Your Morning Conference Realignment Update

((ht: statesman.com))

Well, the next dominos to fall in the "Galactic Realignment" of College Football should fall if not today (Monday), then sometime in the next couple of days.

We, along with the rest of the universe, reported both Texas and Oklahoma regents would be meeting today to discuss their options. Those options, at least from their perspective got a bit clearer this weekend when Pitt and Syracuse committed to the ACC.

According to the Austin American-Statesman, substantive talks between Texas and others with the Pac-12 occurred this weekend. Made more convenient due to Texas playing UCLA in Los Angeles. This despite Pac-12 commish Larry Scott saying just last week, "We're happy where we are". And we will say, these schools are coming to the Pac-12, not the other way around.

Statesman reporter Kirk Bohls reports Texas would prefer to stay in the Big 12, but that may not be possible.

Read the entire story RIGHT HERE

What it appears will happen is this: Oklahoma, Oklahoma St., Texas Tech and Texas appear all but certain to head to the Pac-12. Scott is doing his best to try and accommodate/fold in, the Longhorn Network. We are reasonably certain, that will work out.

The only question really is when?

In light of this weekends moves, we expect this all to go down this week. There has been speculation that the Big 12 will try and absorb some schools from another conference. (The Big East football schools?).

Initially, we thought it would be the Big East and ACC who would have to combine to make their own super-conference, we don't think that now. It will end up being the remnants of the Big 12 combined with the Big East. It has to be. There's no other choice for any of the remaining schools to survive in the new landscape.

There are still questions out there. There is no guarantee Missouri or Kansas will sit for a combined conference. Though they certainly could and be just fine.

The other wild card is West Virginia. There's been a lot of speculation they want in the SEC. In a bad way. They question is: "Does the SEC want them?". And really, nobody knows the answer to that.

A Sports-Talk radio host in Pittsburgh tweeted Sunday that the Mountaineers have already sent their paperwork to the SEC. And the interest is mutual.

We could go on forever discussing the repercussions of all this. There are a lot of teams and a lot of people who are anxiously awaiting the fallout. The seismic shift is coming and while Saturday's announcement was big and in some ways, very surprising, it won't be the biggest. That friends, is a rose that has yet to be delivered.

We don't watch this show, though the Lovely Bride does, and don't totally understand this, but it is the best analogy would could think of visually to go along with this story, because these schools and conferences are essentially doing the same thing.

Jerry Kill out of hospital, will coach U of Minnesota Saturday

((ht: kstp-tv))

University of Minnesota head football coach Jerry Kill has gotten the ok to coach his team on Saturday against Miami University (Ohio). He showed up at his teams practice Thursday afternoon.

You'll recall that Kill suffered a seizure at the end of the Gophers loss against New Mexico State this past Saturday. He was taken from the field on a stretcher, straight to the hospital.

According to KSTP-TV in Minneapolis, Kill's doctors gave him the all clear and said he could continue with his life as normal.

KSTP gives us the TV version of this story:

Change in the air: Oklahoma regents talk realignment on Monday

((ht: newsok.com))

Could the conference realignment dominoes start falling on Monday? It's possible.

According to multiple published reports, the University of Oklahoma board of regents will meet on Monday and one of the topics of discussion: Conference realignment. Word is they will try and figure out which conference situation is best for them.

Read the story from NewsOK.com RIGHT HERE

As most of you know, despite Texas A&M handing withdrawl papers to the Big 12/10, the chips won't fall...or move in any form until Oklahoma does something.

A&M can't do anything due to the SEC's no legal action stipulation. One brought on by most of the remaining Big 12 teams to protect themselves. They've threatened to file a suit to stop them from moving. Oklahoma didn't make that threat. 

The general consensus is that Oklahoma will go to the Pac12, despite commissioner Larry Scott saying they aren't "Looking" to do anything. Oklahoma State will go with them. That in turn will be the death knell for the Big 12, who'd be left with Texas, Texas Tech, Baylor, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa State. It would be the sad end, to a once proud conference.

