South Carolina Following in Kiffin's Footsteps

There is a major, major, seismic, major announcement coming from OTP in the next week. That is the reason for the somewhat odd post scheduling and lack of any real substantive information. Well... that and the fact that it's July and there's virtually nothing of note in the college football universe.

Until today, at least, when South Carolina announced they had been following in Lane Kiffin's footsteps...

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina has reported 14 NCAA secondary violations from the past six months, including one for an improper text message to a recruit and another for "impermissible snacks."

Five of the violations were from the first-year program of men's basketball coach Darrin Horn.

The school's athletic department released the violations this week. It discloses secondary violations twice a year because of open records requests made by The Associated Press and other media outlets.

The NCAA rulebook defines secondary violations as "isolated or inadvertent by nature," that give only a minimal recruiting or competitive advantage and that don't involve significant inducements or extra benefits. For instance, South Carolina was cited because "student-athletes were provided impermissible snacks during away-from-home contests."

Just one of the five men's basketball citations rose to Level I, the more serious classification where infractions are reported directly to the NCAA enforcement staff. The school reported on Feb. 13 that a basketball player and a recruit were provided entertainment not allowed under NCAA rules during an official visit.

The other basketball violations were classified as Level II, infractions processed by the Southeastern Conference office and sent to the NCAA after the academic year. Those included a basketball prospect interviewed by the media during an official visit; free tickets not issued according to procedure; impermissible free tickets to South Carolina's NIT loss to Davidson at the Colonial Life Arena in March; and a prospect was given improper hotel accommodations during an official visit.

The names of any coaches, staff, players or recruits were not included in the infractions report. The school said all eligibility restoration requests involving the infractions were granted.

South Carolina's football program was cited for three infractions, two of which were the more severe variety.

The school said an assistant coach wrongly texted a prospect and football recruits watched a display that simulated a game-day experience against NCAA rules.

Also, an ineligible player was provided transportation to an away game.

The track program committed two Level I secondary violations. One occurred when coaches attended voluntary athletic related activities, the school said, while the other involved the women's track coaching staff allowing two prospects an official visit before getting proper approval.

The remaining three infractions involved men's soccer players given an impermissible nutritional supplement; a men's swimmer competing before he was certified as eligible; and an athlete practicing past the two-week period allowed before they were added to the team list.

No sport was not indicated in the final violation.

South Carolina also released its drug-testing results from Jan. 1 through June 30. The athletic department said it found seven positives for marijuana use and 12 for approved prescription medications among the 530 tests given. There were no positives for drugs of abuse or alcohol, according to the results.

Enough Financial Data to Make Your Head Spin

OTP's co-editor, RV, stumbled across this website when surfing the interwebs for whatever he normally looks at and realized the virtual gold mine he had just uncovered. Provided by that site are the operating expenses, revenues, etc. for almost every team under the sun as they've reported to the NCAA. For BSU and UK, the teams we cover, the difference was in fact, staggering. Rather than try and compare the BSU apples to the UK oranges, we'll handle them separately, but equally, despite the whole kerfuffle that "separate but equal" has caused in the past...


Ball State University
The Cardinals reported an overall financial break even for athletics, at $17,427,728. Now, those numbers include every single sport at BSU, including the non-money makers, and that difference is mighty. For example, the football team clocked in with $5,436,482 in revenue for last fall. The basketball programs (men's and women's) generated $2,589,547. The sports not named football and basketball generated $5,293,108.

In terms of expenses, football clearly had the highest expenses at $5,436,482... the same as their revenue. The same is true for the basketball programs, where the revenue and expenses were equal. Creative accounting? Result of zero-based budgeting? Probably, but at least there's a revenue figure to sort of compare ourselves to.

Let's look at the rest of the MAC in terms of football revenue ranking...
1. Temple: $9,184,112***
2. Kent State: $6,040,915
3. Central Michigan: $5,712,638
4. Ball State: $5,436,482
5. Northern Illinois: $5,341,447**
6. Miami: $5,321,463
7. Ohio: $4,986,723
8. Akron: $4,707,537
9. Eastern Michigan: $4,655,860
10. Toledo: $4,441,368
11. Bowling Green: $4,127,434
12. Western Michigan: $2,522,901***
13. Buffalo: $1,882,475****
*-Temple University contributed $18,631,923 in terms of institutional support to the total revenue of the athletic department. Disclosure of amounts to teams not included.
**- Northern Illinois adjusted revenue for institutional support to individual teams without disclosing which teams, and how much
***- Western Michigan includes $14,680,397 of revenue not allocated by gender or sport
****- Buffalo does not include any sort of student fees or state allocation in their revenue. That was nearly $16 million in revenue for the entire department

The MAC is clearly tightly grouped, but I have no earthly explanation for Temple's eye-popping first place aside from the institutional support piece, which tells me they had to offset a ton of expenses by providing a boatload of institutional support. The adage says it takes money to make money, and it takes making money to be successful, so at this rate, Temple is due for a National Championship within the next several years.

For the Cardinals that's a ton of revenue, but it is my hope that with the recent success on the field, the Cardinals can continue to see that revenue increase. How? Good question. We seem to have things pretty well right now, and are sometimes unable to fill the Scheu despite having the best team in the state. But for that number to get any higher, seats will need to be expanded and filled on a routine basis. Then, and only then, will that number climb into the stratosphere needed for continual long-term success.


University of Kentucky
For the Wildcats, it's certainly an exercise that leads to some surprising conclusions and facts about the moneymakers on the campus. For the .edu crowds that see no purpose in athletics, Big Blue turned a $4 million profit for the overall athletic department. Let's see the chemistry school make that sort of change having people watch test tubes and bunson burners.

