NCAA Football FanHouse http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com NCAA Football FanHouse http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif NCAA Football FanHouse http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Longhorns Survive Aggies' Best Shothttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/27/longhorns-survive-aggies-best-shot/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/27/longhorns-survive-aggies-best-shot/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/27/longhorns-survive-aggies-best-shot/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Colt McCoy
COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- The third-ranked Texas Longhorns still have their undefeated record and BCS national championship hopes intact.

But the Longhorns found themselves in a much tougher than expected shootout with rival Texas A&M before pulling away for a 49-39 win Thursday night at Kyle Field in their regular-season finale to keep their dreams alive. Texas, which finished 12-0, 8-0 in Big 12, is a win away from a likely BCS national title bid provided the Longhorns make it past Nebraska in next week's Big 12 Championship Game.
Texas 49, Texas A&M 39: Box Score

"It was tough as expected," UT senior quarterback Colt McCoy insisted. "I'm just thankful to get a win for the seniors."

Even though the Longhorns led throughout most of the game, the Texas A&M Aggies stayed on their heels most of the night, even cutting the deficit to three points midway through the fourth quarter -- before their inability to make key tackles reared its head yet again.

Moments after a 20-yard pass from A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson to receiver Jeff Fuller pulled the Aggies within three points, 42-39, UT freshman Marquis Goodwin returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown with 6:57 remaining to push the lead back 10 points. It was the final score of the game, and effectively slammed the door on the Aggies.

The 88 combined points by both teams marked the highest output in this storied rivalry.

But the real lure was on the field where the 6-6 Aggies put on an impressive showing that gives hope for next season. A&M put up 531 yards of offense against one of the nation's best defense, while Johnson completed 26 of 33 passes for 343 yards, four touchdowns and one interceptions to get his 2010 Heisman Trophy campaign started early.

McCoy, one of the favorites for the Heisman this season, was steady as he led the Longhorns to 597 yards of offense primarily on the strength of 302 yards (24 of 40 passing) and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 176 yards on 18 carries, scoring on a 65-yard touchdown run.

"We just wanted to do what they asked us to do," McCoy said. "I had no idea I would be running that much, but it worked. It's what we've done all year -- do what we have to [in order] to win."

Longhorns Survive Aggies' Best Shot originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>AggiesBig 12 FootballBig12Footballcolt mccoyColtMccoyheisman trophyHeismanTrophyJeff FullerJeffFullerJerrod JohnsonJerrodJohnsonTexas AM Aggiestexas longhornsTexasAmAggiesTexasLonghornsTerrance HarrisFri, 27 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST Hawkins to Return to Colorado in 2010http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/26/hawkins-to-return-to-colorado-in-2010/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/26/hawkins-to-return-to-colorado-in-2010/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/26/hawkins-to-return-to-colorado-in-2010/#commentsFiled under: ,

Dan Hawkins
The mystery surrounding Dan Hawkins' immediate future at Colorado has been resolved.

Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn announced Thursday morning that the embattled coach will return for his fifth season in 2010 despite four losing seasons. Speculation had mounted in recent weeks as the Colorado Buffaloes spiral at 3-8 - their third non-bowl season in four years.

But Bohn and Colorado chancellor Dr. Phillips DiStefano met with Hawkins and his team Thursday morning to inform them of the plans to allow Hawkins to continue on.

"Dan is our coach," Bohn said. "We continue to have candid, constructive discussions with each other, with campus leadership and with related constituents to review all aspects of the football program. We recognize the importance of continuity to reach our desired competitive results. We have made progress on many fronts, but fully realize the importance of improvement and growth of the program in all areas."

Hawkins has three more seasons remaining on a contract that runs through 2012. He originally signed a five-year deal in 2006 and then received an extension last fall.

The media in Colorado has speculated that Hawkins' $3 million buyout might have weighed in the decision to keep him around at least one more year. But now Bohn and DiStefano must convince the Colorado community to remain patient with Hawkins, who has faced considerable heat in Boulder for sticking with his son, Cody Hawkins, too long this season at quarterback before turning to Tyler Hansen.

Both men asked the community and fans to remain supportive.

"During this challenging time, it is essential for our collective fan base to stay with the program," Bohn said. "We all play a role in building the program on different levels. History has proven that our program is at its best when we channel collective passion, competitiveness, and hard work in the same direction."

The Buffaloes close out the regular season Friday against Big 12 North champion Nebraska.
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Hawkins to Return to Colorado in 2010 originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:19:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Big 12 FootballBig12FootballCody HawkinsCodyHawkinsColorado BuffaloesColoradoBuffaloesDan HawkinsDanHawkinsMike BohnTyler HansenTylerHansenTerrance HarrisThu, 26 Nov 2009 16:19:00 EST Texas-Texas A&M Brews Bad Bloodhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/25/texas-texas-aandm-brews-bad-blood/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/25/texas-texas-aandm-brews-bad-blood/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/25/texas-texas-aandm-brews-bad-blood/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Texas-Texas A&M
For a game that used evoke so much emotion on either side and often divided homes and friendships down the middle, this Texas-Texas A&M rivalry has strangely morphed into that just-another-game feel.

Maybe it's the fact the Aggies haven't seriously challenged for the Big 12 South championship this decade, while the Longhorns have seemingly been part of the division title conversation most seasons. Perhaps, it's because Oklahoma, in most years, has been the most dominant team in the South so Texas has directed its energy toward toppling the Sooners in their annual Red River Rivalry Game every October.

Some would might even suggest Texas Tech and --gasp -- Oklahoma State have become greater rivals to the Longhorns than A&M.

Don't expect to hear anyone on Texas side admit the rivalry with A&M has lost any of its luster as the second-ranked Longhorns get set to head into packed Kyle Field to take on the Aggies and the 12th Man on a Thursday night. In the players hearts and minds this is still one of the best traditional rivalries in college football no matter what the pundits say or recent history shows.

"It's really one of the best in college football, and the 12th Man is still as effective as it's ever been," said UT senior center Chris Hall. "They've got a great crowd, great atmosphere; all of the traditions and the yell leaders are a great example of great college football. The atmosphere at A&M is tops."

"It is a rivalry game -- you look at A&M, they have got one of the top offenses," UT sophomore defensive end Sam Acho said. "Honestly, their team has been up and down, but they have a great offense and they will come to play every year.

"You look at it whether they are undefeated or they are 0-11, they are going to give their full effort. They treat it like a championship game and we have to do the same, otherwise we won't like the results, so that's what really gets me excited for the game."

Some would argue that A&M's success in this game in recent years should be enough to have the Longhorns attention. The Aggies knocked them off in 2006 and 2007 before the Longhorns exacted revenge, 49-9, in Mike Sherman's go-around as A&M's head coach.

But members of the UT senior class actually coming into the Thanksgiving night game with a 1-2 record against the Aggies and with the stinging memory of a 38-30 loss the last time they played at Kyle Field in 2007 when Dennis Franchione completely flipped the script from the spread option attack to a wide open passing attack in his final game as A&M's coach.

Apparently those defeats are a distant memory to the Longhorns, who hold an all-time series lead of 74-36-5 in this rivalry that stretches back to both programs' Southwest Conference days.

"For us right now it's all about finish," said UT senior quarterback Colt McCoy, whose team is 11-0, 7-0 and has its sight set on the BCS national title game in Pasadena in January. "We don't really talk about '06 and '07. We don't like to think about that. We talk about being the best we can be and finishing what we started. That's enough motivation for us. We've got a lot at stake."

The Aggies would tell you they have a lot riding, too. It's just has nothing to do with tangible stakes of an undefeated finish and a national championship. This is about pride and being able to turn the Longhorn sign upside down with the conviction of knowing they've ruined another Texas season.

Raising the stakes for the Aggies is a chance to derail a potential national championship season for Texas. Led by quarterback Jerrod Johnson and an emerging running game behind freshman back Christine Michael and sophomore Cyrus Gray, the 6-5 Aggies can be a dangerous team. It just depends on which squad shows up, the one that blasted Texas Tech on the road this season or the one that laid down for Kansas State and Oklahoma.

For what it's worth, the Aggies are coming off a dominating 38-3 win last week over Baylor so if the season pattern holds true they are poised for a letdown Thursday night.

"They will be Jekyll Thursday night. We won't see Hyde. Hyde goes away," said UT coach Mack Brown. "They are talented. They've got tremendous skill, and they continue to get better each week.

"I think it showed they way they dominated Baylor last week. They can run it and beat you and they can pass it, which gives them the balance that can make it tweaked."

Texas-Texas A&M Brews Bad Blood originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>bcsChristine Michaelcolt mccoyColtMccoyDennis FranchioneDennisFranchioneJerrod JohnsonJerrodJohnsonMack BrownMackBrownSam AchoTexas AM Aggiestexas longhornsTexasAmAggiesTexasLonghornsTerrance HarrisWed, 25 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST Leach Weighs in on Mangino Flaphttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/25/leach-weighs-in-on-mangino-flap/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/25/leach-weighs-in-on-mangino-flap/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/25/leach-weighs-in-on-mangino-flap/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mike LeachLeave it to Texas Tech coach Mike Leach to come up with a brutal assessment of the issues surrounding Kansas coach Mark Mangino and the allegations last week he has been both physically and mentally abusing his players.

Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins has launched an investigation into Mangino's actions after one of his players reported that the head coach poked him during a walk-through practice a couple weeks ago. Since then, several former players have come forth to discuss Mangino's alleged abusive behavior and sometimes mean-spirited verbal attacks.

Leach has never been guilty of playing the politically correct game and he certainly didn't disappoint during this week's Big 12 football coaches call when the subject turned to the storm Mangino is facing.

"I think you try to select the most effective way to coach your guys, but my suspicion is -- and nobody truly knows what went on in Kansas -- but my suspicion is Mark is in the middle of a witch hunt, which is unjustified," said Leach, who is known to be disciplinarian with his players. "Heaven forbid somebody should ask a guy to pay attention, focus and for the sake of his coaches and teammates pay attention. Well there are different ways to do that. Sometimes after you've asked them a number of times, you raise the bar.

"The interesting thing to me in all this murmuring is he went from hitting this guy in the face to he didn't even touch anybody, but he just said mean things to him. Well the mean man told some player some things he didn't want to hear. There is a mean man in Lubbock who tells people things they don't want to hear, too, and it's just part of it, you know."

Several coaches, however, admitted that seeing this situation become national news offers pause to be aware of their players' feelings in times when tough coaching is necessary.

