Miles' meltdown in Mississippi

It's all about your perspective.

There are Michigan fans calling for Rich Rod's head so the Wolverines can bring in Michigan Man Les Miles. After watching Miles mismanage and mishandle the final seconds of LSU's game at Ole Miss last night, there are not many supporters remaining in Baton Rouge.

Have you ever seen a team screw up a perfect situation more? LSU scores and misses the two-point conversion to pull within two in the waning seconds. Manages to get the on-side kick, get into field goal range and then make horrible calls that pushed the Tigers out of range.

Then Miles' team didn't get a timeout called quick enough and allowed more than 20 seconds to run off before getting the call. Miles said after the game, "That play, the clock ran down, timeouts were being called verbally and I didn't relate to the official apparently, and that was the mistake. We didn't know that it hadn't been called."

That can happen, and neither can the hysteria that was taking place on the LSU sideline.

Still, the Tigers completed an unlikely 42-yard pass to Terrance Tolliver at the Ole Miss 6. With the first down, the clock stopped with 1 second remaining. Instead of running the field goal team on the field to rush a shot at the win, QB Jordan Jefferson spiked the ball and the clock struck zero.

Miles claims he doesn't know who called for the spike. The video shows otherwise.

Hey Michigan fans ... you still want Miles over Rich Rod?

Picks of the Week: No. 6

Mixing it up a little again this week. In hopes of improving his record the ’Eer is adding a mid-major game and getting away from all of the ranked teams. He believes this is the week he turns the corner and proves his supernatural abilities at picking games against the spread.

Michigan State (-4.0) over Illinois
It just seems like the Spartans should be much bigger favorites in this one. The Spartans have won five consecutive games at Illinois' Memorial Stadium (Illinois' last home win in the series came in 1992) and they could easily be 4-1 instead of 2-3. Despite the early missteps, Mark Dantonio will have MSU ready for the Illini and keep the Spartans in the Big Ten race.
Pick: Michigan State 33, Illinois 20

Alabama (-5.0) over Mississippi
This game scares me a bit because Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt always does his best work when his team is overlooked or counted out. But Alabama’s coaches, players and fans just seethed during the offseason when everyone was picking the Rebs to win the SEC West (of couse we didn’t). QB Greg McElroy is 5-0 as the ‘Bama starter and he won’t be nearly as harassed as his counterpart Jevan Snead.
Pick: Alabama 28, Mississippi 17

Wisconsin (+16.0) over Ohio State
Can you believe Wisconsin has the best red zone offense in the nation? It’s true. The Badgers have converted 20-of-20 attempts in the red zone. Wisky hasn’t faced a defense quite as good as the Buckeyes so getting into the red zone may be tough. However, 16 points is too much to give UW and not take it. Plus, the Badgers defense isn’t too bad and they might keep Terrelle Pryor in check enough to keep this much closer than the odds makers think.
Pick: Ohio State 27, Wisconsin 17

Ohio (-3.0) over Akron
The Bobcats are the surprise of the Mid-American Conference and at 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the conference they are primed to win the East Division. An easy four-week run begins at Akron this weekend. Ohio QB Theo Scott has been efficient this season, including a 11-of-19 for 203-yard performance in a win against Bowling Green. The Bobcats also have a solid running game led by Chris Garrett.
Pick: Ohio 29, Akron 17

Upset of the Week
Connecticut (+7.0) over Pittsburgh
This is a nice Big East match up that’s receiving regional ABC coverage. UConn is one stupid penalty away from being undefeated, but instead the Huskies are 3-1 and boast the conference’s best defense. Pitt gets the home-field advantage (if there is such a thing at Heinz Field for Pitt) and a stronger offense. But UConn has something to prove and the Huskies don’t want another mid-season meltdown. That starts with a win on the road at Pitt.
Pick: Connecticut 24, Pittsburgh 14

Last Week: 3-2
Season Record: 13-12

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.

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.

Bowl Preview: Cotton Bowl

AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic
Cotton Bowl, Dallas
Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss
Date: Jan. 2
Time: 2 p.m.
TV: FOX
Line: Texas Tech -4

About Texas Tech: Coach Mike Leach is a genius. We know this because game announcers tell us all about how he has a law degree. (OMG! a LAW degree? He's SO SMART! Nobody has one of those!) Unfortunately, he tends to coach like an idiot. Tech throws the ball all over hell's half-acre and looks pretty doing it, but Leach tends to make dumb decisions at key junctures. Anyway, as usual, Tech can score and move the ball. They were in the national title running until everyone realized they're Texas Tech.

Intangibles:
Leach pirate fetish: -1
Lubbock: -4
Red Raider guy on horse: +4

About Ole Miss: Good-ole boy wunderkind Houston Nutt looks like some kind of genius after taking to the Rebels to the Cotton Bowl thanks to Ed Orgeron's recruits. Nutt, is most certainly NOT a genius though, especially when it comes to text messaging. Anyway, the Rebels are a decent team and Nutt does get some credit. Jevan Snead is a decent QB and that Michael Oher dude on the OL is a total freak.

