SEC Clue: Lane Kiffin, In Knoxville, With A Ballot

It is highly unlikely Tim Tebow has spent much time reflecting on his recent snubbing by one of the SEC’s Head Coaches. After all, he has been a part of two National Championships, won a Heisman trophy, was runner up for another, and has two SEC Championship rings to top it off.

So not being a unanimous selection as first team All-SEC Quarterback probably did not even faze him. He likely never even gave it a second thought.

That does not make it any less of a travesty though. Tebow has earned the right in his senior season to be granted that much respect. Yes, I am sure there are many people out there that get sick of hearing ESPN sing his platitudes over, and over without end. I would freely admit to being one of them.

Having said that, there is no one else in the league that has come close to accomplishing what Tebow has. Matt Stafford was the No.1 pick in this years NFL draft and even he would not have deserved a vote had he remained for his senior season. Snead for Ole Miss is the best drop back passer in the league with Stafford leaving early, and likely received the one vote that prevented Tebow from being a unanimous selection, but has no business on the same level as Tebow right now.

That brings us to the likely suspects. Right away you can eliminate two names for sure, and probably three. Head Coaches cannot vote for their own quarterback. That would eliminate Urban Meyer and Houston Nutt. It hardly seems likely that new Miss. St. Head Coach and former Florida Offensive Coordinator Dan Mullen would have stuck a knife in the back of his former quarterback.

Mark Richt seems an obvious suspect with the animosity between the Georgia and Florida programs. It is not his style though. Despite the two losses, Tebow led teams have cost him Richt has far too much respect for the young Gator quarterback as a competitor to shortchange him like that.

You can also eliminate Steve Spurrier’s name from contention. I just cannot see the former Gator quarterback and Head Coach sticking his fellow alumni like that.

It was not Gene Chizik. He only does what Pat Dye tells him to and Dye does not care about quarterbacks, just tailbacks.

Rich Brooks and Bobby Petrino lack the motive, as does Bobby Johnson.

That leaves us with Nick Saban, Les Miles, and Lane Kiffin. All three have motive if you think about it. Saban’s team would have won the SEC and played for a National Championship last season if not for Tebow, so the motive could be revenge. Petty does not seem his style though and this was a petty act. Saban would have more than likely had him kneecapped if he was out for revenge.

Same thing for Miles, he does not seem the type to think so small. He has shown himself to be a risk taker in the past, even when it did not make sense to take one. I doubt he would have contented himself with just denying Tebow a unanimous vote.

That leaves Mr. Kiffin who has shown himself more than capable of petty behavior in his short tenure as Head Coach of the Volunteers. He has proven in the past that he will go to any length to stick it to the Gators, or to be more exact, Urban Meyer.

It would be very easy to imagine Kiffin not voting for Tebow in an attempt to mess with Meyer. He could likely justify it in his own mind after coming out looking like a fool following this past signing day when he accused Meyer of recruiting violations that did not exist. He did so after pointing out to another coaching staff that he knew recruiting rules because he had passed the test required of coaches before they are allowed on the road to recruit.

Maybe somebody should take another look at that test.

Most of all he would do it just to entertain Vol fans whose insecurity regarding the Gators goes back to the days of the previous coaching staff.

I guess we will just have to wait until the next Volunteers breakfast to find out for sure. Good Lord knows if he did it and there is a television camera anywhere in the vicinity, he won't be able to keep his mouth shut about it.

A Quarter Century of Top Notch Tide Backs

When your noted as a running program it's kind of hard to earn that label without having a bevy of hard nosed, hard running, talented tailbacks. Alabama has had just that in the last quarter century. Guys like Bobby Humphrey, Siran Stacy, Kenneth Darby, Shaun Alexander, Kerry Goode, and the names go on, and on.........

Some were more darters, guys like Sherman Williams who played for the Tide in the early 90's. He was the type back that even though he didn't have blessed size and vertical speed he seemed to have that gift of horizontal quickness in the hole. He could pick his way through a tight spot between the tackle and guard and do a nice little two step into the endzone. Of course Sherman was also noted for his "Sherman Shake" a little dance he did with each TD he scored. He did it 27 times in his career at Alabama while rushing for nearly 2500 yards in his time at the Capstone.

Derrick Lassic came along around the same time as Sherman Williams but the difference in their styles of play was years apart. Lassic always stuck me as a blue collared type back that made his yards not off an abundance of talent but rather his work ethic. Whether he was catching a pass out of the backfield or grinding yards out in the Tide's rushing attack he was a productive back for coach Gene Stallings.

In the 80's most discussion of great backs at Alabama began and ended with the name Bobby Humphery. Humphery was one of those rare type backs who could run through you, past you, around you, or right over the top of you. He had speed to burn and a toughness to his style of toting the rock that left linebackers feeling black and blue on Sunday mornings. He carried the ball 615 times for 3420 yards, second in Alabama history. Humphery's 33 touchdowns was good enough for 3rd in the record books. After graduating he went on to be named rookie of the year in the NFL while playing for the Denver Broncos.

