What's possibly the least surprising news of the day, Florida's Tim Tebow will grace the cover of EA Sports' College Football 2011 video game. According to the Gainesville legend, he's been a fan of the game since he was 6 and he's darn proud to be on the cover.
Now we can see why Cyborg Meyer makes monthly trips to the ER for chest pains and 911 is on the speed dial. In the video you'll see Meyer criticizing Orlando Sentinel reporter Jeremy Fowler for quoting Gator receiver Deonte Thompson. It seems Thompson believes new UF quarterback John Brantley is more a QB than Tim Tebow because he's spreading the ball around.
Even die-hard Gator fans have to admit Meyer was way out of line, especially when he threatens Fowler. Real classy Urban.
After back-to-back, jam-packed podcasts we have to admit that this one is a little lighter. Maybe it's March Madness or the lack of real football or a couple months. Oh well. Here's what we have this week.
When you consider the NCAA is looking to ruin the basketball tournament and expand to 96 teams because of greed, how much do you think it will screw up a football tournament if we let them have it? That's right, plenty. Money always wins.
We also take an early look at the coaches on the hot seat and who has the best chance of saving their job and who should be sending out resumes. Coaches aren't the only ones on the hot seat. How would you like to be replacing Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy or Sam Bradford? Think there's a little pressure on John Brantley, Garrett Gilbert and Landry Jones? We also try to explain what Oregon's Mike Bellotti is doing by going to ESPN. Enjoy another show.
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.
Back after a week off and both Phil and Tom are delighted National Signing Day has come and gone. It's not a national holiday for us like it is for so many other bloggers and podcasters. We watch the trends and understand the appeal, but neither of us will lose sleep over the decision of an 18-year-old. There are always some interesting story lines, though.
There's the recruit at Michigan who had some legal issues when he was a minor. With all of the problems facing RichRod, was this really the best decision? It was also interesting to see many of the top recruits from the Midwest bolt the area for Texas, USC and elsewhere. Is this a one-year trend or a bigger problem?
And why is golden boy Tim Tebow become everyone's punching bag? Joe Theismann and some back-up offensive lineman are dissing the former Heisman Trophy winner. We also look at the future of Minnesota prep star Seantrel Henderson and a 13-year-old who is going to USC.
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 Sabandoing 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.
OK, we all saw Tim Tebow crying. Let it go. It's not that big a deal.
What's making us cry are these BCS bowl match ups. Really? TCU vs. Boise State. That's not what anyone wants to see. Give the little guys a chance. Now one of them will end up undefeated and their congressman will run to Capitol Hill begging and pleading for a playoff.
And who out there doesn't think the Gators won't put a beat down on Cincinnati? Bearcats coach Brian Kelly may not even be around to see it happen as he's interviewing at Notre Dame and wants nothing more than to get out of The Queen City by Saturday so he can start recruiting for the Fighting Irish.
With the five Heisman finalists announced we think Alabama's Mark Ingram is the best bet to win, but we like Nebraska long shot Ndamukong Suh. Phil believes the bowl schedule bodes well for the Big 10 this year, while Tom is confident the Big East will hold its own (except Cincinnati).
Just when the ACC was under the impression that next week's ACC Championship game, held somewhere in the Tampa Bay metropolitan area (uh, home to which ACC school?), would be somewhat meaningful, the SEC showed up this weekend to return it to obscurity.
Georgia, whose season has resembled the Edmund Fitzgerald, ran the ball down Georgia Tech's throat and knocked the Yellow Jackets out the top 10 with a 30-24 win.
Earlier in the day, the other half of next week's title game, Clemson, got slobberknocked by a horrifically mediocre South Carolina team, 34-17. 34 points? To South Carolina?
Have fun in Tampa with all 1,437 fans that show up next week, ACC. Don't worry. They can't take their TV contract away from you - yet.
And just to rub it in, Florida kicked the bejeezus out of FSU, as Tebow finally earned his angel wings. "Will heaven be playing H-back for the 49ers, Pa?" "Yes, Timmy, I think it will be. But first you must continue the Lord's work by slaying the dark one - Saban."
There's no rhyme or reason to posting this now. But the 'Eye and 'Eer we're chatting about big moments from this season and decided to share them with you.
So here are our Top 10 moments so far in 2009.
10. Tim Tebow scores his 50th career rushing touchdown. There is no way to compare Tebow with Herschel Walker, who held the record at 49. The former Georgia Bulldog did it in three years, while Tebow scored a lot of short TDs as an H-Back playing QB. But it's still a milestone that can't be overlooked.
9. Moment of silence before WVU-UConn game. In a real show of class, West Virginia's fans helped pay tribute to Connecticut defensive back Jasper Howard, who was murdered a week earlier. It was an emotional day for the Huskies, but both teams and fans displayed an amazing amount of class.
8. Central Michigan upsets Michigan State on last-second FG. In the second week of the season, the Chippewas hung tough with the Spartans. Senior QB Dan LeFevour threw for 328 yards and led two late scoring drives for the 29-27 win.
