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Confirmed: Notre Dame Tabs Brian Kelly As Next Head Coach

2009-12-10T22:12:43Z

by David Kohl - AP

After nearly a week's worth of rumors, University of Cincinnati head coach Brian Kelly will be named the next coach of Notre Dame, according to the South Bend Tribune. The paper sites two university sources who have inside information about the search process.

According to the report, Kelly will meet with his team at the Cincinnati football banquet Thursday night to inform them of his decision. This would explain why the banquet was unexpectedly closed to the media earlier in the afternoon.

More to come as it unfolds. In the mean time, feel free to join the celebration over at SB Nation's Irish blog, Rakes Of Mallow.

Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh Wins Bronko Nagurski Trophy

2009-12-08T04:48:41Z

by Amy Gutierrez - AP

3 days ago: FILE - In this Dec. 5. 2009 photo, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy (12) is sacked by Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (93) in the first half of an NCAA college football Big 12 Conference championship game in Arlington, Texas. Suh has been invited to the Heisman Trophy presentation as a finalist, along with Mark Ingram, Toby Gerhart, Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy during an announcement on Monday, Dec. 7, 2009. Suh had 4 1/2 sacks in an attention-grabbing performance against Texas in the Big 12 title game. (AP Photo/Amy Gutierrez)

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Nebraska tackle Ndamukong Suh on Monday night claimed the 2009 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which annually is awarded to the best defensive player in college football.

Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow might have the name recognition but Ndamukong Suh has all of the momentum going into trophy-season. Suh claims the first of what could many peices of hardware for him, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy for the nation's best defensive player in the nation.

Suh became the 17th winner of the award as voted upon by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. He's the first Nebraska player to win the award.

"This was definitely a big surprise," Suh said at tonight's presentation banquet. "I want to thank all the other guys here. They are all great players. And I would like to thank the Bronko Nagurski family as well as the (Nebraska) coaches, Bo Pelini and his staff and my parents, This is a great honor. I am speechless. I was definitely not planning on winning this award."

Quite a day for Suh, who found out he would be among the Heisman Trophy finalists in New York this weekend.

Heisman Finalists Announced; Righteous Indignation Engaged

2009-12-08T00:04:42Z

by Paul Sakuma - AP

2 months ago: Stanford running back Toby Gerhart (7) gestures to fans after Stanford defeated UCLA 24-16 in an NCAA football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

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The five Heisman finalists for 2009 are Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy, Mark Ingram, Toby Gerhart, and Ndamukong Suh.

And the lucky five making the trip to New York are:

• Tim Tebow, QB/Sobering Inevitability, Florida
• Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
• Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
• Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford
• Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

Notable omissions sure to set the internet merrily ablaze with screams:

• C.J. Spiller, RB/Philosopher-King, Clemson
• Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State

Arguments you're about to hear, reasonable and otherwise, from all sides until your ears tear themselves from your heads in protest:

• "Tim Tebow was a bright spot in a down offensive year for Florida and is only being included because he's a media goldmine!"
• "Colt McCoy's performance in the Big XII championship game ought to count against him just as much as Ndamukong Suh's counts in his favor!"
• "Mark Ingram, to hear some Trent Richardson fans tell it, might not even be the best running back at Alabama!"
• "Kellen Moore is a sophmore and will get his chance but has to wait his turn despite putting up monster numbers out in front of an undefeated team!"
• Seriously, that Spiller snub is just atrocious. There's got to be video footage of him performing an emergency appendectomy on the sideline somewhere that could sway a recount.

Spencer Hall's Alphabetical, Week 13: In Which Florida Is Taken Out Back To Be Butchered

2009-12-07T20:27:24Z

by John Amis - AP

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A is for Abattoir. The inside of the Georgia Dome looked like someone had been killed inside it, so much so that the mere sight of the carnage hospitalized those who witnessed the sight. Every good thing that happened to me at the SEC Championship Game happened before it even started.

...and after that is was all downhill from there, or if downhill is too gentle a word for you, let's try "bound in a sack, thrown into a mining cart, and sent deep into a mining shaft before having thousands of tons of thrown on to you in an cave-in."

Alabama had one penalty on Saturday. Besides that one meaningless mistake, they played a perfect game with maximum effort: 490 yards and 32 points on offense, 13 points total allowed to Florida, and a scoreless second half where the offense held the ball for a greedy 21 minutes and twelve seconds. There are no adjustments to be made when the other team has talent as good or better than yours and decides to destroy you. The only thing to do is smile when the hammer meets your teeth, and come back next time.

B is for Beast. The blue fur would fit. Ndamukong Suh isn't even supposed to be getting the sacks where he tosses Colt McCoy out of the way like a pesky sandbag. By design the tackles in a Bo Pelini defense are space-eaters, not unstoppable pass-rushers capable of blowing up double-teams, falling into pass coverage to make interceptions, or side-to-side run stoppers bringing down tacklers on the edge. Ndamukong Suh horrifies and astonishes in equal parts: versus Texas he made one sack of Colt McCoy while engaged with another blocker, simply sticking his right arm out despite being held by the offensive line and bringing McCoy down with one arm. If he's not the leading cause of death in Nebraska, he should be because he would be swift, decisive, and mostly painless.

The House of Spears is through with you, sir. Please leave the premises.

(None of these words describe watching Nebraska's offense, where Shawn Watson may best defend his job by saying that his attack is so bad they actually come full circle and make a form of football so bad it's compelling. He'd be right, too.)

C is for Charity. Charlie Weis lets the door hit himself in the ass on the way out, tries to swing it back in Pete Carroll's face, and then has it hit him on the rebound. He says his comments about Pete Carroll living with a grad student out in Malibu were "taken out of context," and may have been, but let it never be said that Charlie doesn't know how to exit a room without style. Additionally: if Pete Carroll is really living with a grad student out in Maliibu and not with his wife, who cares? Pete Carroll is a beautiful, be-abbed six-pack havin' shaft of heavenly light beaming on us all at all times. How do you know he's not serving as guardian angel to this possibly nonexistent young lady?

D is for DOT. The favorite source of obstruction in Georgia, fond of closing seven lanes of the eight-lane 75/85 connector in Georgia and raising its hands in a taunting pose while asking "WHAT NOW, MORTALS?? The DOT came second this weekend next to Alabama's defense, a unit that allowed no points in the second half of the SEC strangulation. When did we know that Football Jesus had indeed arrived at his own personal college football Calvary? When Florida went three-and-out on its first series, and the routes looked the same on every pass play: two deep receivers covered down the sidelines, one guy muddling around in the middle, and a wide receiver standing in the flat waving his hands. After that everything else was mummery: Florida could not answer with points and could not stop Alabama from advancing like a creeping glacier of red down the field.

E is for Ergometer. A device measuring work, and one that would have been smoking and catching fire if used to measure Mardy Gilyard's day against Pitt and his opponent Dion Lewis. Lewis' cells may have more mitochondria than the normal human being: he carried the ball an unheard of 47 times for 194 yards and 3 TDs, while Gilyard returned a kickoff 99 yards to spark the rally down 31-10, caught 5 balls for 118 yards and a score in the 45-44 stunner against Pitt. Dion Lewis should be carried in a sedan chair for the next week for that effort, and also because his legs likely seized up for two days afterward.

Gilyard, however, gets the sweet taste of victory and the award for classy thank yous to fans (because it's cold as hell out here).

F is for Filigree. As in the lettering on the invitations to bowls, which went out in various pulses throughout the day on Sunday. The most bizarre: USF getting and accepting the invite to the International Bowl in Toronto over a bid from the St. Pete Bowl, which sits just a few miles over the Howard Frankland Bridge from their campus.

