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.

Podcast: Episode 60

We've been away from the podcasting airwaves for two weeks and it shows as Phil and Tom drone on for more than 40 minutes about college football. OK, we think it's pretty interesting as we dissect USC's issues with the NCAA and what might happen to the Trojans (does anyone else think the NCAA brass wouldn't mind sticking it to USC just for hiring Lane Kiffin?).

We also turn our attention to the escalating ticket prices at some of the nation's top programs, including Ohio State, which plans to raise single-game tickets to $70 in 2010. Since it's February and we can, we also make our way-too-early prediction on who'll play in the BCS Championship next season. We also can't avoid talking about the ban on eye-black messages (thanks Tim Tebow and Terrelle Pryor) as well as what might happen with Big Ten and Pac-10 expansion. Enjoy another show from Phil and Tom.

Podcast: Episode 58

We're glad to be back after a week off from the podcasting world. Phil and Tom needed a little rest, but now they are ready to look at some of the hot topics in college football.

We start with an evaluation of the coaching hires around the country and evaluate who will make the most immediate impact, who will be the best long-term hire and who is the worst hire. Next, we discuss all of the recruiting wars and player poaching by coaches. Is it not time to have an early signing date for college football, much like basketball and other sports? We then shift our focus to the next decade. The SEC dominated the football landscape during the 2000s, but can it continue its dominance in the teens? There's a good chance, but as conferences look to add new teams the chances are good the SEC will come back to the rest of the pack.

We tried to get through a show without mentioning Lane Kiffin, but we couldn't do it. Sorry guys. We also pick the college football program we would play for today if either of us were 18 and had a lick of talent. Where would you go? Enjoy the show.

Runaway Lane

It appears Lane Kiffin will have to live with video tributes like this until the season begins. So enjoy the latest Kiffin spoof courtesy of LSUFreek.

Pete Carroll keeps sense of humor

Pete Carroll's Trip to Seattle Delayed from Rob Riggle

Why can't more coaches be like Pete Carroll? Yea, he screwed USC into future NCAA probation and convinced Trojan brass to hire brain-dead Lane Kiffin. But Pete just doesn't take himself too serious.

Could you see Nick Saban doing this? Or maybe Urban Meyer wouldn't need to dial 911 when Tim Tebow slips to the fifth round of the NFL Draft in April. Didn't think so.

Move over Lane

Just wanted to give you a little more Lane Kiffin. Here's his press conference at USC. He acts like a teenager. How did Monte Kiffin's kid get to be so wimpy? Just answer the question from T.J. Simers and move on.

I have a feeling this is not the last time we'll be posting something about Mr. Kiffin.

How not to handle a presser

As someone who has attended way too many pressers, and now helps organize them. This is not the way to do it.

How the media is acting is normal. Everyone wants the scoop or doesn't want to be left out. But the guy organizing the presser needs some medication. Give the media the ground rules and then sit back and let them duke it out. If they want to talk to the outgoing coach they'll fall into line.

Can't spell "Suck it, Lane!" without UT

After being jilted by the hot, young thing they left their wife for, Tennessee appears to be running back to the old ball and chain, as Phil Fulmer Jr., errr David Cutcliffe is considered the clubhouse leader for the head coaching job.

Cutcliffe has nine wins in two seasons at Duke, which is like 20 wins at any normal school. But his biggest achievement was making Ole Miss just good enough to get himself fired.

Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and Air Force coach Troy Calhoun have each issued the standard coaching hire denials: "Who? What? I've never heard of them before. Tennesse? Don't even know where it is."

Podcast: Episode 57

We tried to take a week off from podcasting, but then USC, Pete Carroll and Lane Kiffin had to blow up this week.

Phil and Tom dissect the decisions of all three parties and where Tennessee goes from here in this impromptu podcast. Could the Vols go with Will Muschamp at Texas, Troy Calhoun at Air Force or throw everyone off and go an entirely different direction.

