt whether GT can apply that retroactively but it's at least a tiny ray of hope.

[DeToxRox]

lol

RT @ClayTravisBGID Volquest.com reports that UT was set to announce Georgia Tech's AD as UT's new AD until news of NCAA violations at Tech.

[tarcone]

There are rumors of a SEC West team getting hit. A reporter from Yahoo Sports is sitting on a story about the violations.

I see LSU may be the culprit.

On another note, Auburn Gene Chizik asked the enforcement czar of the NCAA if their inverstigation was done. He asked her during a meeting with the Enforcement czar and all the SEC football and basketball coaches. The NCAAsaid the investigation is still open and ongoing. That was a bad move, coach.

Seems Chizik was trying to get the other SEC coaches to quit using probation as a negative recruiting tool against Auburn. Now he has cut his own nose off.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Gary Pinkel stated at Media Day that a final grade for Sheldon Richardson is due on August 4th. If he passes, he'll be eligible to play for Mizzou this season. Adding a five star player to what is already the best defensive line in the Big 12 would be a huge development for Mizzou.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

dola

Kudos to Coach Dan Devine. He's going to be honored by Notre Dame with a life-size bronze statue at the stadium on October 8th. I know some of the family very well and they're very excited about it.

[tarcone]

Iowa/Nebraska Rivalry Trophy to be unveiled on Friday. Cant wait to see it.

[DeToxRox]

There is a rumor that Butch Davis has been fired today. UNC won't comment.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Iowa/Nebraska Rivalry Trophy to be unveiled on Friday. Cant wait to see it.

I found an early prototype drawing:


http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/169/169,1228866049,8/stock-vector-farmer-straw-hat-21805966.jpg

[Chief Rum]

I hear the trophy is going to actually be two one way plane tickets to anywhere outside of either state.

[DeToxRox]

And it's confirmed everywhere that Butch has been fired.

[Eaglesfan27]

The Pac-12 has put together an impressive network deal that should be very good for the conference:

For Immediate Release // July 27, 2011
Contact // Kirk Reynolds, 925-330-9594, ([email protected])

PAC-12 CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF PAC-12 NETWORKS IN HISTORIC JOINT DEAL WITH COMCAST, TIME WARNER CABLE, COX COMMUNICATIONS AND BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS

Deal to bring 850 Pac-12 events annually to almost 40 million cable TV households nationwide
Agreement also includes six regional networks across Pac-12 footprint


NEW YORK --In an innovative arrangement providing unprecedented exposure for its athletic and academic programs, the Pac-12 Conference announced today the creation of Pac-12 Networks, which will include a national network and six regional networks, in conjunction with four of the nation's largest cable operators: Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Bright House Networks.

In addition to broadly distributing the Pac-12 Networks, the four cable operators are utilizing iN DEMAND to provide certain production and operations services to the Pac-12 Networks, which will continue to be wholly owned by the Pac-12 Conference.

This transformative arrangement, set to begin in August 2012, marks the first time a U.S. collegiate conference or any other programmer has launched a collection of networks across a variety of platforms rather than a sole network. And it includes “TV everywhere” rights, permitting the networks to be viewed outside customers’ homes on any digital device, such as smartphones and tablet computers, creating a virtual “Pac-12 Everywhere.”

Expressing his excitement with the new agreement, Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said, “As we explored the potential for a Pac-12 network, it became clear that we could customize programming towards local interests and provide our students, alumni, and many fans the widest possible range of events with the best opportunity to see the schools they care about most.”

Scott praised Melinda Witmer as Chairman of iN DEMAND for bringing iN DEMAND and its potential to the discussions. “This is an example of how innovative organizations can collaborate to create something that is entirely original and that willserve the college sports fan better than anything that has existed before,” he said. “We look forward to taking advantage of our cable partners’ vast production, marketing and advertising resources to serve our fans both through the regional networks and the national network.”