We'll spare you are rant as to why this is happening, we agree with OutKickTheCoverage's Clay Travis that ESPN has become the root of all this.

The funny thing is, it all came about due to Texas and their "Longhorn Network" had they not done that, we may not be having this discussion. Now Texas is a "Major" program with limited options. They too can't do anything until Oklahoma decides too. And yes, we join the chorus of pundits who are highly amused at the thought of Texas being placed in the "2nd Class Citizen" category in all of this.

Return of the Dirty Dozen and Your Bottom of the Barrel

You know it is the highlight of your college football season. It's the thing you anticipate the most. You're eager, anxious and a bit on the edge--because you know that it is coming.

Yes, that's right friends, it's the return of everyone's favorite segment. The best college football ranking system ever...it's none other than "The Dirty Dozen and the Bottom of the Barrel"--our look at the best, and the worst in College Football. Oh, and we'll give you some early picks for the week too.

With that in mind, we must re-introduce our characters in case you aren't familiar with the cast or movie:



So...to quote Kasey Kasem--"On with the countdown":

The Dirty Dozen:

1) Oklahoma 1-0. For now. We should know what they are this week. Thus far, they look the most complete and based on write-ups, they win this spot by default. This Week: at Florida State. Our Pick: FSU 34, Oklahoma 31 UPSET!


2) LSU 2-0. We also like the Tigers here. For now. They get this by virtue of beating the Ducks out of Oregon. Unless Jordan Jefferson returns this season, they probably won't stay. This Week: at Miss. St. Our Pick: Miss St. 27, LSU 23 UPSET!


3) Boise State 1-0. They won their biggest challenge. With ease. Short of a Kellen Moore injury, they won't lose this season. Face it SEC people, they are that good. This week: at Toledo. Our Pick: Boise St. 41, Toledo 17


4) Alabama 2-0. I'm not sold here, but they just keep winning. We still think they have more holes than in past years. Maybe we are right, maybe we aren't. This Week: vs. North Texas. Our Pick: Alabama 38, North Texas 6.


5) Florida St. 2-0. I like the premise of this team. It may be the best they've had in years down in Tally. We'll see if the choker label they earned the past few years sticks. It won't this week. Our Pick: See #1


6) Wisconsin 2-0. They always start strong. And then lose a game they shouldn't. I'm loathe to put them this high, but there aren't many options right now. This Week: at Northern Illinois. Our Pick: Wisconsin 41, N. Illinois 13.


7) Stanford 2-0. As long as Andrew Luck is there, they'll be a Top 10 team. Period. We aren't convinced they are better than this though. We'll find out soon. This Week: at Arizona. Our Pick: Stanford 34, Arizona 23


8) Texas A&M 1-0. They may soon be without a home, but they are SEC worthy at least this season. Ryan Tannehill is the real deal. This Week: vs. Idaho. Our Pick: Texas A&M 37, Idaho 10.


9)Oklahoma St. 2-0. An offensive juggernaut. Take that however you want. They can score. A lot. But they always can, it's just whether or not they can stop anyone. This Week: at Tulsa. Our Pick: Oklahoma St. 41, Tulsa 23.


10) Virginia Tech 2-0. They just keep on keepin on. A much better start this year, though they struggled with East Carolina last week. They and FSU are the class of the ACC, by a large margin. This Week: vs. Arkansas St. Our Pick: Va. Tech 37, Ark.State 23.


11) Nebraska 2-0. They haven't been stellar, but they haven't had to be. They've scored a ton, but haven't really been challenged. We like them in the Big 10 a lot, the rest of the conference may regret it. This Week: vs. Washington. Our Pick: Nebraska 37, Washington 31.


12) South Carolina 2-0. We may regret this. While they certainly can score, they haven't exactly stopped anyone yet. And they were lucky to win both their games. We will be surprised if they keep escaping. This Week: vs. Navy. Our Pick: S.Carolina 31, Navy 17. 


