Hope you'll join us!

What's in a name? Or URL?

Probably not much, but after nearly 20 months of blogging here we have decided to move off the Blogger site and go over to the FanVsFan platform. We're hoping all of you will follow us and continue to offer us your thoughts and feedback. If you want, join the FanVsFan network and read the features and articles posted by the many outstanding resources that are available there.

To keep up with us you'll want to move with us to eyeandeer.com.

Tebow: New face of video football

What's possibly the least surprising news of the day, Florida's Tim Tebow will grace the cover of EA Sports' College Football 2011 video game. According to the Gainesville legend, he's been a fan of the game since he was 6 and he's darn proud to be on the cover.

Please, wake me when the season starts.

Jock-ularity, jocularity, jocularity

WVU may be one of the final programs to begin spring practice, but WR Jock Sanders was in mid-season form when meeting with the media.


You gotta love it when Noel Devine pops in for a little love during the interview, and Sanders is really into the Batman and Superman reference. How long until HC Bill Stewart Tweets about this?

PS: If you don't get the headline then you're not a M*A*S*H fan.

Podcast: Episode 63A-The Bellotti Chronicles

Since Phil and Tom had already completed yesterday's podcast before reading the news about Mike Bellotti's departure from Oregon, and the surprising news that OU President Richard Lariviere pushed him out the door because the Ducks Athletic Department was not being run properly, they got together again to briefly discuss this topic.

Enjoy.

Podcast: Episode 63

OK, so we're a little late with the podcast. But it was worth the wait.

You'll enjoy Phil and Tom discussing:

• Ideas to improve spring practice and make it more fan friendly.
• What's wrong with Oregon football coach Chip Kelly's definition of suspension (did anyone notice that suspended QB Jeremiah Masoli is practicing).
• Why everyone is just plain foolish to think Boise State or TCU could pull off a Butler-like run in football. We also realize we may be the only two college football bloggers or podcasters who doesn't want a playoff in football.

Let's not forget our Quick Hitters.

This week Phil covers:

• Brian Kelly's constant bashing of his current Notre Dame team.
• Lane Kiffin the disciplinarian.
• What player Ohio State needs to find a replacement for most this spring.

Tom covers:

• The return of the Tebow smash in Gainesville.
• Big Ten expansion (Phil says we have to stop this).
• What player West Virginia needs to find a replacement for this spring.

Enjoy another show.

Big Ten playing the big bully

There is no way the 'Eye would be happy if Tony Barnhart's outlandish speculation comes true. I'm in no position to question Barnhart's sources or his own instincts when it comes to seeing into the Big Ten's future.

The scribe is one of the best college football guys around.

But does it make sense for the Big Ten to make the leap from 11 to 16 teams? Barnhart seems to think so. It would play well into B10 commish Jim Delany's ego as it has been rumored that this is his way to put a final stamp on his legacy.

Of course Barnhart's fact/fiction has the B10 raiding the Big East of Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Connecticut and Rutgers. The fifth and final addition would potentially be Notre Dame. This would all but doom the football sect of the Big East, and relegate West Virginia, Louisville, Cincinnati and South Florida will either be left for dead or hope the ACC or SEC scoops them up in an effort to not fall too far behind Delany's dream conference.

More realistically, the four remaining Big East teams would find a home in lesser conferences or try their best to salvage what's left by seeking new members from Conference USA and elsewhere. But maintaining BCS status will not happen.

The SEC doesn't need to overreact, but instead of taking what's left of the Big East it could look at adding Miami, Florida State, Clemson or even Texas.

All of this seems a little crazy, but remember what WVU's Bill Stewart said not too long ago, and Tony Barnhart wouldn't just throw out this crazy plan without some solid information. Right?

ND's Kelly: 'We stink!'

Brian Kelly will never admit it, but he's trying to accomplish two things by publicly undressing his players during spring drills.

Let everyone know that Charlie Weis ran a loose ship and discipline was not high on the former Irish coach's list.

Provide himself an alibi when the Irish finish 6-6 again (or allow the ND brass offer him a guaranteed 10-year deal when they reach a BCS Bowl).

To be completely up front, this is typical of Kelly. Watching him in the Big East the past few years this is exactly the way he approaches a new job and I believe he will be extremely successful within three years in South Bend.

Have fun guys. It's going to be a long spring.

Intimidation: The U style

I have nothing for this one. I guess this is the way The U intimidates its opponents these days. Apparently Voodoo and demonic possession works in the ACC.

Photos courtesy of The 7th Floor.

Erin Andrews: Dancing and Gator Chomping

I'm not a big reality TV person, but waiting for Lost to come on last night I caught the tail end of Dancing With the Stars. Just then I remembered that Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco and ESPN starlet Erin Andrews were contestants. So I paused for a moment as they were preparing to toss a "star" from the show.

When they announced Andrews would be staying she greeted us all with a proper, but unnecessary Gator Chomp in celebration. I'm a big Andrews fan and believe she's an outstanding sideline reporter. But just save us all some time and get hitched to Tim Tebow and produce more Gator offspring.

Save yourself some time and move to the 5:20 mark on the video (unless you want to watch more of Brooke Burke.

