Generally speaking, I don't keep up with recruiting and transfers ping my radar to an even lesser extent. But the Bryce Brown saga has been avoidable in my great state. He was supposedly the number one high shcool recruit last year, and Lane Kiffin nabbed him on behalf of the Vols. Then Kiffin split, and Brown has apparantly spent the past six months being emo about it (at least, that's the impression that's stuck with me from the various media I've scanned about the subject and have no desire to try to find and source). In a move worthy of his never-to-be coach, Brown texted Dooley asking for release. Dooley declined, quoting his three point test for granting such requests, which Brown presumably failed on the third point of character/integrity. This has caused Daddy Brown, who one might suspect of trying to control this whole thing from the word go, is pitching fits. Yawn.
Now, I don't know anything about granting releases and what a program gains or loses from their handling of the situation. I do know I don't like it when the integrity of our program is unfairly impugned, especially when one tries to use Kiffin as a moral pillar. Although it's gotta sting to be told "No need to come back."
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Bitter-bits
1. Lane Kiffin, in his contintual quest to commit flagrant violations and still smell sweet as a Rose Bowl, contests the coach-poaching lawsuit is matter of geography, not integrity. Because a USC alum coaching a Houston NFL franchise in middle Tennessee is concerned about your actions concerning a college team on the east side. It doesn't matter, though, because (according to Kiffin, Fisher has all ready forgiven him, even if the Titans coach can't admit it publicly. Nice try. (Also, I love you continue to be weasely like this, even if no one else does.)
2. There will never be any love lost between Idaho and Boise State. Late last year, the Idaho athletic director refused to board a plane due to its orange and blue decor. Now Boise State president has gone on record as saying Vandal football culture is "nasty and inebriated." In his defense, he was pushed over the edge by an Idaho student newspaper article entitled "Reasons to Hate Boise State." Though this would make the future of the in-state rivalry mildly exciting to outsiders, Boise State has decided they're too high and mighty to travel to Moscow every other year. It's always sad to see the loss of such feisty foes. Of course, even if they continue annual contests after the Broncos move to the Mountain West, it'll still be a loss for Idaho (oh burn).
3. This is further proof Yankees don't know nothing about college football. To those of us somehow surviving the insufferable Southern heatwave, it seems ridiculous anyone could be jealous of our weather. But playing a Big Ten championship in December could prove problematic in non-domed stadiums. We all know "The weather is part of the game" is code for "Oh God, when will I be old enough to retire in Florida?", but I must respond to his aggressive posturing, "This isn't SEC football." You're right, sir, you're right. In the SEC, we know football weather is cool, crisp, and perfect for all day tailgating. More to the point, SEC football is entertaining.
2. There will never be any love lost between Idaho and Boise State. Late last year, the Idaho athletic director refused to board a plane due to its orange and blue decor. Now Boise State president has gone on record as saying Vandal football culture is "nasty and inebriated." In his defense, he was pushed over the edge by an Idaho student newspaper article entitled "Reasons to Hate Boise State." Though this would make the future of the in-state rivalry mildly exciting to outsiders, Boise State has decided they're too high and mighty to travel to Moscow every other year. It's always sad to see the loss of such feisty foes. Of course, even if they continue annual contests after the Broncos move to the Mountain West, it'll still be a loss for Idaho (oh burn).
3. This is further proof Yankees don't know nothing about college football. To those of us somehow surviving the insufferable Southern heatwave, it seems ridiculous anyone could be jealous of our weather. But playing a Big Ten championship in December could prove problematic in non-domed stadiums. We all know "The weather is part of the game" is code for "Oh God, when will I be old enough to retire in Florida?", but I must respond to his aggressive posturing, "This isn't SEC football." You're right, sir, you're right. In the SEC, we know football weather is cool, crisp, and perfect for all day tailgating. More to the point, SEC football is entertaining.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Troubles Keep Rolling In
Daily reports of student athlete legal troubles roll out like Krispy Kremes on a Saturday morning, eagerly devoured by rival fans then mostly forgotten. But as Geogia's AD reminded us, it's not just the players that can land themselves in hot water during the hottest days of summer. Yesterday afforded us a "stop the doughnut line" moment when Tennessee Titans NFL coach Jeff Fisher he would be suing Lane Kiffin and USC for malicious interference of a contract. Apparantly the NFL is just as strict as the NCAA when it comes to courting, and Kiffin did not procure express written consent to come calling on the Titans former assisstant coach. Fisher, a USC alum, is asking for a jury trial. Wouldn't that provide the state of Tennessee with gossip for years to come?