G is for Gravity. Gravity either is or isn't interlinked with time, depending on your alignment in the great Newtonian/Einsteinian split between those who believe the two are completely separate, and those who say they are intextricably linked. i like the latter of the two, because it pleases me to imagine that as a game gathers momentum and becomes a heavier, more important event, it gains its own gravity and slows down. If you watched the end of the Cincy/Pitt game, it certainly felt like the Einsteinian rule was in effect, a kind of grand slowness as time slowed down around the dense drama of the game. Armon Binn's final catch felt like it took days, and I watched it on replay. Live must have felt like slow geology in motion.

H is for Haine. French for "hate" and the emotion covering an entirely different kind of slowness in football. I walked out of the Auburn 2006 game in a fit of disgust, thus marking the only time I've ever left a game early. It is my only superstition and rule: you have to stay to double zeroes no matter how horrid the results, no matter how agonizing whatever you're watching on the field might be. I held onto the streak here, but it took conscious physical effort not to walk out at the four minute mark when Alabama got the ball back after Florida's last gasp and proceeded to grind out the last four minutes in slow, pure tortuous fashion. You might be wondering: does this mean you missed Alabama's infamous taunting "Rammer Jammer" cheer? No: it cranked up with about ten seconds left on the clock, and our scorched ears heard the whole thing.

I is or Independence. The finale of the Independence Bowl's long and fitful romance with the SEC this year will feature Georgia versus Texas A&M. Georgia will coach the game without a defensive staff, since they have not hired a replacement for Willie Martinez and several assistants fired along with Martinez at the end of the season. Bet the over, because A&M will be coaching with a full defensive staff but no defensive players on the field HEY-OOOO!!!

J is for Journeyman. The modern coach is a journeyman, with no established residence, home, or place of employ. Brian Kelly is a cellphone, a resume, and a record, and one currently employed by Cincinnati, a place that would like him and that enviable record and resume to stay.

Kelly said his future will be determined by Saturday. So will Cincy's, though not necessarily Notre Dame's, who if Kelly refuses the offer will fall a long way from the "Meyer/Stoops/Kelly" trio to the next tier of coaches.

K is for Knocked Out. LeGarrette Blount provided an appropriate circularity to Oregon's season. His post-game tirade and the loss to Boise State prompted the dramatic reformation of the Ducks, a team that staggered back from an early flirtation with the brink and went on to clinch the Rose Bowl berth against Ohio State. Blount began it with a mistake, and finished it by adding a crucial late score and yards down the stretch for the Ducks, though LaMichael James was the bigger set of wings (get it because they're ducks QUACKING ME UP!) on the night, running 25 times for 166 yards and 3 scores. Oh, and Jeremiah Masoli deeeestroyed someone on a 4th and 3, but that kind of brutality is customary for him now.

L is for La Terrecita. Todd Blackledge at La Teresita, and for the first time in Todd's long, face-sfuffing journey on "Todd's Taste of the Town," I was jealous of him. Usually he's just at some family owned place of age and renown specializing in huge steaks, or huge omelets, or something else huge stuffed within something else huge and inedible. (Example: "Mrs. Spucklebottom's here in Morgantown has been making their special pizza waffle tacos for years now, and college students can't get enough of them!" Read: "because they're drunk when they order them.") La Teresita is a classic, though Blackledge didn't finish the meal with cafe con leche, a must in order to stay awake after eating four varieties of fried starch. I'd love to show you the video here, but ESPN still thinks it's 1999 and doesn't understand viral content.

M is for Monkey Steals Peach. The other metaphor for what Alabama did to Florida this weekend.

N is for Nebraska. It is nearly impossible to read this account of Nebraska's post-game without getting a queasy knot of sympathy in your stomach.

[H]e went back toward the locker room, where he saw Marc Boehm, NU assistant athletic director.

"Marc, I want to see (Big 12 head of officiating) Walt Anderson in there right (expletive) now!" Pelini shouted.

"BCS!" Pelini said as he entered the locker room. "That's why they make that call!"

Reading it you'll get the familiar, sickening feeling of seeing someone who has just watched something horrible happen, really can't believe it, sees the evidence, re-examines it, and decides not to believe it anyway. It is a feeling reserved for when loved ones die, houses burn, and you miss winning a championship by a single second. (There was a second on the clock, but if you don't see it that's fine: for Nebraska fans an event like this rewires the brain to the point where there can be no debate. )

O is for Oh Come On THAT'S NOT EVEN FAIR.

P is for Pause. If the clock had run out on Texas on the final play of the game, two things would have happened. First, Mack Brown would have grown a new pair of Lesticles, something helpful for making ballsy fourth down decisions, and something not so helpful for end of the game clock management.

Watch Suh close on McCoy there: he's that close to getting to him even on the final play of the game. Second, according to the computers, Cincy would have been the proper pick to face Alabama in the national title title game.

Q is for Quincy, Michigan. Okay, it starts with Q and it's in the same state as Dan LeFevour, who can't properly be called the Rust Belt Tebow anymore thanks to his record 147th TD scored in Central Michigan's victory over Ohio in their 20-10 victory in the MAC Championship. He deserves his own nickname that doesn't use "LeFevour" ... HI I'M CHRIS BERMAN AND I'M GOING TO CALL HIM DAN "SATURDAY NIGHT" LEFEVOUR GET IT--

R is for Redaction. Take the entire season off the books: Western Kentucky, up 20-10 over Arkansas State, going into the fourth quarter and looking for their first win in the final game of the season, spit the bit and ran back into a burning barn of pure flaming loss. WKU surrendered 14 points, scored none, and kept the golden donut of a winless season alive (or undead, depending on your perspective) in losing to ASU 24-20. Surprisingly, they are not bowl eligible even with the extremely low standards of the current bowl system.

S is for Sour. The UCLA Bruins have to root for an Army loss to Navy in order to secure an EagleBank Bowl bid. Why do you hate America, Rick Neuheisel?

T is for The Blue Collar Comedy Tour Bowl GIT 'ER DONE. Mock Bill Stewart all you like, but he's the one with a 9-3 regular season and a Gator Bowl berth. Stewart will face off against Bobby Bowden in the folksiest bowl you've ever seen in the Gator, and what should be an interesting match of movable objects (Florida State's defense) and West Virginia's offense (the periodically resistable object.)

U is for Underutilized, Again. Yes, they won, but teleportin' Noel Devine still got only 16 carries in the 24-21 victory over Rutgers on Saturday. If he got as many carries as Dion Lewis the Heisman discussion would not be this, what you call it...a "discussion." Mr Devine would have sole ownership of it. Upside: low mileage for the NFL draft! Georgia Tech also went its second straight game without using its punter.

V is for Voltron. If you don't find CJ Spiller just walking around campus, it is because he is actually five mechanical lions that meet, transform, and become what you call CJ Spiller. Clemson lost, but not before putting Spiller out for his best performance in a valiant effort: 20 carries, 233 yards, and 4 TDs on the ground in total. Watching him cut through Tech's porous defense was cruel, but if you're wondering why Tech won look no further than the complete lack of punting by either team. The last bullet was the fatal wound, and Clemson ran out of bullets first.

W is for Wilted. USC passed out several miles before the finish line in losing a 21-17 game to Arizona, who now gets to play for the Whale Trophy in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. This would have been a lot cooler for Arizona had they not been fourth in line to beat a wilting USC team struggling on offense and defense, but kicking a bully while they're bleeding and prostrate on the ground is satisfying no matter the occasion.