Stewart sings 'Country Roads'

Does anyone think Bob Huggins would act like this if West Virginia's football team was playing for a BCS Championship?

Fortunately for Huggy Bear his singing voice is safe as long as Bill Stewart is the head man at WVU. I know fans adore him for his down-home appeal and his unfettered love of the state. But was it necessary to head downtown and sing John Denver's "Country Roads?"

Stewart was performing mainly for locals as most of the students were off campus for spring break (HT: ESDSBS). That was good news for the Morgantown Fire Department as couch burning was kept to a minimum.

But is this really what the second highest paid person at WVU should be doing on a Saturday night. Guess I'd like him to concentrate on WVU's special teams a little more?

This Duck is good

Finally, an Oregon Duck football player who isn't getting arrested or dragged of to jail. Oregon defensive end Terrell Turner is being called an "angel" for being a good samaritan.

What happened to a stress-free spring?

Isn't Urban Meyer supposed to be relaxing?

Now we can see why Cyborg Meyer makes monthly trips to the ER for chest pains and 911 is on the speed dial. In the video you'll see Meyer criticizing Orlando Sentinel reporter Jeremy Fowler for quoting Gator receiver Deonte Thompson. It seems Thompson believes new UF quarterback John Brantley is more a QB than Tim Tebow because he's spreading the ball around.

Even die-hard Gator fans have to admit Meyer was way out of line, especially when he threatens Fowler. Real classy Urban.

Not so fast Pac-10

So all that expansion talk by the Pac-10 may be losing some steam. According to a recent article by Dennis Dodd at CBSsports.com, Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott says they may petition the NCAA to change the conference championship rule from 12 to 10 teams.

If this happens the Pac-10 wouldn't need to expand, nor share money with two other institutions. While a Pac-10 championship game means more money it's appeal is limited at best. Still, if this happens it would open the door for the Big Ten and Big East to have a conference championship without adding teams. This could also save the current conference alignments.

Scott also tells Dodd he has spoken with Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany and Big East commish John Marinatto about holding championship games without expanding to 12 or more.

This would definitely be of interest to the Big East and its eight football members, and possible to an extent the Big Ten and its 11 members. If Delany can't land, say, Notre Dame or Texas, maybe passing on expansion is a possibility.

However, the Big Ten's expansion is more about growing its TV network through large markets and cashing in on all of those homes paying a $1 or more to have the Big Ten Network, so Big Ten expansion is going to happen. It's also interesting to see the Pac-10 is still discussing a similar TV network with the ACC and Big 12.

This story is far from over. Too bad Marinatto remains (OK, he spoke with the Pac-10 from his luxury office in Providence, R.I.) on the sidelines as his conference is in a death roll.

Podcast: Episode 62

After back-to-back, jam-packed podcasts we have to admit that this one is a little lighter. Maybe it's March Madness or the lack of real football or a couple months. Oh well. Here's what we have this week.

When you consider the NCAA is looking to ruin the basketball tournament and expand to 96 teams because of greed, how much do you think it will screw up a football tournament if we let them have it? That's right, plenty. Money always wins.

We also take an early look at the coaches on the hot seat and who has the best chance of saving their job and who should be sending out resumes. Coaches aren't the only ones on the hot seat. How would you like to be replacing Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy or Sam Bradford? Think there's a little pressure on John Brantley, Garrett Gilbert and Landry Jones? We also try to explain what Oregon's Mike Bellotti is doing by going to ESPN. Enjoy another show.

Michigan: "Oooh, look at the pretty lights!"

Michigan has finally relented, announcing today it will play its first night game in history at "The Big House" in 2011 against Notre Dame.

This is big. I'm sure Les Miles will have his troops fired up to beat the Irish.

Tressel's contract extended. Shocker.

In news as unexciting as his demeanor, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel's contract was extended Wednesday. Apparently Tressel turned down a raise on the new contract which will run until 2015.

In coaching contract extensions are pretty much worthless and amount to legalese translation of "here's what we're going to pay you when we fire your ass." But in this case, the extension is probably more about recruiting as the Tressel retirement rumors will likely begin to start in a couple years.

But the interesting part, according to a tweet from OSU beat writer Ken Gordon of the Columbus Dispatch, is that this new contract contains a provision that if Tressel doesn't finish this entire extension, he gets a job as an assistant athletic director.

That's interesting on two fronts: A) Tressel was the AD at Youngstown State and reportedly loved the work and B) his previous contract guaranteed Tressel a spot on the faculty.

Seems to indicate the Senator is thinking about retirement. Maybe not next year, but coming sooner than most Buckeye fans are prepared for.

BCS Tournament Bracket

The folks at Playoff PAC don't need a crystal ball to see into the future. In the spirit of March Madness and bracketology, they have created the 2011 BCS Tournament Bracket. Not bad and probably accurate.

Way to bury the lead

Anyone who has ever watched WTAP-TV, a small NBC affiliate in Parkersburg, W.Va., understands that the reporters are green, overworked and underpaid. But if you get an exclusive interview with the head football coach from the state's flagship university do us all a favor -- don't bury the lead.

