Desperate measures

Jim Tressel is so determined to catch up with the rest of the nation's best teams that Ohio State has now turned to the cheerleaders for infusion of speed. Congrats Josh Springer and good luck. Hey Phil, do think this will work?

Will anybody be sober?

LSU's Tiger Stadium at night? You have got to be kidding me.

Well, in the fall of 2010 West Virginia will trek down south to face LSU in a night game. To quote the kids, "This is going to totally off the hook." (They still say that right?)

Picture this: About 80,000 totally blitzed cajun inbreds co-mingling with 15,000 liquored-up hillbillies. Sweet!!! ESPN will need a permanent crowd-cam, and Erin Andrews will think Rey Maualuga's sneak attack was consensual.

This is an outstanding non-conference match up. WVU is proving that its not afraid to play anyone anywhere. With Colorado and Auburn on the schedule in 2009, Michigan State in 2010-11 and Florida State in 2012-13. Of course the Mountaineers are saddled with playing in-state stepchild Marshall for what seems like an eternity.

LSU and Les Miles have also proven that they will take on all challengers also, unlike many others in the SEC who fear leaving the warm weather and comfort of the South. The Tigers face Washington this season and again in 2012.

Would have loved this game more during the Pat White/Steve Slaton era when the Mountaineers owned the SEC. But if HC Bill Stewart can get out of his own way WVU could continue its dominance over the nation's best conference.

I can't wait for this game. Maybe we should start celebrating now.

Fulmer Cup update

We spoke about the Fulmer Cup, the brainchild of the geniuses at EveryDayShouldBeSaturday, on the podcast yesterday. Since both Phil and I picked Tennessee to win the title this year thanks to the hands-off leadership and discipline of Lane Kiffin I thought I should check the latest standings.

While I stand behind my pick, it was interesting to see the Volunteers haven't cracked the list yet. (Graphic courtesy of EDSBS). Of course the Mountaineers didn't disappoint and have earned two points thanks to Jock Sanders.

Podcast: Episode 24

Coming at you a day early, Phil and Tom are doing their best to survive the harsh winter months and no college football. So doing the podcast is one way to cheer us up.

On today's show we look at the best and worst places for coaches, evaluate the pros and cons of the NFL combine and provide our pick for the annual Fulmer Cup. Our quick hitters also provide some insight into the future at Ohio State and WVU. Hope you enjoy Episode 24.

First tickets then coaches

Michigan's Athletic Department says it is thanking its fans for loyal support and wants to provide them with a price break at the ticket booth this fall. Wolverine fans will pay on average almost $4 less a ticket in 2009.

It is a nice gesture considering Ohio State and Michigan State announced each will raise ticket prices this fall. Let's be realistic, though. The Buckeyes and Spartans have a much better product to put out on the field next season.

UM is smack dab in the middle of the nation's economic crisis. The auto industry is floundering and Michigan residents are losing jobs at alarming rate. So the fan base may be loyal and large, but they are broke.

But this also feels like the AD is saying thanks to the fans for coming to those crappy games last fall as the Wolverines lost more games than any other time in their history and they are losing confidence in RichRod.

So for $50 you can see Michigan open the season Sept. 5 against Western Michigan.

Who's left to fire?

This is total speculation, but South Florida coach Jim Leavitt doesn't seem like a great boss. That might explain the mass exodus of assistant coaches over the past two weeks from the Bulls' program.

On Thursday, it was defensive backs coach Troy Douglas who made 3-for-3 in coaching losses after he resigned Wednesday to take the same job under Butch Davis at North Carolina. Other recent defections were defensive coordinator Wally Burnham and offensive coordinator Greg Gregory.

Remember how pissed Leavitt was when Gregory was looking to leave for the University of Florida? He's probably running around the Bulls football facilities yelling at everyone today.

Little advice Jim. Maybe you should dial it down a notch and show a touch of compassion.

The PR Pirate

Texas Tech and it's bizarro lawyer/pirate/six plays in my offense coach, Mike Leach, are in a contractual showdown that is reaching new depths of silliness.

As of Tuesday night, Leach still hadn't signed his extension. That's important because it was the deadline Texas Tech set for Leach to sign the contract offer.

Leach and Tech don't disagree over money, but over compensation if Leach were ever fired.

Tired of getting bad press, Leach responded by hiring a PR agency and having a rally - for, uh, himself. Does the band show up for that one?

This reminds me of one of those many games when Leach decides to go four a fourth and long in his own territory early in the game and it comes back to bite him in the ass.