Ms. Witmer, who is also Executive Vice President and Chief Video and Content Officer for Time Warner Cable, said: “iN DEMAND is proud to be part of this groundbreaking plan to bring millions of Pac-12 fans a unique blend of national and regional programming. This innovative deal demonstrates the strengths of the cable platform, and the unique ability we have to provide deep local, regional and national programming on multiple platforms and multiple devices ? giving our customers the ability to watch their favorite teams anywhere. We are pleased to be associated with these leading universities, and look forward to working with them and the Conference to make this innovative arrangement a success.”

The six regional networks will be established in Northern California, Southern California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Mountain regions.

The deal complements a major national broadcast and cable agreement announced in May. At that time, the Conference announced the creation of Pac-12 Media Enterprises, the first step in creating the TV networks that are being announced today. Pac-12 Media Enterprises is also expected to eventually announce distribution arrangements covering satellite and telco transmission.

Regional and National Network Programming

Under the agreement announced today, Pac-12 Networks eventually will telecast a total of 850 live events annually ? 350 on the national feed and 500 on the regional feeds -- including every football game and every men’s basketball game that isn’t carried by national telecast partners. Additional events will include spring football, and every sport played by Pac-12 programs including all conference championships. Pac-12 also will be working to launch additional content on broadband.

The agreement will provide unprecedented exposure for women’s sports, as well as exposure for both men’s and women’s programs that have been traditionally underserved on television. This includes extensive coverage of Pac 12 athletes in Olympic sports, where the Pac-12 has had more success than any other U.S. conference. Over 200 Pac-12 athletes competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and if the Pac-12 were its own country it would have finished sixth in the total medal count.

Pac 12 Networks will feature extensive educational, academic and lifestyle programming from the Pac-12 Institutions, some of the most renowned and recognizable higher education institutions in the world. Programming will extend beyond athletics to other subjects of interest to students, faculty, alumni and fans of the Pac-12 universities.

Through this agreement Pac-12 Networks will be available nationwide to almost 40 million cable customers. Within the Pac-12 Conference’s six-state footprint, Pac-12 Networks will be broadly distributed and available to Pac-12’s far-flung alumni and fans across the country.

Terms of the arrangement were not disclosed.

About the Pac-12 Conference
The Conference has a tradition as the “Conference of Champions,” earning more than 175 NCAA team titles over the past 20 years, and has led the nation in NCAAChampionships in 44 of the last 50 years. The Conference comprises 12 leading U.S. universities: The University of Arizona, Arizona State University, theUniversity of California-Berkeley, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Stanford University, the University of Southern California, the University of Washington, Washington State University, the University of Utah, and the University of Colorado (joining in 2012). Conference offices are located 25 miles east of San Francisco in Walnut Creek, CA. For more information on the Conference’s programs, member institutions, and Commissioner Larry Scott, go to www.pac-12.org.
About iN DEMAND L.L.C.

iN DEMAND L.L.C. is a pioneer and world leader in providing exciting transactional and subscription entertainment delivered through television’s most innovative technologies. iN DEMAND creates and delivers programming through cable Pay-Per-View (PPV), Video-On-Demand (VOD) as well as on digital platforms. PPV programming includes movies, boxing and mixed martial arts events and the digital out-of-market subscription professional sports packages for MLB, the NBA, the NHL and MLS. The company also offers a range of VOD products including first-run movies and serves as the exclusive TV home of Howard Stern via its Howard TV On Demand offering. Content is delivered in Standard, High Definition and 3D. iN DEMAND also launched a new, multi-platform Subscription VOD (SVOD) movie service called “Vutopia.” iN DEMAND’s owners are Comcast iN DEMAND Holdings, Inc., Cox Communications Holdings, Inc., and Time Warner Entertainment - Advance/Newhouse Partnership. Further information about the company can be found at iN DEMAND (www.indemand.com) < http://www.indemand.com> iN DEMAND (www.indemand.com).

