A Split Crown?

I think most hardcore college football fans know about this billboard. It all stems from the "shared" national championship of 2003. LSU won the Sugar Bowl that year, which was the BCS title game. USC won the Rose Bowl and, atop the AP Poll, also claimed the national championship. ESPN still refers to 2003 as a year of co-champions and still talk about USC's back-to-back national championships. LSU fans, on the other hand, despise the fact that USC is somehow credited with a co-championship when they did not get the crystal football.

To impartial observers, this debate is funny, pitting snobbish and aloof USC fans versus hyperpassionate and short-fused LSU fans, resulting in the billboard pictured above. (USC wanted to put up a billboard in Baton Rouge as a response, but the Tiger fans threatened to burn it down.) I was thinking today of a scenario that would make this debate even more amusing. What if USC's position were suddenly reversed?

Here's the scenario:
1) Michigan beats LSU in the Rose Bowl by a convincing margin.
2) USC wins the BCS Bowl.
3) Michigan gets the top spot in the AP poll because they beat a great LSU team and their only loss is to Ohio State close at Ohio State, while USC lost to a mediocre Oregon State team.

This scenario, while far fetched, would mean that USC would be in LSU's position in 2003. They would have won the BCS Bowl, but would have a cloud on their record because of Michigan. The Trojans would either have to acknowledge Michigan as a co-champion or release their claim to the 2003 crown. The more likely case is that USC claims both, making the LSU fans even more irate.

To LSU fans, this image represents USC's admission of the facts of 2003, #2 indeed.

LSU to Rose Bowl?

It's starting to look like LSU is going to the Rose Bowl. According to several reports, including the Detroit Free Press, report that it's down to LSU and Notre Dame, with LSU getting the edge because, well, who the hell would watch a Notre Dame - Michigan rematch? This is a rare sound decision by the BCS. It matches up two great defenses and gets a big game for the always contentious SEC v. Big 10 debates. Plus, we don't have to watch LSU destroy Wake Forest or Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl.

As a side note, should LSU win, they would join just a handful of other schools who have won the four traditional big bowls, the Orange, Cotton, Sugar, and Rose. Here are the ones I know for sure: Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Texas, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Duke, Oklahoma, and Penn State. If there are others, please forgive my omission.

Spurrier to Bama - Done Deal

The Bammers suddenly changed course this morning, firing Mike Shula only days after he was supposedly coming back for another year with serious staff changes. Tony Barnhart already predicts a slow, painful, embarrassing coaching search. Last year they gave him a $600,000 raise. This year he forgot how to coach.

Let the silliness begin! Steve Spurrier, Nick Saban, Jimmy Johnson, Pete Carroll, Butch Davis, Bill Parcells, and Bill Belichick have all submitted resumes according to Tider Insider and the Bammers. We enter a week where all is possible, all options are open, and no buyout is too much. This is the exuberance stage. Next week is "done deal" week. This period is filled with rumors of big name, unattainable coaches who have not officially denied interest being described as a "done deal." The third week is the parade of denials. Legitimate offers may be made by the Board of Trustees and turned down, embarrassing said Trustees and the university. Week four is the week a coach finally emerges. Paul Finebaum will continually criticize Alabama administrators this week for dragging the process out and not coming up with a big enough name. Week five is when a coach is announced. He will disappoint all but the most ardent Bama fans who will rally around him comparing him to the Bear and predicting championships within two years. Finebaum will pan the choice and lay the groundwork for his dismissal in four years.

In all seriousness, I hope Bama finds a good coach. The conference is more fun when Bama is strong. I just don't think they will find anyone who will be the big name they so desperately desire.

Here's my list of possibilities:
1. Mike Riley - HC, Oregon State - The problem here is that Riley turned down the job a few years ago. Why would he change his mind now?
2. David Cutcliff - OC, Tennessee - He's a Bama grad, but has longstanding ties to Bama's version of the devil.
3. Jimbo Fisher - OC, LSU - If the Trustees decide to go outside the Bama family, Fisher is a dark horse. He's a Southern football mainstay and has coached in Alabama before at Samford and Auburn. Rumors of a fallout with Les Miles signal his departure.

