Nick Saban is a baller

I don't need to tell you that Nick Saban's a lucky man. He makes millions, coaches at one of the best college football programs in the nation and his Crimson Tide should be competing for the SEC championship this fall.

But Saban's season was almost put into jeopardy following an injury to his left hand following a pick-up basketball game in the Noon Basketball Association in Tuscaloosa. OK, he wouldn't really miss the season. But could he be considering coaching from the press box to protect himself from more damage?

Charlie Weis is a tough guy and will coach from the sidelines despite the strain on his surgically repaired knee. Saban appears to be equally strong and will not require any special treatment this fall.

Sounds like some good work by team physician Dr. James Andrews.

Immortalizing Tebow

For those millions upon millions of Tim Tebow fans out there who can't figure out why so many people hate the All-American boy need to look no further than Urban Meyer. His man-crush or bromance with his quarterback was elevated last week when he Florida unveiled this plaque.

I understand the importance of great speeches or emotional moments and what they mean in college sports. But wait until the guy graduates before immortalizing him. Let him come back in three to five years--when his professional career is well over--and make it a special moment at The Swamp.

This was actually a wasted moment, but also another reason for so many to hate on Tebow.

Quit hating Gators

Dear Florida,

Why do you despise Our Boy, Lane Kiffin, so much? Sure he's talked a little trash, and maybe he misspoke when he said Urban Meyer cheated this recruiting season. But really, don't you have more important things to worry about than worrying about every move Our Boy makes?

Certainly Tim Tebow needs help doing circumcisions in some Third World nation. Or maybe Urban Meyer needs someone to hold the mirror as he repeats to himself, "I am the greatest football coach ever." There's always Chris Rainey, who no doubt could use help finding more white girls to study with.

It just seems there are more important things for the fans and players at such a great institution to worry about than the Our Boy trying to rebuild Tennessee. Can you just redirect all of that hate back on Alabama or Georgia?

Best wishes,
An 'Eye and an 'Eer

Podcast: Episode 26

With everyone mesmerized by March Madness, Phil and Tom provide some perspective on how this playoff system would not work for football. We also look at the Big 10 and Big East teams that face the biggest question marks this spring (HINT: Michigan and Louisville), and we make a pledge to not discuss Notre Dame football again until the Fighting Irish play a meaningful game. Our dynamic duo also do some rapid fire questions, including one on why the defending national champion Florida Gators are afraid to play The U.

Video of OUR boy

We love Lane Kiffin. He's young, good looking and has a hot wife. And he's the coach at Tennessee. Who care's if a lot of garbage spills from his lips every time he speaks. Just listen and you'll want to play for the Vols also.

Coaching through Twitter

The news that a number of college coaches have turned to Twitter as a way to communicate with recruits and fans is interesting. But can we really believe that Pete Carroll and Rich Rodriguez are really sitting down or jumping on their Blackberry to offer their latest thoughts on lunch and March Madness?

I have been pretty skeptical until I read that Minnesota coach Tim Brewster is now on board because he didn't want to be outdone on the recruiting trail. Brewster's first Tweet was on Monday and since he has eight additional posts. He must be pissed because most of his Tweets are in all CAPS.

Look, I'm all for the coaches getting any advantage they can within the rules. But I'm still pretty skeptical when it comes to who is writing these updates. These guys don't even vote in the Coaches Poll like they claim, so should I really believe that RichRod is writing, "Good work done at practice today. Watching film with the Coaches. Go Blue!"

I believe in the power of Twitter. Heck, I update out account (which by the way you can find here). But one thing is for sure, I won't be following any of these accounts. I would encourage fans to follow some of the better college football Twitter accounts (besides ours).

Check out:

Donnie Webb and Syracuse football
Sean Keeley at Nunes Magician
Mike Hlas at The Hlog
EveryDayShouldBeSaturday
Rocky Top Talk and Tennessee football
Peter Bean at Burnt Orange Nation
Ryan, Trent and Adam at Brothers In 3-Z

A loss is loss even in Atlanta

I guess when you win only 33.3 percent of the games you may want to change things up a bit. That seems to be the mantra of Georgia coach Mark Richt, who is supporting the idea that the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" use the Georgia Dome as an alternate site every four years. The idea originated with the Atlanta Sports Council.

Currently the Dawgs face the mentally stronger Florida Gators each season in Jacksonville. Richt is 2-6 since becoming the head coach. Urban Meyer and his team have a much shorter trip, but the crowd is usually about a 50-50 split. Playing in Atlanta would make an easier trip for the Bulldogs from Athens, but not sure it can help their mental game.

The only time I can remember in recent history that UGA had any swagger was when Richt allowed his players to get freaky after scoring an early TD.

And UGA blogger T Kyle King at Dawg Sports makes a great point on why keeping the game in Jacksonville may be a smarter idea.

Look, Florida has dominated this rivalry lately, winning 16 of the last 19 meetings. But this is one of college football's greatest traditions and there's no reason to mess with it. Besides, at least Richt and the Dawgs have an excuse for their miserable record against the Gators.

What's the excuse when you lose in Atlanta?

