Podcast: Episode 39

The Big Ten has two big games this weekend that could help enhance its image. First, of course, is Ohio State's shot at redemption against USC at Ohio Stadium. Will the atmosphere of a night game at the Shoe be enough to rattle the freshman QB Matt Barkley? Then there is Michigan's shot at Notre Dame. Both teams need this win in the worst way, but the Irish have more experience, and probably a lot more riding on this game. We also look at the biggest surprises and disappointments from Week 1 (Can you say Iowa and Oregon?), as well as which coach's seat just got a little hotter (Hint: Al Groh).

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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.

Is it possible...

that Syracuse was even worse than we'd imagined? Today, the Orange named transfer Greg Paulus their starting quarterback. You know, the guy who hasn't played football in four years. The guy who new coach Doug Marrone has no reason to play knowing he'll be gone in a year and isn't really someone you're exactly going to build a program around.

But no, the other options at QB for the Orange were so bad, Marrone had no choice but to stick Paulus behind center.

I guess maybe Paulus could have quickly recovered his timing, throwing motion and mastered the 'Cuse offense. Maybe Paulus will lead the Orange to an upset over Minnesota and Penn State in the first two weeks. But probably not.

Quick reads

As I finish up lunch and wait for the next event to begin at a national track meet, here are some interesting reads I found that might interest you.

* Who has done the worst coaching job in the last decade? According to the Bleacher Report it is clearly Ty Willingham.

* Our Boy, Lane Kiffin, is in the news again. Seems he and the strength coach don't see eye to eye. Good thing for Lane, his AD still thinks he's the right man for the job.

* Pete Carroll is now using Twitter to bolster jersey sales at the USC bookstore.

* Mike Hlas from the Cedar Rapids Gazette presents two sides of the BCS argument. One of them being President Obama.

* Michael Rand of the Minneapolis Star Tribune documents the downfall of Ryan Leaf (how many times do we have to do this?).

* Shaq scores a big scoop by getting an interview with Syracuse quarterback Greg Paulus. Watch an interview of Shaq at Syracuse's Sportscaster U.

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.

Paulus becomes BIG distraction for Cuse

Any PR is good PR? I'll give in to the old maxim. But ESPN's Brian Bennett says the buzz created by Duke point guard Greg Paulus choosing Syracuse to play one year of Division I football makes the Orange relevant again.

He's full of crap. I normally agree with Bennett, but he's off on this one. Paulus has been away from the game for four years and he may be lucky to beat out Ryan Nassib, who was named the starter for this season early in spring practice.

I understand Bennett's point. National media will follow this story all season. And if he finally plays or even starts it will lead ESPN's coverage. I'm sure they are already planning some big feature on Paulus for Game Day and Bennett will probably do daily or weekly updates on Paulus.

Also, Paulus may help draw more fans into the Carrier Dome, and give opposing fans plenty to get riled up about each week.

But this will be destracting for everyone else involved with Cuse football and won't have any long-lasting implications for future recruiting.

Now this could work out real well for first-year coach Doug Marrone. He gets a former top-rated prep prospect for one season as he tries to rebuild the Orange. But it's more likely to backfire and cause some dissension in the lockerroom.

I believe Nassib is a gutsy guy who'll relish the competition. But freshmen quarterbacks can also be a bit fragile. Openly courting Paulus may not sit well. Still, Syracuse was 3-9 last season and everything is free game.

Also, Paulus did say all the right things on ESPN radio and added that he couldn't pass up playing for Marrone and the academics of Syracuse as he works on a graduate degree in communications.

Podcast: Episode 28

Back in the studio, Phil and Tom talk about the best non-BCS coaches, including Gary Patterson at TCU and Kyle Whittingham at Utah. We also offer teams facing the biggest question marks in the ACC and Pac-10, as well as dissect the drama that is Greg Paulus. Our quick hitters are some of our best yet. We wonder why Nick Saban was wearing a suit during the Alabama spring game, why Pete Carroll is writing a book and how Jackie Sherrill is getting Mississippi State into trouble again.

Better fit for Paulus

I'm already tired of the Greg Paulus story. But I have to admit this seems like a much better fit. It appears Michigan has stopped courting the former Duke basketball player. Instead, it appears Syracuse is a real possibility for the former Gatorade High School Football Player of the Year.

Dare to Dream

Beating Michigan never gets old for us Ohio State fans, but has gotten a little, um, ho-hum of late.

Then this story broke today, as Duke backup point guard Greg Paulus visited Ann Arbor for spring football practices last week. A former highly-touted prep quarterback, whose brother plays QB for North Carolina, Paulus has used all four years of his basketball eligibility for the Blue Devils. If he switches to football, he's got one year left at any school he chooses.

Is this the best spring news ever? Could be.

Since UM is down to pretty much freshman Tate Forcier at QB, a little depth would be nice. And Paulus has been the poster boy of the whiny, overly-entitled Duke basketball player. It's a beautiful marriage. I could use some good ol' fashioned hate back in the rivalry. And he's easy to hate.

The best part is this: Duke coach David Cutcliffe did ask Paulus to come try out for the Blue Devils' football team - as long as he tried out at wide receiver.

Hmmm, can't cut it at Duke? Come play for Michigan!

That's awesome.