In a more than 11-minute interview with WVU's Bill Stewart, the TV head waits until the 7:13 mark to ask the big question -- his thoughts on Big Ten expansion. Stewart's response is somewhat surprising. He thinks the Big East is kaput. Here's what he said:

“It’s exciting, it’s disheartening as well. Exciting because the ACC, the SEC, the Big Ten and the Big 12 and Pac-10 — the ones out West won’t impact us but the Big Ten could. They’ll pick a couple of our teams. The SEC and ACC will also do the same. I don’t know where we’re going to land. We could land maybe in three conferences, in the ACC, SEC maybe Big Ten. But right now we’re still Big East and we need to keep that focus. That’s the disheartening thing because when you break up the Big East contingency like we have, we have a lot of fun, a lot of rivals. I hate to see that end, but there is exciting times on the horizon with those new conferences. We’ll be in one of them — which one I don’t know. But that’s down the road a couple years I believe.”

What?

Look I've been saying all along that the super conference model is coming, but Stewart is talking crazy again.

If the Big Ten decides to stop at one school, let's say Notre Dame, then the Big East goes unscathed and commissioner John Marinatto can finally man up and start talking about BE growth.

Now I don't want to totally discount Stewart here. He may just know more than anyone else is letting on and he's just being honest. There are reports the Big Ten presidents and ADs are meeting to discuss growing by three to five. If that happens it will transform the college football landscape and make Stewart look a bit prophetic.

But where WVU lands, if this happens, will be interesting. The ACC is the better geographic fit, but the Mountaineers aren't a good academic fit. West Virginia is actually a great fit for the SEC. That would be interesting.

Hopefully the next time WTAP gets a scoop it should lead with it.

Podcast: Episode 61

Can anyone talk about college football today and not mention expansion? We couldn't. We actually spend a great deal of time discussing the hot topic, especially the revelation that Notre Dame may actually be ready to end its independent status. This puts the Big Ten in a power position, especially if the conference can reel in the Fighting Irish and even go bigger with Missouri and Nebraska.

As for the Pac-10, expansion seems to be pretty clear-cut ... go with Colorado and Utah and be happy. But what does this all mean for the Big 12? It may not hurt that much, especially if the conference gets TCU, SMU and pulls Arkansas from the SEC. Oh how the dominoes may fall.

We also look at how some of our favorite college players fared in the NFL Combine and the future of Rich Rodriguez at Michigan, especially following the public support from new AD David Brandon. Enjoy another show from Phil and Tom.

You're welcome

Pac-10 expansion comes into focus

Thank you Jon Wilner.

While we have spent a great deal of time and space dissecting the potential and pitfuls of Big Ten expansion, 'Eye and 'Eer have shied away from much discussion about the Pac-10's big expansion plans. Mainly because we aren't in touch with it quite like those on the west coast.

But thanks to the San Jose Mercury News columnist, we now have an excellent view of how and why expansion is inevitable in the Pac-10. It's clear from his piece the Pac-10 is willing to abandon its academic high ground for the all important cash. Here is a quote from the story:

“Everything is for sale,” one source told me. “They’ll do anything necessary to make money.’

With state funding becoming more scarce and athletic budgets skyrocketing into hundreds of millions it's easy to see why Pac-10 leaders are jealous of the $200-plus million made by the Big Ten and SEC.

So stay tuned as it is very clear now the Pac-10 will not sit by idly and will look to probably add Colorado, Utah or BYU.

So, once again, what is Big East commish John Marinatto have planned to secure the future of his conference? We're still waiting Big John.

First Amendment and football coaches

Like the newspaper industry doesn't have enough problems when along comes Guy Morriss and the Texas A&M-Commerce football team.

It seems Morriss believes collaborating on theft and censorship count as a team-building exercise. Someone may also want to tell the lunatic coach this it may also be considered illegal.

As if Morriss coaching career hadn't reach a low point already (remember those ill-fated runs at Kentucky and Baylor) it is now officially unraveling. Clearly, the A&M-Commerce brass can't retain a guy who supports his players lifting all of the East Texan newspapers from the on-campus racks so anyone interested couldn't read about the arrest of two football players.

Morriss is quoted as sayings, "I'm proud of my players for doing that. This was the best team building exercise we have ever done."

Good move coach. So instead of this being a non-story for the rest of the college football world your big team-building exercise backfired a bit. Now we all care (a little).

God told Jim Delaney to expand the Big 10

Or it came to him in his own thoughts. Same diff in Delaney's world.



The Chicago Tribune reported today that the search firm hired by the Big Ten to explore expansion gave the league the thumbs-up on adding a school.

The basic premise? More teams be more better.

It doesn't hurt to know your audience either. This search firm probably did more research on Jim Delaney than Missouri.

Two sources told the Tribune that they believe the Big Ten will expand largely because Commissioner Jim Delany, who in 2008 signed a five-year contract extension, wants to add another accomplishment to his legacy.

Since taking the helm in 1989, Delany has added Penn State, helped form the highly profitable Big Ten Network and grown revenue from about $20 million a year to $220 million.

"What gets Jim going," said a source with ties to Delany, "is doing something bold."


Great, expansion for expansion's sake and to satisfy Delaney's massive ego.

So, get ready Jersey, nobody can wait for that first Indiana-Rutgers match up. It will have the New York TVs buzzing, I'm sure.

