A Younger Petrino Gets Busted

Police in the southern Indiana city of Huntingburg are saying that Dominic R. Petrino of Fayetteville, Arkansas was arrested at 12:06 a.m. Monday morning/Sunday night. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, possession of marijuana, illegal possession of prescription drugs and possession of paraphernalia.

The coach said in a text message that he and his wife won't comment further about the incident.

Here's the full text of the statement:

"Nick is our son, he is not a member of the Arkansas football team. As such, this is not a University of Arkansas issue. Instead, it is a family matter and a legal matter. My family will trust and respect the legal system and will not comment outside that process. Becky and I ask that you appreciate and respect the private nature of this issue and understand our lack of further comment."

A police report says Petrino was stopped after weaving off a roadway. Police say a blood test showed the presence of marijuana and prescription opiates. He was released on $1,000 bond.

He was booked into the Dubois ((IN)) County Jail, and when asked, a local jail officer didn't know if he had an attorney.

The Herald newspaper of Jasper, Indiana reports Petrino had been a backup quarterback in his time with the Razorbacks. He had transferred from Georgetown ((KY)) and had won back-to-back state titles with Louisville-Trinity as a junior and senior in high school when his dad coached at the U of L...

More when we know more...

DEVELOPING: Petrino gets a new deal

Robert Petrino Esq./Courtesy: coacheshotseat.com

 ((ht: knwa.com))

Though it probably should be qualified as "Non-binding". University of Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino is apparently the proud owner of a new, 7-year contract extension.

Petrino, who has led the Razorbacks to a 9-3 record this season and his new extension is expected to give him a significant raise.

The reason behind this, we suspect is to try and keep him around for awhile with the Coaching Carousel hitting full speed. We don't think he'll be a "Serious" contender this time around for jobs like the one at Florida, but the Arkansas folks aren't taking any chances.

Our only word of advice for the Razorback nation. It's not Petrino's nature to stick around anywhere for a long period of time. And just because he says he isn't going anywhere doesn't really mean...well, anything. Just check out his track record. Hopefully for your sakes, he's true to his word and will hang around for awhile. As much as we don't care for the man after the wreckage he abandoned in Atlanta, he's a heck of a coach and if he sticks around, Arkansas should be pretty competitive for that period of time.

Here's our hero back when he got hired, the day after losing a Monday Night Football game as the coach of the Atlanta Falcons: Thanks YouTube

TWTW: Arkansas Makes Their BCS Case Over LSU

((HT: KTHV-TV Little Rock))

Ryan Mallett threw for 320 yards and three TD's as 12th-ranked Arkansas won 31-23 over 6th-ranked LSU.

Mallett was 13 of 23 passing and had touchdown passes of 85, 80 and 39 yards for the Razorbacks (now 10-2/6-2 in the SEC). They won their sixth straight game and finished second in the SEC West.

Mallett now has 60 touchdown passes in two seasons at Arkansas.

LSU (now 10-2/6-2), which was outgained 462-299 by Arkansas, never led. Jordan Jefferson passed for 174 yards and ran for 39 for the Tigers.

Here's your highlights...

TWTW: Razorbacks Need Six Quarters For Win Over Miss State

((HT: KTHV-TV Little Rock))

Ryan Mallett threw for 306 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner to Knile Davis in the second overtime, as 13th-ranked Arkansas beat 22nd-ranked Mississippi State 38-31 in a game a lot of folks wanted "mutually assured destruction" as their favorite outcome.

The Bulldogs had a chance to tie the game in the second overtime, but Chris Relf was hit hard as he tried to complete a fourth-down pass.

Davis rushed for 191 yards and two scores as Arkansas (9-2, 5-2 Southeastern Conference) won its fifth straight. Vick Ballard rushed for 156 yards and three touchdowns for Mississippi State (7-4, 3-4).

Here's your highlights with a lot of color commentary...

TWTW: Arkansas Beats Ole Miss In An Empty Stadium

((HT: KTHV-11 Little Rock))

There's a certain sense of irony when a game is delayed twice by lightning...

And you have to finish it 90 minutes later than you would have liked...