The Bottom of the Barrel: 


5) Oregon State 0-2. Losing at Wisconsin can be excused. Losing to Sacramento State, not so much. They have problems. Injuries and poor performances have doomed them. This Week: vs. Bye. Our Pick: Bye 31, Oregon St. 21(haha!)


4) Akron 0-2. Nothing "Zippy" about this team. They've sucked for years. And so far, they are ranked almost last in every category. Awesome! The Ohio loss run continues. This Week: at Cincinnati. Our Pick: Cincinnati 45, Akron 10


3) San Jose St. 0-2. Do you know the way to San Jose? No, neither do we. Though it appears that Dionne Warwick may be good enough to start for these guys. Anyway, unless you are old, you won't get that. This Week: vs. Nevada. Our Pick: Nevada 25, San Jose St. 17


2) New Mexico 0-2. Hello Mr. Locksley. You are truly the single worst coach in the history of college football. And there is now proof. 2-23 in the past 2 seasons. And it isn't going to get better. Though you have won a game...well 2. So you've got that to look back on. This Week: vs. Texas Tech. Our Pick: Texas Tech 48, New Mexico 13.


1) Memphis 0-2. Mike Locksley gives thanks to this team every day. Because they truly are college football's worst. And yet they don't realize it. Though they are supposedly active in conference realignment talks. Why? So they can drop to D-II? This Week: vs. Austin Peay. Our Pick Austin Peay 3, Memphis 2. (Note--anyone who attempts to watch this should have their college football fan license revoked--permanently!)


And there you go. We won't remind you of our consistent 75-plus percent success rate in picks over the past couple of years. At least not until next week. Until then...enjoy your football!

Scary Nike uniform trend continues.

Mich.St. Uni's./courtesy: msuspartans.com

((ht:freep.com))
((ht:ohiostatebuckeyes.com))

Can we just go on record here and say we hate Nike? We'll, hate may be a strong word, but we wonder about why, in the chase for the ever elusive merchandising dollar, they've managed to come up with all of these bizarre looking uniforms.

It started this year with Georgia and Boise State, now the trend is just growing.

Michigan State now gets the "Pro Combat" treatment with the uniform you see on the right. And while no, it isn't hideous looking, it looks an awful lot like the University of South Florida. We ask "When did Michigan State add gold to their team colors?"

And there's more.

Ohio State, not wanting to be left out of the mix adds their won "Pro Combat" look. And while not as odd as Michigan State, the helmet looks strikingly similar to what Georgia used.

Their new uni's will make their debut October 29th against Wisconsin. The Buckeye's call it a way to mark the 50th anniversary of their undefeated 1961 championship season.

Like we said at the beginning, we get this is the wave of the future. And more importantly it is a way for Nike and the schools to make a lot more money on merchandise. And we also get that many schools desperately need to update their looks. And we get that alumni and others are not going to like the change in tradition, thought it may be necessary.

We just hope that more of that tradition stays in the new looks (MSU--we're talking to you). We wish that Nike would consider that more when putting these together, but we supposed they don't have to. After all, it's their sandbox, they can do whatever they want.

Bobby Bowden: I was treated for Prostate Cancer in 2007

Bobby Bowden

((ht: usatoday))

The soon-to-be Hall of Fame former Florida State coach made it public this morning in an interview on Good Morning America. He's a cancer survivor.

Bowden said he was able to keep it hidden from everyone but family since the diagnosis in 2007. He says he was afraid it would be used against him in recruiting.

 Bowden won 377 games in a 33-plus year career and retired, albeit forcefully in 2009. He was diagnosed at age 77.

According to USA Today, Bowden was diagnosed during a routine physical and after undergoing a procedure to help root out the cancer, he has been cancer-free since.

Read the entire USA Today Story RIGHT HERE

We applaud Bowden for finally coming out about what happened, which corresponded with a role as a spokesperson for a national cancer education initiative. It is also amazing in this day and age of instant information, that he was able to keep it quiet for 4-years.