Dawgs Bite Nerds

Reggie Ball, you'll be missed by all Dawg people. As frightening as Calvin Johnson is now, just imagine what he would be if he had gone to Florida or Notre Dame or anywhere where they had a good quarterback. He'd be Randy Moss, an unstoppable touchdown machine, without the sloppy afro and attitude issues. Even with that said, Paul Oliver put the clamps on him last night, but it helped that Reggie overthrew Johnson a couple of times when he was wide open.
Matt Stafford looks like he will be Georgia's golden boy for the next few years. He can make all the throws. He's surprisingly mobile. And now, he seems to value the ball more and knows when to throw a ball away. If Georgia's receivers can learn how to catch and they can find anyone to play tackle next year, they could win 10 games.

The View From Little Rock

After watching a wild game on Friday, I have one dominate thought: Thank God Darren McFadden plays for Arkansas. It is difficult to appreciate how good that guy is on TV. Our seats were, as you can see, low and in the end zone, so it was easy to see just how amazingly quick he is. He didn't run laterally as much as he seemed to float from one spot to another with alarming speed. I never saw Bo or Herschel in person, but I imagine McFadden is an approximation of those two players. If Arkansas could complete a forward pass to keep safeties more honest, he could run for 200 yards a game consistently and no one would beat the Hawgs.

Houston Nutt has adopted essentially a little league offense. Let your best player, McFadden, touch the ball every play and just let him outrun everyone else to the corner. Arkansas's problem is that no one should respect their passing game, because they don't have one. Marcus Monk seems like he should be an all-SEC player, but he'll never get there with such a terrible passing attack. I don't know why Mustain didn't play, but they need someone who is at least serviceable as a quarterback to handle UF's defense.

For LSU, is was a good performance. Absent a few turnovers, they played a great game, getting clutch scores when they needed them and containing McFadden enough to get the win. Why this team isn't in Atlanta is beyond me. They are better than Auburn and probably Florida, but they froze on the big stage against both of them. If they don't get a BCS bid, they will destroy some hapless Big 10 team.

Tech Students Waiting For Tickets

Please enjoy these interviews with actual Georgia Tech students waiting in line for tickets to Saturday's game.

Weekend Picks - November 25

I'm heading to Little Rock tomorrow for the big Hawg-Tiger game. I've never been to Little Rock before, so I'll have a full report from the game this weekend. The game is an awkward one, if you ask me. Arkansas, despite being in the SEC for 14 years now, still feels like an outsider, separated from the Texas schools it once so loved to beat. These two schools have played each other for a long time, usually in Shreveport, but the series slacked off as both schools focused on their respective conferences. When Arkansas joined the SEC, LSU offered them a trophy to play for, "The Boot." Sure, it lacks the charm or collegiate goofiness of the Big 10 rivalry trophies, but The Boot is so clumsy and ugly it's a good representation of the Hawgs place in the SEC, remote and odd.

It shouldn't take two players to move your rivalry trophy.

LSU v. Arkansas - Before the season, this game looked like a blowout, but as we know Arkansas has proved the surprise team of the SEC, if not the country. Both teams have stout, physical defenses, but I give a slight edge to LSU on this side of the ball. Arkansas has players, but LSU has monsters. Laron Landry and that swarming array of muscle on the defensive line, makes the Tiger defense a frightening prospect for any quarterback. The offenses, however, are a stark contrast. LSU relies on its massive, football launching quarterback and its group of talented receivers. Arkansas relies on its big, fast, Heisman contender running back. LSU can't run and Arkansas has trouble passing consistently, even though they have Marcus Monk. I like LSU because they have a slightly better defense and their offense will produce more big plays than the Hawgs. LSU, 23-21.

Notre Dame at USC - Remember Notre Dame? They were the team that was going to win eight straight national championships before they were blown out at home by Michigan and needed a miracle collapse by Michigan State to pull out a win. We haven't seen them since. Research will show that they then proceeded to launch an assault on our nations armed forces, beating every service branch, except the Coast Guard and Homeland Security. USC meanwhile has gone through its mediocre Pac 10 schedule in workmanlike fashion with a brief hiccup at Oregon State. They seem to have found a few options at tailback and their passing game has looked solid, but not spectacular. The difference between these two teams is that USC actually plays defense. Look for USC to score at will and get enough stops to beat the Irish. USC, 41-28.

See a Duke Game the Way Dickie V Does!