Arkansas wins 38-24 as sophomore Knile Davis ran for 176 yards and three touchdowns, both career highs. The Razorbacks improve to 5-2 (2-2 in the SEC) and the Rebels drop to 3-4 (1-3 in the SEC).

The four quarter was well worth the price of admission alone...
Provided you were around to see it and hadn't gotten tired of hanging around by then...

Jeremiah Masoli may be finding his sea legs for Houston Nutt as he threw for three scores for the Black Bears...

Here's your highlights and a lot of discussion during them...

Mike Zimmer Does Not Like Him Some Robert Petrino, Esq.

And, because of that, the HQ loves them some Mike Zimmer...

Zimmer was part of the Petrino staff that was deserted when he bailed on the NFL and took the job as head man at Arkansas.

For those of you who forgot what that was like...
Enjoy... it's Greenie and Dat Dude...
((HT: ESPN/Youtube))


Zimmer is now part of the Cincinnati Bengals staff that is coming to Atlanta for a game against the Falcons Sunday...

Tom Archdeacon of the Dayton Daily News was around when Zimmer lit Petrino up...

“He is a coward. Put that in quotes. He ruined a bunch of people’s lives, a bunch of people’s families, kids, because he didn’t have enough nuts to stay there and finish the job. That’s the truth.

“Most people in football have enough courage about them and enough fight to stick through something and not quit halfway through the year. It is cowardly.

“He came in and said he resigned, he would talk to us all at a later date, walked out of the office and no one has ever talked to him since. Not that anybody wanted to.

“He’s a gutless b-----d. Quote that. I don’t give a s---.”

Sensing reporters might not be able to use his most profane descriptions, Zimmer quickly amended them:

“How about this: ‘Gutless MF.’ You can use that.”

How awesome is all of that...???
Thought you'd like it...

TWTW: War Cam Eagle! Auburn Survives Hogs In Auburn

((HT: KATV-TV Little Rock))

TBH was at another Auburn game on the Plains, and frankly, we're shocked she has a voice or any hair left on her head...

108 total points- an SEC non-overtime record...
65 points for Auburn- an SEC record besting a 63-point output in Gainesville forty years ago...
And another 300-plus yard game from Cam Newton ((running and passing))

This is one the HQ couldn't believe was happening as it was happening...
Here's your Robert Petrino, Esquire postgame...
And your boatload of highlights...


Next up for Auburn... a game against The Hat...
Next up for Arkansas... game with the Black Bears... and wondering whether or not Ryan Mallett remembers who he is at present...

Here's a post game report from Don Hawes. (Thanks WVTM-TV Birmingham, Alabama)




Photo Courtesy: Hal Yeager, The Birmingham News

TWTW: Mallett Wins Southwest Classic Over Texas A&M

((HT: KATV Little Rock))

And, as TBH said, we know Jerry Jones HATED giving that trophy to Arkansas after winning the Southwest Classic in his place...

Mallett finished 27 for 38 passing for 310 yards, most of that in the first half.

Arkansas is now 4-1 on the season after winning 24-17.
The Hogs play at Auburn next Saturday.

Really, that's all we need to say about this one...
A&M is blatantly average, even if Jerrod Johnson is a tremendous athlete.

Here's your highlights... enjoy the play-by-play...

Hog Radio Reporter Fired For Sporting UF Lid

((HT: ArkansasSports360))

The lesson here, kids, is never sport someone else's colors in a gang war- otherwise, you get cut...

Hog Sports Radio's Renee Gork wore orange and blue to a pig sooey presser...
Robert Petrino, Esquire answered thusly...
((HT: EDSBS))


Gork, through her station's Twitter feed, announced her firing Monday...

"Was hoping to publicly apologize to coach Petrino and UA fans on the show today, but I won't get that chance now ... I've been fired.”

And leave it to those ever-popular Razorback fans to take shots wherever they can...

FOR THOSE OF YOU COMING TO THIS PAGE IT WAS DEVELOPED BEFORE I WAS BACK ON THE AIR..A PERSONAL ACCOUNT MEANT FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY NOT HATE

Lovely.. it really is football season...

Bobby Petrino's House For Sale, Razorback Fans Panic

[HT: Whole Hog Sports.com ]

Arkansas Razorback head football coach Bobby Petrino has his house in Fayetteville on the market. This caused the Razorback message boards to light up.

