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/Lil Wayne Name Drops Lane Kiffin in Latest Rap Songhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/28/lil-wayne-name-drops-lane-kiffin-in-latest-rap-song/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/28/lil-wayne-name-drops-lane-kiffin-in-latest-rap-song/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/28/lil-wayne-name-drops-lane-kiffin-in-latest-rap-song/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lane Kiffin, Lil WayneLane Kiffin's off-field comments have twice earned him reprimands from the Southeastern Conference this season. But now he's finally getting mad props -- assuming people still give mad props -- thanks to the rapper Lil Wayne. In Lil's newest track, Banned From TV, the Southern rapper includes this line, "Smoke weed, talk s--- like Lane Kiffin." Now Lane Kiffin has acknowledged the endorsement via Twitter, tweeting today, "looking forward to another great practice today and a huge game Saturday ... also a huge shout-out to Lil Wayne for boosting our street cred!"

Yep, two of the South's top gangsters are already in fine form. As for fans? Well, UT fans, are already talking about, wait for it, the recruiting benefits of Lil Wayne's lyrical endorsement. Wrote a reader, Alan, this morning in an e-mail to me, "Should help with recruiting. Especially in South Florida, Louisiana, Atlanta and Memphis."

But why stop with recruiting help? Now that he's been bound and gagged by the SEC, Lane Kiffin should hop on the gangster train and play this for all it's worth.

Lil Wayne's past is dotted with controversy, including being arrested three times for drug-related issues, Wayne now faces sentencing in February on a weapons charge for which he has already plead guilty. He's expected to serve a year in prison. Notwithstanding his criminal history, he's also an acknowledged sports fan, having memorably appeared on ESPN's Around the Horn earlier this year and debated sports journalists on issues of the day. In a sad day for sports journalists everywhere, Wayne triumphed.
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Lil Wayne is 27 and Lane Kiffin is just 34. So it's not particularly surprising that the New Orleans native would have picked up on Kiffin's brash manner and incorporated the antics into a song. As for Kiffin, markedly younger than most coaches in the SEC, and about 10,000 percent cooler than the only person near his own age, the top-button buttoning Dan Mullen, he's better able to bridge the generational divide with his players. And while Kiffin has some interesting character traits that don't fit in that well with the rap universe -- he goes for jogs on game day and wears visors for instance -- his affinity for the entertainment side of college football is really second-to-one, Steve Spurrier in the 1990s. Now that he's been threatened with suspension should he make any more improper comments, maybe Kiffin can just rely on third parties to make his case via rap lyrics.

Amazingly, right now, that seems possible.

Clay Travis is the author of three books. His latest, "On Rocky Top: A Front Row Seat to The End of an Era" chronicles the 2008 Tennessee football season and is on sale now.

Lil Wayne Name Drops Lane Kiffin in Latest Rap Song originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>lane kiffinlil wayneClay TravisWed, 28 Oct 2009 15:12:00 EST When a Taco Isn't Just a Tacohttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/28/when-a-taco-isnt-just-a-taco/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/28/when-a-taco-isnt-just-a-taco/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/28/when-a-taco-isnt-just-a-taco/#commentsFiled under:

Bob GrieseDuring ESPN's broadcast of the Minnesota-Ohio State game on Saturday, the network cross-promoted a NASCAR race by showing a graphic listing the top five drivers. Chris Spielman, Bob Griese's partner, asked where Juan Pablo Montoya was. Griese responded that Montoya was "out having a taco."

Montoya, who is Colombian, has declined comment, saying he has no idea who Griese is, but unfortunately for its announcer, ESPN has not remained silent. Despite twice publicly apologizing Saturday, ESPN has suspended Griese for this week's telecast. In a statement released Tuesday, ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz says the network has spoken to Griese and "he understands the comment was inappropriate."

In fact, contrary to lazy stereotypical belief, tacos are not a popular cuisine in Colombia. And everyone with a Spanish surname is not, you know, from Mexico. Now Griese will have a weekend outside the broadcast booth to think about the error of his ways. Question for you, would Griese have even gotten in trouble if he'd said that Montoya was "out having an arepa" or "out having a sancocho?"

Probably not, because, like me, you've never heard of either of Colombia's most popular dishes. Griese's ignorance about Colombian cuisine aside, isn't it problematic that today's punishments aren't consistently applied when it comes to on-air commentary? I'm not sure what I think of Griese's punishment, but I do think it raises some interesting questions about the way we respond to racial commentary. Namely, your punishment is reflected more by the ethnicity you refer to than by the the substance of what you actually say. And in 21st-century America, isn't that a bit ridiculous?

In fact, let's play a game and put Griese's comments in a different ethnic light. What if he'd made stereotypical comments about other ethnic backgrounds instead?

1. Italian driver, "out having lasagna."

No punishment.

2. Southern white driver "out having some grits."

No punishment.

3. Black driver "out having a watermelon."

Griese is fired and never calls another game for ESPN.

4. Native American driver "out smoking a peace pipe."

Verbal reprimand.

5. Indian driver "out having a plate of curry."

Verbal reprimand.

6. Asian driver "out having some sushi."

Verbal reprimand.

7. Latino driver "out having a taco."

One-week suspension.

Isn't this flow chart of racial-cuisine insults ridiculous? The only slight issue I do have with the line is not that I believe Latinos watching the game immediately curled up in the fetal position and began to cry, but because the line wasn't very funny.

If you watch as much sports on television as I do, you crave the occasional funny comment. We all do. So I don't want to discourage levity in the broadcast booth. But our collective response as a society to awful jokes makes no sense. Sometimes we're outraged, often we shrug our shoulders.

When the offenses are all equal, why are we treating them differently?

I don't really have a problem with a punishment in these cases, even when I think everyone who watched the video would agree there was no real intent to offend, or a problem with a lack of punishment; what I have an issue with is disparate treatment of ethnic jokes in a multicultural society that fashions itself egalitarian.

You may even disagree with my projected punishments. In fact, feel free to weigh in below and come to your own conclusions. Regardless, the point of the exercise is that, on balance, each offense is roughly equal. Yet the responses are often different.

That's why I think situations like Griese's often point out society's foibles much more than they do any one person's.


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When a Taco Isn't Just a Taco originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>bob griesejuan pablo montoyaClay TravisWed, 28 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST Griese Apologizes for 'Taco' Jokehttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/24/griese-apologizes-for-taco-joke/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/24/griese-apologizes-for-taco-joke/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/24/griese-apologizes-for-taco-joke/#commentsFiled under:

Bob GrieseESPN football analyst Bob Griese apologized twice Saturday for a comment he made about NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya during ESPN's telecast of Ohio State and Minnesota.

To promote Sunday's NASCAR race in Martinsville, ESPN displayed a graphic with the top five drivers in the points race. Color commentator Chris Spielman asked "Where's Montoya?"

"Out eating a taco," Griese responded.

If there was anything more remarkable than the tone-deaf nature of Griese's comments about the Colombian driver, it was that the remark was so audible, given how far Griese had just wedged his foot into his mouth.

Griese smartly apologized before the conclusion of the broadcast.

"Juan Pablo Montoya is one of the best drivers in NASCAR," Griese said shortly before the end of the game. "I just want to apologize for the comment I made earlier in the ballgame."

ESPN released a statement shortly afterward.



"During today's telecast of the Ohio State-Minnesota college football game on ESPN, analyst Bob Griese made an inappropriate comment when discussing NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya," the statement read. "Bob apologized during the telecast, and plans to apologize again [Saturday night] during ESPN's college football programming after his plane lands. ESPN has spoken to Bob and he understands that his comment was uncalled for."

Griese later made good on the promise, apologizing on air during ESPN's Saturday night telecast of Florida and Mississippi State.

"Earlier today on our game I made an offensive comment regarding Juan Pablo Montoya as part of a NASCAR promo," he said by phone. "It was regrettable and I should not have said it. I really enjoy NASCAR and I follow it closely and would like to take this opportunity to apologize to Juan, NASCAR and everyone else who heard my comment."

Griese isn't the only analyst to talk himself into trouble during a Big Ten broadcast. Three years ago, ESPN relieved Brian Kinchen of his duties after referring to a comment he had previously made about a receiver's "soft hands" as "kind of gay."

Information from the Associated Press was used in this article.

