Jock-ularity, jocularity, jocularity

WVU may be one of the final programs to begin spring practice, but WR Jock Sanders was in mid-season form when meeting with the media.


You gotta love it when Noel Devine pops in for a little love during the interview, and Sanders is really into the Batman and Superman reference. How long until HC Bill Stewart Tweets about this?

PS: If you don't get the headline then you're not a M*A*S*H fan.

Podcast: Episode 63

OK, so we're a little late with the podcast. But it was worth the wait.

You'll enjoy Phil and Tom discussing:

• Ideas to improve spring practice and make it more fan friendly.
• What's wrong with Oregon football coach Chip Kelly's definition of suspension (did anyone notice that suspended QB Jeremiah Masoli is practicing).
• Why everyone is just plain foolish to think Boise State or TCU could pull off a Butler-like run in football. We also realize we may be the only two college football bloggers or podcasters who doesn't want a playoff in football.

Let's not forget our Quick Hitters.

This week Phil covers:

• Brian Kelly's constant bashing of his current Notre Dame team.
• Lane Kiffin the disciplinarian.
• What player Ohio State needs to find a replacement for most this spring.

Tom covers:

• The return of the Tebow smash in Gainesville.
• Big Ten expansion (Phil says we have to stop this).
• What player West Virginia needs to find a replacement for this spring.

Enjoy another show.

Big Ten playing the big bully

There is no way the 'Eye would be happy if Tony Barnhart's outlandish speculation comes true. I'm in no position to question Barnhart's sources or his own instincts when it comes to seeing into the Big Ten's future.

The scribe is one of the best college football guys around.

But does it make sense for the Big Ten to make the leap from 11 to 16 teams? Barnhart seems to think so. It would play well into B10 commish Jim Delany's ego as it has been rumored that this is his way to put a final stamp on his legacy.

Of course Barnhart's fact/fiction has the B10 raiding the Big East of Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Connecticut and Rutgers. The fifth and final addition would potentially be Notre Dame. This would all but doom the football sect of the Big East, and relegate West Virginia, Louisville, Cincinnati and South Florida will either be left for dead or hope the ACC or SEC scoops them up in an effort to not fall too far behind Delany's dream conference.

More realistically, the four remaining Big East teams would find a home in lesser conferences or try their best to salvage what's left by seeking new members from Conference USA and elsewhere. But maintaining BCS status will not happen.

The SEC doesn't need to overreact, but instead of taking what's left of the Big East it could look at adding Miami, Florida State, Clemson or even Texas.

All of this seems a little crazy, but remember what WVU's Bill Stewart said not too long ago, and Tony Barnhart wouldn't just throw out this crazy plan without some solid information. Right?

Stewart sings 'Country Roads'

Does anyone think Bob Huggins would act like this if West Virginia's football team was playing for a BCS Championship?

Fortunately for Huggy Bear his singing voice is safe as long as Bill Stewart is the head man at WVU. I know fans adore him for his down-home appeal and his unfettered love of the state. But was it necessary to head downtown and sing John Denver's "Country Roads?"

Stewart was performing mainly for locals as most of the students were off campus for spring break (HT: ESDSBS). That was good news for the Morgantown Fire Department as couch burning was kept to a minimum.

But is this really what the second highest paid person at WVU should be doing on a Saturday night. Guess I'd like him to concentrate on WVU's special teams a little more?

Way to bury the lead

Anyone who has ever watched WTAP-TV, a small NBC affiliate in Parkersburg, W.Va., understands that the reporters are green, overworked and underpaid. But if you get an exclusive interview with the head football coach from the state's flagship university do us all a favor -- don't bury the lead.

In a more than 11-minute interview with WVU's Bill Stewart, the TV head waits until the 7:13 mark to ask the big question -- his thoughts on Big Ten expansion. Stewart's response is somewhat surprising. He thinks the Big East is kaput. Here's what he said:

“It’s exciting, it’s disheartening as well. Exciting because the ACC, the SEC, the Big Ten and the Big 12 and Pac-10 — the ones out West won’t impact us but the Big Ten could. They’ll pick a couple of our teams. The SEC and ACC will also do the same. I don’t know where we’re going to land. We could land maybe in three conferences, in the ACC, SEC maybe Big Ten. But right now we’re still Big East and we need to keep that focus. That’s the disheartening thing because when you break up the Big East contingency like we have, we have a lot of fun, a lot of rivals. I hate to see that end, but there is exciting times on the horizon with those new conferences. We’ll be in one of them — which one I don’t know. But that’s down the road a couple years I believe.”