If you've ever wanted to see a game in Cameron Indoor Stadium, here's your chance. Duke is making tickets available to the public for the first time ever (or at least in a long time). And it's a big game, too -- the Indiana game next Tuesday the 28th, part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

The available tickets are part of a pretty awesome package. You get eight seats in the media booth. (In Cameron, the tv and radio media sit on what is essentially a catwalk in the rafters. It's accessible by a rickety ladder and you can't stand without banging your head on the roof. Still, the place is so small -- capacity 9,314 -- it's not a bad seat.) You get four rooms at the swank Washington Duke Inn and some other swag. Basically, you and seven friends get to be VIPs at the closest thing Cameron has to skyboxes.

So, here's the catch. Well, two catches. First, it's an auction. The bidding ends Thursday night and is currently just over $4000. So you've got to have some expendable income. The other catch is that, depending on who the tv announcers are, you might have to sit a few seats down from Dick Vitale. Note that the ticket package does include headphones, allegedly to allow you to listen to the Duke Radio feed, and they may be able to block out Vitale.

I hope they have some kind of Blue Devil loyalty test, so some rich Duke-haters don't zoom in and make a spectacle of this opportunity. I don't really think anyone could stand the total Duke immersion if they didn't have at least some love for Alma Mater. But whoever winds up winning this auction should have a pretty neat experience.

Speaking of neat experiences at the Indoor Stadium, the image below is the poster for the 4/2/82 Grateful Dead show in Cameron.

A Win For Tech Is A Win For Terror

"Reggie Ball will drink the blood of the Bulldog infidels!"

Don't believe me? Ask the Chronicle of Higher Education or CNN. Engineering is a great skill, but only in the right hands. The hands of farmers or biologists, for instance.

Shula Coming Back

The Huntsville Times reports that Mike Shula will return next year to coach the Crimson Tide in 2007. The story also speaks of staff changes. Two things to take from this story: 1) I'm a prophet and 2) below is a picture of Toomer's corner this evening.

Braves Say "Give Me More Money"

An expensive view.

The AJC reports that the Braves are raising ticket prices for 2007. They cite the improvements they've made to Turner Field, including the biggest Jumbotron in the universe, instead of citing improvements to the team. The Bravos are coming off their worst season in fifteen years and the first year they've missed the playoffs in forever. Perfect timing. Better yet, for us out-of-town fans, they are raising prices for "premium single game" tickets, like their homestand with the Red Sox. So, even if you only go to one game, your wallet will feel it.

It's OK Braves because you know we're suckers, me especially. In 1994, I swore I'd never go to another baseball game again. This self-imposed ban lasted until opening day of 1995 when I got Cardinals tickets. I just couldn't pass up a chance to see Ozzie Smith do a flip on his way to short.

News Flash: Georgia Tech Lies and Cheats

Don't believe me? Ask the NCAA.

It's not that I hate Tech, well actually, I do hate Tech.

Is Alabama a Poisoned Well?

Alabama seems upset. They've just finished a 6-6 season, lost their fifth straight game to their biggest rival, and appear headed to Shreveport for the Indy Bowl. One Bama fan told me yesterday that he had never seen the fan base more low after a loss. Cecil Hurt says they can do better. Paul Finebaum and Tider Insider have been discussing the next coach for weeks. Even other fan bases have questioned the direction of the Tide.

While it is never good to call for a coach to be fired, something has to change at Alabama. The natives are severely restless. But the key question is who exactly does Bama think they will get? Most Alabama fans think their program is the best in the country and that every coach should be banging down the door to coach there. But, they haven't been able to land a big name coach since, who, Perkins? Curry? Now all their fans think Spurrier and Bill Oliver are coming to restore Tide Tradition.

Alabama is a good job. There is a lot of money and resources in that program. But it is not anything more than a good SEC job. It's not Miami. It's not USC. It's not Texas. Alabama will not dominate like it did under the Bear ever again. College football is too competitive. Probation and ineptitude have brought the Tide back to the rest of the SEC pack. Auburn and LSU aren't going anywhere for a while. Bama will need a great coach to overcome those two programs and get to Atlanta. Do they have him now? Almost certainly not. But who is coming next?

Bebes and the Bear.

