Mea culpa for SEC officials ... again

Let me see if I got this right.

The most powerful, cash-rich conference in the nation can't find a quality group of football officials. Here I thought the Big East officials were worthless and incompetent.

There were the unnecessary unsportsmanlike penalties in the LSU-Georgia game on Oct. 3. SEC officials were nice enough to apologize to Georgia and admit the officiating mistake.

Then this past weekend it appears SEC officials were screwing up calls in favor of the higher-ranked teams in Gainesville and Tuscaloosa.

In the Florida-Arkansas game, the officiating crew had at least two horrendous calls go against the Razorbacks on the Gators' game-winning drive. They also had one missed called on the Gators.

The first bad call was a phantom interference call that you can watch here.



The second pitiful penalty was a personal foul on a defensive lineman protecting himself from a block. See what you think.



Then there was the missed offensive pass interference on UF receiver Riley Cooper that could have easily kept the Gators from getting into field-goal range. Again, you be the judge.



Now South Carolina's Steve Spurrier is accusing the Crimson Tide of its own form of trickery by using tape to spot field goals and extra points in last weekend's 20-6 Alabama win.

I'm not unrealistic. Officials are going to miss calls. Maybe they don't see something. But there is no excuse when officials call something that didn't happen. I can't overlook that and neither should the SEC. The statement released by conference officials is actually disturbing.

"After video review, there was no evidence on the video to support the personal foul penalty called on Arkansas midway through the fourth quarter. The other calls that were referenced are judgment calls and a review of those calls have been communicated to Arkansas."

I would expect something stronger. But Florida and Alabama are carrying the SEC this year (and last year), so no one (not even game officials) are going to rock ratings gold of these two.

(Hat tip: The Wiz of Odds for finding all of the video proof)

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.

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.

Podcast: Episode 35

As much as we would like to be talking about anything else, we couldn't avoid talking about Tim Tebow. From his preseason All-SEC snub by Steve Spurrier to the microscope he'll be under all season, we give you our take on Superman. Phil and Tom don't bore you to death with Tebow. We also discuss the future of the ACC, the SEC's television deal with ESPN, and the pressure that faces the preseason Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Terrelle Pryor.

Preseason: SEC rankings

As we have already mentioned, it is way too early for preseason predictions. But since we started here's our look at the SEC.

East
1. Florida
Key players: QB Tim Tebow, LB Brandon Spikes, DE Carlos Dunlap, CB Joe Haden, RB Jeffery Demps, S Dorian Munroe, OT Omar Hunter
Predicted record: 12-0
This is easy. The Gators are the most imposing team in the SEC, if not the nation. UF's defense is faster and more talented than last year's group that manhandled the offensive juggernaut Oklahoma in the national title game. Even the special teams look better. I don't see Florida losing any games during the regular season and then winning the SEC Championship. The only possible loss is a matchup with USC or Texas in the title game.

2. Georgia
Key players: WR A.J. Green, QB Joe Cox, OL Clint Boling, OT Trinton Sturdivant, LB Rennie Curran, DT Geno Atkins, DE Justin Houston
Predicted record: 9-3
When expectations are high in Athens it's best to pick against the Bulldogs. When expectations are down bet on UGA. Mark Richt has his work cut out for him, but this is when he's at his best. A.J. Green needs someone else to step up at receiver to help cut down on the double teams, and replacing first-round picks Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno is important. The offensive line should be able to open holes, though. A weakness last season, the line is a strength in 2009.

3. Tennessee
Key players: QB Jonathan Crompton, S Eric Berry, TB Bryce Brown, DT Montori Hughes, DL Chris Walker
Predicted record: 7-5
Tennessee wasn't as bad as their 5-7 record of last season. The defense should be stout again this fall, and if Jonathan Crompton can play within the system the Volunteers should win a few more close games than they did last year. If first-year coach Lane Kiffin can coach as well as he verbally spars UT could win 8 or 9.

4. Vanderbilt
Key players: CB Myron Lewis, WR Terence Jeffers, RB Jared Hawkins
Predicted record: 6-6
The Commodores were the talk of college football through six weeks last season. Vandy could be bowl eligible again this season and that would be a major accomplishment for coach Bobby Johnson. This is still a team of unknowns outside of Nashville, but they won't sneak up on any SEC team this year.

5. South Carolina
Key players: QB Stephen Garcia, CB Stephon Gilmore, OLB Eric Norwood, DT Ladi Ajiboye
Predicted record: 6-6
The Ol' Ball Coach didn't realize winning outside of Gainesville could be so tough. His South Carolina teams have been mediocre at best. The interesting thing is the Gamecocks have been great on defense during the Steve Spurrier years, and sluggish on offense. Spurrier has settled on Stephen Garcia at quarterback and that could pay dividends this season.