What?

Look I've been saying all along that the super conference model is coming, but Stewart is talking crazy again.

If the Big Ten decides to stop at one school, let's say Notre Dame, then the Big East goes unscathed and commissioner John Marinatto can finally man up and start talking about BE growth.

Now I don't want to totally discount Stewart here. He may just know more than anyone else is letting on and he's just being honest. There are reports the Big Ten presidents and ADs are meeting to discuss growing by three to five. If that happens it will transform the college football landscape and make Stewart look a bit prophetic.

But where WVU lands, if this happens, will be interesting. The ACC is the better geographic fit, but the Mountaineers aren't a good academic fit. West Virginia is actually a great fit for the SEC. That would be interesting.

Hopefully the next time WTAP gets a scoop it should lead with it.

You're welcome

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.

AEAAE Top 25 (Week 10)

Apparently among our voters at AEAAE, TCU's victory last week was more impressive than Cincinnati's and it leapfrogged the Bearcats to No. 4. Pitt and Georgia Tech fell a bit following rivalry losses last week.

Team (LW) Record

1. Florida (1) 12-0
2. Texas (2) 12-0
3. Alabama (3) 12-0
4. TCU (5) 12-0
5. Cincinnati (4) 11-0
6. Boise State (6) 12-0
7. Ohio State (7) 10-2
8. Oregon (10) 9-2
   
9. Iowa (12) 10-2
   
10. Penn State (13) 10-2
    
11. LSU (23) 9-3
    
12. Oregon State (15) 8-3
    
13. Georgia Tech (9) 10-2
    
14. Miami (18) 9-3
    
15. California (20) 8-3
    
16. Pittsburgh (8) 9-2
    
17. Virginia Tech (17) 9-3
    
18. BYU (16) 10-2
    
19. USC (21) 9-3
    
20. West Virginia (NR) 8-3
    
21. Nebraska (25) 9-3
    
22. Stanford (NR) 8-4
    
23. Houston (NR) 10-2
    
24. Oklahoma State (11) 9-3
    
25. Wisconsin (NR) 8-3
    

Others receiving votes: Utah, Navy, Rutgers, Missouri

Couches are burning

This didn't take long. Glad to see the fans in Morgantown haven't forgotten how to celebrate a big win.

Thank you Tyler Bitancurt

Bill Stewart better give PK Tyler Bitancurt a big hug. If he doesn't I will.

Bitancurt's 43-yard FG with no time remaining gave West Virginia a 19-16 upset victory over Pitt in the 102nd annual Backyard Brawl in Morgantown.

Once Stewart is done showing his affection for his kicker he should then go around and thank his defensive unit and DC Jeff Casteel. That was easily the WVU defense's best performance of 2009. They actually made Pitt QB Bill Stull look like the incompetent player of 2007 and 2008.

This win doesn't erase the bad taste of losing to Pitt in 2007 because the Panthers can still win the Big East and go to the BCS. But it does give the Mountaineers a chance to finish second in the conference with a win over Rutgers next week and a Pitt loss to Cincinnati.

Hello Gator Bowl.

But more importantly it is finally a signature victory for Stewart since he had the interim tag removed following an emotional win over Oklahoma in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl.

Are these SEC officials?

I waited almost 24 hours before commenting on the officiating in the WVU-Cincinnati game. Funny thing, my opinion hasn't changed. Maybe the Bearcats still win, but when the replay officical overturned this fumble recovery by the Mountaineers and called it a TD for Cincy the momentum shifted back to UC.

Maybe the ball does cross the goal line, but there is not enough evidence to overturn the call. In fact, I'd argue that Isaiah Pead is losing control of the ball as he tries to extend it over the goal line. Therefore the WVU fumble recovery should have held.

This doesn't erase the fact WVU still plays horrible special teams and there were some questionable calls in the fourth quarter. But take away the seven points and WVU may have taken control of this game and won.

This is one college football fan who is tired of officials deciding the outcome of games. Enough already.