The football program turned a profit as well, clocking in with $12,018,188 in expenses to $25,861,744 in revenues. In comparison, the basketball program, the measuring stick for most Kentucky fans, clocked in with $8,584,145 of expenses, along with a $14,867,027 revenue pool. The overall athletic budget also clocked in with a total of $28,644,802 of revenue not allocated to any particular sport. That may come from television contracts, apparel deals, etc.

The rest of the SEC's football revenue in rank order...
1. Georgia: $67,053,051
2. Florida: $66,124,945
3. Auburn: $59,671,354
4. Alabama: $57,370,617
5. LSU: $52,687,713
6. South Carolina: $50,433,037
7. Tennessee: $40,264,212
8. Arkansas: $40,135,364
9. Kentucky: $25,861,744
10. Ole Miss: $17,768,432
11. Vandy: $16,924,277
12. Mississippi State: $15,994,121

Holy cow, standard deviation. To see a $50 million difference between top to bottom sort of further proves that there are clearly a group of haves and a group of have nots in terms of revenue. That would certainly explain why the elite programs in the SEC continue to be elite. Entities that make money hand over fist are usually the best at any given task, and football and athletics are no different. The only redeeming factor is that most of Alabama's revenue is eaten up by Nick Saban's astronomical contract and Tennessee's revenues will soon be pissed away on assistant coaches salaries or letterhead to send secondary violation notices to the NCAA.

In a nice little comparison, the University of Louisville's overall athletic budget featured around a $1.4 million profit. The football program contributed $16,082,457 of revenue, along with $11,601,884 of expenses. Little brother indeed.

SEC Spring Meetings... Circus and a Half

It's not a surprise to anyone following the SEC that this year's edition of the Spring Meetings had a real possibility of fireworks. There was Urban Meyer and Lane Kiffin, who were publicly feuding over remarks made by Kiffin regarding Meyer and the Gators. There was Nick Saban and Lane Kiffin, who have seen assistants switch sides, and public remarks made about their new allegiance. There was Les Miles, fiery, feisty, coming off a disappointing season. Houston Nutt, always good for a batshit soundbite. Bobby Petrino, he of always looking for a new job fame. Rich Brooks coming off his third straight bowl win and a player just ruled ineligible for a failed drug test. Bobby Johnson coming off his most successful season at Vandy. New coaches like Gene Chizik and Dan Mullen. And of course, there was Steve Spurrier, who seems to relish the opportunity to make snarky smarmy comments about the opposition. Suffice to say this Spring Meeting had all the potential needed to make it deliciously awesome.

However, most thought like everything else in college football, this was all hype with no substance. Clearly no head coach would address another head coach directly. I mean, that simply can't happen. Right? No? Oh...

Earlier in the day Kiffin was asked whether he intended to apologize again to Urban Meyer for accusing the Florida coach of breaking NCAA recruiting rules. The 34-year-old Kiffin responded by pointed out he never heard from Spurrier after Spurrier questioned whether Kiffin had taken the NCAA recruiting test before calling prospects at Tennessee.

“I’m still waiting for coach Spurrier’s apology for calling me out on the first day I was there, saying I didn’t take my test,” Kiffin said. “I haven’t gotten that yet, either.”

Told of Kiffin’s comments, Spurrier shook his head, paused and spun around and faced Kiffin, who was waiting to get on an elevator.

“I didn’t accuse you of cheating,” Spurrier said, pointing toward Kiffin. “I said, ‘Is it permissible to call recruits before he’s announced as head coach, before you take the test?’ ”

As Kiffin turned red in the face, Spurrier told reporters he did not realize coaches could take the test online before arriving at their new school, as Kiffin did.

After Kiffin, Kentucky’s Rich Brooks, Auburn’s Gene Chizik and Arkansas’ Bobby Petrino filed into the elevator, Spurrier stepped on and again said: “I didn’t say he broke the rules.”

All the while, Kiffin remained silent — for one of the few times in his six months as the Vols’ coach.

My God in heaven above. Yes, this was simply a conversation outside an elevator. But in the world of college football, in the sports industry larger than life known as the SEC, this is rare. Sure, coaches take jabs at opposition, fans, and rival schools in the media or press junkets. But rare is the instance when a coach actually squares off with another coach. And even rarer is the person who wants to challenge the master of coach smackage, Steve Spurrier.

This has gotten so out of hand that even conference commissioner Mike Slive stepped in and addressed the coaches. He spoke of the general idea that what's good for one is good for all, and what makes one look amateurish and immature makes everyone look like a jaded 6-year old. The key component of Slive's pleading and commissioner edict was professionalism:

"The final analysis, what's good for one institution in this league is good for all institutions in this league, and what's not good for one institution is not good for everybody in the league. We're all in this together," Slive said.

Slive addressed the SEC football coaches and told them to end the smack talk. He talked to the coaches about "principles" the league adopted several years ago concerning coaches' behavior. He said coaches should remember "what's in the best interest in the league long-term."

I would argue just the opposite. Love him or hate him, think he's unethical or not, Kiffin stirring the pot and spouting off has kept SEC football on the national stove for months past normal now. It's the doldrums of May, soon to be June, and folks are still talking about the upcoming SEC football season, even more so than normal. Kiffin has his problems, but the man is sheer entertaining. Sort of reminds me of a visor clad coach back at Florida in the mid-90's, who apparently has forgot this little part of his own past.

Lane Kiffin... Habitual Line Stepper

For anyone who has either went to or worked in a higher education setting, there is simply no busier time than the close of the academic year. Commencements, closings, and moving the next class of alums on and out the door becomes the dominating thing on everyone's calendar and such. Unfortunately, commencement here at Maryland backs itself up to Memorial Day Weekend, and as such, work, life, and the like just met in a jumbled mess of priorities, needs, and work. As Edge makes his way to an undisclosed campsite with Mrs. Edge, and little Edge, and as RV continues to do whatever RV does in the Windy City, our posting may dwindle, if appear at all, over the next few days. We'll have a new Matthew Page piece, and potentially a roundtable, but for the most part, we're coasting, like hopefully all of you, toward an extended weekend.