Griese Apologizes for 'Taco' Joke originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>bob grieseRay HollomanSat, 24 Oct 2009 20:02:00 EST Back on the Road, Erin Andrews Is 'Hanging in There'http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/13/back-on-the-road-erin-andrews-is-hanging-in-there/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/13/back-on-the-road-erin-andrews-is-hanging-in-there/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/13/back-on-the-road-erin-andrews-is-hanging-in-there/#commentsFiled under:

Erin AndrewsTAMPA, Fla. -- Erin Andrews, who was thrust into the national spotlight after the illegal videotaping of her in hotel rooms, said she's doing OK and is looking forward to returning home to Tampa this week, Andrews told FanHouse.

"I'm doing OK," Andrews said. "I'm so busy with college football, doing two games a week. It's a lot. We're in the middle of the season, really, really traveling a lot and I'm consumed with work. I'm doing OK. I'm fortunate I do two games a week and I'm so busy. I'm hanging."

In her first interview since appearing on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in August, Andrews told FanHouse she still enjoys her job as a sideline reporter for ESPN. A graduate of the University of Florida and Bloomingdale High School, located just east of Tampa, Andrews will work Thursday's game between No. 8 Cincinnati and No. 21 South Florida in Tampa.

The return home will allow her to spend some time with her family, her golden retriever and hit some of her favorite restaurants, including La Teresita.

"I'm coming home, I'm going to see my parents, I haven't seen them in a while," Andrews said. "I'm looking forward to seeing mom and dad. It's where I grew up, you know the lay of the land. I don't have any ties to USF, but it's nice to come home.
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"I always feel like I'm a Florida girl. It will be great seeing the palm trees and eating by the water. But, mostly, just spending time with my family."

Earlier this year, Andrews' world was turned upside when nude videotapes, that were illegally recorded without Andrews' knowledge, were posted online. Michael David Barrett was arrested Oct. 2 on federal charges of interstate stalking for taking the videos, trying to sell them to celebrity Web site TMZ.com and posting the videos online, the FBI said.

Andrews is not allowed to discuss the case because it's an ongoing investigation. Since Barrett's arrest, she's only issued a brief statement -- "For my part, I will make every effort to strengthen the laws on a state and federal level to better protect victims of criminal stalking," she said. Andrews had turned down multiple interview requests. She agreed to only one interview about the incident and that was with Oprah.

"I decided this week I will start doing interviews again, but only about sports," she said.

And the first one was with FanHouse Tuesday.

"I always want to stay in sports, but at some point, I have to start thinking about starting a family. That's why I'll start cutting back. ... The only change coming is to start thinking about my personal life and family. It's kind of time."
- Erin Andrews Andrews, 31, said it's still "a blast" covering college football. But in the future, she said she'll have to reduce her schedule and make her personal life a bigger priority.

"One of my co-workers made the comment, and it's true, 'We're paid to travel,' " Andrews said. "We would work the games for free. We have a blast working and watching the games. It's the travel that is so difficult. After Saturday, you're running on fumes.

"I still enjoy it. When the game starts, it's just awesome. It's a personal high. It's fun to be down there [on the sidelines]."

She said she doesn't have a timetable how long she wants to remain a sideline reporter with ESPN, but she said she wants to remain in sports.

"I always want to stay in sports," Andrews said. "But at some point, I have to start thinking about starting a family. That's why I'll start cutting back. I have to take my personal life into account. I can't imagine not being a part of sports in the fall. I see my future [remaining] in TV. The only change coming is to start thinking about my personal life and family. It's kind of time."

Andrews lives in Atlanta, but jokes that she "lives on Delta."

Andrews prides herself on her work ethic and preparation for games, describing herself as a "nerd."

"I feel I'm getting a different niche for it, every year I grow," Andrews said. "I look for certain things. You kind of know what to look for. Doing your average injury report is pretty easy. I want to get into what the coaches are saying, the players' body language. To be able to give reports and information that the guys in the booth don't get to see."

Andrews also doesn't shy away from reporting what she witnesses. Last year while working the West Virginia at Colorado game, Andrews described West Virginia's sideline as "mass confusion."

"There were things on the sideline that I saw," she said. "I didn't call out certain people. I told [West Virginia] Coach [Bill] Stewart I wasn't trying to hurt the program. There were things going on with clock management and with communication with the quarterback. I think he appreciated me being honest. He's great to me. I think he appreciates my honesty.

"The great part about college football is it's like Christmas every week. You don't know what you're going to get every week. It's like what's going to happen this weekend? No one knows."

Even before the video surfaced, Andrews was the most scrutinized female in sports media. Now it's only worse. Some people actually suggested she leaked the videos as a publicity stunt and then questioned her photo shoot for GQ magazine -- even though the GQ piece was done in April before anyone had any knowledge of the illegal videotapes.

Andrews doesn't have time to concern herself with what others think about her. She values her family and friends.

Thursday's Cincinnati-USF game at Raymond James Stadium will be only her second game she's worked in Tampa for ESPN. From 1997-2000, she was intern for a Tampa television station -- where her father, Steve, still works.

"This game has a lot of hype to it with both teams nationally ranked and undefeated," Andrews said. "It's one of those games that shaped up perfectly for us. In talking to Cincinnati [Monday], they believe they're a national contender. We'll have to see.

"I have this sense there's so much more football to be played. People are wondering if Virginia Tech is a viable contender or if Texas can get past Oklahoma."

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In this Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, photo, Florida State tight end Caz Piurowski is checked by team trainers following his knee injury during an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech in Tallahassee, Fla. Florida State announced Monday, Oct. 12, that Piurowski will miss the remainder of the season due to the injury. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
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As far as Andrews' prediction on who will play for the BCS national title, she's picking her alma mater.

"I really like Florida and Texas," she said. "I also could see USC-Florida. That would be exciting. I think that would be a blast.

"If Florida stays on course and does not jump the track, like they did last year with Ole Miss, they should be there. Although it would be very interesting to see Florida's matchup with Alabama in the SEC title game. Nick Saban is no joke as a coach. From everything I've heard they're unbelievable."

After working Thursday night's Cincinnati-USF contest, Andrews will work Saturday's game between No. 22 South Carolina and No. 2 Alabama. Andrews said she's "really excited" about making her first trip to Tuscaloosa and as well as her first trip to the legendary Dreamland BBQ restaurant.

Before the interview ends, Andrews is asked one final time how she's doing.

"I'm hanging in there," she said.

Back on the Road, Erin Andrews Is 'Hanging in There' originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>erin andrewsBrett McMurphyTue, 13 Oct 2009 18:40:00 EST Lee Corso Stroke, Eddie Robinson, Florida-LSU: NCAA Football Live Tweethttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/10/lee-corso-stroke-eddie-robinson-florida-lsu-college-football/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/10/lee-corso-stroke-eddie-robinson-florida-lsu-college-football/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/10/lee-corso-stroke-eddie-robinson-florida-lsu-college-football/#commentsFiled under:

Lee Corso suffered a stroke in May, and on Saturday's College GameDay, it was obvious from hearing him speak that he hasn't completely recovered from it. But I admire him for staying on the air, and I admire ESPN for allowing him to stay on the air.

Corso's on-air partner, Chris Fowler, made a good point on GameDay about how the legendary Grambling coach Eddie Robinson -- who broke Bear Bryant's all-time wins record 24 years ago this week -- struggled late in his career in much the same way that Bobby Bowden is struggling now.

We're talking about that and all of Saturday's college football action, headlined by Florida vs. LSU, during our college football live tweet. To join in, follow along below or follow me on Twitter @MichaelDavSmith.

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Lee Corso Stroke, Eddie Robinson, Florida-LSU: NCAA Football Live Tweet originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:19:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Michael David SmithSat, 10 Oct 2009 12:19:00 EST Young Wolverines Crack Top 25 After Notre Dame Upsethttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/13/young-wolverines-crack-one-writers-top-25-after-notre-dame-upse/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/13/young-wolverines-crack-one-writers-top-25-after-notre-dame-upse/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/13/young-wolverines-crack-one-writers-top-25-after-notre-dame-upse/#commentsFiled under: ,

FanHouse Big East writer and Tampa Tribune staff writer Brett McMurphy will provide his Associated Press Top 25 ballot each week.

Ah, out of the mouths of babes. Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier was getting ready to get on the bus and head to the Big House for Saturday's big game with Notre Dame, when the true freshman suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, I forgot to brush my teeth!," Forcier told Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez.

"That's what he's thinking about when he's getting on the bus and getting ready to go to the Big House," Rodriguez said.