Dennis Riddle was an absolute workhorse for Coach Gene Stallings particularly in Coach Stallings last year at the Capstone. Totaling 612 carries for nearly 2650 yards Riddle was consistent throughout his entire career. On top of his dependability you could also on the fact he was going to show up big in big games. He is perhaps best remembered for scoring the winning touchdown on a swing pass in the final minute of the 1996 Iron Bowl giving Alabama the win and Coach Gene Stallings a victory in his final game as Coach of the Tide.

There were other guys who didn't have long careers at the tailback position but it didn't mean they didn't have the talent necessary for it to happen. Bad luck injury wise shortened the half-back careers of Gene Jelks and Kerry Goode.

Goode opened the 1984 season as a young stud at tailback. He had a powerful yet smooth looking athletic build. He was shifty when it was time to be shifty, a power runner when power was called for and at least 1 step quicker than anyone on the field that night when they were at their quickest. Bama fans were salivating at the potential this young back had picturing him as the next Herschel Walker or Bo Jackson.

For 1 half in Alabama's opener against BC, Goode lived up to everyones expectations garnering 297 yards of total offense. His totals included taking the second half kickoff back for an Alabama touchdown. Unfortunately for him, and for Alabama he caught his cleat in a seam of Legion Field crappy old artificial turf totally destroying his knee and ending what could have been a very exciting and likely profitable career for Goode.

Jelks suffered a similar fate just 2 years later. In 1985 he was a fresh faced true freshman out of Gadsden who had an extra gear that others just could not keep up with. Even defensive backs who seemed to have an angle on Jelks would soon find themselves embarrassingly trailing him into the endzone when the play was over.

The buildup for Jelks reached a peak at the 1985 Iron Bowl with Alabama coming away with a last second win on a 52 yard Van Tiffin field goal. The back story to the game though was the true freshman Jelks out rushing senior Bo Jackson by a large margin. Jelks went for 192 yards in the game despite not being the starter. Unfortunately for Jelks he also blew his knee out to open the 86 season. By the time he had returned from surgery and rehab he had lost his starting job to Bobby Humphrey. Jelks later moved to the secondary under new Alabama coach Bill Curry.

Then you have Shaun Alexander who owns nearly every rushing record in the books at the University of Alabama. When he came along out of Florence Kentucky former Auburn coach Pat Dye mumbled in between a few bourbon fueled sounding coughs that tailbacks from Kentucky never lived up to their billing in the SEC. Alexander never seemed the kind of person to take something like that personally but irregardless his career with Alabama left Dyes statement looking incredibly foolish.

Alexander didn't start as a freshman instead getting only spot duty in his first couple seasons at the Capstone. He showed what brilliance he was capable of though when as a redshirt freshman he rushed for 291 yards and 4 touchdowns on the road leading the Tide to a 26-0 victory over the LSU Tigers.

Still it wasn't until his junior year that he managed to take over the starting job making the most of it rushing for a thousand yards and 12 touchdowns on the year while adding 379 yards receiving on 25 receptions.

Alexander didn't let up his senior year having his most productive season yet and leading the Tide to a SEC Championship. Perhaps the moment most Alabama fans will remember him for was against the Florida Gators in the Swamp when Alexander took a handoff in overtime carrying it the distance into the endzone for the touchdown nearly untouched. Alexander totaled nearly 1400 yards of rushing with 19 rushing TD's throwing in another 323 yards receiving and 4 receiving TD's.

Alexander finished his career #1 in total yards rushed with 3565. He also had more carries 727. Probably biggest of all though was his number of career rushing touchdowns where Alexander totaled 41in his career.

There were lots of other productive backs during that time period. So many there won't be time to cover them all here. Guys like Siran Stacy, Kenneth Darby, Shaud Williams, Ahmadd Galloway, Glenn Coffee and Santonio Beard.

With current guys like Mark Ingram, Roy Upchurch and true freshman phenoms Trent Richardson and possibly Eddie Lacy it appears as though Alabama's tradition of running the ball remains in good hands for the coming season. Will Ingram maintain his strong running from his freshman year. Will Upchurch finally remain injury free and fulfill the promise he's shown in limited playing time at Alabama? Can Richardson or Lacy hope to live up to the near super hero type hype being placed on them by Alabama fans for the coming year?

One things for sure, Alabama is going to run the ball so we're going to find out who steps up and makes a run at placing their name among the greats of the last quarter century listed above.

Rebels Better Hope They're Ready For Prime Time

There are all kinds of pressure to deal with during an SEC football season. The hostile crowd full of drunken cajuns during a Saturday night game in Baton Rouge. Alabama's front 7 on defense or high powered passing games such as those featured by Florida or even the Razorbacks.

You've got a murderers row of head coaches to face in Saban, Richt, Miles, Meyer, Spurrier, and Petrino. The defenses are tough and the offensive rosters are bursting at the seams with future all-pro talent.

