All crunked up on UT

This video proves there is very little difference between being a Virginia Tech fan and a Tennessee fan. You love NASCAR, struggle with the finer points of grammar and you invented the fourth meal before Taco Bell.

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?

More Eric Berry for Heisman

Both the 'Eye and the 'Eer would love to have Eric Berry on their respective teams. It's just too bad he's been stuck at Tennessee the past few years. He's too good for the Vols and he might be a legitimate Heisman candidate if he were playing for a more competitive team. Good news, he's going to get paid well next year.

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.

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.

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.

Premature commitment to UT

I read today that 13-year-old Evan Berry committed to play football at the University of Tennessee in ... five years. Seriously, a 13-year-old has committed to something? I know 40-year-olds who still can't commit.

OK. Maybe Berry is a little different. He is the younger brother of Tennessee safety Eric Berry. Evan, who has yet to step foot on a high school campus, is ready to follow the path already paved by his brother and father, who also played for the Vols. Evan was actually quoted as saying, "I want to play in the secondary and I want to play for coach (Monte) Kiffin."

Hey Evan, Monte is like a 103. Do you really think he'll be around in five years? I'm not even sure Our Boy Lane Kiffin will be around in five years.

Look, I'm sure Evan is talented. He has the bloodlines. But is there any good reason to make this announcement now? He's already a target for high school teammates and opponents who can't appreciate the arrogance of making this announcement. Who knows, he may not warrant a scholarship to UT.

Congratulations Evan Berry. I hope this works out for you. Just be careful about any other premature commitments in the future.

UPDATE: Here is a YouTube video of Evan and his fraternal brother.

Quit hating Gators

Dear Florida,

Why do you despise Our Boy, Lane Kiffin, so much? Sure he's talked a little trash, and maybe he misspoke when he said Urban Meyer cheated this recruiting season. But really, don't you have more important things to worry about than worrying about every move Our Boy makes?

Certainly Tim Tebow needs help doing circumcisions in some Third World nation. Or maybe Urban Meyer needs someone to hold the mirror as he repeats to himself, "I am the greatest football coach ever." There's always Chris Rainey, who no doubt could use help finding more white girls to study with.

It just seems there are more important things for the fans and players at such a great institution to worry about than the Our Boy trying to rebuild Tennessee. Can you just redirect all of that hate back on Alabama or Georgia?

Best wishes,
An 'Eye and an 'Eer

Recognize the greatness

Recognize the greatness of Lane Kiffin.

While everyone in the SEC, except Tennessee, can't stand Kiffy, the suave dude can flat out recruit. He worked his magic again on Monday as the Vols got a major commitment from Kansas prep standout Bryce Brown, a running back who initially committed to Miami and is ranked the top prospect in the Class of 2009 by many experts.

This comes just one week after another top running back prospect, David Oku, re-upped with the Vols after backing out of his commitment. Oku played his high school ball in Oklahoma, but recently transferred to a Lincoln, Neb., high school.

While UT fans are pumped about the potential of Brown remember what comes with him ... a traveling circus that has been in full force for nearly 40 days since National Signing Day came and went. Something also seems a little off with the entire recruiting process and his "handler."

So as Vols fans cheered the announcement Monday, I wonder if the real winners were actually the places he didn't choose.

Podcast: Episode 25

Now for some questions. If the NCAA really makes Florida State vacate a number of victories because of the latest scandal is this the beginning of the end for Bobby Bowden? Is there anyone more exciting for college football right now than Lane Kiffin at Tennessee? Do we really need spring football games? What was UT-San Antonio thinking when it hired Larry Coker? These are just a few of the topics that Phil and Tom discuss this week on their College Football Podcast.

Welcome to our new blog about Lane Kiffin

I'm starting to think this is the only guy we care about anymore.

Here's the latest beauty. I wonder if Ed Orgeron gives a pep talk before the team showers.

Fulmer Cup update

We spoke about the Fulmer Cup, the brainchild of the geniuses at EveryDayShouldBeSaturday, on the podcast yesterday. Since both Phil and I picked Tennessee to win the title this year thanks to the hands-off leadership and discipline of Lane Kiffin I thought I should check the latest standings.

While I stand behind my pick, it was interesting to see the Volunteers haven't cracked the list yet. (Graphic courtesy of EDSBS). Of course the Mountaineers didn't disappoint and have earned two points thanks to Jock Sanders.

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.

Finally some sanity

College football and reality usually don't mix well.

There was the recent revelation the University of Tennessee is paying overhyped wunderkind Lane Kiffin and his bloated staff more than $5 million. There is Texas Tech giving Mike Leach a take or leave it ultimatum on a contract extension that includes something like $12 million more for college football's most overrated coach.

Did anyone at these universities realize we're experiencing an economic meltdown?

Well, finally news that some programs are acknowledging what the rest of us are experiencing is encouraging. The Associated Press reported today that the University of Miami will trade in flights for charter buses and in other story that the three largest schools in Mississippi are preparing for rough times.

This is just the start. No university is immune to the recession. Except maybe Notre Dame, who flew coaches to Hawaii like every day to get linebacker Manti Te'o to commit to the mainland.

Lane Kiffin: The Man of Many Excuses

Despite Kiffin-gate and all the heat Tennessee's new football coach has taken since National Signing Day, the guy sure knows how to stay positive. Sorry Vols, but this just seems like a real disaster in waiting ... despite the great coaching staff. The guy in charge is way in over his head.

He just seems to have too many excuses for someone who needs to be successful right now.

This video, which is courtesy of the Knoxville News Sun, is Kiffin's way of explaining away any first-year deficiencies. Love the enthusiasm Lane, but the SEC chews up guys like you and spits them out.

Kiffin trashes Meyer ... then apologizes

Man, I just wish Lane Kiffin had been right. Unfortunately after calling out Urban Meyer for a recruiting violation in public, Kiffin had to apologize after the SEC and NCAA said he was wrong.

But this is going to make the Tennessee-Florida rivalry 100 times better than the past few years under Phil Fulmer. Just listen to this guy. I don't know if he can coach a lick, but he's getting the Rocky Top faithful fired up.

UT introduces Lane Kiffin

He's young and charismatic, but Lane Kiffin has his work cut out for him at Tennessee. At least this press conference is more upbeat than the one held a few months ago by Al Davis. Here he outlines why he thought the Vols were the best option for him and his coaching future.

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).