Michigan has one freshman quarterback who can't remember to brush his teeth and another, Denard Robinson, who doesn't tie his shoelaces. Still, the Wolverines' youth movement has made me a believer.

With its upset of Notre Dame, Michigan jumped into my Top 25 ballot this week at No. 22 (the Wolverines also hit the Top 25 in the official ballot as well). Another newcomer to my ballot this week is Houston, which rolled up 512 yards of offense in an upset at Oklahoma State. I've got Houston at No. 18. The Cougars upset the Cowboys in a Wild West shootout in Stillwater, a week after another gang of Cougars from BYU took down that other team from Oklahoma located in Norman.

Here is my ballot this week with my ranking last week in parenthesis.

1. Florida (1)
When hired, Tennessee's Lane Kiffin said he'd be "singing Rocky Top all night long after we beat Florida next year. It will be a blast." Gators ready to blast off vs. Vols Saturday.

2. Texas (2)
The Longhorns seek revenge Saturday against Texas Tech after last year's 39-33 loss to Red Raiders ultimately cost UT shot at Big 12 title game and BCS title game.

3. USC (3)
The Trojans are remarkable 14-2 in last 16 games against Top 10 ranked teams. Now if they can only avoid that one annual upset as prohibitive favorites (Oregon State, 2008; Stanford, 2007).

4. Alabama (4)
Quarterback Greg McElroy set a school record with 14 consecutive completions as Crimson Tide pulls away from Florida International.

5. Penn State (6)
Hide the women and children. Penn State hosts Temple Saturday, having defeated the Owls 123-3 in the past three seasons.

6. Ole Miss (5)
The Rebels get a warm-up contest with Southeastern Louisiana Saturday before visiting South Carolina a week from Thursday.

7. BYU (8)
So much for an Oklahoma hangover or Bourbon Street hangover as BYU blasts Tulane 54-3. Now, Florida State pays a visit to Cougar Town Saturday.

8. California (9)
The Golden Bears visit Minnesota Saturday hoping to avoid the fate of last two visits east of Rocky Mountains: 2008 loss at Maryland and 2006 loss at Tennessee.

9. LSU (12)
Saturday Night Fever: LSU's win against Vanderbilt was Tigers' 31st consecutive Saturday night home victory.

10. Ohio State (10)
The Buckeyes loss to USC was sixth straight against top-five ranked teams. Good news is they won't see another this year until possibly Nov. 7 against Penn State.

11. Oklahoma (11)
The Sooners get well by seal-clubbing Idaho State. Oklahoma goes for school record setting 26th consecutive home victory Saturday against Tulsa.

12. Nebraska (13)
Zac Lee's career-high 340 yards passing and four touchdowns lifted the Cornhuskers past Arkansas State, setting up Saturday's Top 25 battle with...

13. Virginia Tech (14)
The Hokies enter Nebraska showdown coming off a 605-yard offensive day, including 444 yards rushing, in rout of Marshall.

14. TCU (15)
After putting the shackles on Virginia's offense (actually who doesn't?), TCU hosts Texas State Saturday before facing another ACC club (Clemson) on Sept. 26.

15. Cincinnati (16)
The fastest cheetah in the world was clocked recently at the Cincinnati Zoo running 100 meters in six seconds. That also was about how long each of the Bearcats' TD drives was in 70-3 romp of Southeast Missouri.

16. Boise State (17)
The Broncos may get tested Friday at Fresno State, but look to be on cruise control until visiting Tulsa on Oct. 14.

17. Georgia Tech (18)
The Yellow Jackets again showcased in Thursday night national TV spotlight at Miami. Winner should be Virginia Tech's biggest challenge in ACC Coastal.

18. Houston (NR)
Quarterback Case Keenum and Cougars get a week off to enjoy upset of Okie State before tangling with another Big 12 school when they host Texas Tech on Sept. 26.

19. Pittsburgh (19)
Running back Dion Lewis' second consecutive 100-yard game (190 yards, two touchdowns vs. Buffalo) is bringing back memories of another spectacular Pitt freshman named Tony Dorsett.

20. Miami (20)
Thursday night begins a stretch of three consecutive games against ranked opponents: Georgia Tech, at Virginia Tech and Oklahoma.

21. Oklahoma State (7)
How 'bout them Cowboys? Ugh. Sports Illustrated cover jinx, matador defense dooms Pokes in wild loss to Houston

22. Michigan (NR)
Is Coach Rich Rodriguez repeating his patented second-year turnaround in Ann Arbor that he did as coach at West Virginia?

23. UCLA (23)
Off Tennessee win, Bruins host Kansas State and are looking for first 3-0 start since 2005 team went 10-2.

24. Georgia (22)
Bulldogs needed goal-line stand in final seconds against South Carolina to avoid their first 0-2 start since 1996.

25. North Carolina (24)
This week's winner of the Bill Gramatica "How Not To Celebrate Award" goes to UNC TE Zack Pianalto, who suffered a foot injury after landing on his foot awkwardly while celebrating a TD catch.

Teams that are close to making my Top 25 (in alphabetical order): Kansas, Missouri, Oregon State, Utah.

See you later (teams that fell out of my Top 25 this week): Notre Dame, Florida State

Young Wolverines Crack Top 25 After Notre Dame Upset originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Brett McMurphySun, 13 Sep 2009 14:10:00 EST ESPN Writer Rips Lupica Via Twitterhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/08/bruce-feldman-ripping-mike-lupica-on-twitter-was-out-of-line/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/08/bruce-feldman-ripping-mike-lupica-on-twitter-was-out-of-line/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/08/bruce-feldman-ripping-mike-lupica-on-twitter-was-out-of-line/#commentsFiled under: ,

ESPN put a new Twitter policy in place this summer designed to urge its reporters to think before they tweet. But this weekend, the policy didn't stop ESPN the Magazine senior writer Bruce Feldman from ripping Sports Reporters panelist Mike Lupica -- then later thinking better of it and deleting the tweet.

It all started with Lupica talking about USC coach Pete Carroll on The Sports Reporters.

"Carroll is in his ninth year there, his record is 89-15, and I swear, they've underachieved," Lupica said. "I really believe SC should have won more national championships than it's won on Pete Carroll's watch."

Carroll has been the most successful coach in college football during his tenure at Southern Cal, so it's no surprise that some USC fans took issue with Lupica saying Carroll had underachieved. It's also no surprise that a columnist at the Orange County Register questioned Lupica's logic, as did the USC blog Conquest Chronicles.

But it is a surprise that Feldman took a public shot at Lupica. Feldman tweeted this:
Mike Lupica sez Pete Carroll's team is "underachieving" Right, cause Carroll's the one who's been livin off his rep & mailin it in 4 years.
That tweet was then circulated on Twitter by everyone from ordinary sports fans who thought it was a funny line, to popular bloggers like Sports By Brooks, to mainstream media luminaries like Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated and Pete Thamel of the New York Times.

Feldman later deleted the tweet from his Twitter profile, and I e-mailed him to ask him why he did it. He replied, "I thought about it last night while watching the game and figured it was out of line."

I also e-mailed ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz, who told me, "It was inappropriate and we've spoken to Bruce and he completely understands."

Personally, I'm with Feldman on the merits: I'd say there are roughly 119 other college football programs that would love to underachieve like USC has with Carroll. But Feldman probably would have been better off leaving that thought untweeted.

ESPN Writer Rips Lupica Via Twitter originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bruce FeldmanBruceFeldmanESPN TwitterEspnTwitterMike LupicaMikeLupicaPete CarrollPeteCarrollMichael David SmithTue, 08 Sep 2009 13:15:00 EST Erin Andrews Returns to Toe Sideline Between Reporter, Vixenhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/04/through-a-stinker-of-a-game-erin-andrews-shines-in-her-sideline/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/04/through-a-stinker-of-a-game-erin-andrews-shines-in-her-sideline/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/04/through-a-stinker-of-a-game-erin-andrews-shines-in-her-sideline/#commentsFiled under:


RALEIGH, N.C. - Erin Andrews had to feel better about her performance than Steve Spurrier, and his team won.

South Carolina beat North Carolina State 7-3 in a stinker of a game. At least it smelled like a hamper full of used socks. I didn't see much of it because I was busy watching Andrews.

For the first time in weeks somebody can say that without being called a pervert. Andrews was back on the sideline, and it had to feel ... well, I wish we knew.