In related news, the Tennessee coaching regime change looks increasingly like a spaghetti Western. While black-hatted Kiffin can't keep himself out of trouble if his livlihood depended on it, Dooley's white hat is blinding small children. The two adjectives invariably attatched to his actions, whether it be doling out punishments to unruly players or doling out soundbites to the press at SEC Media Days, are dignity and class.
This tale of two coaches has just begun...
In related news, the Tennessee coaching regime change looks increasingly like a spaghetti Western. While black-hatted Kiffin can't keep himself out of trouble if his livlihood depended on it, Dooley's white hat is blinding small children. The two adjectives invariably attatched to his actions, whether it be doling out punishments to unruly players or doling out soundbites to the press at SEC Media Days, are dignity and class.
This tale of two coaches has just begun...
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Program Profile: Georgia Institute of Technology
Since 1892 (ACC)
Colors: Black and Gold
Mascot: Yellow Jackets
Now here’s a team I can get behind. So old it remembers the days of 110 yard TD runs, uncontroversial for a major player, and just some fun things going on. You’re talking about a team that beat someone 222-0 in a game where neither team gained a first down (it was against Cumberland in 1916, but whatever). What other team could restore a Model A Ford, call it a “Ramblin’ Wreck”, and use it as a mascot? They blow a steam whistle after touchdowns, the student section is called the “Swarm”, and they sing a beer commercial (“Here Comes the King”) between the third and fourth quarters. Does it get any better?
Um, yeah. They also play football. They’re a consistent 7-5 or so, peaking at 9-5 in 2006. They also have “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate” for the University of Georgia. The winner of the yearly match-up wins the Governor’s Cup, but most importantly, bragging rights. This is a rivalry so hot they can’t even agree how many times it’s been played. 101 according to Tech, 99 according to UGA. Personally, I’d trust the engineers. They tend to better at math than the liberal arts folks.
This is one of those schools that has two fight songs. “Up With the White and Gold” is the official fight song, but “Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech” is equally acceptable. The mascot/color story is a little convoluted. Way back when, the Tech students decided to go en masse to the Auburn/Georgia game to root for Auburn. Classy. They wanted to be distinguished from everyone else, so they all wore White and Gold to the game. And it stuck. So they derived their mascot Buzz the Yellow Jacket from the colors. However, if you put the Ramblin’ Wreck on your exam, points will not be deducted.
Colors: Black and Gold
Mascot: Yellow Jackets
Now here’s a team I can get behind. So old it remembers the days of 110 yard TD runs, uncontroversial for a major player, and just some fun things going on. You’re talking about a team that beat someone 222-0 in a game where neither team gained a first down (it was against Cumberland in 1916, but whatever). What other team could restore a Model A Ford, call it a “Ramblin’ Wreck”, and use it as a mascot? They blow a steam whistle after touchdowns, the student section is called the “Swarm”, and they sing a beer commercial (“Here Comes the King”) between the third and fourth quarters. Does it get any better?
Um, yeah. They also play football. They’re a consistent 7-5 or so, peaking at 9-5 in 2006. They also have “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate” for the University of Georgia. The winner of the yearly match-up wins the Governor’s Cup, but most importantly, bragging rights. This is a rivalry so hot they can’t even agree how many times it’s been played. 101 according to Tech, 99 according to UGA. Personally, I’d trust the engineers. They tend to better at math than the liberal arts folks.