Speaking of Tennessee, what the heck was that athletic administration thinking by allowing the Traitor Kiffin to conduct a media conference at their facility. Bad call folks. So much for a week off. Enjoy the show.

Our boy no more ... Kiffin disappoints with move to USC

So Lane, just one question? Did USC agree to pay your buyout as well as Bryce Brown's?

The seismic news out of SoCal is that first-year Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin figured it was a lot easier winning in the Pac-10 than it is in the SEC (and there's no Urban Meyer to get in his head) so he is now the USC coach after going 7-5 in his one season in Knoxville. (Good news for Bruce Pearl ... that's right you're the Big Man on Campus again). He's definitely escaping Knoxville like he possesses some of that SEC speed.

Word is Kiffin is also taking his daddy--defensive wiz Monte Kiffin--and the $650,000-a-year assistant head coach Ed Orgeron.

The UT message boards and blogs are going crazy. While some at USC are hailing this hire. With the crap that Pete Carroll left behind and the pending NCAA sanctions, wouldn't have made more sense for the Trojans to hire someone who didn't have weekly run-ins with NCAA brass?

While USC seems to have its man, who does Tennessee target now? Duke's David Cutcliffe, Air Force's Troy Calhoun, Virginia Tech's Bud Foster or East Carolina's Skip Holtz make sense. But sense UT doesn't seem to mind the publicity that comes with ego-first coaches, maybe Mike Leach or Jim Leavitt could step in right away.

Let's not forget, Phil Fulmer is still interested.

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.

Kiffin jabs Urban again

You can reprimand him and fine him, but you'll never shut up Tennessee's Lane Kiffin. In a story in the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Kiffin gets in another dig at Florida's Urban Meyer.

In a radio interview Tuesday, Kiffin was asked about Saturday's much-anticipated Southeastern Conference title game between Alabama and Florida. "Florida has better players; Alabama has better coaches," Kiffin said.

Will this guy ever shut up?

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.

Oh no you di int!

Please Urban, be the bigger man. Did you really have to stoop to Lane Kiffin's level?

Guess he couldn't help himself during Sunday's media session. Instead of giving Tennessee credit for keeping the game close in The Swamp Saturday, UF coach Urban Meyer had this to say.

"I didn't feel like they were going after the win. They wanted to shorten the game. I think that was the plan. There are 10 minutes to go and they're not in a no-huddle. It's 23-6 and no urgency (on Tennessee's part).

"The way we lose a game there is throw an interception. Why put yourself in that position? Let's find a way to win the game. We're not trying to impress the pollsters. We're trying to win the game. A lot of it had to do with the way they were playing. It made our life a little easier."

Hey coach, we all agree with you. But it was the only strategy Kiffin and the Vols had. The Gators are far superior. Somehow, I could see this playing into Kiffin's diabolical scheme. Now he has billboard material. Now he can go tell recruits how he and his old man outcoached you in what was supposed to be a Gator romp.

These two are going to be fun to watch over the next few years. That's if Kiffin can keep his job.

Podcast: Episode 40

This week it is the ’Eer and his WVU Mountaineers who have the big game as they travel into SEC country to take on Auburn. He is optimistic the Mounties can continue their recent dominance of SEC foes.

On the flip side, ’Eye is going to stay home and watch the Buckeyes travel to Cleveland and take on Toledo. He needs the break after the tough loss to USC last week. However, he does an excellent job of breaking down OSU's offensive woes, what the future is for Terrelle Pryor and what is lacking in Jim Tressel’s playbook.

We also look at the potential whipping that Lane Kiffin may take at the hands of Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators. Folks, strap ’em on, this should be another great week of College Football.

Zip it already Mr. Kiffin

So now Urban Meyer has another reason to score at will on Saturday. That's right, Lane Kiffin just doesn't know when to shut up. He sort of reminds us of former Vice President Dick Cheney, who rambles incoherently a lot these days.