She is only talking to Oprah about her video victimization. The show's already been taped and will run next week. Andrews said it'll be the first and last time she addresses the topic.

We won't know what she was feeling Thursday night, but it had to be awkward, frightening, liberating and hopefully cathartic.

We've all had those freaky dreams about being naked for the whole world to see. They supposedly indicate feelings of vulnerability and guilt. What must it be like to have that dream come true?

I would have felt that at least 56,000 of the 57,583 people at Carter-Finley Stadium had seen me naked. The rest have never heard of the Internet.

It must be infuriating to Andrews because she's guilty of almost nothing. I say almost because she never exactly pooh-poohed her Sideline Vixen image. That obviously didn't give a sicko fan the right to drill a hole in a hotel wall and cast the video onto the Internet.

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Andrews told Oprah she "opened up the computer [and] could feel my heart pounding." It must also thump every time she checks into a hotel room.

Inwardly, we don't know how much scarring there has been. Outwardly, Andrews looked pretty much the same.

It was too much to hope she'd show up dressed like Mother Teresa, but it would have poked some needed levity into the situation. Instead she wore dark brown tights and a sleeveless vest and blouse get-up.

Her famous mane certainly hasn't lost a step. It looks like Farrah Fawcett left her hair to Andrews, who fluffs it up about 18 times a minute without even thinking. I don't usually devote so much space to these things, but we are talking TV. And you may have heard that looks matter.

It goes both ways. I got on the elevator with Jesse Palmer before the game, and I could feel every woman on board swoon. I'd like to think it was for me, but I never starred in The Bachelor.

Erin AndrewsThat show only enhanced Palmer's career. If his sideline colleague did The Bachelorette, she'd be called a Jezebel. It makes for a lose-lose situation for people like Andrews.

When they play up their looks, they're manipulative flirts. If they don't do a little flaunting, they end up doing the weather segment in Pocatello . Andrews has walked the line well enough to be respected by her TV peers and ogled by millions of frat boys.

I wondered if one would show up Thursday night with a freshly-burned DVD for their heroine to sign. There wasn't any interaction with fans, perhaps because they were busy watching NC State not score.

If the offenses weren't in mid-season form, Andrews was. Throwing a couple of easy questions at coaches as they leave the field isn't exactly "60 Minutes," but at least Andrews does it well.

She kept her composure when Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl groped her while demonstrating defensive techniques. The only thing Spurrier was left groping for Thursday night was some offense.

He did the requisite post-game interview with Andrews. They were quickly surrounded by about 50 other reporters and cameramen. Then Spurrier trotted away escorted by three South Carolina State Patrolmen.

Andrews trotted away followed by a Raleigh policeman, a Secret Service-looking guy in a suit and two more guys wearing ESPN vests. She stopped just long enough to pose with a local photographer and pack up a big red purse.

The security bubble moved quickly up a tunnel. I followed, not really sure what to say. I considered telling her that I was a producer from the Oprah show and had a few follow-up questions.

Like what the heck is going on with the investigation? And will you swear on Chris Berman's comb-over that this whole video scandal wasn't just a publicity stunt?

I can't believe any sane woman would willingly subject herself to what Andrews has been through. And Andrews has never appeared to be crazy.

She stopped at the top of a ramp and got a transportation cart with the Secret Service guy. It was my chance to play Bill O'Reilly, but I pretty much choked.

"It was good to see you back," I said.

"Thank you," she said. "It was good to have something else to worry about."

Like simply doing her job.

With that, Andrews was whisked away to some un-named hotel. We won't know what she dreamed about when her head finally hit the pillow.

We do know she deserved a good night's sleep.

Erin Andrews Returns to Toe Sideline Between Reporter, Vixen originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>erin andrewsDavid WhitleyFri, 04 Sep 2009 00:20:00 EST Erin Andrews Watch, the Live Bloghttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/03/erin-andrews-watch/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/03/erin-andrews-watch/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/03/erin-andrews-watch/#commentsFiled under: ,

Erin AndrewsRALEIGH, N.C. -- If your money was on a burqa, you lose.

Erin Andrews showed up Thursday night in black tights, sleeveless cream-colored vest over a patterned shirt. Thus was answered the hottest question going into the college football season:

What would ESPN's sideline siren wear in her first public appearance since her last public appearance?

Almost everybody with a computer and a curiosity knows what Andrews was wearing in that one. The NC State-South Carolina is her first assignment since the peephole video propelled Andrews into Internet voyeurism history.

How will that affect college football's favorite sideshow? At the risk of sounding like a peephole pervert, we'll be tracking her every move to find out.

Read David Whitley's liveblog about Erin Andrews after the jump.

5:25 p.m.: Andrews enters Carter-Finley Stadium from the south end zone tunnel. As NC State's receivers run routes and catch passes on the field, she prepares to tape her pregame standup. None of the Wolfpack seem to notice her. Or maybe they don't recognize her with clothes on.

5:39 p.m.: Andrews finishes the taping. She appears comfortable with a microphone despite the six-week layoff.

6:57 p.m.: The press box announcer says the heat index is 77 degrees. It would be much higher if they'd show the peephole video on the scoreboard TV screen, but that would be blatant exploitation. And the NCAA only permits blatant exploitation of student-athletes, not its sideline announcers.

7:13 p.m.: On NC State a 's first offensive play, Toney Baker fumbles at the Wolfpack's 14-yard line. The fumble was caused by South Carolina defensive end Devin Taylor. "Good strip," the guy next to me said. I refuse to turn that into a reference to Erin Andrews.

7:24 p.m.: Taylor, apparently inspired by Andrews' return, blocks an NC State punt. Anp drews is standing at the 25-yard line on the other end of the field. She jots something down on a yellow legal pad. I can't be sure from my press box vantage point, but I think it says "Pick up more shampoo after game."

7:32 p.m.: Andrews walks from the north side of the field to the south in order to get a better view of the action. The route takes her behind the NC State bench and near the first row of fans. She is followed by a guy in a beige suit and one uniformed policeman. I'm not sure of the other security details, but I'm pretty sure I see a sniper team on the roof of the nearby NC State athletic complex.

7:56 p.m.: Andrews makes her third walk behind the NC State bench. She stops halfway and has a brief conversation with a Wolfpack trainer. Again, it's hard to read lips from a press box on top of the stadium, but I'm pretty sure she asked him if the black tights make her look fat.

8:05 p.m.: South Carolina blows another scoring chance with a bad snap on a field goal attempt. Andrews writes something on her legal pad, then she flips through about a dozen pages of notes. She takes great pride in her pre-game preparation, so I presume she's checking the section on "How to ask Steve Spurrier why his team is gagging without having him slap me with his visor."

8:19 p.m.: The first half ends. Andrews and a producer type walk onto the field to corral Spurrier as he walks toward the locker room. Spurrier grimaces, apparently unaware that he's the lucky winner of historic EA Lotto - First coach to be interviewed AV (After Video). But he knows he has to stop and chat since ESPN runs college football. Andrews gets out two questions about the line play or something like that. Spurrier gives the perfunctory answers and trots off without slapping her with his visor. Andrews then walks to the mini-compound ESPN has set up in the northwest corner of the field. It's impossible to tell who else is down there, but I swear I see Dr. Phil on the TV doing a halftime report. Please tell me he's talking about his Britney Spears intervention and how Andrews can learn from it.

8:43 p.m.: NC State coach Tom O'Brien apparently does not do halftime interviews. His team takes the field and Andrews doesn't even try to interview him before the second-half kickoff. Instead she does a quick standup. I'm not sure what she said since it lasted about 4.8 seconds and I was getting some popcorn. All I know is O'Brien may be the only male in America who has passed up a chance to saddle up next to Andrews.

8:58 p.m.: South Carolina misses an easy field goal, making approximately 14 blown scoring chances so far. I would bet my miniature-lens video camera that Andrews is jotting down "That will come back to haunt them" on her legal pad.

9:16 p..m.: NC State finally scores on 43-yard field goal. I'd like to give you Andrews' reaction but she's either been hiding behind a Gatorade cooler for the past 15 minutes or has left her sideline post. My hope is that she's gone to the ESPN trailer and is changing into a nun suit, just to make light of the peephole controversy and accusations that she dresses to impress frat boys.

9:22 p.m.: There she is! Andrews has moved to South Carolina's sideline. Alas, she did not change into the nun suit. Neither has the cop who's been tailing her for the past three hours.