6. Kentucky
Key players: CB Trevard Lindley, LB Micah Johnson, DE Jeremy Jarmon, QB Mike Hartline, RB Moncell Allen
Predicted record: 3-9
I'm not as high on the Wildcats as others are around the nation. Some are saying Kentucky is a seven- or eight-win team. I don't see it. I like the Wildcats defense, but the offense could struggle to score all season. Mike Hartline had a nice spring and should provide stability.

West
1. Alabama
Key players: QB Greg McElroy, WR Julio Jones, LB Rolando McClain, NG Terrence Cody, CB Javier Arenas, LB Dont'a Hightower
Predicted record: 11-1
The Tide are loaded on defense and the unit is led by lineman Terrence Cody. This is why I think they'll edge out Ole Miss in the West. Plus I can't pick against Nick Saban. Greg McElroy may actually be an upgrade over John Parker Wilson at quarterback, but Alabama needs to find some offensive lineman to protect him.

2. Ole Miss
Key players: QB Jevan Snead, RB Dexter McCluster, OT John Jerry, DE Greg Hardy, DT Jerrell Powe, DE Marcus Tillman
Predicted record: 10-2
Jevan Snead may be the second-best quarterback in the conference and could lead the Rebels to the SEC championship game. Right now I see Ole Miss just missing that game. The Rebels real strength will be the defensive front, possibly the best in the SEC. Even if they don't make the SEC title game, a 10-win season is nothing to frown about in Oxford.

3. LSU
Key players: QB Jordan Jefferson, OT Ciron Black, RB Charles Scott, WR Brandon LaFell, S Chad Jones
Predicted record: 9-3
Uncharacteristically, the Tigers struggled on defense last year. That has to be a concern this season unless first-year coordinator John Chavis can turn this unit around. Count on it. LSU is also one of the more athletic teams in the SEC, maybe second to Florida. The West is stacked when you consider the Tigers could win this division.

4. Auburn
Key players: DE Antonio Coleman,
Predicted record: 7-5
I'd feel much better about Gene Chizik's first season on the Plains if he had found a quarterback during the spring, especially when you're trying to run the spread (see Michigan 2008). However, the Tigers defense is solid and should get them a few more wins than they had in Tommy Tuberville's final campaign.

5. Arkansas
Key players: QB Ryan Mallett, WR Joe Adams, WR Jarius Wright, TE D.J. Williams, RB Michael Smith, DT Malcolm Sheppard
Predicted record: 6-6
The Razorbacks are a popular pick to really move up in the SEC this fall. They have offensive genious Bobby Petrino and Michigan transfer Ryan Mallett at quarterback. But it's tough to put the Hogs anywhere else because of their untested defense.

6. Mississippi State
Key players: RB Anthony Dixon, WR Chad Bumphis, DT Pernell McPhee, WR Brandon McRae
Predicted record: 3-9
Don't expect too much in the first season for coach Dan Mullen. The Bulldogs will be counting on plenty of newcomers to step up this season and that is just too much to survive in the SEC. Better luck in 2010.

Coaches poll farce

We have continuously defended the BCS and the bowl system. But this news doesn't help.

Any and all credibility that we would like to heave upon the coaches' USA Today Top 25 football poll has quickly vaporized. Starting in the 2010 season, the final regular-season ballots in the poll will no longer be made public.

The alleged voting by the coaches has been highly scrutinized in the past. Too often the coaches vote with their heart and not logically. And let's face it, how much does Urban Meyer really know about Oregon State? This also leads them to vote in favor of conference opponents, and not who is best.

This decision to hide the ballots and keep them from the public means all of the coaches who vote can be even more devious. Don't think for a second that Rich Rodriguez won't manipulate his ballot in a way that benefits him the most.

Why does all this matter? The coaches' poll is part of the BCS equation. So this adds fuel to the fire for all the BCS haters, and makes it harder for us to keep defending the system.

The Ol' Ball Coach gets it.

"I thought we would stay public on that last vote, I sort of think we ought to stay public, you know. It keeps everybody pretty honest so I don't know, that was surprising," said South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier.

Podcast: Episode 30

The ACC and Pac-10 seem like an odd pairing, but the two coastal conferences just may form a new College Football network that will show just their games. Finally, Greg Paulus made a decision for his one year of football action. Phil and Tom also look at rising and declining conferences as well as a faux pas by the Sports Information Office at Notre Dame. Also, Phil peppers Tom with three quick hitters that involve WVU. Tune in to hear what he has to say about the Mountaineers.