This is one of those schools that has two fight songs. “Up With the White and Gold” is the official fight song, but “Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech” is equally acceptable. The mascot/color story is a little convoluted. Way back when, the Tech students decided to go en masse to the Auburn/Georgia game to root for Auburn. Classy. They wanted to be distinguished from everyone else, so they all wore White and Gold to the game. And it stuck. So they derived their mascot Buzz the Yellow Jacket from the colors. However, if you put the Ramblin’ Wreck on your exam, points will not be deducted.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Program Profile: Florida State
1955 (ACC)
Colors: Garnet and Gold
Mascot: Seminoles
Were this to be written last century, FSU would hardly need an entry. They won nearly 90% of their games in the 1990’s claiming two NCs in that time frame. They also set all sorts of records for wins and top poll finishes and blah blah blah. I mean, I hate to legitimize some of this because it’s all so biased, but even I have to admit it’s mildly impressive for a team to be ranked #1 every week from pre-season through the national championship; in 1999 they became the only team to ever achieve this. And that doesn’t include conference championships.
But this means little nowadays. Oh sure, there’s a slight glimmer of recognition, but it’s like remembering France used to be good at fighting wars. The century peaked for them in 2003 with 10 wins and has steadily fallen, reaching a low of 7 in 2006. Luckily, the Seminoles don’t play just for national glory. They fight for the Jefferson-Eppes Trophy against Virginia, the Governer’s Cup in the “Sunshine Showdown” against Florida, and the Florida Cup- a three way competition involving the traditional Florida powerhouses (UF, FSU, UM).
And win or lose, they do put on a good show. I find the war chant and chop officially called “massacre” (incidentally introduced at an Auburn game the year I was born…truly all of football revolves around the SEC) and the flaming arrow obnoxious, but that’s just because I hate Florida State. It’s kind of cool and definitely intimidating and that’s what football’s about. And to add to the creepiness factor, the stadium even has a “Sod Cemetary.” After really important away games, the ‘Noles take a piece of grass from the field and bury it in theirs. They probably do virgin sacrifices at the full moon, too. Whatever. They have real traditions rooted in history. I give them credit for that.
Lee Corso- ESPN’s most entertaining analyst- played for them. So did Deion Sanders who is now an NFL commentator. But the only thing you really need to know is the University of Tennessee totally beat them for the first ever BCS National Championship.
They have one of the most famous mascots in football: Chief Osceoloa a Seminole who rides on his horse Renegade. The connection is pretty clear: Seminoles used to live in Florida. What’s not so clear is the connection with Garnet and Gold. It’s a little complicated. Back near the turn of the century FSU was Florida State College and the football team won a championship wearing purple and gold. In 1905, the women came in, kicked the men out (the boys went to school in Gainesville), and changed the colors to crimson (see folks, girls shouldn’t go to college. Crimson is not more than one color). So then the administration took advantage of the art department and combined purple and crimson and come up with garnet. Whew.
Colors: Garnet and Gold
Mascot: Seminoles
Were this to be written last century, FSU would hardly need an entry. They won nearly 90% of their games in the 1990’s claiming two NCs in that time frame. They also set all sorts of records for wins and top poll finishes and blah blah blah. I mean, I hate to legitimize some of this because it’s all so biased, but even I have to admit it’s mildly impressive for a team to be ranked #1 every week from pre-season through the national championship; in 1999 they became the only team to ever achieve this. And that doesn’t include conference championships.
But this means little nowadays. Oh sure, there’s a slight glimmer of recognition, but it’s like remembering France used to be good at fighting wars. The century peaked for them in 2003 with 10 wins and has steadily fallen, reaching a low of 7 in 2006. Luckily, the Seminoles don’t play just for national glory. They fight for the Jefferson-Eppes Trophy against Virginia, the Governer’s Cup in the “Sunshine Showdown” against Florida, and the Florida Cup- a three way competition involving the traditional Florida powerhouses (UF, FSU, UM).