9:35 p.m.: NC State is driving for the inevitable go-ahead touchdown, so Andrews has moved toward that end zone. From across the field it's easier to see exactly who is in her entourage. There's the cop, the guy in the beige suit, two cameramen and another guy carrying some sort of electronic device. If she'd had this much company in the hotel room we'd never had a scandal.

9:45 p.m.: NC State ended up punting. This game is a bad football comedy. At least the South Carolina bench is on the side of the field where NC State students sit, so there's a chance we'll see some drunken Sig Ep pledge hop over the wall and try to kiss Andrews. I can't think of any other reason to keep watching.

Erin Andrews Watch, the Live Blog originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Erin AndrewsDavid WhitleyThu, 03 Sep 2009 18:04:00 EST Erin Andrews to Discuss Peeping Tom Incident on Oprahhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/01/erin-andrews-to-discuss-peeping-tom-incident-on-oprah/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/01/erin-andrews-to-discuss-peeping-tom-incident-on-oprah/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/09/01/erin-andrews-to-discuss-peeping-tom-incident-on-oprah/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Erin, Oprah. Oprah, Erin. Yes that Letterman skit was years ago but more timely is ESPN sideline reporter Erin Andrews' appearance on Oprah. She'll break her silence in an interview on the Oprah Winfrey Show the morning of September 11th.

Sports Illustrated broke the news Monday, offering few other details besides time and date. If you're an American male you know the details but for everyone else late to the story, video of a naked Andrews shot through what appeared to be a peep hole surfaced several weeks ago. Its release prompted swift action by her attorneys and ESPN to suppress the video and seek action against whoever perpetrated the invasion of privacy crime against her.

Since then Andrews has apparently not been on ESPN broadcasts as part of a planned vacation but is set to return Thursday night as part of the network's broadcast of college football's first official game of 2009 between South Carolina and North Carolina State. That'll be interesting, hm?

Few segments of society are more respectful and controlled when it comes to respecting women than college men -- cough -- and now she's entering a stadium filled with thousands of them. I'd be shocked if ESPN wasn't pressing security hard to confiscate any and all questionable signs in advance of the broadcast.

Whatever, tune in on the 11th to see the damage done to Andrews and how she's gotten along since then.

Erin Andrews to Discuss Peeping Tom Incident on Oprah originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Erin AndrewsESPNOprahOprah WinfreyBrian GrummellTue, 01 Sep 2009 00:45:00 EST ESPN Plans Interviews With All 120 College Football Coaches in 12 Hourshttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/28/espn-plans-interviews-with-all-120-college-football-coaches-in-1/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/28/espn-plans-interviews-with-all-120-college-football-coaches-in-1/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/28/espn-plans-interviews-with-all-120-college-football-coaches-in-1/#commentsFiled under: ,

BRISTOL, Conn. -- ESPN has an ambitious plan to kick off the college football season next week, with all 120 Division I-A coaches expected to be interviewed in two six-hour specials on ESPNU.

For the math impaired, that means 10 interviews an hour. Suffice to say, they won't be going into much depth. But the Worldwide Leader has already booked 110 of the coaches, and they think they'll get the other 10.

"We're going to try to make history," said ESPNU anchor Lowell Galindo. "We're going to talk about everything a college football junkie would want to talk about, from the coaches' expectations for the 2009 season to Colt McCoy's facial hair."

This isn't the first time ESPN has tried something like this; in March Andy Katz tried to interview all 65 coaches in the NCAA Tournament. Katz ended up getting 64 of 65 (Cal State Northridge's Bobby Braswell couldn't make it), but what ESPNU is trying next week will be twice as hard.

The two six-hour shows will air Monday and Tuesday from 2 PM to 8 PM on ESPNU.

ESPN Plans Interviews With All 120 College Football Coaches in 12 Hours originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:34:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Michael David SmithFri, 28 Aug 2009 11:34:00 EST Coaches Association Says Coaches Don't Have to Turn Over Poll Ballotshttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/26/coaches-association-says-coaches-dont-have-to-turn-over-poll-ba/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/26/coaches-association-says-coaches-dont-have-to-turn-over-poll-ba/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/26/coaches-association-says-coaches-dont-have-to-turn-over-poll-ba/#commentsFiled under: ,

Bobby Bowden has heard the fuss -- there are fans who believe the USA Today coaches' poll is fraught with bias -- but the veteran coach believes in the poll's integrity and feels the voting process should remain confidential.

"It seems that it's something that ought to be private, to me," Bowden said Wednesday. "What's going to happen is you're going to have a lot of voters drop out of it."

The American Football Coaches Association has a policy that keeps the coaches' ballots private except for the final poll after the bowl games. However, Sports Illustrated recently made an open records request to all 51 coaches at public universities who participate in the poll. SI's request landed on the desk of the 19th-ranked Seminoles late Tuesday afternoon.

Todd Bell, director of media relations and special projects for the AFCA, reiterated Wednesday that neither the association nor its voters are required to release poll ballots. In fact, Bell said AFCA ballots are not ballots in the traditional sense -- votes are tallied by telephone. Bell pointed out, however, the AFCA does not restrict a coach from releasing his selections.

"This has been tried before and it didn't work the last time because the ballots don't belong to the universities, they belong to us," Bell told FanHouse.

"It's actually two separate discussions. If a coach wants to release his ballot, we've never prohibited a coach from doing that. The [open records request] does not apply in this situation because the university can't release something that doesn't belong to them. The right to vote is given to the AFCA member, not to a university. We are not going to release a coaches' ballot and we're not going to tell a coach he has to release his ballot because that's not our policy."

The University of South Florida Wednesday morning was the first public school that elected to respond to the open records request, and Bulls head coach Jim Leavitt believes his team is the best in the Big East Conference and the 18th-best team in the nation. When all the votes were tallied, USF was ranked 40th in the preseason poll released on Aug. 7.

The coaches' poll counts for one-third of the formula used to determine which teams qualify for the multi-million dollar BCS bowl games and the BCS title game. With so much money at stake, with coaching careers hanging in the balance, and with, at least on appearance, a rampant conflict of interest, it's easy to see why some fans don't view the poll as authentic and honest.

Bowden, however, says he takes the voting seriously and does it himself. He's also old school, believing opponents could use his voting as bulletin board material.

"We have to play those people," Bowden said.

"There are times when I've sat up until 2 o'clock trying to find out how that game on the West Coast came out. If I couldn't find out, I'd have to get up the next morning and [vote]. I'll wait until the last moment. I try to watch highlight films coming on TV. I do take it pretty serious."

Bill Hancock, media relations director for the BCS, told FanHouse Wednesday that the organization plans to observe and "sit tight and see what happens after this year."

Last May, the AFCA announced the final regular-season ballots in the coaches poll will no longer be made public beginning with the 2010 football season. The decision surprised some coaches, but AFCA executive director Grant Teaff said the adjustment was made based on the results of a three-month independent study by Gallup World Poll of the voter selection process and voting procedures.

Teaff said Gallup recommended the change because confidentiality leads to a better poll, which also allows coaches to vote for their own team. Bowden also believes that coaches simply vote their conscience and not vote to benefit a team or a league in the BCS standings.

"I've never done that; never thought about it to be honest with you," Bowden said. "I don't think any coaches would do that."

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College writer Andy Staples, of Sports Illustrated, made the opens record requests and reminded fans that South Carolina coach -- and public school voter - Steve Spurrier told CBSSports.com after learning the 2010 results would remain private, the looming secrecy allows "a chance for some real hanky-panky."

Staples also pointed out that states, such as Florida, have broad laws regarding open records requests. For instance, NCAA documents in an infractions case against FSU are state law, a Leon County circuit court judge ruled last week, even though the documents could not be printed out or downloaded.

Barbara A. Petersen, president of the First Amendment Foundation in Tallahassee, Fla., was intrigued by the open records request involving voting in the coaches' poll, especially since the poll helps determine bowl games that translate into revenue for a public university such as FSU.

"That would make for a stronger argument that [ballots] should be subject to public disclosure," Petersen told FanHouse.

Cincinnati coach Brian Kelley believes voting should be made public, explaining his stance in a diary entry posted Monday on the Cincinnati Enquirer's Web site.

"I have a lot of regard for a coaches' poll, and I want it to have credibility," Kelley wrote.