We truly hope he can reach people who wouldn't normally check or get treated for a potential prostate problem to at least get a check up. It's a problem that doesn't take care of itself and far too many people die from it.

The GMA interview is here:

Spirit the Eagle wants Club seats

Ahhhhhhh!!!!!

((ht: saturdaydownsouth.com))

We've been waiting for this video to surface all weekend.

The eagle known as "Spirit" who fly's through the air with the greatest of ease to start Auburn's football home games, made a little detour in this weeks flight.

"Spirit" appears to either be distracted by his own reflection, looking for air conditioning or maybe has something out for one of the scribes in the Press Box as he bangs into the window sealing it off, before continuing on his way.

Honestly, though we don't particularly harbor any love for Auburn football, we've seen "Spirit" fly in person and really, it is pretty damn cool.

We looked, albeit briefly for this video on Saturday, we are glad to see it finally surface. And yes, because he wasn't hurt, we can make fun of this.

And yes, it is funny. And no, he wasn't hurt.

Pac 12 to Oklahoma: Not right now

Pac 12 Logo

((ht: orangebloods.com))

It appears, at least from the perspective of Pac-12 conference commissioner Larry Scott, that conference expansion is not currently on the table.

Scott told reporters at Friday night's Arizona State/Missouri game that he's happy where the Pac-12 is. Though he qualified it by adding if the SEC grew, he'd certainly have to look at keeping up with them.

The esteemed Chip Brown of Orangebloods.com takes it a step further, quoting sources who say that Scott has told Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to cool there heels, they aren't expanding right now.

Which of course, comes on the heels (and reported here as well as other places), of Oklahoma president David Boren saying he expects to make a decision within the next couple of weeks about changing conferences.

Read the Orangebloods.com report...RIGHT HERE

Ok.

Pure and simple, we fully believe this is Scott calling Texas A&M and the SEC's bluff. Without making Oklahoma have to play the bad guy...for now.

If you parse words, Scott only said "Right Now" he didn't say next week, next month or next year. This will happen, it is just a matter of when.

What has happened is nobody wants to be the one everyone blames for the collapse of the Big 12. Texas A&M went all in on the poker game by announcing they are leaving. Oklahoma essentially raised the pot. And yes, that also means Baylor, Missouri, Kansas, Kansas State and Iowa State have all said "Call".

So, you can consider your expansion talk on hold--for now. Now we play chicken. We wait to see who blinks first.

With the amount of money involved here--and Oklahoma poised to lose some by the Big 12's proposed equal revenue split. Our money goes on them. And yes, they'll go to the Pac-12.

Coastal Carolina Coach: Be more like a dog

This has already made the rounds, but we haven't had an opportunity to post it here. And yes, if you haven't seen it, it's really funny.

Coastal Carolina football coach David Bennett goes "Animal Control" talking about what his players need to do to be more successful...

Enjoy your YouTube moment Coach Bennett: (Thanks WPDE-TV)

Lot of anger over NCAA's suspension of Florida DT

Sharrif Floyd

((ht: orlandosentinel.com))

The reaction to the NCAA suspending Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd for two games has been interesting to say the least.

Floyd has been ruled ineligible for the two games and ordered to pay $2700 to a charity of his choosing after disclosing to his coaches that he accepted $2500 from a board member of the Student Athlete Mentoring Foundation in Delaware.

The NCAA, in a press release said Floyd admitted using the money for living expenses, transportation and other life expenses. At no time did they say Florida gave him any impermissible benefits.

Read the initial story from the Orlando Sentinel RIGHT HERE

For those unfamiliar with Floyd's story (including us), he was raised in Philadelphia without his parents. He spent most of his life living with his grandmother, high school coach, guidance counselor or whomever could help him.

Heck, his high school coaches and guidance counselor held a bake sale to raise money for Floyd to travel to San Antonio for a High School all-star game.

