Canes getting back to recruiting roots

This is a smart move by Coach Randy Shannon.

On a South Florida Sun-Sentinel blog recently, Shannon has said he wants his coaches recruiting the best football players available ... not based on what a recruiting website says about players or how many stars associated with their name.

Instead Shannon wants his coaches evaluating the talent and getting those who perform best on the field and produce results. What he's saying is he wants athletes who know how to play football. That's getting back to Miami's roots.

If Miami officials are willing to stick with Shannon despite what should be another struggle this season, the former defensive coordinator may be close to getting the Hurricanes back on top of the ACC and in the nation.

Podcast: Episode 23

Has it really been two weeks already? Guess so because Phil and Tom are back in the studio with a new podcast for everyone. They're talking about the poor economy and the impact on College Football, Ole Miss and its 38 recruits, the potential of Jon Gruden landing on his feet at the collegiate level and poor Larry Coker. Hope you enjoy Episode 23.

Lane Kiffin: The Man of Many Excuses

Despite Kiffin-gate and all the heat Tennessee's new football coach has taken since National Signing Day, the guy sure knows how to stay positive. Sorry Vols, but this just seems like a real disaster in waiting ... despite the great coaching staff. The guy in charge is way in over his head.

He just seems to have too many excuses for someone who needs to be successful right now.

This video, which is courtesy of the Knoxville News Sun, is Kiffin's way of explaining away any first-year deficiencies. Love the enthusiasm Lane, but the SEC chews up guys like you and spits them out.

Kiffin trashes Meyer ... then apologizes

Man, I just wish Lane Kiffin had been right. Unfortunately after calling out Urban Meyer for a recruiting violation in public, Kiffin had to apologize after the SEC and NCAA said he was wrong.

But this is going to make the Tennessee-Florida rivalry 100 times better than the past few years under Phil Fulmer. Just listen to this guy. I don't know if he can coach a lick, but he's getting the Rocky Top faithful fired up.

Podcast: Episode 22

After a longer-than-expected hiatus, we're back with another episode of An 'Eye and an 'Eer. College Football season never truly ends for Phil and Tom. Today we discuss the annoying development in recruiting that involves high school players trying to one up each other in how they announce their decision.

We also look at the best quarterback coming out of college and the Mountain West Conference's plea to be included in the Bowl Championship Series. We also give you our dream game for WVU and Ohio State.

No love for Urban Meyer

It's too bad Miami and Florida don't meet again on the football field until 2013, because it looks like Randy Shannon doesn't really admire Florida coach Urban Meyer.

Shannon basically called Meyer a punk after the Gators' 26-3 victory in the swamp on Saturday. Shannon wasn't upset over the loss or even the way his team played. Heck, the Canes were huge dogs and played pretty solid defense.

What has the Hurricanes coach ticked is Meyers decision to kick a when he decided to kick a field goal with 25 seconds remaining. This single kick has certainly added another controversial episode in this rivalry.

"Sometimes when you do things and people see what kind of person you really are, you turn a lot of people off," Shannon said Sunday in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "Take from that what you want. It helped us more than you will ever know."

Shannon is referring to the heated Florida recruiting battle that seems to be favoring Miami and Florida more than Florida State these days. Many of those outstanding recruits from a year ago were on display for Miami. Florida's experience was a little too much, but the future is bright in Coral Gables.

The 'Canes may be closer to returning to the top than many analysts thought just a few weeks ago. One thing is certain, the rest of the ACC took notice of that defense.