"I don't think you should get your director of operations to do it. If that's the case, then we shouldn't do it. That's why I've always been in favor of publicizing your Top 25. I think there should be transparency. If the coaches have a poll, and you're serious about it, there should be transparency. If you're not, the coaches shouldn't have a poll. Just do away with it. But I'm in the minority. Our coaches' association has decided that they don't want the poll publicized."

When the preseason coaches poll was released earlier this month, Leavitt, who also voted Oklahoma No. 1 over state neighbor -- and defending national champion -- Florida, was asked by The Tampa Tribune about USF's preseason ranking and how he voted.

"I'll be honest -- I really am honest -- it really doesn't matter to me," Leavitt said. "It doesn't matter to me whether we're anywhere or if whether we're ranked [No.] 1. It really doesn't. The last few years we haven't been able to finish in the Top 25 and that does mean something to me."

Bowden, who has divulged his ballot in the past when asked, still would rather keep his vote close to his vest.

"I sure hate to start announcing that because we're going to get some criticism," he said.

Coaches Association Says Coaches Don't Have to Turn Over Poll Ballots originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>bobby bowdenJim HenryWed, 26 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST Sports Illustrated to Demand Coaches' Ballotshttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/25/sports-illustrated-to-demand-coaches-ballots/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/25/sports-illustrated-to-demand-coaches-ballots/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/25/sports-illustrated-to-demand-coaches-ballots/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

When college football coaches decided that their little shred of transparency -- making each coach's final ballot public -- was just too much sharing, there was some outcry over the decision to go back to anonymous balloting in 2010. All accountability and openness of the votes appeared to be out the window.

Sports Illustrated has decided that it will go to court to force the ballots to be opened to public scrutiny. Starting this week, they intend to file state-level Freedom of Information Act requests at each public institution where there is a participating coach.
Sports Illustrated's reason for this action according to Andy Staples:
Why are we doing this? Because, as South Carolina coach -- and public school poll voter -- Steve Spurrier so eloquently put it to CBSSports.com after learning the 2010 results would remain cloaked, the looming secrecy allows "a chance for some real hanky-panky." If the AFCA [American Football Coaches Association] learns through this exercise it can't keep the ballots secret, it might choose instead to embrace transparency rather than risk damaging the integrity of the poll.
The basis for the filings are that at each state institution, the coaches are essentially public employees. Many are and do participate in public employee pension systems. The state institutions are generally subject to each states' version of the Freedom of Information Act, and this includes the athletic departments. This will not apply to participating coaches at schools that are private institutions like Duke's David Cutcliffe and Charlie Weis at Notre Dame.

As the article points out, the door to this opened when news organizations in Florida took Florida State and the NCAA to court this year over a records request concerning the NCAA's investigation into the FSU academic fraud case. FSU, while a defendant, actually supported the open records, as did the Florida state attorney general.

The NCAA lost, though they are all appealing. It will be interesting to see how FSU differentiates this view when they get the request for Bobby Bowden's preseason ballot this year.

There's a little bit of turning the tables on institutions here. Again, the article points this out.
In May, the Columbus Dispatch's fantastic investigation into athletic departments' sometimes fraudulent use of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act to hide records provided a wake-up call to schools in every state.
Programs shadily employed a federal law to hide when players get in trouble from getting out to the public. Now they appear to be on the other end of the public records law.

Clearly the reason to file the requests now, is to get this into court this year. Get the court challenges out of the way as soon as possible. At a minimum, force the AFCA to repeal their decision for 2010 rather than continually go through this

While this does seem a little silly and not the intent for public records laws, there is a valid claim to be made on making the records public, beyond claims of public interest in the ballots themselves. The Coaches Poll is one-third of the formula used to determine the BCS rankings. Those rankings determine the teams playing for the national championship and in BCS bowls. All of which involve a lot of money that go back to the athletic departments.

Whether or not those various athletic departments receive state monies or are financially self-sufficient is irrelevant. They are still part of the state institution. In other words, the ballots have a financial impact on the state institution. Something for which public records laws were intended.

Sports Illustrated to Demand Coaches' Ballots originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Chas RichTue, 25 Aug 2009 15:33:00 EST Lou Holtz: Notre Dame Will Play in BCS Title Gamehttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/24/lou-holtz-notre-dame-will-play-in-bcs-national-championship-gam/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/24/lou-holtz-notre-dame-will-play-in-bcs-national-championship-gam/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/24/lou-holtz-notre-dame-will-play-in-bcs-national-championship-gam/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Notre Dame has gone 10-15 over the last two seasons, but ESPN college football analyst Lou Holtz says the Fighting Irish are about to see their fortunes change. Greatly.

"I personally believe, if you ask me, 'Who's going to play in the national championship game?' I'd say it's going to be Florida and the University of Notre Dame," Holtz says. "They return 11 starters on offense. They return all three running backs, the two best wide receivers, they have a great defense coming back."

Obviously, we all know that Holtz loves Notre Dame, where he coached from 1986 to 1996. But he says his prediction that the Irish will play for the national championship has less to do with his love of the university than about his simple belief that Notre Dame has such an easy schedule this year that they should steamroll most of their opponents.

"They only play one team in the Top 37 preseason," Holtz sys. "Not that they'll be the No. 2 team in the country, but I do believe they'll be the best team in the stadium, and that's all they have to do."

Holtz does make a fair point there: Notre Dame's schedule is ridiculously easy, starting with Nevada at home, following up with three middle-of-the-pack Big Ten teams (at Michigan, Michigan State, at Purdue) and then a home game against Washington, which was 0-12 last year.

But even if Notre Dame does start 5-0, the sixth game is against USC, and that's the one game against a preseason Top 37 team Holtz refers to. Once the Trojans get done abusing the Irish, no one will be talking about Notre Dame in the national championship game. Not even Lou Holtz

What do you think of Holtz's prediction? Tell me on Twitter @MichaelDavSmith.

Lou Holtz: Notre Dame Will Play in BCS Title Game originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>lou holtzMichael David SmithMon, 24 Aug 2009 09:40:00 EST Feeling the Pressure? Oklahoma State Cuts Media Access to Teamhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/21/feeling-the-pressure-oklahoma-state-cuts-media-access-to-team/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/21/feeling-the-pressure-oklahoma-state-cuts-media-access-to-team/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/21/feeling-the-pressure-oklahoma-state-cuts-media-access-to-team/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State coachThe pressure of expectations must be getting to Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy.

Apparently, OSU needs to focus so Gundy cut off media access to his team on Thursday until Aug. 31, the Monday before the season opener against Georgia, according to the Daily Oklahoman. The Cowboys and their explosive offense are the talk of college football and even a darkhorse in the Big 12 championship race this season.

Gundy said he believes he must close ranks with the start of the school year and the media attention mounting on his best team in the five seasons he's been the coach. The Cowboys are ranked 11th in the preseason USA Today Coaches Poll and ninth in the AP.

"The most difficult thing we're doing right now, or trying to do," Gundy told the Daily Oklahoman, "is keep them focused and concentrated on preparing to play the game."

The Cowboys have certainly been the media darlings of the preseason, even earning a Sports Illustrated cover. Quarterback Zac Robinson, receiver Dez Bryant, running back Kendall Hunter, left tackle Russell Okung and linebacker Andre Sexton appear on several preseason award watch lists.

Gundy won't be the first head coach limit media access to his players, a maneuver Texas Tech coach Mike Leach has employed in the past.

But as much as Gundy wants his team to focus in, he might be careful that he isn't adding more pressure on the Cowboys by breaking up their routine. The one thing that will ruin a season in a heartbeat is a team that plays too tightly.

There is a much better chance the co-eds who arrived on campus will be more of a distraction to Gundy's players than a throng of media asking the same questions over and over again.Gundy, a former quarterback at OSU, understands the challenges his players will face on campus.

"You've got 19,000 students here. You've got a lot of cute girls out there," Gundy said. "There's a lot of things going on. Guys have to focus. We're trying to reel them in."

Feeling the Pressure? Oklahoma State Cuts Media Access to Team originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>mike gundymike leachMikeGundyMikeLeachTerrance HarrisFri, 21 Aug 2009 20:20:00 EST Looking for Beast of Big Easthttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/10/looking-for-beast-of-big-east/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/10/looking-for-beast-of-big-east/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/10/looking-for-beast-of-big-east/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Alternative post headline: Your Guess is as Good as Mine.

