NCAA Football FanHouse

Jimmy Johns Delivers... Cocaine

Brian Cook — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:25:00 EST

Filed under: Alabama Football, NCAA FB Police Blotter, The Word

Anyone who's lived on a college campus in the past ten years knows that Jimmy Johns delivers. If we are talking about the delicious sandwich purveyor, the delivery is... well... delicious sandwiches. If we are talking about the Alabama running back/linebacker, however, the delivery is delicious narcotics:

Investigators with the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force picked up Johns Tuesday morning around 8 a.m. Sources tell FOX6 News Johns has been under investigation for a couple of weeks.

Tuscaloosa Police Chief Ken Swindle says Johns is charged with 5 counts of distribution of powder cocaine, and 1 count of possession.

And that's goodbye to one awesomely-named but unfortunately crappy and felonious (allegedly) football player. Alabama is now one scholarship closer to cramming its enormous 32-player recruiting class on campus. Just two more to go!

(Via Bama Sports Report.)

Previously On Fanhouse:
Nick Saban's the Real Snake Oil Salesman Around These Parts
Snake Oil on the Recruiting Trail
Saban Made Him Do It: 'Bama DE Arrested

Jimmy Johns Delivers... Cocaine originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Want Michigan Tickets? Cut Your Legs Off

Brian Cook — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:26:00 EST

Filed under: Michigan Football, Big 10, The Word

When Michigan embarked on an ambitious renovation of Michigan Stadium this winter it exposed itself to ADA regulations that didn't apply to the 1927 edfice. One Paralyzed Veterans of America lawsuit later, Michigan had a mandate to build over 200 wheelchair-accessible seats over the next four years.

Eighty-four of those go in next year, and only 14 have been sold. They're in areas of the stadium that require PSLs -- which means they're good seats -- but the University has waived the PSLs on them for the next three years. Michigan Stadium has a season ticket waiting list longer than Notre Dame's bowl drought (zing!), and that goes double for actual schmancy PSL seats.

And the kicker:

"We're going to be getting the word out to work with the disabled community," Bodnar said. "There are different groups we can contact. Under the consent decree (in the settlement), they are only available for individuals in wheelchairs."

Keep this in mind if you see a headline like "UNEXPLAINED RASH OF AMPUTATIONS ACROSS MICHIGAN" sometime in the next couple months.

Want Michigan Tickets? Cut Your Legs Off originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Terrelle Pryor in a Diaper

Brian Cook — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Ohio State Football, Big 10, The Word

Let's cut right to the chase:

What is this? A creepy porn shoot released into the wild by embittered Michigan fans? An American Gladiators tryout? An America's Next Top Model photo shoot?

Oh, you know the answer's coming after the jump.
Skip to about two minutes in for your answer:

...it seems Ohio State put sensors all over these guys and had them, like, bend around and stuff and then thought it was a good idea to publicize things like Willie Mobley looking like the most frightening woman in existence. Or some guy adjusting Pryor's junk. Or no fewer than seven Ohio State recruits with perfect "you have got to be f-ing kidding me" looks as some doof in khaki shorts shows them exactly how Ohio State would like them to look stupid.

Ohio State: where you can wear a blue diaper in a creepy clinical environment... and have it broadcast to the world!

Terrelle Pryor in a Diaper originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rick Neuheisel Allows Players to Skip Practice

Brian Grummell — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:55:00 EST

Filed under: UCLA Football, Pac 10, The Word

Not a good start as the supposedly cleaned-up coach rebuilds UCLA. From the Daily News' Brian Dohn:

UCLA's football practice is over, long before it was supposed as the players decided to use a long-time tradition and blow off practice after stretching by going over the wall. That said, the players ran through an open gate rather than climb over the wall at Spaulding Field.

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel knows of the tradition, but basically said it was an odd time for it considering UCLA is installing a new offense and the offensive line needs loads of work.

Also, a number of high school coaches and recruits showed up for the practice, not to mention some referees. The assistant coaches were mostly stunned after Neuheisel visited with the players, then came back on the field to say practice was done.

In one swift act, Neuheisel willingly undermined himself before his players, his coaches and the lifeblood of any program: recruits. Nice work.

Oh, and that's just about the most pathetic school tradition I've ever heard of. The NCAA limits the hours and number of practices schools can arrange, so for UCLA to be wasting a practice like that is troubling.