About Comcast

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communications products and services. Comcast is principally involved in the operation of cable systems through Comcast Cable and in the development, production and distribution of entertainment, news, sports and other content for global audiences through NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of thenation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential and business customers. Comcast is the majority owner and manager of NBCUniversal, which owns and operates entertainment and news cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, local television station groups, television production operations, a major motion picture company and theme parks.

About Time Warner Cable

Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC) is among the largest providers of video, high-speed data and voice services in the United States, connecting more than 14 million customers to entertainment, information and each other. Time Warner Cable Business Class offers data, video and voice services to businesses of all sizes, cell tower backhaul services to wireless carriers and, through its NaviSite subsidiary, enterprise-class hosting, managed application, messaging and cloud services. Time Warner Cable Media, the advertising arm of Time Warner Cable, offers national, regional and local companies innovative advertising solutions. More information about the services of Time Warner Cable is available at Time Warner Cable | Time Warner Cable | Corporate (www.timewarnercable.com), Time Warner Cable Business Class | Home (www.twcbc.com) , www.navisite.com, and Time Warner Cable Media - Cable TV Advertising (www.twcmedia.com).


About Cox Communications:

Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and wirelessservices over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves more than 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and new media advertising.

Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For seven years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; for six years, Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity, and the company holds a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and Cox Media (www.coxmedia.com).

About Bright House Networks

Bright House Networks serves more than 2.4 million customers who subscribe to one or more of its video, high-speed data and voice services. The company also offers a full suite of phone, Internet, Ethernet and cable television services to businesses of all sizes. Bright House Media Strategies, the advertising arm of Bright House Networks, offers businesses advanced targeted advertising solutions. Bright House Networks also owns and operates exclusive local news and sports channels in its Florida markets. More information about the products and services of Bright House Networks is available at Bright House Networks - TV | Home Phone | Internet | Serving Tampa Bay, Orlando-Central Florida, Indianapolis, Birmingham, Bakersfield and Detroit (www.brighthouse.com).

- www.pac-12.org -

[dawgfan]

Larry Scott is on fire. The contrast of the conference under his leadership vs. how it was under Tom Hansen is huuuuuuuuge.

Granted, some of that is due to the conference's University Presidents deciding it was time for the conference to join the 21st century, but still - I just don't think Hansen would have been in the same ballpark of creative thinking that Scott has shown.

[Swaggs]

And it's confirmed everywhere that Butch has been fired.

Nice timing with only a week or two until camps open.

I wonder if they just go the interim route or try to get their long-term replacement now. It would be pretty messed up for someone like Kevin Sumlin or Gus Malzhan to leave their program at this point.

I wonder if someone like Tommy Bowden, Ralph Friedgen, Randy Shannon or someone like that (who is unlikely to get another BCS-type gig anytime soon or ever again) would be interested in giving it a shot for a few years.

[Atocep]

Nice timing with only a week or two until camps open.

I wonder if they just go the interim route or try to get their long-term replacement now. It would be pretty messed up for someone like Kevin Sumlin or Gus Malzhan to leave their program at this point.

I wonder if someone like Tommy Bowden, Ralph Friedgen, Randy Shannon or someone like that (who is unlikely to get another BCS-type gig anytime soon or ever again) would be interested in giving it a shot for a few years.

From what I've read this was a fight between the academics people and the football people and the academics won. If that's the case I'd expect a very safe hire as the replacement. Shannon makes some sense in that regard.

[Swaggs]

I read that UNC turned over it's Board of Governors today and their first order of business was to vote him out.

[gstelmack]

Nice timing with only a week or two until camps open.

This was the big topic of talk radio today. Instead of firing him months ago after the news came out, or waiting until the season is over and the investigation has run its course, doing it right before the season starts seems like horrible timing.

[Logan]

Joe Poz on paying college athletes:

Joe Posnanski » Posts The College Connection « (http://joeposnanski.si.com/2011/07/28/the-college-connection/)

[dawgfan]

This was the big topic of talk radio today. Instead of firing him months ago after the news came out, or waiting until the season is over and the investigation has run its course, doing it right before the season starts seems like horrible timing.
It is. Best thing North Carolina could do is bite the bullet, admit that whoever is taking over is an interim coach and commit to doing a full, proper coaching search in November/December. It will mean punting this season and punting this season's recruiting class, but it will be better for the Tar Heels in the long run.