The most probable outcome here is that a few minor coaches get run after the bowl game, but Shula is still in danger. I think Bama fans will have to wait one more year to figure out how much they will pay Spurrier.

Shiny Pants A 'Cane?

Brian Curtis of CSTV's SEC Football Nation reports that "multiple sources" confirm that Steve Spurrier is leaving South Carolina to coach the Miami Hurricanes. If true, wow. I can't find anything else to confirm this, so take it with a grain of salt. I have no idea who Brian Curtis is or who he knows, but CSTV is CBS's college sports network. Hopefully they wouldn't trash their reputation on rumors. Developing ...

UPDATE: Brian Curtis evidently can't check sources like Ivan Maisel can. Shiny Pants says he's not going anywhere.

Dawgs Get Uber Recruit

As every Georgia fan now knows, uber recruit Caleb King committed to the Dawgs yesterday morning at Greater Atlanta Christian School. As a junior at Parkview High School, King rushed for 2,768 yards, the most ever by a Georgia junior, before transferring and breaking a bone in his leg. The injury hurt King's recruiting stock some this year, as he fell in the rankings from the No. 4 overall player (and tabbed the best running back in America) to No. 73.



I admit that I follow recruiting, but I shouldn't. I'm going to cheer for my team's players whether they were prep all-Americans or not. But, it's still fun to follow it as long as you keep it in perspective. You still have to coach the players, keep them eligible, and keep them out of jail. Remember, Curley Hallman signed one of the best recruiting classes ever in his first year at LSU. That class never went to a bowl game. Ron Zook signed some great classes at UF before he was fired. Nebraska never had a highly regarded recruiting class when they were dominating under Tom Osborne. Times have changed a bit because the recruiting services have gotten more competitive and thus more accurate, arguably. I suppose one can win without the big recruits, but it is rare to build a prestigious program without a great class now and then.

I remember the last time UGA signed an uber recruit running back. I was a senior at UGA when word spread through campus that all-everything running back Jasper Sanks had given Jim Donnan his committment to play for the Dawgs. Everyone thought we had just signed Herschel Walker again. Well, that didn't exactly work out, except for one glorious day against LSU.

Weekend Picks - November 18

I haven't made picks in a while, so let me spread more misinformation. I'm not sure what my record is, but I'd imagine it's pretty dismal. I hope no one is out there placing bets on these picks. The last time I gave someone gambling advice was for a Dolphins game in the late 90's. I advised taking the Dolphins who were giving three at home. On the first drive of the night, Dan Marino broke his ankle. I've never advised a gambler since. So, these picks are for entertainment only.

Auburn at Alabama - While this game is still arguably the best rivalry in college football (just ask a fan of either school) it means little nationally and hasn't for several years. A week ago, everyone expected a Auburn walk, but that opinion faded after Alabama showed signs of offensive life in Baton Rouge and Auburn looked terrible in a loss to Georgia. So now folks expect a tight game. I think they will get it. The key to the game is pressure on Brandon Cox. Cox has shown that he is immobile and, if hit early, hobbled by indecision and doubt. John Parker Wilson lookes like the opposite, mobile enough to avoid a sack and an effective passer. I expect that Tuberville will first look to establish Kenny Irons and Brad Lester before letting Cox throw it around. That strategy should work. But, if Tubs doesn't go to the run first, Bama's got a chance to win it. Auburn, but closer than you'd think, 24-21. Let the moaning and the nashing of teeth commence in Tuscaloosa over five straight losses to Auburn.
Cal at USC - This is another game that looked much better last week at this time, before Cal was beaten by Arizona, a team that looked like a junior high team when they played LSU in September. USC has looked solid this year, but not spectacular. John David Booty has been an adequate fill-in for Matt Leinart, but the Trojans are still waiting for a tailback to step up. Chauncey Washington may be the guy after his big game against Oregon last week. Cal, on the other hand, has been a west coast mystery. Blown out in Knoxville, the Golden Bears sliced through their schedule until laying an egg last week in the desert. Everything in this game points to the Trojans. USC keeps its national championship hopes alive, 31-21.