So with all that pressure why would a coach want to add to it by placing his team under even more of a spotlight by putting them on a Reality TV program?

Ole Miss Head Coach Houston Nutt in his infinite wisdom decided to do just that committing the Rebs to take part in a reality TV show on the Tru Tv cable network. The stated focus of the program according to a press release from Union Square Sports and Entertainment Corp. was to deal with the trials and tribulations of current and incoming football players attempting to make the starting rotation. It also states that it will follow the coaching staff and players both on and off the field and behind the scenes.

Now to his credit Nutt was at least smart enough to only agree to this dog and pony show being filmed during fall camp so at least it won't be a constant distraction during the entire season.

It's not the 10 people that regularly watch the Tru Tv cable network that are the problem. Neither is it the Mississippi State fans that will be watching while hoping to spot violations or a train wreck.

No, the problem will be with the Ole Miss fans that are likely to religiously follow the show.

Is it really wise though to take a program that's coming off its best season in years and put it under the microscope during what many consider the building block to a teams success, fall camp.

It might be different if the Rebels program were firmly established as a winner in the SEC, used to winning championships or at the least division titles then maybe you could justify it by the looking at the positive recruiting advantages that could positively spring from it.

Therein lies the problem. There are no guarantees of the Rebels season being any more than what they experienced last year and with the heightened expectations they'll be facing this season that's not likely to be near good enough.

Sure they have the junior college out of conference schedule to fall back on and yes they have tons of talent at the skill positions including maybe the best drop back passer in the conference.

Don't beat the likes of Alabama and LSU or stumble against the likes of South Carolina or Vandy, much as they did last year, and all the hope and expectations of the Rebel fans will quickly crumble. Fail to live up to even live up to last year and it might get really ugly.

By engaging in the distraction of placing his team on Reality TV Nutt has set himself up for the criticism that is sure to come with it if his team fails on the field. Sort of high risk, low reward.

Rebels fans better hope there's no fall cancellation.

Recruiting Profile: QB Phillip Sims

It's become a common occurrence at the University of Alabama to see the Tide go after the top players in country irregardless of where they might be located. It's hard to reach the status of "elite" program without be willing to do so.

The Tide knew that when they went into Virginia and began to recruit Elite 11 quarterback Phillip Sims out of Oscar Smith High in Chesapeake. Sims was considered the #1 Pro Style Passer and top rated Quarterback in the country for 2010. He had offers from schools all over the country and could have had his pick of schools to attend. Unlike most kids in his position though Sims had no interest in stringing things out choosing to commit to Alabama in mid April after having visited the school on his own earlier in the month.

Sims told a reporter from Bama recruiting site Tiderinsider, "I talked to Coach McElwain about the offense. We broke down the Offense and I like it. It's allot of the same things we do at my High School, so I already have a feel for what Alabama does. I feel comfortable with the offense and how I fit into it."

Since committing to the Tide Sims has taken part in several camps and 7 on 7 passing competitions and has shown at each one how he earned his #1 ranking.

Sims has remained solid to the Tide since committing despite the fact that schools haven't given up on trying to get him to reconsider. In fact, he has taken an active role in helping recruit top players to the Capstone. Rumors surfaced on the Internet last week, courtesy of Tennessee fans, that Sims had decommitted from Alabama and was seriously considering going with the Volunteers instead.

Not so said Sims when asked by writers at Bamaonline. He maintained that his commitment to Alabama was in fact as strong as the day he gave it and that he in fact continued to recruit for them in this class.

In other words it was nothing more than wishful thinking on the part of some Volunteer fans after missing out on several top quarterback candidates, Vol fans may have begun to panic. With their current lack of talent at the position, who could blame them for trying?

Last week Sims took part in an Elite 7 Quarterbacks impressing the likes of Joe Montana with his arm and knowledge of the game. Considering his age Sims shows a remarkable grasp of how the game is played. He will take part in the final Elite 11 event held in California later this summer looking to impress scouts.

He has great arm strength and athleticism and can make all the throws necessary to win on a big stage like the SEC. Sims expects to graduate in December which will allow him the chance to take part in the Tide's 2010 spring practice. Alabama starter Greg McElroy will be a senior next year so spring practice will allow Sims time to battle for the backup quarterback role and the playing time that comes with it. That could be crucial when time comes to determine the 2011 starter.

That would give him the chance to work with what will appear to be a strong Alabama receiving corp which will include all everything phenom Julio Jones in what will likely be his final year at the Capstone.

With his talent, his hard work ethic, and his knowledge of the game Sims could turn out to be the cornerstone of the 2010 Tide class

Happy 4th Of July To All

The 4th of course is a special occasion in the United States as we take the time to celebrate our countries Independence. It has had even more significance in recent years with our country having soldiers in harms way in spots like Iraq, Afghanistan, and other troubled spots around the World.

So while we celebrate today with our picnics, ball games, swimming pools, and fireworks we should all take the time to consider those Men and Women currently serving our country in the armed forces as well as those who have done so in the past. It is through their hard work and sacrifice that we have achieved the freedoms that all of us hold so dear.