X is for Xhosa. Speakers of the Bantu language in southeast Africa whose tongue, though inscrutable, is still more comprehensible than anything INSIDEtheBCS has posted on their Twitter feed. Ari Fleischer: money well spent, gentlemen!

Y is for Ye Be the Champions. East Carolina cinched the C-USA championship by upsetting Houston 38-34 by forcing four turnovers. This column credits pirate talking and having an actual defense for their success against their opponent, meaning Texas Tech is halfway there in terms of the winning formula. Take notes, Cap'n Leach.

Z is for Zook'd. If you want the definition of getting Zook'd, it's here: allowing a game-winning two-point conversion for a loss to Fresno State.

Florida Coordinator Charlie Strong Is Louisville's New Head Coach

2009-12-07T04:13:48Z

by Phil Sandlin - AP

4 months ago: Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong talks about his feelings about this year's Florida Gators during college football media day in Gainesville, Fla., Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)

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According to the Courier-Journal, Florida Defensive Coordinator Charlie Strong and Louisville AD Tom Jurich were apparently in discussions Sunday. With the head coaching job at Louisville currently open, those discussions may have had something to do with Strong's interest in filling it. Strong did not discuss the contents of those meetings, or if said meetings even took place, but did comment on his possible interest in the position.

"You want to be interested, but I just haven't had a chance to think about it. I was worried about this game and this game only."

Strong replied that he was only aware of UofL's interest from "seeing what's been put out on TV, that's all."

Many believe that the deal is just being hammered out, though it won't get done Sunday night. Keep an eye on Louisville blog Card Chronicle to see any new developments and analysis.

BCS Results: Texas, 'Bama In Title Game; TCU-Boise State Relegated To Fiesta

2009-12-06T23:18:50Z

by John Amis - AP

5 days ago: Alabama players celebrate after their 32-13 win over Florida in the NCAA college football SEC championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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The results are in: Texas will play Alabama for all the marbles, while outsiders TCU and Boise State were paired in the Fiesta Bowl, saving the BCS and the big boys any possible embarrassment. Check out the rest of the results in our BCS stream.

The BCS Selection Show begins at 8:00 P.M. Eastern on FOX.

Here is what we know so far: Ohio State and Oregon will play in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day, and Georgia Tech will play in the Orange Bowl. Cincinnati and TCU are guaranteed BCS bowl invites, while Boise State remains eligible.

Our resident college football expert, Spencer Hall, will provide analysis as the BCS picture unfolds. For now, I will make the prediction that that BCS Championship will feature Louisville and Hofstra. Nothing can convince me otherwise!

Stay tuned for further predictions, results, reactions, and analysis.

Alabama Takes Top Spot In Week 14 AP Poll

2009-12-06T20:41:35Z

by Dave Martin - AP

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Alabama takes over the top spot in the Week 14 AP poll with their win over Florida in the SEC Championship.

After defeating Florida in the SEC Championship, Alabama has taken over the top spot in the AP poll. Texas gained the second spot with their last second win over Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship while Florida fell all the way to fifth. Here is the Top 25:

1. Alabama

2. Texas

3. TCU

4. Cincinnati

5. Florida

6. Boise State

7. Oregon

8. Ohio State

9. Georgia Tech

10. Iowa

11. Penn State

12. Virginia Tech

13. LSU

14. Miami (FL)

15. BYU

16. Oregon State

17. Pittsburgh

18. West Virginia

19. Stanford

20. Nebraska

21. Oklahoma State

22. Arizona

23. Utah

24. Wisconsin

25. Central Michigan

Remember The ACC? No. 12 Georgia Tech Holds On For 39-34 Win Over No. 25 Clemson

2009-12-06T01:14:43Z

by John Bazemore - AP

3 months ago: Clemson's C.J. Spiller (28) looks for running room in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - Jonathan Dwyer ran in the game-winning score with 1:20 to play as 12th-ranked Georgia Tech won the ACC Championship with a thrilling 39-34 win over 25th-ranked Clemson at Raymond James Stadium.

Dwyer had two touchdowns in the game and finished the contest with 110 yards on 24 carries. Josh Nesbitt was 9-for-16 passing with 136 yards and a score along with 22 carries for 103 yards and a TD for the Yellow Jackets (11-2), who won their first conference title outright since 1990.

The Tigers' (8-5) loss ruined what was a brilliant performance from running back C.J. Spiller, who finished the game with a career-high 234 yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries. Kyle Parker went 10-for-17 with 91 yards while Andre Ellington also had a score on the ground for Clemson, which hasn't won a conference title since 1991.

Georgia Tech had blown a 13-point lead and trailed by a point with 6:11 to play, but that was plenty of time for the team to come back and take the lead.

Starting at its own 14, the team had to convert a fourth down as Nesbitt got two yards when he needed one. Nesbitt then hit Dwyer for 21 yards to get it near midfield. Several plays later, the team was facing a 2nd-and-5 at the Clemson 15. Dwyer took the ball around the left end and raced down the sideline into the end zone with 1:20 to play. Nesbitt then kept it on a run up the middle for the two-point conversion, but a review ruled that he was down before crossing the goal line and it was a 39-34 game.

Clemson's bid for a game-winning drive fell short as Parker was stopped short of a first down on a 4th-and-2 play and Georgia Tech killed off the rest of the clock.

Trailing by 13 points late in the third quarter, the Tigers needed a strong drive and got it to make it a six-point contest. The 10-play, 72-yard drive featured two fourth down conversions, one of them courtesy of a pass interference call, and was capped on a Spiller nine-yard touchdown run down the right sideline to make it a 33-27 contest with 12 minutes to play in the game.

The Clemson defense came up with a big stop on Georgia Tech's next possession as the unit stuffed a 4th-and-1 to give the offense the ball back at its own 37.

On the first snap, Spiller continued to embarrass the Yellow Jackets defense as he took a handoff, found a seam and raced down the left sideline for 54 yards before being pushed out of bounds at the nine-yard line. Spiller moved the ball eight more yards on the next two plays before being spelled by Ellington, who leaped over the pile and into the end zone from a yard out for a 34-33 lead with 6:11 to play.

Clemson started the game with the ball and got a 40-yard run down the left sideline from Spiller to get the ball into the red zone. Three plays later, Spiller danced his way into the end zone around the right side for a 7-0 lead just 3:36 in.

Roddy Jones had carries of 21 and 22 yards on the first two plays of Georgia Tech's first touch to get the ball past midfield. The drive, though, stalled at the Clemson 31 and Scott Blair's 48-yard field goal made it a 7-3 game with 7:30 left in the first.

In a drive that spanned the first and second quarters, the Yellow Jackets took a 10-7 lead as Dwyer bulled his way through the defense around the left side on a four-yard score.

Parker was picked off by Dominique Reese on the first play of the Tigers' ensuing drive. The Yellow Jackets proceeded to eat up almost eight minutes of the clock and had a 1st-and-goal at the Clemson eight, but two false starts followed by a holding call pushed them back 20 yards and the team had to settle for a 49-yard field goal from Blair for a 13-7 lead with 5:35 left in the first half.

Clemson answered quickly as, on the fifth play of the drive, Spiller raced down the left sideline and into the end zone on a 41-yard score with 2:55 left. However, the extra point attempt was botched and it was a tie game.

The Yellow Jackets, though, had plenty of time before the break and with six seconds left on the clock Blair kicked his third field goal of the half, a 28- yarder that gave his team a 16-13 lead.