Podcast: Episode 48

What a weekend!

Ohio State is back in the Big Ten race and looks like a good bet to represent the conference in the Rose Bowl. So Buckeye fans are raucous again. West Virginia has a chance to remain in the hunt for the Big East title as the Mountaineers travel to Nippert Stadium and face undefeated Cincinnati. Would it be better for the Big East to have Cincy win or lose? We'll tell you what we think.

As much as we hate to do it, Charlie Weis and Rich Rodriguez are back on the program. How can you leave them off? These two jokes are ruining once proud programs. We give our opinion on where we think Tommy Tuberville and Phil Fulmer may be coaching next season as well as potential replacements for Weis and Rodriguez (can you say Brian Kelly and Les Miles?).

AEAAE Top 25 (Week 7)

With Iowa's loss the AEAAE poll loses one of the undefeated teams from the top. The top 3 three remain the same, while Stanford, BYU and West Virginia return to the rankings.

Team (LW) Record

1. Florida (1) 9-0
2. Texas (2) 9-0
3. Alabama (3) 9-0
4. Cincinnati (5) 9-0
5. TCU (6) 9-0
6. Boise State (7) 9-0
7. Georgia Tech (10) 9-1
8. Pittsburgh (11) 8-1
9. USC (14) 7-2
10. Ohio State (15) 8-2
11. Miami (17) 7-2
12. LSU (9) 7-2
13. Utah (16) 8-1
14. Oregon (8) 7-2
15. Houston (13) 8-1
16. Arizona (18) 7-2
17. Iowa (4) 9-1
18. Oklahoma State (20) 7-2
19. Wisconsin (23) 7-2
20. Penn State (12) 8-2
21. Stanford (NR) 6-3
22. BYU (NR) 7-2
23. South Florida (24) 6-2
24. Clemson (25) 6-3
25. West Virginia (NR) 7-2

Others receiving votes: Navy, Virginia Tech, Oregon State, Nebraska, Auburn

Not quite end of year: Moments of 2009

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.

Picks of the Week: No. 10

Next year I’ll flip a coin on each pick. Not sure I could do much worse than I am this season. I feel good about this week. Calling it now ... This is my first 5-0 week (you see how well my predictions have been all season).

Louisville (+20.0) over West Virginia
Anyone who has followed this Big East rivalry over the years realizes the Cardinals and Mountaineers always play close games ... No matter how much a team is favored. The Mountaineers have more talent and have home-field advantage, but lame-duck Steve Kragthorpe will pull a few magical tricks and keep this much closer than 20 points. Expect Noel Devine to have a monster game against a Louisville defense that struggled with Utah, Pitt and UConn.
Pick: West Virginia 34, Louisville 21

Notre Dame (-11.0) over Navy
The Irish defense will have its full with Navy’s triple-option, but No. 22 Notre Dame is at home and has plenty of momentum and one of the best rushing defenses in the nation. QB Jimmy Clausen has played like the top prospect from a few years ago, including a three-touchdown performance in last week’s 40-14 victory over Washington State. The Irish also get Michael Floyd back at receiver after a five-game absence. This one should never be in doubt.
Pick: Notre Dame 31, Navy 18

Fresno State (-8.0) over Idaho
After a rough start to the season, Pat Hill’s Bulldogs went 4-0 in October to improve to 5-3 and 4-1 in the WAC. The Vandals have been one of the biggest surprises of 2009 sitting at 7-2 and bowl-eligible. This one will be at the Kibbie Dome, where Idaho is 4-0. As much as I’d like to go with Robb Akey’s Vandals, Fresno is more accustomed to playing in big games so the Bulldogs get the edge this week.
Pick: Fresno State 44, Idaho 33

TCU (-24.5) over San Diego State
The Aztecs under first-year coach Brady Hoke are 4-4, but all four victories are against weak competition. Enter the No. 6 Horned Frogs, arguably the best non-BCS team in the nation and probably one of the top eight teams in the country. TCU senior DE Jerry Hughes will harass San Diego State QB Ryan Lindley all afternoon at Qualcomm Stadium.
Pick: TCU 48, San Diego State 10