We should say a special prayer for all those that have fallen while defending those freedoms. Their ultimate sacrifice should not go unnoticed as we go through our day. A special prayer goes out to all those they've left behind.

Many Alabama football greats count among the numbers of former veterans. Bert Banks, who just recently passed at the age of 94, was the founder of the Alabama Football Radio network. Mr. Banks was also a highly decorated war hero having served his country in the South Pacific where he was captured and forced to take part in the infamous Bataan Death March. He was one of 512 Americans rescued from prison camps in the Philippines at the end of World War II.

The Crimson Tide's most famous alum was also a veteran of World War II. As the story goes Coach Bryant and New York Yankees catcher Bill Dickey, who would later on be named to Baseball's Hall of Fame, were on their way to the University of Arkansas on December 7th, 1941 where Bryant was scheduled to be named the new Head Coach of the Razorbacks football program. Upon hearing a radio broadcast announcing the bombing of Pearl Harbor they turned their car around and headed back to Nashville where Bryant immediately joined the US Navy.

Famous Pulitzer nominated author Winston Groom, the writer of the book "Forest Gump" and other noted works like "Better Times Than These" and "Conversation's With The Enemy" graduated from the University of Alabama in 1965. After graduation, Groom went to Vietnam where he served two tours of duty with the 4th Infantry Division. After leaving the military Groom later worked for the Washington Star before beginning his successful career as an author.

Former Alabama great Derrick Thomas, who starred for the Crimson Tide at linebacker during the 80's and then went on to an All-Pro NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs, lost his father to the Vietnam War. Robert James Thomas was the pilot of a B-52 bomber that was shot down while returning from a mission ironically entitled "Operation Linebacker II" on December 17th, 1972. Thomas himself died a tragic death at the age of 33 after being paralyzed in an auto accident. The future NFL Hall of Famer was well known for his tireless charity work for which he was honored by both Presidents Bush Sr. and Clinton.


The list goes on as it does at other schools around the south and in our great country. God Bless them all for their sacrifices both current and past and a happy 4th of July to everyone.

A Therapists Dream

Auburn, Alabama, and yes it's located in Alabama and not Georgia, is a lovely little college town surrounded by the type of farm land my parents grew up on. A place similar to the one I plan to retire too when that time comes. The old town square itself caters to both the town folk as well as students from the University. It of course surrounds the old trees inside the town square that Tiger fans celebrate each win by rolling.

Now I've never understood the last part though then again I've never really tried. Still, it has a folksy quality to it that seems harmless enough once you can get past the outright silliness of it.

The loveliest Village on the Plains, as Auburn alums like to refer to it hasn't seen much of a change itself in recent years. The football program that supports it on fall Saturday afternoons however is a different story all together. Gone is former Head Coach Tommy Tuberville who ran things quiet successfully on the plains for 10 seasons. Gone is their 6 year winning streak they so lovingly enjoyed over big brother and instate foe Alabama. Gone is the huge depth advantage they enjoyed just a few short years ago. Lastly gone is the feeling of entitlement that went with all those benefits.

In there place remains to a degree, a sense of disbelief, but mostly a sense of indignation. After all, how could things have changed so quickly?

Just a short while ago the Tigers enjoyed heavy advantages over the arch nemesis. Alabama after all had gotten itself in trouble with the brown shirted, jack booted enforcers of the NCAA. Losing countless scholarships and suffering a bowl ban had hamstrung the Tide program. It was made worse when the coach it brought in to see them through sanctions bailed on the program in the middle of the night without so much as telling his players goodbye. He also did so while mailing in his coaching effort in his last Alabama / Auburn game, a game in which Bama was favored.

The next guy Bama hired never even coached a game before he was out the door. This one didn't need the help of probation or sanctions just a couple of hookers, a motel room and a University credit card.

His replacement? Going outside the program didn't seem to work so two candidates were chosen with direct bloodlines to it's past . One a young former quarterback who'd spent the majority of his coaching career at the NFL level. He was considered a moral man. The type individual that could be trusted to get the program through probation irregardless of any previous head coaching experience.

Choice #2 was a grizzled veteran who had cut his teeth under the Bear himself. Both his playing and later his coaching teeth. He'd later gone on to be a successful offensive coordinator in the NFL. He was also African American. Many felt bringing him in would earn us some sort of amnesty with those around the country who'd taken a less than positive view of Bama's program. He might also have been able to help with recruiting top notch black athletes to the University at a time when recruiting was rough due to sanctions.

For whatever reason those in charge opted to go with option 1. They may have had their doubts after watching him stutter his way through his introductory press conference but they stuck with him hoping he could bring a sense of stability back to the program.

Now point of view is all about perspective. What one person sees because of their biases, prejudices and out right preconceived notions, will widely vary from someone who has none of those hangups, or different hangups all together.

That being said Mike Shula did his time on the Capstone in what was likely the only way he knew how. The results left allot to be desired in the minds of most. Be that as it may the program continued on and in time he actually had a moderate success.