Michigan at Ohio State - A game that has totally flown under the radar. Seriously, has any regular season game ever received this much coverage from ESPN? Ohio State is No. 1 and playing in Columbus with one of the best clutch quarterbacks in recent memory. Cold logic says Ohio State wins. But all the emotion is on Big Blue's side, with the passing of legendary Michigan coach Bo Schembechler yesterday. Michigan has playmakers at QB, RB, and WR to go with a nasty, nasty defense.If Michigan was playing in Ann Arbor, I'd easily say that the talent of Michigan plus the emotion of the moment would equal a Big Blue win, a la Texas A&M after the bonfire tragedy. But, the game isn't in Ann Arbor. Buckeyes, 20-13.

Sharp Dressed Coach

To me, a coach should only wear one of two outfits to a game. One is a coat and tie. The other is a uniform. Which is why I am excited that the NFL has allowed coaches to wear a suit for this weekend's games. I miss Tom Landry roaming the sidelines in a baby blue jacket and a fedora. Say what you will about comfort, but a coach in a suit looks like he is at the helm, a professional counsel to men. Those awful warm up suits makes the coach indistinguishable from the "get back" coach. A head coach should stand out as a leader and as a dresser. How am I to tell the difference between Phil Fulmer and Trooper Taylor from the upper deck if they are both in the same orange warm up suit? (I can actually think of a couple of ways now that I think about it.) Anyway, a man should wear either a tie or a uniform to work. Business casual has made this country soft. Of course, a coach should avoid the combination of tie and sweatervest, lest his ethics erode.

Why I'm Over Celebrity Talent Contests

Yesterday at lunch, my mother told me I just had to watch Dancing With the Stars last night to see the epic Emmitt vs. Mario battle royale. I politely declined and I'm glad I did. Otherwise, I would have had to put up with seeing another victorious Gator.

Congratulations to Jean Shorts Nation.

Fire Me, Please.

I try to do my job as well as possible, just like you do. But, if my firm would like to fire me, I request a buyout similar to Jeff Bowden's deal.

You all know Jeff, who took over FSU's offensive coordinator position after Mark Richt left for Georgia. He's presided over the steady and disturbing decline in the once-potent FSU offense. Jeff's tenure reached it nadir last Saturday when the Seminoles failed to score against Wake Forest in Tallahassee. Predictably, the boosters grew tired of the endless progression of swing passes and out routes that netted three yards. In order to entice Jeff to resign, he will get $107,500 for the next five years under the terms of a buyout contract with Seminole Boosters, Inc., the FSU booster club. That's in addition to the $141,000 for the last year of his contract, for which he will do nothing. Man, incompetence pays way more than knowing what you are doing. Seminole Boosters, Inc., can I be your lawyer?

Hating Tech Early

It has often been said: "Hate Georgia Tech early to avoid the rush." As a UGA grad, I'm doing just that this week in preparation for next weekend's rivalry game. While searching through my copious materials for the case against Tech, I stumbled upon a website that succinctly describes the differences between UGA and Tech. Georgia, beautiful and prosperous, against Tech, mmm ... not so much.

You Think the Hype is Bad Now?

In case you hadn't heard, Ohio State and Michigan play this weekend. ABC and ESPN are already running "Game of the Century" promos, just like they did for the other "Game of the Century" earlier this season when Ohio State played Texas. I can understand the hype for this game. It's #1 vs. #2. It's a historic rivalry that is one of the best in college football. But, I draw the line with the ridiculous babble I heard on the Sports Reporters this morning. Usually, I avoid the show because I can't stand to listen to Mike Lupica. Somehow Lupica missed the show this morning, so I decided it might be possible to enjoy the show. This thought was quickly dispelled when the writers all agreed that Michigan and Ohio State should play this weekend and then play again in the BCS Championship Game because no other one loss team was better than the loser. (They did briefly discuss the possibility of an unbeaten Rutgers.) I immediately broke several pieces of furniture.

If the SEC Champion has only one loss and a one loss Michigan or Ohio State team gets in over them, the conference should disband. A one loss Ohio State team would have one victory over a Top 25 team (at #11 Texas). A one loss Michigan team would have a victory over two ranked teams (at #6 Notre Dame and #12 Wisconsin). A one loss Arkansas team would have four wins over ranked opponents (#3 Florida, #9 LSU, at #15 Auburn, and #22 Tennessee). A one loss Florida team would have three wins over the Top 25 (#5 Arkansas, #9 LSU, and at #22 Tennessee).