Anti-BCS? Here's a site for you

For all of the anti-BCS and pro-playoff folks out there it seems there is an online movement, which includes College Football Hall of Famer Anthony Davis, that should make you very happy.

There's even a nice breakdown of who would have made the 16-team playoff from 1998 through 2008.

The site is actually pretty crappy looking and makes a weak attempt to leverage political power and opinions to add legitimacy. But the playoff system is not going to gain any real footing unless ESPN demands it. Even then I'd be surprised to see it happen.

Give me my bowls. I still believe it's a better system and wouldn't change a thing.

Kiffin is the reincarnation of Tim Johnson

I finally figured out who Lane Kiffin reminds me of ... former Toronto Blue Jays manager Tim Johnson.

Remember Johnson? He was a great coach, a players' manager and he couldn't stop talking. His stories got more elaborate and less truthful by the day. Eventually his diarrhea of the mouth caught up with him and cost him his job.

Now it's Kiffin who doesn't know when to shut up or how to tell the truth. Recently, Kiffin has accused Urban Meyer of recruiting violations (that weren't true) and then he half-heartedly apologized. He also insulted Pahokee (Fla.) High School coach Blaze Thompson by saying he didn't trust the coach and set up a private fax for recruit Nu’Keese Richardson to fax in his letter of intent.

Now he's telling SI that he has fired and run off employees who weren't cutting it under the new regime. Based on the article, Kiffin wasn't pleased with the work ethic of the support staff he inherited from Phillip Fulmer. It seems once again this isn't very factual.

Blame Kiffin hasn't even coached a game at Neyland Stadium and the Tennessee administration has to really be concerned about the direction of the once storied program. Maybe they could have an intervention from Pat Summit. She wins and loses with class and could definitely teach the young pup a thing or two.

This could be a long year in Knoxville.

Podcast: Episode 23

Has it really been two weeks already? Guess so because Phil and Tom are back in the studio with a new podcast for everyone. They're talking about the poor economy and the impact on College Football, Ole Miss and its 38 recruits, the potential of Jon Gruden landing on his feet at the collegiate level and poor Larry Coker. Hope you enjoy Episode 23.

Finally some sanity

College football and reality usually don't mix well.

There was the recent revelation the University of Tennessee is paying overhyped wunderkind Lane Kiffin and his bloated staff more than $5 million. There is Texas Tech giving Mike Leach a take or leave it ultimatum on a contract extension that includes something like $12 million more for college football's most overrated coach.

Did anyone at these universities realize we're experiencing an economic meltdown?

Well, finally news that some programs are acknowledging what the rest of us are experiencing is encouraging. The Associated Press reported today that the University of Miami will trade in flights for charter buses and in other story that the three largest schools in Mississippi are preparing for rough times.

This is just the start. No university is immune to the recession. Except maybe Notre Dame, who flew coaches to Hawaii like every day to get linebacker Manti Te'o to commit to the mainland.

Watch out, Saskatchewan, here come the teenagers

We're a little behind with this one, but in case you missed, RB recruit Bryce Brown has a manager/trainer who is threatening to take his client to the CFL instead of college. After committing to Miami last year, where his brother plays, Brown didn't sign with any team on signing day, instead dragging this out a little longer. Brian Butler, who gained all his extensive football knowledge as a cell phone salesman, says he could get $5 million a year for Brown's services north of the border. Slight problem, BB, as the salary cap in the CFL is $4.2 million - per team.

Butler also has a web site where you can get the latest about Brown's recruitment for $9.95 a month or $59 a year. Dammit, if only my credit card wasn't at its limit.

I, for one, welcome this development. It's about time football matched it's NCAA brethren, men's basketball, in absolute corruption, sleaziness and street agents. Next season, I'm sure Butler will become an assistant coach somewhere.

Sportswriters don't like recruiting

As much as I loathe Mitch Albom for his career of Detroit homerism, typewritten fellacio of the Fab Five and that pile of overwrought suck known as "Tuesdays with Morrie" - I will agree with parts of his column in the Detroit Free Press.

There were probably about 100 of these columns written across the country, mostly cause sportswriters hate covering recruiting.
I don't blame them. It's a real pain in the ass calling some kid who will change his mind tomorrow morning.

Here's the rub, newsjournos - hundreds of thousands of psychotic fans DO like recruiting. Newspapers are dying. This might give people a reason to pick up the paper, but gee, it's a pain.

Hmmm....guys, you might want to suck this one up for the sake of your jobs.

In other recruiting overanalysis, Bob Hunter of the Columbus Dispatch tells me that the population migration South is hurting Ohio State's recruiting.