In the preseason media poll, Pitt was picked to win the conference followed by West Virginia, Cincinnati, South Florida and then Rutgers. The top four teams all received first place votes. The point difference between Pitt and No. 5 Rutgers was only 34, while the gap between Rutgers and the No. 6 team, UConn, was 48. In other words, everyone is guessing, and everyone is unsure.

Just checking the multitude of preview guides only emphasizes the confusion. The various mags have picked four different teams to finish first in the Big East. In other words, the Big East is looking a lot like the ACC of the last few years. No dominant team. Plenty of parity and coaches getting defensive about it.
[West Virginia] Coach [Bill] Stewart on the league outlook: "I don't call it parity, I call it competitive."
And somewhere in Raleigh, North Carolina, Tom O'Brien nods his head in approval.

The only things that seem certain are that Louisville and Syracuse will battle for the basement, while UConn tries to rebuild and find a passing game not seen since the legendary Dan Orlovsky led the Huskies back in 2004.

Part of the reason for the jumble of picks at the top is that each team seems so fatally flawed at key spots that it is easier to see them failing than succeeding.

Pittsburgh
Pros: Dominating defense that starts with a strong defensive line, led by one of the best tandems of defensive ends in Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheard. The offense has one of the best young receivers in the conference in Jonathan Baldwin along with the conference's best tight end in Nate Byham. The receiving corps is surprisingly deep. The offensive line only lost one starter from last year.

Cons: The quarterback situation is a glaring, neon question mark. Bill Stull is still the likely starter and he was horrible down the stretch, leading to his benching in an unwatchable 3-0 loss to Oregon State in the Sun Bowl. Leading tackler Scott McKillop, along with the rest of the starting linebackers all graduated, leaving much inexperience behind. The entire backfield has to be replaced with fullback Conredge Collins, back-up LaRod Stephens-Howling and star tailback LeSean McCoy departed. Pitt also has to replace their punter and kicker.

Scheduling: Slightly rough. Road games could be a challenge. The non-conference game at North Carolina State looms large since Pitt is only 1-4 against BCS teams away from Heinz Field under Dave Wannstedt. They also have to play at Rutgers, who Wannstedt has yet to beat, and at West Virginia.

West Virginia
Pros: Noel Devine is still in the backfield and is always a threat to break off a long run everytime he touches the ball. Senior Jarrett Brown is now the QB. He has experience, good mobility and a strong arm to get the ball to an underrated (and under-utilized) receiving corps. The defense has made strides and returns seven starters.

Cons: Pat White is gone. There is no getting around the loss of the best and winningest player in Mountaineer history. Oh, and so is virtually the entire offensive line, making it a very shaky thing for a new quarterback and giving Devine any space to run. Kicker Pat McAfee is gone as well.

Scheduling: Challenging. While they do have 1-AA Liberty on the schedule as well as Marshall, they host East Carolina and Colorado. Plus a trip to Auburn. Their conference road schedule will make it harder for them to win the conference since they have to go to South Florida, Cinci and Rutgers this year.

Rutgers
Pros: The entire offensive line is back, and quite good. They will allow whoever is in the backfield time to throw, and open holes for the running game. The defense, especially at linebacker looks imposing. There is solid depth at running back as long as Kordell Young makes it all the way back from his knee injury

Cons: Young missed four games last year to injury, and then got hurt in spring practice. Counting on him for any length of time might be a mistake. The most glaring issue is the entire passing game. Quarterback Mike Teel, wide receivers Kenny Britt, Tiquan Underwood, and tight end Kevin Brock are all gone. That's the starting quarterback for the last three years and three of the top four receivers on the team in 2008. The candidates to replace Teel are true freshman Tom Savage and a slew of back-ups. The kicking game still remains a question mark.

Scheduling: Set up perfectly. The Scarlet Knights have the weakest non-conference schedule in the Big East. Howard and Texas Southern (both FCS), FIU and at Army. Their only challenging non-con game is at Maryland. As for the conference schedule, they get the other four contending teams -- Cincinnati, Pitt, WVU and USF -- in Piscataway. Phil Steele rates their schedule at 106th out of 120. No BCS team even comes close to playing this light a schedule.

South Florida
Pros: Matt Grothe is a playmaker on offense. He has been the team's leading rusher and passer. He is surprisingly accurate with a 63 percent completion rate. Most of their receivers are back and the running back depth has improved. The defensive line, led by George Selvie at one end, is right there with Pitt in the debate for best D-line in the conference. They may have the most overall talent in the conference.

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Auburn offensive lineman Jorell Bostrom (76) stretches during their NCAA college football practice on the campus of Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
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    Auburn running back John Douglas, foreground, works on a catching drill with teammate Robert Cooper (16) during their NCAA college football practice on the campus of Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009. Gabe McKenzie, left, looks on. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Auburn quarterback Chris Todd throws during the Tigers' NCAA college football practice on the campus of Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Auburn offensive lineman Jorell Bostrom (76) stretches during their NCAA college football practice on the campus of Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Auburn quarterback Chris Todd throws during their NCAA college football practice on the campus of Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Auburn coach Gene Chizik yells instructions to his team during their college football practice on the campus of Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Auburn quarterbacks Chris Todd (12), Kodi Burns (18) and Neil Caudle (19) lead the offense onto the field during their football practice on the campus of Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Auburn coach Gene Chizik, center, watches his team during their college football practice on the campus of Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009. Defensive lineman Nick Fairley (90) looks on. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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    Tennessee freshman wide receivers Nu'Keese Richardson (7) and Marsalis Teague (10) sing for the camera at Tennessee's football Media Day Sunday, Aug. 9 2009 in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

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    Tennessee running back David Oku smiles as he is asked questions during an interview at Tennessee's football Media Day, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

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    Tennessee defensive back Janzen Jackson speaks to reporters during an interview at Tennessee's football Media Day, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

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Cons: Coaching turnover this past year saw the losses of the defensive coordinator and offensive coordinator, plus a couple others for good measure. There's also the issue of whether USF can win road games when the weather turns cold, as the Bulls are 1-3 when the temperature at kickoff is under 40 degrees, and 2-5 under 50 degrees. As for personnel, the Bulls have only one starter back on the offensive line, so that will determine how much USF runs and how much Grothe just has to run for his life. Grothe is much less effective when he feels that he has to be the entire offense.

Scheduling: Decent. Their non-con is weighed down by having two FCS games, but also includes playing at Florida State and hosting Miami. They get Cincinnati and West Virginia at home, but have to go to Pitt and Rutgers. The Rutgers game is a Thursday night affair in November, so unless it is unseasonably warm you can expect that ESPN will trot out the temperature and issue of a warm weather team playing in the cold. Double the number of mentions that night for their season finale at UConn in December.

Cincinnati
Pros: Tony Pike returns as the starting QB. The first time in a few years where the Bearcats have a returning starting QB. Almost the entire offense comes back including the best WR in the Big East, Mardy Gilyard. Head coach Brian Kelly gets as much out of the talent at hand as anyone in the conference.

Cons: As nice as it is to get virtually the entire offense back, it is the complete opposite on the defensive side. A very underrated defense lost ten of the eleven starters, including DE Connor Barwin and All-American CB Mike Mickens. Just for good measure, there is a new defensive coordinator for the Bearcats.

Scheduling: Moderate. They have games in the non-con at Oregon State and hosting Illinois and Fresno State. Winning the Big East will be tough with road games at Rutgers to start the season, at USF and at Pitt to end the season. Only WVU comes to Nippert Stadium this year.

Looking for Beast of Big East originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Greg RomeusJabaal SheardJarrett BrownKordell YoungMardy GilyardNate ByhamTom SavageTony PikeChas RichMon, 10 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST Lou Holtz Says He's Not Running for Congresshttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/06/lou-holtz-says-hes-not-running-for-congress/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/06/lou-holtz-says-hes-not-running-for-congress/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/06/lou-holtz-says-hes-not-running-for-congress/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Lou HoltzNot so fast, my friend. Wait, that's not Lou Holtz's line. That's Lee Corso's line.

Anyway, not so fast, my friend. Just a day after rumors began flying that the former coach at (insert name of every Division I school here) was considering running for Congress in Florida's 24th congressional district, Holtz has now told a South Bend TV station that he's not going to run.

Holtz spoke to WNDU-TV during a golf outing in southwestern Michigan on Wednesday. The 72-year-old coach confirmed to others, though not directly to WNDU, that he met with Republican strategists. Holtz did tell the TV station he was happy with his job at ESPN and was going to "fulfill the commitment" he made to the World Wide Leader.