Look, I can understand that the Big 10 gets beat up unfairly at times. But, I don't think I will get too much of an argument that the conference is mighty top heavy. A Big 10 team plays what amounts to one, maybe two meaningful conference games. Everything else is a walk for the big boys. The BCS should reward competitive conferences.

USC also has a better resume than the loser of this weekend's big game. They would have beaten three ranked teams (at #5 Arkansas, #6 Notre Dame, and #17 Cal).

I'll enjoy the big game, but I don't want to see it twice.

Bama Lawyers Attack

The New York Times has a story today about the University of Alabama suing Daniel A. Moore. It seems the University thinks that Moore is violating Bama's trademark rights in, for instance, Bama's famously plain uniforms. If you aren't familiar with Daniel A. Moore, then you've never been to a Bama Room, the dedicated room in every Bama fan's home that holds a houndstooth hat, a Mike DuBose floormat, and a vigil for the recovery of Tyrone Prothro. The story notes that the only people who think this is a good idea for Alabama are its lawyers.

Didn't See That Coming

How desperate were we for a big win? Desperate enough to kiss the defensive tackles.

Mascots & Mama

1. The College Football News has published its list of the 25 best live mascots in college football. Although Uga comes in at number two, I must disagree with the list's inclusion of humans, such as Texas Tech's Masked Raider or the Sooner Schooner. Animal mascots are better than humans every time. Which is one reason LSU's Mike the Tiger and the Army Mule should be moved up this list.

Number 1 in Athens - Keep away from the Hedges.

2. The Louisville v. Rutgers game last night was one of those games that makes college football great. Louisville spurted out to a big 25-7 lead before Rutgers (Rutgers for God's sake) turns the momentum of the game. The crowd was twirling towels and screaming as the Scarlet Knights made one defensive stop after another. Bobby Petrino's manic offense looked hobbled, like Rutgers was using 12 players to stop it. To cap off the game, Rutgers had the ball on the Louisville 20 when their kicker, Ito, missed a game winning field goal. As if Destiny herself was wearing scarlet, Louisville had jumped offsides on the play and Ito didn't miss his second chance. After the final horn sounded, all of New Jersey scrambled on to the field to mob their team, including running back Ray Rice, who then proceeds to give one of the greatest post-game interviews ever. Can you beat "where's my mother, man?"

New Orleans, Orlando, or Shreveport?

The Promised Land

So, you find that your team has a loss, or two, or four. The dreams of national championships have faded and you are wondering where your team will spend the holiday season. For SEC fans, the best among us can dream of New Orleans, if not Tempe, while the others must try to avoid the prospects of Nashville or Shreveport, where the league's mediocre teams go to face Boston College or Kansas State, in the cold and possibly, the snow.

I'll try to help you figure out where your team is going this year, so you can go ahead and book some hotel rooms. I'm making the assumption that Florida, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, and South Carolina will be bowl eligible.

Sugar/BCS - Florida - The Gators get here because they will likely win the SEC Championship Game over Auburn or the Pigs.

Citrus - Tennessee - Yes, LSU fans, I am aware that the Tigers beat the Viles in Knoxville, but the bowl picking Gods are never logical. Tennessee lands here because they have not been here in a long time, their fan base is energized by their resurgent season, and they have been good to the Citrus Bowl in their string of appearances with Peyton Manning.

Outback - LSU - LSU lands in Orlando because they will end up having a good season, but not great. LSU hasn't been to the Outback since 1989 when it was the Hall of Fame Bowl. The Outback should like LSU because the Tiger faithful showed up to the Citrus Bowl two years ago, showing they will travel to Florida.

Peach - Auburn - The Aubs still have an outside chance of a BCS at large bid even if they lose to the jean shorts in Atlanta. I just don't see a two loss SEC team getting a bid, though that would clear up the confusion and disarray that results below. If Arkansas goes to Atlanta, its more likely that the Aubs go to Miami. But, assuming the Aubs get the same level of respect they did in 2004, it won't happen. The Peach Bowl has done well for itself in recent years by landing a huge sponsorship deal last year and supposedly moving up in the league's pecking order. Last year they got LSU and Miami. This year they'll get the Aubs. It makes total sense. Auburn will also sell out, as their fan base is only a few hours away.