The Sentinel also talked to people in Floyd's life about his character, read it RIGHT HERE

The whole situation royally pissed of Florida coach Will Muschamp, and we have to say, even without knowing Sharrif Floyd, we agree.

Said Muschamp: "The NCAA stated that he (Floyd) received preferential treatment; there is nothing preferential about his life."


"He grew up with only his great grandmother and still sends her Pell Grant money so she can pay her bills. How many kids do you know that would do that? I know one--Sharrif Floyd."


"I want to make it clear that this issue is not about sports agents, Florida boosters or his recruitment to Florida or anywhere else. The issue is about his survival and the only reason the NCAA, the SEC and the University of Florida were aware of these issues is because he brought them to our attention last February. He came forward because he is honest and because of his integrity."


"The toughest day that I have had as a head football coach at Florida was the day I had to tell Sharrif that he could not play in our game against FAU. I took away part of his family."


The NCAA's response was that some of the benefits he did receive were improper, that the penalty could have been four games, but due to mitigating circumstances, they reduced it to two.

More detail on this debate from gatorsports.com RIGHT HERE

Ok. We get why the NCAA felt the need to step in but by their own definition, they said there were "Mitigating Circumstances". And arguably, to be consistent in what they do, you could make a case for the game suspension.

But.

We have two big problems, much like everyone else, with all this. One, do they really think the kid is going to be able to manufacture $2700 in the next few days? He by all accounts barely has enough money to stay in school. It's not like he has any expense money, athletes aren't allowed to.

Two, everyone involved, including the NCAA don't debate that the benefits caused him to choose or go to Florida. What should it matter? Yeah, we get that every case is different and again we go back to the NCAA verbiage stating they knew that. How exactly do they think Floyd could've been able to get to the schools interested in him? How could he possibly afford to pay his own way to anything?

We think this is an over-enforcement of a rule that isn't totally wrong. But really, can't we all read the case and determine whether or not a penalty is needed. Come on, do they really think Sharrif Floyd is going to find $2700 when he doesn't have the money to buy sheets to put on his bed?

Fox cancels worst football show idea ever

((ht: dr.saturday))

Holy crap! When we first saw this, we thought it was a joke. Or something done by the Onion. But it actually aired on Fox Sports.

The show that aired the story "The College Experience" was immediately canceled after this video leaked out. (Guessing very few people actually saw it on TV). Allegedly, it was a show that aired on Friday's to give an "Offbeat, irreverant" preview of Saturday's football action. (We still don't think anyone would watch this)

Yet strangely, it felt like something that would air on a Fox Network.

The premise was a story done by alleged "Investigative Reporter/supposed comedian Bob Oschack trying to get an "All-American" welcome to the newest teams in the Pac 12, Colorado and Utah.

Oschack went to the USC campus to solicit those welcomes and strangely, everyone in the video was Asian. And they struggled with what he wanted him to say.

Anyway, here's the offending video and let's hope FOX Sports continues to apologize for this because quite honestly, it is offensive.

Big 12 vs. SEC--Legal action takes the lead

The impetus of Change

((aol.sportingnews.com))

This is getting uglier by the hour.

The tectonic shift of college football teams has been put on hold--because of the threat of legal action.

And while we aren't big fans of the potential "Mega-Conferences" that are expected to form when the shift does finally occur--and it will, the current battle between the SEC and the Big 12 over Texas A&M is just getting stupid.

By now, we all know the SEC agreed to offer A&M membership in their league, so long as nobody in the Big 12 would sue. Early yesterday, the only one who didn't agree to this was Baylor.

That changed.

You can now add Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Missouri and Oklahoma State to that list.

Put simply, what you are seeing now is not so much a protest against the SEC or Texas A&M, you are seeing schools trying to cover their collective asses. Because if the A&M leaves, Oklahoma is right behind them. And if Oklahoma goes, OK State is right behind them...and suddenly you no longer have a Big 12 and all the above schools have to find a home.