(Via: WildWest)

Rick Neuheisel Allows Players to Skip Practice originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: College Football Is Cutthroat

Brian Grummell — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Mountain West, The Word, UNLV Football

The video below is a 10-minute, profane (NSFW) interview with *former* UNLV quarterback Rocky Hinds. Hinds started at UNLV for a few games before a serious knee injury forced him to miss a season's worth of football. When he came back, it appears he was no longer invited to be part of the team. This news was delayed enough to make him ineligible to transfer to another school and be eligible to play right away.

This stuff actually happens a fair amount, particularly at places flying under the radar like UNLV. His coach will obviously tell a different and perhaps accurate story in this he said/she said affair, so by no means is this video the official and final word on the Rocky Hinds/Mike Sanford/UNLV breakup.

(Via: WildWest)

Video: College Football Is Cutthroat originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pro Football Weekly Hates D.J. Hall

Brian Grummell — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:37:00 EST

Filed under: Alabama Football, SEC, NFL Prospects, The Word

From inside the pages of the venerable Pro Football Weekly 2008 Draft Guide:

49ers head coach Mike Nolan told PFW to watch out for this kid. We did. He stinks. Hall was virtually non-existent all week, hardly making a peep. He supposedly was nursing an injury, but it didn't stop him from playing in the [Senior Bowl].

Ouch.

Rarely do you see respected publications straight up say a player stinks. Bonus points for throwing a coach under the bus. Rough day at the office, perhaps?

Pro Football Weekly Hates D.J. Hall originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:37:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Murray State Quarterback Will Emulate 'Jackass' for 20 Dollars

Adam Jacobi — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:55:00 EST

Filed under: NCAA FB Police Blotter, The Word

Take my stuff again. I dare you. Damn kids.

Think about what you'd do for $20. Probably some pretty weird stuff, depending on your upbringing. Maybe you'd eat something weird, drunk dial an ex, wet your own pants, whatever. Sort of ABC Family-type scandalous.

Okay, now consider what that $20 looks like to a college student. Now we're getting into good, R-rated stuff, like streaking or bottle rockets fired from the most sunless of body parts. Rare, though, is the man who would commit a robbery. Even rarer is the man who would do so in plain view of a police officer. Within reach of an officer? Unheard of!

But Murray State quarterback Jeff Ehrhardt is special, you see--so special, in fact, he shoved a police officer and stole his ticket book. Again, for 20 dollars.

The Murray State athletic director is trying to spin the second-degree robbery as a "prank gone bad," but we disagree. We see it as a prank not gone far enough. After all, since $20 shoves a cop, what's up with $50? That's a joyride in the cruiser, right? And what about $100? There's gotta be some shots getting fired at that point. In other words, we're only a few Andy Jacksons away from the type of orgasmic carnage that made Grand Theft Auto the highest-selling video game franchise of all time*.

Sure, we'd be putting the Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year behind bars for the rest of his natural life, but come on, nobody cares. Nobody can name last year's OVCFOTY, or any other year's. But the world--nay, history--will certainly revere the young man who, for just under three C-Notes, stole a tank from the local armory and used it to shoot at Fort Knox. Enough of the "prank[s] gone bad." It's time for a prank gone awesome.

*Not even close, technically.

Murray State Quarterback Will Emulate 'Jackass' for 20 Dollars originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Matt Stafford Has a Theme Song

Brian Grummell — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Georgia Football, SEC, The Word

His career line is fairly pedestrian so far, but when your team's getting championship talk and you play in the SEC, your fans inevitably end up doing oddball things.

The motif: Shaft. As seen at DawgSports - can you dig it?

Who's the white quarterback
Who's a pass machine for the Red and Black?
Staff!
You're damn right!
Who's the man who can beat the Gators
Then hoist a keg at Talladega?
Staff!
Can you dig it?

Who's the cat who won't hand off
When he can put Michael Moore in the running for the Biletnikoff?
Staff!
Right on!

They say this cat Staff is a bad quarter---
Shut your mouth!
I'm talking 'bout Staff.
Then we can dig it!

He's a complicated man to all the haters,
But no one understands him but his coordinator.
Matthew Stafford!

Matt Stafford Has a Theme Song originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bobby Reid Now Says Gundy's Famous Tirade Was 'All a Front'

Jeff Adams — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:14:00 EST

Filed under: Oklahoma State Football, Big 12, NCAA FB Coaching, The Word

We'll never forget Mike Gundy's famous rant in which he informed the world that "he's a man and 40." Now, the player he was defending is suggesting that Gundy is actually just a man and a phony. That's right, former Oklahoma State quarterback Bobby Reid and his mother recently accused Gundy of putting on an act on that fateful day.