Go vote

The Orlando Sentinel blog, College Gridiron 365, is excellent. I read it every day and the writing staff is always on top of the latest news in college football. What I love even more is their understanding that college football doesn't stop in the offseason.

Popped over there this evening and saw where they had a new poll for the top pot-stirring college football coaches.

The list is impressive:

Steve Spurrier, South Carolina
Lane Kiffin, Tennessee
Mark Richt, Georgia
Urban Meyer, Florida Gators
Pete Carroll, Southern Cal
Rich Rodriguez, Michigan
Mike Leach, Texas Tech
Mack Brown, Texas
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State
Jim Leavitt, USF
Rick Neuheisel, UCLA

As much as I would like to encourage everyone to vote for RichRod or Leavitt, I think Leach, Kiffin and Spurrier are the top three choices. The Gridiron guys and gals gave their top agitators a few days ago and Spurrier topped the list, followed by Kiffin and Richt. Go vote and voice your opinion.

Bringin' Sexy Back at SC

The past few years Steve Spurrier has appeared unfocused and spinning his wheels trying to muster anything that resembles a productive offense with the Gamecocks. However, after running across this photo the Ol' Ball Coach seems to have the fire back. Just look at the passion in those eyes. He actually looks sexy. Hell, Spurrier may be the best QB at South Carolina.

Podcast: Episode 20

The BCS Championship Game is tomorrow night, so it's time to provide a little analysis of the Florida Gators and Oklahoma Sooners, and of course, make our predictions. We also spend some time reflecting on the other BCS Bowl games, including Texas' come-from-behind win over Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. Other topics include Boston College's Jeff Jagodzinki (can you still call him the BC coach?), split national championships, Steve Spurrier, Mike Leach and the announcing during the bowls.

Late-Night bowl links

While watching Utah shock 'Bama, thought I'd do some random scanning of blogs around the nation. Here are some interesting posts that I have found this evening.

• Tom Kirkendall at Houston's Clear Thinkers hits on something that both Phil and I have been saying all season about Texas Tech's Mike Leach. Kirkendall says Leach is more PR genius than coaching savant.
• Is Houston Nutt a better coach than everyone has given him credit for? That's the question Matt Hinton at Dr. Saturday asks after watching Ole Miss take down Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl. He also has a very funny post about Pat Summerall broadcasting the Cotton Bowl.
• Larry Brown Sports stops just short of calling LSU's Les Miles a douchebag for running a fake punt in the fourth quarter of the Tigers blowout win over Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-a Bowl. I've been looking for video of this since I saw it, but haven't had any luck.
• Tony Barnhart at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says Matt Stafford will probably leave for the NFL and Knowshon Moreno will return to Athens for another year with Georgia.
• Iowa could have easily fallen apart this year, but according to Mike Hlas over at The Hlog Coach Kirk Ferentz stuck to his "old-school" values and that's why Iowa rebounded after a 3-3 start. In case you missed it, the Hawkeyes totally schooled South Carolina and Steve Spurrier
• It appears Randy Shannon has a heart after all. According to the Miami Herald's Manny Navarro, the U has partially lifted the SEC ban on former quarterback Robert Marve.

Good night.

Bowl Preview: Outback Bowl

Outback Bowl
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay
Iowa vs. South Carolina
Date: Jan. 1
Time: 11 a.m.
TV: ESPN
Line: Iowa -4

About Iowa: In an effort to continue their reign as college football’s most boring team, the Hawkeyes still run an endless supply of stretch plays and QB boots with incomplete passes. Kirk Ferentz is often rumored to take this boringness to the NFL where boring is a Sunday ritual.

Intangibles:
Chuck Long: +2
Hayden Fry: +1
Pink locker rooms: +2
Iowa City: -4

About South Carolina: After a brief resurgence under Lou Holtz, the Gamecocks have become comfortingly crappy under Steve Spurrier. Under a defensive genius like Spurrier, South Carolina has become known for its tremendous defense only to be hampered by a horrible offense and terrible quarterback play. Perhaps they should think about bringing in a new offensive coordinator.

Intangibles:
90 percent of fans think wearing “Cocks’ hat hilarious: -5
50 percent of fans talk like Foghorn Leghorn; -3
20 percent of fans look like Civil War general: -1
Weather: +5

Impact Player: Iowa running back Shonn Greene looks like a human fireplug. Amazing how much one good running back can make a sickly offense seem adequate.

