Rich Rod starring in Fightin' Back the Tears Tour 09

Is RichRod trying to win a Big Ten title or Oscar? Seriously, he is openly weeping for the second time in like 18 months on national TV. Man up dude. The guy is amazing. He actually found a way to get a Bible reference in the news conference.

Rich also said during Monday's news conference that when he left West Virginia he didn't leave his brains or his ability to care for his players. However, we did find his dignity and character in Morgantown.

Did Richie Rod just spit the bit?

As 'Eer and myself took in a little high school football action today, he asked me if Rich Rodriguez went 3-9 again, would he really not get fired?

I said no. That firing Rich after two years would really set UM football back even further since he's spent his first 18 months recruiting guys for his system and getting rid of anyone who doesn't fit in.

But, I said, the incident that hurt Richie more than any was when freshman Justin Feagin got busted for being involved with a coke deal. Few universities take their image as seriously Michigan.


And then the Detroit Free Press has this. Ouch. In short, a number of anonymous players and parents accuse Rodriguez and his staff of pretty much ignoring NCAA rules regarding practice time limits, taking the "voluntary" out of offseason workouts and just general douchebaggery.

Some coaches would probably get the benefit of the doubt from their school. Coaches who go 3-9 at UM do not fall into that category.

Erroneous, erroneous ...

Indiana University's recent decision to sell a 2010 home game against Penn State to the Washington Redskins and FedEx Field is a great example of what's dragging down the Big Ten.

Teams in elite leagues can't take from its fans one of the best games on the schedule and give it to the highest bidder. Certainly the league office had to sign off on this deal. So conference officials are just as guilty of bringing down its own reputation.

Could you see Bobby Knight negotiating away a Hoosiers home basketball game when he coached at IU? Didn't think so.

So why would Indiana's Director of Athletics Fred Glass (left) agree to this? Seems a $3 million payday is more than the Hoosiers make for a home game.

"We're a PT boat in a conference dominated by aircraft carriers," said Glass, referring to conference big wigs Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State. "It's incumbent upon me to be creative and look for reasonable ways to close that revenue gap. I feel like this is a small step in that direction."

So what's next?

Make a deal with Michigan to play at Ford Field in Detroit? Maybe face Ohio State at Cleveland Browns Stadium? Neither scenario is much different than the deal in DC. Penn State has a large alumni base in the Virginia/DC/Baltimore area, so this is basically a home game for the Nittany Lions.

Phil and I have discussed this frequently on our podcast, and each of us agree it's time for the lower half of the Big Ten programs to step up financially. That doesn't mean selling off home games, instead committing the dollars necessary to attract top coaches and develop the facilities that will bring in top recruits.

Apparently Indiana didn't get the memo.

Podcast: Episode 37

With the countdown to the start of college football down to single-digit days, An 'Eye and an 'Eer podcast is back to doing a weekly show. This week we have our first guest, Ryan Zundell from the podcast Brothers in 3-Z. Ryan brings to the table tons of knowledge about the Big East and WVU. So go check out his podcast, which takes a look at all sports.

After we let Ryan get back to his life, Phil and Tom lambast Lou Holtz for picking Notre Dame to play in the BCS Championship Game (what a dope). We also pick our sleeper teams for each conference, as well as consider Steve Spurrier's options if South Carolina gets off to a slow start this season.

Motivational material: USC Gamecocks

I love scouring the web during lunch for motivational videos that have either been produced by the university or a fan that helps everyone get pumped for the start of the season. Above is one for South Carolina. Found this video at USC blog Leftover Hotdog.

Big East shut out again

No Big East team is good enough to crack the AP Top 25 or the USA Today Coaches preseason polls. This once again proves how insignificant these polls are and how we should wait until the first week of October before a poll is released.

But now GQ is dissing the conference. In the magazine's America's 25 Douchiest Colleges not a single Big East team made the cut. Seriously GQ, have none of your editors or writers met anyone from UConn? And Matt Grothe alone should warrent South Florida consideration.

OK, Ohio State's inclusion is pretty funny, but how does the ACC's Virginia Tech and North Carolina not make the list?

It's like a Seinfeld episode in Ann Arbor

Oh, yeah, this seems like a great idea.