At Alabama though moderate success is not enough and when it became apparent that he would be unable to elevate the program back to previous levels a search began for someone who could.

Like all Athletic Directors Mal Moore keeps a list of potential future head coaches. It's only prudent to do so. At the top of that list was one name, Nick Saban. Unfortunately for Alabama and it's fans, Saban was in the midst of coaching the Miami Dolphins through their NFL season and refused to take part in any discussions on the matter.

Auburn fans found the whole ordeal highly entertaining flooding radio talk shows and Internet message boards. Surely Alabama and it's fans had lost their minds believing Saban would leave the NFL to return to the college level, particularly to Alabama. To hear them tell it no coach of any merit would be interested in the job.

At that point those in charge of the Tide program reached a critical juncture and things nearly went off course badly. West Virginia Head Coach Rich Rodriquez was offered the job and initially accepted. He left his lawyer in Alabama with University officials while he flew home to break the news to his team.

Unfortunately Coach Moore had failed to do a complete background check on Rodriquez and later that day it was discovered he had no balls having apparently donated them to his wife at sometime in the past.

Bullet dodged.

Again though Auburn fans cackled. This was their proof that no one worthwhile was interested in taking the Alabama job and they were eager to share it with anyone they could get to listen.

Here's where fate steps in. The time that had passed during Bama's dangerous flirtation with Rodriquez had allowed the NFL season to come close enough to it's end to make a second pass at Saban and the rest as they say, is history.


Alabama fans who'd been separated over the decision to release Shula and over who would be the best candidate to take the job were instantly united and overjoyed at Saban's hiring. He was after all a major player, a masterful recruiter, and had enjoyed success at every stop as a head coach including a National Championship season at LSU in 2003.

Auburn fans on the other hand were immediately incredulous that Saban would "lie" about being willing to take the Alabama job. They raised such a stink one would have thought they were scared of the thought. Auburn fans insisted though it was no such thing. Why should they be worried? After all, they had a decided advantage depth wise and were just a year removed from an undefeated season and SEC championship. It at least sounded good on the surface.

Problem was Saban hit the ground running and very quickly was dominating the Tigers in recruiting. His first signing class came together nicely in little more than a months time and by the time the next Alabama / Auburn match up rolled around it was obvious he had taken back Mobile and Gadsden, two talent rich areas of the state that Auburn had dominated in recent years. Recruiting effects take time though and the Tigers won a close hard fought victory in Saban's first year.

Despite the pounding Auburn was taking on the recruiting trail they took solace in the victory. They chose to rally around the thought that their coach didn't need 5 star players. He could take 2 star players and coach them up. Speaking out of the other side of their mouths though they'd started to complain to anyone that would listen that Saban was obviously dirty on the recruiting trail. He had to be to hear them tell it. How else could his success be explained?

They had it all, or so it seemed, but cracks had began to show. Despite just missing another 10 win season Tuberville panicked firing his offensive coordinator Al Borges and choosing to replace him with high school spread offense guru Tony Franklin.

The stated reason? According to Tuberville changes in the college football landscape and the desire to bring in a more high powered offense had dictated the necessity for change. All of which sounded highly ironic considering just a couple years earlier the Tigers had one of the most powerful offenses in all of college football behind the running of Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown along with the passing of quarterback Jason Campbell.

Truth be told the real reason for bringing in Franklin was to help stop the bleeding from their recruiting program. Franklin had many ties with high school programs around the State of Alabama as well as the southeast. He'd been a successful coach at programs such as Kentucky and Troy, the latter where he'd served as offensive coordinator.

Tuberville's logic had a fatal flaw. If after nearly a decade as the head coach of a state school he didn't have the connections necessary to be successful in recruiting then the problem was obvious. His recruiting was struggling because he was being outworked. Had he spent more time on the recruiting trail and less time in a duck blind there most likely would have never been a need to make a move.

Auburn fans argued though that Tuberville had always been a strong recruiter on the Plains, and there was some truth to that. Success for Tuberville however turned out to be more from timing than hard work. He'd arrived on the scene just in time to take full advantage of the Tide's probationary woes. Once the effects of scholarship reductions were removed and without there shadow hanging over Alabama's program on the recruiting trail, the tables quickly began to turn.

Adding Saban was the final, and most important piece of the "process" as Saban himself calls it. Finally Bama had stability as well as a proven name at the top of their program. The writing was on the wall and deep down, Tiger fans knew it.

The 2008 season started with the Tigers one of the favorites to win the West. Alabama on the other hand was expected to undergo another rebuilding season in Saban's second year. By years end of course Alabama would make it to the SEC championship game before suffering their first loss of the year while Auburn's new high octane spread offense never quiet got off the ground. Franklin was fired by Tuberville during the season with Tuberville following him out the door shortly after his first loss to Alabama in 7 years, a 36-0 drubbing.