7. FSU-Miami goes down to final play. This once proud rivalry has been pretty boring in recent years, but not in 2009. The defenses didn't show up and QBs Christian Ponder and Jacory Harris put on a clinic. The Seminoles appeared to be going in for the game-winner, but Ponder's pass on the final play of the game bounced off the face mask of WR Jarmon Fortson. The rivalry is back.
6. SEC officiating. So where do I start with this one? The Florida-Arkansas game has way too many bad calls, missed calls, etc. There was the bogus excessive celebration flag against Georgia's A.J. Green for excessive celebration against LSU. Now Urban Meyer has been fined $30,000 by the SEC for criticizing the officiating in the Florida-Georgia game. It hasn't been a banner year for the SEC.
5. Iowa scores as time expires to beat Michigan State. The Hawkeyes seem to do this every week, but this finish was wild and kept Kirk Ferentz' team undefeated. Iowa may not be the most talented team, but it sure is lucky this season.
4.Terrence Cody blocks FG to hold off Tennessee. The Volunteers outplayed Bama and should have left Tuscaloosa with the upset and Lane Kiffin's first signature win. But the oversized Cody busted through, gut and all, and helped the Tide remain in the national title hunt. Of course, there were some who felt he should have been flagged for removing his helmet. Way to go SEC officials.
3. Tim Tebow suffers concussion. As Tebow's head slammed into the knee of one of his lineman Urban Meyer crapped himself and Gator Nation wept in unison. The Gators had a big lead already against Kentucky, so the outcome was never in question, but Tebow has not played well since. Of course, he'll probably win the Heisman again because there's no legitimate candidate and because of this.
2. Oregon's LeGarrette Blount punches Boise's Byron Hout. The Ducks opened the 2009 season with an abysmal performance, only to top it off with one of the more embarrassing post-game performances. Hout mouthed off to Blount, who went all gangsta on him. Blount also wanted to go into the stands an take on 35,000 Broncos fans. This was not the way the NCAA wanted to open the season, especially with all of the hype surrounding sportsmanship week or whatever the hell they called it.
1. Oklahoma's Sam Bradford bangs up his shoulder in season-opening loss to BYU. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner was lost in the first half and the Sooners never recovered. This injury put a crimp in OU's season, as he was back for the Red River Shootout but hurt the shoulder again. He has since had surgery and plans to bolt for the NFL next year.
- Even though the score was only 13-3, it never felt like LSU had a chance to beat the top-ranked Gators Saturday night. Florida just ran the ball, controlled the clock and let their defense pick apart LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson.
- Rich Rodriguez just injected a quarterback controversy into a team that's lost two straight after the loss to Iowa. Rodriguez chose to yank a struggling Tate Forcier late in the game in favor of Denard Robinson. Robinson responded with a quick TD drive, but hit late-game interception when the Wolverines just need a field goal was an enormous mistake. Perhaps Forcier was hurt, but it's still going to bring up a lot of questions.
- Texas recovered after messing around with Colorado for awhile. Jordan Shipley for Heisman?
- Didn't see much of the day games as I was watching Ohio State blow out Wisconsin despite a pathetic offensive display. Two interceptions returns for TDs and a KO return for a TD were all OSU needed. Terrelle Pryor struggled badly and looked like he had seriously regressed. That defense is nails though.
- From the scores and highlights I've seen, I'm guessing Virginia Tech and Alabama were both impressive.
There's a lot going on in this week's podcast. Here are some highlights.
Can you believe Chucklin' Charlie Weis is griping that Notre Dame isn't ranked higher? Hey Chuck, beat a team that matters and then maybe we'll listen. How do you think Boston College, Michigan and West Virginia feel? The Wolverines already beat the Irish, Boston College will later this season, and we're both pretty sure the Mountaineers would roll in South Bend or Morgantown.
Of course, we couldn't overlook the big clash in the SEC this weekend. Is this the week Florida's long winning streak ends or will LSU become another chapter in the Tim Tebow lore? We also try to figure out why Bob Stoops gets a pass in the national media for "sucking it up" in big games, but other coaches (e.g., Jim Tressel) doesn't.
We're also pleased to welcome back Mike Eisenberg from Eisentower30.com. He gives us some insight into the Hurricanes as well as some outlandish early week betting lines. Tune in as this is another excellent episode from your favorite College Football podcasters.
It's unfortunate that many college football fans were pleased to see Tim Tebow get knocked unconscious during an easy win over Kentucky. Tebow takes a beating every game. The biggest hit on the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, may have come tonight when he was sacked by Wildcats defensive end Taylor Wyndham. Wyndham hit Tebow squarely in the chest and as he fell Tebow hit the back of his head hit Gators tackle Marcus Gilbert's knee.
Hopefully it's nothing serious and Tebow will be fine. Shame on those who cheer the injury.
This isn't easy to do right now. I'm trying to watch my Mountaineers at Auburn, so my observations may be random and incoherent.
So let's get to the 'Eer's observations for today.