"Anytime something as unfortunate as this takes place, it gives pause to look at your program," Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said. "Everything is so visible that whatever it is that comes to light everyone has to kind of reassess exactly where they are.

"It's a matter of not taking anything for granted. But by the same token, I think we are who we are. Most of us have an ingrained sense of how we coach and interact with people, interact with players."

But in Mangino's defense, Snyder said he never heard of Mangino being abusive towards players when Mangino was an assistant coach on his staff at K-State.

"That didn't happen to my knowledge and there isn't a whole lot that slips under the old radar," said Snyder, who says he has talked with Mangino about the incident. "In that respect, I think he handled players well and I think he had great respect from his players while he was here."


Bedlam Reversal

More often than not, it has been Oklahoma that has a lot riding when the Bedlam rivalry game against Oklahoma State rolls around at each regular-season end.

This year, it is the 11th-ranked Cowboys who have a great deal at stake, while at 6-5 the Sooners are simply trying to improve their second-tier bowl positioning. In eight of the 11 seasons Bob Stoops has been coaching the Sooners, this game has had some type of Big 12 South implications but not this season.

OSU (9-2, 6-1 Big 12), meanwhile, could well be looking at an at-large BCS bid with a win over its rival. It would be the first BCS bid in program history.

So how is that for a reversal of fortunes?

"That's something that some of the guys were talking about the other day," OSU offensive lineman Noah Franklin said. "Everything comes around full circle. From where we were when Andrew Lewis and I got here, it's come a long way since then."

It's a reversal many of the players had hoped they would see come to fruition but in the back of their minds had doubted.

"We definitely believed that we could put ourselves in this type of situation, just in some of the teams we've had we've just been unable at times to win those close games that we've been winning this year," senior linebacker Andre Sexton said. "We found ways to lose those games instead of win them. This year I think the maturity and experience that we've had in those situations has enabled us to pull those victories out."

Even Stoops finds the reversal a bit odd.

"This is different, but we are still in a situation where we are trying to improve our situation and that's what our focus will be on is playing the best we can and trying to make our situation better," he said.

But now for a few doses of reality for Oklahoma State as it heads into Memorial Stadium on Saturday: the Sooners own a national-best 29-game home winning streak. And despite the disparity in success this season, OU comes in as a 6 1/2-point favorite.

Thus, you have OSU coach Mike Gundy declining to get caught up in all the role reversal hoopla or the national implications talk. He knows even in a down season for the Sooners, they are still a dangerous team.
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"The important thing for our players is to have a good week of practice and meetings and absorb the information in the game plan and go play hard on Saturday and with great effort," Gundy said. "No matter what is involved, what's on the line, it's important that the players play well and go play."

Brown Praises FG Kicker

When you think of the magical season second-ranked Texas is having, the initial names that pop up are quarterback Colt McCoy, wide receiver Jordan Shipley, defensive end Sergio Kindle and middle linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy.

Rarely does placekicker Hunter Lawrence's name come up.

Well, the senior is actually putting together a pretty special year, one that has been quietly key in the Longhorns' 11-0, 7-0 record that has them knocking on the doorstep of the BCS national title game. Hunter, who is at the top of every statistical kicking category in the Big 12, has converted 20-of-23 field goals this season.

During last Saturday's 51-20 win over Kansas that secured the Longhorns the South division title, Hunter was true on field goals of 49 yards (season high), 47 and 35 yards.

"He has been unbelievable. In fact as much as we've talked offensively about Colt and Jordan, Hunter has been a Most Valuable Player for us," said UT coach Mack Brown, whose team concludes the regular season Thursday night at Texas A&M. "He has just been an unbelievable weapon for us and a guy that is older, mature and very confident. I feel like he is as good a kicker as any in the country."

Brown says there is a huge comfort level to knowing you have a kicker as capable as Hunter. Having that security also affects strategy.

"When you are playing great defense like we are this year, the other team may not be scoring as much as have in the past and now you can get guaranteed points," Brown said. "You go for less fourth downs, you take less chances and you know you have a guy who can put points on the board.

"He has changed our philosophy some. We still want to be aggressive, but if we feel like it's going to be a tight game, but one the other team won't score much, we do not hesitate to send Hunter out there. The guys are blocking so well for him now because they know he's going to make it."


Quick Slants



The news continues to get worse for the Sooners. Stoops announced that center Ben Habern had surgery Saturday to repair a broken leg suffered in last week's loss to Texas Tech and that he is done for the season. Middle linebacker Ryan Reynolds also suffered a hamstring injury in that game that will keep him out against OSU. The Sooners have lost seven starters to injury this season. ... McCoy joined Florida's Tim Tebow and Houston's Case Keenum as finalists this week for the Dave O'Brien Award, given to the nation's top quarterback. ...Texas senior wide receiver Jordan Shipley is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the nation's top receiver. Shipley has caught 91 balls for 1,204 yards (13.2 yards per catch) and nine touchdowns this season. The sixth-year senior has five double-digit receiving games and six 100-yard receiving games so far this season. ... Texas A&M running backs Christine Michael (116 yards) and Cyrus Gray (107) both eclipsed the 100-yard mark during Saturday's critical 38-3 win over Baylor, marking the second time this season that both have rushed for 100-plus yards in the same game. Michael also set a school record for longest touchdown run with a 97-yard touchdown sprint against the Bears. ... Missouri receiver Danario Alexander continues his late-season run, catching 34 passes for 578 yards and five touchdowns in the Tigers' last three games.

Leach Weighs in on Mangino Flap originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Andre SextonAndreSextonbcsben habernBenHabernBill SnyderBillSnyderBo PeliniBob StoopsBobStoopsBoPeliniCase KeenumCaseKeenumcolt mccoyColtMccoyDanario AlexanderDanarioAlexanderJordan ShipleyJordanShipleyMack BrownMackBrownmark manginoMarkManginoMike GundyMike LeachMikeGundyMikeLeachOklahoma State footballOklahomaStateFootballRyan ReynoldsRyanReynoldsTim TebowTimTebowTerrance HarrisWed, 25 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST Dan Hawkins Wouldn't Recruit Son if Given Another Chancehttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/23/dan-hawkins-wouldnt-recruit-son-if-given-another-chance/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/23/dan-hawkins-wouldnt-recruit-son-if-given-another-chance/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/23/dan-hawkins-wouldnt-recruit-son-if-given-another-chance/#commentsFiled under: ,

Cody Hawkins, Dan HawkinsColorado coach Dan Hawkins has been adamant the past few seasons that having his son, Cody Hawkins, play quarterback for the Buffaloes was no different than other recruit.

Hawkins did a complete turnaround during Monday's weekly press conference, saying if he had to do it all over again he would not have recruited his own son.

"Not for him, no. Nope. Not at all," Hawkins said. "It's not fair to him. Here is a guy who is trying to do his best to win games and to help his team and does everything right, he's a good student and he's getting killed on Facebook and getting killed on his cell phone.

"The great thing about this job is you meet some unbelievable people. But then you also see another side of humanity that's not real fun."

It's funny how losing and facing scrutiny has opened Hawkins' eyes to something that should have been apparent from the start. The risk and the potential reward of coaching your son at the highest profile position in the highest level of college football just doesn't balance out.

It's hard enough on coaches' kids dealing with the pressures in school when their dad isn't being successful at this level. Just ask Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis. Imagine the angst Cody Hawkins has endured the past couple seasons being the focal point of why his dad had not been successful.

Hawkins claims he considered all of this when he recruited his son in the 2006 class.

"I'm looking around the country and I've got a lot of these quarterback gurus saying 'Hawk, why [do] you keep looking? Why don't you look down the hallway and knock on your kid's door and beg him to come to school there,"' Hawkins said. "I thought twice about it, I did. Cody was well aware of it. But again, it's me being glass half-full. I'm Iooking at what's the best possible scenario. I'm looking at hey, here is a kid that is a good player, that other people have offered, that other people want and he's going to come to our place and I know what kind of kid he is, what kind of player he is and how bad we need a quarterback in this class. So it was probably selfish on my part, it really was.
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"Like I said, he's been great with it. I think it's been harder on him than it is on me."

This could have could have gone over much better at Boise State, where Dan Hawkins was instrumental in transforming the Broncos into a non-BCS power. Father and son going to battle together might have made a great national story if it worked out. Cody could have quietly been shifted to safety if it didn't.

But at Colorado, where the Buffalo faithful have been clamoring for a turnaround, the scrutiny and expectations were always going to be great. Cody, a fourth-year junior, showed real promise two years ago as a redshirt freshman as he led the Colorado Buffaloes to wins over Oklahoma and Nebraska in the same season.

Last year, however, things began to unravel and Hawkins had to bench his son in favor of freshman Tyler Hansen. Things again went awry this season and Hawkins had to pull Hansen out of another presumed redshirt year when the heat became too intense on his son.

The 3-7, 2-4 Big 12 Buffaloes are limping toward their third bowl-less season in Hawkins' four years as they close out the year hosting North division champ Nebraska on Friday. Hawkins could very well be out of a job shortly thereafter.

Much of the blame will be attributed to how he has mishandled his quarterback situation the past two years. So it's easy to see how Hawkins is having second thoughts about recruiting his son in the 2006 class." If I had it to do over again [recruiting son Cody] , I wouldn't, ... it's not fair to him. It's not. "
-- Dan Hawkins

"If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't do it because I tell you what, it's not fair to him. It's not," Hawkins said. "It's like this around the country, when you lose everything is good, when you lose everything is wrong. That just becomes an even bigger lightning bolt, a bigger lightning rod. He's handled it great, and he's been awesome with the thing. That guy has been great for our team and great for us.

"I'm a glass half-full guy. When I came to Colorado there were a lot of guys telling me 'Don't go there, man. Are you kidding me? Don't go there.' But you know what I believed in this place, I still believe in this place and I believe in me."

Cody declined to discuss the subject when asked by reporters about his father's comments.

Dan Hawkins Wouldn't Recruit Son if Given Another Chance originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>charlie weisCharlieWeisCody HawkinsCodyHawkinscolorado buffaloesColoradoBuffaloesDan HawkinsDanHawkinsTyler HansenTylerHansenTerrance HarrisMon, 23 Nov 2009 22:08:00 EST Oklahoma State's Zac Robinson Expected to Play in 'Bedlam'http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/23/gundy-expects-robinson-back-for-bedlam/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/23/gundy-expects-robinson-back-for-bedlam/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/23/gundy-expects-robinson-back-for-bedlam/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Zac RobinsonOklahoma State coach Mike Gundy says he expects senior quarterback Zac Robinson to return to the starting lineup for the 11th-ranked Cowboys during Saturday's critical regular-season finale against rival Oklahoma.