And win or lose, they do put on a good show. I find the war chant and chop officially called “massacre” (incidentally introduced at an Auburn game the year I was born…truly all of football revolves around the SEC) and the flaming arrow obnoxious, but that’s just because I hate Florida State. It’s kind of cool and definitely intimidating and that’s what football’s about. And to add to the creepiness factor, the stadium even has a “Sod Cemetary.” After really important away games, the ‘Noles take a piece of grass from the field and bury it in theirs. They probably do virgin sacrifices at the full moon, too. Whatever. They have real traditions rooted in history. I give them credit for that.
Lee Corso- ESPN’s most entertaining analyst- played for them. So did Deion Sanders who is now an NFL commentator. But the only thing you really need to know is the University of Tennessee totally beat them for the first ever BCS National Championship.
They have one of the most famous mascots in football: Chief Osceoloa a Seminole who rides on his horse Renegade. The connection is pretty clear: Seminoles used to live in Florida. What’s not so clear is the connection with Garnet and Gold. It’s a little complicated. Back near the turn of the century FSU was Florida State College and the football team won a championship wearing purple and gold. In 1905, the women came in, kicked the men out (the boys went to school in Gainesville), and changed the colors to crimson (see folks, girls shouldn’t go to college. Crimson is not more than one color). So then the administration took advantage of the art department and combined purple and crimson and come up with garnet. Whew.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Program Profile: Florida International
Sun Belt since 2006
Colors: Blue and Gold
Mascot: Golden Panthers
I guarantee the first thought that comes to mind is its brawl with Miami in 2006—the largest one in collegiate history. There were thirteen unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and eight players ejected from the game, but there’s no way statistics can encompass the sights of players rushing from the sidelines- one on crutches- to join in and how the brawl spread in to the stands. Maybe calling their stadium “the Cage” is more accurate than they’d prefer.
And you know why that’s what comes to mind? Because the Golden Panthers haven’t done anything else to be noted for. In fairness, the second game in the “City Line Series” was played without incident.
Colors: Blue and Gold
Mascot: Golden Panthers
I guarantee the first thought that comes to mind is its brawl with Miami in 2006—the largest one in collegiate history. There were thirteen unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and eight players ejected from the game, but there’s no way statistics can encompass the sights of players rushing from the sidelines- one on crutches- to join in and how the brawl spread in to the stands. Maybe calling their stadium “the Cage” is more accurate than they’d prefer.
And you know why that’s what comes to mind? Because the Golden Panthers haven’t done anything else to be noted for. In fairness, the second game in the “City Line Series” was played without incident.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Program Profile: Florida Atlantic
Sunbelt since 2006
Colors: Blue and Red
Mascot: Owls
When the program began in 2001 with the same coach who built up the programs at Miami and Louisville, he stated his goal as scheduling the best teams possible so the Owls could become national championships; they lost to Slippery Rock University (a Division II school) by thirty-three points in their first game ever. It’s a building program, but in three seasons as a IA team they’ve never beaten a ranked opponent, like many schools in their position have. But they do have the Shula Bowl against Florida International, so monikered because FAU’s coach and FIU’s coach have both worked with Don Shula in the past. FAU has won four of five.
They’re represented by Owls because FAU is an owl sanctuary, but they just completely made up the Red and Blue thing.
Colors: Blue and Red
Mascot: Owls
When the program began in 2001 with the same coach who built up the programs at Miami and Louisville, he stated his goal as scheduling the best teams possible so the Owls could become national championships; they lost to Slippery Rock University (a Division II school) by thirty-three points in their first game ever. It’s a building program, but in three seasons as a IA team they’ve never beaten a ranked opponent, like many schools in their position have. But they do have the Shula Bowl against Florida International, so monikered because FAU’s coach and FIU’s coach have both worked with Don Shula in the past. FAU has won four of five.
They’re represented by Owls because FAU is an owl sanctuary, but they just completely made up the Red and Blue thing.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Hope Is The Thing With Feathers
Looking at this chart, one starts to believe Tennessee might be better than expected.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Every Cloud Has Its (Black and Gold) Lining
Bad News: One of Vanderbilt's most successful coaches, Bobby Johnson, has suddenly chosen to retire a mere three weeks before the week of fall practice.