However, before our little jaunt to Memorial Day, Kiffin strikes again, this time on the Twitter.

Tennessee is preparing to report a secondary violation by football coach Lane Kiffin although the first-year college coach was not at fault, according to UT athletic director Mike Hamilton.

The issue arose when a post was made to Kiffin’s Twitter and Facebook accounts after high school prospect J.C. Copeland committed to UT on Tuesday.

The post, which was on the social Web sites for approximately 45 minutes before it was removed, read: “It’s a beautiful day in Knoxville, Tennessee today. I was so exited to hear that J.C. Copeland committed to play for the Vols today!”

Hamilton said Wednesday the post was made by a newly hired assistant to Kiffin who didn’t consult UT’s compliance office before making the post. The assistant was apparently unaware that university employees cannot comment on prospects by name.

Dear Lord. That has got to be record for not only the lamest way to piss off the NCAA infractions committee, but also a sheer volume bonus for little trivial rules infractions.

Do I think Kiffin is the devil incarnate within the SEC? Of course not. His "violations" to this point have all been relatively minor and virtually all could be written off as a simple mistake or things taken out of context. The ease of explanation with this one, is as simple as, "Someone else made the Tweet."

I've said it here on OTP before. All of these infractions, in and of themselves, are nothing more than minor simple things. However, minor simple things rarely stay simple and minor. If I'm a Tennessee fan, I'm concerned. Usually monsters whom you give cookies too then ask for a glass of milk. Then some more cookies. Then your teenage daughter is pregnant and there's money missing off the nightstand. What?

At any rate, Kiffin strikes again, this time lamer than before, and most certainly not the last time we'll hear "self report", "violation", and "Kiffin" in the same sentence before the close of the offseason.

Rich Brooks' Coaches Teleconference Highlights

Today was the SEC Coaches' Teleconference and Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks was dead last in the coach rotation. By sheer bad luck, I missed Urban Meyer and Lane Kiffin, but did catch Brooks. Here's the highlights...

A general spring practice report...
"We have 6 practices left, then we finish with the blue-white scrimmage. Overall, I'm pleased with the progress I've seen. Defensively it's an improvement over last year. Offensively, there isn't any question in my mind we'll be a better team. Hartline is doing some good things and Randall Cobb returned to full contact yesterday. We have a chance to do something that hasn't been done around here in a long time, and that's go to a 4th straight bowl game"

On Trevard Lindley and his return...
"There's not many people in the country and our league that can cover people on an island like Trevard Lindley. It's huge that he came back. Along with Micah Johnson and Jeremy Jarmon. Puts us in position to have a special defensive year. He's a very quiet guy, and just goes about his business quietly without a lot of talk or chest thumping. He just goes and plays"

On the QB position and who's The Guy...
"Based on what's here, I know what I want to do. We'll look hard at our incoming players so that may change in the fall. Right now, Hartline is the guy that fits our system the best. His production will be better with Cobb at receiver. Both Newton and Mossakowski are tremendous talents that are going to get a hard look. They throw it out of high school better than anyone we've had here. Newton has the added advantage of being a big guy. Mossakowski isn't as big or strong because he was coming off surgery, but is now cleared to lift and throw. Both guys fit our system well, and I believe they'll be ready to compete."

On the level of surprise regarding new to the league coaches or coordinators and their contracts...
"I'm an old guy. I'm surprised by everyone's salary. You see it here, with John Calipari. See it with football coaches making unbelievable money now. Coordinators are getting paid unbelievable money. It's gotten a little out of whack, but it speaks to the pressure that coaches are under to make the entire athletic operation operable. We net more out of football than we do in basketball. I'm not saying it's right, but it's market driven. In fact, I don't think it's right."

On whether players now are more difficult to to coach now as opposed to before...
"In a way, they are more difficult to coach. Probably because of the information age and the exposure. You see high school games on ESPN, five star, four star recruits, information is at a much higher level then before. They all come in believing they will play as freshman and play in the NFL. In reality, that ain't gonna happen. Dealing with that takes more psychology then it did before in terms of coaching. The pressure on them to be successful is so much higher."

The true highlight of the conference call was Brooks' response to a question posed to him about Twitter. Each coach that I heard was asked the same question, regarding their use of Twitter, if they thought it connected well with the recruits and fans, so on and so forth. This was Brooks' response:

"I do not Twitter. I email, but I don't Twitter. I think it's the latest new electronic craze that's getting all the attention. I don't think that it's much better than emails or phone calls."

Translation: "Twitter is bullshit". Gotta love him.

OTP News Exclusive: Percy Harvin

Roving Muncie bureau chief Edge was able to score an exclusive interview with Percy Harvin, he of blazing (see what I did there?) fast speed and paper mache ligaments. Harvin has been a newsmaker recently after two reports (1|2) surfaced that he allegedly failed a drug test for the ganj at the NFL Combine. There's been no comment from Percy or his agent.... until now.


Percy. Dude.

'Sup.

Any response about the news today?

Greg Paulus as the Michigan QB? Or my positive drug test?

Let's start with your positive test.

You know, the thing about that is it should be, you know, legal, you know? We got guys that drink and drive and all that, but I smoke a little. So what? My roommate listens to a lot of Widespread and the Dead, so it's just there, man. I mean it could be worse. What if they found coke? Or heroin? I mean, come on, there's worse things man... airplanes freak me out. How do they stay in the air?...what was your question?

I didn't really ask one Percy.

Well, anyway. I probably shouldn't talk about all this just yet without my lawyer or my agent.

Speaking of agents, how do you think your draft status will be affected by your positive test?