Eh. Sort of. OSU, Michigan and Notre Dame can still grab the top players who aren't far off of their Southern contemporaries. The real difference is in the bottom half of the Big Ten. The depth just isn't there any more.

Lane Kiffin: The Man of Many Excuses

Despite Kiffin-gate and all the heat Tennessee's new football coach has taken since National Signing Day, the guy sure knows how to stay positive. Sorry Vols, but this just seems like a real disaster in waiting ... despite the great coaching staff. The guy in charge is way in over his head.

He just seems to have too many excuses for someone who needs to be successful right now.

This video, which is courtesy of the Knoxville News Sun, is Kiffin's way of explaining away any first-year deficiencies. Love the enthusiasm Lane, but the SEC chews up guys like you and spits them out.

Don't mess with this guy

Here's a bit of advice for the WVU football team: Don't mess with incoming freshman Branko Busick of Steubenville. Not only is this dude the son of Big Bully Busick, but he also aspires to be a Mixed Martial Arts fighter after his days in Morgantown.

No surprise here ... Branko is one of Ohio's top 215-pound prep wrestlers and could play a role for the Mountaineers as a freshmen if Bill Stewart is still trying to find a short-yardage solution at fullback next fall.

So if a fight breaks out on High Street, make sure Branko is on your side.

Kiffin trashes Meyer ... then apologizes

Man, I just wish Lane Kiffin had been right. Unfortunately after calling out Urban Meyer for a recruiting violation in public, Kiffin had to apologize after the SEC and NCAA said he was wrong.

But this is going to make the Tennessee-Florida rivalry 100 times better than the past few years under Phil Fulmer. Just listen to this guy. I don't know if he can coach a lick, but he's getting the Rocky Top faithful fired up.

Video: Coach with the Roll

Another great production by LSUfreek. As college football fans were consumed with National Signing Day yesterday, this guy puts it into perspective. (Tip of the cap to EDSBS and Longhorns' fan Mark Schram).

No podcast? No problem

It's another podcast off week for Phil and Tom. So instead of talking, we tackle a few questions and give your our thoughts. Here we go:

As most of the nation's top recruits signed on the dotted line as part of National Signing Day today, how did West Virginia (Tom) and Ohio State (Phil) fare?

Tom: This may well be WVU's best recruiting class in decades. So a big tip of the cap to Doc Holliday and the rest of the coaching staff. However, the Mountaineers did lose one blue chipper when Pompano Beach (Fla.) Blanche Ely HS cornerback Michael Carter spurned the Mountaineers for Minnesota. I don't totally get this one, but it's a big loss. I believe Carter could have been the best signing of the day if WVU had snagged him. I'm still pleased with the class, though. There is no question that Chesapeake, Va., receiver Logan Heastie, Miramar, Fla., quarterback Eugene Smith and Baltimore running back Tavon Austin are the keys to this class. But WVU fans shouldn't overlook Smith's teammate and receiver Stedman Bailey, who could be a real star.

Phil: I've seen Ohio State's class ranked anywhere from No. 1 to No. 6 for whatever that's worth. The Buckeyes signed 25 and four are already enrolled in school. There was one big defection when CB/WR Justin Green changed his mind to sign with Illinois. That was a loss because Green was apparently a top-notch athlete, but other than that some very good players will become Buckeyes, including the top two players in Pennsylvania. I particularly like the offensive line class with Marcus Hall of Cleveland Glenville, Jack Mewhort of Toledo Central Catholic, Sam Longo of Bellbrook and Cory Linsley of Youngstown Boardman. Combine that with two other signees who could play up front in TE Reid Fragel of Grosse Pointe, Mich., and DT Adam Bellamy of Aurora and it's a more athletic group than what OSU has featured in recent years.

Staying in the Big 10, Penn State signed another strong class despite Joe Paterno not visiting a single high school this year. Yes, Paterno is a living legend and known everywhere, but at some point isn't this lack of mobility or maybe willingness to leave State College going to hurt the Nits?

Phil: It's not a killer, but it doesn't help. PSU isn't really a recruiting power and hasn't been since the mid-90s. Not to say they don't sign good players. But if you notice the inroads Pitt and now Ohio State have made in Western Pa., I think Paterno's lack of interest in recruiting, as well as his age, have made a difference.

Tom: He's fortunate to have the reputation around the northeast and assistant coaches who can recruit. But I have to think that his inability to fulfill a basic coaching duty will hurt if he coaches much longer. Since he's like a 115 now, JoPa only has a year or two left in him.