Robinson missed Thursday night's win over Colorado after sustaining injuries to his head and shoulder in a victory over Texas Tech the previous week. But Gundy said during Monday's Big 12 football coaches teleconference that Robinson began throwing over the weekend and that he would return to practice Monday afternoon. Gundy normally does not discuss injuries which means Robinson could or could not play.

But Robinson's return is key because the 9-2, 6-1 Cowboys are in line for the first at-large BCS bowl berth with a victory over the struggling Oklahoma Sooners in the annual Bedlam rivalry game.

Junior Alex Cate started in Robinson's absence against the Buffaloes, but it was sophomore Brandon Weeden who came off the bench to secure the 31-28 win.

OU coach Bob Stoops said not knowing for sure which quarterback will play for the Oklahoma State Cowboys doesn't change his team's preparation.

"They're still running the same offense no matter who is in there," Stoops said. "So it really doesn't change the preparation."

Oklahoma State's Zac Robinson Expected to Play in 'Bedlam' originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>bcsBob StoopsBobStoopsMike GundyMikeGundyOklahoma SoonersOklahoma State footballOklahomaSoonersOklahomaStateFootballzac robinsonZacRobinsonTerrance HarrisMon, 23 Nov 2009 16:58:00 EST Kansas Still Fights for Embattled Coachhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/22/kansas-still-fights-for-embattled-mangino/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/22/kansas-still-fights-for-embattled-mangino/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/22/kansas-still-fights-for-embattled-mangino/#commentsFiled under: ,

Mark ManginoAUSTIN, Texas --- Embattled Kansas coach Mark Mangino's week got off to a rocky start and it didn't get any better as the Jayhawks rolled to their sixth straight defeat Saturday night, falling 51-20 to the second-ranked Texas Longhorns on the road.

On Monday, Mangino found out athletic director Lew Perkins has launched an investigation into allegations the eight-year head coach has been verbally and physically abusive to some of his players after linebacker Arist Wright reported Mangino for poking him in the chest last Friday. Several former players have come forth to discuss the often mean-spirited abuse Mangino often fired their way.

Most expect these allegations along with a disappointing 5-6, 1-6 Big 12 record to be enough to send Mangino packing not long after next week's regular season finale.

Mangino seemed undeterred by all that's going on following Saturday night's loss at Texas Memorial Stadium.

"Distracted?" Mangino responded when asked about the distractions of the week. "Let me tell you what's on my mind. This week, it was Texas. As soon as I walk out of this room, Missouri.

"Let me tell you something that's really important on my mind. I have a player, D.J. Marshall, who's in Tulsa, Okla. in a cancer treatment center. He just started his chemotherapy this week. That's called a bad week. I've had a great week."

On paper Saturday night, it looked as though his team got hammered by Texas. But in actuality, they played with a great deal of fight and resilience that defied the storm swirling around the program right now. After trailing by 21 points at halftime, the Jayhawks came out and briefly cut their deficit to 27-13 when running back Jake Sharp raced 2 yards into the end to cap an impressive 88-yard scoring drive early in the third quarter.

Star receiver Dez Briscoe also had brilliant moments, catching five balls for 101 yards to help set up three scores. He also had a spectacular 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown with 11:29 remaining in the game that pulled the Jayhawks closer at 44-20.
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Kansas senior quarterback Todd Reesing also had his moments in front of his hometown crowd in Austin, completing 25 of 39 pass attempts for 256 yards on the night.

"I'm really proud of the way our kids played and competed," Mangino said. "I'm proud of everything they did today. The better team won today, but our kids never surrendered, even in times when their backs were against the wll, they continued to fight."

That's certainly what Texas coach Mack Brown saw, as well.

"That team didn't look like it had any problem tonight. i thought they fought really hard," Brown said. "You don't fight that hard unless you are fighting for coaches and yourself. I thought that sent a message that those kids haven't given up yet."

The Kansas Jayhawks, who started out the season 5-0 and were at one point in the Top 20, must defeat Missouri in next week's regular-season finale to become bowl eligible. Mangino also believes his team still has fight in it despite everything going on.

"It's a united team," said Mangino, who is just two seasons removed from a 12-1 Orange Bowl season. "Let me say this to you, I am priviledged to coach these kids.

"We are a 5-6 football team, and this is one of the most resilient groups of kids I have ever been around."

Kansas Still Fights for Embattled Coach originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Dez BriscoeKansas JayhawksKansasJayhawksMack BrownMackBrownmark manginoMarkManginoTodd ReesingToddReesingTerrance HarrisSun, 22 Nov 2009 01:40:00 EST McCoy Drums Up Victory for Longhornshttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/22/mccoy-drums-up-victory-for-longhorns/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/22/mccoy-drums-up-victory-for-longhorns/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/22/mccoy-drums-up-victory-for-longhorns/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


AUSTIN, Texas -- Usually one the most straight-laced and reserved of the Texas Longhorns, senior quarterback Colt McCoy finally stopped to take it all in late Saturday night.

Moments after the second-ranked Longhorns defeated Kansas 51-20 to earn a trip to the Big 12 Championship Game as the South division champs, and after McCoy cemented himself as college football's all-time winningest quarterback, thefour-year starter celebrated with record 101,357 fans who stuck around Texas Memorial Stadium to pay homage.

McCoy jumped into the mode of a normal student overflowing with spirit as he fired off the cannon and then beat storied base drum Big Bertha as the crowd roared even louder.

"I had never hit the drum, I had never shot the cannon," McCoy said with a smile. "I had always wanted to pull the cannon but I was afraid I would get a 15-yard penalty. I guess that was the perfect time to do it."

Indeed it was the night to take it all in and reflect on what had been accomplished and what still lies ahead for the undefeated and mostly unchallenged Longhorns. Off in the horizons are the possibilities of the Heisman Trophy for McCoy and a shot at the programs' first BCS national championship since 2005.

But before obtaining such lofty goals, the Longhorns still have the pressing matter of facing rival Texas A&M in their annual Thanksgiving Day regular season-season finale. They will then have to prepare to face the punishing defense of Nebraska in the Big 12 championship a week later. Any slip-up along the way would almost certainly douse any hopes of a BCS title.

"That's one our goals, we won the South," said McCoy, whose 43 career wins broke the previous record set by Georgia's David Greene. "But our focus right now is going to be on A&M. We only have five days to prepare. I'm totally on A&M, that's where we are headed."

That's typical McCoy, never allowing the moment to overshadow what's ahead.

But Saturday night, the fans who packed into Texas Memorial Stadium weren't going to allow their quarterback to not celebrate what he's accomplished to this point. They stood on their feet and chanted "Colt...Colt...Colt...Colt" as the clock struck 5:52 and it seemed certain they were getting their last glimpse of their quarterback at home.

And to let the moment fester just a little longer, head coach Mack Brown allowed fellow seniors Jordan Shipley, center Chris Hall, guard Charlie Tanner and offensive tackle Adam Ulatoski, along with McCoy to trot out with the offense one last time only to call timeout to remove them to allow them one last ovation.

McCoy seemed humbled by the outpouring of respect and affection, not just for him but for the other 20 seniors playing their final home game.

"I heard it, it was pretty loud," McCoy said of the ovation. "I'm just so thankful. God has blessed me tremendously. I've worked so hard to be at this point, but I know how good a teammates I've had, how good of coaches I've had. I've been blessed and it's really special."
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It seemed only fitting that McCoy turned in a career night against the Kansas Jayhawks, connecting on 32-of-41 passes for 396 yards and four touchdowns on a night where the Longhorns never struggled and never trailed. McCoy looked especially sharp as he worked the ball into childhood best friend Jordan Shipley (10 passes for 108 yards and one touchdown), while also working in some of the younger receivers like Malcolm Williams (six catches, 103 yards and one touchdown) and James Kirkendoll (eight catches, 86 and two touchdowns).

It was the kind of performance that could very well have McCoy back out front in the Heisman Trophy race. But what is for sure is McCoy's performance lived up to the occasion that saw him become college football's all-time wins leader while also securing his Big 12 Championship Game bid.

"I don't think we could have scripted it any better," Brown said. "With all the pressure on him, he's showing everybody he's in here for a big finish. He was sending a message tonight."

The message was that McCoy and the rest of the Longhorns have accomplished a lot so far, but that their business is far from done.

"What's important to me is winning. We just did what they told us to do," McCoy said. "Before the game I didn't think about. ... I tried not to think about this being my last game in here, letting my emotions get the best of me.

"I just wanted to come out here and play and get better because we've got a long stretch ahead of us still."

McCoy Drums Up Victory for Longhorns originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>colt mccoyheisman trophyJordan ShipleyMack BrownTerrance HarrisSun, 22 Nov 2009 01:32:00 EST McCoy Keeps Longhorns on Title Marchhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/mccoy-keeps-longhorns-on-title-march/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/mccoy-keeps-longhorns-on-title-march/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/mccoy-keeps-longhorns-on-title-march/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Colt McCoyAUSTIN, Texas -- For 21 University of Texas seniors, Saturday night was their last time playing at Texas Memorial Stadium. So they made it a night to remember.

The second-ranked Longhorns overpowered Kansas en route to a 51-20 victory that cemented them as the Big 12 South division champions and sealed senior quarterback Colt McCoy's place as college football's all-time winningest quarterback with 43 career wins.

But the Texas Longhorns, who are well positioned for their first BCS national championship game bid since 2005, still have quite a bit of business to finish. They will have to get past rival Texas A&M on Thanksgiving night and then North division champ Nebraska in the Big 12 title game.

McCoy, who completed 32-of-41 for 396 yards and four touchdowns, also positioned himself near the front of the Heisman Trophy race with a near-flawless performance in front of a capacity home crowd.

In the meantime, the Longhorns will celebrate another impressive win that moves them to 11-0 and 7-0 in conference play. The Jayhawks, mired in controversy because of abuse allegations being aimed at head coach Mark Mangino, have now lost six straight and at 5-6 and 1-6, need to win their regular-season finale against Missouri next week to become bowl-eligible.
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It was obvious almost from the outset that the Jayhawks were no match for Texas as they fell behind 27-6 by halftime. Kansas made it interesting early in their third quarter when it drove the ball 88 yards and running back Jake Sharp slammed in from two yards on the Jayhawks' first touchdown of the evening to pull within 27-13 with 3:08 left in the third quarter.