I don't know, really. Uhhh... just... I hope I land somewhere good where I can help.

Really? That's a stock answer if I ever heard one.

Ok, I really want to play for the Raiders. Sickest green out there, man. Any kind you want. Plus, they got this doctor that can flush you out, like they did for Latimer in "The Program".

I'm surprised you didn't try the cranberry juice method.

Nah man, that shit don't work. Clearly. Hey, did you ever see "The Matrix"?

Yeah...

That was the shit. Makes you think. Sometimes I sit and think that I'm just a battery. And I'm just providing electrical energy for someone or something. I don't know... it just makes you think, you know?

Uh, yeah. So back to...

Like, what if, like... ok... instead of my agent, it was really a Matrix agent. And he is trying to make sure that I stay plugged into the Matrix by keeping me happy with a big deal.

Yeah, that could be it. I could see that. Has Tim Tebow reached out to you yet?

Yeah, he said something about mission work and how it would help to get right with the Lord and all that. But I'm starting to believe in the Matrix. So, is there a God? Or is it some kind of all-knowing machine-baby?

Can we talk about something other than the Matrix for a second?

Sure, ok.

Other than getting baked, what do you do to relax? This has to be a stressful time for you, wondering who's going to pick you up and how much you'll make next year.

It is stressful. And occasionally, I like to smoke. Whatever. Other than that, I just like to think about stuff, you know? Like, ok... you know those areas of Africa that haven't even been explored yet? What kind of stuff do you think lives there? Some tribes, or a whole new species of bugs? Also, the pyramids. How did the Chinese make those? Then I think about other stuff, like do animals have a conscience? Sometimes it gets overwhelming thinking of all that, so I just go out and glue peoples' mailboxes shut, then I feel better.

Alright Percy, anything else you want to talk about before we wrap it up?

Nah, just that I'm pumped about the draft, and thanks for the talk. I like to just sit and talk about stuff sometimes. Like, how do those Kinoki foot pad things work? It's pretty cool, you know?

Ok Percy, nice talking to you. Thanks for the interview. I really have to go now.

Wanna hang later? We can watch "The Matrix".

Yeah, I'll call you.

Kiffin's Secondary Violations Nothing to Write Off

Imagine my surprise today when I saw the following headline on ESPN.com...

"Kiffin commits third recruiting gaffe"

The story goes on to recap newly anointed Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin's third secondary recruiting violation since he arrived on campus. The most recent Kiffin episode involves mentioning a recruit by name on a Knoxville radio show when discussing ability before said recruit has signed a letter of intent. The recruit in question is Bryce Brown, he of consensus Top 10 status and currently unsigned. Brown is scheduled for an official visit in Knoxville this weekend.

This is just another milepost of poor judgment by Kiffin in his short little journey so far as Tennessee head coach. Since being signed to lead the Volunteers on December 1, Kiffin has been involved in three secondary recruiting violations, and a host of other controversies. The Kiffin timeline reads as so:

• December 1: Hired at UT
• December 15: Current Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable speaks publicly about Kiffin hiring an assistant coach of Cable's before the NFL season ends.
• January 26: UT sends a letter to the NCAA self-reporting secondary violations by Kiffin and recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron. The violations stem from two separate incidents simulating game day experiences on a recruiting visit.
• February 5: Kiffin publicly accuses Florida head coach Urban Meyer of violating NCAA rules by calling a recruit on an official visit to Tennessee. The allegedly broken rule doesn't actually exist, and Kiffin is reprimanded by the SEC and issues a public apology.
• February 13: Kiffin refers to Bryce Brown by name on a Knoxville radio show, UT self-reports to the NCAA on Feb. 16

That's a helluva first 79 days.

The good news is that Kiffin hasn't done anything that severe. Did he violate the rules? According to UT and the rulebook, yes. Are smoke machines and press conferences (the "gameday experiences" he simulated) really worth getting everyone's panties in a twist? No. However, little problems like this that are repetitive and particularly flippant rarely just stop and seldom just stay little. Ask Kelvin Sampson.

The bigger problem, at least in my mind, is Kiffin's attitude through all of this. I'm all for rivalry. It makes the sport more exciting. But there's a line between competitive banter and being an asshole, and Kiffin is flirting with it if not outright crossing it. Taking potshots at Florida and Alabama just doesn't seem like the smart move. Alabama and Florida spent a considerable amount of time at number one last season, played for the SEC title, and Florida won a National Championship, their second in three years. Is this a fanbase, coaching staff, and team you want excessively pissed off? Mark Richt will tell you no. A thousand times no.

In attempts at rationalizing or downplaying, Tennessee fans will point to Steve Spurrier and his desire to stir the pot at media days, press outings, etc. But Tennessee fans apparently fail to realize that Spurrier and Kiffin are pretty different. One was a consistent winner with a national title. The other has zero college football wins. Kiffin would also be well suited to realize that wins now become even more important. Everyone in the fanbase loves a cocky, verbose winner (see: Spurrier, S.), but Lord help you if you're a cocky verbose loser (see: Callahan, B.).

Spurrier... Champion. Cocky. Ass-Man.

As a Kentucky fan, I wish Tennessee and Kiffin nothing but the worst. I will also readily admit that my jealousy of Tennessee is a complete byproduct of my envy of their program. Love them or hate them, UT is a national player even in a down year, but someone with some deep pockets best inform young Lane how it's going to be in Knoxville. After the epic failboat that was the tail end of the Fulmer Experience, the last thing UT needs is an epic shitstorm of NCAA inquiries and penalties.

Regardless, it's gearing up to be a fantastic fall, as always, in the SEC. And who would have thought that the new kid on the block would basically piss in the sandbox and dare someone to stop him?