Firing a coach this late in the cycle is really bad, no way around it.

[digamma]

After they wasted last season, as well.

That team with those defensive players last year would have been among the best in the Coastal division. So, they've possibly thrown two seasons away because of their poor management of the situation.

[dawgfan]

Joe Poz on paying college athletes:

Joe Posnanski » Posts The College Connection « (http://joeposnanski.si.com/2011/07/28/the-college-connection/)
As usual, Poz nails it.

[gstelmack]

It is. Best thing North Carolina could do is bite the bullet, admit that whoever is taking over is an interim coach and commit to doing a full, proper coaching search in November/December. It will mean punting this season and punting this season's recruiting class, but it will be better for the Tar Heels in the long run.

Firing a coach this late in the cycle is really bad, no way around it.

Well, the AD said today he's stepping down as soon as they find a replacement so that the replacement is not stuck with a coach they didn't hire. Expectations were he was gone next year once the NCAA investigation finished anyway.

[Logan]

Eric LeGrand with members of the Army football team today, including Malcolm Brown, who LeGrand was tackling when he became paralyzed.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/large/358313614.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJF3XCCKACR3QDMOA&Expires=1311887954&Signature=C1G8%2F0qz9rM8q7srr8bc49pwMUc%3D

FYI, LeGrand stood for about 40 minutes a few days ago.

[tarcone]

Iowa and Nebraska to play for the Hy-Vee Heroes Trophy.

Logo

http://thegazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/heroesgamelogo.jpg

[tarcone]

I was talking to a friend of mine yesterday. He played basketball in college in the Philippines. He said in the early 80s when he was playing he made $1000 a month to play. Another school approached him to play for them for $1400 a month. He said at that school, the players didnt have to go to class, just play basketball.

I found this interesting.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Iowa and Nebraska to play for the Hy-Vee Heroes Trophy.

Logo

http://thegazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/heroesgamelogo.jpg

What are they heroes of? This is serious, right?

[StLee]

I was talking to a friend of mine yesterday. He played basketball in college in the Philippines. He said in the early 80s when he was playing he made $1000 a month to play. Another school approached him to play for them for $1400 a month. He said at that school, the players didnt have to go to class, just play basketball.

I found this interesting.

I teach college in Korea. Athletes are recruited to play ball, not go to class. When I had to teach sports majors, I would see some of them about five times or so over the course of the semester. Then again, Korean college is more like what we define as trade school in the States because Korea doesn't have a true liberal arts education. A language major doesn't take science, history, and math here (among the other courses we take in the States); they take a whole hell of a lot of language classes.

[JonInMiddleGA]

What are they heroes of? This is serious, right?

Wrong heroes apparently.

In advance of the game, fans of each school will be encouraged to nominate everyday citizens of Iowa and Nebraska who deserve to be honored for extraordinary acts of heroism. One citizen-hero from each state will be invited to attend the game as a special guest of the teams, receive on-field recognition, and have his or her name inscribed on the game trophy.
In addition, UI and NU officials are counting on the intense interest in the big game to help raise money for non-profit organizations doing heroic work in the two states. Hy-Vee stores in Iowa and Nebraska will spearhead the fundraising effort by creating activities designed to engage and excite fans of each school.

Edeker of Hy-Vee said the American Red Cross chapters in Iowa and Nebraska have been selected as the beneficiaries of the first “Heroes Game” series, which includes this fall’s matchup and the teams’ 2012 meeting in Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

edit to add: It think it's supposed to be like the old GT-UGA "Scottish Rite" JV game (back when there were college JV teams). The title referred to the beneficiaries of the charity surrounding the event, not the participants.

[Atocep]

The new Big East football blogger on ESPN apparently wasn't warned about RugtersAl and answered one of his questions.