Calm down Razorback fans, coach Petrino isn't going anywhere (Are there any openings?) but Arkansas media relations did e-mail this statement to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and the Northwest Arkansas Times.

"Coach Petrino owns a home here in Fayetteville and he still owns a home in Atlanta. His home in Atlanta has been on the market for some time and with the market being what it is he would like to sell at least one of the homes. Another factor on the timing is that … his daughter is headed to college this fall. His other children are older and at a point where they have their own residences."

There you have it, coach Petrino just wants to downsize. A $2.85 million salary only goes so far.

In case your interested in Bobby Petrino's home in Fayetteville it's 8,000 square feet with six bedrooms and six bathrooms with a pool and 3 acres of property. Asking price, $2.2 million.

Before the rumors become rampant I have no plans in moving back home to NW Arkansas right now.

Photo Courtesy: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

SEC To Head Coaches: Criticize The Officials, Go On Double Secret Probation

SEC football fans have noticed that the football officials aren't very good (Georgia and Arkansas fans know this quite well.) Even SEC head coaches are frustrated with the level of incompetency from the dudes in striped shirts.

SEC Bylaw 10.5.4 requires that coaches, assistant coaches, players, support personnel and others associated with the institution’s athletics program refrain from public criticism of officials. Twice Tennessee head coach Lance Kiffin and once Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino violated this bylaw and were properly slapped on the wrist.

So what does the SEC do? They decide to get tough on the coaches. No more reprimands for violating SEC Bylaw 10.5.4, from this point forward all violations of that SEC Bylaw will be enforced by suspensions and fines, effective immediately.

SEC head coaches you've been warned.

“There are proper channels available for head coaches to use when communicating officiating concerns to the Conference office,” said SEC Commissioner Mike Slive in a release from the conference.

Even if an assistant coach or other support personnel violate SEC Bylaw 10.5.4, the head coach pays the price.

Our take at OSG HQ and our satellite offices is that SEC head coaches are just expressing the same opinion that fans are. You think after cashing checks worth billions of dollars from your TV partners you would invest more into your football officials.

Double secret probation is next.

TWTW: Auburn "Misfires" Lead To 21-Point Arkansas Win

((HT: al.com/Goldberg))

Auburn coach Gene Chizik said the Tigers weren't good enough in any phase of the game to beat an SEC team Saturday, and that helps explain how Arkansas beat the Tigers 44-23 Saturday in Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

Arkansas rolled up 495 yards, returned three kickoffs for 145 yards and enjoyed a 34-3 lead midway through the third quarter.

``You can't do the things that we did today and win a game against a very, very good team,'' Chizik said. ``We did all the classic things that you can't do, certainly on the road, and certainly in this league.''

Auburn trailed in its first four games and came back and won. The Tigers closed to within 11 points on the Razorbacks after falling way behind, but got no closer. Auburn fell to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the SEC. Arkansas improved to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in the league.

Here's your post-game from The Chiz, thanks to al.com

Gene Chizik talks about Auburn's loss to Arkansas

Robert Petrino Esq. addresses the Masses

Old School OSG Favorite (not for good reasons) Bobby Petrino, currently the Head Coach at Arkansas was another of the coaches who addressed the assmebled media (1000+) at the Wynfrey Hotel this afternoon.

Petrino, not known for his candor or for that matter his enjoyment of having to speak to the press actually seemed to be very relaxed and much more comfortable than last year. Of course that might have to do with the fact that he didn't have to answer questions about his bizarro departure from the Atlanta Falcons and oddball appearance in Arkansas wearing a pig hat.

Auburn Searching For A New Head Coach

The process has begun at Auburn to find a new head football coach. The Birmingham News has identified 5 candidates for the job.

1. Derek Dooley - Louisiana Tech Head Coach (Dooley is getting play from Mississippi State to.)

2. Jimbo Fisher - Florida State Head Coach In Waiting

3. Mike Leach - Texas Tech Head Coach

4. Will Muschamp - Texas Head Coach In Waiting

5. Bobby Petrino - Arkansas Head Coach

According to the Birmingham News, Petrino's people have been unofficially contacted and an OSG source in Arkansas concurs. That source also says that Petrino has a clause in his Arkansas contract that prevents him from bolting to an SEC West team. If Auburn wants him they would have to write a big check.

