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."

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.

Preseason: ACC rankings

Continuing our way-too-early preseason conference predictions, it is time to look at ACC.

Atlantic Division
1. Florida State
Key players: QB Christian Ponder, DE Kevin McNeil, FB Marcus Sims, LB Kendall Smith.
Predicted record: 9-3
Maybe I'm reaching by having FSU reach the top of the division. There have been plenty of distractions for the Seminoles, starting with the NCAA trying to take away 14 victories from Coach Bowden. It doesn't help that the Noles had to suspend receiver Rod Owens and the NCAA didn't grant Corey Surrency another year of eligibility. FSU may also start three or four freshmen.

2. North Carolina State
Key players: TB Toney Baker, QB Russell Wilson, S Clem Johnson, LB Ray Michael.
Predicted record: 9-3
The Wolfpack are ready to make a move in year three under Tom O'Brien. N.C. State played an almost perfect game against rival North Carolina last year, so expect more of that this season. The Pack are deep at QB with Russell Wilson and Mike Glennon, who could be starting at a few other ACC programs.

3. Wake Forest
Key players: QB Riley Skinner, DT Boo Robinson, WR Jordan Williams, CB Brandon Ghee.
Predicted record: 7-5
This sounds odd to say, but the Demon Deacons were decimated by the NFL Draft, especially on defense (see Aaron Curry). Word out of Winston Salem is the defense isn't in as bad of shape as many may think. Expect a lot more for Riley Skinner this fall, and never underestimate the genius of Jim Grobe.

4. Maryland
Key players: QB Chris Turner, TB Da'Rel Scott, WR Torrey Smith, DB Terrell Skinner.
Predicted record: 7-5
Ralph Friedgen has dropped almost 100 pounds. That's not good news for the Denny's and Waffle House's around College Park. There is positive news about the Terps defense, which is is important in the ACC. Offensively Friedgen usually works miracles, but can he do it with quarterback Chris Turner?

5. Clemson
Key players: RB C.J. Spiller, QB Willy Korn, WR Jacoby Ford, LB Kavell Conner, DE Ricky Sapp.
Predicted record: 6-6
Dabo Swinney is the coach. I could probably stop here. But the first-year coach has a quarterback controversy as both Willy Korn and Kyle Parker are listed as starters for the upcoming season. Besides, this is Clemson. The Tigers will find a way to be mediocre again.

6. Boston College
Key players: DE Austin Giles, LB Mark Herzlich, QB Dominique Davis, RB Josh Haden.
Predicted record: 4-8
Let's not even get into the whole coaching fiasco this winter. Boston College has been one of the ACC's best teams the past two years. But there are too many question marks and the devastating news that ACC Defensive Player of the Year Mark Herzlich has cancer could mean a long season in Chestnut Hill.

Coastal Division
1. Virginia Tech
Key players: QB Tyrod Taylor, TB Darren Evans, S Dorian Porch, LB Cody Grimm.
Predicted record: 10-2
Tyrod Taylor is a unique talent, and if he stays healthy could lead the Hokies to a memorable season. Defensively, Virginia Tech could be the best in the ACC when all is said and done. Special teams remain a strength, but the Hokies may be weaker than normal at kicker.

2. Georgia Tech
Key players: QB Josh Nesbitt, TB Jonathan Dwyer, C Sean Bedford, LB Sedric Griffin, DE Robert Hall.
Predicted record: 9-3
The rest of the ACC will be a little more comfortable defending against Paul Johnson's triple-option. The Jackets are also more comfortable with the system, so GT could be the team to knock off Virginia Tech.

3. North Carolina
Key players: QB T.J. Yates, DE E.J. Wilson, TB Shaun Draughn, LB Bruce Carter.
Predicted record: 8-4
The Tar Heels are all about defense, which is a normal trait under Butch Davis. The offense should be solid, but finding experience at receiver is still a priority (especially trying to replace do-everything receiver Hakeem Nicks.

4. Miami (FL)
Key players: QB Jacory Harris, TB Graig Cooper, C A.J. Trump, DT Joe Joseph, CB Ryan Hill.
Predicted record: 6-6
I like that the U won't have any doubts at quarterback with Robert Marve off to Purdue and Jacory Harris taking all of the snaps now. However, Miami is still very young, has a tough schedule and must adjust to two new coordinators. The defense is extremely athletic.

5. Duke
Key players: QB Thaddeus Lewis, LB Vincent Rey, RB Re'quan Boyette.
Predicted record: 4-8
I want to believe the Blue Devils will make bigger strides under David Cutcliffe in his second year, but this is Duke. Thaddeus Lewis may have to carry this team on his shoulders for Duke to reach .500.

6. Virginia
Key players: WR Mikell Simpson, OG B.J. Cabbell, LB Steve Greer, QB Jameel Sewell, FB Rashawn Jackson.
Predicted record: 3-9
Al Groh is desperate this season. He fired his son last year and has turned the offense over to Gregg Brandon. Jameel Sewell returns at quarterback after missing last season with an injury. It's going to be a long season in Charlottesville.

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.

ACC Report

Special Report

Retired Coach Rick
ACC Correspondent

The ACC is the most balanced conference in the country. Eight out of 12 teams have winning records. Eleven members of the conference still have a chance to become bowl eligible. I think eight will participate in a bowl game.

The biggest disappointment is going to be the conference championship game. The Atlantic division needs Florida State in the game, not Wake Forest. We want excitement not a sleeping pill. North Carolina vs. FSU would be perfect.