Unable to determine which quarterback of the three is playing the best so far in fall camp, Michigan coach Rich Rodriquez announced today he would play all three in the season opener against Western Michigan. I'm starting to think Rodriquez sits in a corner during practice whimpering and crying out "Pat White?" He probably can't even tell these three apart, so what does it matter? Here's a primer for you Rich:


-Nick Sheridan, the only returnee, author of such favorite's as "Ohio State 42, Michigan 7" from 2008; arm strength of the drummer from Def Leppard.

- Tate Forcier, true freshman who was nice to enough to skip prom and attend spring practice where he was immediately declared the future. Also has some kind of crazy-ass family if you read the crazy-ass family web site.

- Denard Robinson, who doesn't tie his shoelaces but is very fast.

Somewhere, Lloyd Carr sips a mojito and giggles.

Video: Bama's claim to 12 titles a bit bogus

Clearly this video was made by an Auburn fan still smarting from the Tigers' failure to claim any part of the 2004 championship after going undefeated. But it doesn't mean this historical look at Alabama's claim of 12 national championships is not accurate. (Note to Facebook fans, go to our blog to watch video).

Smart Bud marketing = hypocritical presidents

Let the hypocrisy begin.

It seems a few dozen university presidents are all riled up because Anheuser-Busch recently began a marketing campaign featuring Bud Light beer cans with local schools' team colors. So Bud Light comes in maize and blue in Ann Arbor, and scarlet and gray in Columbus. Sounds pretty savvy to me.

However, these university presidents are claiming this will lead to more binge and underage drinking among their students (I don't remember the color of the can dictating my choice for binging).

Let's face it. The real concern is protecting the brand. Maize and blue belongs to Michigan. No one else is allowed to even think about using those two in combination on anything that isn't approved by the UM licensing department.

The can pictured here is one that is being sold near LSU's campus in Baton Rouge.

According to the Wall Street Journal, at least 25 schools have formally asked Anheuser-Busch to drop the campaign near their campuses. The paper also noted that the University of Michigan's lawyers threatened legal action for alleged trademark infringement, demanding that Anheuser-Busch not sell the "maize and blue" cans in the "entire state."

You can just sense the concern for underage consumption buried in all that legalese about trademark infringement.

Hypocrits.

Shirtless Tebow is no match for Andre Smith

Tim Tebow is going shirtless for GQ magazine. Doesn't Superman know former Alabama lineman Andre Smith already beat him to this? Just look at Smith's amazing physique.

I actually heard a few TV heads were criticizing Tebow for not possessing rock-hard abs. Seriously? Most of my friends (including yours truly) would kill for those muscles. Besides, have you seen the beating Tebow takes? He needs a little padding to absorb all of those hits.

Bringing boring football practice into your living room since 2008

The Big Ten Network has had its share of detractors (ahem, yours truly), but even I will admit that the preseason traveling show "Big Ten Tour" has sucked me in. (I'm not sure if that's more of an indictment of my lack of personal life or that I'm just excited for football. I will neither confirm nor deny that I'm currently watching a Purdue pass rush drill.) The show itself is standard fare Big Ten Network clatter - cliche-filled coach interviews, cliche-filled player interviews, cliche-filled analysis. BUT, if you're a fan of a program that locks down preseason practice like it's a CIA black ops (I'm looking at you, Jim Tressel) it's a rare chance to see players in action. If it were up to Tress, I'd imagine the non-conference games wouldn't even be televised just to keep Big Ten opponents from discovering he enjoys running the Power O on first down.

So, rock on, Big Ten Network.

And for the love of God, Revsine, put on some damn socks.

Is it possible...

that Syracuse was even worse than we'd imagined? Today, the Orange named transfer Greg Paulus their starting quarterback. You know, the guy who hasn't played football in four years. The guy who new coach Doug Marrone has no reason to play knowing he'll be gone in a year and isn't really someone you're exactly going to build a program around.

But no, the other options at QB for the Orange were so bad, Marrone had no choice but to stick Paulus behind center.

I guess maybe Paulus could have quickly recovered his timing, throwing motion and mastered the 'Cuse offense. Maybe Paulus will lead the Orange to an upset over Minnesota and Penn State in the first two weeks. But probably not.

Is Bozo a Tennessee Vol?

Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin has been called many things since being hired by the Vols. Heck, we call him Our Boy at An ’Eye and an ’Eer. Now Florida Gators tackle Matt Patchan says, "He's a bozo."

Guess I can see his point. However, Miami Herald reporter Joseph Goodman thinks Patchan was a bit short-sighted. He says:

"As a childhood fan of Bozo the Clown, I find this very offensive. It was Bozo the Clown, after all, who basically invented beer pong. It was Bozo the Clown, after all, who fueled our nation's love of space exploration by sending kids to space camp!"