On last week's podcast we discussed the game we'd like to see WVU and Ohio State play on a regular basis. That was actually pretty easy for both of us to answer. But who on the schedule would we replace? Is it the Division I-AA opponent or someone else and why?

Tom: This is a tough call. I like WVU's non-conference slate for the most part. In 2009 the Mountaineers get home games with Colorado and Marshall, and a road contest with Auburn. So the Liberty game is an easy call from my perspective to drop. However, this is the type of game you schedule to work out the kinks, and WVU could use that next year with a lot of new faces on the field. So it would most likely have to be Auburn or Colorado in the future since those agreements are usually two-year deals and then they go off the books.

Phil: Realistically, Ohio State's schedule is never going to be more difficult than next year's out of conference slate with Navy, USC and New Mexico State. Personally, I'd prefer never seeing a I-AA team in Ohio Stadium again, even if those Youngstown State teams were better than some I-A teams. I guess I'd like to NOT see anymore Ohio MAC teams on the schedule. Those games mean everything to those schools and nothing to OSU. It's a lose-lose for the Buckeyes. And I'm paying $63 a ticket next year.

With today being signing day, of course there must be a recruiting champ. Depending on who the expert is doing the ranking, a number of school's can claim to be No. 1 in recruiting. Do these rankings really mean anything?

Phil: They do, but in a very vague, overarching way. Let's put it this way - it's better to be on or near the top than at the bottom. There is some semblance of truth to these rankings. Is there a big difference between being No. 1 and No. 10? Not really.

Tom: I would argue there's not much difference between being No. 1 and No. 30. It's too early to measure desire and heart of these 17 and 18-year-olds. I would much rather be the top class, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over being the 30th class if you feel you filled needs.

National Signing Day hoopla

This is just more proof of how overblown and theatrical the National Signing Day has become. Can we just stop the madness? I found this obscene display at The Birmingham News. I'm sure the folks in Alabama thought it was great.

Protecting the house

While eating lunch and scanning for anything about college football that isn't recruiting related I stumbled across this interesting post at Zombie Nation, the kind of college football blog that I prefer. Humorous, but not stupid. It also offers interesting posts. Only negative for me is it's all about Penn State. But still a great resource.

Great research and interesting to see that Phil and Tom's interests, Ohio State and West Virginia, made the cut. The Buckeyes are 25-3 at home since 2005, while the Mountaineers are 22-4. Also interesting, but not surprising, is that Boise State tops the list at 25-0.

Here are the home schedules for OSU and WVU in 2009.

Ohio State
Sept. 5
Navy

Sept. 12
USC

Sept. 26
Illinois

Oct. 10
Wisconsin

Oct. 24
Minnesota

Oct. 31
New Mexico State

Nov. 14
Iowa


West Virginia
Sept. 5
Liberty

Sept. 26
Colorado

Oct. 3
Marshall

TBA
East Carolina
Louisville
Connecticut
Pittsburgh

Even FSU has standards

Even though it involved notorious rules-breaker Florida State, and the very lenient Bobby Bowden (damn he's getting tougher in his old age), it comes as no surprise that Seminoles wide receiver Preston Parker was dismissed from the team.

Parker was arrested Saturday morning and charged with DUI after police found him passed out behind the wheel of his car at a McDonald's, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.

Even FSU couldn't let Parker stick around any longer. This had to be a tough decision since the Seminoles are thin at receiver. In 2008, Parker led all wide receivers with 40 catches.

One day break from College Football

We won't do this too often at An 'Eye and an 'Eer, but someone both Phil and Tom know won $1 million from Doritos in the Frito-Lay product's third annual "Crash the Super Bowl" commercial contest. We both know Dave Herbert from his baseball playing days at Marietta College. Dave teamed up with his older brother, Joe, and their commercial, which included a crystal ball (actually a snow globe) that was thrown at a vending machine and a boss, was aired for the first time nationally during Super Bowl XLIII Sunday.

Now you can watch it.

Economists take on recruiting

National Signing Day is almost here, and a buddy of mine at work were chatting about it recently. He referred me to an interesting site maintained by three economists at Stetson University.

The College Football Recruiting Prediction Model contains information about an econometric model that has been developed by three economists (Mike DuMond, Allen Lynch and Jennifer Platania) to predict the collegiate choices of high school football players.

Their success rate is pretty impressive, but luckily for WVU fans they were wrong on two -- Michael Carter (predicted to go to Florida) and Eugene Smith (predicted to go to Alabama). The Mountaineers did lose one on their model -- Jerod Askew to Tennessee.

Tuesday will find out how accurate.