Will Muschamp is unlikely as well since he seems content at Texas.

Why would Jimbo Fisher trade Florida State for Auburn.

Derek Dooley has the bloodlines. His dad Vince played at Auburn and almost took the head coaching job in 1980.

Which leaves Mike Leach. After interviewing at the University of Washington its becoming apparent that Leach has maxed out the Texas Tech program and he is striking while the iron is hot. Auburn has unofficially contacted Leach's camp and he is willing to talk. If Seattle isn't the place for Leach than Auburn might be. It just seems that Leach is ready to move on.

Don't be surprised if TCU head coach Gary Patterson gets a call from Auburn. He's also a hot coaching commodity ready to make the BCS move.

As for Tommy Tuberville, well he says he wants to stay and help the Auburn program. I wonder if his camp isn't making some phone calls to Starkville, Mississippi?

"Houston Bowl" Comes To Fayetteville, Arkansas

There are many great college football games this weekend but the one I personally look forward to will kick off at Reynolds Razorback Stadium Saturday night. Ole Miss at Arkansas may not be on your list but it tops mine.

Saturday, Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt returns to Arkansas for the first time since he resigned last November as head coach of the Razorbacks. Nutt became a polarizing figure in the Razorback nation the last couple of years. From the Gus Malzahn experience to cell phone gate, blah, blah, blah, no sense rehashing the chain of events that led to Nutt's getting the heck out of dodge (or Fayetteville.) Nutt wasn't interested either when asked about it during his weekly press conference.

"I don’t want to get into all that. How did they know I was leaving or when I was leaving?" Nutt said. "All I know is that we gave a lot of effort and a lot of energy to that program for 10 years every single day from daylight to exhaustion."

There were many in the Razorback nation who wanted to see Nutt throw it a little more, to have a more entertaining offense. I thought it was pretty entertaining watching Darren McFadden and Felix Jones bust some long TD runs. I suspect Nutt knew he didn't have the type of quarterback that could sling it, and Hog fans, judging from this year Nutt might have been correct.

On the flipside, Bobby Petrino came to Arkansas in a storm of controversy that initially created a deeper divide among Razorback Nation. I've got to give Petrino credit, he practiced good P.R., showed a bit of personality and won over those Hog fans who had doubt. Petrino is taking a beat down this year but the track record is there for success.

Petrino is playing down the side story of Saturday's Ole Miss - Arkansas game.

"I understand the build up by the Razorback fans, that’s natural." Patrino said. "Our players understand that it’s our football team against their football team. Let’s take the coaches out of it, let’s take the past out of it and let’s just get ready to go out there and compete, play hard, play the game that we all love."

You bet Ole Miss and especially Arkansas (myself included) circled this date on their calendar. He didn't circle the date but Nutt thought about it.

"I don’t know an exact number, but off and on." Nutt said. "There have been several times when you think about what it’s going to be like when you’re coming from the opposite side, coming from the other dressing room. Now, you’re halfway through the season, you’re locked into Ole Miss, you’re locked into the players you have here and I’ve gotten very close to them. I’m looking forward to it, but I can’t give you an exact number of how many times. It’s definitely crossed my mind."

If anything, Saturday's Ole Miss - Arkansas game ramps up this rivalry.

"There will be a lot of people at the ball game, and it was probably an instant rival as soon as most of our staff came over here since there was so much talk about it." Nutt said.

What kind of reception will Houston Nutt get at the game? My guess it will be a mixture of polite applause and a cold reception. There still many wounds that haven't healed among the Hog fan base.

I can tell you this, Ole Miss will play hard, Arkansas will play hard. Nutt's Arkansas recruits will play hard. It should be an intense football game Saturday in the Ozarks.

You can read more from Wally Hall’s column in Friday’s Arkansas Democrat – Gazette.

More analysis from the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.