Bowl slogan: “Outback” Rewarding mediocrity in football – much like our steaks.”

Little known fact: Only bowl game with a pirate ship.

Watchability (1-5): 3

The Pick: Iowa 24, South Carolina 12

Video: Off base at South Carolina

You produce a video like this if you are the 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers. Or maybe if you are the 2001 Miami Hurricanes. But the 2008 South Carolina Gamecocks? Think not.

Steve Spurrier's South Carolina team is 7-5 and lost its final two games by a combined score of 87-20. The Gamecocks' opponent, Iowa, in the Outback Bowl is usually a tough bowl foe. The Hawkeyes are riding a three-game winning streak, including a huge 24-23 victory over Penn State, which kept the Nittany Lions out of the National Championship game.

So why would anyone put out a video like this? I hate SEC arrogance.

Observations from Saturday's Games (Nov. 15)

Don't tell me the Big 12 is better than the SEC. Watch Florida for a quarter, or Alabama play defense and it's clear where the best talent is in 2008. Saturday's lame schedule proved to be a pretty good day. Here are some observations from Saturday's action:

1. Heckuva a team. The Florida Gators have amazing talent. I'm still trying to figure out how they lost to Ole Miss at home. With the Ol' Ball Coach returning for just the second time at South Carolina, the Gators put a good ol' fashioned butt-whipping on the Gamecocks, 56-6. That's impressive considering, South Carolina had won six of seven and its defense ranked third in the nation. That defense held strong for a little while, but Spurrier's inept offense put them in so many holes it was impossible to compete with the Gators.

2. Wacky ACC. Where do you start? North Carolina State is like the Pittsburgh Pirates in September. The games don't mean much, but you can play a spoiler role. The Wolfpack did just that with a win over Wake Forest. Then there is Maryland. One week after getting manhandled by Virginia Tech, the Terps squeak by ACC favorite North Carolina 17-15. And right now Florida State is losing to Boston College at home.

3. USF Bulls(hit). Would someone tell South Florida that the season is 12 games, not six. After reaching the lofty status as a Top 10 team earlier this season, Jim Leavitt's boys have imploded again. Don't tell me Rutgers is that good. I picked the upset, but the Scarlet Knights pummeled USF 49-16 in Tampa.

4. Reality check for Tommy. Doesn't it look like Auburn's Tommy Tuberville is coaching like a guy who knows he's about to be fired? He got a little whiny on Saturday as his Tigers fell to Georgia 17-13 (which is also sad that UGA is so inept on offense). So who tops Auburn's wish list right now?

5. Rose Bowl rematch? If Oregon State gets two more wins it could happen. If Penn State downs Michigan State next week it could happen also. If those two possibilities happen, the Beavers and Nittany Lions will play in the Rose Bowl -- an unlikely rematch. In the first meeting Penn State rolled 45-14 in State College. This odd rematch remains alive because Oregon State defeated Cal 34-21 Saturday, while PSU rolled past Indiana 34-7.

6. First 8-loss season. Hey Michigan, you're just one week away from your first 9-loss season. Think Ryan Mallett could have helped a little this season?

7. Not your father's A&M. Remember when Texas A&M was a legitimate Top 10 team and when the Aggies played Texas it was usually a good game and A&M could be favored? Mike Sherman's first year in College Station has been a disaster and nothing makes that point any clearer than a 41-21 loss to Baylor.

8. Best backfield? Maybe many of you would choose Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin. But Ohio State's Beanie Wells and Terrelle Pryor are as good as any tandem in the country right now. The Buckeye duo combined for more than 250 rushing yards and two scores in a 30-20 victory at Illinois.

9. Bayou trouble. Not watching the game, but it seems every Score Update on Troy at LSU is another score by the Trojans. Last check it was 31-10 in the third quarter.

10. Better than expected. All week and all day everyone kept talking about the weak slate of football games today. Of course, there weren't the great matchups of ranked teams that we'd like to see. Just look at the primetime game of Boston College and Florida State. But it was still a great day of games. Stop complaining and just enjoy each week.

Picks of the Week

OK. My little experiment last week was a complete and utter failure. I took four huge favorites, and not a single one covered. I also went with Marshall at East Carolina, and despite the Herd's best effort they fell in OT (however, they did cover but I can't count it).

This week I'm going back to a more traditional selection method (flip a coin). If that doesn't work, I'm asking my 3-year-old next week to help. So here are this week's picks.