Color me jaded or a traditionalist. As far as I'm concerned the Big Ten can boot PSU and Northwestern and bring back the Maroons of U. of Chicago.

Rare sight: Something good at Penn State

Both of your authors at An 'Eye and an 'Eer despise Penn State. But there are a number of things the students do well at PSU and this is one of them—THON, a student-run charity that raises money for childhood cancer research at Penn State. This is not small potatoes as THON raised almost $8 million.

This group of Nittany Lions players showed some skills and even included a white boy who rivals the 'Eer's dancing skills. And if you want to see another great video from the event check out Tucker doing Boom Boom Pow.

(HT: Black Shoe Diaries).

Mocking Mallett

Nothing against Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett, but this video mocking his current mode of transportation is flat out funny stuff. In all honesty, this is the same way the 'Eye got around Columbus during his undergraduate days — all seven years.

(HT: LSUfreek)

Big Ten gets more serious about expansion

While it comes as no surprise, the Big Ten has hired a firm to investigate the potential of possible expansion partners.

Spending big dollars to consultants seems to be the way of big-time athletics. But is it really necessary? Do Big Ten officials really need to spend millions for a consultant to tell them Rutgers has no football history (other than playing the first game ever), but it is near NYC?

A few interesting revelations that came out of the story are that Notre Dame remains an unlikely decision, that Texas isn't even mentioned among the initial 15 schools and that commissioner James Delaney may make a recommendation to the Big Ten presidents this summer.

Certainly the Pac-10 will follow suit soon. So where's the Big East and commissioner John Marinatto?

Podcast: Episode 60

We've been away from the podcasting airwaves for two weeks and it shows as Phil and Tom drone on for more than 40 minutes about college football. OK, we think it's pretty interesting as we dissect USC's issues with the NCAA and what might happen to the Trojans (does anyone else think the NCAA brass wouldn't mind sticking it to USC just for hiring Lane Kiffin?).

We also turn our attention to the escalating ticket prices at some of the nation's top programs, including Ohio State, which plans to raise single-game tickets to $70 in 2010. Since it's February and we can, we also make our way-too-early prediction on who'll play in the BCS Championship next season. We also can't avoid talking about the ban on eye-black messages (thanks Tim Tebow and Terrelle Pryor) as well as what might happen with Big Ten and Pac-10 expansion. Enjoy another show from Phil and Tom.

How will the Big Ten grow?

Everyone just assumes whoever the Big Ten invites to join the cash-rich conference will just jump. But that may not be accurate.

Notre Dame is still a longshot and probably out of reach. It was also a stretch to consider Texas and the Longhorns are in a pretty strong position and will more than likely remain put (or maybe consider a jump to the SEC one day).

So of course the most likely choices are Nebraska and Missouri from the Big 12 or Syracuse, Pitt and Rutgers from the Big East. Look, Rutgers jumps right now. Missouri probably does the same. But is Rutgers or Missouri really the splash Jim Delany is looking for by moving the Big Ten to 12 teams?

Nebraska is better and possible. But Syracuse and Pitt aren't necessarily guaranteed to bolt the Big East for the bigger dollars of the Big Ten.

After recently speaking with a Syracuse source, he said Orange coach Doug Marrone does not support a move and would consider it a big mistake. And a recent article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review makes some valid points as to why Pitt should stay put as well. One key reason is the increasing intensity of the Backyard Brawl.

Now is the time for the Big East to seek new members. What are you waiting for Commissioner Marinatto?

Full-blown, super conferences

Just when we thought we were being edgy with our suggestions for a new Super 8 conferences realignment, Sports Illustrated's Andy Staples took it a step further.

Staples' suggestion that the top 64 money-making college football programs leave the NCAA and create four CASH Conferences is appealing. Especially when I see the conference makeups ... who doesn't love seeing WVU in the SEC with Louisville, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. All four conferences have 16 teams and somehow the ACC still blows.

TCU is the only mid-major to make the top 64 teams (sorry Boise State and Utah). This will never happen, but I'm glad to see others thinking of ways to improve the current system that doesn't always include a playoff. Good job, Mr. Staples.

Classic recruiting: Herschel Walker

This Herschel Walker video has been making the rounds today.

I first saw it at Dr. Saturday's Yahoo blog and then again at CollegeFootballTalk.com. Now I'm pretty sure Danny Ford bought Herschel the Camaro, but what could he do about it?

It's interesting to note that recruiting was crazy, even back in the 1970s and '80s. The video is courtesy of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

So who's next? Terry Hoage?

Will anyone in the SEC ever score again?

File it in the "old guys are still in charge" file, but the NCAA wants to crack down on taunting.

If passed, players who draw flags for taunting gestures on their way to a touchdown would have the penalty assessed from the spot of the foul, taking away the score.

Listen, I get it. Taunting is the act of immature young males, hopped up on testosterone and psyched into oblivion by shirtless, chest-thumping assistant coaches. (Okay, that might only be Ed Orgeron.) Regardless, how in hades is a referee supposed to make this call? It was tough enough to make this call with a 15-yard penalty, now you're going to take away a touchdown?