Houston Nutt Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

Bobby Petrino Photo Courtesy: Wesley Hitt/Arkansas

The SEC, West this time

SEC West Preview

The Southeastern Conference as usual will be one of the, if not the best football conference in America this season. From top to bottom, this conference plays some of the best football in the land. Just look at the past several National Champions, and you can see just what we're talking about.

This week, I will look at the Western Division, next week, I'll take a look at the top heavy SEC East.

Auburn

Offense- This year brings a different look on the plains. Well, not just different, dramatically different. The Tigers bring in Spread Offense guru Tony Franklin to change what was already a pretty good team.

Gone is long-time starter QB Brandon Cox and in comes QB Kody Burns. Burns took some snaps late last season, including quite a few in the Tigers 23-20 victory in last seasons Chick-Fil A Bowl over a tough Clemson squad.

Other returnees include Senior Running Back Brad Lester and a whole host of offensive lineman. The key to this unit, this year will be how fast they pick up and cohesively run the new offense.

Defense- The defense is also sporting a new coordinator. Gone is longtime Coach Will Muschamp and in his place comes Paul Rhoades, the former Defensive Coordinator at Pitt.

As always, this defense is full of standouts, such as Defensive Lineman Sen'derick Marks. It's a veteran unit that will again be only as good as the adjustment to a new coordinator makes them.

Outlook- The Tigers, I feel will be the team to beat in the SEC West. Though they certainly will have a hard time getting to Atlanta, I think they will be successful. Tommy Tuberville is a smart coach who knows what needs to be done to survive the usual viscous schedule. Look for the Tigers to be a 10-2 team and be playing in Atlanta come the beginning of September. (Prediction 1st in the West, 10-2 overall)

LSU Tigers-

Offfense- This part of the Bayou Bengals looks to be the biggest question mark. Gone is Ryan Perriloux, who had he learned how to behave, would have been the starter on a team that may have contended for another national title. The probable starter now, Harvard transfer Andrew Hatch, though true freshman Jordan Jefferson is certainly waiting in the wings.

Also gone from this team, Jacob Hester and wide receiver Early Doucet, both huge contributors on the National Championship team. The cupboard in Baton Rouge is hardly bare. Running Back Keiland Williams is back, along with receivers Brandon LaFell and Demetrius Byrd.

Defense- The D in de tiger stadium will be just fine. Coach Les Miles still has a gumbo bucket full of defenders on whom to count on this season to carry the team. Gone of course is Glenn Dorsey, along with Safety Craig Steltz and Linebacker Ali Highsmith. Returning for the Tigers is Dorsey's counterpart, Ricky Jean-Francois and Linebacker Darry Beckwith.

Outlook- As always, this will be a very good team. At this point, there are enough question marks to wonder if this will be a great team. A lot of there success hinges on the battle at Quarterback. So goes the QB, so go the Tigers (Prediction- 2nd in the West, 9-3 overall)

Mississippi State Bulldogs-

Offense- Few teams grew more over the course of the 2007 season than Sylvester Croom's Bulldogs. All of a sudden this became a very dangerous team. Now Sophomore Quarterback Wesley Carroll seemed to figure things out last year as the season drew on. With a full year under his belt and the extra big Running Back Anthony Dixon to hand off to, this looks to be a year where Miss. State will not be able to surprise anybody.

Defense- On defense, Senior Derick Pegues and Linebacker Jamar Chaney headline a blue collar, hard hitting unit. This group much like the Offense was grossly underrated last season and thus the Bulldogs shocked quite a few teams. This was a young unit last season, look for them to improve even more this year

Outlook- I like this team. I like where Coach Croom has them going. Beating Auburn and Alabama last season did wonders for this groups confidence. Look for them to do well this year and again reach a bowl game. (Prediction 8-4, 3rd in the SEC West)

Alabama Crimson Tide-

Offense- This should be a good starting unit, the only question will be depth. Quarterback John Parker Wilson is in his 3rd year as a starter, should be a good SEC quarterback. He has the arm, but hasn't had the success that many thought he would. Running Back Terry Grant provides Wilson with a great run option and all the folks in Tuscaloosa have been raving about incoming Freshman Julio Jones at Wide Receiver. If Jones is half as good as the hype than this offense should not have too much to worry about

Defense- The D is another story. This group has been hit hard with offseason legal problems. That combined with the lack of depth mean one thing. This could be trouble.