And yeah, they have all said they would be willing to waive those claims if Oklahoma agrees to stay. Something the Sooners have "Said" they will decide in the next two weeks, but now could drag out as long as they feel like.

In the meantime, now Texas A&M is pissed at Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe and most of their soon to be former conference mates. Though Beebe insists the conference won't do anything to stop A&M. The SEC isn't pissed at anyone (we think), they are just shaking their collective heads. And the rest of us are quickly tiring of all this.

In reality, there are no lawsuits that could be filed against anyone here that could hold up in a court. But that isn't the problem. It's all image right now. Nobody wants to be perceived as being the the bad guy and yet everyone involved really is. It's a shame to see the landscape of college football change like it is about to, but it is going to happen. Apparently it won't today, but it will happen and happen in the next couple of months.

It's become a battle for money and it is getting more and more competitive by the day. Everyone wants a piece of the ESPN pie, because truly, as Clay Travis has so eloquently put it in his OutKickTheCoverage.com blog, that is what now drives college football. It has nothing to do with what is best for the fans. It has nothing to do with what is best for the players and it has nothing to do with what is best for the alumni. It's all about the greenbacks and the only one's waving those things around right now (see Longhorn network--which is what started all this) is the folks in Bristol.

DEVELOPING: Offer made to Texas A&M and 14th team being lined up

Texas A&M Football

((ht: Saturdaydownsouth.com))

Well, to the surprise of nobody, the presidents of the SEC, meeting in semi-secretness, agreed late Tuesday night to extend an invitation for Texas A&M to join the conference.

A press conference is expected sometime during the day today (Wednesday) where A&M prez R. Bowden Loftin will say pithy words and use lots of descriptive adjectives to describe his warm, fuzzy feelings for now being a part of the SEC.

And....supposedly SEC commissioner Mike Slive has been given the go ahead to find team 14. And according to Saturday Down South, West Virginia and Missouri are the two teams he's been permitted to extend a dance card to.

The Saturdaydownsouth.com story RIGHT HERE

The ever diligent Chip Brown at Orangebloods.com reports the invitation had a stipulation to it. The stipulation is that the agreement is good, as long as no Big 12 team or the conference decides to sue the SEC. Brown says the conference has agreed to this, the member schools. Well, that decision hasn't been made clear.

Read Brown's story RIGHT HERE

We also found something humorous about the Baylor University pledge to "Don't mess with Texas Football". The first part being: Baylor Who? Don Baylor?

The school is asking fans to make a pledge to tell the schools in the state to clear-headedly think about the state's future. They should be loyal first and foremost to Texas and the citizens.

Unfortunately, Baylor is the school that may hold this all up. It appears everyone else is willing to waive the legal action claim, Baylor hasn't decided. Really? Baylor?

Uh...sorry. Loyalty will only get you so far in football. And this is Baylor trying to rally the troops. Of all schools and all teams to be the sticking point....Baylor?

Read the Baylor "Pledge" RIGHT HERE

Anyway, be on the lookout for team 14 and expect that announcement sometime after the football regular season ends. We don't expect team 14, no matter who it is, to go through this while playing.

We do raise a furrowed eyebrow to the suggestion that it might be West Virginia for the simple reason...why? There is not enough T.V eyeballs for that to feasible in our humble opinion. Yes, they have a decent football tradition and yeah, the Big East isn't exactly known for its football prowess. But why them?

Look for Missouri to be the team. They have to protect themselves and if the projected defection of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas Tech from what is left of the Big 12 happens, they are on an island by themselves, the SEC would be a nice rescue boat to jump aboard.