Now Auburn found itself in a similar position to what the Tide had been just 2 years earlier, searching for a new head coach. Countless names were thrown out for discussion and interview. Names such as Texas DC Will Muchamp, FSU head coach in waiting Jimbo Fisher, Tulsa coach Jim Graham, Ball State coach Brady Hoke and TCU coach Gary Patterson all were either interviewed or linked to the job. Former Tiger favorites Rodney Garner and Patrick Nix received cursory interviews as well.

Auburn fans were split with some wanting Muschamp while others wanted a proven head coach. Turner Gill, former Nebraska great and current HC at Buffalo, had quickly become the favorite of those fans who wanted an "experienced" head coach. Gill had taken a broken down Buffalo program and led them back to being a competitive stature.

Muschamp quickly denied any interest in the job as did Fisher. Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson used a brief flirtation with the Tigers to get a pay raise as did Texas Tech coach Mike Leach. Wake Forest head coach Jim Grobe said thanks, but no thanks as well.

After interviewing nearly every head coach or noteworthy assistant coach in the country and either being shot down or unimpressed the Tigers finally found their man in Iowa State coach Gene Chizik.


Let's see, Tuberville is fired for going 5-7 so that they can replace him with Gene Chizik who had won only 5 games in the past two?

The decision was so decisive that former NBA great and Auburn alumni Charles Barkley accused the school of racism for choosing Chizik over a far more successful Turner.

Auburn fans were at first despondent to the point of verbally attacking AD Jay Jacobs upon his return flight after word had leaked out about the hiring. To read their message boards at the time you would have thought expected the suicide rate in Lee County to go through the roof.

Professors of psychotherapy would have done well to have their students watch Auburn message boards for a case study in the 5 stages of grief. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. To hear Auburn fans talk these days you'd think they had gone through all 5 stages in record time. Considering their optimism regarding a team with an unproven coaching staff, no depth at offensive line, linebacker and no known play makers at either wide receiver or quarterback it sounds suspiciously as though they're still in stage 3.

Stranger things have happened but here's betting stage 4 wil set in by mid season.

More Mindless Blather Brought To You Courtesy Of The BCS And Your Major Conference Commisioners

On Wednesday members of the BCS Presidential Oversight Committee met via teleconference to discuss a proposal by Mountain West conference officials. Mountain West officials were understandably concerned after one of their members, Utah, was left out of last years BCS National Championship Game.

The Mountain West proposal called for a 8 game playoff tournament of sorts using the current BCS Bowls. The Fed-Ex Orange, the Allstate Sugar, Tostitas Fiesta, and Rose Bowl would be used along with one other bowl yet to be determined. The 8 teams would meet in a series of 1st round games with the winners moving on to 2nd round games leading to a true National Championship game.

Sounds simple enough right?

Apparently not, BCS committee which is made up of the 10 major conference presidents and Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick, decided to outright reject the proposal although they did say certain aspects, concerning revenue of course, could possibly be entertained at a later date.

Look, nobody was surprised they rejected the proposal. After all, they're far more interested in protecting their piece of the financial pie than in actually determining a true college football national champion.

Yes the argument can be made that most of the time the BCS manages at least to come close to getting things right. The argument can also be made that Florida was the hottest team in the country at the end of last season and would have likely beaten any team put in front of them.

The argument can also be made though, and it's a very good one, that either Texas or Utah should have been their opponent and not Oklahoma. Texas after all beat the Sooners during the regular season finishing the year with an identical record after a mid-season last second loss to Texas Tech. Utah on the other hand finished the regular season without a single blemish to their record and added a sound beating of a strong Alabama team in the Allstate Sugar Bowl as an exclamation point.

So even though the Gators were strongly considered the best team at seasons anything can happen when two teams take the field. There are no guarantees they would have beaten either Utah or Texas and both those teams had a more legitimate claim to being in the game than did Oklahoma.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Sooners. They're a great program that easily makes a list of the top 5 programs of all time. I just don't happen to think they were one of the top two programs at seasons end last year.

What's the right answer? To be honest I'm not sure. I can tell you though that even if it comes along BCS officials aren't really interested in voting for it unless it increases their bottom line. All you have to do to know that is read the condescending statement of outgoing committee chairman David Frohnmayer who said, " In the last six years, I've read pundits, heard the pronouncement's of broadcasters and collected several cubic feet of e-mail printouts from advocates of an NFL-style playoff system. Even those that go beyond sound bite certitude share two intertwined and fatal deficiencies: they disrespect our academic calendars and they utterly lack a business plan."

First off the part about academic calendars is nothing more than smoke and mirrors. It didn't stop them from adding 11th and 12th regulars season games in recent times and it wouldn't stop them from adding a couple more games for the handful of teams that would be involved in a true playoff system.

Secondly why is it the responsibility of outside sources to come up with a workable plan to begin with? Isn't that the job of BCS officials? It's a small wonder Texas Representative Joe Barton compared the BCS to communism. Barton also threatened legislation that would prevent the BCS from being able to call it a National Championship game. Meanwhile Utah Senators Bob Bennet and Orin Hatch composed a letter to Frohnmayer discussing the many shortcomings of the current BCS system. There are even threats by Utah officials to file an anti-trust lawsuit against the BCS.