Dadgummit, y'all are just mean

Shockingly, Bobby Bowden thinks the NCAA's recommended penalty of taking away past victories from his FSU program is "too stiff." Bowden, who is one game behind JoePa in all-time victories in Division I, could lose as many as 14 wins under the ruling. FSU athletes across all sports apparently cheated in an online music history class.

Online music history. And there was cheating? Get out.

"Does the punishment fit the crime? I think that's the thing, that's the thing we gotta find the answer to right there," Bowden said.

Uh, Bobby, I think when the NCAA hands down a punishment, they do it specifically with the crime in mind. In fact, I'd say that is EXACTLY WHAT DETERMINES THE PUNISHMENT. HENCE THE ENTIRE CRIME AND PUNISHMENT FACTOR.

Can Randy Shannon survive 2009?

With two consecutive outstanding recruiting classes in the books it would appear the Miami Hurricanes could be a national player again real soon.

But Miami is still relatively young (while experienced) and Coach Randy Shannon is turning over the offense to a tested Jacory Harris, who is a true sophomore. Defensively Miami should be solid with great team speed and unlimited potential. However, the Canes knack for playing undisciplined could be costly. Another concern is the the turnover on the coaching staff.

With all of that said, the biggest obstacle for UM in 2009 is a tougher-than-usual schedule. Eight of Miami's 12 opponents played in bowl games in 2008. Those teams are Florida State (Champs Sports Bowl), Georgia Tech (Chick-Fil-A Bowl), Virginia Tech (Orange Bowl), Oklahoma (BCS title game), Clemson (Gator Bowl), Wake Forest (Eagle Bank Bowl), North Carolina (Meineke Car Care Bowl) and South Florida (St. Petersburg Bowl).

The Canes also open the season in Tallahassee against an improved, but reeling Florida State following NCAA sanctions.

So if you give Miami wins against Florida A&M (Oct. 10), at Central Florida (Oct. 17), Virginia (Nov. 7) and Duke (Nov. 21)--and let's be realistic UM has struggled with the Cavaliers and Blue Devils--what kind of record could we expect from Miami?

At this point it would be hard to see the Canes defeating FSU, Georgia Tech (Sept. 17), at Virginia Tech (Sept. 26) or Oklahoma (Oct. 3). So we're at 4-4. I'll give them Clemson (Oct. 24) because of the Dabo Swinney effect (similar to Bill Stewart last year) and at South Florida (Nov. 28) since the Bulls seem to dive at the end of the season. Record now is 6-4.

What's left? Two tough ACC road games with Wake Forest (Oct. 31) and North Carolina (Nov. 14). Please, someone tell me how Miami is going to win either of these games? So at 6-6 does Randy Shannon survive another season?

I don't think so.

Recognize the greatness

Recognize the greatness of Lane Kiffin.

While everyone in the SEC, except Tennessee, can't stand Kiffy, the suave dude can flat out recruit. He worked his magic again on Monday as the Vols got a major commitment from Kansas prep standout Bryce Brown, a running back who initially committed to Miami and is ranked the top prospect in the Class of 2009 by many experts.

This comes just one week after another top running back prospect, David Oku, re-upped with the Vols after backing out of his commitment. Oku played his high school ball in Oklahoma, but recently transferred to a Lincoln, Neb., high school.

While UT fans are pumped about the potential of Brown remember what comes with him ... a traveling circus that has been in full force for nearly 40 days since National Signing Day came and went. Something also seems a little off with the entire recruiting process and his "handler."

So as Vols fans cheered the announcement Monday, I wonder if the real winners were actually the places he didn't choose.

Coach-in-Waiting no more

Congratulations Chip Kelly. You've accomplished what Florida State's Jimbo Fisher hopes to do to Bobby Bowden, and what Texas' Will Muschamp may wait a very long time for Mack Brown to hand over the keys to the Longhorns.

Kelly becomes the head coach at Oregon on March 30 after Mike Bellotti announced his resignation today to become the Ducks' Director of Athletics on July 1. Bellotti will be a tough act to follow. He finishes with a 116-55 record, and his 72 Pac-10 victories ranks sixth in conference history.

Kelly is considered one of the top offensive coaches in the country, and his understanding of the Xs and Os made him a top coaching candidate. Therefore, Oregon brass decided to follow the latest trend and name him Bellotti's coach-in-waiting. He just didn't have to wait that long.

That has to piss off Fisher and Muschamp.

Cute 'Cuse dance

Appears the Syracuse football players are enjoying themselves now that the Orange have a new coaching staff. Syracuse's Jonathan Meldrum, Bud Tribbey and Josh White are not the greatest dancers, but give them high marks for choreography in the mirror room to Souljaboy.

Let's hope more players (and maybe coaches ... come on Lane you got it in you) challenge the 'Cuse this offseason in our own Dancing With the Stars-type competition. Syracuse is leading the pack right now.

Hat tip to NunesMagician.com.

