Who Wants The Maryland Job?

It appears their were three candidates for the University of Maryland head coaching job and all with innovative offenses.

First it appears SMU head coach June Jones was interviewed for the gig. The Dallas Morning News reporter that such conversation took place but according to Jones' agent Leigh Steinberg he has removed himself from consideration.

http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/12/smus-jones-removes-himself-from-maryland.html

Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn appears to be in Maryland's crosshairs. Tuesday Auburn head coach Gene Chizik said he is not aware of any contact between Malzahn and Maryland.

(Thanks AlabamaLive.com)



Malzahn should be on Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson's list and should get strong consideration.

Mike Leach's name has been the most prominant connection to Maryland even before Ralph Friedgen's firing was official. During the news conference announcing the coaching change Anderson admitted publically that Leach was on the list.

Maryland definately wants to make a big splash on the college football scene with this hire. Going after coaches with proven and high powered offensive systems is what the powers that be at Maryland want.

We will keep you posted.

TWTW: Ault Lang Syne, SMU Rolls In Hawai'i

((HT: KTVN-TV Reno))

Nevada Head Coach Chris Ault is, probably, ready and willing to forget his whole Hawai'i Bowl experience against SMU.

He had the most prolific rushing offense in Division I- averaging over 350 yards per game on the ground. He had three rushers clocking in with over 1,000 yards each on the season.

But then the fun began...

Two of those rushers didn't play. Vai Taua, who led Nevada with 1,345 yards rushing, has been ruled academically ineligible. Luke Lippincott, who ran for 1,034 yards, was sidelined with a toe injury.

Then, Ault said that he had suspended safety Duke Williams for the game. Linebacker Andre Davis has been dismissed from the program. Davis, it was disclosed was busted for shoplifting.

Here's KTVN's coverage of the loss...


And here's KGMB-TV's version of June Jones' homecoming...

Dirty Dozen (The Conference Champs Edition)

D-Day has Arrived (no, not the guy from Animal House!)

We've finally hit the end of the road, the last week of weeks, the time where conference titles are decided (at least by the ones who want extra money). All who are playing should be happy...except for Texas.

There really are some good games ahead and there usually is at least one that doesn't turn out the way that it should. Last Week: Another perfect week, 11-0 and that makes the tally 78-17, maybe I should start gambling eh?

The Dozen:

1. Alabama (They get this by virtue of surviving undefeated. That however may change soon. I don't think any of the pipe dreamers in Tuscaloosa ever thought they'd be in this position this year...but they are. This Week: The SEC Championship. Florida 31, Alabama 21)

2. Florida (It really, really pains me to say it, but they've been the best team in College Football the past 6 weeks. Really...they have. I can't believe I'm going to pick them to win this week...but. This Week: See above)

3. Texas (They deserve this spot...but alas...they aren't playing this week. Wouldn't it be funny if everyone else loses either this week or in their bowl and these guys end up with the title? Just wonderin'. This Week: Waiting for Bowl Invite)

4. Oklahomer (Okay, so they killed the Mike Gundy's...and well...they killed Texas Tech...and well...just about everyone but Texas. Does this make them better than Texas? That is a deeper and longer arguement than I'm willing to get into here. This Week: The Big 12 Championship. Oklahoma 47, Missouri 33)

5. USC (Congratulations Pete Carroll. Oregano State did you a favor and now you are in the Rose Bowl. Hooray for you! You're still the Big Fish in a pretty small PAC 10 pond out there. Enjoy the Roses' we'll see you next year. This Week: USC Red 45, UCLA Blue...very Blue 13)

6. Utah (I like these guys more every week. They are a good story and I'm glad that they will be in the BCS Spotlight. We need more stories like this. This Week: Waiting for Bowl Invite (probably Sugar))

7. State Penn (Kudos to the Fighting Joe Pa's. They had a pretty good "On-the Field Year". They are going to the Rose Bowl and might actually give USC a decent game. We will see. This Week: Waiting for the Rose Bowl)

8. Boise State (They deserve this for going undefeated. They are worthy of a BCS invite, but sadly, I don't think it will come. They will get politicked and can't do anything about it. They are a prime example of how the BCS is rigged for the "Big" Schools. This Week: Waiting for Bowl Invite)