The new rule won't go into effect until 2011, so make sure to get all your taunting in early this year, guys!

Super 8 - conference realignment

Last week we presented what we think is a plausible playoff scenario that both the 'Eye and the 'Eer could live with. Well after giving it some more thought, and starting to like our idea even more, we wanted to take it step further.

Instead of using the BCS, we propose consolidating the current 11 conferences (and three independents) into the Super 8 conferences. The three losers are the Mountain West, Sun Belt and Western Athletic conferences -- stop the griping now because it makes the most sense when you see how everything shakes out. Also, no institutions are allowed to remain independent (suck it Notre Dame and NBC).

Some decisions were made because they made geographic sense, while others were the best fit for the conference. There was also an attempt not to make a Super Conference or two so everyone can compete on a level playing field in recruiting as well as for TV contracts (ESPN should love this set up). Every conference has 14 teams except Conference USA, which is too big (18 teams) and clearly the weakest conference (Fresno State and Troy are the top two), but the teams will have a brutal conference schedule and the champion would make the playoffs.

With the Super 8 conferences, a 16-team playoff is a realistic expectation and teams that don't win their conference still get a shot at the National Championship.

The Mid-American Conference is the least impacted of all with just the addition of Army from the independent ranks, while the ACC (Central Florida and East Carolina) and SEC (Southern Mississippi and Tulane) landscapes each welcome two additional schools.

The Big 10 is the big winner with the strongest newcomers-- Notre Dame, Nebraska and Missouri. The Big East has the biggest growth spurt from eight teams to 14, however two of the new teams are currently in the conference in all other sports but football. Villanova and Georgetown upgrade from FCS teams and play in the North Division, while the South adds Florida Atlantic, Marshall, Memphis and Navy.

The Big 12 is also reshaped by adding Air Force, Colorado State, Houston, Rice and TCU. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State also move to the North to balance the power. The Pac-10's growth includes one from the Big 12 (Colorado), one from WAC (Boise State) and two from the MWC (BYU and Utah).

Give us another week and we may want to make some additional tweaks, but today this is how we would like to see the Super 8 conferences take shape. Take a look below and let us know what you think.

ACC
Atlantic
Boston College
Central Florida
Clemson
Florida State
Maryland
North Carolina State
Wake Forest

Coastal
Duke
East Carolina
Georgia Tech
Miami
North Carolina
Virginia
Virginia Tech

Big 12
North
Air Force
Colorado State
Iowa State
Kansas
Kansas State
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State

South
Houston
Rice
Baylor
TCU
Texas
Texas A&M
Texas Tech

Big East North Cincinnati
Connecticut
Georgetown
Pittsburgh
Rutgers
Syracuse
Villanova

South
Florida Atlantic
Louisville
Marshall
Memphis
Navy
South Florida
West Virginia

Big Ten
East Indiana
Michigan
Michigan State
Northwestern
Notre Dame
Penn State
Wisconsin

West Illinois
Iowa
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
Ohio State
Purdue

Conference USA
East
Arkansas State
Florida International
Louisiana-Lafayette
Louisiana-Monroe
Louisiana Tech
Middle Tennessee State
North Texas
Southern Methodist
Troy
Western Kentucky
Tulsa
UAB

West
Fresno State
Hawaii
Idaho
Nevada
New Mexico
New Mexico State
San Diego State
San Jose State
UNLV
Utah State
UTEP
Wyoming

Mid-American
East
Akron
Army
Bowling Green
Buffalo
Kent State
Ohio
Temple

West
Ball State
Central Michigan
Eastern Michigan
Miami (Ohio)
Northern Illinois
Toledo
Western Michigan

Pac-10 North Boise State
BYU
Oregon
Oregon State
Utah
Washington
Washington State

South
Arizona
Arizona State
California
Colorado
Stanford
UCLA
USC

SEC
East
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
South Carolina
Tennessee
Tulane
Vanderbilt

West
Alabama
Arkansas
Auburn
LSU
Mississippi
Mississippi State
Southern Mississippi

What is Marinatto/Big East waiting for?

What the hell is Big East Commissioner John Marinatto waiting for?

He's new to the job, but just five years after Boston College, Virginia Tech and Miami bolted for the ACC, the Big East is sitting idly by as the Big Ten and Pac-10 announce each is looking to expand in the next year.

Marinatto should immediately announce the conference is forming a fact-finding group that will look at expanding the Big East to 12 teams. He should also assure everyone that the group will do everything it can to retain all current members, since the Big East may be raided once again by the Big Ten.

Rutgers, Pittsburgh and Syracuse are all considered potential expansion partners with the Big Ten, especially if Big Ten commissioner James Delaney and his fact-finding group decide expanding to 14 teams is a better idea.

So Marinatto needs to be proactive and start thinking of the long-term sustainability of the Big East football schools. This could prove beneficial as he hopes to keep any Big East schools from listening to the Big Ten's overtures.

Remaining idle now will just increase the bashing by those who see the Big East as nothing more than a basketball conference.

There are a number of excellent options for the Big East ... elevating Villanova and Georgetown and adding Memphis, East Carolina, Central Florida or Navy is just one of them. But instead of just looking at the Big East we will soon present a proposal of going to eight Power Conferences.