Good News: Vandy is in national headlines for the first time ever.
Good News: Vandy is in national headlines for the first time ever.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
S-E-C the Violations Piling Up
Now, I'm all for a loud off season, but not this way. In the wake of UGA's athletic director losing his job over a drunk driving charge (amongst other things), two UGA players face similar charges, and half a dozen Vol players got themselves in an old fashioned bar brawl. While no punishments have made been made public in the UGA case, one Vol has been dismissed, two more are suspended indefinitely, and law-trained Coach Dooley may not be finished yet. Those consequences don't include the scrutiny the NCAA might apply to the infamous Bar Knoxville, whose owners boneheadedly decided to announce athletes are given preferential treatment.
This latter point could get interesting. Bar Knoxville admits football and basketball palyers are not required to pay a cover charge. I've been through compliance training, and accepting such an offer is a definite no-no. But are the players aware they're being comped due to their team association? After all, even Average Joe regulars are comped, in which case, despite the bar owner's statements, that wouldn't be special privilege. Strong arguments can be made on both sides.
If anything does come of this, I guarantee there will be howling on Rocky Top about the unfairness of punishing the university for the actions of a privately owned business. To some extent, they're right. But, if the players have gone through compliance training (and I don't know when the players have it), it is their responsibility to ensure they're staying on the up and up.
Unfortunately, the types of underage athletes who put themselves in seedy bars at two o'clock in the morning are probabbly the least capable of monitoring themselves.
This latter point could get interesting. Bar Knoxville admits football and basketball palyers are not required to pay a cover charge. I've been through compliance training, and accepting such an offer is a definite no-no. But are the players aware they're being comped due to their team association? After all, even Average Joe regulars are comped, in which case, despite the bar owner's statements, that wouldn't be special privilege. Strong arguments can be made on both sides.
If anything does come of this, I guarantee there will be howling on Rocky Top about the unfairness of punishing the university for the actions of a privately owned business. To some extent, they're right. But, if the players have gone through compliance training (and I don't know when the players have it), it is their responsibility to ensure they're staying on the up and up.
Unfortunately, the types of underage athletes who put themselves in seedy bars at two o'clock in the morning are probabbly the least capable of monitoring themselves.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Still in the Head-Lanes
UT isn't in the promoting Lane Kiffin business anymore, but apparantly Kiffin is still fond of promoting the Vols. Those who know Lane Kiffin well knew he wouldn't sit idly by while his replacement began persuading his players to join the Orange side. In a time honored tactic, Lane is trying to change the conversation by challenging UT to a Chick-fil-a Kick Off Classic next year. Brilliant; everybody wins. It's a meaningless gesture because these things have to be set years and years in advance or hefty fees must be paid to whatever school would get the shaft. Not to mention, our 2011 is full of heavyweights anyway, so playing USC might actually be a downgrade. But everyone is talking about both schools: how crazy Kiffin is and some positive attention about our rebuilding year and the challenging schedule we've got coming up. Sure, Kiffin is a weasely snake I wouldn't trust so far as I could throw him, but I'll always love him just a little for things like this.
PS- Umm, Kiffin, remember what happened the last time you played in the Georgia Dome?
PS- Umm, Kiffin, remember what happened the last time you played in the Georgia Dome?
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Careful Wishing and All
Remember when Lane Kiffin wanted to turn UT into USC-East? That just might come true. Since USC juniors and seniors can transfer penalty-free, Derek Dooley faxed the scandal-ridden school a list of their entire upper classmen roster, otherwise known as Dooley's recruiting plan; he's all ready snagged defensive end Malik Johnson.
Remember when everyone thought Dooley was a milquetoast?
Remember when everyone thought Dooley was a milquetoast?
Monday, July 5, 2010
Free Speech Day
Despite the inevitable public reprimand given to Tommy Tuberville, former SEC coaches can't help admitting our conference is the best. Ron Zook, formerly of Florida now of Illinois, is jumping on the bandwagon.
