SBNation.com - NCAA Football From Our Editors

Ndamukong Suh Wins Lombardi, Nobel, Nick Kids Choice Awards

2009-12-10T18:45:46Z

Your trophies, give them to Ndamukong Suh. The Nebraska lineman got another trophy to stack on top of the pile of quarterbacks' skulls he keeps as trophies, this time pairing his Nagurski Trophy for best defensive player with the Lombardi Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's best lineman.

Here is Suh playing a game of Killer Whale At The Beach with Colt McCoy. He's playing the part of the whale.

Suh will be at the Heisman Ceremony Saturday in New York as a formality and token defensive player, but not as a serious candidate since he is not a quarterback, running back, or wide receiver. He and CJ Spiller will make up for the lack of proper recognition by spending next year's ceremony standing outside warming themselves around an old oil drum filled with NFL bonus money they will burn both for warmth and their own amusement.

The Beef O'Brady's Bowl Is Not An Elaborate Internet Prank

2009-12-10T00:42:51Z

Brace yourselves, gentle readers, because we spent the entire day thinking this was an inexplicably popular Twitter joke and weren't quite ready to be rocked by the reality: Introducing ... the Beef O'Brady's Bowl?

The St. Petersburg Bowl is now the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl, after the restaurant chain signed a two-year sponsorship deal with bowl organizers.
"We're honored to partner with the leader in sports to bring a great event to our home town," said Beef 'O' Brady's president Nick Vojnovic.

Traditionally pitting the 6th-place team in the Big East against the 5th-ranked team in Conference USA., the St. Pete was previously sponsored by magicJack, and having never figured out exactly what magicJack is or does, we can't tell whether or not this is a step up. If you need motivation to tune in, though, this year's participants, Rutgers and Central Florida, are actually No. 4 and No. 2 in their respective conferences. It's the kind of value-priced postseason action that any purveyor of mini corn dogs would be proud to slap its name on.

Mack Brown To Get Straight Paid

2009-12-09T23:43:15Z

Let's see, smooth-talking coach at storied football program with recent history of bizarre run-ins with the concept of clock management gets a godzillion-dollar raise ... remind you of anyone?

No, it's not Les Miles, who commands a mere $3.75 million to do everything in his considerable power to dispel the myth of his uncanny coaching acumen, but Mack Brown:

University of Texas football coach Mack Brown will be paid $5 million a year, plus annual increases of $100,000, through 2016, when his contract ends, the school’s governing board decided today.
[...]
For this season, Brown is also set to earn $250,000 for advancing to the national championship. Winning the national championship would add $450,000 to his bank account.

The man came here to make cash money, make sex eyes at Erin Andrews on national television, and chew bubblegum. And he's all out of bubblegum.

Remembering Glory Days At The U

2009-12-09T20:15:48Z

In advance of ESPN's The U -- a documentary on the University of Miami's football glory days that debuts next week on ESPN -- many fans and media have taken the opportunity to think back on what made those teams so special. It wasn't just swagger; those teams were like family, and it showed on the field.

And via Sports Radio Interviews, former Miami star Alonzo Highsmith has fond memories, too:

"We took care of each other. If we were out at a bar or a club, you didn’t see one or three guys, you saw like 25 guys. Everybody knew if you messed with one guy, you were going to have to take on all 25. So people were like let’s leave those guys alone and if it got too late at night we were like come on lets go"

And putting aside the serious virtues of that quote -- team in the best sense of the word, like brothers, etc -- it also works perfectly with this toungue-in-cheek photoshop from SB Nation's Miami blog last week:

BOOM. You want to break up a party? Prepare to meet 25 pissed off Miami football players.

(Also of note: never mess with anyone named Alonzo. Just a good rule of thumb for life.)

NCAA Interested In Tennessee's Traveling Gridiron Geishas

2009-12-09T15:12:21Z

The NCAA is interested in Tennessee’s use of hostesses in the recruiting of football players, and not just for the prurient reasons you might suspect, you degenerates.

Plenty of schools use hostesses to greet, charm, and otherwise persuade talented young men to attend the school in question, but at Tennessee the question seems to center on the unusual practice of these hostesses traveling to different sites to visit the recruits at high school games. One hostess traveled 200 miles to attend a game where three Tennessee recruits were playing, a nearly unheard of practice even in the lunatic world of college football recruiting.

The understatement of the year comes in this quote re: the impact of the hostesses on recruiting:

Some recruits say their influence is significant.
"You don’t want to go to a college where they ain’t pretty," Lattimore said.