Hopefully it will be more forward thinking than anything the Big East has to offer us.

Podcast: Episode 59

Back after a week off and both Phil and Tom are delighted National Signing Day has come and gone. It's not a national holiday for us like it is for so many other bloggers and podcasters. We watch the trends and understand the appeal, but neither of us will lose sleep over the decision of an 18-year-old. There are always some interesting story lines, though.

There's the recruit at Michigan who had some legal issues when he was a minor. With all of the problems facing RichRod, was this really the best decision? It was also interesting to see many of the top recruits from the Midwest bolt the area for Texas, USC and elsewhere. Is this a one-year trend or a bigger problem?

And why is golden boy Tim Tebow become everyone's punching bag? Joe Theismann and some back-up offensive lineman are dissing the former Heisman Trophy winner. We also look at the future of Minnesota prep star Seantrel Henderson and a 13-year-old who is going to USC.

Enjoy another show.

Recruting Rule #1

- Do not believe anything anyone says. Ever. Seriously. We mean it.

The smiling, happy fellow above is George Edwards. He was one of Florida's most successful defensive coordinators. Undefeated. Great recruiter too, if you believe this year's recruiting rankings. Sadly for the Gators Edwards left for a job in the NFL - before he ever coached a single game for UF.

Amazing timing, though. Edwards didn't announce he was returning to the NFL after his less than one month stint at Florida until the day after signing day.

Weird how that works, getting offered a job the day after national signing day. What a coincidence. I mean, if he knew he was leaving, I'm sure he and all of the Florida staff were completely upfront about that fact with all the incoming recruits.

OSU, WVU give fans something to smile about

It's National Signing Day and while we believe it's way overhyped and fans get too worked up about it. But we feel it's our obligation to at least publish what we know to be the high school and JC players who signed today with Ohio State and West Virginia.

We don't know enough about them to say much, but I'm sure a bunch of them are 3-, 4- and 5-star recruits. The most notable rejection happened to the Buckeyes as Minnesota prep stud Seantrel Henderson chose the flash, but no substance of Lane Kiffin over the more stoic aproach of Jim Tressel.

Ohio State's 2010 class
Darryl Baldwin, DL, Solon, Ohio
Drew Basil, K, Chillicothe, Ohio
Corey Brown, ATH, Springfield (Pa.) Cardinal O'Hara
Christian Bryant, DB, Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville
David Durham, LB/DE, Charlotte (N.C.) Christian
Taylor Graham, QB, Wheaton (Ill.) North
Chad Hagan, DB, Canonsburg (Pa.) McMillan
Johnathan Hankins, DT, Detroit (Mich.) Southeastern
Carlos Hyde, RB, Fork Union Military Academy
James Louis, WR, Delray Beach (Fla.) Atlantic
Scott McVey, LB, Cleveland (Ohio) St. Ignatius
J.T. Moore, DL, Youngstown (Ohio) Boardman
Andrew Norwell, OT, Cincinnati (Ohio) Anderson
Verlon Reed, ATH, Columbus (Ohio) Marion Franklin
Bradley Roby, DB, Suwanee (Ga.) Peachtree Ridge
Rod Smith, RB, Fort Wayne (Ind.) Harding
Jamel Turner, LB/DE, Fork Union Military Academy
Tyrone Williams, WR, East Cleveland (Ohio) Shaw

West Virginia's 2010 Class
Travis Bell, S, Glades Central (Fla.)
Barry Brunetti, QB, Memphis (Tenn.) University School
Dante Chambers, WR, Miramar (Fla.)
Trevor Demko, DE, Mount Carmel (Pa.)
Mike Dorsey, LB, Warren G. Harding (Ohio)
Qudral Forte, ATH, Booker T. Washington (Ga.)
Troy Gloster, LB, Olney (Md.) Our Lady of Good Counsel
Jeremy Johnson, ATH, Silsbee (Texas)
Trey Johnson, RB, Varina (Va.)
Quantavious Leslie, WR, Callaway (Ga.)
Deon Long, WR, Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy
Ivan McCartney, WR, Miramar (Fla.)
Doug Rigg, ATH, Bergen (N.J.) Catholic
Jewone Snow, LB, McKinley (Ohio)
Quinton Spain, OG, Petersburg (Va.)
Wes Tonkery, ATH, Bridgeport (W.Va.)
Marquis Wallace, OG, Varina (Va.)
Avery Williams, ATH, Calvin Coolidge (D.C.)

Criminy ... if you want a playoff

As one of the few (if only) college football blogs that opposes a playoff to decide the national champion, we have contemplated how a playoff might work to our liking. We didn’t spend days researching every half-baked idea that’s been reported over the past decade. Instead, the ‘Eer came up with this plan at work one day and then ran it past the ‘Eye for his approval (OK, he doesn't like everything, but the overall concept works).

Now that President Obama and his Administration is looking into whether the BCS system is legal, and the NCAA is considering expanding the basketball tournament to 96 teams so naturally the playoff wave is moving fast. So we want to get our playoff plan out to the masses because it’s clearly the best option because it still incorporates the bowl games, doesn’t require the addition of too many more games than are already played, and it builds in another level of bowl games that will help alleviate some of the frustration by teams on the bubble.