RutgersAl in Bergenfield, N.J., writes: With more skill position talent on offense than USC, a much bolstered offensive line thx to players who are now ready to impact, and a much more experienced coaching staff, especially Frank Cignetti at OC, and Savon Huggins, arguably the best incoming running back in the nation, I see Rutgers atop the Big East. Last year, we lost 4 games by 11 points. That will reverse this year thanks to the improved talent/coaching. What do you think?

Adelson writes: First of all, I would most certainly give the edge to USC at quarterback over Rutgers. Offensive line, too. But as coach Greg Schiano told me at Big East media day, he understands why everyone has Rutgers picked last. I agree there is plenty of potential here, but I am not sure worst to first is in the cards this season. The Scarlet Knights have questions at cornerback and are undersized on the defensive line. The offensive line should be better. But how much better? Savon Huggins should be great. But will he live up to the hype? I think Rutgers will definitely be better. How much better is the big question.

[molson]

Very surprising to see Boise St. fire their athletic director today after 30 years, in response to the offseason NCAA investigation (which seemed minor, though I didn't follow it very closely). He's been there for the rise from Division II, to 1-AA, to within a short field goal of the Rose Bowl. And he's responsible for the blue turf. There's a lot of concern that this could encourage Chris Petersen to move on. I mean, who goes from Division II to a BCS Bowl in 30 years? It's been a crazy run.

[MacroGuru]

Very surprising to see Boise St. fire their athletic director today after 30 years, in response to the offseason NCAA investigation (which seemed minor, though I didn't follow it very closely). He's been there for the rise from Division II, to 1-AA, to within a short field goal of the Rose Bowl. And he's responsible for the blue turf. There's a lot of concern that this could encourage Chris Petersen to move on. I mean, who goes from Division II to a BCS Bowl in 30 years? It's been a crazy run.

His name was being beat up pretty bad in his man handling of the MWC the past few months. It was probably a combination of it all...

[tarcone]

Sorry I didnt get back earlier about the Heroes Game.

It is pretty much what JIMGA said. Iowas first 2 nominees are Salvatore Giunta (Medal of Honor recipient) and Nile Kinnick (Iowa football legend, died during military training).

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Sheldon Richardson FINALLY cleared for practice starting today. Hopefully that whole deal is behind him and he can get busy playing football.

[DeToxRox]

Joe Schad is reporting Knile Davis was carted off the field at Razorback practice today.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Joe Schad is reporting Knile Davis was carted off the field at Razorback practice today.

He's out for the season. Ouch.

[Vegas Vic]

"I'm still a man! I'm 41!"

Carpenter suing OSU's Mike Gundy

A carpenter says he has learned his lesson: Don't wear rival colors to Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy's house.

Gundy is being sued by a contractor who says he agreed to work on the coach's home in March. Brent Loveland of Choctaw says he arrived early in the morning on March 21 wearing a gray "Oklahoma Baseball" T-shirt with the university's name in red block letters.He and two others began to unload their equipment.

According to the lawsuit, Gundy arrived at the house at 9:30 a.m. and spotted Loveland's shirt. "How dare you come into my house and offend my wife," Gundy allegedly said. Gundy then allegedly used profanity as he told the contractor to get off his property. Gundy called Loveland a "stupid idiot" for wearing the shirt on "OSU soil," and refused Loveland's apologies, the lawsuit says. The contractor offered to turn his shirt inside-out, but was refused, according to the suit.

Loveland said he was never asked about his school loyalties before agreeing to do the work. He sued Gundy Thursday in state court for more than $10,000 in damages. He says he lost more than $30,000 in income from an expected 13 weeks of work.

Gundy released a statement through his attorney stating: "While I cannot discuss the specifics of pending litigation, I deny the allegations being made and welcome the opportunity to fully resolve the matter."

Loveland told the Tulsa World he dressed in the dark and was unaware his shirt had an OU logo on it.

Link to ESPN story (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/6857486/oklahoma-state-cowboys-mike-gundy-fired-ou-shirt)