Georgia Tech started the second half with the ball and used an 11-play drive that killed almost six minutes of clock time as Nesbitt kept the ball himself through the left side on a 13-yard run for a 23-13 lead with 9:12 to play in the third.

Clemson again went to its bread-and-butter as Spiller scored his third touchdown of the game on a 36-yard run down the left side to get the deficit to three points with 6:39 left in the third.

However, Georgia Tech needed just three plays to answer as, on 3rd-and-10, Nesbitt heaved the ball up for Demaryius Thomas, who came down with the ball, broke away from his defender and raced into the end zone on a 70-yard score for a 30-20 lead.

On the ensuing touch, Clemson turned the ball over as Parker was pressured and threw an errant pass that Jerrard Tarrant picked off and returned 50 yards to the Clemson 28. A 40-yard field goal from Blair with 1:11 to play in the third made it a 33-20 game.

Georgia Tech owns a 49-24-2 advantage in the all-time series with Clemson, and the Yellow Jackets have won the last four meetings, and six of the last seven overall...Thomas finished the game with two catches for 77 yards...Jacoby Ford led the Clemson receiving corps with three catches for 32 yards.

-- Via Sports Network

Texas Ekes Out 13-12 Win Over Nebraska; Sets Up Likely Date With Bama In BCS Title Game

2009-12-06T00:53:52Z

by Darren Abate - AP

18 days ago: Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, left, evades a tackle by Kansas' Jamal Greene in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, in Austin. In the 51-20 Texas win, McCoy earned his NCAA record 43rd career victory as a starter. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

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After a replay challenge put a second back on the clock and saved Colt McCoy from Les Miles-style ignominy, Texas booted a 46 yard field goal to pull out the win over Nebraska. BCS chaos was averted -- barely.

Arlington, TX (Sports Network) - Hunter Lawrence kicked a 46-yard field goal on the final play and third-ranked Texas escaped with a 13-12 win over No. 21 Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship game, lifting the Longhorns into the BCS national title contest.

No. 2 Alabama beat top-ranked Florida, 32-13, in the SEC Championship contest earlier Saturday, setting up a probable Longhorns-Crimson Tide battle in Pasadena on January 7. The final Bowl Championship Series standings will be revealed Sunday night.

Texas' victory came with some controversy as officials called for a replay, leading to a second being put back on the clock prior to the game-winning kick.

Alex Henery kicked four field goals, including a 42-yarder with 1:44 left, giving Nebraska a 12-10 edge.

Colt McCoy then completed a 19-yard pass to Jordan Shipley, and Nebraska's Larry Asante was called for a horse collar tackle, moving the ball an additional 15 yards to the Cornhusker 26. McCoy was then sacked for a two-yard loss and scrambled for a loss of one. On third down, with the clock ticking down and instead of Texas calling a timeout, McCoy rolled right and threw the ball out of bounds.

Zeroes were showing on the clock, but officials used replay to determine there was a second left, giving the Longhorns (13-0) a reprieve.

After a Nebraska (9-4) timeout, Lawrence sneaked in his kick just inside the left post.

With TCU and Cincinnati just trailing Texas in the BCS standings, it became imperative that Lawrence make his kick, which the senior did to give the Longhorns their first Big 12 title since 2005.

McCoy connected on 20-of-36 passes for 184 yards, but was picked off three times. Shipley had seven grabs for 71 yards.

Zac Lee had a troublesome game for the Cornhuskers, as he connected on 6-of-19 throws for 39 yards with three interceptions. Nebraska had just five first downs to 17 for Texas, which also won the overall yardage battle, 202-106.

Eric Hagg picked off McCoy just 36 seconds into the game, giving the Cornhuskers the ball at the Texas 41. Henery booted a 45-yard field goal a short time later.

Blake Gideon intercepted Lee later in the quarter, but McCoy gave the ball back as he was picked off by Prince Amukamara. That led to a Henery 52-yard field goal.

Lee was intercepted on the second play of the second quarter, but McCoy was sacked on a third down play, moving the ball back to the Texas 35, and the Longhorns were forced to punt.

The field position chess game continued later in the second thanks to more punts, but the Longhorns finally cracked the end zone on a McCoy two-yard plunge up the middle. A big pass interference penalty on third down helped the Longhorns gain a 1st-and-goal at the four, and two plays later McCoy was in the end zone for a 7-6 edge with 2:19 left in the half.

Roddrick Muckelroy's interception of Lee nearly 4 1/2 minutes into the third didn't net any points for the Longhorns, despite them starting a drive at the Nebraska 32. Matt O'Hanlon sacked McCoy and the Texas QB dropped back in punt formation and had the Cornhuskers pinned at their own 1.

Hunter Lawrence's 39-yard field goal with under two minutes left in the third extended Texas' lead to 10-6.

A 43-yard punt return by Niles Paul had Nebraska at the Texas 10 early in the fourth, but the Longhorns' defense stiffened, forcing Henery to kick a 28-yard field goal.

McCoy later moved Texas to the Nebraska 34, but he was picked off by Dejon Gomes, who ripped the ball away from a Texas receiver. That led to Henery's go-ahead 42-yard kick.

The Longhorns are 3-2 in Big 12 Championship games, having also won a title in 1996. Texas and Nebraska have faced off three times in the Big 12 Championship game. The Horns won the 1996 matchup, 37-27, while the Huskers defeated UT, 22-6, in 1999....This was the fifth straight win for Texas over Nebraska. The Longhorns lead the series, 8-1, since Big 12 play began in 1996.

-- Via Sports Network

Sports Network

21-17: Arizona Puts Finishing Touch On No. 18 USC's Disappointing Season

2009-12-06T00:02:09Z

by Chris Carlson - AP

5 days ago: Southern California quarterback Matt Barkley, left, is sacked by Arizona defensive end D'Aundre Reed during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Los Angeles, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

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Commiserate with our USC blog, Conquest Chronicles. Cackle with our Arizona blog, Arizona Desert Swarm.

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Nick Foles led an 80-yard drive and threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Juron Criner late in the fourth quarter, giving Arizona a 21-17 victory over 20th-ranked USC in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Foles was 22-of-40 passing for 239 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Criner caught six passes for 71 yards while Delashaun Dean hauled in five passes for 58 yards and a score.

Foles also rushed for a score for Arizona (8-4, 6-3 Pac-10), which ended its schedule on a high note with back-to-back conference wins and beat USC for the first time in eight tries.

The Wildcats' four losses this season came by only 10 or fewer points.

Freshman Matt Barkley completed 20-of-37 passes for 144 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Allen Bradford ran for 66 yards and a score on 11 touches for USC (8-4, 5-4), which was in unfamiliar territory to close out its 2009 slate.

The Trojans had won seven straight Pac-10 titles, but had their hopes dashed for an eighth with an embarrassing 55-21 loss to Stanford back on November 14.

USC gained its first lead of the game at 17-14 by taking the ball 56 yards in 12 plays to set up Jordan Congdon's 37-yard field goal just about halfway through the fourth quarter.

Undeterred, Foles led the Wildcats 80 yards down the field, converting a pair of third-down plays with 13 and 11-yard pass completions, before hitting Criner up the left sideline for a 36-yard touchdown and a 21-17 lead with 3:14 to go.

The Arizona defense held firm, sacking Barkley on first down for a five-yard loss. Two incompletions brought up fourth down, and a poorly thrown deep ball by Barkley over the wrong shoulder of Damian Williams up the seam turned the ball back over to Arizona with 2:20 left to play.

The Wildcats effectively shed all but three seconds from the clock before turning it back over to USC on downs. A last-ditch heave from the Trojans' own 21 never materialized as Barkley was blind-sided on an Earl Mitchell sack to end the game.