But just 10 seconds and one play later, McCoy hooked up with receiver Malcolm Williams for a 68-yard touchdown pass that re-extended the lead to 21 and more or less closed the door on any comeback attempt. Kansas never seriously threatened again though Dez Briscoe did muster an impressive 98-yard kickoff return that made it 44-20 early in the fourth quarter and kept things interesting a little longer.

Jordan Shipley, playing in his final home game, caught 10 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown.

McCoy Keeps Longhorns on Title March originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>colt mccoyColtMccoytexas longhornsTexasLonghornsTerrance HarrisSat, 21 Nov 2009 23:04:00 EST Live Blog: Colt McCoy Shoots for Spot as Texas' Greatest Quarterbackhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/live-blog-colt-mccoy-shoots-for-spot-as-texas-greatest-quarter/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/live-blog-colt-mccoy-shoots-for-spot-as-texas-greatest-quarter/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/live-blog-colt-mccoy-shoots-for-spot-as-texas-greatest-quarter/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

TexasAUSTIN, Texas -- Okay, so let the debate began.

Vince Young or Colt McCoy.

Which is the greatest Texas Longhorns quarterback of all time? Young led the Texas Longhorns to a season of perfection and the BCS national title in 2005 as a junior. McCoy, a four-year starter at Texas, has a chance tonight to become college football's all-time winningest quarterback with 43 wins should the second-ranked Longhorns make it past Kansas here at Texas Memorial Stadium.

Some argue McCoy is more a complete quarterback than Young, able to beat opponents with both his arm and legs. But McCoy has yet to win aBig 12 championship much-less a national title and for some that is how greatness is best measured.
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McCoy, however, could take a major step in that direction tonight during the Longhorns' final home game. A win over the Kansas Jayhawks clinches the South division title and reserves a spot in the Dec. 5th Big 12 championship for the 10-0 Longhorns.

It all sets up nicely for McCoy tonight, who can surpass Georgia's David Greene's 42-wins mark in front of his home crowd in his final game in Memorial Stadium on Senior Night. Making it even sweeter, the win also clinches the South for the Longhorns.

"I'm trying not to think about that at all," McCoy said of the all-time wins record. "I just want to go out there and do my best so we can win. That is a really special award. It's a team award. Later down the road when we meet up with each other, we can say, `We had such and such number of wins.' That'll be special, but to have a chance to break it during the last home game at the stadium, that's pretty sweet."


FIRST QUARTER



The Longhorns get on the board first when McCoy connects with receiver James Kirkendoll for a 41-yard touchdown that made it 7-0 with 6:02 left in the first quarter.
********************

So much for McCoy's Heisman showcase tonight as he fumbles the ball away on a scramble.
********************

Gotta give it up to UT defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. He really knows how to dial it up. Two perfectly called blitzes have resulted in big sacks on Reesing in the first quarter. The first came earlier in the quarter when Chykie Brown dropped him for a 12-yard loss on a corner blitz. And at the end of the first quarter, defensive tackle Lamarr Houston came in to put Reesind down for a 8-yard loss.


SECOND QUARTER

The Longhorns are fortunate to hold Kansas to a 27-yard field goal by Jacob Branstetter after McCoy's fumble and a deep pass from Todd Reesing to Dez Briscoe that landed the Jayhawks at the UT 10. The Longhorns can't afford many more mistakes.

*********************

Kansas isn't the only team with a new wrinkle. The Longhorns broke out the naked bootleg as McCoy rolled right and found Jordan Shipley down field for a 38-yard touchdown pass that put UT up 14-3.

*************************

Kansas has now driven the ball into the the red zone only to have to settle for another field goal after the Longhorns stalled the Jayhawks at the 8. Reesing overthrew Briscoe in the corner of the end zone twice from the 8.

*********************

An attempted onside kick by the Jayhawks nearly backfires when it doesn't travel the necessary 10 yards. The Longhrons got the ball at the KU 36, but ended up settling for a 49-yard Hunter Lawrence field goal that makes it 17-6 with 5:45 remaining in the first half.

***********************

Okay, the Longhorns are starting to roll. Just completed a near flawless 59-yard drive that ended with Cody Johnson slamming in from 1-yard out to put Texas ahead 24-6 with 1:21 remaining in the half.

************************

After a little bit of clock confusion the Longhorns got exactly what they wanted out of the end of the first half and that was points. Lawrence converted a 47-yard field goal to give UT a 27-6 lead going into halftime. The Longhorns have scored points on four straight possessions and will open up the second half with the ball. Can we say the rout is on?
**********************

The obvious attention is on McCoy becoming the all-time winngest quarterback in college football tonight, but just maybe this stage and performance could catapult the Longhorns senior back into the front of the Heisman Trophy race. Through the first two quarters, McCoy has connected on 18-of-22 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns. He has the no-huddle offense moving in great rhythm. So far, McCoy's only mistake has been a fumble in which the Jayhawks converted into a field goal.


THIRD QUARTER

So maybe it's too early to count Kansas out. After forcing UT to punt for the first time in four series, the Jayhawks offense bounced back with an impressive 88-yard drive that saw Jake Sharpe race in from two yards out for their first touchdown of the night, pulling within 27-13 with 8:10 left in the third. Briscoe put KU into the red zone for the third time of the night when he got past the secondary for a 39-yard reception to the UT 19. And then freshman receiver Bradley McDougald had a 17-yard reception to the 2.
**********************


Well maybe we shouldn't call it a comeback just yet. One offensive play and 10 seconds after KU pulled within two touchdowns, McCoy found Malcolm Williams streaking down field on a deep post for a 68-yard touchdown connections that extended the lead back out to 34-13.


FOURTH QUARTER

Sure, this game is all but over but Dez Briscoe is showing tonight he is a spectacular athlete. When Reesing has been able to find him, he has burned the UT secondary badly. And he just returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown as he made the UT kickoff coverage team look absolutely slow. If the Jayhawks had a little more to go with him this might actually be an interesting finish.

But oh well. About to head to the field for interviews. Enjoy.

Live Blog: Colt McCoy Shoots for Spot as Texas' Greatest Quarterback originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:46:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Big 12 FootballBig12Footballcolt mccoyColtMccoyKansas JayhawksKansasJayhawkstexas longhornsTexasLonghornsvince youngVinceYoungTerrance HarrisSat, 21 Nov 2009 19:46:00 EST Longhorns Find It Easy to Stay Focusedhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/longhorns-find-it-easy-to-stay-focused/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/longhorns-find-it-easy-to-stay-focused/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/longhorns-find-it-easy-to-stay-focused/#commentsFiled under: , ,

AUSTIN, Texas -- University of Texas coach Mack Brown usually doesn't like to live in the past, but this week he broke out some old film for his team.

He showed the Longhorns how teams from 2006 and 2007 finished in comparison to 2005, when Texas won the BCS national title, and last season when many agree the 12-1 Longhorns should have been given the opportunity to compete for the national championship.

Brown's point to his second-ranked,10-0 squad is simple: stay focused these last two regular-season games, the Big 12 championship game in two weeks, and then biggest of prizes await the Texas Longhorns in Pasadena. A slip up anywhere between now and the Jan. 7 BCS national championship game will lead to great disappointment for Texas.

"We basically said you can choose," said Brown, whose team moved to 6-0 in Big 12 play with last Saturday's 47-14 win at Baylor. "You've been a great team and you've had a great run, so if you want to be flat and stand around here and get beat at the end, that's up to you. I can't do anything about it. If you sincerely want to be 40-years-old and look back at what you've accomplished, you've got two weeks to put yourself in a different place than a lot of teams have in this football program. When you bring your children and your grandchildren back through, if you want to be proud of 10 wins, that's fine. If you want to try to get to 14, that's on you.''

The march toward what seems to be the inevitable continues Saturday night when the Longhorns take on a struggling Kansas squad -- which is in the midst of a five-game losing streak and its coach, Mark Mangino, is embroiled in a controversy that could see him fired soon -- in their final home game, on senior night and on a night when four-year starter Colt McCoy can become college football's all-time winningest quarterback.
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"I think it's going to be a lot of fun," said McCoy, who at 42-7 is tied with Georgia's David Greene for the most victories by a college quarterback and remains a viable candidate for the Heisman Trophy. "For me, and I think all of our seniors, we're just not going to let our emotions get the best of us. We've had so many memories in that stadium, but we just have to go out and play. There are still so many goals intact for us, so it's just another game. That's how we have to treat it."

Should the Longhorns win Saturday night, they will lock up the Big 12 South division title to guarantee a spot in the Dec. 5th conference championship game. They also have a showdown on Thanksgiving night against longtime in-state rival Texas A&M in front of a national television audience.

So Brown says there is zero chance Texas will be overlooking the Kansas Jayhawks (5-5, 1-5 Big 12) Saturday night or anytime soon.

"They're excited about senior night, they're excited about Kansas coming in here, national TV, there is a lot at stake," he said. "We can tie up the South Division championship this weekend, Colt could move forward and be the winningest quarterback in college football history. So there are a lot of things on the line for us.

"But you never know, though. I think they are really excited about the challenge of Kansas coming in here and our seniors playing their last game at home."

Longhorns Find It Easy to Stay Focused originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>bcsBig 12 FootballBig 12 SouthBig12Footballcolt mccoyColtMccoyDavid Greeneheisman trophyHeismanTrophyKansas JayhawksKansasJayhawksMack BrownMackBrownmark manginoMarkManginotexas longhornsTexasLonghornsTerrance HarrisSat, 21 Nov 2009 12:10:00 EST Big 12 North Gets Nostalgichttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/20/big-12-north-gets-nostalgic/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/20/big-12-north-gets-nostalgic/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/20/big-12-north-gets-nostalgic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Big 12 North remains a ways from returning to the prominence it enjoyed when the conference first formed in the late 1990s, but if Saturday's matchup between Kansas State and Nebraska for the division title is any indication then better days are certainly on the horizon.

After years of struggles by the Kansas State Wildcats and the Nebraska Cornhuskers, which have coincided with a dip in the North's strength, the two meet Saturday in Lincoln for a winner-take-all showdown. Neither team has had quite the season it anticipated but each has won enough for the right to play for the Big 12 championship, likely against No. 2 Texas, Dec. 5.

"Certainly we've been in this position before, probably in different ways," said veteran Wildcats coach Bill Snyder, who broke out of a three-year retirement to return to the sidelines this season. "By the same token, I can't remember other than the very early years that playing against the Nebraska teams was not a great challenge and certainly key ball games were after those initial years after they beat us so soundly."