So for those of you keeping score at home, in the past four months we've got:
1. Lane Kiffin
2. Tommy Tuberville
3. Ron Zook
Who's next?
So for those of you keeping score at home, in the past four months we've got:
1. Lane Kiffin
2. Tommy Tuberville
3. Ron Zook
Who's next?
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Program Profile: Eastern Michigan
since 1983
Colors: Green and White
Mascot: Eagles
The worst of Directional Michigan, maybe because they’re a mere a seven miles from the real University of Michigan. In the ‘80’s they achieved school record four winning seasons in a row. In order to comply with the FBS requirement of averaging 15,000 per game, they have had to move many home games to Detroit or give tickets free to local high schoolers. It’s like a haunted house- the ghosts keep going through the motions long after they should have been put to rest. Except those ghosts know they’re dead.
Colors: Green and White
Mascot: Eagles
The worst of Directional Michigan, maybe because they’re a mere a seven miles from the real University of Michigan. In the ‘80’s they achieved school record four winning seasons in a row. In order to comply with the FBS requirement of averaging 15,000 per game, they have had to move many home games to Detroit or give tickets free to local high schoolers. It’s like a haunted house- the ghosts keep going through the motions long after they should have been put to rest. Except those ghosts know they’re dead.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Program Profile: East Carolina
C-USA since 1966
Colors: Purple and Gold
Mascot: Pirates
You needn’t worry about these Pirates plundering any type of booty in the near future. Despite having legendary Lou Holtz’s son Skip at the helm, they’ve only won half their games in the past two seasons. Granted that’s up from the one or two win seasons they’d been settling for, but eight wins are not unheard of even as recently as the ‘90’s.
The administration is trying to enthuse its students nonetheless. Through pushing membership in the Student Pirate Club its (small) student section is sold out for most games. Fridays are “Paint It Purple” Fridays in which students are encouraged to wear purple. Since 2002 the team has taken the field to the tune of “Purple Haze”. They’re anticipating hoisting a traditional “No Quarter” flag between the third and fourth quarters in an intimidating display of spiritedness. I really want to support these efforts because put it all together and they have potential, but right now they’re trying too hard.
Being a new school, their mascot and colors have no obscure origins. They picked a Pirate because they’re on the coast and named it Pee Dee after the river. The students themselves picked Old Gold and Royal Purple in 1909. For a school that’s trying so hard I think it’s interesting I can find no evidence of a fight song.
Colors: Purple and Gold
Mascot: Pirates
You needn’t worry about these Pirates plundering any type of booty in the near future. Despite having legendary Lou Holtz’s son Skip at the helm, they’ve only won half their games in the past two seasons. Granted that’s up from the one or two win seasons they’d been settling for, but eight wins are not unheard of even as recently as the ‘90’s.
The administration is trying to enthuse its students nonetheless. Through pushing membership in the Student Pirate Club its (small) student section is sold out for most games. Fridays are “Paint It Purple” Fridays in which students are encouraged to wear purple. Since 2002 the team has taken the field to the tune of “Purple Haze”. They’re anticipating hoisting a traditional “No Quarter” flag between the third and fourth quarters in an intimidating display of spiritedness. I really want to support these efforts because put it all together and they have potential, but right now they’re trying too hard.
Being a new school, their mascot and colors have no obscure origins. They picked a Pirate because they’re on the coast and named it Pee Dee after the river. The students themselves picked Old Gold and Royal Purple in 1909. For a school that’s trying so hard I think it’s interesting I can find no evidence of a fight song.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Sincerely, Your Jilted Lover
The verification from former SEC coaches keeps rolling in: dollars to doughnuts the SEC tops all other conferences. First, Lane Kiffin back in PAC-10 land had to admit the SEC was more competitive and spirited. Now, even Auburn's fired Tommy Tuberville is forecasting the inescapable demise of the Big 12 due to their prejudiced pecuniary dealings. I love that he said it, and he’s totally right, but we’ve seen what happens to coaches that piss Texas Tech off….
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