Arizona got into the end zone on its second turn with the football, thanks in large part to a Barkley pass that was picked off by Trevin Wade at the Trojans' 37. Foles' seven-yard pass to Criner converted a 4th-and-5 play and Dean's four-yard grab on third down put the Wildcats up 7-0 just over six minutes in.

A pair of punts followed before USC took over at its own 20 late in the quarter and embarked on a 13-play scoring drive. Barkley kept it himself to convert a 3rd-and-1 play early on and found Ronald Johnson for a 16-yard touchdown to tie the game 2 1/2 minutes into the second quarter.

Arizona responded by shaving nearly eight minutes off the clock during a 15- play, 90-yard scoring march that ended with Foles' one-yard keeper for a 14-7 difference.

The Wildcats had to convert three third-down plays during the trek, and twice Foles connected with William Wright for big gains of 26 and 19 yards.

Both offenses hit the skids early in the second half until a Bradford five- yard touchdown run with 1:46 left in the third quarter capped a 53-yard Trojan drive and tied the game at 14.

Wright caught five passes for 66 yards in the victory...Keola Antolin led the Wildcat rushing attack with 51 yards on 13 carries...Williams totaled 51 yards on eight grabs and Johnson nabbed five passes for 50 yards for the Trojans, who were outgained 321-282 by Arizona...The Wildcats converted 9-of-17 third downs while USC was 5-of-13...In regard to the all-time series between USC and Arizona, the Trojans own a commanding 26-7 advantage.

- Via Sports Network.

The Tide Abides: Alabama Rolls Past Florida, 32-13

2009-12-05T20:31:22Z

by Dave Martin - AP

5 days ago: Alabama running back Mark Ingram (22) dives into the end zone for a touchdown as Florida's Major Wright defends during the first quarter of the NCAA college football SEC Championship game, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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No. 2 Alabama shut out Tim Tebow and No. 1 Florida in the second half to win the SEC Championship and a BCS title game berth. Some fellow named Mark Ingram is responsible for over 175 offensive yards and three touchdowns.

Take it out and chop it up at our Alabama blog, Roll 'Bama Roll. Shut 'er down and hang your head at our Florida blog, Alligator Army.

Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Mark Ingram made sure history didn't repeat itself in the SEC Championship, as the sophomore running back ran for three touchdowns to send No. 2 Alabama to a convincing 32-13 victory over top-ranked Florida that all but assures itself a shot at a national title.

The Crimson Tide (13-0) controlled the tempo with a ground game that amassed 251 yards, backed by Ingram piling up 113 yards on 28 carries. The Heisman Trophy hopeful also had 76 receiving yards despite suffering a hip pointer in last week's narrow win over Auburn.

Alabama, which captured its 22nd SEC title, held the ball for nearly 40 minutes and will likely overtake the Gators (12-1) at the top of the BCS standings when they come out on Sunday, meaning the Tide will play for the BCS National Championship in Pasadena. That will likely mean a matchup against Texas on January 7, provided the Longhorns can beat Nebraska in tonight Big 12 title contest.

Florida spoiled Alabama's undefeated campaign last season in the conference finale, but the defending national champions' non-existent running game and the suspension of defensive end Carlos Dunlap proved too much to overcome in the anticipated rematch.

Greg McElroy upstaged All-American Tim Tebow, hitting 12-of-18 passes for 239 yards with a touchdown pass to Colin Peek to earn the game's MVP award.

Tebow ran for a team-high 63 yards on 10 carries and threw for 246 yards and a touchdown on 20-of-35 efficiency.

However, the 2007 Heisman winner threw an interception in the end zone early in the fourth that essentially ended any chance of a comeback, as the Gators' school-record 22-game winning streak came to a screeching halt on a big stage.

- Via Sports Network.

C-USA Championship Upset: East Carolina Puts Away No. 21 Houston, 38-32

2009-12-05T19:44:01Z

by Sara D. Davis - AP

5 days ago: Houston's James Cleveland (19) coasts into the end zone past East Carolina to score a touchdown during the first half of the NCAA college football Conference USA championship in Greenville, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Sara D. Davis)

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Greenville, NC (Sports Network) - Dominique Lindsay and Giavanni Ruffin combined for 130 rushing yards and four touchdowns, as East Carolina held off 18th-ranked Houston, 38-32, to claim its second consecutive Conference USA title.

Pat Pinkney completed 21-of-34 passes for 262 yards and a touchdown for the Pirates (9-4, 8-1 C-USA), who last season won at Tulsa to claim the conference championship. With the victory, ECU secured a spot in the Liberty Bowl on January 2 against an SEC opponent.

Dwayne Harris caught nine passes for 123 yards and a score for the Pirates, while Van Eskridge came away with an interception in the end zone in the final minute with Houston driving for a potential game-winning score.

Case Keenum completed 56-of-75 passes for 527 yards and five touchdowns, and was intercepted three times. James Cleveland had 19 receptions for 241 yards and three scores for the Cougars (10-3, 6-3), who had captured the Conference USA title in 2006.

- Via Sports Network.

Bearcat Comeback: Cincinnati Overcomes 21-Point Deficit To Take Big East Title Over Pitt

2009-12-05T16:33:55Z

by Keith Srakocic - AP

5 days ago: Cincinnati running back Isaiah Pead (23) breaks away from Pittsburgh defensive lineman Jabaal Sheard (97) for a long run to set up Cincinnati's first touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

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The Big East championship has been decided by a single point, thanks in part to a botched Panthers extra point near the end. Cincinnati is headed to a BCS bowl, while Pitt is cast into Meineke Car Care Bowl oblivion.

Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Tony Pike found Armon Binns with a 29-yard touchdown pass with 33 seconds remaining and the extra point by Jake Rogers gave fifth-ranked Cincinnati a stunning 45-44 come-from-behind victory over No. 14 Pittsburgh in a thrilling Big East finale at Heinz Field.

Cincinnati (12-0, 7-0 Big East) rallied from a 21-point first-half deficit and captured its second straight outright Big East title. The Bearcats still have an outside chance of reaching the BCS National Championship Game, but only if third-ranked Texas loses to Nebraska in the Big 12 title game Saturday night.

Mardy Gilyard sparked Cincinnati's comeback with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 68-yard TD catch. He finished with 118 yards receiving on five catches and also totaled 256 yards on seven kickoff returns.

The loss spoiled a tremendous day for Pittsburgh freshman Dion Lewis, who ran for 194 yards and three touchdowns on a school-record 47 carries. He also caught five passes for 34 yards.

Pittsburgh (9-3, 5-2) was coming off a 19-16 loss to arch-rival West Virginia in the annual Backyard Brawl last week and raced out a 31-10 lead on Saturday in an effort to claim a share of the Big East title and the conference's BCS bowl berth.

Instead, it will be the Bearcats going to a major bowl for the second straight year. Cincinnati lost to Virginia Tech last year in the Orange Bowl.

After Cincinnati tied the game at 38-38 with 5:46 remaining on a one-yard run by Isaiah Pead and a two-point conversion catch by Gilyard, the Panthers went back in front on a five-yard touchdown run by Lewis with 1:36 left. The snap on the extra point attempt was botched and the Panthers led only by six.

Gilyard returned the ensuing kickoff 26 yards to the Cincinnati 39 and Pike went right to work with completions of seven and 10 yards. Gilyard then hauled in a 15-yard pass and Pike went to another receiver on the next play, hitting Binns on the right sideline for the touchdown.