"Reid was caught off guard. Here was a coach who'd been burying him and now he was going to war for him? It didn't add up. "At first, everything [Gundy] was saying sounded real and true," Rajika says. "But I'm a believer where there is smoke, there's fire."

In other words, Bobby and Rajika Reid felt info in Carlson's column came indirectly from Gundy or his staff. ("I'd have a hard time agreeing with that," Gundy says.)

In other words, they felt Gundy's rant was fake.

"Honestly, the way I took it, I felt like it was all a front," Reid says. "That it was all a big show. It didn't feel genuine."

This is certainly an interesting twist to the Gundy-Reid-Carlson saga. Most in the public seemed to side with Gundy for having the guts to defend his player from media attacks. But if Reid is questioning Gundy's sentiment and quite frankly, Gundy's integrity, how do we reconcile this new variable?

Gundy, by the way, steadfastly denies the Reid's allegations:

"The last thing I would ever do would be to draw up some production to say in front of the camera. The first reason is because I don't have any interest in doing that. The second reason is I don't have time to do it. ... I didn't direct it toward football, I directed it toward he had done everything right. If they thought it wasn't genuine then obviously they have a right to their opinion. I'm not concerned with changing their mind."

Overall, this seems to be the story that keeps growing and giving commentators on all sides a chance to revisit a strange day in Oklahoma State history. To be honest, I don't know what to believe or what to really think about the whole situation anymore. However, all parties seem to have a flair for the dramatic, especially when Reid discloses his sense that Gundy's tirade in someway "ended his life".

Bobby Reid Now Says Gundy's Famous Tirade Was 'All a Front' originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:14:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mangino Throws Out First Pitch at Royals Home Opener

Jeff Adams — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:41:00 EST

Filed under: Kansas Football, Big 12, The Word

First Gary Pinkel was scheduled to throw out the first pitch for the Cardinals on Opening Day. Then Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin had to take his place. Now another of the Big 12's coaching brethren has gotten his shot on the mound for a ceremonial first pitch. Kansas coach Mark Mangino got the call on Tuesday at the Kansas City Royals home opener at Kauffman Stadium. In addition, Gary Pinkel was actually involved in this ceremony as well, albeit only by way of the stadium's video board (that guy really needs to relax his off-season schedule).

"I'm honored that the Royals would even consider me for Opening Day," Mangino said. "When I was a kid I waited for Opening Day like you waited for Christmas."

Challenged by Missouri coach Gary Pinkel, who in a video presentation expressed his confidence that "coach Mangino will start the season successfully with a strike down the middle," Mangino met the challenge with a pitch down the pipe.

"It might have been a high strike to Frank Thomas," Mangino said. "Gary wanted one down the middle, but he's got to understand: A pitcher has to work the corners."

It sounds like Mangino's attempt fared better than that of Chase Daniel, who bounced his effort to the backstop. It's also good to see Mangino has a little baseball knowledge, although the Frank Thomas reference might have been a tad dated.

Update: Now with video-goodness. Thanks YouTube!

via The Wizard of Odds

Mangino Throws Out First Pitch at Royals Home Opener originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:41:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Are Relations Thawing Between City Rivals USC and UCLA?

Brian Grummell — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:12:00 EST

Filed under: UCLA Football, USC Football, Pac 10, The Word

For years there has been talk of USC and UCLA returning to tradition and wearing contrasting uniforms at their rivalry game. Problem is, NCAA rules prohibit this practice and require that the offending team be docked a timeout.

It's a stupid rule, but to date the schools have obliged. It doesn't help that relations grew tense in the last year or two between the programs. Enter Rick Neuheisel.

In theory, the hyper-competitive Neuheisel should further the divide between the programs, but he and USC coach Pete Carroll at least publicly seem to respect each other. So much so, in fact, that next year may be an "Nixon visits China" moment in relations between the programs.

USC and UCLA are very close to announcing a novel idea to heat up their rivalry. Both teams will wear their home colors this season at UCLA's home game Dec. 6 in the Rose Bowl.

That means USC will wear maroon. The plan is for the Trojans to be penalized a timeout when they take the field in their homies. UCLA, then, at its first opportunity will call a timeout to even things up. Pete Carroll apparently has signed off on the p.r. strategy. What a way to ramp up the Trojans-Bruins rivalry.

You know what's next? Full diplomatic relations (yeh right!). Until anything happens this is all just talk and cutesy "Americans playing ping pong in China" type ice-breakers floated before the public. Hopefully it happens.