Outlook- I'm not sure anyone really knows what to expect from this team, this season. Any team coached by Nick Saban will probably be good, but we don't know how good. The probation and loss of scholorships the past few years has really begun to hurt the Tide. It will take everything Saban has to coax a Bowl Game out of this bunch. (Prediciton 7-5, 4th in the SEC West)

Ole Miss Rebels-

Offense- This team also is a very intriguing one for 2008. In comes Texas transfer Jevan Snead and out goes the chaos that has passed for the QB position in Oxford. Snead has the ability to put up big numbers and open up a lot of options for a team that has been offensive in many ways for the past several years.

Defense- The "D" may be a bit shakier this year for incoming coach Houston Nutt, but that won't last for long. With defenders like Jamarca Sanford holding things down, the hope is that these guys will keep the Rebels in ballgames.

Outlook- This is another up and coming team in the SEC. With Coach Nutt, they may not be great "this" season, but as he puts his players in place, they will only get better in the seasons to come. (Prediction 6-6, 5th in the SEC West)

Arkansas Razorbacks-

Offense- No team in the SEC was hurt more by graduation than this bunch. Gone is All-World Darren McFadden, Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis and Marcus Monk. Returning however is Casey Dick at QB and new Coach Bobby Petrino has to find someone who can make plays for Dick and the Razorbacks to be successful

Defense- On defense this team will be OK, but not spectacular. Defense has never been a strong point on a Bobby Petrino team and don't expect this group to change that. The good thing they have going for them is they are young and will get better as the season goes.

Outlook- Don't expect much from these guys in 2008. Everything for them was geared for 2007 and it didn't work out the way they hoped. With a new coach comes a lot of rebuilding, if Petrino sticks around (big "IF"), they will get better, but don't expect anything for the next 2 years. (Prediction 3-9, last in the SEC West)

Overall- The teams here are all for the most part young and will improve. I don't feel any of them will walk away the winner in Atlanta in December, but during the 2008 season, you don't want any part of the top 3 teams in the West.

SEC Media Days, Day 3

End of the Chaos…

The end of SEC Media Days brought to a close one of the more interesting three day stretches that I’ve seen in quite a while. The “Media” traffic slowed, a little bit, but it didn’t slow the craziness, the oddness (if that really is a word) but it did give a look at what some would call a media vendetta.

Meet the Petrino…

You could have had a nice debate on day 3 as to what the big story was. For the Alabama folks, Tommy Tuberville was in the house. Tuberville however is a great guy; pretty much universally liked, has a great sense of humor and doesn’t take himself nearly as seriously as the Auburn fan base does.

The other early visitor was Kentucky’s Rich Brooks. Brooks was also somewhat of an amiable sort, he smiled a lot and like everyone else, wasn’t really sure what to expect out of his team this year.

The fireworks however were still to come. The afternoon brought the guy who is generally considered one of the true characters in College Football, Steve Spurrier and the guy who made headlines for leaving the NFL, the day after a game in the middle of the season to go back to college, Bobby Petrino.

Attack!

Upon his arrival, Petrino got pretty much the same treatment as all the “Big Name” coaches got, which was the phalanx of cameras walking with him as he walked. The Atlanta TV Stations were there as were several from the state of Arkansas.

I’ve got to say here that I never really felt sorry for Petrino before, despite the bland press conferences when he was with the Falcons and the whispers of his distant, cold and sometimes odd behavior with the folks up in Flowery Branch. He always came across as someone who would rather be anywhere other than on a podium, speaking into the lights, faces and cameras looking for something, anything that was usable to report.
This time was a little different. When he arrived into the TV rooms, the questions were all the same “Why did you leave the Falcons like you did? “Did you really hate pro football so much?” “Why did you bail out on the players like that?” His answers were pretty calm and thought out and again nothing special, the funniest, at least to me was the last question he was asked; “How will you feel if you have to come and play in Atlanta?” The answer was a good one; “I’ll be happy because that means we are playing for the SEC Championship and if we can win that, we may be playing for the national championship, that sounds like a good thought to me”.

Don’t forget the ‘Ball Coach!