Maybe with all the charges being thrown around organized crime would be a better comparison than communism.

The 6 automatic qualifying conferences and their independent and of late inconsequential pal Notre Dame are interested only in seeing their coffers continue to be stuffed at the expense of college football fans around the country.

Next week the U.S. Senate will hold hearings to discuss whether the BCS has violated anti-trust laws. The hearings will be held by the Senate subcommittee on anti-trust, competition policy, and consumer rights which is chaired by the aforementioned Orin Hatch.

Hatch wrote in the most recent Sports Illustrated issue that the Sherman Anti-trust act prohibits contracts, combinations or conspiracies that prohibit competition.

Since only six conferences are guaranteed a spot Hatch argues that the current system "Intentionally and explicitly favors certain participants."

There's a growing sentiment within the government that nothing will change without their interference. It's a shame conference presidents are willing to risk the federal government, the one entity most know for screwing up nearly everything they touch, taking such an active interest in what is ultimately a fans game.

Maybe at some point in this mess someone will remember those fans and take into consideration that sooner or later they're going to tire of those in charge not putting sufficient effort into putting in a system that at least attempts to address the inadequacies of the one currently in use.

Par For The Course At Knoxville Clown College

Earlier this week 13 year old Evan Berry, the brother of Tennessee All-American cornerback Eric Berry, announced that he was verbally committing to to the Volunteers. Berry who will soon enter Creekside High School, located in Fairburn Georgia, who has yet to pass his first high school class, nevertheless chose to put aside any procrastination over his future college destination.

His exact quote to Yahoo.com was, "Yes, I committed to Tennessee. It's the only college I know right now, and it seems the best for me. I know I can do the same things there. I have a real friendly relationship with the coaches there. I know I don't know them too well, but I know I will have plenty of time to get to know them."

Uh okay, not exactly sound reasoning for making a decision that could effect a large part of your adult life, but then again this is a 13 year old kid we're talking about. Therein lies the problem. Anyone who's ever raised a teenager, boys especially, can tell you their decision making can at times leave allot to be desired.

Maybe someone should point out to young Evan that 4 years is a long way away. He has allot of school work to take care of between now and then. Allot of young girls to date and allot of time hanging with his friends between now and then. There are a ton of things that can enter his life between now and then that could alter his perception of what he considers a top notch college destination and environment.

None of the coverage I've read on this subject gets down main point as to why this "news story' likely happened to begin with. Lane Kiffin has proven himself to be a master of generating publicity whether good or really bad. Kiffin likely would have been far more successful as a Public Relations man, a advertising specialist or even a used care salesman than he's proven so far to be as a football coach. That being said, it's a shame he's stooped to the point of using a child to get his schools name in the paper. A shame but knowing his past record not totally unexpected. I'm guessing Kiffin has a few strong points, his choice in women the only obvious one right off hand, but thinking before he puts something in motion has never really shown to be one of them.

Then you have to add his second in command Ed Ogeron to the equation. Ogeron's sole gift to recruiting lore has been to rip his shirt off and act like a mad man in an attempt to rile 17, and 18 year old kids into committing. Though it's hard to imagine even kids that age being weak minded enough to offer to give up 4 years of their life at the sight of a middle aged, over weight, mad man I guess there's no accounting for taste.

What's next? Volunteer coaches scouting mighty mite football teams? Maybe Lane can find an athletically gifted couple and have them pre-commit their kid in-vitro.

Recent NCAA legislation makes it permissible to recruit an athlete once he or she reaches the 7th grade so it's not as if the Volunteers have stepped outside the rules in what they've done.

Does that make it morally right though? Kids that age already have far enough pressure on them day to day as is. To add to that with the expectations that come from an offer to a major division 1 college football program seems an awful lot. With every thing that can happen during 4 years of high school, from grades, relationships, injuries and external factors to just flat out not living up to expectations, is it a responsible act to add that kind of pressure to someone that young? Shouldn't these schools take more into count than the publicity that comes with the commitment itself? Considering the act itself means nothing until the kid is actually able to sign a letter of intent, which wouldn't happen until February of his senior year. The offer itself from the school is only verbal which is only as good as the word of the person offering it. A written offer can't be submitted from the school until September 1st of the players senior year. The offers themselves aren't a binding contract meaning they can be pulled at any time without notice from the school.

What happens when Kiffin fails to live up to the unrealistic expectations of rabid Volunteer fans, and yes I said when and not if. His record as a head coach after all doesn't lead one to believe him capable of long term success as a head coach, particularly in the rough and tumble SEC. He will have face such experienced and successful coaches such as Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, Mark Richt and Les Miles not to mention other proven coaches like Bobby Petrino and Houston Nutt. Bobby Johnson, the head coach at Vanderbilt University, would be far more respected in Head Coaching circles and to this point, far more successful than anything Kiffin has come close to accomplishing.