UPDATE:

Here a statement released by the from Dr. Bernie Machen, Chair, Southeastern Conference Presidents and Chancellors:

"After receiving unanimous written assurance from the Big 12 on September 2 that the Southeastern Conference was free to accept Texas A&M to join as a new member, the presidents and chancellors of the SEC met last night with the intention of accepting the application of Texas A&M to be the newest member of the SEC. We were notified yesterday afternoon that at least one Big 12 institution had withdrawn its previous consent and was considering legal action. The SEC has stated that to consider an institution for membership, there must be no contractual hindrances to its departure. The SEC voted unanimously to accept Texas A&M University as a member upon receiving acceptable reconfirmation that the Big 12 and its members have reaffirmed the letter dated September 2, 2011."

TWTW: Iowa State Barely, Barely Beats Northern Iowa

So if the Big 12/10/9 goes away where will Iowa State end up?

The Cyclones barely defeated FCS Northern Iowa 20-19 Saturday night in Ames.

Not a very impressionable audition for another conference.

Here are the highlights. (Thanks ISU)



And some post-game sound for you Cyclone fans.

Rice to Texas: That's SEC with a dollar sign

((ht: various))

At least the Rice band has a sense of humor. At Saturday's game versus the University of Texas, they of the now "Longhorn Network, the band had a message.

During their show at halftime, they decided to spell out S-E-C...with a dollar sign on the "S". Nobody is really sure if it was a dig at Texas for their greed or at Texas A&M for bailing out of the Big 12...which I'm pretty sure Rice isn't in.

Either way, it's funny, so like everyone else, we'll post it.

BYU Likes Independence, Cougars Defeat Ole Miss Rebels In Oxford

Saturday was a statement game for BYU. In the Cougars first game as an independent BYU had to depend on their defense against Ole Miss, and that unit did the job.

BYU's defense held Ole Miss to 208 yards of total offense and forced a key fumble forced by sophomore linebacker Kyle Van Noy and recovered by Van Noy in the end zone late in the game that proved to be the winner and the Cougars prevailed in Oxford, MS 14-13

Here's a report from KSTU-TV in Salt Lake City, UT:

 

"This is one of the most satisfying victories because we were able to execute in a hostile environment." BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said in a post game press conference. " We found a way to win which says a lot. There will be many things to point out that we could have done better but we found a way to win the game.”

"We played a really good football team, and I wish them the best this season. But for us to come down in their house and pull out the win like we did showed a lot of toughness and grit." BYU quarterback Jake Heaps said after the game.

“I hate to lose one like that." Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt said in a post game press conference. " We had the ball and then that fumble happened. There were a few plays that just make you sick and you wish you had them back.”

BYU has another statement game next week against Texas. The Cougars have some momentum for that one.

Another One Goes Down To Boise State, Broncos Bust Bulldogs

What more do you want Boise State to prove that the Broncos are among the elite in college football.

Saturday night Boise State came to Atlanta to take on the Georgia Bulldogs. Once again the Broncos rose to the occasion defeating the Bulldogs 35-21.

Here's the highlights (Thanks KTVB-TB Boise, Idaho)



This is another milestone in the history of Boise State football. The Broncos had never beaten a team from the SEC in four tries. With the win over Georgia Saturday night Boise State has accomplished that.

It was a hard fought physical game," said Boise State head coach Chris Petersen in a post game press conference.

"Congrats to Boise State. They just beat us tonight. They were better than we were," Georgia head coach Mark Richt said in a post game press conference. ''But SEC play hasn't even started. It's a long season. We've got to get our minds right. A game like this, no question, we know more about our football team than if we played someone and beaten them by 40. Hopefully that translates into us learning how to play better in these type of games and better see where our weaknesses are.''

You think next weeks South Carolina game is important now for Georgia? Richt and the Bulldogs will be feeling the pressure to avoid an 0-2 start. That might make Richt's backside a lot hotter.

Kellen Moore established himself as the early front runner in the Heisman Trophy race. Moore was outstanding against the Bulldogs going 28-34 passing for 261 yards and three touchdowns.

''Growing up watching football, I have a ton of respect for the SEC,'' Moore said after the game. "I watched Georgia play a lot of big games growing up. To play a game like this was a lot of fun. I enjoyed it. We were fortunate to come out on top.''