It used to be that Nebraska was the football program many were measured by across the country when legendary coach Tom Osborne was running the Cornhuskers. The pull was even greater for an up-and-coming coach in the Big Eight, who dared dream he could turn Kansas State into a team capable of competing with mighty Nebraska.

"It was a dynamic conference, there were a lot of models," Snyder said this week. "I always had amazing respect for Tom Osborne and I loved the way he conducted his program, not just all the championships he had won, but just the fact of how he handled his program and how he worked with young people and what he meant to his state. It was a total package. Indeed it could serve as a model program for any one of us."

Eventually Snyder and his Wildcats caught up enough to make the early years of the Big 12 quite interesting. From the inception of the league in 1996 to 2000, either Nebraska or Kansas State won the North Division every season. But since then both teams have won the North just once as the division has taken a backseat to the South.

In the meantime, Nebraska has had three coaches and Kansas State moved on to Ron Prince for a few up and down seasons before returning to the stability of Snyder.

Both teams are still shadows of their former selves, but this may be sign of progress. Nebraska enters Saturday game 7-3, 4-2, while the Wildcats come into their regular-season finale 6-5, 4-3 with a chance to become bowl eligible (two of Kansas State's win are over FCS teams) and the division champs at the same time.

"Obviously, the game means a lot, this is going to determine the Big 12 North," said second-year Nebraska coach Bo Pelini. "We have a lot of respect for our opponent in every way and we know we have to be ready to play our best football."
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Cyclones Gathering Strength

A few days into spring practice, first-year Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads felt he had plenty of reasons for concern after watching the team he inherited tackle.

But Rhoads and his staff had just as much to celebrate after the Iowa State Cyclones beat Colorado 17-10 to become eligible for the first time since 2005. Iowa State, coming off a 2-10 season last under Gene Chizik, has moved to 6-5 on the season to give Rhoads the biggest turnaround of any rookie coach this season.

"We've made a lot of progress before we got to this sixth win and bowl eligibility," said Rhoads, whose team is 3-4 in league play heading into Saturday's regular-season finale at Missouri. "Progress and improvement is what we wanted to accomplish. Now we've put the program a little bit more on the national map by gaining bowl eligibility.

"Hopefully the bowl game that will follow helps recruiting, helps people's perception of you, it begins to build tradition. Those are hopefully all things we can follow up with."

Interestingly, the defense that Rhoads was so concerned about this past spring has really stepped up at critical times this season. During the win over Colorado, the Cyclones stopped Colorado three times inside their 10 to preserve the win.

The Buffaloes were the third Big 12 opponent ISU has held to 10 points or less this season.

Rhoads is no longer as worried, though he knows major improvement still needs to made to get the unit back up to par of the Dan McCarney days.

"They keep improving, they keep listening to the coaching," Rhoads said. "I thought their preparation and their understanding of Colorado was as good as it's been all year. The communication that took place on the field, the adjustments and communication that took place on the sideline, just gave the appearance of a very smart football team in holding our third Big 12 team to 10 points or less, which is the first time it's been done since 1965 with conference opponents I think also speaks to their growth."

Alexander Making Most of Final Shot

Missouri senior receiver Danario Alexander anticipates getting a little emotional Saturday when he comes out of the tunnel at Memorial Stadium one last time.

"I've been thinking about it for a couple of weeks now," Alexander said. "My time is coming to an end, and it's kind of bittersweet. I'm sure emotions will be flying everywhere, but I've got to try to contain them and play my best game."

It will be pretty difficult to top the two weeks Alexander has had, in which he caught for 414 yards in games against Baylor and Missouri. Alexander, whose career has been marred by serious knee injuries, blistered the Wildcats last Saturday for 200 yards and receiving touchdowns of 54, 16 and 18 yards to earn Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors.

After the game, Snyder said Alexander was the best receiver in the Big 12 after watching him run circles around his defense. His opinion of the 6-foot-5 blazer didn't change a couple days later during the Big 12 conference call.

"I had not seen him play until the week of the game and I saw some things he did well," Snyder said. "He's a rangy guy, he's got the height that allows you to put the ball up in the air and for him to jump and go up and get it. I like the fact he can catch the ball over the middle, he' not afraid to lay out for the ball. He obviously has very good hands and has good speed to go with it.

"He's a complete receiver that creates a lot of difficult mismatches because of his height."

Alexander, who had to watch Missouri stars like Jeremy Maclin romp all over the field while injured, is certainly making up for lost time this season. He leads the conference with 81 catches for 1,238 yards and 11 touchdowns and he is averaging 123.8 yards per game receiving.

Missouri coach Gary Pinkel, who has had to watch Alexander endure several disappointing seasons, is pleased that the standout receiver is finally getting a chance to shine. Now he thinks the rest of the nation should take notice.

"His numbers speak for themselves," said Pinkel, whose team became bowl eligible last week for a school-record fifth straight year. "Because he had been injured the past couple years and didn't play on a consistent basis, I think without question his name should be out there for All-American honors. Based on stats, based on performance just week in and week out the consistency.

"I know there are great players in this league, I have great respect for all the players here but certainly from an offensive standpoint with two games left in the regular season, I think his numbers are really really outstanding."

Toilet Bowl

It's amazing that as disappointing as both Texas A&M and Baylor have been this season that either of them are in contention for a postseason bowl.

But it's fitting that their matchup Saturday in College Station will likely determine if either will qualify for a postseason bowl game. The Bears, who came into the season with hopes of breaking a long-standing bowl drought had their enthusiasm tempered when sophomore quarterback Robert Griffin suffered an early season-ending knee injury, must win its final two regular season games to be bowl eligible.

The Texas A&M Aggies, meanwhile, have been the biggest mystery of the season having overwhelmed the likes of Texas Tech and Iowa State while falling to Colorado. At 5-6, they need to win at least one of the final two to make a bowl.

But with No.2 Texas coming up on Thanksgiving night, A&M's best bet is to beat the 4-6 Baylor Bears at home Saturday.

"Every game we play is important and this one certainly has some implications for both teams and certainly that's out there," said second-year A&M coach Mike Sherman, who is looking for his first bowl bid. "There are two games left and we are excited about playing this one."

Baylor coach Art Briles, who has endured a heart-breaking season, says it's a victory just for his team to have a chance at a bowl game.



"The good thing is we've put ourselves in position, whereas a year ago we didn't have this position," said Briles, whose team takes on Texas Tech in the regular-season finale at Jerry Jones' Cowboys Stadium on Nov. 28. "We didn't have enough wins to be considered of an opportunity to become bowl eligible with two games remaining. We've got something in front of us, now we have to go take care of business and make it reality."

Hawkins Finds Humor in Job Security

When asked Monday if he had any communication with athletic director Mike Bohn and chancellor Phillip P. Di Stefano about his job status, Colorado coach Dan Hawkins let loose a loud and awkward laugh during the Big 12 conference call.

Then he gathered himself.

"They've been great, they've been awesome," Hawkins said. "Mike has been great and Phil has been great. They've both been very supportive about the whole deal."

But most believe Hawkins' job is in jeopardy after another disappointing season in which the Buffaloes are 3-7 and 2-4 heading into Thursday night's game at Oklahoma State. Colorado has been bowl eligible just once in Hawkins' four-year tenure.

Hawkins, however, said he didn't believe his job is in jeopardy. He inherited a program from Gary Barnett that had been rocked by a sensational recruiting scandal.

"Those guys are great," Hawkins said of Bohn and Di Stefano. "I think they understand the nature and scope of the position we have here and all the things that go on and have gone on. Everybody wants to win more games but in terms of helping get this place back on track after what it went through I think we've had to take on a number of tasks and done a great job with that."

Big 12 North Gets Nostalgic originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Art BrilesArtBrilesBaylor FootballBaylorFootballBig 12 FootballBig12FootballBill SnyderBillSnyderBo PeliniBoPeliniDan HawkinsDan McCarneyDanario AlexanderDanHawkinsDanMccarneyGary PinkelGaryPinkelGene ChizikGeneChizikIowa State FootballIowaStateFootballJeremy MaclinJeremyMaclinKansas State WildcatsKansasStateWildcatsMike ShermanMikeShermanNebraskaFootballpaul rhoadsPaulRhoadsRobert GriffinRobertGriffinRon PrinceRonPrinceTexas AM AggiesTexasAmAggiesTom OsborneTomOsborneTerrance HarrisFri, 20 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST Oklahoma State Rallies Past Coloradohttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/19/oklahom-state-rallies-to-stay-in-bcs-hunt/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/19/oklahom-state-rallies-to-stay-in-bcs-hunt/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/19/oklahom-state-rallies-to-stay-in-bcs-hunt/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Oklahoma StateThe Oklahoma State Cowboys rallied in the second half to defeat Colorado, 31-28, on Thursday night at Boone Pickens Stadium to remain in contention for their first BCS bowl.

With Zac Robinson sitting out the game due to a shoulder injury, the 12th-ranked Cowboys (9-2, 6-1 Big 12) turned to junior Alex Cate but it was third-string sophomore Brandon Weeden who rallied them from a 21-10 deficit against the struggling Buffaloes.

Weeden completed 10 of 15 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns. His 28-yard touchdown pass to Justin Blackmon while rolling right gave the Oklahoma State Cowboys the lead for good with 8:11 remaining in the game. Weeden also had a 47-yard touchdown throw to running back Keith Toston earlier in the second half.

The win keeps Mike Gundy's Cowboys in position to earn the Big 12 conference's Fiesta Bowl bid and also keeps the pressure on No.3 Texas for the South division title. The undefeated Longhorns, who could have clinched with a loss by OSU Thursday night, must beat Kansas Saturday to wrap up the South title.

Texas would have to lose its final two games and the Cowboys would need to defeat rival Oklahoma next week in order to change the standing at the top of the division.

But even still, the Cowboys have been outstanding through a great deal of adversity in recent weeks. They have been without All-Americans Dez Bryant (receiver) and Kendall Hunter (running back) since the non-conference schedule and Robinson missed Thursday night's game with a shoulder injury suffered in Saturday's win over Texas Tech.

OSU, which is riding a three-game winning streak, has won six Big 12 games for the time in program history and are poised for its best finish yet in the division.
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Oklahoma State Rallies Past Colorado originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>bcsBig 12 FootballBig12FootballDez BryantDezBryantKendall HunterKendallHunterOklahoma State CowboysOklahomaStateCowboyszac robinsonZacRobinsonTerrance HarrisThu, 19 Nov 2009 23:32:00 EST Former Kansas Running Back Says He Felt Wrath of Manginohttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/19/former-kansas-running-back-says-he-felt-wrath-of-mangino/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/19/former-kansas-running-back-says-he-felt-wrath-of-mangino/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/19/former-kansas-running-back-says-he-felt-wrath-of-mangino/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Former Kansas running back Jocques Crawford believes Jayhawks football coach Mark Mangino has anger issues and is prone to unleash his abusive behavior on his players.