…unless you commit to Notre Dame. HEY-O!!! Because they’re smart! Get it! No? Moving on!

The crux here is not that Tennessee is doing something other schools don’t do, but that the slew of secondary violations racked up by Kiffin during his tenure has earned Tennessee extra scrutiny. Without those, there is no way the NCAA pays this much attention to the hostesses or takes the unusual step of revealing the investigation before signing day.

Brian Kelly To Coach Notre Dame, Subsequently Fall Off Cliff?

2009-12-08T23:28:33Z

That's what the Chicago Tribune would have us believe, anyway, with their magnificent headline, "Brian Kelly on brink of becoming Notre Dame's next coach." Or maybe it's just like falling in love:

Kelly held a meeting last week about the opening with representatives of Notre Dame within days of Cincinnati's Big East championship game against Pittsburgh, the Tribune has learned.

Talks progressed well enough that the official announcement Kelly will be Charlie Weis' replacement could come as early as Friday -- anytime after Cincinnati's football banquet Thursday night.

Kelly's approach to the Notre Dame job has been weirdly forthright, starting with him confirming his interest in the opening himself via Twitter. It'll be disappointing to not have him see the Bearcats through the Sugar Bowl if he does take off, although the Irish are in such a sorry state right now it's reasonable to expect them to not want to wait. But you can't say Kelly hasn't been above-board about this -- the man's like a bizarro-world Nick Saban in that regard.

Alabama Students To Take Three Days Off For Title Game

2009-12-08T20:40:51Z

One argument the BCS is fond of making about a playoff system is that it would interfere with the sanctity of the college academic year. We remind you many schools are already out for winter break, and that a playoff’s opening round could easily fit in the existing bowls’ framework. You could be watching one right now, actually, if things were done properly. Instead, Around the Horn is on in 90 mins. WHEEEEE.

Alabama presents a nice counterpoint to this nonsense, too. They are cancelling three days of class to allow Alabama students “and faculty” to attend the national title game in Pasadena. Attention residents of Southern California: a laundry-detergent worshipping cult has not invaded your city. (Okay, the cult part is spot-on, and the rest is a cheap visual pun.)

Report: Houston Nutt To Interview at Kansas

2009-12-08T15:39:05Z

Tom Dienhart is reporting that Houston Nutt, current Ole Miss coach, will interview for the position at Kansas vacated by Mark Mangino.

The notion of Nutt in the Big 12 should terrify Big 12 fans, since while Nutt does not win championships he is very good at blowing up other people’s seasons with teams capable of beating the Floridas of the world while losing to the Vanderbilts. He is an agent of chaos, and wherever he lands he’ll bring a world of it with him. Hey, did you know an anagram for “Houston Nutt” is “Ooh, Stunt Nut?” You’re learning all sorts of things today, aren’t you?

The Coaches' Poll Is Bat Country

2009-12-08T01:38:41Z

USA Today has the final ballots from the coaches' poll, and it's the usual raft of half-truths, impossible justifications, and unadulterated spite. Among the more notable outliers:

• Four coaches voted Texas over Alabama: Robb Akey, Tim Brewster, Mark Dantonio, and Bo Pelini (understandable, that). Brian Kelly also slotted the Tide at No. 2 in favor of his own Bearcats for the top spot.

• Along with Kelly, freshly-fired Tommy West of Memphis dinged Florida the hardest for the Gators' faceplant in the SEC championship game, down to No. 7. Recently ousted Charlie Weatherbie of Louisiana-Monroe ranked Northwestern 16th and didn't rank LSU at all.

• Boise State's Chris Petersen showed admirable restraint in ranking his own undefeated team fourth, behind Alabama, Texas, and TCU. Despite being one of only three 13-0 teams in the country, Boise State received only three third-place votes, and none for second or first. Among the Bronco boosters: Illinois' Ron Zook, who scored BSU just behind the New Orleans Saints and Monster Energy Drink.

• Central Michigan is No. 26, despite going 11-2 and winning the MAC championship. The next lowest 11-2 team is Brigham Young at No. 14.

• But the clear "winner", if that's the right term, is Mississippi State's Dan Mullen, who has Georgia Tech and LSU in his top ten, no vote for Stanford or West Virginia, Utah at No. 16, Houston at No. 17, and Ole Miss at No. 19. Pssst, Mullen: Houston Nutt's got the yeehaw-crazy schtick all sewn up in your state. And there ain't room for two of him.