Hey, I'd be happy too if the only person I ever had to argue with was Mark May.

At any rate, though Holtz likes to portray himself as a simple man, he said one thing that proves, to me at least, that he is a man of great wisdom:
"I think when you look at the country, you really don't want to get into politics," Holtz said.

I've said it before and I'm saying it again: It's hard to argue with somebody when they're right.

Lou Holtz Says He's Not Running for Congress originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:11:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>lee corsoLeeCorsolou holtzLouHoltzmark mamark mayMarkMaMarkMayMark HastyThu, 06 Aug 2009 14:11:00 EST Lou Holtz for Congress?http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/05/lou-holtz-for-congress/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/05/lou-holtz-for-congress/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/05/lou-holtz-for-congress/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Lou HoltzJust when you and I both thought college football couldn't get any weirder, it's trying. The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Lou Holtz, former coach of William and Mary, NC State, the New York Jets, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame, and South Carolina (whew), is pondering a run for Congress.

Holtz would seek the Republican nomination in Florida's 24th congressional district, which includes parts of the Orlando suburbs and the Space Coast.

If Holtz succeeds in winning the nomination, he would challenge first-term Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, a Democrat from New Smyrna Beach. Should Holtz win in 2010, he would join Nebraska's Tom Osborne, who represented Nebraska's 3rd district from 2000 to 2006, as the only college coaches to serve in Congress.

The real question: How big are those "if"s?

Put it this way: You should always take any rumor with a grain of salt. This one appears like you might want to take it with a 25-pound salt lick. Republican officials did confirm to the Sentinel that they met with Holtz and he is interested in running, but none of them wanted their names used.

File that under "things that make you go hmm ..."

There was one person willing to go on record as thinking this is a good idea, though:
"You put him in the ring and it's all but over," said John Dowless, an Orlando-based Republican consultant. "He's on TV, he's likable, the name ID is huge and people respect him enormously."
Clearly, Dowless hasn't been paying attention. This is a man who managed to get nearly every program he coached put on NCAA probation, after all.

It's a free country, of course, and Holtz is free to run for office if that's what he wants to do. The 24th district leans Republican so it's entirely possible he could wind up elected to Congress if he gets through the primaries. Somewhere, Rod Serling is smiling.

Lou Holtz for Congress? originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>lou holtzLouHoltztom osborneTomOsborneMark HastyWed, 05 Aug 2009 12:58:00 EST Tim Tebow's Not Peyton Manning. Good.http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/03/tim-tebows-not-peyton-manning-good/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/03/tim-tebows-not-peyton-manning-good/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/03/tim-tebows-not-peyton-manning-good/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Every week during college football's endless offseason, The FanHouse Walk will put last week's stories to bed and deliver the essentials to bridge that agonizing space between now and September.

Championship! -- Texas Tech coach Mike Leach gets credit for taking on the NFL's accepted wisdom when it comes to quarterbacks, and now there's some interesting data out there that found its way to ESPN college football writer Bruce Feldman's blog via former coach Jim Donnan. Its an interesting look into the surprisingly vast offensive divide between college football and the manufactured entertainment that is the NFL.

Since 1998, five Southeastern Conference quarterbacks have been the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. 1) Peyton Manning, Tennessee, 1988 2) Tim Couch, Kentucky, 1999 3) Eli Manning Ole Miss, 2004 4) JaMarcus Russell, LSU, 2007 5)Matthew Stafford, Georgia, 2009

The five quarterbacks were the primary starters at their schools for a combined 14 seasons, winning a total of one SEC title (Peyton Manning as a senior in 1997).

Since 1998, five Southeastern Conference teams have won the national championship. 1) Tennessee (Tee Martin), 1998 2) LSU (Matt Mauck), 2003 3) Florida (Chris Leak), 2006 4) LSU (Matt Flynn), 2007 5) Florida (Tim Tebow) 2008

The highest drafted starting quarterback for any of these national championship teams (obviously, the fifth is still undecided as Tim Tebow is back for his senior year at Florida in 2009), was Tee Martin from Tennessee, who was a fifth rounder.

So I asked the former UGA coach what he took from this little breakdown. "Go get a mobile quarterback!!!!! he e-mailed back.

Amazing. Not one of the five championship quarterbacks fits any kind of prototype. They've all generally been more mobile, unconventional and noodle-armed than what matters at football's highest level yet demostrated more winning ability in their college days than many decent NFL passers who are still getting paychecks.

Since the NFL is financially dominant it and its media partners set the narrative and there is much wringing of hands about these crazy college offenses and the skill players arriving from them. Perhaps though it should be the other way around as fans and media turn the table and ask why the NFL has become so cookie cutter, so generic, and uninspired compared to college football these days?

Tim Tebow is awaiting such a reply.

Corch Money -- With the jobhopping to Notre Dame talk not fading away, Florida doubled down this week in granting coach Urban Meyer a six year, $24 million contract extension making him the SEC's highest paid coach for 2009.

He's in the best preseason position of any coach since Pete Carroll in 2005 of leading his team to a national championship, which would be Meyer's third championship in five years. There's no reason for him not to be making that Carroll/Saban/Stoops/Weis (!) level money and today's news is a validation of that. Now just don't blow it particularly when the media swoonfest is in full gear. USC is still paying the price for that with fans years later.

Why Do People Hate The Regular Season? -- This is getting old. First the playoff movement, now the tired "Heisman vote after the bowls" discussion. People, people, people. The Heisman Trophy is a regular season award, just as college football is a regular season sport.

I love the bowl games but its often overlooked how strange they are relative to the regular season. Their outcomes often come down to which team is not necessarily superior but more motivated and aren't the same environment as the regular season which is more frenetic and week-to-week as opposed to having sometimes a month of preparation.

So our apologies to Vince Young, but the Heisman is meant to be won in the regular season.

On The Catwalk -- The Lane Kiffin Show does it again. Well played, sir, except for that Greg McMackin inspired bit at the end.



Overtime, Ball on the 25

-- ESPN College GameDay's Lee Corso says psssshhhhhtttttt, not so fast to this year's stroke taking him permanently off his game.

-- A look at offensive pace. Not the best measure of a team's offensive ability, but yet another piece of data that brings us closer to relatively explaining whats going on between the 120 teams in upper division college football.

-- Vanderbilt's performance last year has Phil Steele ever-so-slightly second guessing himself.

-- A surprisingly interesting discussion by and amongst wise guys about Conference USA team expectations this year.

-- The Rooney Rule is inching closer to passage in Oregon. I'm a huge supporter of the movement to bring more minorities into head coaching and athletic director positions, but there's just something not right about these kinds of measures being implemented in achieving that goal.

Tim Tebow's Not Peyton Manning. Good. originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bruce FeldmanESPNGreg McMackinHeisman TrophyLane KiffinMike LeachPhil SteeleRooney RuleTim TebowUrban MeyerBrian GrummellMon, 03 Aug 2009 21:40:00 EST Florida State Puts a Price on Free Speechhttp://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/03/florida-state-puts-a-price-on-free-speech/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/03/florida-state-puts-a-price-on-free-speech/http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/08/03/florida-state-puts-a-price-on-free-speech/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Much like the general direction of our government, there seems to be a hefty price tag on the basics nowadays. Take for example, Florida State University's athletic department which is auctioning off a chance to participate in its football Media Day. No need to cry socialism, as this sucker is free market at its finest with the highest bidder taking home the prize.

Normally the price for such access would be zero beyond the basic press credential, but since most of us can't just walk in off the street credentialed, the program is taking advantage of the manufactured scarcity. Equally ominous is the advertisement that this is a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity'. Why just once? What exactly are they trying to say?

The above is dripping with sarcasm, lest anyone begin to actually fret about this or FSU's perception about the health and/or coaching longevity of coach Bobby Bowden. The devil's in the details and the Media Day access comes with fan-friendly perks such as a photo opportunity with Bowden, on-field access during the team photo, a Florida State football for autographs and early admission to their "FSU Football Fan Day" event.

So while the professionals are grinding it out there with their notepads, recorders, cameras and video cameras, one lucky fan and companion get to skip all that and simply sit in on the proceedings.

So bid away, ye merry fanboys, the working media may scoff at your dreams (while they glumly live them), but they can never take away your paid freedom! Current high bid? $420.

Florida State Puts a Price on Free Speech originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bobby BowdenBrian GrummellMon, 03 Aug 2009 20:20:00 EST