Intangibles:
Firing David Cutcliffe: -3
Firing Ed Orgeron: +3
more John Grisham novels: -2
Biloxi: -1
Gambling in Biloxi: +2

Impact player: While I was tempted to pick the defensive guy from Tech who gets all gussied up with crazy hair and makeup, I'll go with Snead who needs to play well for Ole Miss to hang around.

Bowl Slogan: "We used to be somebody!"

Little known fact: This is the final year the Cotton Bowl will be played in the traditional Fair Park location. Next year it will be played in the new Cowboys monolith. That sucks.

Watchability (1-5): 3

The Pick: Texas Tech 27, Ole Miss 24

Allegiance for sale

This guy (who shall remain headless) sells his college football allegiance on eBay and winds up with Ole Miss. I understand his anger and disappointment in Michigan. But how long until he's fed up with 4-8, 5-7 and maybe 6-6 seasons from the Rebels? I give him two years. Bad move dude.

Our Top 25 (Dec. 8)

School (LW) Record
1. Florida (2) 12-1
2. Texas (3) 11-1
3. Southern Cal (5) 11-1
4. Oklahoma (4) 12-1
5. Alabama (1) 12-1
6. Utah (6) 12-0
7. Boise State (7) 12-0
8. Penn State (9) 11-1
9. Texas Tech (8) 11-1
10. Ohio State (11) 10-2
11. Cincinnati (13) 11-2
12. Georgia Tech (14) 9-3
13. Texas Christian (12) 10-2
14. Oklahoma State (16) 9-3
15. Georgia (21) 9-3
16. Michigan State (19) 9-3
17. Pittsburgh (24) 9-3
18. Oregon (17) 9-3
19. Virginia Tech (NR) 9-4
20. Mississippi (23) 8-4
21. Northwestern (20) 9-3
22. Iowa (25) 8-4
23. Brigham Young (18) 10-2
24. Florida State (NR) 8-4
25. Boston College (15) 9-4

Others receiving votes: West Virginia, Oregon State, North Carolina, Missouri, California, Rutgers, Mount Union.

Congrats Ole Miss, you just got Nutted

I can't believe Ole Miss fell for oldest trick in Houston Nutt's book.

"Houston Nutt and Mississippi agreed to a contract extension Friday that will keep the football coach in Oxford following a report he was a target for the Auburn opening."

does anyone at Ole Miss even pay attention to SEC football? Every year Nutt would magically "withdraw his name from consideration" from some job he wasn't being considered for. You really think Auburn was going to hire an Arkansas retread?

Now, it may not seem that big a deal because Nutt just led the Rebels to an 8-4 season and looks like he has Ole Miss headed in the right direction. But why extend a contract after a year? Worked out pretty well for Notre Dame.

Our Top 25 (Dec. 1)

School (LW) Record
1. Alabama (1) 12-0
2. Florida (2) 11-1
3. Texas (3) 11-1
4. Oklahoma (4) 11-1
5. Southern Cal (5) 10-1
6. Utah (6) 12-0
7. Boise State (7) 12-0
8. Texas Tech (9) 11-1
9. Penn State (8) 11-1
10. Ball State (11) 12-0
11. Ohio State (10) 10-2
12. Texas Christian (16) 10-2
13. Cincinnati (17) 10-2
14. Georgia Tech (20) 9-3
15. Boston College (21) 9-3
16. Oklahoma State (12) 9-3
17. Oregon (22) 9-3
18. Brigham Young (24) 10-2
19. Michigan State (19) 9-3
20. Northwestern (23) 9-3
21. Georgia (13) 9-3
22. Missouri (14) 9-3
23. Mississippi (NR) 8-4
24. Pittsburgh (25) 8-3
25. Iowa (NR) 8-4

Others receiving votes: Florida State, Virginia Tech

Observations from Saturday's Games (Nov. 22)

This was a great day for 'Eer. West Virginia won, Michigan, Notre Dame and Marshall all lost. Now if Pitt and Oklahoma could win tonight it would be a near perfect day (damn Penn State). Here are some observations from Saturday:

1. Charlie Weis is a genius. This was his week. He was taking over the offensive play calling and he was going to show us his coaching brilliance. Wait. No one told Syracuse. Yeah, that Syracuse. The Big East dwelling Orange mounted a great comeback and won in South Bend 24-23. With this loss Notre Dame is 0-2 in Big East play (0-3 if you count old Big East member Boston College). Can we just revoke Notre Dame's bowl eligibility? May be time to rethink that lifetime contract with Weis.

2. Rich Rodriguez is a bigger genius. If Rich-Rod could have just kept his ego in check a little he'd still be in Morgantown and considered a coaching guru who drew coaches from around the nation to see if his magic rubs off. Instead, he's now the worst coach in Michigan football history following a 42-7 loss at Ohio State and finishing 3-9. Great move Rich.

3. Showing some respect. It's obvious Urban Meyer wants Tim Tebow to win the Heisman again this year. He keeps him in games late when the outcome is decided. But even the arrogant Meyer showed a little class in Saturday's 70-19 victory over The Citadel. He pulled Tebow for the second half, instead of padding his stats for a run at another Heisman.