Cotton - Arkansas - The Hawgs land in Dallas to take on an old SWC foe. The Hawgs will also sell out their allotment and head back to their old stomping grounds in Texas. Typically, the second best team in the West gets the Cotton, but I think both the Cotton and the Arky fans want Arkansas here, even if they go to Atlanta and get beat.

Now it gets tricky. I'm assuming that there will be three SEC teams at 6-6: Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. Kentucky, assuming they beat Vandy, would be 7-5.

Music City - Kentucky - The Mildcats had a Cinderella season and will get to a bowl game. I think the Music City Bowl is the prefect one for them. Nashville provides an easy drive and, again, UK should sell out their allotment of tickets. Another possibility here is South Carolina but I'll get to them later.

Liberty - Alabama - The SEC's newest bowl tie in is the Liberty in Memphis. I think Bama lands here because Memphis is a nice trip from Alabama, but far enough to require a hotel stay. Plus, Alabama would be returning to the site of Bear's last game for Mike Shula's last game? South Carolina again could land here, but I think Bama is more marketable from the Liberty Bowl's perspective. Bowl Committees like history rich programs, even if they've fallen on hard times. Plus, I think the Cocks would sell less tickets that the Bammers, even with Spurrier.

Independence - Georgia - The Dawgs will make their first trip to Shreveport since 1991, beating out the Cocks for this spot. Since it will come down to Georgia and South Carolina for this slot, here are a few reasons UGA wins the spot: Georgia beat SC in Columbia and SC was in Shreveport last year (bowls generally don't like to repeat themselves). This would actually be a bad choice for Shreveport as I think that UGA would bring fewer fans than SC, but that won't matter.

Sitting at home - South Carolina - Under NCAA rules, a six win team can only go outside of its conference tie ins if every seven win team in the country is in a bowl. This could mean that the Cocks are left out completely. If not, the Poinsettia Bowl has an at large spot that the Cocks could fill.

The bottom three teams, UGA, SC, and Bama, are virtually interchangeable. The conference usually make deals for these last few spots in a smoke filled room where favors are traded and called in. The calculus behind these decisions is unknown to us mere mortals who aren't in the league office in Birmingham. But, these are my best guesses. If Auburn does make the BCS, then Kentucky goes to the Peach and South Carolina goes to the Music City. Discuss.

Grab a soccer ball and nail up those peach baskets!

I haven't given up on the football season yet. Even though my Dukies are still winless, I'm sticking with the gridiron battles all the way through until January 8. But I have to admit part of mind is already turning to basketball. Most teams are in the midst of exhibition season. Duke opens the regular season Monday with Columbia, and plays Indiana, Georgetown, George Mason, and Gonzaga all before Christmas -- it'll be here before you know it!

But I thought today was an especially good time to be thinking about roundball, because it's the 145th anniversary of the birth of Dr. James Naismith, the Springfield, Mass. YMCA phys. ed. teacher who drew up the original thirteen rules of the game when he was looking for an indoor winter sport for his charges. Happy birthday, Dr. Naismith!

Also related to basketball, here's a heck of a story about a donor who gave $5 million to Southern Cal to have its basketball court named after a friend of his. And folks, if your eyes don't water up a little bit reading this story, it's time to report to your cyborg overlords for reprogramming in the ways of humans. (Story link via DBR.)

The View From Knoxville

The Vols and Tigers put on a great show Saturday with a gripping, back and forth affair. As I said Thursday, LSU was due for a good road performance and they got one, sort of. While JaMarcus Russell is a phenomenal talent, he seems not to respect the ball when the Tigers are on the road. True to form, he and the Tigers turned over the ball way too many times Saturday, including one INT for an easy, easy touchdown on the second play of the third quarter. Despite the turnovers and thanks to a fantastic effort by LSU's defense and Jimbo Fisher's playcalling, LSU had its opportunity in the final seconds and it cashed in. Say what you will about JaMarcus, but he certainly has a flair for the dramatic (see Arizona State and Alabama for confirmation).