I would be remiss in my duties if I didn’t mention Steve Spurrier. The guy, though he has some faults is one of a kind, an original. He had us laughing the whole time he spoke, not something easy to do in this cynical age.

The ‘Ball Coaches presser went something like this: “Well, I-hm really lookin’ forward to how our team’s gonna play this year. We got us a tall team, big and we look good in our uniforms” “We should look real good comin’ out of the tunnel. Unfortunately, I cain’t sit here and tell you if we’ll play as good as we look, we’re just gonna have to wait and see”. Great stuff, and he kept repeating this theme the whole afternoon.

Predictions…

If you read my stuff regularly, you probably know how much I hate “Pre-season Predictions”, but because I am doing my best to inform and entertain, I give the you SEC Media (70 ballots out of 700+ credentials) Predictions for the upcoming season.

SEC East
1. Florida
2. Georgia
3. Tennessee
4. South Carolina
5. Kentucky
6. Vanderbilt

Pretty much the same way the conference is picked before the season every year. In fact I don’t know that I can even remember the last time that it wasn’t picked this way.

SEC West
1. Auburn
2. LSU
3. Alabama
4. Mississippi State
5. Ole Miss
6. Arkansas

Again no surprises here, Auburn and LSU seem to just take turns in this poll. The only disappointment is Mississippi State. The Bulldogs were 8-4 last year, a pretty good team, in fact, don’t be surprised if they finish in the Top 2 here in the west.

“The time has come, my song is over, thought I’d something more to say”- Time (Pink Floyd)

SEC Media Days, Day 2

Nuggets…We Got Nuggets (SEC Day 2)

Yes, we have stepped into what can only be described as Bizarro land here in beautiful Hoover (outside Birmingham) Alabama. It was truly a strange, strange day here in well, I’m not sure really how to describe this place.

You Got Served…

Obviously, the big news of the day was Tennessee Coach Phil Fulmer receiving a subpoena upon his arrival at the luxurious Wynfrey Hotel. There are a few different versions of how this occurred. I’ve heard it was handed to him as he walked through the hotel, before making the rounds with the media hordes.

The new information is that according to ABC 33/40 (Can’t think of the call letters) here in Birmingham, the document was “Thrown” at Fulmer when he got out of his vehicle. He supposedly picked it up and upon realizing what it was, kept it and went about his business. Unfortunately nobody got this on videotape, but, what can you do?

Fulmer didn’t want to talk much about it today, but he didn’t have to. When he arrived in the room I was in and was asked about it, he said “There are a lot of nice fans who are dedicated to rooting for there team, but there are also some who are just plain Jerks. I’ll stick to that word since this is going to be on TV”. Nice, he obviously wasn’t happy about it, but didn’t deny it like he did to the Knoxville News-Sentinel either.

Great Satan…

The other pariah today, none other than Alabama Head Coach/Traitor Nick Satan…I mean Saban. If you haven’t been to Alabama you probably don’t realize how the people worship and I’m talking fawning at the mere sight of there “Football Coach”.

Much to my amazement, Saban actually had my favorite line of the day. When asked about having to go to LSU (one of several former employers), he responded this way: “When we get on the busses to head over to the stadium, I’ll probably be on one bus by myself, I’m pretty sure that my guys will not want to be near me”. Wow! Self-Deprecating humor. Somewhat out of character for the Great Satan, but amusing never the less.

Other Stuff…

Really there wasn’t much else to report. Mark Richt and the Georgia Bulldogs were in the house today. There really wasn’t much to report on with the ‘Dawgs, they were asked a gazillion times about this years high expectations and last years Florida game, but that was about it. Both the Coach and his players, Jeff Owens and Mohammed Massaquoi were classy and answered every question…except when someone asked Massaquoi “If you don’t win the SEC this year, who do you think will?” He kind of smiled and just said “I’m not really thinking about that”. What else can you say.

Friday’s session should be interesting, among the scheduled guests, Tommy Tuberville of Auburn, the ‘Ol Ball Coach himself and the happy wanderer Bobby Petrino, currently of Arkansas (for now). There probably won’t be much hoopla with the first two guys, it’ll be real interesting how Mr. Stiff Petrino, answers questions from the Atlanta media in attendance.