A Delay, Random BSU Things, Bring on Auburn

It's been a hectic several days, and as such, posting around these parts has been a bit, shall we say, delayed. But the recruiting previews for the rest of Kentucky as well as Ball State will be along in the next several days. Our tentative schedule is as follows, in case you care:

Tuesday January 27: Ball State Offensive Recruiting Preview
Wednesday January 28: Kentucky Defensive Recruiting Preview
Thursday January 29: Ball State Defensive Recruiting Preview
Friday January 30: Total Recaps of Both Squads

In other news, and Ball State related, is that conditioning has started today. From all reports from Muncie, it's a solid workout. There is still no word on who, exactly, is leading said workouts, as there has been no official announcement on any changes to the Strength and Conditioning Director, but many, including me, expect there to be an official announcement sooner rather than later.

What is coming by way of official announcement is the out of conference schedule for the Cardinals for next fall. It includes:
Sept. 3 - North Texas
Sept. 12 - New Hampshire
Sept. 19 - @ Army
Sept. 26 - @ Auburn

Yawn? Yeah... yawn.

The good news? This is a schedule that at worst, the Cards go 3-1 through, with a real possibility at 4-0. The bad news is more of the same thing that plagued the Cards in 08, as this out of conference schedule isn't going to light anyone's pants aflutter with raging scheduleboners. Auburn will be a significant test for BSU, as even in a down year, Auburn is still Auburn, and their second and third stringers would start and dominate on a lot of MAC teams. Of importance and what BSU fans should focus on is the fact that this is not Game 1 for the Cardinals and the Parrish era. They have three essential tune ups to blow the epic stink of the GMAC Bowl off their bodies before heading south. It is also not the first road game, as they will battle a hostile crowd, albeit in a reduced capacity, against Army the week prior.

This could be a great opportunity for the Cardinals to announce they were not a one-year wonder, and to do it in the football rabid south. Gene Chizik or not, substandard recent history or not, Auburn is Auburn. And for a program with exactly one win over BCS conference opponents, I'll take a win however I can get it, down year or otherwise.

So with all due respect to New Hampshire, North Texas, and Army, September 26th cannot get here soon enough. That is the day that will either cement or crack Stan Parrish as the right hire for this position.

Humpday Quickies

It's the first postseason edition of Humpday Quickies, and it isn't even humpday anymore. This does not bode well for the future. Regardless, here's what's happening in the football universe...

Ball State Quickies

• We hope coaches Jeff Hecklinski, Darrel Funk, and Mark Smith don't let the door hit them on the ass on their way out of it. The three will join Brady Hoke in San Diego for similar positions at SDSU. So long. Funk does get the award for creepiest bio picture, as it falls somewhere between axe murderer and psychopath. Oh well, he's SDSU's psychopath now.
• Scuttlebutt is that strength and conditioning coach Aaron Wellman will also join Hoke at SDSU. There has also been no official announcement on coaches joining the fold for Stan Parrish, but rumors say we are close to an Offensive Coordinator and Defensive Coordinator. Offense? Not so important with Stan there. Defense? Exceptionally important.
• ESPN midmajor blogger Graham Watson has the Cardinals #7 in her final non-BCS power poll.
• Sean Baker? Freshman All American. Congrats, Eater-O-Souls.
• Fellow BSU blogger TheSixthBallBrother is hanging it up. Godspeed Cardinal fan... Godspeed.
  

Kentucky Quickies

• Who has two thumbs and will be on the sideline next year for Kentucky instead of the NFL? Michah Johnson, Jeremy Jarmon, and Trevard Lindley. The third more surprising than the first two. This defense is shaping up to be some ass kickers next year.
  
• A feature about Mike Hartline being hard to oust as UK's starting QB. If that's true, and our QB next year still has Hartline on his jersey I will be pissed. Tremendously, uproariously pissed.
  
• The recruiting keeps getting better as UK signs DT Mark Crawford. 6' 1" and 290 will go a long way to some penetration. (insert penetration joke here)
  
• Two Wildcats will make appearances in the Shrine Game. Congrats to Myron Pryor and Johnny Williams.
  

Everyone Else Quickies

• Sam Bradford? Coming back. Collective, "Fuck you, man" from Colt McCoy residence.
  
• O/S at EDSBS wonders what it would be like if Tebow were a Muslim.
• BlackHeartGoldPants offers some layoff advice.
• Joel at RockyTopTalk points out the power of the eye black.
• Doc Saturday on the wager for the title game between legislators.
• Lane Kiffin is a daddy. Again. Wife still hot. Son not named Asskick Jones.
• We close today with a video some of you have already seen. It is a celebratory pole dance for the Florida Gators. There really isn't anything of note, as the chick doesn't get 1.) naked 2.) off, but it's a chick on a brass pole. You stay classy, Gainesville.

On Championships, the SEC, and Surprise Faces

Day 1 of post football aftermath and it already sucks. The morning just seemed a bit off. I'm not looking forward to Saturday like most weeks from August through January. It's real. It's gone. Another year down. Sigh...

It's a common adage that the more things change, the more they ultimately stay the same. And though last night's BCS Championship didn't feature Ohio State getting their doors blown off, it did showcase the Southeastern Conference and clearly, indisputably, and totally exhibited what I, along with some others, have thought for a while now ... that the SEC is simply head and shoulders above the rest of the college football universe.

It isn't the fact that SEC has tremendously "better" athletes than every one else. USC, Notre Dame, Oklahoma all are loaded with blue chip talent. Though I would argue that the talent is deepest across the board in the SEC. But most important is that the season in the SEC prepares you to win the big ones like no other conference. Sure, there's the Red River Shootout. USC-UCLA probably carries some weight on the west coast. I'll give you that Texas-Texas Tech was exciting. But those are momentary flashes in an otherwise fairly dull season. Oh... let's get fired up for Baylor! Yahoo!! The SEC has no Baylors. The SEC has no Washingtons. The SEC has no Big East or ACC teams. Whether it be Kentucky, Vandy, Mississippi State, or any other nontraditional football power, SEC teams play big games every week.