Previously at FanHouse
It's Time to Let USC and UCLA Party Like It's 1969
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Are Relations Thawing Between City Rivals USC and UCLA? originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Illini's Speedy Martez Wilson Breaks the Code: Big Ten Is Slow

Brian Grummell — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: Big 10, Big 12, Pac 10, SEC, Illinois Football, The Word

Just ... just, shush! ...

Illinois? Ok. Ohio State? Ok. Michigan? Ok.

Missouri and USC? Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaast.

"I chose not to redshirt. I told them I'd work hard and get as much playing time as possible. I got a starting spot on special teams as a gunner, and it helped me a lot to adjust to the speed. Some teams were very fast."

Such as the first and last teams the Illini played last season, he said.

"The fastest games I played were Missouri and USC," he said.

Anecdotal and oh so annoying for Big Ten fans everywhere. Those Big Ten gazelles can't outrun those Pac-10, Big- 12 and SEC cheetahs or so the claim goes. Silly stuff really, but SEC folks need fresh talking points and love to harass the Big 10.

You can send your thank you cards to:

Illinois Football Office c/o Martez 'Benedict' Wilson
1402 S. First St.
Champaign IL 61820

Illini's Speedy Martez Wilson Breaks the Code: Big Ten Is Slow originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Man Who Broke George O'Leary Resume Exaggeration Story Dies

Brian Grummell — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Notre Dame Football, UCF Football, NCAA FB Coaching, NCAA FB Scandal, The Word

John 'Doc' Hussey, a longtime journalist in New Hampshire, died Friday at the age of 65.

Among many other items in a notable career, he broke the story that forced Notre Dame to ditch football coach George O'Leary just days after hiring him.

Hussey provided the Union Leader with one of its biggest scoops when he detected something was amiss in the public-relations biography of University of New Hampshire graduate George O'Leary, named head football coach at the University of Notre Dame.
Seeking to do a local-angle story on the new head of the world's most storied college football program, Hussey spoke with several players and the man who coached the UNH football team at the time O'Leary was said to have earned three varsity letters. None of the men remembered O'Leary playing football.
Hussey shared his information with colleague Jim Fennell, whose reporting ultimately revealed that O'Leary had falsified his resume, and the coach -- since named head coach at the University of Central Florida -- was forced to step down at Notre Dame. The Union Leader's coverage of the story earned numerous awards and national acclaim.

He may not have been a big player in national college football media, but his fact-checking thoroughly tarnished O'Leary's otherwise solid reputation and Notre Dame's football program has yet to settle on a reliable coach since.

Man Who Broke George O'Leary Resume Exaggeration Story Dies originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Projected Early NFL Draft Winner: the ACC

Brian Grummell — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: ACC, SEC, NFL Prospects, The Word

Pro Football Weekly's 2008 NFL Draft Guide (found at most news stands) has assigned draft grades to 242 collegiate players. Among the conferences, the ACC is tops with a projected 43 drafted players.

ACC: 43
SEC: 38
Big 12: 34
Pac 10: 32
Big 10: 29
Big East: 21
All other conferences and divisions: 45

Keep in mind these are the grades of just one (well-respected) publication and the draft is still weeks away. That said, this is a good starter projection for how the draft will shake out as far as talent allocation among the conferences.

Last year, the SEC led all conferences with 42 players chosen in the NFL draft. The ACC and Big 10 tied for second place with 32 players each.

This is good news for the ACC, but reflects poorly on its coaches given the conference's rapid decline in national prestige.

Projected Early NFL Draft Winner: the ACC originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:57:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Called On in Relief, Daniel Flubs First Pitch

Jeff Adams — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:07:00 EST

Filed under: Big 12, Missouri Football, General CFB Insanity, The Word

Missouri coach Gary Pinkel was scheduled to throw out the first pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals' Opening Day game on Monday. A delay in his return flight from Florida, however, forced the Tigers to go to their bullpen. As a result, it was quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist Chase Daniel who got the call along with his battery mate wide receiver Jeremy Maclin.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned for Daniel.

The crowd gave a standing ovation to Daniel and one of his favorite wide receiver targets, Jeremy Maclin and in a nice touch, Daniel brought out a ball he was more accustomed to throwing...a football.

It certainly couldn't have been the pressure of throwing in front of a bunch of people, or the fact that the weather conditions weren't ideal, both of which Daniel is used to, so I'm going to blame the fact that Daniel BOUNCED the pitch/pass into Maclin from 60 feet 6 inches on standing on the mound.