Rogers, who earlier in the fourth quarter hit the right upright on a point- after try, drilled it through for the go-ahead point.

The Panthers took over at their own 18 after the kickoff and Bill Stull threw incomplete on three straight passes before being sacked on fourth down to seal the incredible Cincinnati comeback.

Stull completed 13-of-21 passes for 176 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran for a score. Jonathan Baldwin caught six passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns in defeat.

Pike rebounded from a terrible first half and finished 22-of-44 passing for 302 yards with three touchdowns and three picks. Pead ran for 76 yards on nine carries in the victory.

After Cincinnati went three-and-out to start the game, Pittsburgh rode Lewis to a score on its first offensive series. Lewis ran 11 times and caught a pass on the 12-play, 56-yard series. He converted 4th-and-1 with a four-yard run and finished the 6 1/2-minute drive with a four-yard touchdown run.

The Bearcats answered with a 66-yard march for a touchdown. Pead broke free for 40 yards on the second play and Jacob Ramsey finished the seven-play set with a two-yard scoring run. The drive was aided by a pass interference penalty on a third-down incomplete pass in the end zone two plays before the touchdown.

Pittsburgh again used a 12-play drive -- and an overturned call -- to reach the end zone on its next possession. Lewis again did the bulk of the work with seven carries and a reception, also converting another short fourth down with a four-yard run. The Panthers were set to attempt a field goal after a pass to the end zone was ruled incomplete, but a video review determined that Baldwin got one foot down on a 22-yard reception in the first minute of the second quarter to give Pittsburgh a 14-7 lead.

Cincinnati followed with a march inside the Pittsburgh five, again with the help of a pass interference penalty in the end zone, but the Panthers were able to hold the Bearcats to a 20-yard field goal by Rogers.

It took just 44 seconds for the Panthers to respond, as a flea flicker resulted in a 40-yard touchdown pass from Stull to Baldwin for a 21-10 lead.

Pike was picked off by Dom DeCicco on the ensuing series, giving Pittsburgh the ball at the Cincinnati 49. The Panthers tacked on three more after the turnover, as Dan Hutchins booted a 33-yard field goal with 4:53 left in the half.

The problems for Cincinnati continued on the next possession, as Nate Nix blocked a Bearcat punt. The Panthers took over on the Cincinnati five-yard line and Stull scored on a three-yard scramble to make it 31-10 just 1:26 before the break.

Gilyard, though, breathed life back into the Bearcats on the following kickoff, returning it 99 yards for a touchdown.

The Cincinnati defense finally forced a Pittsburgh punt and a short kick with a personal foul penalty gave the Bearcats the ball at the Panthers 35. Pike, though was picked off by Elijah Fields on the first play and Pittsburgh appeared set to score again before the half with the ball at the Cincinnati 44. Stull went deep and was intercepted by Aaron Webster, and the Bearcats got far enough to try a 55-yard field goal on the last play of the half that came up well short and wide.

After a trade of punts to start the third quarter, Gilyard again provided the fireworks with a 68-yard touchdown. He caught a pass from Pike at the Pittsburgh 40 and outraced the remaining defenders to the end zone to pull the Bearcats within 31-24 with 8:12 to play in the period.

Cincinnati got the ball back after a Pitt punt and Pike was again picked off, this time by Jarred Holley at the Panther 17 late in the third. Stull, though, was intercepted on the first play of the fourth quarter inside the Cincinnati 10.

A short punt gave Pittsburgh possession at the Cincinnati 32 and Lewis ran four straight times -- the last a 15-yard jaunt for a score and a 38-24 lead with 12:26 remaining.

Gilyard's 49-yard return on the next kickoff set up a short field and Pike needed four plays to find the end zone, hitting DJ Woods with an eight-yard TD pass. Rogers hit the upright on the point-after try, leaving the Bearcats down eight.

Pittsburgh went three-and-out and Pike marched the Cincinnati offense 68 yards on seven plays for Pead's tying score and the two-point pass.

Lewis registered his seventh straight 100-yard game. He broke the old record of 42 carries set by Craig "Ironhead" Heyward in a 1987 game against Notre Dame...Gilyard notched his fourth career kickoff return for a touchdown. He also had one punt return for seven yards...The Bearcats outgained the Panthers, 371-369, despite Pittsburgh's overwhelming possession edge. The Panthers held the ball for just over 39 minutes...Cincinnati has won the last two meetings after Pittsburgh captured each of the first seven.

- VIa Sports Network.

Week 14: You Have No Business To Be Bored! Live Game Threads, Scores, And Recaps

2009-12-05T16:18:59Z

by Rich Schultz - AP

5 days ago: West Virginia linebacker Zac Cooper (57) celebrates his sack of Rutgers quarterback Tom Savage with teammate J.T. Thomas during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game at Rutgers Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009. West Virginia won 24-21. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)

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Gazillions of fans could have existed in your place, and many of them would have been better than you. Florida-Alabama is the obvious highlight, but other big games are on the way. Check out one of SB Nation's game threads and talk it up.

As a college football fan who lives to see December 5, 2009, you should be rather moved by the astounding improbability of your existence. It is a huge privilege to be here, and I sort of feel...when people say they are bored, well, you have no business to be bored! You exist! There are gazillions of football fans who could have existed in your place, and a lot of them would have been a lot better than you. So stop whingeing!

When fans bemoan the fact that the season is going to come to an end...you're lucky to have had anything at all. Stop moaning!

(Paraphrased from science guy Richard Dawkins -- see bottom of page.)

Celebrate your extraordinary privilege by jumping into one of SB Nation's live game threads and discussing the games as they unfold. Here are your noon games:

No. 23 West Virginia at Rutgers (ESPN)
Game thread at The Smoking Musket
Game thread at Protect R Turf
Live score

(12:30) Fresno State at Illinois
Game thread at Hail to the Orange
Live score

Big East Championship
No. 5 Cincinnati at No. 15 Pittsburgh (ABC)
Live score

C-USA Championship
No. 21 Houston at East Carolina (ESPN2)
Live score

Central Michigan Downs Ohio 20-10, Wins Another MAC Championship

2009-12-05T00:45:30Z

by Carlos Osorio - AP

5 days ago: Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour (13) is pushed out of bounds by Ohio cornerback Thad Turner (12) during the second quarter of an NCAA college Mid-American Conference Championship football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Friday, Dec. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

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Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Dan LeFevour completed 28-of-39 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns, as Central Michigan took down Ohio, 20-10, in the Mid-American Conference championship game at Ford Field.

LeFevour, who also threw an interception, set a MAC record for career touchdown passes with 101. Chad Pennington (Marshall) held the previous record with 100 TD passes. LeFevour also set a NCAA record for total touchdowns with 148 -- 101 passing, 46 rushing and one receiving, eclipsing Hawaii's Colt Brennan.

Bryan Anderson hauled in seven passes for 54 yards and a score for the Chippewas (11-2), who won their third league title in the last four seasons. Antonio Brown caught eight passes for 66 yards, while Cody Wilson had a TD catch. Bryan Schroeder rushed for 72 yards on 16 carries.

Theo Scott connected on 10-of-23 passes for 138 yards for the Bobcats (9-4), who had a four-game winning streak snapped. Wide receiver Taylor Price threw a 29-yard touchdown pass. Terrence McCrae caught seven passes for 141 yards and a score, while Chris Garrett carried the ball eight times for 42 yards for Ohio, which was participating in the MAC title game for the second time in four seasons.

Central Michigan went ahead 7-0 on LeFevour's 14-yard TD pass to Wilson with 5:22 left in the first quarter. Wilson's touchdown grab capped a drive that went 70 yards in seven plays.

