Podcast: Episode 53

Episode 53

An Eye and an Eer: College Football Podcast

Tom may be on vacation, but he wouldn't let his buddy Phil down and not show up for this week's show. Hey, there's way too much to discuss.

We start with coaching hires (Brian Kelly, Turner Gill, Butch Jones and Doc Holliday) as well as coaches signing extensions (Jim Harbaugh). We also discuss the pros and cons of the potential growth of the Big 10 to 12 teams (what will we call the conference then?), as well as talk about the first week of the bowl season (really, are any of you going to watch the New Mexico Bowl?).

Phil also tackles some big topics in our weekly Quick Hitters, including if Mark Ingram was a deserving Heisman Trophy winner and the decision of Jake Locker to return to Washington for another year of apprenticeship under Steve Sarkisian. Tom questions why Virginia Tech DC Bud Foster is never considered a top candidate for head coaching jobs and the strength of Big East coaches.

Another week, another show.

Will Florida notice loss of Strong?

When Charlie Strong officially cuts ties with the Florida Gators following the Sugar Bowl should Urban Meyer start worrying about his future success?

Look, Meyer is a great coach with a slew of talent in a four-mile radius that should equate to unparalleled success by most in the SEC and in the nation. But with Strong's exit to be head coach at Louisville, Meyer loses his second consecutive coordinator in as many seasons. Meyer has actually had seven former assistants go on the be head coaches.

Dan Mullen, the Gators OC in 2008, did an admirable job with Mississippi State this past season and the Bulldogs might just challenge Alabama and LSU in SEC West. Strong will likely be even more successful at Louisville as the Cardinals can become competitive in the Big East in a few years.

But what does this all mean for Gator Nation?

It's going to hurt recruiting ... even for Florida. Many of the outstanding players on Florida's top-ranked defense were recruited directly by Strong, who is considered by many as one of the best recruiters in the country.

So last weekend's dismantling by Alabama may become more familiar than Florida is accustomed to under Meyer.

Why? Call it the Pete Carroll effect. USC had dominated the Pac-10 for nearly a decade and was among the nation's elite. But after losing coordinators to become head coaches (Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian, DeWayne Walker, Ed Orgeron, etc.).

It didn't happen overnight in SoCal, but Meyer will lose a level of comfort he had with these guys. So will the players. It may not be noticeable next season, but a dip is certain to occur.

Just watch.

Late observations on Week 1

All right. Enough already. Sorry for the late post, but family time and the UConn-Ohio game last night have kept the 'Eer away from the laptop. So here are my thoughts from the first weekend of games (with a few still to play).

- I guess I'm a little more a believer now. The BCS busters came up big this week. I don't want to take anything away from Boise State and BYU, but is that really the best Oregon and Oklahoma could muster? Seriously Chip Kelly. You've had all that time to get the Ducks motivated and prepared. Instead your offense executed as well as Coca-Cola execs trying to market New Coke back in '80s. Thanks for letting Boise believe it belongs. Maybe I should be more surprised by Oklahoma's showing against BYU, but this is so Bob Stoops. When's the last time this guy really beat a good team? Don't tell me Texas Tech. At least now the Sooners should be eliminated from the national title discussion.

- Do you think Iowa's Kirk Ferentz and Ohio State's Jim Tressel are glad not to be lumped into the same conversation with Virginia's Al Groh? I don't see how Groh can even make it through the year after the Wahoos lost to William & Mary, 26-14. The loss was Virginia's first to a Football Championship Subdivision school since 1986.

- Crap. Did both 'Eye and 'Eer really underestimate how much Notre Dame and Michigan have improved? Maybe. But after this week, one of them will be 1-1 and the coach will be on the hot seat again. Also, I'd still be a little concerned watching how both offenses failed to execute as well in the second half.

- It may be a loss, but as someone with nothing to gain, Washington's nice showing against LSU in Steve Sarkisian's first game is a good sign for the Huskies and also important for the Pac-10. However, if I'm a Tigers fan I'd be concerned that LSU is going to struggle again in 2009.

- The Big East didn't do much to help quiet the critics, but we should give credit to Syracuse and new coach Doug Marrone for almost pulling an upset of Minnesota in the Carrier Dome. Greg Paulus also played a solid game, despite throwing an interception in OT.

Enough of that. Now we're ready for Miami-FSU on Monday.

More bad news, Pete

I guess we'll find out how indestructible the Pete Carroll/USC machine is this year. Not only did Mark Sanchez dare to disagree with Peter the Great on his NFL future, coaches seem to be on their way out in droves.

First, Steve Sarkisian took the job at Washington, then he proceeded to hire away USC defensive coordinator Nick Holt - who, it seems even took a pay cut to leave LA and get out from under Pete's thumb.

Now, new offensive coordinator Carl Smith, who has yet to call a play for the Trojans, decides to interview with the Browns.

Of course, any self-destruction of the Trojans is probably wishful thinking by the rest of college football. Pete knows what wins in college football is talent. And USC still has a truckload.

But, for the rest of us, it was nice to see a little of Pete's teflon chipped away thanks to the Sanchez press conference. There are things you can get bad pub about and it won't hurt you - being a jerk to the media, raging against officials or the BCS and whining about other coaches. But you can't be a jerk about your players leaving early for the NFL or withdrawing scholarships (ahem, Steve Spurrier) - because it can bite your recruiting.