Kiffin may not have invented anything, but he's certainly given a new meaning to "Mouth of the South."

Tennessee at Florida. OK, everyone raise their hand who can't wait for Sept. 19 to get here?

Buckeyes getting pumped up

For our Buckeye fans here is the latest inspirational video to give each of you hope Ohio State will actually win a big game this season. Enjoy.

WVU fans hope so

If Bill Stewart says the Mountaineers are Jarrett Brown's team I guess we have to take him at his word. God, I hope so.

Catching up with Heisman winners

I know, you're wondering what happened to former Miami Hurricane great Gino Torretta. Well, Gino is wealthier than most NFL players as he works for asset management firm GAMCO Investors, Inc. in Miami. Most of his clients are NFL and former NFL players.

Want to know what other former Heisman Trophy winners are doing today? The best source for getting the latest on Colorado's 1994 Heisman winner Rashaan Salaam is LostLettermen.com. Salaam is promoting martial arts fights in China and residing in San Diego, Calif.

Here are a few other interesting updates:

1963: Roger Staubach (Navy) — Pro Football Hall of Famer for Cowboys sold real estate business for $613 million in 2008; resides in Dallas.
1968: O.J. Simpson (USC) — Serving at least nine years in Lovelock, Nev., prison.
1972: Johnny Rodgers (Nebraska) — Owns JetWear kid’s bedroom store in Omaha, Neb.
1979: Charles White (USC) — Rehabbed drug addict works at USC as computer service engineer and resides in Long Beach, Calif.
1983: Mike Rozier (Nebraska) — Stay-at-home dad living in Sicklerville, N.J.

Other observations:

*2000 winner Chris Weinke (Florida State) is 37 years old. Wasn't he that old when he won the award?
* 1967 winner Gary Beban (UCLA) is the least recognizable name on the list.
* Look at this photo of 1966 winner Steve Spurrier (Florida). He was a smug SOB even then.

So this is what a Hokie looks like

Thanks for the great photos Virginia Tech. Now you see why no one outside of Blacksburg takes the Hokies seriously. Oh yeah, good luck against Alabama in that little season opener on Sept. 5 in Atlanta.

(Hat Tip: The Smoking Musket)

Listen up ... Mullen is impressive

Editor's Note: We don't know much about Mississippi State football, we don't plan to follow the Bulldogs much in 2009.

OK, with that said, let's get this straight ... this Dan Mullen guy was a great hire for Mississippi State. The former Florida Gator assistant is getting paid real well to work some real miracles in the SEC. I still have my doubts, but after listening to a few of his preseason interviews over at The Clarion Ledger, I can see how he may find a way to be successful in Starkville.

Just watch. He is impressive.

Podcast: Episode 36

It's time to give the Big Ten and Big East a little more credit than each has been getting lately. Seriously, does anyone who knows anything about college football really think Utah, Boise State, BYU or TCU would be any better than the third best team in any BCS conference? I didn't think so. Stop the complaining and let's get the season started.

We also give you who we think is the best player on a bad team (can you say Jake Locker?). We also give our picks for who will be this year's Clemson and fall quickly from the rankings into oblivion. Enjoy another podcast from Phil and Tom.

Ooooh, you people with your websites and opinions make me so mad!

So, CBS sports has put together All-Decade squad (2000-2009.) It seems a bit odd since that decade isn't even over, but hey, what the hell, right? Most people seem to have some silly rule about decades lasting 10 years. CBS Sports doesn't need your stinkin' rules, man!

Automatic email generator list

The big debate on this one? Tim Tebow at QB before he's even played his senior season. Now, i could point to some big Gary Danielson-led CBS Sports conspiracy (in cahoots with the SEC and NASCAR and Chick-Fil-A and sweet tea) but I shall refrain. Let's just say I'm a bit skeptical of Tebow over Pretty Boy Leinart, VY, Sammy Ballgame and Captain Krenzel. (Okay, I'm kidding about Krenzel.) But better than Sonny Cumbie????

But there's lot of questionable picks throughout this list:

- Michael Crabtree at WR?

- Greg Eslinger at C?

- Why are there three safeties among the DBs when you went out of your way to include a freaking center?

- Even I wouldn't take James Laurinaitis among DeMeco Ryans or Patrick Willis.