The argument of "The SEC is better than everyone you Yankee limpwrist" is not necessarily the argument I'm making. But I am saying that playing week in and week out against the best competition in the country, against arguably the best collection of coaches in the country, against top to bottom the best athletes in the country simply prepares you to be a champion. It steels your will. It allows you to be prepared to lead a team 76-yards down the field for the nail-in-the-coffin TD with under 4 minutes to go. The SEC may not have all the best teams, but it certainly has the best collective group of teams.

As for last night, the Gators walked out of South Beach with two things... a national championship and the freshly fallen StoopsTears of another missed opportunity. BigGameBob is playing awfully small-time when it counts, going 0-5 in his last 5 BCS games. While Stoops is looking for a tissue, hopefully to sob in, he can look toward one man as the reason why, and he can find that man in his bathroom mirror. Stoops made poor decision after poor decision last night, that allowed Florida to even have an opportunity to be close in the second half. Not kicking field goals when he should have, kicking them when he shouldn't have. It was like watching a trainwreck in super slow motion... everyone knew the outcome and no one could look away. Perhaps most important though was that through his decisions he allowed Tim Tebow the opportunity to do what he does... win.

I won't beat it to death because of the complete and thorough tongue bath Tim Tebow got last night from the FOX broadcast crew, but the guy is just a gamer of the highest order. 2 Championships, a Heisman, and strapping his team to his back time and time again and getting it done makes him one of, if not the, best college players of our generation. He may make a shitty pro QB or he may not even play substantially in the NFL, but when it comes to college football, there isn't anyone better.

Some things to note about last night's game...

• For anyone reading who makes personnel decisions at FOX Media, please fire Thom Brenneman and Charles Davis. I would rather have the noon SEC Raycom guys than these two. It ruined what should have been an otherwise most excellent showcase of college football. Say what you will about ESPN taking over the rights to the BCS, but having guys like Herbstreit, Desmond, Fowler, Nessler, or Mussberger calling this game would have been infinitely better.
• Note to all future opponents of Tim Tebow... DO NOT TALK SMACK BEFORE THE GAME. It is universally a poor decision.
• I thought there were far too many penalties and official involvement last night. Let the kids play.
  
• Percy Harvin is fast. Super fast. Like a jackrabbit on coke fast. I am assuming that young Mr. Harvin will declare for the NFL and get his ducketts, yo before every super high tension ligament in his body inevitably evaporates, but he sure was fun to watch.
• With his win last night, Urban Meyer has won his second title in 4 years at Florida. RV disagrees with me, but Meyer is a beast. It's a two-horse race for the mythical "Best Coach in America", but Meyer is certainly giving Carrol a run for his money.
• Of special note on this fantastic Friday is the fact that I had Florida #1 in our preseason poll. Not USC, not Oklahoma, not Georgia. I mean, not to toot our own horn here at OTP or anything. Of course not all of us here at OTP were pleased with this decision. Our very own RV had this to say about my selecting the Gators as our #1... "Florida 1? That's horrible dude. It's like you've never watched football before." Oh sweet merciful success.

RV... shocked

Speaking of the site, we'll be your offseason shelter for the lead up to spring games and the fall out of NFL declarations, coaching staff turnovers, and all the other goodies that happen after a season. RV will be along with some recruiting news and notes, which he is amazingly good at.

08... in the books. Welcome to the offseason.

I had to add this picture. ~RV

Rage, Rage Against the Dying of the Light

In roughly 11 hours, two things will be certain...

1.) There will be many, many, many drunk people in south Florida. You know, more than normal.

and

2.) College football will be done for the 2008 season.

The National Championship (or "Mythical National Championship" for smarmy blogger types) is tonight in Miami, and Oklahoma and Florida will have 60 minutes to give us enough football action to at least get us to February 4th or the day when 17-year olds bring old men to tears by putting on a cap with a logo and signing their name to a dotted line. What the hell is wrong with all of us?

What is most exciting to me is that one team is going to collectively look like horses' asses after tonight. Whether it be Gator LB Brandon Spikes calling the Big 12 slow, Gator CB Joe Haden shaving letters and numbers into his hair, Sooner CB Dominique Franks saying Tim Tebow wouldn't be in the Top 3 in the Big 12, to Sooner safety Nic Harris expanded that to the Top 7 while saying Percy Harvin is just another receiver. I'm no genius and it's been beaten to death, but why in the hell would you serve extra motivation to Tim Tebow? He is without doubt the best player on his team, best player in his conference, best player in football, and arguably one of the best players in recent memory. The guy eats lightening and shits strawberry shortcakes and all you have managed to do was piss off a sleeping giant. Ask the Japs how that strategy worked back in 41.

Tim Tebow... Shortcake Shitter

In an effort of full disclosure, I'm an unapologetic SEC homer. Watching the SEC on Saturdays in high def with a glass of bourbon is I hope what heaven is like. However, I can also recognize quality teams when I see them, regardless of conference affiliation. Oklahoma is a good team. But Florida is a great team. A great team with speed. Speed unlike Big 12 speed. ESS-EEE-SEE Speed, brother! And in recent years, that combination has served national champions pretty well, to the tune of 4-0 for the SEC in the big game.

Truthfully, as long as this game is even remotely interesting and/or exciting past halftime, it will be better than championship games of recent seasons. Oklahoma doesn't have Ohio State on their jerseys, so there is a chance that they may actually show up. But as most everyone knows, with Bob Stoops' record in major bowls, having Chokelahoma is the next best thing to the Buckeyes.

