Full-blown, super conferences

Just when we thought we were being edgy with our suggestions for a new Super 8 conferences realignment, Sports Illustrated's Andy Staples took it a step further.

Staples' suggestion that the top 64 money-making college football programs leave the NCAA and create four CASH Conferences is appealing. Especially when I see the conference makeups ... who doesn't love seeing WVU in the SEC with Louisville, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. All four conferences have 16 teams and somehow the ACC still blows.

TCU is the only mid-major to make the top 64 teams (sorry Boise State and Utah). This will never happen, but I'm glad to see others thinking of ways to improve the current system that doesn't always include a playoff. Good job, Mr. Staples.

Kiffin is the reincarnation of Tim Johnson

I finally figured out who Lane Kiffin reminds me of ... former Toronto Blue Jays manager Tim Johnson.

Remember Johnson? He was a great coach, a players' manager and he couldn't stop talking. His stories got more elaborate and less truthful by the day. Eventually his diarrhea of the mouth caught up with him and cost him his job.

Now it's Kiffin who doesn't know when to shut up or how to tell the truth. Recently, Kiffin has accused Urban Meyer of recruiting violations (that weren't true) and then he half-heartedly apologized. He also insulted Pahokee (Fla.) High School coach Blaze Thompson by saying he didn't trust the coach and set up a private fax for recruit Nu’Keese Richardson to fax in his letter of intent.

Now he's telling SI that he has fired and run off employees who weren't cutting it under the new regime. Based on the article, Kiffin wasn't pleased with the work ethic of the support staff he inherited from Phillip Fulmer. It seems once again this isn't very factual.

Blame Kiffin hasn't even coached a game at Neyland Stadium and the Tennessee administration has to really be concerned about the direction of the once storied program. Maybe they could have an intervention from Pat Summit. She wins and loses with class and could definitely teach the young pup a thing or two.

This could be a long year in Knoxville.