So Daniel's pitch/pass missed Maclin and apparently rolled to the backstop eliciting boos from the Cardinal faithful. I don't expect many incompletions like that between the two this fall.

Interestingly one local writer went as far as to have a major league scout give his appraisal of Daniel's pitching prowess.

His analysis after the jump.

Body: "He's got the wrong body for a pitcher. He's too thick."

Delivery: "High three-quarter."

Arm action: "OK. He shoves it a bit, but you expect that from a football quarterback."

Control: "Very poor."

Velocity: "Looked usable."

Poise: "He's got major-league average poise. He's comfortable."

Ouch. Not exactly Heisman-like praise. I've searched high and low for video evidence, but have so far come up empty. If you run across it, please let me know.

Called On in Relief, Daniel Flubs First Pitch originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paterno Family's Divided Political Loyalties

Brian Grummell — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:04:00 EST

Filed under: Penn State Football, Big 10, The Word

Egads! It's the 1960's all over again.

Follow the script: Dad's a crusty old Republican. Son's enamored with the candidate representing "hope", "change" and an end to a protracted war. They share the same blue collar Pennsylvania work address and the love that comes with a father-son relationship.

Such is life with the Paterno's, the first family of Pennsylvania college football.

Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, a noted Republican, says he thought long and hard before deciding against greeting Bill Clinton when the former president visited campus on behalf of his wife's presidential campaign. [snip]

Paterno's son and quarterbacks coach, Jay Paterno, supports Clinton's rival, Sen. Barack Obama, who is scheduled to make a campaign stop at Penn State on Sunday. The younger Paterno said at the opening of Obama's campaign office in State College that his choice was rooted in what's best for his five children.

"The only thing I have for Jay is admiration for him because he's willing to do what he thinks is right," Paterno said. "He's sticking his neck out for Obama."

Joe Paterno may eat brains, but he has yet to eat his own flesh and blood. Although maybe for the sake of the Penn State offense maybe he should.

Paterno Family's Divided Political Loyalties originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Worst. Football. Analogy. Ever.

Jeff Adams — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Nebraska Football, Big 12, General CFB Insanity, The Word

Football is a game full of analogies. Most frequently coaches, players, fans and commentators draw parallels between the sport and war or combat. "Preparing for battle," "winning in the trenches," "blitzing," and so on. But after a horrendous 5-7 season is it any surprise that Nebraska players are showing their softer, flowery side?

What do I mean? Here is junior wide receiver Meno Holt describing the maturation process among the team's receivers:

Discussing the receivers after one recent practice, Holt says, "Now I think we're all fully bloomed flowers. It's time to go out there and show everyone our petals."

Martha Stewart would be proud. Tom Novak? Not so much.

Luckily the article points out Holt was joking, and highlights his strong sense of humor which he credits to his mother who recently passed away. But if it's all the same, I prefer my football analogies a touch more on the violent side. I mean let's face it if college football talking heads are discussing the ornate flowering petals displayed by the Nebraska receiving corps, things are unlikely to be going the Huskers' way in 2008.

Worst. Football. Analogy. Ever. originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gary Pinkel to Throw Out First Pitch for Cardinals' Opening Day

Jeff Adams — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Big 12, Missouri Football, NCAA FB Coaching, The Word

What a long, strange trip it has been for Gary Pinkel and the Missouri Tigers. Pinkel began his career in Columbia with a rather pedestrian 37-35 record. Because of that Pinkel, spent quite a bit of time riding a warm seat. But all that changed following last year's 12-2 breakout season.

So how far has Pinkel come? He's now reached ceremonial first pitch status, on Opening Day, no less!

"Pinkel, the 2007 Big 12 Conference co-Coach of the Year, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for Monday's game. It is not currently known what kind of pitch the former tight end will be going with, but his repertoire reportedly consists of a slow ball, a slower ball and something resembling an eephus pitch.

The FieldTurf 2007 National Coach of the Year will also appear for a stint in the broadcast booth as guests of Fox Sports Net Midwest for the Cardinals telecast. Pinkel is scheduled to appear in the top of the third inning for the game with FSN broadcasters Dan McLaughlin and Al Hrabosky."

I don't know what kind of pitching repertoire Pinkel actually possesses, but it seems his he lobbed his biggest curveball at college football fans who assumed he was a dead man walking years ago.