Pundits across the board are calling for a good game, with decent scoring, and an entertaining curtain drop to 2008. Slight edge goes to Florida from the national types, though that may be biased a bit since our feedreader is predominantly SEC. The game itself even leaves your faithful creative team here at OTP at a loss as to what's going to happen. However, we follow the national trend, picking the Gators in a 2-1 vote.

Edge: 31-24 Florida, MVP to Tim Tebow

RV: 31-24 Oklahoma, MVP to Gerald McCoy

Alan: 42-21 Florida, MVP to Tim Tebow

Reasons why I picked the Gators? Aside from their demon speed? I have just a few...
1.) Stoops has lost his last two bowl games, and four of his last five at OU. Meyer had won four straight bowl games in a row before his young defense gave up 524 yards to Michigan last year in a 41-35 loss. Winning and success usually breeds more of it. Advantage: UF

2.) Injury to Sooner DeMarco Murray leaves him out, injury to Gator Percy Harvin but he will play. Harvin is a gamechanger, much the way Murray was, and Florida with Percy is considerably better than Florida without. If that's possible. Advantage: UF

3.) Travel from Gainesville to Miami is a lot easier than Norman, OK, not to mention the crowd advantage the Gators should have playing about four and a half hours from home. Advantage: UF

11 hours left. 660 short minutes to savor the flavor of college football before it's gone again for months. Eat it up. Get crunk. Do whatever it is you do, because you don't have much longer to do it.

Thoughts on the game?

4 More Days to Complain About the BCS

3 more games is all that stands between all of us and a cold and bitter winter/spring of no football. What this means, of course, is that time will have to be spent working, or entertaining family and friends, but I've got approximately 86 hours until I have to acknowledge that I've let some things slip over the course of the last 4 months. As far as I know I am still gainfully employed, maintaining a semblance of a normal relationship, and my ass hasn't merged itself with the sofa yet, so this break may in fact be coming at a semi-decent time. Though with the recent purchase of Rock Band 2, I make no promises that assmerging will not, in fact, occur.

Tonight, however, we cherish one-third of our remaining games as Texas does battle with Ohio State. We use the term "do battle" loosely, if Ohio State's recent performances in any game of a worthwhile nature is an indicator of what is about to happen in the Arizona desert. The Buckeye Band may play "Hang on Sloopy" but only because there isn't a song created entitled "Dear Sweet Jesus Please Make the Men in Burnt Orange Stop Ripping Our Anuses Apart With Their Football Excellence".

What this wind down also means is that on Friday morning, after the dust and coke have cleared from South Florida, we will have one fan base claiming to be national champions and at least 2 more totally and utterly flamingly pissed off.

As Orson at EDSBS points out, and we agree with, Utah has staked a viable claim to a portion of the national title with this little nugget-O-truth:

Award Utah a fourth of the national title. This is not 2004 Utah, a team that turned a fluffy schedule and a victory over a palsied Pitt team into an undefeated season. Utah beat 5 ranked teams and embarrassed the SEC West champion. They did not lose a game this season. They had a defense that dealt out harm to all they faced and boasted one of the more accurate quarterbacks in the nation. They beat people with spread-option tactics executed with wishbone brutality.

If you want more from a team, you’re either unreasonable, a total flaming asshole, or both. In lieu of a playoff, we have to resort to fractions, and to be fair: one fraction is just as good as another.

To be fair, Texas can lay their claim to another 1/4 (arbitrary) of the title should foot meet ass as I expect tonight in the Fiesta Bowl. And God help us all if Oklahoma should muster the sheer luck to beat Florida on Thursday. It is then, and only then, really, that Texas fans have a legitimate bitch with their lot in the whole football universe this season.

Head to head matchup results sound good and they fire up the fanbases. I will give you that it makes a much stronger argument than "Roll Tide, faggot!" or something else wittily crafted in the dark corners of the typical football fan's soul, but in all reality, all those arguments are equally worthless. Should Texas have played for the Big 12 title? Probably. But they didn't, and that really sucks, and that's too bad for Texas. Yes, I know they beat Oklahoma. Kentucky beat LSU in 2007, but no Kentucky fan was claiming a part of that title.

Football, much like life, is unfair at its most basic core principle. You'll hear people moan and groan about the BCS system and insist that a playoff is "more fair". Of course, this is completely untrue, as a playoff, by sheer nature, is unfair. Is it "fair" that a team can have one poor game and not win the title? What if, given the 2008 situation, a team like BYU, ranked 16th in the last BCS standings at 10-3 had 4 good games and won a title? Is that fair? I can promise you that the resounding sentiment from the 15 schools above them in the standings would be a loud "Fuck no."

So that leaves us with the choice of one shitty system (the current BCS situation) or changing gears to another shitty system (a playoff). For the teams that get screwed under the current system, there's an easy fix... don't lose. For fans, the media, or the blogosphere to sit back and bemoan the lack of inherent fairness in the BCS system is total buffoonery. It was never designed to be fair. It was designed as an imperfect fix to a situation that no perfect fix exists for. College football, by design, is subjective. And that, the fundamental nature of the sport we love, is the reason that a playoff is no better.

Complaining about the BCS not being fair is akin to bitching when the rainstorm outside didn't litter your front yard with gumdrops and half naked strippers. Why? Because that isn't what rainstorms are intended for. They bring rain. And your option is to accept that fact and move along without bitching about things totally outside your locus of control or you can stand on the lawn with your brass poles and your nipple pastys and hope things change. As for me? I'll take my BCS rainstorm and just thank whatever deity resides above me that I have this wonderful crazy obsessive sport to complain about in the first place.