Besides the game, we had a great time in Knoxville. We ate well and enjoyed the Vol Walk and the Pride of the Southland's entrance to the stadium. Here are a few pictures of note:

I though both sets of fans were well behaved. The LSU fans were rocking the whole game. Even when they were down 17-7, they were still yelling. The UT fans were too quiet. I've been to a number of games in Neyland and it seems that the UT fans are awful quiet at times, especially when the opposing team scores first. I think I have seen Neyland at its loudest when Travis Henry ran a 80 yard screen pass for a touchdown in 2001 with about a minute left. I've never heard a louder stadium. However, the Vol fans don't come close to sustaining a high noise level like LSU or Florida. Overall, the UT fans are hospitable, good people. But, I have been to Neyland five times now since leaving UGA and I've seen the Vols win once. I suspect they are a bit more crass in victory.

A Rainy Year in Georgia

A picture is indeed worth a thousand words. Georgia has now lost to Vandy and Kentucky for the first time since 1973. In other words, this is the worst Georgia season of my lifetime.

Not only is Georgia in danger of staying home for the holidays, but it doesn't look like we'll be good again for the foreseeable future. I guess I should start counting down the days until 2008.

Before The Storm

I snuck into Neyland this afternoon to "get the picture" as Larry Munson would say. Here are the fruits of my trespassing:

Off to Knoxville & Weekend Picks

I'm leaving for Knoxville in the morning, so I probably won't be around to post much this weekend. My Dad, an ardent but reasonable LSU alum, is letting me tag along for his trip. He's never been to Neyland Stadium before. I hope he leaves Knoxville happy. I'm not sure if I'll be wearing purple and gold for the game, but I'll be sorely tempted. We'll be eating ribs and seeing orange by tomorrow afternoon.

In tonight's battle of the Big East, I'm going with the Mountaineers. Last year's Sugar Bowl wound still hasn't completely healed, so I'm hoping that WVU proves that they are good. Louisville has some horses, too, but the WVU spread with Pat White and Steve Slaton is like quicksilver. Both those guys are blazing fast. Sure, WVU can't pass, but who cares if you're running all over people. WVU in a shootout, 48-38.

In SEC weekend action, I don't think we're in for any big upsets, so I like Bama and the jean shorts. In the competitive games, I like LSU, Arkansas, and Georgia to all win, but I think all three of those games are close. LSU is just due for a decent road perfomance and they've had two weeks to prepare. I say they will be ready and get a rare win in Knoxville. Arkansas is just too physical for the Cocks and I think McFadden runs wild. SC will score some points, but not enough to win. The 'Cats and Dawgs will play a surprisingly close game with both offenses making big plays. Georgia's defense, however, is slightly better (although you wouldn't know it from their games against mediocre competition). Georgia gets the win, but we'll sweat it out in the fourth quarter.

SEC Tells Cocks to Quiet Calls

The SEC has told the Cocks they can't play their chicken call on every third down to rile their absurdly overconfident fan base in Williams-Brice.

Memo to all college football teams: You have a band. You have thousands of fans in the stands. You should not need cock crows, turkey calls, or "Welcome to the Jungle" to pump up your fans. Let the band play. Those kids are on scholarship, so let them earn it. UGA is not an exception with their "I'm Georgia" videos. The band should play, not the PA system. I've always thought that if you rely on the PA, that means your fans are lazy and are not paying attention to the game.

Vols Are Pricks II: An Update

Glenn Gilbeau has an interesting article about the upcoming Tennessee-LSU game this weekend. Evangel Christian Academy here in Shreveport has sent players to both schools and there is apparently some animosity between the former teammates. It all stems from the game in Baton Rouge last year where UT came from way behind to ruin LSU's first home game since Katrina. After UT won in overtime, Jonathan Wade, in typical Vile fashion, ran the UT flag around the stadium before planting it in the Tiger Eye at midfield. Former Wade teammate, Chase Pittman thought that action "disrespectful." As if you could expect otherwise from the orange hoards.

As an aside, is there anything more stupid or classless than these midfield celebrations involving flags? Your not at war, jackass, and this isn't Iwo Jima. Leave the flags to the cheerleaders. I know you're jacked up after a big win, but there are other ways to celebrate. While I'm at it, I still don't understand the stomping of the midfield logo. I've been to games where both the home team and the visitors jump up and down at midfield before the game. I guess the home team was jumping respectfully, but the visitors had some ill will? That distinction misses me. Jumping up and down is a reasonable display of joy. Planting a flag at midfield of an opponent's stadium is classless. Fight on Michigan State.