The ACC is gaining more respect now than at any other time. They have the best group of coaches in the country.
I have to say I was surprised when Duke's David Cutcliffe said he was not interested in the Tennessee job. I don't think Clemson will keep the interim coach. They will do a national search and find a better fit. Some rumors are they would like to sign Tommy Tuberville from Auburn. Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster seems to make a lot of people's short list for coaching vacancies. He always seems to finish second on those lists in the end. There has to be a reason.

Maryland pulled their normal stuff again. Win a big game, get everybody excited then lose one they shouldn't. Boston College had a great win. Any time Notre Dame loses it is great. They haven't had any class since Ara retired. We will find out how real Miami is over the next couple weeks.

Final thought: Isn't it strange that the ACC has two head coaches that never played college football?

Tennessee: 2008's Michigan

Big-name coaches are lining up to tell University of Tennessee thanks, but no thanks.

Today, Duke's David Cutcliffe, North Carolina's Butch Davis and South Carolina's Steve Spurrier have all publicly stated they aren't interested in the void left by the bitter Phil Fulmer.

Programs like Tennessee (Clemson and Syracuse pay attention) need to realize they aren't that attractive to established coaches. (See post below. Rich Rodriguez had it much better at WVU than he does at Michigan). Those coaches don't need the headache or rebuilding nightmare that it requires.

Now Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp is ready for the challenge and would embrace it. Or maybe consider Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong or consider a young and emerging coach like Buffalo's Turner Gill (who may be a better fit at Syracuse).

Another day, another coach

It was nice knowing you Phil Fulmer. I'm sure the Bama fans are sad to see you go. Now the search begins for the replacement. Is it Butch Davis at North Carolina? Doubt it. Maybe David Cutcliffe at Duke returns.

When is Syracuse going to part with Greg Robinson so they have a shot at a good coach?

ACC Report

Special Report

Retired Coach Rick
ACC Correspondent

Everything is starting to fall into the right place (my predictions) for the ACC.

Florida State and Maryland are getting ready to battle it out for the Atlantic Division, while Virginia, Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Miami battle it out on the Coastal side.

FSU could help everyone if it beat Georgia Tech. Virginia is the only surprise, but its bubble is about to burst. Wake Forest, Boston College and Virginia Tech have been overrated all year. Clemson was my original pick but that doesn't count because coach Tommy Bowden resigned. I thought he had bigger gonads. He gave up too quickly.

North Carolina State close but no cigar. No not even a cigarette. My dream now is for Duke to make it to a bowl game. Coach David Cutcliffe will be named the new head coach at Tennessee at the end of the year. Phil Fulmer is and has been a good coach for the University of Tennessee, but everything that happened to Johnny Majors is coming back around.

I am making my last prediction on the championship game in the ACC. I will not mention it after this until we definitely know the opponents. FSU vs. UNC. The winner will be the team with the most points.

Picks of the Week

Damn the ACC. Each week is so unpredictable. After saying on our podcast this week that I would never pick another ACC game, I'm sort of breaking that rule already. What I actually meant was I wouldn't try to pick a winner when two ACC teams play. So I am willing to take a shot on the Brain Bowl of Vandy and Duke this week. So here are my picks for this week (can I get a little luck?):

Vanderbilt (-10) over Duke
I really want to take Duke here. David Cutcliffe's heart is in the SEC and he knows Vandy should be a victory. Both of these schools are known more for basketball and brains, but each has been impressive at times this season. It's a non-conference game, but for Duke this could mean bowl eligibility. I just can't get past the talent aspect. I think Bobby Johnson's group is more talented and will win at home.
Pick: Vanderbilt 24, Duke 10

Minnesota (+1.5) over Purdue
Joe Tiller says his Boilermakers are ripping at the seams, but I don't agree. Players are sniping at each other and the Tiller's swan song has been disappointing. Purdue QB Curtis Painter is overmatched, and Minnesota's defense got healthy during a bye week. Look for Coach Tim Brewster to have the Gophers ready to play and avoid any letdown as they look to go 7-1 and end any legitimate hopes of Purdue getting to a bowl game this year.
Pick: Minnesota 30, Purdue 21

Michigan State (-4) over Michigan
This should be a safe pick, but when you look at the facts I'm not so sure. The Spartans were embarrassed last week by Ohio State and looked dejected, and they are riding a six-game losing skid against the Wolverines. The difference this time around is that Rich Rodriguez' offense is spiraling out of control and is among the worst in the nation. Javon Ringer will run wild Saturday and lead Mark Dantonio's group to an easy win at Michigan Stadium.
Pick: Michigan 38, Michigan 14

South Florida (-3.5) over Louisville
This could be one heckuva game. I don't see how there won't be a lot of points scored at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium as the Big East's top two offenses clash. Louisville is 0-1 in conference play and this game is crucial to remaining a legitimate contender. The same could be said for the Bulls, who are 1-1. This game will be decided by with QB plays the best. Will it be USF's Matt Grothe or Louisville's Hunter Cantwell? I don't really like either, but Grothe is gutsy.
Pick: South Florida 45, Louisville 40

Upset of the Week Ohio State (-1.5) over Penn State
This is a stretch for an upset, but if the oddsmakers say it is then I will too. I haven't done too well picking against the Nittany Lions this year, but I have my reasons for this one other than PSU is overrated. The big one is Beanie Wells. He's a big-game player and I think he wants to prove something in this nationally televised night game on Saturday. I also believe the crowd wills OSU to this victory. They'll be loud, inebriated and obnoxious. Somewhat similar to a PSU crowd in Beaver Stadium.
Pick: Ohio State 24, Penn State 21

Last Week: 2-3
Season: 12-13