“The time has come, my song is over, thought I’d something more to say”- Time (Pink Floyd)

Petrino Makes Perfect Sense

Knowing incoming Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long’s track record of hiring head football coaches, I figured the Long would hire a washed up former NFL head coach to lead the Razorbacks. This is the same guy who hired the Wanstache while AD at Pittsburgh. I had prepared myself for Norv Turner, Cam Cameron and when current Oakland Raiders Head Coach Lane Kiffen was on the initial list, I wasn’t shocked. It made perfect sense. There was the flirtation with Tommy Bowden and Jim Grobe but they like life in the ACC. Then Bobby Petrino emerged and Tuesday night said the hell with the Atlanta Falcons and came to the Ozarks as the new Head Football Coach at Arkansas.

If you are going to hire a washed up NFL head coach this is the guy. Petrino took Louisville to unprecedented heights, 2 conference titles and a BCS Bowl. However, Petrino doesn’t like to stay bogged down at one place. What are the odds Petrino remains at Arkansas for the 5 years of his contract?

By the way, I know Arthur Blank is worth billions of dollars but after the year he has had as owner of the Atlanta Falcons, I wouldn’t blame Blank for going on an all night drinking binge in fact, I would buy the first round. But king Arthur would probably want the $500 bottle of single malt scotch and that is a little out of my price range.

Back to Petrino, at Louisville he worked with Chris Redman and Brian Brohm on the college level at quarterback. Who does he inherit at Arkansas? Casey Dick. If Petrino can turn Dick into Clint Stoerner or even Barry Lunney, Jr. he’s earned his 7-figure income.

Darren McFadden will go pro. Petrino now must convince Felix Jones to return for his senior year. That will be like selling ice to the Eskimos. Without Jones, who are your offensive weapons?

I sound like a grumpy Razorback fan. I, as someone who bleeds Razorback Red, like the hire. I just hope he doesn’t have U-Haul on his Fav-5 list.

That's it, I'm spent.

--John Wilkerson

Liars, Quitters, Losers

OK, something going around college football has really started bugging me.

Why the F*CK would you sign a contract, telling your owner or AD you planned on sticking around and honoring it, if you didn’t MEAN a damn word of it?

Nick Saban and Bobby Petrino – you’re in my sights.

Nick – you denied and denied and denied and denied...
Bobby – you just signed, and the ink is barely dry, a contract in July to stay in the ‘Ville for TEN more years (dude, you could have won a national championship next season. Woulda, coulda, shoulda.)

I guess I can fault the University of Alabama and the Atlanta Falcons just about much as the two Liar, Quitter, Losers. It takes two to tango.

What kind of example are you setting for today’s athlete? I mean, when I played at Wake Forest (yes, now you know I’m bitter against Petrino ANYWAY), Bill Dooley didn’t jump ship or chase the almighty dollar. He helped recruit me, and I helped win the ’92 Poulan Weedeater Independence Bowl for his last collegiate victory. He left as the 10^th winningest coach in college football history.

What about Brian Brohm? What about Lou Groza award winner Arthur Carmody?

Carmody said this about Petrino’s mutiny. "I'm in shock right now. We're coming off a great Orange Bowl win and we were all thinking national championship. I didn't think this would happen. He said he enjoyed college football. He's a great coach and we're going to miss him."

Petrino said in July he wanted to prove to his new recruits he’d be there through their entire Cardinal career. All he did was prove he cared more about the Benjamins than he did the Brohms, the Carmodys or the Harry Douglases.

Saban followed the same path. He kept saying he was committed to Miami, committed to owner Wayne Huizenga, and did NOT want to accept Mal Moore and Alabama’s offer.

Did he think if he denied it over and over again, we (the media) would go away and leave him alone to take it?

I’m an old school kind of guy, as the true OSG/Sports Smack followers can attest. You have nothing but your word. You have nothing but the respect you earn. Saban no longer has a word I can trust, and no longer has the respect of a truly winning coach in the NCAA or NFL.

Say what you mean and mean what you say. The only games you should be playing are between the hedges, not between our ears.

I’m not usually this deep, just deep in it...trust me.

--John V. Wood