Chances are by the time that Evan Berry and his twin brother Elliot reach signing day of their senior years Lane Kiffin will be nothing more than a bad memory in the minds of Volunteer fans. His actions though will likely have far longer lasting ramifications than his coaching record.

What about the NCAA, know for legislating the most minute of details in the lives of college athletes and their recruitment's, why have they failed to put any real thought into the moral obligations of when an athletes commitment should begin? Maybe if they spent less time working to legislate division 1 football programs to mediocrity in an effort to benefit schools unwilling or unable to make the commitments necessary to compete at that level they might have the time to address some real issues.

Maybe that's to much to ask.

Sooner Or Later The BCS Is Going To Fall

The 2009 Utah Utes football team headed into the 2009 Sugar Bowl with a chip on their shoulder. Despite going 12-0 during it's regular season it was considered an underdog to an Alabama squad that was coming into the game with a 12-1 record, an Alabama team that had been ranked #1 in most major polls for most of the latter half of the 2008-2009 season. Despite the Utes record many Alabama fans felt as though they were an unworthy opponent and had no business being in New Orleans, the site of the game.

Ironically enough, most Utah fans agreed with them. The Utes felt they should instead be taking part in the National Championship game being held that year in Miami. Instead of inviting an undefeated Utah squad though the BCS opted to invite two 12-1 teams in Florida, and Oklahoma. The BCS after all was required to take the two teams the finished highest in it's final regular season poll and that, at least in the minds of some college football fans, is where the problems begin.

The BCS rankings are a complicated system of human polls and computer models averaged together using a formula that many considered arbitrary. Teams from the SEC, ACC, Pac 10, Big 10, and Big 12 get an automatic seed to a BCS bowl game for their conference champion. They get that spot regardless of the record or rank of their champ. Non BCS conference schools however have to meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for an automatic bid. If 2 such Non BCS schools meet the criteria though, only the one with the highest finish in the final BCS standings is guaranteed a spot in a BCS bowl. The other would be eligible for an at large bid which would leave them at the mercy of the polls, both human and non-human. That means you could potentially have an undefeated team ineligible for a BCS bowl game while teams with multiple losses get an automatic bid. Maybe it's just me but I would consider that a serious flaw.

Then you have Notre Dame, ahh Notre Dame, a team that can't be bothered to play a conference schedule at all, yet gets a special set of circumstances that gives them an automatic bid as long as they finish in the final 8 in the BCS standings. A team in the final 8 should get a bid you say? Maybe so, but when you consider that team regularly plays one of the weakest schedules in the nation it tends to take the shine off their penny. Why give them special circumstances to begin with. Why not treat them the same as any other Non BCS school?

Like I said, arbitrary..............

Florida and Oklahoma fans will argue all day long that their team should have been in the championship game. Their teams play tougher schedules in big time conferences. To be honest, I don't blame them. I would have argued the same thing had it been my team in position to play for the title. That doesn't change the fact teams like Utah are capable of building championship quality football teams. If you don't believe me just ask Nick Saban and the Alabama football team.

Coaches Hot Seat For 2009

The coaching carousel is an annual thing in a conference as competitive as the SEC. Last year was no exception with coaching changes at Tennessee, Auburn, and Mississippi State. This year will likely be no different with one staff on the hot seat and at least one other, while not in any danger this year, definitely on a short leash.


When Steve Spurrier was hired at South Carolina, Gamecock fans everywhere rejoiced in what was widely felt to be a coup on the part of their athletics department. Who could blame them for feeling that way with the success Spurrier had while head coach of the Florida Gators? After all he won 6 SEC titles and a national championship while with the Gators and was named SEC coach of the year 6 times.

In his 4 seasons at South Carolina so far though Spurrier has yet to put things together and Gamecock fans are beginning to get very impatient. Well noted for his offensive genius while running the Gators offense it is ironically The Ole Ball Coaches offenses that have struggled. While at Florida he was well known for developing successful college quarterbacks. At Carolina however he's had a constant revolving door at the quarterback position with little success to speak of. With a 28-22 record headed into his 5th season South Carolina fans have begun to question whether he can get the job done. Barring an unexpected turnaround this season it's likely the complaining in Columbia will reach a volume to loud for the Gamecocks administration to ignore.

Gene Chizik has yet to coach his first game at Auburn so to suggest his job is in any immediate danger would be just plain silly. With that being said his hiring was widely unpopular among Tiger fans when announced and though many have since opted to toe the party line you can rest assured patience will run thin quickly if this years squad doesn't show significant improvement over lasts. Chizik struggled mightily in his previous head coaching stay at Iowa State going 5-19 in 2 seasons. After opening his head coaching career with a 3-9 mark he made wholesale coaching changes in an attempt to turn things around, only to see his second team go 2-10. The expectations that come with coaching in the SEC don't allow for to many mulligans, so despite depth issues and a tough schedule Chizik would be wise to win now.