University of Oklahoma: We have options--UPDATED

University of Oklahoma

 Updated--It appears the options consist of the Pac 12 and the Pac 12. News OK in Oklahoma City reports Saturday afternoon that Pac 12 commissioner Larry Scott is in Dallas at the Oregon/LSU game and said he didn't need to go to Oklahoma and visit the Sooners. Rather, the papers sources say, Scott will concentrate on convincing Texas to join as well, along with Oklahoma State and Texas Tech to make the Pac 16.

Read the story RIGHT HERE
------------------------------------------------------
Original Story--

((ht: kcstar.com))

Will Oklahoma be the next team to bail out on the conference known as the Big 12 who now has 9 members?

Maybe they will, maybe they won't, but it sure sounds like they are fully exploring their options. Sooner president David Boren spent the bulk of his time during a ceremony to celebrate a donation to the school answering questions about the school's future.

Boren told the Kansas City Star the decision wouldn't take long, "I don't really think this is something that is going to linger on beyond two or three weeks at the outside."

Boren also said that the Sooners have opportunities with more than one conference should they choose to move.

Read the entire story from the Kansas City Star RIGHT HERE

Interesting.

While Boren hasn't ruled out trying to resuscitate the Big 12 and stick around, he clearly is exploring all his options. Oklahoma's brand is certainly strong enough that they can pick and choose where they'd want to go. We are quite sure the Pac 12 would be happy to have them and so would the SEC, though the Sooners have rebuffed them. The Big 10 and a host of other conferences would jump at the opportunity as well.

We would not be surprised to see Oklahoma bail out either, the only surprise is that they would try and make a decision during the season. Yes, it would make things disruptive. We think they'll go and smart money is on the Pac 12. We think the Big 12 will be the 1st of the "Big Conferences" to shrivel up and go away. They might be able to survive for awhile with Texas and a variety of others, but in the current atmosphere, we don't think that would last. But we could be wrong.

Stephen F. Austin Puts Up 82 Points On McMurry

Here's the understatement from Thursday night's college football games, Stephen F. Austin had a impressive opener to the 2011 season.

The Lumberjacks put up 82 points on McMurry who's a Division III school and won the game 82-6

SFA put up 31 points in the first quarter.

It was 53-6 at halftime.

What do you think McMurry's halftime locker room was like?

SFA totaled 668 yards of total offense.

Here are the highlights of this good ole fashioned butt-whoppin'

Mom of Miami basketball player denies payment request

Nevin Shapiro

((ht: miamiherald.com))

Several of the people named in the Yahoo story about rogue University of Miami booster Nevin Shapiro are vehemently denying the allegations.

Among them, the mother and two coaches of UM basketball player DeQuan Jones.

The Miami Herald reached out to Jones's mother Irene Bell who tells them "The whole thing is such a lie".
 Bell says she did her homework and worked hard to provide for Jones and the thought of exploiting or taking money for her sons services would have made her walk away.

Jones's AAU coach and former high school coach added the timeline didn't add up either. They say the Yahoo story alleges the $10,000 payment request for him to come play there came after he was already committed and enrolled at the Coral Gables school.

Read more from the Miami Herald RIGHT HERE

We aren't sure who to believe here. Shapiro claims there is a witness, though Shaprio himself never met the kid and that then Miami assistant Jake Morton took care of the transaction.

The story also goes on to mention Irene Bell didn't need the money mentioned.

The quandry this poses is how do you prove all these allegations and who's story do you believe. And while the NCAA has been proactive thus far and obviously has something to work with as evidenced by the quick suspension of 8 current UM football players earlier this week, the older charges are going to be much harder to prove.

And as much as most Hurricane supporters and almost all journalists want this to be finished already, it's going to take a long time. We don't believe that every allegation made by Shapiro will be proven, quite honestly, we'll guess that maybe 50-percent get proven. But it will be enough to get the school in serious trouble or shut down as many writers have suggested? Well, that remains to be seen...