Tim Tebow To The Jaguars: Florida Governor Charlie Crist Approves

2009-12-07T23:36:05Z

After Tim Tebow's national-championship-hopes-ending loss to Alabama on Saturday night, it's probably about time to start evaluating Tebow's life after college football. Those of you ready to shout "HE'LL SUCK IN THE PROS HARF" may go ahead and get that out of your system now. I'll wait.

Done? Good. Because someone is going to draft Tebow, and someone is going to try to figure out how to use his unique skill set. The Patriots or Dolphins seem like logical fits, but what about the Jaguars, Tebow's hometown team? Florida Governor Charlie Crist is already one step ahead of you:

“I’ve actually talked to the ownership about that. I think it’d be great,” Crist told reporters. Crist also said the team owners thought it was “not a bad idea.”

It isn't a bad idea. But if the choice is between drafting Tebow for a short-term attendance boost and drafting a superior player at a need position, the Jags are -- as any team would be -- much better off drafting the superior player. Then again, who knows? Maybe Tebow becomes a great pro. Then you get the PR boost, the circumsized children in a third-world country, and a Pro Bowl quarterback. For the flagging Jaguars, that sounds like a worthy risk.

Harbaugh To Interview With Notre Dame

2009-12-07T22:18:33Z

Not only is Notre Dame meeting with Cincinnati's Brian Kelly on Tuesday (a report he confirmed, via his Twitter account, of course), but they are also set to interview Stanford's Jim Harbaugh, according to Pete Thamel.

Notre Dame’s athletic director, Jack Swarbrick, is scheduled to meet or has met with Cincinnati Coach Brian Kelly and Stanford Coach Jim Harbaugh, a person briefed on the search said. The meetings are taking place in New York City, where many coaches and administrators are visiting for end-of-season gatherings. [...]

While Kelly was regarded as the leading candidate, Harbaugh’s name is a little more surprising. When reached on his cellphone Monday afternoon, Harbaugh did not deny the meeting.

“Not now or not in the future will I talk about any other jobs or opportunities,” he said. “I’m out recruiting right now.”

Thamel reports that the Notre Dame job will "most likely be filled this week."

Notre Dame To Interview Brian Kelly Tuesday

2009-12-07T18:23:34Z

On the same day that Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate are announcing their plans to enter the 2010 NFL Draft, there's more news leaking out from under the Golden Dome: ESPN's Joe Schad is reporting that "Notre Dame plans to interview Brian Kelly tomorrow, probably in NYC."

Significance of New York City? Probably none, other than the fact that the Big Apple is absolutely lovely during the holidays.

Meanwhile, in Cincinnati, someone is doing their best to try and persuade Kelly to stay with the Bearcats.

UPDATE: From today's Dan Patrick show (via Chris Littmann at The Sporting Blog) comes news that Brian Kelly will make a decision on his coaching future by "next Saturday," and there is no guarantee that he will coach the Bearcats in the Sugar Bowl.

Patrick: Brian, how about this: You guarantee you'll coach in the Sugar Bowl?
Kelly: No. There's no guarantees in anything that you do. I've never given a guarantee whether I was going to make it home at the end of the day. But I really have not sat down and had a chance to evaluate what it is that is in the future.

Bowl Game Schwag Guide: Who Wants A Fossil Watch?

2009-12-07T15:39:14Z

SportsBusiness Journal has the full breakdown of each bowl game’s gifts to participants.

The most common handout: A Fossil watch. Not far behind is Best Buy with some gift cards.

The oddest handout: Sun Bowl participants Oklahoma and Stanford get themselves a Brut blowdryer.

The bowl with the best handouts: Chick-fil-A, which rewards participants Virginia Tech and Tennessee with a $250 Best Buy gift card, Fossil watch, Russell Athletic knit cap, Russell Athletic travel bag, a football, and Chick-fil-A gift card. I have no idea how much that Chick-fil-A card is worth, but I’ll take it over the National Championship’s Garmin GPS. What good is knowing how to get the nearest Chick-fil-A if I can’t get a free half tray of nuggets once I arrive?

The BCS Gets The Baba Booey Treatment

2009-12-07T03:58:07Z

In a way, you almost have to begrudgingly respect what the PR flacks and Bill Hancock are doing at the BCS. In the face of facts, common sense and justifiability, they keep on keepin' on in the fight to try and convince people their insane system is actually the correct way to figure out a champion. It can't be easy being the guy who has to come in every morning and sift through the direct messages that @InsideTheBCS receives each day from detractors (including myself). Just like it can't be easy to be the call-screener on the BCS teleconference, which was hijacked Sunday by pranksters from a Portland radio station.