Gary Pinkel to Throw Out First Pitch for Cardinals' Opening Day originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 06:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ohio State Plans to Keep Losing to SEC Long After You've Passed Away

Adam Jacobi — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:05:00 EST

Filed under: Ohio State Football, Tennessee Football, Big 10, SEC, The Word

Octogenarians and above, feel free to disregard the following information, as it cannot possibly affect you: the Ohio State Buckeyes and Tennessee Volunteers have just finalized plans to play a home-and-home series.

In light of their recent ineptitude against SEC opponents, this would appear to be a foolish decision on Ohio State's part; the Buckeyes haven't beaten an SEC team since 1988. That win against LSU was their only victory against the SEC since well before WWII. Meanwhile, Ohio State is still winless against the same conference in bowl games, all nine losses coming within the last 30 years. So yes, SEC speeeeeeed! and all that.

But fear not, Bucknuts: All of that is ancient history, completely worthless. Why? Because the games won't even be played for another decade. Yes, the athletic departments at both Ohio State and Tennessee have taken the unusually presumptive stance that Earth as we know it will still exist 10 years from now, Manbearpig be damned, and scheduled the series for 2018 and 2019.

This gives the Buckeyes 10 years to figure out how to slow down an SEC opponent (Answer: tasers. Dozens of them. Five on Percy Harvin alone) and once again be competitive in a game that is creeping past them like a glacier--slow, but totally unstoppable. Meanwhile, quarterbacks will be able to see probabilities in their Lexan visor, and 25-yard end zones, and... oh wait, I'm getting ahead of myself.

Still, 10 years is a long time for a football program to evolve (or, as with Nebraska, decompose), and entropy suggests that this matchup may bear little resemblence to its current state. And that's all assuming Skynet lets us keep playing football at all. Vicious haters, they.

Ohio State Plans to Keep Losing to SEC Long After You've Passed Away originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Huskers Pile on Previous Coaching Staff

Jeff Adams — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Nebraska Football, Big 12, NCAA FB Coaching, The Word

A new coaching staff and a new attitude apparently can't prevent finger pointing and placing of blame as Nebraska begins spring practice. With just one day of practice with the new staff behind them, players are already dredging up the past and highlighting the shortcomings of the previous staff and the frustrations of a 5-7 season.

It all began with a whimper from offensive lineman Matt Slauson.

"There was definitely a frustration for the team, one, but for me especially," Slauson said. "Because I kind of feel like I got jacked around a little bit, switching positions all the times, switching playing time all the time, playing a few plays here, a few plays there. I was really frustrated the whole time ... I had no idea what was going on the whole year. I think (it) just messed with my head a little bit. I don't know if there were head games they were doing or what, but I just didn't feel comfortable where I was."

Slauson said guys usually didn't know who was going to start until 10 minutes before the game. He said he wasn't sure who was making the final call on who started.

That doesn't sound good, but perhaps Slauson was an isolated case. Not so, according to running back Cody Glenn, who also weighed in.

The Husker senior running back said his trust in former NU running backs coach Randy Jordan deteriorated markedly last season. Glenn said Jordan would tell Glenn he was going to play in a particular game, then Glenn would remain on the bench.

"The thing about me is, when you tell me you're going to do something, I expect you to do it," Glenn said after practice. "Once you don't, I just kind of don't have any trust in you. We had a few situations like that, and I never got an explanation for it, where he'd come up to me and say, 'I did this for this reason.'

"I was like, 'Man, I can't believe anything he says.'"

Glenn said he did express his frustrations to Jordan.

"He was like, 'Once we get in the game and stuff starts rolling, it's just different,'" Glenn said. "(Jordan) kept saying the same thing, and I kind of got tired of it and didn't talk to him much anymore."

Wow, does this sound familiar? Can it be coincidental that the one common denominator in all of this is one Bill Callahan?

It's hard to ignore what the players are saying and it is certainly easy for fans to assume that the brunt of the blame lies with the previous coaching staff. Husker fans are comfortable with the assumption that Callahan's staff jacked players around, forced them to put on "bad weight," communicated poorly and ultimately drove the team headlong into Suckville. But whatever happened to personal responsibility? Shouldn't someone step up and say "we played horribly a year ago, but we're moving past it and looking forward to this fall?"

As a fan I'm done looking back in anger and I'm over the hand-wringing and search for answers. I just wish the players would adopt a similar attitude. Unfortunately at least one local scribe thinks the swipes at the previous staff will continue.

Huskers Pile on Previous Coaching Staff originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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