Upset of the Week
Florida State (+8.5) over Clemson
Since I struggle to pick ACC games why not try one out for the upset of the week. If Clemson’s defense can apply plenty of pressure to Christian Ponder the Tigers will win this game easily. However, FSU seems rejuvenated and with only one Bowden in the stadium and on the heels of DC Mickey Andrews announcing his retirement, the Seminoles are going to find a way to slow C.J. Spiller and Clemson. The ‘Noles will put pressure on freshman QB Kyle Parker to win the game and force him into a crucial turnover late in the game.
Pick: Florida State 36, Clemson 31

Last Week: 3-2
Season Record: 23-22

Memories of WVU-Louisville

Whenever the 'Eer thinks about WVU playing Louisville all he can muster is images of 2005. It was one of the greatest comebacks in Mountaineer history and it was when the nation was truly introduced to Pat White and Steve Slaton.

Hopefully this weekend's game in Morgantown will be much easier for WVU. Thanks to Steve Kragthorpe the Mountaineers should improve to 7-2 on the season. It is nice to see Krags hasn't lost his sense of humor, though.



As much as the 'Eer loves Noel Devine and the spark he provides for the Mountaineers, it's just not the same as watching Slaton.

Are you kidding me?

Is this someone's twisted sense of humor or does someone really love WVU's Bill Stewart this much? Who cares. Just sit back and enjoy the wonderful tunes of Hall & Oates.

Head-to-toe gold I like

I don't know many WVU fans who like when the Mountaineers go full gold. It seems when West Virginia wears the gold jerseys and pants together nothing good ever seems to happen. OK, WVU has had some success with the full gold look, but I can't get past the 2007 Pitt loss or even when basketball coach Bob Huggins debuted the gold suit and shoes look against Cincinnati.



But this 1952 version of the Mountaineers completely gold unis when WVU is playing at Washington & Lee is something I can get used too.

(Hat tip: Mike Casazza of Charleston Daily Mail)

AEAAE Top 25 (Week 5)

For the third consecutive week the top three stayed the same, but Iowa jumped to No. 4 from No. 6 after winning at Michigan State on the last play of the game. Appears our Big Ten members voted en mass this week to push the Hawkeyes up the rankings. The Big East voters let down Cincinnati as the Bearcats dropped two spots to No. 6.

Team (LW) Record

1. Florida (1) 7-0
2. Alabama (2) 8-0
3. Texas (3) 7-0
4. Iowa (6) 8-0
5. USC (5) 6-1
6. Cincinnati (4) 7-0
7. Boise State (7) 6-0
8. TCU (9) 7-0
9. LSU (10) 6-1
10. Georgia Tech (11) 7-1
11. Penn State (12) 7-1
12. Oregon (13) 6-1
13. Oklahoma State (14) 6-1
14. Pittsburgh (16) 7-1
15. Utah (23) 6-1
16. West Virginia (20) 6-1
17. Ohio State (19) 6-2
18. Houston (17) 6-1
19. Miami (8) 5-2
20. Virginia Tech (18) 5-2
21. South Carolina (24) 6-2
22. Central Michigan (NR) 7-1
23. Ole Miss (NR) 5-2
24. Arizona (NR) 5-2
25. Notre Dame (NR) 5-2

Others receiving votes: Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas Tech, Clemson, Brigham Young

Bigger than the game

I learned a long time ago that no matter how much I cheer (yell) or root (swear), nothing I do will help WVU win or make a big play. However, following yesterday's way-too-close-for-comfort win over Marshall I started looking ahead to UConn coming to Morgantown this weekend.

Would QB Jarrett Brown be healthy enough to play after suffering what appeared to be a concussion on the first drive Saturday? If freshman Geno Smith has to play this weekend how will he do against a much better Huskies defense? This is an important Big East game for the Mountaineers, and these are pressing questions.

None of that seems to matter now. Injuries are part of the game. Tragic deaths of 20-year-olds are not. The terrible news out of Storrs is that Jasper Howard, a starting cornerback, was stabbed to death early Sunday morning near the student union -- just hours after the Huskies defeated Louisville 38-25.

According to a report in the Hartford (Conn.) Courant, police said the stabbing happened when a school-sponsored dance at the student union was let out. A fire alarm was pulled at 12:26 a.m., an altercation happened outside the building between two groups of people and then two people were stabbed.

On Saturday, I'll still be cheering and rooting for WVU. But I'll also be grieving for the UConn family.