Connecticut (-9.5) over Syracuse
Syracuse's season has sort been up in smoke. Thank that's a stretch? Did you see where two Orange players opened a hookah bar and the grand opening was Friday night. UConn's players are a little more focused than this. The Huskies win big in the Carrier Dome.
Pick: Connecticut 32, Syracuse 9

UCLA (-7) over Washington
OK, maybe this isn't fair. Picking against another team with a coach who won't be back next year. You'd think the Huskies might get fired up to play against former coach Rick Neuheisel. Only problem, the current UW players have no idea who Slick Rick is. UCLA should execute better and pull out an easy win in Seattle.
Pick: UCLA 21, Washington 3

South Carolina (+22.5) over Florida
Not picking the straight up upset, but the Gamecocks have one of the nation's best defenses. If Steve Spurrier could learn to coach an offense again South Carolina could be a factor in the SEC. Tim Tebow will lead the Gators to a win, but it should be a slugfest in The Swamp.
Pick: Florida 28, South Carolina 10

Nebraska (-6) over Kansas State
If Bo Pelini thinks the defense deserves the Black Shirts again (despite giving up 35 last week) then I'll bite. If the Cornhuskers defense lives up to the Black Shirt tradition they should rolle past K-State in Manhattan.
Pick: Nebraska 32, Kansas State 14

Upset of the Week
Rutgers (+8) over South Florida
This is a match up of teams going in opposite directions. The Bulls know a Big East title is out of reach now, but they've been talking all week about finishing with 10 victories. But the numbers don't lie. USF has lost 3 of its last 4, while the Scarlet Knights have won three straight. Also, Matt Grothe is so overrated. Not only does Rutgers cover, but they upset the Bulls in Tampa.
Pick: Rutgers 18, South Florida 15

Last Week: 0-5
Season: 17-23

Egos galore--Meyer vs. Spurrier

Maybe Urban Meyer should wear a visor Saturday and play golf until kickoff of the Florida-South Carolina game. Why?

He might as well go for the full Spurrier.

Twice in two days Meyer--possibly the most arrogant coach in the NCAA since Rich-Rod has been humbled at Michigan--has referred to himself as "the head football coach." According to The Miami Herald, Meyer did it on Sunday during a teleconference and he did it again on Monday during a press conference.

Let the head games begin. We all know that Steve Spurrier calls himself the "Head Ball Coach," something he started as the Florida Gators czar in the 1990s.

There's no question Meyer is taking shots at Spurrier. It's probably an attempt to fire up his own team, who hasn't played well against Spurrier's South Carolina teams. What Meyer needs to remember is Spurrier built the Florida dynasty that he was handed when Ron Zook couldn't manage it.

Show Steve some respect.

Steve talks too much

As noted below, Steve Spurrier took his name quickly out of the running for the Tennessee job. Exactly why UT would be interested in the coach of a middle-of-the-road SEC team with horrific quarterback play, is still up for debate.

Of course, Spurrier couldn't help but live up to his classy rep by taking shots at his former punching bag Fulmer.

“I don’t know whether to feel sorry for coach or congratulate him for the biggest buyout in the history of college football. He got the best deal ever, I think,” Spurrier said, referring to the $6 million buyout Fulmer is expected to receive.

Sounds like Stevie is just jealous he didn't get jack for walking away mid-contract from his disaster with the Redskins. You remember - that job where they actually wanted him to work. Besides, Steve doesn't want that Vols' job. It doesn't come with a free membership to Augusta.

Tennessee: 2008's Michigan

Big-name coaches are lining up to tell University of Tennessee thanks, but no thanks.

Today, Duke's David Cutcliffe, North Carolina's Butch Davis and South Carolina's Steve Spurrier have all publicly stated they aren't interested in the void left by the bitter Phil Fulmer.

Programs like Tennessee (Clemson and Syracuse pay attention) need to realize they aren't that attractive to established coaches. (See post below. Rich Rodriguez had it much better at WVU than he does at Michigan). Those coaches don't need the headache or rebuilding nightmare that it requires.

Now Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp is ready for the challenge and would embrace it. Or maybe consider Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong or consider a young and emerging coach like Buffalo's Turner Gill (who may be a better fit at Syracuse).

Big hit of the Week

The SEC and South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier have cleared referee Wilbur Hackett Jr. of any wrongdoing in the Gamecocks' 24-17 loss to LSU this past weekend. I'm sure he didn't mean it, but it sure looks like Hackett wants to take down quarterback Stephen Garcia.

How many times was this clip replayed in film sessions on Sunday? Garcia should be embarrassed. Hackett should have wrapped up. Really poor form for a former All-American.