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.

Bowl Preview: Rose Bowl presented by Citi

Rose Bowl presented by Citi
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.
Ohio State vs. Oregon
Date: Jan. 1
Time: 4:30 p.m.
TV: ABC
Line: Oregon -4

About Ohio State (10-2): The Buckeyes discovered a running game in the second half of the year. Good thing, because the passing game has been missing all year. QB Terrelle Pryor didn't take the giant leap forward people were expecting. Instead it's been very small steps. Jim Tressel remains his ever-boring, ever-conservative self.

Intangibles:
1997 Rose Bowl: +3
Rest of David Boston's career: -2
"Rivalry" uniforms: -5

About Oregon (10-2): The Ducks' offense has been on fire the second half of the season, lighting it up with their wacky spread and wackier uniform combinations. What's this week? Retro - a salute to October 2007? Anyway, Chip Kelly's done a nice job since LeGarrette Blount coldcocked a Boise player.

Intangibles:
Phil Knight: +$120 million
Phil Knight's soul: -3
Chip Kelly in visor: -4

Impact player: Oregon RB LaMichael James. OSU needs to slow this little shit down to have a shot.

Little known fact: The Rose Bowl used to be very important back when Nixon was President and wide collars were in.

Watchability (1-5): 4.9

The Pick: Ohio State 31, Oregon 27

Odds favor Meyer, Kelly to be next at ND

So who should I put my cash on to be Notre Dame's next coach?

Urban Meyer or Brian Kelly? There's not much upside to either one as offshor betting service Bodog.com is giving 3:2 odds on either one to be the next Irish coach. Jim Harbaugh is 3:1 but that doesn't look too good as he's about to sign an extension at Stanford.

How about Oregon's Chip Kelly at 5:1? Kirk Ferentz at 10:1? Or Bob Stoops at 20:1? Le't's not forget Jon Gruden at 30:1.

What no odds on Charlie Weis being retained? Hey Charlie who you putting your money on? Maybe I should ask Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick and we could split the winnings.

Picks of the Week: No. 11

I’m 0-10 on upsets this season. I thought I had the Florida State game against Clemson last week and then C.J. Spiller and the Tigers went crazy in the fourth quarter and ended my hopes of ending the drought. Here I go again. Let’s see if I can finally get a 5-0 week.

Idaho (+32.0) over Boise State
You have to love Idaho coach Rob Akey. All week he’s been hyping this game. The Vandals have been a joke the past decade, but Akey has Idaho playing at a higher level and feeling like it can take down the WAC-power Broncos. Idaho isn’t going to go into Bronco Stadium and take take Chris Petersen’s team, which has the nation’s best home winning percentage this decade at .968 (60-2). Not to mention Boise has won 10 straight in this series. Also hurting the Vandals chances of pulling an upset is the possible loss of starting QB Nathan Enderle, who’ll be a game-time decision. Still, I think Idaho will be jacked and keep this closer than 32 points.
Pick: Boise State 44, Idaho 32

Wisconsin (-8.5) over Michigan
Badger fans were ready to ship coach Bret Bielema out of Madison at the beginning of the season and start making a run at Brian Kelly or Chris Petersen. Instead, Wisconsin has been one of the best surprises in the Big Ten and could easily finish this season 10-2. Michigan’s defense will have a tough time stopping QB Scott Tolzien, who completed 11-of-20 for 194 and a score in last week’s win over Indiana. The Wolverines have fallen apart since opening the season 4-0 and are in trouble of missing a bowl game for a second consecutive season under Rich Rodriguez.
Pick: Wisconsin 38, Michigan 17

Alabama (-12.5) over Mississippi State
The Bulldogs have been a competitive and spunky bunch under first-year coach Dan Mullen, but Mississippi State will struggle to score against Alabama’s staunch defense. RB Mark Ingram, who should be the favorite to win the Heisman this season, should pad his rushing stats in this one. He’s rushed for 1,148 yards and eight TDs this season. QB Greg McElroy could also work out of his midseason funk against the Mississippi State defense. It should be noted that McElroy did play well against LSU last week.
Pick: Alabama 27, Mississippi State 9

Oregon (-18.0) over Arizona State
After weeks of anticipation, this game marks the return of RB LeGarrette Blount. But when or will Chip Kelly put him on the field Saturday? The Ducks should bounce back from last week’s disappointing performance against Stanford as Oregon remains in a great position to win the Pac-10. The Sun Devils secondary is porous so QB Jeremiah Masoli should rack up some impressive stats. Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler has a bright future, but he’ll be stymied by Oregon’s defense.
Pick: Oregon 45, Arizona State 21

Upset of the Week
Arizona (+3.0) over California
Wildcats coach Mike Stoops is doing the best job of coaching in the conference, as well as in his family. Arizona has a tough close to the season starting with Cal and then Oregon, Arizona State and USC. The Wildcats get the stretch going in the right direction behind QB Nick Foles, who should feast of the Bears weak pass defense. Cal must also deal with the loss of RB Jahvid Best, who suffered a concussion for the second straight week.
Pick: Arizona 30, California 28

Last Week: 3-2
Season Record: 26-24

Today's notes: Talk about a dangerous precedent

A few thoughts from the blogosphere:

- Geez, Chip Kelly, just cause you got crushed and one of your players cold-cocked a Boise State player, don't give the money back. I'm still waiting on my money from Ohio State for the 1999 Outback Bowl.

- Lane and Urban, sitting in a tree. B-I-T-C-H-I-N-G.
Okay, boys, break it up. This thing's over. Urban, stop talking about the flu. Lane, quit acting like you won. This is football. Grown ups football, boys.

- Irish quarterback Jimmy Clausen has lost his favorite jump ball target, Michael Floyd, for the rest of the year. Charlie Weis hints that Big Ten refs were probably to blame.

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.

Coach-in-Waiting no more

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

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

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

That has to piss off Fisher and Muschamp.