1. Bad day for Utah. Looks like two BCS Busters are going down today. Oregon failed to beat Boise State, but give the Ducks credit for taking down Utah and the nation's longest winning streak. Florida State and BYU are still playing, but the Seminoles have gone to Provo, Utah, and appear to be doing what Oklahoma couldn't the first week of the season. Can you believe the 'Noles almost lost to Jacksonville State?
2. USC upset. Did anyont really think the Trojans wouldn't find a way to lose a Pac-10 game on the road this season? Pete Carroll may be a great recruiter and coach, but he's too flaky. The Pac-10 isn't good enough to do this year in and year out.
3. Hot seat. Virginia's Al Groh jumped ahead of Colorado's Dan Hawkins as the most likely to get fired before the end of the season. The Cavaliers 37-34 loss to Southern Miss may have sealed his fate. Not too far behind is Maryland's Ralph Friedgen, whose Terrapins lost to Middle Tennessee State, 32-31, at home.
4. Holy Pitt. Let's not crown the Panthers the Big East champ just yet, but Pitt has avoided the normal early season slip up that we've come to know under Dave Wannstedt. Beating Navy 27-14 is bigger than it may appear. The Midshipmen are always a tough foe, and even Bill Stull is playing OK.
5. No moral victories. How did Tennessee hang with Florida today? Easy. Monte Kiffin's defense. He outcoached Urban Meyer (just don't tell UF fans because they'll want to argue with you for an hour). If the Vols had any offense, they'd be creating the ol' man with the win.
6. Statement game. Maybe I'm alone in thinking this, but Iowa's 27-17 victory over Arizona was important for the Big Ten. The Wildcats may be a middle of the pack, lower-tier bowl team from the Pac-10, but Iowa hasn't been that impressive this year. Should be an interesting game next week when the Hawks travel to Penn State.
7. Weakens the cause. As much as Iowa's win helps the Big Ten, Purdue's loss to Northern Illinois gives ammonition to those who trash the conference.
8. Best option. Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy remain the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy, but Cal's Jahvid Best should top the list. His five-TD performance in a road win at Minnesota was impressive.
9. Not sure. Butch Davis has a great defense at North Carolina, and the Tar Heels may be 3-0. But can anyone tell me if they are really an ACC contender?
10. Alabama shower. After about an hour delay because of inclement weather, one of ESPN's talking heads said about the Auburn fans who waited in the stands during the downpour: "they just took off their shirts and took a free shower." Timing was good, it was their day to shower.
"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?
Could Tennessee defensive back Eric Berry really win the Heisman Trophy? Probably not. He may need to pick off about four Tim Tebow passes on Sept. 19 in The Swamp. But after watching this video I could see support picking up for him.
This almost has the feel of one of those FreeCreditReport.com commercials. Love the reference to Peyton Manning getting jobbed the year Charles Woodson won the Heisman. This is the second video. New ones are scheduled to come out each week of the season. Here is the first Berry video.
You can tell by our voices in today's podcast that were more than ready for Thursday night's kickoff to College Football. However, how could we do a show without starting it off by talking about Practice Gate and the problems with Rich Rodriguez in Ann Arbor. No sympathy here.
After we spend way too much time talking about the team up north, we get on with other important topics such as Pete Carroll's love affair with Matt Barkley and if the Cincinnati-Rutgers game on Monday could provide the Big East with some relief. 'Eye and 'Eer also make their Heisman picks, as well as give you a game this weekend that you should care about.
Tim Tebow is going shirtless for GQ magazine. Doesn't Superman know former Alabama lineman Andre Smith already beat him to this? Just look at Smith's amazing physique.
I actually heard a few TV heads were criticizing Tebow for not possessing rock-hard abs. Seriously? Most of my friends (including yours truly) would kill for those muscles. Besides, have you seen the beating Tebow takes? He needs a little padding to absorb all of those hits.
So, CBS sports has put together All-Decade squad (2000-2009.) It seems a bit odd since that decade isn't even over, but hey, what the hell, right? Most people seem to have some silly rule about decades lasting 10 years. CBS Sports doesn't need your stinkin' rules, man! Automatic email generator list
The big debate on this one? Tim Tebow at QB before he's even played his senior season. Now, i could point to some big Gary Danielson-led CBS Sports conspiracy (in cahoots with the SEC and NASCAR and Chick-Fil-A and sweet tea) but I shall refrain. Let's just say I'm a bit skeptical of Tebow over Pretty Boy Leinart, VY, Sammy Ballgame and Captain Krenzel. (Okay, I'm kidding about Krenzel.) But better than Sonny Cumbie????
But there's lot of questionable picks throughout this list:
- Michael Crabtree at WR?
- Greg Eslinger at C?
- Why are there three safeties among the DBs when you went out of your way to include a freaking center?
- Even I wouldn't take James Laurinaitis among DeMeco Ryans or Patrick Willis.
So take a look if you want your blood pressure raised or fire off an angry email to someone who wont' read it. Or don't. I don't care. Before this I had forgotten CBS Sports had a web site.
Tosh.O is hilarious. In less than 30 seconds he gets a great dig in on Tim Tebow and Matt Leinart. (Note to Tebow fans it's just a joke. Laugh with the rest of us).
Posts