The two teams that reach the title game will play two more games than each would play under the current system.

Here is are playoff scenario in a nutshell:

• Using the BCS Rankings (we would like to see the rankings improved) take the top eight teams. However, only one team per conference and they can come from any of the 11 Division I-A leagues.
• All independent programs (currently Notre Dame, Navy and Army) can be included in the playoffs at the same time.
• The teams are seeded based on the BCS Rankings. In the first round, the top four teams host a game.
• All first-round games are played on Saturday (of course they’ll be on ESPN).
• Second-round games are played at either the Orange Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Rose Bowl, or Sugar Bowl. Each game will be played on the same date.
• The Championship Game site will be decided at least four years in advance (similar to the Super Bowl).
• The next eight teams in the BCS rankings play in the Cotton and Gator bowls, and whichever of the Sugar, Orange, Rose and Fiesta bowls that weren’t included in the playoffs that year.
• The consolation bowl matchups will be decided by a committee (similar to the NCAA basketball tournament) to achieve the best scenario for each site.

Here’s how a playoff would have worked this year:

Rankings (BCS Ranking)

1. Alabama (1)
2. Texas (2)
3. Cincinnati (3)
4. TCU (4)
5. Boise State (6)
6. Oregon (7)
7. Ohio State (8)
8. Georgia Tech (9)

First Round Schedule
Game 1: Georgia Tech (ACC) at Alabama (SEC)
Game 2: Ohio State (Big Ten) at Texas (Big 12)
Game 3: Oregon (Pac-10) at Cincinnati (Big East)
Game 4: Boise State (Western Athletic) at TCU (Mountain West)

Second Round Schedule Game 5: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 4 in Orange Bowl
Game 6: Winner of Game 2 vs. Winner of Game 3 in Fiesta Bowl

Championship
Game 7: Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6 in Pasadena, Calif.

Other Bowls (BCS Ranking) Florida (5) vs. Miami (15) in Sugar Bowl
Iowa (10) vs. Virginia Tech (11) in Rose Bowl
LSU (12) vs. Brigham Young (14) in Cotton Bowl
Penn State (13) vs. West Virginia (16) in Gator Bowl

To offer a bit more context to this system, let’s look at 2008 and 2007 to see how it would have worked.

2008 Rankings (BCS Ranking)

1. Oklahoma (1)
2. Florida (2)
3. USC (5)
4. Utah (6)
5. Penn State (8)
6. Boise State (9)
7. Cincinnati (12)
8. Georgia Tech (14)

First Round Schedule
Game 1: Georgia Tech (ACC) at Oklahoma (Big 12)
Game 2: Cincinnati (Big East) at Florida (SEC)
Game 3: Boise State (Western Athletic) at USC (Pac-10)
Game 4: Penn State (Big Ten) at Utah (Mountain West)

Second Round Schedule Game 5: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 4 in Sugar Bowl
Game 6: Winner of Game 2 vs. Winner of Game 3 in Rose Bowl

Championship
Game 7: Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6 in Miami, Fla.

Other Bowls (BCS Ranking)
Texas (3) vs. Ohio State (10) in Fiesta Bowl
Alabama (4) vs. Texas Tech (7) in Orange Bowl
Oklahoma State (13) vs. Oregon (17) in Cotton Bowl
Georgia (15) vs. Michigan State (18) in Gator Bowl

2007 Rankings (BCS Ranking)

1. Ohio State (1)
2. LSU (2)
3. Virginia Tech (3)
4. Oklahoma (4)
5. USC (7)
6. West Virginia (9)
7. Hawaii (10)
8. BYU (17)

First Round Schedule
Game 1: BYU (Mountain West) at Ohio State (Big Ten)
Game 2: Hawaii (Western Athletic) at LSU (SEC)
Game 3: West Virginia (Big East) at Virginia Tech (ACC)
Game 4: USC (Pac-10) at Oklahoma (Big 12)

Second Round Schedule
Game 5: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 4 in Fiesta Bowl
Game 6: Winner of Game 2 vs. Winner of Game 3 in Orange Bowl

Championship
Game 7: Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6 in New Orleans, La.

Other Bowls (BCS Ranking)
Georgia (5) vs. Kansas (8) in Sugar Bowl
Illinois (13) vs. Arizona State (11) in Rose Bowl
Missouri (6) vs. Boston College (14) in Cotton Bowl
Florida (12) vs. Clemson (15) in Gator Bowl

Poor Mark Mangino

It's not bad enough poor Mark gets mocked constantly for his weight, or that he got the axe from Kansas (Kansas!) just for being verbally and physically abusive to his players (yeah, he's the first one to do THAT)... now Mangino tops this Top 1 list from The Bleacher Report:


The 10 Coaches You Shouldn't Let Recruit Your Son

Ah, I just love lists. Top 10 this, top 5 that. whatever. Listen up - if your kid is good enough to play major college football his coach will be:

A) father figure
B) complete asshole
C) self-serving jerk
D) great human being
E) All of the above.

The answer is E. And that's probably all in the same day.

Cryogenically preserved JoePa

Not that we meant to go back-to-back on the JoePa posts, but after reading this cover how pissed is Bobby Bowden right now? Probably not as mad as his wife.