Crawford says he witnessed Mangino's wrath first hand during his lone season with the program in 2008. Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins launched an investigation into his head coach's behavior Monday after it came to his attention that Mangino had poked senior linebacker Arist Wright during a walk-through practice last Friday.

Perkins has formed an independent panel to begin investigating what is believed to be a pattern of abusive behavior by Mangino directed at his team and other football personnel. Crawford said Perkins has yet to contact him, but if he does the former running back will have plenty to say.

"From what I heard, that's been going on for a while," Crawford told FanHouse. "I was warned that's how he was but I never believed it until I had my encounter with him during two-a-days."

During that encounter, not long after the Junior College All-American out of Cisco Junior College joined the team in the summer of 2008, Crawford said he was having fumble troubles on a particular day early in fall two-a-days camp when Mangino came down with a mean-spirited attack in front of not only his teammates but some NFL scouts observing practice.

"Mangino grabbed me and started cursing me out and he said I'm the biggest flop that he'd ever seen since some player he named that I had never heard of," Crawford said. "I was like, 'Is that necessary? Are you serious right now?'

"Any guy that's playing college football, they see scouts out there, they are trying to get noticed. So for him to pull me out in front of everybody. ... He didn't pull me to the side or nothing, he stopped practice and called me the biggest flop that he'd ever seen."

Crawford said he felt the wrath once again during the Iowa State game when he was stripped of the football at the bottom of the pile. Crawford insisted he was already down when the ball was taken from him, but the replays were inconclusive and the Cyclones were rewarded the ball.

"Mangino cursed me out on the sideline and told me that I would never play again," said Crawford, who ran for 232 yards and four touchdowns on 62 attempts in his only season at Kansas. "He sat me down and I did not get back in the rest of that game. That hurt me. You mean to tell me that one mistake was going to cause me to sit on the bench the rest of the game and as you can see from my stats, pretty much the rest of the year?.
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"I had told [offensive coordinator Ed Warinner] it wasn't fun for me no more and that I'd just rather go somewhere where I could play. I just wanted to play. I wasn't on any special teams, they had me at second-string running back and the first-string and third team running backs were getting more carries than me. How does that work?

"When we got back from that trip, Coach Warinner tried to explain to me that it wasn't his call I didn't play, `We all know who's call that was.' He just tried to talk to me and tell me don't make a decision right now."

Through spokesman Chris Theisen, Mangino and Perkins both declined to be interviewed. But Mangino, who has denied any abuse, did defend his reputation Wednesday to local reporters in Lawrence.

"I run this program with a lot of integrity," Mangino said in the Kansas City Star. "I have been in this conference for nearly 20 years, and what I can tell you is that our coaching intensity is not largely different from the rest of the Big Eight and Big 12 teams I've observed."

Crawford's accounts of abuse are similar to ones recanted by former players to the Lawrence Journal-World and Kansas City Star.

Crawford, meanwhile, eventually left the team in July after serving an indefinite suspension for what Mangino, referred to at the time as a variety of team rules infractions. He is now spending a redshirt year as a walk-on at Tennessee Tech.

He wouldn't discuss the details of his suspension.

Crawford said he observed Mangino getting in the faces of players a few times while there. One incident he said took place with former linebacker Mike Rivera, who now plays for the Tennessee Titans. According to Crawford, Mangino nearly got some of what he was giving out.

" Mangino thinks he's untouchable but he's going to come across one player who is going to be like 'I had enough.' "
-- Jocques Crawford, former KU running back "He got in Mike Rivera's face one time, started talking all this mess to him and Mike was like 'OK, coach. OK coach," Crawford said. "But Mangino just kept egging it on, kept trying to provoke him and then Mike snapped back at him. Then some players had to grab him.

"Mangino thinks he's untouchable but he's going to come across one player who is going to be like 'I had enough.' I know Arist Wright, I know his attitude. I am surprised and I'm thankful he didn't do anything that would have gotten him arrested. He did the right thing by going to Lew Perkins and complaining about it."

Crawford said he had trouble remembering a time once he was in the program where Mangino portrayed the kind and joking side of personality that is often put in front of recruits and media members. He said the coach was usually pretty grumpy with the team.

"I do not recall," Crawford said when asked if there times when Mangino was kind to his team. "The bowl game practices, they were fine. Other than that, I don't recall at all. Maybe in meetings, but if he'd catch you doing something in meetings, he'd rip you up, too."

Apparently, it didn't take much to set Mangino off, according to Crawford. And when he did go off, things would sometimes get personal and physical.

"All it would take for it to be a rowdy practice for him to go off and get in somebody's face and grab them and push them and do whatever," Crawford said. "When he's doing this, he's not going through no drill trying to show them how to do something. So what is he touching on his player for?"

Crawford said he was fooled into believing Mangino was a much different coach during his recruitment process while still at Cisco Junior College in Texas.

"During my recruiting process, Mangino seemed like one of the coolest laid-back coaches that you could build a relationship with, that's going to be honest with you," said Crawford, who was named the Junior College Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1,935 yards and 19 touchdowns at Cisco Junior College in 2007. "He totally did not seem like the person I was going to see every day. That was not him at all.

"That's the only time we would see Mangino like that was during recruiting periods. When guys come to practices, Mangino is as cool as he want to be."

The subject of Mangino's treatment of his team never came up during Crawford's on-campus visit. The prospective student-athlete and his assigned host were too focused on having a good time to discuss issues of substance.

"You know how recruiting works," Crawford said. "He's going to put you with the guys that are having the most success with the program and so they aren't going to complain really about too much.

"Guys, as their host, you are expected to only sell these recruits on the good. That's the thing with recruiting, on these recruiting trips you are going to have fun. They are going to show you a good time. And you are not really concerned with asking your host about the coaches. That's how they get you."" It took one brave guy and a senior to speak up and tell what really happened. Guys like me, I kept my mouth shut because I got blackballed once I transferred from Kansas. I didn't end going to a D-I school like I wanted to transfer to. "
-- Crawford

Crawford said more players haven't come forward with complaints for fear of retaliation by Mangino. Not only does Mangino control playing time, but he can also influence NFL teams that might be interested. And in the case of Crawford, he claims Mangino made it impossible for him to transfer to another major BCS school.

"It took one brave guy and a senior to speak up and tell what really happened," Crawford said of Wright. "Guys like me, I kept my mouth shut because I got blackballed once I transferred from Kansas. I didn't end going to a D-I school like I wanted to transfer to.

"A lot of schools were interested but once they called Kansas to get a release, they called me back and said they were no longer interested because `We heard you were this type of player and this and that.' I was like `Are you serious?'"

Former Kansas Running Back Says He Felt Wrath of Mangino originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Arist WrightJocquesCrawfordLew PerkinsLewPerkinsmark manginoMarkManginoMike RiveraTerrance HarrisThu, 19 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST Mangino's Poke May Have Given Kansas Excuse to Shove Him Outhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/18/manginos-poke-may-have-given-kansas-excuse-to-shove-him-out/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/18/manginos-poke-may-have-given-kansas-excuse-to-shove-him-out/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/18/manginos-poke-may-have-given-kansas-excuse-to-shove-him-out/#commentsFiled under: ,

Mark ManginoKansas has launched an investigation into the alleged abusive behavior of football coach Mark Mangino, and some close to the program believe this could be the end of his eight-year tenure.

According to anonymous source reports out of Kansas Tuesday night, Mangino poked senior linebacker Arist Wright in the chest during the walk-through last Friday prior to Saturday's road game against Colorado. The incident was reported to athletic director Lew Perkins, who then met with the entire football team Monday.

Suddenly, Mangino is being painted as an oversized coach with an even bigger anger problem. But some people close to the program and familiar with Mangino's brash style of coaching are questioning the timing of the reaction.

Mangino has been largely successful in his eight-year tenure at Kansas, but this season has been a major disappointment after a 5-0 start. The Kansas Jayhawks have lost five straight and at 5-5 (1-5 in the Big 12) must scratch out one win either Saturday at No. 2 Texas or in the regular-season finale to be bowl eligible.

"Coach Mangino is certainly not a person who is afraid to scream and yell," a source familiar with the program and Mangino and his coaching style said to FanHouse on Wednesday. "The funny thing is this is no different than the previous seven years, so what's the big deal now?"

That source speculated this is an excuse to set the stage for Mangino's removal this season. Mangino hinted as much Tuesday when asked by reporters if he was concerned he had lost his players in the fallout of this incident.

"Not one bit," Mangino said. "I may have lost some of the people around here, but not my players."

Perkins is believed to be chief among those people. A source indicated Perkins may have been looking for a reason to get rid of Mangino and a pattern of physical and verbal abuse along with a 1-5 league mark could provide all the reason needed to get rid of the coach who is credited with turning Kansas around. Mangino's current contract runs until 2012.

Speculation is Perkins would target UConn coach Randy Edsall as his next coach. Perkins hired Edsall when he was athletic director of the Huskies athletic department from 1990 to 2003 before arriving at Kansas where Mangino was already in place.

"I know there are people in the athletic department looking to make their own hire," a source said. "Maybe this is it."

In the meantime, Mangino and his coaching style have received much conversation these past couple days. A warm and friendly person in public, apparently Mangino can be quite different behind closed doors with his team.

Mangino, by all accounts, can be a tough coach. But how that plays with players and parents seems to be quite varied.

"He's a coach so, of course, he is going to yell," former linebacker and captain Nick Reid said to FanHouse. "There is not a coach in the country that doesn't yell. That's just part of the game. You have to have thick skin to be a collegiate athlete."

Penny Reid, Nick's mom, said she is certain her son was yelled at by Mangino during his four years but said it was all in helping to make Nick a better person and football player.

"That's OK, it's part of it," said Penny Reid, whose son was one of Mangino's initial recruits and played through the 2005 season. "It's just part of it and you just can't take it personally. You are talking about kids who are playing a football game where they are coached to knock somebody's head off or do whatever the catch phrase is at the time. It's rough. Football is a really rough game."

Another parent, who did not wish to be identified, told FanHouse her son's experience wasn't all that great though he was a former defensive starter.

"I do not wish to throw Mark Mangino under the bus, but I will say I think he is probably very hard to play for," she said.