Podcast: Episode 25

Now for some questions. If the NCAA really makes Florida State vacate a number of victories because of the latest scandal is this the beginning of the end for Bobby Bowden? Is there anyone more exciting for college football right now than Lane Kiffin at Tennessee? Do we really need spring football games? What was UT-San Antonio thinking when it hired Larry Coker? These are just a few of the topics that Phil and Tom discuss this week on their College Football Podcast.

Time to borrow the wife's iPhone

I could watch college football every day, so you can imagine February through April is really long. Thankfully I'm a horrible golfer and that helps me pass the time from May to August. But after watching the above video about a new iPhone application, I believe I have a way to pass the time waiting for college football to start again. Now can I get my wife to lend me her iPhone or should I just buy one myself?

Perp walk

OK, it's not actually a perp walk, but the photos released today of former Oklahoma Sooners All-American Brian Bosworth being cuffed and stuffed are worth posting. It's not a funny scene. A once great, but messed up player in his 40s and on the cusp of possibly being named to the
College Football Hall of Fame is being hauled away to jail. The only funny thing is the overweight female cop, who appears to be chuckling as she leads him away.

Here are more photos of this proud moment for the Boz.

The Boz busted

Can anyone name a time Brian Bosworth made a good decision? Last night was another low point (not quite as bad as Stone Cold) when he was arrested for a DUI in California.

Look, I loved Bosworth when he was talking trash and not going to class at Oklahoma in the 80s. His Sooners couldn't beat the U, but he was an awesome college football player.

But last night's arrest is not a shock. This guy lived on the edge and that's what made him popular. What's shocking is that his arrest actually makes the news, especially TMZ. Are we really saying The Boz is still an actor? Was he ever?

Sweater Vest happy to discuss Clarett's blog

Maurice Clarett is our new Lane Kiffin. Two posts in three days. Hopefully it will stop soon. But when Sweater Vest took a few minutes to discuss Clarett's blog from prison with Palestra.net it seems like a good time for this subject to resurface.

SV is doing his best to put a positive spin on Clarett, but he almost seems too excited to talk about this. It's almost like the conversation went something like this:

Reporter: "Hey coach, have a few questions. What do you think about Maurice Clarett blogging from prison?"

SV: "What, no questions about the SEC? Nothing about our lack of speed in the secondary? Or on the offensive line?"

Reporter: "Nothing like that coach. Just want your thoughts on Maurice."

SV: "Sure you're not buttering me up so you ask me about losing in big games?"

Reporter: "Just Mo coach. That's it."

SV: "OK, but I'm wary."

White is a Wildcat

Pat White just may have a future in the NFL. It seems there are some football people who think the former West Virginia quarterback could play in the Wildcat Formation that the Dolphins popularized this past season.

After an impressive showing at the NFL Combine, White could be the shock pick on Day 1 of the Draft (April 25-26 in New York City). Look, if Ronnie Brown can be successful in the Wildcat think how good White could be. He could be a steal in the second round.

Clarett blogs from prison ... Buckeye Nation sighs

It would be easy to talk about his wasted talent, or how and where Maurice Clarett's life went astray. But when I read the latest about Clarett at ESPN.com, my first reaction was "good for him."

It seems Clarett, who struggled to pass a class at Ohio State, is now blogging from prison. Here is an excerpt from a recent entry at The Mind of Maurice Clarett:

"There’s no need to talk to a reporter these days. I am my own newspaper. I am my own editor. I am my own censor. I am able to put things into the proper context. I am able to control the content and I am educated enough to accurately express myself. I am able to distinguish to people in a unique fashion that football is just something that I do. Football is not Maurice Clarett."

The blog is interesting. There are glimpses of man on the inside reaching out. But this blog seems too organized. Too methodical. Too intelligent. I'm struggling to believe it is really him. If it is ... fine. It does prove one simple fact: you don't have to be a former sports editor or, OK, another former sports editor, to maintain an interesting blog.

The son of a bitch probably gets more traffic than we do also. Damn you Mo.

Welcome to our new blog about Lane Kiffin

I'm starting to think this is the only guy we care about anymore.

Here's the latest beauty. I wonder if Ed Orgeron gives a pep talk before the team showers.

Fulmer Cup shakeup

While the latest Fulmer Cup rankings won't be posted until later this week over at EveryDayShouldBeSaturday.com, we noticed at An 'Eye and an 'Eer that the
rankings should see a shakeup after this weekend.

Here's the latest in off-season debauchery:

* Two Ohio State freshmen enjoy dabbling in the drug paraphernalia.

* Ryan Mallett, the former rocket-armed, but slow-footed quarterback at Michigan, decided to partake in a little underage drinking and got busted for public intox in Fayetteville, Ark. Mallett is the favorite to start for the Razorbacks this fall.

* Speaking of underage consumption, Nebraska tight end Ben Cotton was nabbed after he couldn't maintain his composure. Those 19-year-olds just can't hold their liquor.

* Iowa, which has not choice but to appear serious when its players run afoul of the law, has suspended freshman defensive back Shaun Prater after being charged with driving while trashed.

So the Buckeyes crack the rankings, while the Mountaineers have a quiet weekend in Morgantown (not counting Bob Huggins' bender after WVU lost to Cincinnati for a second consecutive season).