Are Penn State fans pleased with this proclamation? They can't be surprised. Seriously, the guy is kept alive through some crazy cryogenic lab in State College anyways, so who's to say he won't be coaching at 100.

Start the bidding at ...

Does anyone really need to (or want to) see the world through Joe Paterno's eyes besides JoePa? Then why would anyone want to see it through a pair of his glasses?

According to reports, Joe and his wife have donated a pair of the coach's signature thick glasses for an auction put on by PSU's public broadcasting. The auction takes place Feb 20 ... in case you want to make a bid.

To whet your appetite a bit more, JoePa autographed the glasses with a Sharpie. On second thought, the glasses might look good next to my Jerry Tarkanian towel and Bum Phillips cowboy hat.

I'll start the bidding at ...

Eatin' well in Tuscaloosa

What the hell are they eating in Tuscaloosa?

Alabama's Terrence Cody, a 6-foot-4, 370-pound, run-stopping mass of humanity did not impress many folks at the Senior Bowl when he removed his shirt. Cody may have actually made people forget former Tide OL Andre Smith's jiggling, boob-bouncing 40-yard run at the NFL combine last year.

I don't see a single muscle in Cody's physique (he actually brings an entirely new meaning to Man Boobs), but let's be honest ... the guy can play. Still, did he do any training since the Tide won the BCS Championship on Jan. 7? I'd say he spent too much time here.

Not sure how much this will hurt him on draft day considering the Bengals didn't shy away from Smith. But it may cause the team that selects Cody to reconsider the menu at the rookie camp buffet line.

Podcast: Episode 58

We're glad to be back after a week off from the podcasting world. Phil and Tom needed a little rest, but now they are ready to look at some of the hot topics in college football.

We start with an evaluation of the coaching hires around the country and evaluate who will make the most immediate impact, who will be the best long-term hire and who is the worst hire. Next, we discuss all of the recruiting wars and player poaching by coaches. Is it not time to have an early signing date for college football, much like basketball and other sports? We then shift our focus to the next decade. The SEC dominated the football landscape during the 2000s, but can it continue its dominance in the teens? There's a good chance, but as conferences look to add new teams the chances are good the SEC will come back to the rest of the pack.

We tried to get through a show without mentioning Lane Kiffin, but we couldn't do it. Sorry guys. We also pick the college football program we would play for today if either of us were 18 and had a lick of talent. Where would you go? Enjoy the show.

Runaway Lane

It appears Lane Kiffin will have to live with video tributes like this until the season begins. So enjoy the latest Kiffin spoof courtesy of LSUFreek.

Tune in Monday

We promise we'll be back Monday with a new college football podcast. We also promise to make it interesting. Would we have it any other way?

Pete Carroll keeps sense of humor

Pete Carroll's Trip to Seattle Delayed from Rob Riggle

Why can't more coaches be like Pete Carroll? Yea, he screwed USC into future NCAA probation and convinced Trojan brass to hire brain-dead Lane Kiffin. But Pete just doesn't take himself too serious.

Could you see Nick Saban doing this? Or maybe Urban Meyer wouldn't need to dial 911 when Tim Tebow slips to the fifth round of the NFL Draft in April. Didn't think so.

The Horror

Today, SI.com writer Andy Staples told me sports most dangerous job: being a college football coach.

Jesus.

Give me a freaking break, Andy.
Dangerous? No. Stressful. Sure. More dangerous and stressful than being a sportswriter? (And having been one myself) I'll say there are parking lot security guards who have more stress in their lives than some sports writers.

If it's so dangerous how come two 80-YEAR OLDS WERE COACHING MAJOR PROGRAMS LAST YEAR? Octogenarians typically do not hold dangerous jobs.

Are coaches expected to win games and recruit well each and every year? Yes. That's the deal. And they all know it and at the highest levels they're extremely well-compensated for it.

Man, I hate the offseason when we've got to make up story ideas for something to do.

Move over Lane

Just wanted to give you a little more Lane Kiffin. Here's his press conference at USC. He acts like a teenager. How did Monte Kiffin's kid get to be so wimpy? Just answer the question from T.J. Simers and move on.

I have a feeling this is not the last time we'll be posting something about Mr. Kiffin.

How not to handle a presser

As someone who has attended way too many pressers, and now helps organize them. This is not the way to do it.

How the media is acting is normal. Everyone wants the scoop or doesn't want to be left out. But the guy organizing the presser needs some medication. Give the media the ground rules and then sit back and let them duke it out. If they want to talk to the outgoing coach they'll fall into line.

Can't spell "Suck it, Lane!" without UT

After being jilted by the hot, young thing they left their wife for, Tennessee appears to be running back to the old ball and chain, as Phil Fulmer Jr., errr David Cutcliffe is considered the clubhouse leader for the head coaching job.

Cutcliffe has nine wins in two seasons at Duke, which is like 20 wins at any normal school. But his biggest achievement was making Ole Miss just good enough to get himself fired.

Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and Air Force coach Troy Calhoun have each issued the standard coaching hire denials: "Who? What? I've never heard of them before. Tennesse? Don't even know where it is."