9. Texas Tech (Good team, not a great team. Let's see if Mike Leach actually makes it to the Bowl Game as their Coach. Smart money says "NO". This Week: Waiting for Bowl Invite)

10. Ball State (Again, Mad Props for going undefeated. They deserve a shot that they won't get. Maybe they'd get killed, but...Hopefully they'll get a decent bowl game and a nice donation from their most famous Alum. This Week: Waiting for Bowl Invite)

**note from author who is a dumbass!!! This Week: MAC Championship. Ball St. 31, Buffalo 27** (12-5 9:54am)

11. Ohio State (I'm just going to say it. Why? They always go at least 10-2. They always finish in the top 2 in their conference and they always lose to an SEC team in a bowl game. It's what they do. It's why I don't like their conference. They still think football revolves around them...it hasn't for the past...oh 20 years. This Week: Wating for Bowl Invite)

12. Georgia Tech (I saw these guys the past 2 weeks and when they are on, they are pretty good. I wouldn't want to be playing them on short notice. Jonathan Dwyer is the best running back you've never heard of, you'll hear of him next year. This Week: Accepted Peach Fil-A Bowl Bid)

The Top Turkeys, Bottom of the Barrel:

5. Meech-i-gin (Awww. Sucks to be the Maize and Blue. Tough year. But it had to happen sometime, reality hit here harder than almost anywhere. Maybe Coach Rodriguez can bring them into the 21st Century. Time will tell. This Year: 3-9)

4. Iowa State (Strangely enough, they started 2-0, then lost the next, oh...10 straight. Not exactly a strong finish...unless you want a spot in this part of the poll. This Year: 2-10)

3. Shmoo! (This was a bad team from day 1. Has anyone told June Jones, sometimes more money isn't worth it? Just sayin'. This Year: 1-11)

2. Washed State (Good thing they beat Washington. Words can't describe how bad the "Crapple Cup" game was. The best part is that it is over. This Year 2-10)

1. Washington (Arrivaderci Ty Willingham. Here is my question...why would any of the "Big Name" coaches take this job? They are going to suck for a while no matter who is here. This Year: The Undisputed Champ 0-12)

And so goes another College Football Season. Strange and unpredictable just like every other year. We will back with a bowl game edition as soon as we get the list of 812 Bowl Games and the teams playing in them.

The Damn Dirty Dozen Again!

More Conference Fun Ahead...

This is like the greatest time of the year for College Football, isn't it? We are getting deep into the conference schedules and we are finding out, kinda like Santa Claus, who's been naughty and who's been nice (ok, so good and not so good might work better-chalk it up to the cooler weather).

Last Week 10-3, Overall 16-7. Expect the Dozen to shift further after this week:

1. Texas (Yes, they deserve it. If Colt McCoy keeps completing 81% of his passes, these guys may never lose. This Week: Texas 41, Ok. State 24)

2. Alabama (The best 1st Half team in the country. The 2nd half...not so much. This Week: Alabamie 16, Tennessee 9)

3. State Penn (Looks like they are here to stay. Win this week and they can coast. Maybe if they get to the BCS, JoePa will finally go away. This Week: State Penn 20, Ohio St. 13)

4. Oh..klahoma (Where the sweeps down the plains. Probably the best 1 loss team out there, can they stay that way? This Week: Oklahoma 47, K-State 27)

5. Oh..klahoma...State (The fighting Mike Gundy's are pretty good. Saying Mike Gundy mulitple times is good for OSG business. This Week: Poor Mike Gundy, See #1)

6. Florida (Not totally sold yet, the next couple of weeks will tell. I can't wait until next week in Jacksonville-((i'll be there)) This Week: Florida 23, Kentucky 13)

7. Texas Tech (Again, not buying this. They will lose, it's just a matter of when, they still have no "D". This Week: Texas Tech 41, Kansas 34)

8. Georgia (I'm still waiting for a breakout performance from these guys. They've underachieved, but they also have had a major injury bug hit them. This Week: Georgia 23, LSU 20)

9. USC (I don't know why they jumped so high after killing Wash. State, everyone smashes them. They are good, I don't think they are great+the PAC 10 sucks. This Week: USC 41, Arizona 20)

10. Ohio State (The most confusing team in the NCAA. They are never as good as they appear. That hasn't changed for the 59th year in a row. This Week: See #3)