So take a look if you want your blood pressure raised or fire off an angry email to someone who wont' read it. Or don't. I don't care. Before this I had forgotten CBS Sports had a web site.

Randy Shannon ... this is reality... have we met?

Coaches, God love 'em, are bastions of positivity about the ability of their players right before the season starts. Miami coach Randy Shannon is proof. According to the Miami Herald, 'da U (shudder), wanted to extend Shannon's contract with a small raise, but Shannon has put talks on hold. Why would a coach who has a lifetime record of 12-13 and an ACC record of 6-10, NOT accept an extension?

Cause Randy Shannon thinks he's going to hit the coach lottery once 2009 is over:

He believes privately that Miami can go 9-3 or even 10-2, get into a major bowl and set up his young team for a realistic run at a national championship in 2010.

That means he believes UM can hold its own in the opening stretch of 19th-ranked Florida State, 15th-ranked Georgia Tech, No. 7 Virginia Tech and No. 3 Oklahoma -- the toughest first month in college football.

Randy, here's some advice, with a first four-game schedule like that, you might want to go ahead and sign that extension. That way, when you go 1-3 or 0-4 it won't seem like a COMPLETE disaster.

And yes, for typical Hurricanes yapping about their, uh, dominance in college football, you can read the link for details about Jacory Harris' pink suit he's wearing to the Heisman ceremony.

Tosh.O rips Tebow, Leinart

Tosh.O is hilarious. In less than 30 seconds he gets a great dig in on Tim Tebow and Matt Leinart. (Note to Tebow fans it's just a joke. Laugh with the rest of us).

Show Temple some respect

After winning five games last season Temple may be ready to make a run in the Mid-American Conference in 2009. The Owls, who got booted from the Big East, needs to improve on defense to be taken seriously.

Temple should open with a win against Villanova, but then the Owls travel to Penn State. The Nittany Lions should be just fine.

Wait a second. Am I writing about Temple? I guess I just got excited because there's actually video of Temple and that anyone would care. Anyone know where I can get video of Arkansas State?

Big East is MIA

Bloggers and columnists are signaling the end of the Big East since no conference team is in the USA Today Preseason Top 25 Coaches poll. All that really tells me is preseason polls are meaningless.

Boise State (16), TCU (17), Utah (18) and BYU (24) are all ranked. Seriously, does anyone think all four of these teams will be in the Top 25 at the end? Does anyone remember Clemson last year? The Tigers were ranked in the top 10 and considered the ACC's premiere team. How did that work out for Tommy Bowden?

Cincinnati is the highest ranked Big East team at No. 29, followed by Pitt (30), West Virginia (31) and Rutgers (32).

My guess ... Pitt, WVU and Rutgers are all in the final Top 25. But really, what does that mean today?

Expectations are high for Vols

Expectations are definitely high for the Volunteers and Our Boy Lane Kiffin. I almost feel bad for him because Urban Meyer is going to enjoy putting it to UT this year when the Vols travel to Gainesville on Sept. 19. Does anyone remember how Meyer repaid Mark Richt last year?

Big East expansion?

This may sound far-fetched and considering it came from the New York Post it just may be, but is the Big East in a position of strength when considering future expansion to 9 or 10 teams?

According to the Post, two sources say the Big East would like to expand to nine teams if it can get ... wait for it ... an ACC team to bolt. The likely schools? Maryland or Boston College. This is a big step up from others who have been mentioned (East Carolina, Memphis, Central Florida, Army, Navy) as likely Big East expansion partners.

The Terrapins and Eagles seem a bit of a stretch for the Big East, especially when you consider the money the ACC is making these days and the academic profile that comes with being in that conference.

Look a little deeper and you can see the logic.

Maryland has always played Big East teams in non-conference tilts and Gary Williams would add another big-name coach to the best basketball conference in the country. Boston College has learned that the jump to the ACC may have been a bit shortsighted. In the down economy the Eagles have learned that traveling up and down the East Coast for soccer and softball aren't fiscally responsible. BC also has many more natural rivals in the Big East.

So is this a pipe dream or realistic in the near future?

"I think we've proven ourselves over the last three or four years," said new commissioner John Marinatto. "I think we are in a much better position."

Maybe this isn't so far-fetched.

Mosaic of the Day

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Thanks to Twitter Mosaic you can see who is following us on Twitter. Now my question is: Why aren't more of you following us? Get to it now. Follow us at twitter.com/eyeandeer.