I suppose the BCS folks should be used to it by now. I can't imagine the last time they did anything publicly and weren't openly mocked for it.

Pete Carroll, Grad Students, Charlie Weis, And Ill-Advised Comments

2009-12-06T22:39:46Z

We reported earlier on the recently-employed Charlie Weis' comments about Pete Carroll. In case you missed them:

Q: Is it frustrating to you Pete Carroll, for example, portrayed in one way…

CW: Let me ask you this question: You guys know about things that go on in different places. Was I living with a grad student in Malibu, or was I living with my wife in my house? You could bet that if I were living with a grad student here in South Bend, it would be national news. He’s doing it in Malibu and it's not national news. What’s the difference?

SB Nation's own Bruins Nation reports that Weis has since apologized, and claims the comment was taken out of context. Meanwhile, our USC blog Conquest Chronicles examines whether the comments were off the record, or if they were meant to be off the record. This whole thing is like trying to unravel a cable-knit sweater that someone keeps knitting...and knitting...AND KNITTING...

Weis: Pete Carroll Lived With A Grad Student

2009-12-06T16:38:58Z

Via Doctor Saturday, we learn that South Bend-area jobless person Charlie Weis has accused USC coach Pete Carroll of philandering with a grad student.

Q: Is it frustrating to you Pete Carroll, for example, portrayed in one way…

CW: Let me ask you this question: You guys know about things that go on in different places. Was I living with a grad student in Malibu, or was I living with my wife in my house? You could bet that if I were living with a grad student here in South Bend, it would be national news. He’s doing it in Malibu and it's not national news. What’s the difference?

As of press time, Carroll was unavailable for comment because he has a job.

Tim Tebow Crying

2009-12-06T05:30:21Z

Yeah he cried. He cried on national television. So what?

Given the way our culture loves to build athletes/celebrities up, then spit them out and tear them down once we become bored with them (see Woods, Tiger), I'm guessing this video will bring smiles to quite a few of your faces. Schaudenfreude is a powerful emotion, after all.

At the very least, if the whole NFL quarterbacking thing doesn't work out for Tebow, he could have a future as a spokesperson for the merits of crying. Worked for Adam Morrison...right?:

This One's Dedicated To Tim Tebow

2009-12-06T00:29:02Z

Heyooooo! [boi-oi-oi-oiiing] You're tuned to WSBN, playin' the hottest slow jams from the '80s, '90s, and beyond! On the phone we've got Dan Shanoff, calling all the way from The Sporting Blog. What can we play for you, Dan?

INT?!?! I just collapsed.

Got just the tune for you! Dan sends this one out to his main man Tim Tebow!

Cincinnati Coach Brian Kelly: 'I'm Staying'

2009-12-05T23:46:02Z

Following Cincinnati's win over Pitt on Saturday, a couple of Bearcats claimed that coach Brian Kelly assured him that he was staying with the Bearcats. Rumors had linked Kelly to the vacant Notre Dame job.

If Kelly does indeed stay put, it's a shrewd move, as the city and campus of Cincinnati is on the up-and-up. Among the Queen City's perks is that many news agencies can almost spell it correctly.

Fresno State's Immaculate Deflection Brings Misery To Ron Zook

2009-12-05T22:56:09Z

Let's say you're Ron Zook. After a few good years at Illinois (including a Rose Bowl berth), you remember that you're Ron Zook and things fall apart to the tune of a 3-8 season. After all, underachieving and heart-breaking losses are your specialties.

So when Fresno State head coach Pat Hill elected to go for the two-point conversion and the win after the Bulldogs scored a touchdown with two seconds left to bring them within one, you knew this would end badly for Illinois. And indeed it did.

Even worse for Illinois? Devan Cunningham -- who caught the winning two-poin conversion -- is an offensive lineman. Yes, that's right, a big ugly. On the fateful two-point play, Fresno State quarterback Ryan Colburn rolled out to his left, and under duress heaved the ball into the end zone, which an Illinois defender batted backwards -- right into the meaty paws of Cunningham, who managed to fall across the goal line for the win. Here's the video:

This, of course, elicited a stunned reaction from Illinois fans over at SBN's Hail to the Orange:

But really, when Ron Zook is your coach, can you expect any less? That is the Faustian bargain: be tantalized with your team's potential only to have your hopes dashed in new and inventively soul-crushing ways each week.