Ohio fumbled the ball on its ensuing possession. Scott threw a pass behind the line of scrimmage to Price, who bobbled the ball before the Chippewas recovered at the Bobcats' 36. Central Michigan settled for a 25-yard Andrew Aguila field goal to build a 10-0 margin with 1:26 remaining.

The Bobcats needed just four plays on their next drive to get into the end zone. Faced with a 1st-and-10 at the Chippewas 29, Price completed a touchdown pass to McCrae on a trick play to cut the gap to 10-7 with four ticks left on the first-period clock.

Aguila missed a 35-yard field goal early in the second, but Central Michigan scored a TD on its next possession. Anderson capped a 13-play, 84-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown catch to put the Chippewas ahead, 17-7, with 17 seconds left in the half.

The third stanza saw a pair of field goals. Aguila made a 19-yarder with 9:01 left to make it a 20-7 game. Matt Weller was good from 36 yards out to cut the gap to 20-10 with 5:36 remaining.

Central Michigan's defense held strong in the fourth quarter to preserve the win.

The Chippewas have handled Ohio throughout the years, posting a 21-4-2 mark against the Bobcats, who have not claimed the conference championship since 1968.

- Via Sports Network.

Week 14 NCAA Football Buffet: Previewing All The Games Worth Consuming

2009-12-04T16:23:37Z

by Dave Martin - AP

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It's Championship Week! Not to be confused with Bowl Championship Series Week! Lots of important games with big implications, so let SB Nation's Sean Keeley tell you what looks tasty and what might be worth pushing to the side of your plate.

It's Championship Weekend! Which is weird when you think about it because technically the weekend of the BCS National Title game is Championship weekend. Then again, this is college football. It's not supposed to make sense, it's just supposed to keep Lee Corso gainfully employed. Lots of important games with big implications so let's find out what looks tasty and what might be worth pushing to the side of your plate in this weekend's college football buffet. (All times are Eastern.)

GIVE ME A HEAPING HELPING

SEC Championship: Florida v. Alabama (CBS, 4pm) - The game we've been waiting 13 weeks for is finally here. Call it the national semifinal, call it the de facto national championship, call it whatever you want. It's No.1 vs. No. 2. The latest chapter in the TV show that is Florida Gators football will be without regular castmember Carlos Dunlap. Don't fret, there will still be plenty of Tim Tebow, Brandon Spikes, Mark Ingram and Julio Jones to go around. Make sure you're prepared for this one.

I'LL HAVE A SCOOP OF THAT, PLEASE

Big 12 Championship: Nebraska v. Texas (ABC, 8pm) - Remember when Texas used to get offered up as a sacrificial lamb to the Nebraska juggernaut in the Big 12 Championship game? The shoes go on the other feet these days. Texas will be going up against a competent defense and they'll need a big game from Colt McCoy if they want to ensure that they're the team from Texas that plays for the national title.

Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh (ABC, Noon) - Kudos to the Big East scheduler for this one. The winner will play in a BCS Bowl, the loser will get passed over by the Gator Bowl (yay, bowl system!) and settle for something called the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Cincinnati is looking to finish the season undefeated for the first time in school history, but probably still won't get a sniff of the national title game. Meanwhile, Panthers have both home field advantage and a history of knocking conference rivals out of potential national championship contention.

ACC Championship: Georgia Tech v. Clemson (ESPN, 8pm) - The Conference Championship Everyone Always Forgets once again has little effect on the big picture. Is Clemson's C.J. Spiller a legit Heisman contender? If he is, Clemson's inability to consistently perform on offense isn't helping matters. Most importantly though, can they stop the veer option?

I'LL TASTE IT FIRST...

South Florida @ Connecticut (ESPN2, 8pm) - Two teams going in opposite directions. The Huskies have won their last two and are looking to better their bowl standing. The Bulls have emerged from their yearly-November slide scathed but not out.

Arizona @ USC (ABC, 3:30pm) - It's been a disappointing season for the Trojans but they can close things out right with a win against Arizona and ensure they head to the Holiday Bowl. Wildcat QB Nick Foles' hand is "busted," which just makes matters worse for the Cats.

West Virginia @ Rutgers (ESPN, Noon) - Of all the things Rutgers has changed about its football program recently, there is still one constant...losing to West Virginia. It's been 14 years since the Knights beat the Mountaineers. QB Tom Savage and WR Tim Brown will have to put together another great performance if they hope to reverse the trend.

I'LL KEEP THAT IN MIND FOR THE NEXT TRIP

Conference USA Championship: Houston @ East Carolina (ESPN2, Noon) - Last year, East Carolina was the trendy CUSA team du jour. They'll get a chance to upend this year's version, Houston, when they play for the conference crown. Despite the fact that Houston has a better record, the Pirates are hosting this game. Alrighty...

I DON'T KNOW...SMELLS KINDA FUNNY...

Wisconsin @ Hawaii (ESPN2, 11:30pm) - Wisconsin took up Hawaii on their yearly offer to play a 13th regular season game on the Big Island. Hawaii needs the win if they want to remain bowl eligible and head to...Hawaii. Badger fans aren't too worried.

California @ Washington (CSN California+/FSN Washington, 6:30pm) - Cal is looking to put themselves in position for a quality bowl while the Huskies try to salvage the lost season. Will either team show up? If Cal wants to head south rather than remain in the Bay Area come late December, they will.

MAC Championship: Central Michigan v. Ohio (ESPN2, Friday 8pm) - Everything is on the line Friday night when the Central Michigan Chippewas battle the Ohio Bobcats in the Mid-American Conference championship game at Ford Field. And by everything, I mean a marginally-viewed bowl appearance on that very same field against a 6-6 Big Ten team. The Chippewas look like the favorite here. I don't really know. I'm guessing.

NO THANKS, PLATE'S FULL

New Mexico State @ Boise State (KTVB, 3pm) - Does Boise State need to make a statement against 3-9 New Mexico State? Is there any kind of statement left to make? With a BCS bowl bid up for grabs, don't expect the Broncos to leave anything up to chance.

Florida Atlantic @ Florida International (Sun Belt TV, 7pm) - The Battle for Florida's Borders. Or Waters. Or...Airspace. One of those.

Fresno State @ Illinois (BTN, 12:30pm) - Making their first-ever trip to Champaign, the Fresno State Bulldogs close out their regular season this weekend with a matchup against disappointing Illinois. This is their second chance to beat a Big Ten program, having lost to Wisconsin 34-31 earlier in the year. Excuse Illinois fans if they don't really care, they're still going nuts over the basketball team's win over Clemson.

Kansas Coach Mark Mangino Resigns Over Mistreatment Investigation

2009-12-04T00:40:38Z

by Orlin Wagner - AP

21 days ago: FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2009, file photo, Kansas coach Mark Mangino stands with his team before the start of an NCAA college football game against Southern Miss in Lawrence, Kan. The university is investigating an unspecified personnel issue involving the eight-year coach of the Jayhawks. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File0

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ESPN's Joe Schad has the story: After Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins' investigation into Mark Mangino's treatment of players -- which included allegations and leaks to the press that Mangino used often racist and insensitive motivational methods -- the Kansas coach was fired today, according to Schad's source. The team will hold a meeting Thursday night to be informed of the decision.

Head to Rock Chalk Talk for more on Mangino's ouster as the story develops.