She went on to say that assistant coaches often stepped in to shield the players from Mangino's wrath. Apparently former defensive coordinator Bill Young acted as the go-between for his players. Young left after the 2007 Orange Bowl season for Miami and after a year returned to the Big 12 to head Oklahoma State's defense.

"One thing I feel was real helpful when [my son] was there was when Bill Young was there, it was very nice to have that buffer between coach Mangino and [my son]," the mother said. "He was mostly around Bill Young and he was excellent and he was a wonderful coach and we think the world of him, of course.

"If you are going to report that somebody poked you in the chest, then I'm sure every coach in the country should be reported. This is so insignificant and minor, it blows my mind that somebody would even bring that up."
-- Former Kansas player Nick Reid "I think having the assistants around kind of buffers them from what they may or may not experience with Mark Mangino."

Nick Reid didn't say whether or not he was ever personally touched by Mangino as Wright reportedly was Friday, but he said a poke in the chest really isn't a big deal.

"If you are going to report that somebody poked you in the chest, then I'm sure every coach in the country should be reported," Nick Reid said. "This is so insignificant and minor, it blows my mind that somebody would even bring that up."

Former KU running back Jocques Crawford, who was kicked off the team this past summer, discussed the abuse he received from Mangino during his year with the program on Twitter. Crawford told blogger Jack Nealy he was verbally and mentally abused by Mangino during his time with the Jayhawks.

But Nick Reid describes his experience with Mangino as being positive. Reid also indicated this may be the result of a season that has failed to meet the expectations of many inside of the program.

"He's a great coach. I have the utmost respect for him. He's tough-nosed, but what coach isn't. If you are going to be a great coach and have a great team, you have to be tough with the guys. I don't see anything wrong with it. I had no problems with him the four years I was there, none of the guys I played with had a problem with him.

"I really don't know where this is coming from. I understand they are having a rough season. That happens. That's sports for you, look at OU, USC. They are not having the greatest season but you don't see their players running off saying things about the coach.

"There are ups and downs. Sure the season hasn't played out like everyone would have liked it to, but I don't think it's Coach Mangino's fault. There have been some injuries and other things have happened."
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Mangino's Poke May Have Given Kansas Excuse to Shove Him Out originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>arist wrightmark manginoTerrance HarrisWed, 18 Nov 2009 19:45:00 EST Kansas Investigating Mark Manginohttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/17/kansas-investigating-mark-mangino/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/17/kansas-investigating-mark-mangino/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/17/kansas-investigating-mark-mangino/#commentsFiled under: ,

Mark ManginoKansas athletic director Lew Perkins has launched an investigation into allegations football coach Mark Mangino has been treating his players inappropriately.

Perkins held meetings with a number of players Monday night and he also met briefly with Mangino. Senior quarterback Todd Reesing told gathered reporters Tuesday afternoon that Perkins informed the players that an unbiased panel was being put together to conduct the investigation.

"I can confirm an internal review is under way," Perkins said in a quote released by the school Tuesday. "It involves a personnel matter, and as a result, is confidential. It would be inappropriate for me to provide further information right now."

The Kansas City Star cited sources as saying the players were told during the Monday night meeting that they could bring forward information in front of a formal panel.

The specific allegations remain unclear other than some unidentified players complained about how they were treated by the head coach.

"There have been certain things that have been said, I really don't want to focus on that right now," said Reesing, who along with the other Jayhawks are preparing to face No. 2 Texas this weekend in Austin. "It is what it is, it's happening but it has nothing to do with playing Texas so I don't see any relevance in talking about that."

The Jayhawks, who came into the season as one of the favorites in the Big 12 North, are on a five-game losing streak with two games remaining after starting out the season 5-0. Mangino seemed to point the finger directly at Perkins on Tuesday when he said this whole episode would be a non-issue were it not for his team's 5-5, 1-5 record.
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"I'm not totally [caught off guard], not because of the issues," Mangino said Tuesday. "This is what comes when things aren't going well, you will find disgruntled people. It's a fact of any organization whether it's sports related, whether it's corporate or any profession you are in.

"The fact of the matter is we've lost some games in a row here. Nobody feels worse than I do about it. Nobody is trying harder to get it straightened out, but the fact of life is these types of things are going to come up when things aren't going good. That's life."

This is the second off-the-field distraction for the football team this season. Earlier in the season, the Jayhawks football and men's basketball teams were feuding and it spilled over into a couple of fights around campus.

But since then the focus has been on the Jayhawks sudden slide from grace on the football field. Kansas needs to win either this week at Texas or in the regular-season finale against Missouri to become bowl eligible.

There are now questions as to whether Mangino has lost his team, but both Mangino and Reesing said that isn't an issue.

"Not one bit," said Mangino, who is in his eighth season leading the Jayhawks. "I may have lost some of the people around here, but not my players."

A reporter asked Reesing about Mangino's reported anger issues. Reesing, who hasn't been on the same page with Mangino after being benched briefly, shrugged his shoulders at the question.

"I never knew he had anger issues," Reesing said. "He's always been a pretty nice guy to me, so I don't think that has anything to do with it."

Kansas Investigating Mark Mangino originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>mark manginoTodd ReesingTerrance HarrisTue, 17 Nov 2009 17:22:00 EST Memo to BCS Bashers: Stop Whininghttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/16/memo-to-bcs-bashers-stop-whining/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/16/memo-to-bcs-bashers-stop-whining/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/16/memo-to-bcs-bashers-stop-whining/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Jordan Shipley, Jeffrey Demps, Julio Jones
It's that silly time of year again. There are so many significant teams among the big boys of college football, but there are just two slots on Jan. 7 in Pasadena, Calif., for that title game of the Bowl Championship Series. So the voice of the older Jim Mora is screaming in my subconscious.

Playoffs, playoffs?

We don't need playoffs in this situation.

We need everybody to take a deep breath, count slowly to 10 and stop their knee-jerk talk of a playoff system. The decade-old way of deciding a national champion through the BCS rankings is mostly just fine.

Take this week, for instance. Where's the problem? There isn't one, because the combination of the human polls and the cold computers has it right. The defensive monsters from Florida and Alabama clearly are No. 1 and No. 2, followed by a Texas bunch with a defense that also clobbers people.

That trio is from power conferences, and with apologies to the prolific whiners from the Mountain West and Western Athletic conferences, teams from power conferences deserve a nudge over the rest.

Anyway, Florida and Alabama will meet in the SEC championship game, which means one of them will drop in the rankings behind Texas .

That is, if Texas wins the Big 12 championship game. If Texas doesn't, then one of those other undefeated teams (Texas Christian, Cincinnati and Boise State) will slide into the title picture. Or it could open the way for a one-loss team such as Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh or even the loser of the SEC championship game.


Whatever happens, the system is there. The system is working. The system is controversial, but the system provides less drama than what would occur with a playoff system, which will never happen anyway.

There are just too many questions involved with a playoff system, but its supporters either ignore those questions or shrug them away.

For instance: How many teams will be in this playoff system? The answer is, nobody knows. Many want a "plus one" thing, where two of the four BCS games (Rose, Sugar, Orange and Fiesta) would host semifinal games, and then the winners would play in another BCS game. Others want 16 teams in a playoff. Some want 32.

Texas Tech coach Mike Leach wants 64.

As for those other questions, pull up a chair and rest a while. If you can provide more than a surface answer to three or more of the following, then you should immediately leave Planet Earth to design the next solar system.

Where would these playoff games take place, and would they be at the same locations every year, and who would decide the locations?

What entity would choose the playoff teams, and how will such a system be less subjective than what we have now?

With colleges everywhere crying broke, where would they find the extra cash they would need for travel, lodging, food, equipment, utilities -- along with all of those other expenses that nobody wants to discuss that would surface?

Where are those colleges going to find the extra cash to pay for those bonuses that their already heavily compensated coaches would surely command for reaching and winning playoff games?

Oh, and with all that extra cash going to football programs for these playoffs, and with all that revenue created through television rights and jacked-up ticket prices, how would schools satisfy their Title IX obligations since women sports surely would seek a mighty part of the pie?

What would this do to the bowl system, especially since (1) the overwhelming number of the 34 bowls won't have a shot at hosting a playoff game and (2) advertisers (as in TV) won't be as interested in those other bowls?

How many fans could afford to travel with their team across the country at the spur of the moment, which would be the case more often than not?

How many fans could keep traveling if their team keeps winning?

How many folks would the NCAA need to hire to investigate all of the cheating scandals that would surface involving those pressured to do shady things to reach the playoffs to keep from getting whacked?

What kind of toll would all of these extra practices and meetings (see, it's not just one little, old playoff game that its supporters keep suggesting) take on your average student-athlete physically, mentally and academically?

Why not just leave the BCS alone?

Why not, indeed? After all, this eternal grumbling over who really is No. 1 has been so detrimental to college football at its highest level that, entering this season, attendance rose every season for the previous 14 years.

Consider, too, that along the facade of the club level at Folsom Stadium, where the Colorado Buffaloes play their home games, you'll find these words: 1990 National Champions. That's funny, because around Georgia Tech, spanning from Bobby Dodd Stadium to a billboard that is visible for those traveling through Atlanta down I-75, you see claims that the Yellow Jackets won it all that season. And they did. Georgia Tech was named the United Press International champion, and Colorado was declared the nation's best by the Associated Press.

Since nobody can prove otherwise, you have two different fan bases in college football who can claim for eternity that their team was the king of 1990.

There also is that endless griping around Auburn over its undefeated 2004 team that won the SEC but didn't make the BCS championship game. Never mind that Auburn disqualified itself from serious consideration by playing the likes of Louisiana-Monroe, The Citadel and Louisiana Tech.

Auburn fans still think their Tigers would have won it all that season over Oklahoma or USC. They still think they were robbed.

The same goes for Penn State fans who remember 1969, when a giddy Richard Nixon attended Texas' victory over Arkansas during the regular season and crowned the Longhorns national champions in their locker room. Texas later won its bowl game to finish undefeated, but so did Penn State. It's just that Penn State wasn't anointed by the president.

The point is, a playoff system would have exposed those Auburn, Penn State and other such teams as frauds, but now we'll never know.

Which is a good thing. Which is why everybody has another reason to keep breathing deeply regarding the BCS.

Terence Moore is a national columnist and commentator for FanHouse. He is a frequent panelist on "Rome Is Burning," an ESPN show hosted by Jim Rome, that is seen Monday through Friday at 4:30 PM ET. Moore spent more than three decades working for major newspapers, including 26 years as an award-winning sports columnist for the San Francisco Examiner and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He resides in Atlanta.