Like the Gators didn't have enough bulletin-board material when Kiffin took a swipe at the Florida offense. Thanks to Joseph Goodman's blog at The Miami Herald, Kiffin told some beat writers that UF's spread offense could be the reason some top recruits like Nu'Keese Richardson backed out on Florida and wound up in Knoxville.

"You see some kids that don't want to play in that system because a lot of times it hurts them going to the next level for their draft status," Kiffin said.

It didn't take Florida's PR machine long to respond to Kiffin's body blow with a knockout punch of its own. Pulled from UF's response: Since 2006, the Gators have had more wide receivers (six) taken in the NFL Draft (they are tied with LSU and Ohio State).

Did Florida stop there? No. Of course not. Those crafty sports information folks also reminded us that Tennessee has had just one receiver drafted since 2006.

Psst. Lane. Just take your beating this weekend and if (and that's a big if) you ever beat Florida then you can start running your mouth then.

It could get ugly in The Swamp

Remember this quote?

"I'm really looking forward to embracing some of the great traditions at the University of Tennessee, for instance the Vol Walk, running through the T, singing Rocky Top all night long after we beat Florida next year," Lane Kiffin said back on Dec. 1, 2008. "It will be a blast.

The Florida Gators remember. I've recently spoken to a few UF fans (even a few who will be in attendance and will probably be wearing the mandated blue clothing) and I get the feeling beating Kiffin and the Vols won't be enough. They want to humiliate Kiffin in The Swamp on Saturday. Something tells me Urban Meyer isn't worried about playing back-ups this week.

Let's not forget that Kiffin has had some other lapses in judgment since taking over in Knoxville.

Tim Tebow has been quoted as saying he has his coach's back, while others have said Kiffin's remarks are certainly being used for motivation. I love what OL James Wilson said of Kiffin. "It's all over our locker room," he said. "That's something you don't forget. We just look at it like it's another thing to back up and just prove him wrong. I thought he was a nice guy, but I don't know what he was thinking when he said all that. It kind of hit a nerve."

Is it possible to be this excited about a game you know will be a blow out?

Is Bozo a Tennessee Vol?

Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin has been called many things since being hired by the Vols. Heck, we call him Our Boy at An ’Eye and an ’Eer. Now Florida Gators tackle Matt Patchan says, "He's a bozo."

Guess I can see his point. However, Miami Herald reporter Joseph Goodman thinks Patchan was a bit short-sighted. He says:

"As a childhood fan of Bozo the Clown, I find this very offensive. It was Bozo the Clown, after all, who basically invented beer pong. It was Bozo the Clown, after all, who fueled our nation's love of space exploration by sending kids to space camp!"

Kiffin may not have invented anything, but he's certainly given a new meaning to "Mouth of the South."

Tennessee at Florida. OK, everyone raise their hand who can't wait for Sept. 19 to get here?

Expectations are high for Vols

Expectations are definitely high for the Volunteers and Our Boy Lane Kiffin. I almost feel bad for him because Urban Meyer is going to enjoy putting it to UT this year when the Vols travel to Gainesville on Sept. 19. Does anyone remember how Meyer repaid Mark Richt last year?

Bill-bored with Volunteers

I have defended "Our Boy" Lane Kiffin most of the summer. Those days may officially be over.

After reading The Miami Herald online today I was shocked to see the University of Tennessee has decided to tap its large South Florida base to purchase season tickets for the 2009 season with a billboard in Fort Lauderdale on I-95 and Oakland Park Boulevard.

So where's the logic in this move? It seems Gator-commit and Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson standout Demar Dorsey will pass the billboard on a daily basis. I'm tiring of talking about the poor economy, but someone at Tennessee has to reign in Kiffin and the superfluous spending of the Volunteers Athletic Department.

This is simply a waste of taxpayer or donor money. If the teenager backs out of his verbal over a billboard then the Gators shouldn't have really wanted him that bad. Enough of the incendiary ploys by Kiffin and UT. Here's hoping it backfires.