11. LSU (The personnel turnover is finally catching up with LeSmiles. Beating South Carolina isn't all that great now, is it? This Week: See #8)

12. Georgia Tech (I don't know how, but they are 6-1. Don't sell these guys short. They aren't always pretty but they play hard and have a helluva "D". This Week: Ga.Tech 20, Virginia 6)

The Bottom of the Barrel:

5. SMU (Paging June Jones, June Jones, please pick up the white courtesy phone, it's last year in Hawaii calling. This Week: Navy 41, SMU 14)

4. Syrie-cuse (Will someone please put them out of their misery? Paging Dr. Kevorkian, Dr. Kevorkian? This Week: Louisville 35, Little Orange 10)

3. North Texas (Do we really need to say anything else. I'm suprised the State of Texas hasn't expelled them from the state. This Week: Troy 38, North Texas 6)

2. Washington (This kind of explains why they never get sunshine in the Pacific Northwest this time of year. Has anyone checked to see if there is a Shleprock on the roster? This Week: Notre Dame 27, Washington 17) ed. note-these guys must really suck if I pick ND to beat them

1. Washington State (USC's 4th team scored at will, Elon's 3rd team scored on them, Valdosta States 2nd team scored on them and Shorter's scout team scored on them. God they suck! This Week: Stanford 31, Wash.St. 3 ((bless the trees!))

That is all we've got. If you are a fan of the Bottom of the Barrel, well, Basketball season is on the way soon. Have a Great Day!

The "NEW" Dirty Dozen!

Shakedown Saturday (Again)

This truly should be the week that things begin to shakeout in the world of College Football. It's funny how the folks at Auburn are panicking already, but hey the season ain't over yet...is it?

Here is this week's countdown, now with predictions for the upcoming week:

1. Oklahoma (Time to find out what they've got. It's Red River Shootout week, should be fun: pick Oklahoma 41-Texas 30)

2. LSU (They are still the cream of the SEC crop ((i said "cream")), we will also see what they have as they face the daunting Swamp: pick LSU 23-Florida 17)

3. Missouri (Still holding at #3. They get there first test this week too at Ok. State. My only concern is that this game may not end until Monday: pick Missouri 45-Ok.State 37)

4. Alabama (They struggled with a Kentucky team with no offense. No test this week, they are facing the "Dreaded Bye Week": pick Alabama 50-Bye Week 0)

5. Texas (See #1)

6. Penn State (The fighting Joe Pa's facing a Wisconsin team which I told you earlier this season would choke and well....: pick Joe Pa's 28- Wisconsin 21)

7. USC (They started slow last week, but seemed to recover. They will be fine, but there title hopes are done sorry ASU: pick USC 45- Arizona St. 17)

8. BYU (This is just like the BYU of old, back in the Steve Young-Ty Detmer days. They head to New Mexico, shouldn't be a problem: pick BYU 51- N.Mexico 23)

9. Texas Tech (I'm not sold on these guys either, but they haven't played anyone. That includes "YOU" Nebraska: pick Texas Tech 47- Nebraska 27)

10. Georgia (This week will be a big game for these guys, they still don't really have an identity, they better figure it out...soon: pick UGA 31- Tennessee 14)

11. Florida (Someone doesn't belong here, I think it might be these guys. See #2)

12. Vanderbilt (Wow, can you believe these guys in this company? Neither can they. They'll win this week, but the law of averages isn't far behind : pick Vandy 24-Miss. St. 10)

Obviously, this week will shake things up quite a bit. It's getting to that fun point of the year now where we'll seperate the men from the boys. I can't wait.

Nelson Notes: Oklahoma, USC, LSU, Mizzou, Alabama, Texas, Penn State, Georgia, Texas Tech, BYU, Florida, and Vanderbilt ((who is in the trap-game of all trap-games this weekend, by the way...don't be shocked if Miss State is closer than you think...))

The Dregs:

5. SMU (June Jones, are we missing Hawaii now?)

4. UAB (Ewww. Didn't these guys used to be pretty good?)

3. Tennessee (Just because the Fulmer will lose again this week)

2. Washington (This is one bad football state...and these are your headliners)

1. North Texas (If this were Texas State, then at least Kathy Ireland would be the kicker)

That is all I've got to say. Have a fun Shakedown!

Nelson Still Notes: Syracuse, Syracuse, The Vols, U-Dub, and Syracuse...