Oregon Defeats Oregon State 37-33 In War For The Roses, Will Face Ohio State Next

2009-12-03T20:07:17Z

by Rick Bowmer - AP

Oregon's LaMichael James (21) breaks free Oregon State's Gabe Miller on his way for a touch down in the third quarter during their NCAA college football game, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

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LaMichael James ran for 166 yards and three touchdowns, as seventh-ranked Oregon clinched a Rose Bowl berth with a thrilling 37-33 victory over No. 13 Oregon State.

SB Nation's Oregon blog Addicted To Quack and our Oregon State blog Building The Dam have been discussing, analyzing and previewing this game every way possible all week long. Head to those sites to see all their fine week's worth of work, which was culminated with the two sides interviewing each other (here and here) about what to expect Thursday night.

For the game preview, here's Sports Network's take:

In a bitter and long-standing rivalry known as the "Civil War", the seventh-ranked Oregon Ducks and 13th-ranked Oregon State Beavers will battle for the Pac-10 Conference title and a berth in the Rose Bowl.

This showdown marks the first time that both teams have entered the game with the "winner take all" scenario, surprising considering that the rivals are meeting for the 113th time. Oregon leads the overall series with Oregon State by a 56-46-10 margin, which includes a 65-38 romp over the Beavers in Corvallis a season ago.

Oregon State carries a four-game win streak into this game, and the current string of strong play has allowed the squad to move to 8-3 overall. The Beavers have been idle since November 21st when they crushed Washington State by a 42-10 final. They are 6-2 in Pac-10 action and have been competitive in every loss this season.

"I'm really proud of how these guys have battled back to this point," said Oregon State head coach Mike Riley after the romp over Washington State. "I think we'll have one of the great matchups for the Civil War ever. It's pretty exciting stuff."

Oregon is 9-2 overall, including a league-best 7-1 against Pac-10 opposition. The Ducks have won their last two outings, including a thrilling 44-41 overtime victory over Arizona two weeks ago in their most recent game. They have scored more than 40 points in five consecutive outings, proof of the explosiveness of their offense. Oregon's only two losses have come against Boise State, which is still undefeated, and Stanford. Both of those games took place on the road.

Few college football fans know anything about Sean Canfield, but the Oregon State quarterback certainly deserves credit for his outstanding play this season. Canfield has completed 70.3 percent of his passes for 2,797 yards with 19 touchdowns against six interceptions, strong numbers by most standards. He has certainly benefited from the presence of the Rogers brothers, Jacquizz and James, who are two of the most dynamic playmakers in the nation. Jacquizz Rogers leads the team in rushing with 1,313 yards and 19 touchdowns while placing second on the team with 67 catches. As for James Rodgers, he is tops in receiving with 77 catches for 865 yards and eight scores while also ranking second in rushing.

"It will be a tough test at Autzen, very loud," said Canfield, looking forward to Thursday's affair. "I've never started against Oregon, or played against Oregon for that matter. It will be fun."

Oregon State is scoring 32.4 ppg this season to go along with 422.2 total ypg. The Beavers are have only turned the ball over eight times in 11 outings, perhaps the most impressive stat of all.

Defensively, the Beavers have been rather mediocre this season, as the team is allowing 22.2 ppg and 340.5 total ypg. Oregon State has done its best work against the run, limiting the opposition to 98.5 ypg at a clip of 3.5 yards per carry. Unfortunately, the pass defense hasn't been nearly as stout. Keaton Kristick is certainly a player worth watching, as he has recorded 80 total tackles to lead the Beavers. Kristick has seven TFLs to his credit and two interceptions.

Against lowly Washington State last time out, Oregon State racked up 567 total yards, with 283 yards on the ground and 284 coming through the air. Jacquizz Rogers strengthened his darkhorse Heisman campaign with 165 rushing yards and two touchdown on 24 carries. Canfield threw for 231 yards and two scores, while James Rodgers was rather quiet.

As expected, the Oregon State defense was dominant against Washington State, limiting the lowly Cougars to 192 total yards and one touchdown. The Beavers enabled fewer than half of the passes they attempted to be completed and permitted a mere 2.5 yards per rushing attempt.

The strength of the Oregon offense is its ground attack, which has accounted for a staggering total of 32 touchdowns. The Ducks have registered a total of 47 offensive touchdowns and are scoring 37.7 ppg while generating 418.8 ypg. LaMichael James is a dynamic tailback who has posted 1,310 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging 6.9 yards per rushing attempt. As for Jeremiah Masoli, the team's quarterback, he has thrown 14 touchdowns against only four interceptions, while rushing for 619 yards and 12 scores. There is plenty of talent at the wide receiver position, and Masoli does a terrific job of spreading the ball around.

Oregon does not possess any star caliber defensive players on the roster, but there are a number of individuals who have made positive contributions this season. Javes Lewis leads the Ducks with 72 total tackles, and he has forced three fumbles. As for Kenny Rowe, he has posted seven sacks. Oregon is allowing 22.7 ppg and 324.0 total ypg this season. The team has permitted 14 passing touchdowns and 14 rushing scores, and while the defensive unit isn't exactly dominant, the group is usually overshadowed by Masoli and the offense.

In the thrilling win over Arizona last time out, Masoli played arguably the best game of his career. Not only did the signal caller pass for 284 yards and three touchdowns, he also rushed for three scores. James carried the ball 19 times for 117 yards, and Jeff Maehl caught 12 passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns.

"Its very hard to explain how to control an offense like theirs," said Arizona head coach Mike Stoops of Oregon.

Defensively, Oregon clearly struggled against Arizona, yielding 441 yards and five touchdowns, four of which were passing scores. On a positive note, the Ducks held the Wildcats scoreless on three of seven trips to the red zone.

Oregon gets the nod in this game, as the homefield advantage will be key. Masoli and James will be too much for the Beavers to handle.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Oregon 34, Oregon State 27

Georgia Cleans House On Defense, Fires Coordinator, Co-Coordinator, Position Coaches

2009-12-03T00:15:31Z

by Mark Humphrey - AP

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Georgia has fired defensive coordinator Willie Martinez, defensive co-coordinator and linebackers coach John Jancek, and defensive ends/special teams coach Jon Fabris.

Via EDSBS, the day Georgia fans have been waiting for: There's some serious bloodletting afoot in the Athens coaching ranks. Defensive coordinator Willie Martinez, defensive co-coordinator and linebackers coach John Jancek, and defensive ends/"part time special teams coach" (nope, no potential for trouble there) Jon Fabris will not be returning for the 2010 season.

Georgia's defensive woes have been protracted and well-chronicled, and this news will come as a relief to Bulldog partisans who saw last year's inept run defense flow into an utterly hopeless 2009 pass defense that couldn't keep guys within 5-7 yards of an intended receiver despite employing two senior corners and a junior safety. A partial list of quarterbacks permitted to look like demigods against Georgia this year includes Ryan Mallett (OK, understandable), Stephen Garcia (slightly less understandable), and Jonathan Crompton (wait, what??).

While Georgia's special teams play has been particularly atrocious (and that doesn't even include egregious kickoff/punt gaffes against Tennessee, Auburn, and Kentucky), the bulk of the blame will fall on Martinez, who was kept on past his prime by virtue of having been Mark Richt's best man, and who never managed to consistently adapt his defenses to the spread, tantamount to a death sentence in today's game. We wish Martinez all the best and do hope he catches on elsewhere in the SEC, that he might further hone his innovative "Widespread Panic Dancer With A More Refined Concept Of Personal Space" tackling strategy, the preferred afternoon delight of opposing receivers and running backs across the Southeast.

Louisville: A Head Coaching Stepping Stone To Bigger Things

2009-12-02T18:21:46Z

by Garry Jones - AP

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