Memo to BCS Bashers: Stop Whining originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Terence MooreMon, 16 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST Best Player? Most Valuable? Answer to Both Is Man Named Suhhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/13/best-player-most-valuable-answer-to-both-is-man-named-suh/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/13/best-player-most-valuable-answer-to-both-is-man-named-suh/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/13/best-player-most-valuable-answer-to-both-is-man-named-suh/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ndamukong SuhDepending on who is debating, the Heisman Trophy is awarded to either the best college football player in the country or the one who simply means the most to his team.

Whichever side of the coin you fall on, you have to come back to Nebraska senior defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Certainly playing in the trenches of the defensive line isn't the sexiest place to find the nation's most preeminent player.

Watching Suh defy double- and triple-teams the last two seasons has been every bit as exciting as a running back spinning out of the arms of several tacklers or a receiver blazing past the secondary or a quarterback dodging tacklers until he spots a receiver downfield for a critical touchdown.
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Suh has become the consummate defensive tackle who has embodied the definition of Nebraska's storied Blackshirt tradition. The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder can fill up a box score like no other college defensive tackle in recent memory. In Nebraska's 27-12 win over Missouri last month, Suh registered six tackles, had one tackle for a loss, forced a fumble, intercepted a pass, broke up a pass and recorded a sack.

Without question he is unstoppable and is the single-most dominant force in college football this season. That's why Suh would have been an early first rounder in the NFL Draft in April had he decided to leave after his junior season. Don't be surprised if he's the No.1 player taken this time around.

In modern football, it's rare for an interior defensive lineman to lead the team in tackles, but that is exactly what Suh did last season. He's second on the team this season with 53 tackles, which includes 29 solo stops, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, 17 quarterback hurries, eight pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble and three blocked kicks in nine games.

Suh's dominance has opened opportunities for the rest of the Cornhuskers' defensive front as evidenced by sophomore defensive tackle Jared Crick, who leads the team in tackles because opponents are scheming away from Suh. Now that's impact.

As a tribute to his outstanding play, Suh is the favorite to take all the prestigious defensive awards this season like the Lombardi Award and Lott Trophy.

Winning the Heisman Trophy for a defensive player -- a defensive tackle at that -- is much more than a long shot. It's an almost impossible dream.

Only one non-offensive skill person has ever taken home the prestigious award and that was Michigan defensive back Charles Woodson in 1997.

"I really don't have a set opinion on the Heisman," Suh said in a recent live ESPN chat with fans. "Obviously, all the players up for it are great athletes and players and help their teams, so they're all deserving players. I do think that more defensive players should be up there, not just because I'm one myself, but the saying is that defense weighs championships. If you can't stop an offense, you won't win.

"I think they should have more recognition, but I don't have a problem with it and I can see why more offensive guys are up in the limelight. You have stats that are out there and easy to find -- rushing yards, TDs, completion rating, and the like."

Best Player? Most Valuable? Answer to Both Is Man Named Suh originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Charles WoodsonCharlesWoodsonJared CrickJaredCrickndamukong suhNdamukongSuhNebraskaFootballTerrance HarrisFri, 13 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST Thunder Collins, Former Nebraska RB, Sentenced to Life In Prisonhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/thunder-collins-former-nebraska-rb-sentenced-to-life-in-prison/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/thunder-collins-former-nebraska-rb-sentenced-to-life-in-prison/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/thunder-collins-former-nebraska-rb-sentenced-to-life-in-prison/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Thunder CollinsFormer Nebraska running back Thunder Collins' life seemed to be just one misstep after another once he joined the Cornhuskers nearly a decade ago.

Years of being on the wrong side of law have caught up with Collins, who was sentenced to life in prison Thursday in Omaha, Neb., for his role in the 2008 murder of one man and shooting of another man. Collins, who played for the Cornhuskers from 2000-02, was convicted of first-degree murder and several other charges in August.

The 29-year-old was facing a mandatory life in prison sentence after being convicted of first-degree murder, but the Douglas County District Court judge tacked on another 110 years for second-degree murder, assault and two weapons charges.

Prosecutors said Collins was the mastermind of a drug deal gone bad in September 2008 that left one man dead and another seriously injured in a botched robbery scheme. His arrest a day after the murder was the last of a string of arrests in Nebraska that began in 2002.

Collins came to the Cornhuskers as a heralded All-American JC recruit, but he never quite lived up to the hype. His best season came in 2001 when he rushed for 647 yards and five touchdowns and had 19 receptions for 189 yards in 12 games. In 2002, Collins quit at midseason, citing personal family reasons.

He spent the 2003 season in the CFL before returning to Nebraska. His life quickly began to spiral and his freedom finally came to an end with Thursday's life sentence.

Thunder Collins, Former Nebraska RB, Sentenced to Life In Prison originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>thunder collinsTerrance HarrisThu, 12 Nov 2009 21:54:00 EST Once Again, Bill Snyder Resurrecting Kansas Statehttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/once-again-bill-snyder-resurrecting-kansas-state/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/once-again-bill-snyder-resurrecting-kansas-state/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/once-again-bill-snyder-resurrecting-kansas-state/#commentsFiled under: ,

Somewhere in the privacy of his owBill Snydern home, 70-year-old Kansas State coach Bill Snyder is enjoying this and laughing at those who quietly thought the energy was gone to resurrect the Wildcats.

But as we've suspected for years, the private Snyder is different from the public guy. So it should be no surprise Snyder seems oblivious to the instant success he and the Wildcats are experiencing after he decided break a three-year retirement to return to Kansas State just under a year ago.

The Wildcats are sitting atop the Big 12 North with two regular-season games remaining after being picked to finish on the bottom half of the division in the preseason media poll.

"I really haven't gotten too excited about it," Snyder said of the Wildcats' success. "That doesn't mean that I don't appreciate the success that we have had recently. When we do well, I'm happy about it. I try to stay on an even keel."

Steadiness is exactly what Snyder has given the Wildcats. After a win. After every loss.

Even knowing how weak the North has been, who would have thought the Wildcats were capable of winning the division after suffering a 66-14 loss to Texas Tech on Oct. 10? It seemed the prognosticators were right and Snyder's return would be more of the same ups-and-downs the program has experienced the past five years.

It turns out, Snyder didn't think much after that loss other than how to right what went wrong. The following week, the Wildcats returned the favor to Texas A&M, smashing the Aggies 62-14. Kansas State has won three of its last four since losing on the road to Texas Tech.

Who would have thought the Wildcats had such a run in them?

"That's just is not the way we think," Snyder said when asked if thought the team might be able to bounce back in such an impressive way. "We are maybe not smart enough to think along those lines. It was `What are our lessons in that ballgame? What can we do to get ourselves better? Let's set out to do do that.'

"There was no ... I don't try to make those kind of projections."

Those who know Snyder best, knew it was going to take more than a single haymaker to put him out. Snyder isn't just an excellent motivator, he's masterful at not over thinking the game and giving his team fundamental basis for success.

This season's squad is far from the talent-level of Snyder's late 1990s teams and early 2000s that included the likes of Darren Sproles, Ell Roberson and Michael Bishop, but this team has a strong resemblance. These Wildcats play hard-hitting defense, while offensively they have a quality running game on the strength of junior college transfer running back Daniel Thomas (Big 12 rushing leader) and well-traveled quarterback Grant Gregory.

It's a not-so flashy formula for success Snyder rode from 1989 to 2005 as he built the Wildcats virtually from scratch.

"I've known Bill since my days in the late '70s at Iowa State when he was at Iowa," Texas coach Mack Brown said. "He's the master, he's the wizard at what he does. I was happy for Kansas State and college football when he came back. I wasn't happy for the rest of us because I knew he was going to get it fixed fast."

No one could have predicted it would be this fast. If most are honest, bringing back Snyder last November seemed a reach after few seemed to want take a chance on living up the reputation of the man, whose name is on the stadium.

And in all actuality, things weren't all that great in Snyder's final two years when he limped into retirement a 9-13 record.

Somehow, Snyder has been able to defy geriatrics to be able to relate to a bunch of young men he didn't recruit.

"He's a great coach," senior defensive end Jeff Fitzgerald told FanHouse. "I didn't know too much of his reputation coming out here, I heard quite a bit but now I see why he has as much hype around him as he does. He deserves every bit of it because of the work he puts out for his team is great.

"Just having that confidence in him and just believing in him and following him and having faith in him that he is going to do what's best for the team has been the difference."

After three inconsistent seasons under Ron Prince, Snyder has restored confidence and pride into the program. These seniors will have a chance Saturday to go undefeated at home at the Bill Snyder Family Stadium for the first time since 1999 if they can get past Missouri.

The Wildcats are 6-4 overall, 4-2 in the Big 12 and most important, 3-0 in the North. In a classic flashback to the good old days, the North could be settle between K-State and Nebraska when the teams meet in the Wildcats' regular-season finale on Nov. 21 in Lincoln.

None of this is to suggest this has been the storybook comeback for Snyder and the Wildcats. There is that embarrassing non-conference loss to UL-Lafayette, And K-State, which is two wins away from solidifying the North title, still needs to win one more game to even become bowl eligible because the win over Tennessee Tech does not count toward bowl wins.

What these Wildcats have done is what has been a hallmark of Snyder-coached teams: they've improved as the season has gone along.

"We've gone into every game expecting to win," said Gregory, a sixth-year senior who is playing for really the first time in his college career after transferring last summer from South Florida. "We obviously got waxed by Texas Tech but other than that, we've done a pretty good job in the conference games. We've gotten better.

"We knew if we progressed we could make some noise in the Big 12 North and that's what we are trying to do."

But did they know they would make this kind of noise?

If Snyder had any kind of inkling, he sure isn't letting on.

"Did I see anything that would have told me we would have done anything one way or the other? I can't tell you that I did," Snyder said. "I think these young guys have been very very responsive. I thought they'd go back to work and try hard to overcome the loss that we had down there. Was I certain that they would? No. I kind of had that feeling we'd get better, that we'd win more ballgames. That wasn't the thinking one way or the other.

"I felt that they would work to try to improve and there was indication they would."

Once Again, Bill Snyder Resurrecting Kansas State originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>big 12 northBig12NorthBill SnyderBillSnyderDaniel ThomasDanielThomasDarren SprolesDarrenSprolesgrant gregoryGrantGregoryKansas State FootballKansasStateFootballMack BrownMackBrownTerrance HarrisThu, 12 Nov 2009 11:38:00 EST