4. Poor State of football. Washington and Ty Willingham are probably going to go winless this year. The best shot came Saturday against what many thought was the worst BCS team in the country -- Washington State. However, the Cougars upset the rival Huskies (if you can upset a winless team) thanks to a last-second FG and another kick on double OT. Willingham would have liked the one win before leaving Seattle. Wazzu's Paul Wulff needed this win in his first season.

5. SEC bashing. During this past week's podcast I defended the SEC as still being the best conference in college football. After watching LSU get pushed around by Ole Miss and bowl-bound Vanderbilt's collapse against Tennessee. The SEC is two-deep this year. No Georgia, you aren't in the mix either. It's just Florida and Alabama (arguably the two best teams in the nation). But the SEC usually stakes claim to best conference because of depth. There's more depth in the Big East and Big 10 this year.

6. Sigh of relief. So how nervous must the folks have been at Camp Randall with Cal Poly almost pulling off the huge upset over Wisconsin? If not for three missed PATs, the Badgers would have lost. I would have loved to have been in those stands to hear what was being said about Bret Bielema.

7. Fighting words. It seems teams didn't want to get along today. There were at least three reported pre-game scuffles with Ohio State-Michigan, West Virginia-Louisville and BYU-Utah. Can't we all just get along.

8. BCS shakeup. It's still the second quarter (as I write this), but it looks like Oklahoma is going to cruise past No. 2 Texas Tech. So who's the best in the Big 12 now?

9. One smart Nutt. Ole Miss' Houston Nutt can coach football. His two stops in the SEC (Arkansas and Ole Miss) are not juggernaut programs. But Nutt always seems to put good teams on the field and they are always well prepared. His Rebels proved it again today by whipping LSU 31-13 at Tiger Stadium. According to ESPN, Ole Miss may get a Cotton Bowl invite.

10. Tip of the cap. To Florida State safety Myron Rolle for arriving in College Park, Md., as a Rhodes Scholar. What an impressive accomplishment for someone who faces many obstacles as a Division I athlete.

Interesting developments

With my daughter trying to talk to me through her BabyCall monitor, I'm downstairs looking for anything interesting in college football land. Lo and behold, I found some things. Hope you enjoy.

* I have never been a big South Florida believer, and I think Jim Leavitt is overrated as a coach. However, I'm shocked to learn that there is a website calling for Leavitt to be fired. More attention has been heaped on the Bulls because the past two years they have been impressive enough to crack the Top 10 only to fall apart in the second half of the season. Saturday's embarrassing 49-16 home loss to Rutgers seems to have fired up the fringe USF fans. Leavitt built this program from nothing. Think Syracuse wouldn't take Leavitt? Relax folks.

* It may seem like a gag or some odd trivia questions, but Vanderbilt and Mississippi are both bowl eligible. Auburn and Tennessee, however, are not. What's going on in the SEC? The Commodores are bowl eligible for the first time since 1982 and Ole Miss for the first time since 2003. Auburn's only chance of getting into a bowl is by upsetting top-ranked Alabama. Not likely, so the Tigers will miss a bowl for the first time since 1999. The Volunteers are missing out for the second time in four years.

* I still can't believe it has been more than two years since Miami was in the Top 25. The Hurricanes, following a 16-14 victory over Virginia Tech, cracked The Associated Press poll at No. 23. Miami is very young, but improving with each game. Randy Shannon deserves a ton of credit for recruiting well. Now he must continue to coach them up if they want to remain a factor.

* With all of the coaching changes it seems Utah State's firing of Brent Guy (did you really know he was the coach?) totally went under the radar. Guy went 8-38 and is 2-9 this season. He will coach the final game. However, what's interesting about this job is the Aggies are trying to lure former Louisville and Michigan State coach John L. Smith to Logan, Utah.

* In another coaching change, New Mexico's winningest coach, Rocky Long, stepped down today following 11 seasons. Instead of the normal coach-speak reasons for leaving, Long was very frank. He was quoted on ESPN.com as saying, "I want this program to be on top. I wanted it be on top as a player. I wanted it be on top as an assistant coach. And I wanted it to be on top as the head coach. I don't see it happening with me as the head coach."

God Love It

Of course, I mean college football.

First, let's make it clear, there is no team that is either in or out of the national championship race. There just isn't. Well, except maybe Louisville. (Seriously, you're up 1 with 2:30 left and you're throwing the ball?)

Today has been one of those days that makes college football great, infuriating and completely unpredictable:

- Ole Miss beats #4 Florida AT The Swamp. Blocked extra point. Stopping the unstoppable force, Tim Tebow, on a fourth and one.

- Navy, NAVY, beats Wake Forest.

- Auburn wins despite never having the ball on the Tennessee side of the 50 in the second half.

- A Michigan team that looked completely incompetent in the first half and trailed Wisconsin 19-0, scores 27 unanswered points and holds on to win their Big Ten opener.

- It's still the first half, but Bama is completely dismantling Georgia, 31-0.