Rich Brooks Proves I Know Nothing

In the fellowship of the miserable of Kentucky football, it is common place to believe that Big Blue will find a way to lose. Even amidst the resurgence of this football team over the last three years, there was always the nagging reality that while improvements were made, this was a team that was beatable. In fact, this was a team that was hard pressed to overcome adversity at all, given that their roster is significantly less talented than the Georgias, the Floridas, and the Tennessees on their schedule. It isn't a knock on the Wildcats, Rich Brooks, or any of their current roster inhabitants, it is simply a long cold drink of reality in the brutal SEC.

So my pessimism about the Liberty Bowl this week was not entirely out of left field. This edition of the Football Cats were without a reliable quarterback, had injuries rivaling the bravo company of the Iraqi Republican Guard, and still were without receivers who seemed to want to catch the ball. The momentum of the season was clearly headed in the wrong direction, as the Cats closed 08 with 6 losses in 8 games, with their 2 wins coming by a combined 2 points. It wasn't pretty, but it was 6-6, and with it came the Liberty Bowl and East Carolina.

First and foremost, Rich Brooks is one hell of a football coach for anyone who thought otherwise. After watching his Cats surrender momentum and a 16-3 halftime lead to the Pirates, Brooks made adjustments, lit a fire under their collective asses, and watched his Cats hold the Pirates to 3 second half points while winning 25-19, winning their third consecutive Bowl for the first time in school history, and proving that I clearly don't know much about football. I'll have my order of crow with a light cream sauce and some garlic mashed potatoes.

Overall, I thought the game was exciting, enjoyable, and truly uncharacteristic of Kentucky in that they didn't wilt under pressure or let one get away. It was an unexpected win, but a win that I will celebrate and claim as my own despite thinking it would go the other way. Some other random thoughts about this little Bowl-O-Liberty:

• The replay official needs an explanation of what "convincing indisputable evidence" means. The Micah Johnson fumble return should have stood, not because it was convincingly evident that it was a fumble, but because there is no possible way it was indisputable that it wasn't. Thankfully, Ventrell Jenkins and his stiff arm from hell saved the day and potentially an official's life. Nice work, big fella.
• Hartline was surprisingly not shitty. I can only think of one piss poor decision (the flea flicker into double coverage) that was a head scratcher. Overall, Hartline did well enough not to lose, and that's really all I ever wanted from him.
• All in all, this was one of the more exciting bowl games. Congrats to the players, and most importantly, to Coach Brooks.

So here we are, three straight years of bowling, three straight wins. Hard to believe really, considering the depths of suckery this program has seen in recent memory. Congrats Cats... on to signing day.

Oh Look... the Liberty Bowl

Forgive the delay in posting, as I've not only brought back my loot from Christmas, but also a nasty little sinus infection. It's made watching football a chore, and writing about it while trying to be funny nearly impossible. With the litany of prescriptions I'm chucking down my gullet, I'm optimistic this will be fixed in time for lots of GMAC Bowl coverage for Ball State. But if not, I'm sure Edge and RV can provide your fix.

Bowl Season is winding down, though, as only a handful of games remain. The Bowls this year have been, in my opinion, outstanding. Upsets galore, most games exciting to watch, and some amazing individual performances by players you did and didn't know. In the two BCS Bowls so far, neither were exceptionally exciting, though both played out much differently than I expected. While nowhere close to "competitive", the Penn State-USC game was not the blood bath I expected. Virginia Tech intercepted their way to a victory in the Orange Bowl, and we're left with only 3 major bowl games left to decide the season. Tonight's matchup of Alabama-Utah has the potential to be a dandy, while Monday's Ohio State-Texas tilt should once again demonstrate why OSU and the BCS have no business together.

Today, though, features a three-peat of football action with the aforementioned Bama-Utah Sugar Bowl the nightcap to today's schedule. Starting us off in an hour or so is Ole Miss-Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl. Entertainment is sure to follow as you have two of the best soundbyte coaches in Houston Nutt and Mike Leach. It's a prelim of the Big 12-SEC matchup featured in the national title game, but Tech is no Oklahoma and Ole Miss is no Florida, though Ole Miss did hand the gators their lone loss.

The happy hour fiesta of the Liberty Bowl is what I'm concerning myself with today, though, as Kentucky battles East Carolina. Both teams slid ass-backwards into a Bowl game, and ended the year much differently than they started. When 2008 started, ECU was everyone's darling, beating BCS team after BCS team. Kentucky started the season 4-0, and gave Alabama one of their closest games of the season. Injuries plagued the Cats, and the losses soon followed. Finishing 6-6, but 2-6 in the SEC is not the way to end your season.

The Cats are struggling mightily right now, without Randall Cobb, and in dire need of an offense. The best thing about today's Liberty Bowl will be that when it ends, this season is over for Kentucky and 2009 can quickly get rolling, a year that figures to be tremendously better for the football Cats than 08. Any showing that's better than total embarrassment is a moral victory for these wounded kittens, but I'll be shocked if Big Blue rolls out of Memphis with a W.

I'll go with an official I-Hope-I'm-Way-Wrong-Prediction of:
ECU 24
UK 10

5pm... ESPN... be there or be square.

Humpday Quickies

All's quiet on the football front unless you live in Muncie, IN or Auburn, AL and your administration essentially just slipped a pinky finger fist in your backdoor when no one was looking. But at least Auburn has a coach... however craptastic he may be. I am optimistic that Ball State will be able to say the same in the next 48 hours. Off we go...

Ball State Quickies

• Stan Parrish, and to a larger extent, every Ball State fan, waits to see what will become of the head coach position at Ball State. Hoke has offered him a position at SDSU, Ball State athletic director Tom Collins seems hesitant to do the same. And now we play the waiting game.
• Nate Davis was named to Sports Illustrated's Honorable Mention All American team on Tuesday. Just think, Nate, one more year and you'll be up at the top. You should probably stay.
• Kent Sterling, ESPN Radio's Indianapolis program manager offers his perspective on the whole "Should Hoke Have Left?" debate.
• The North Carolina News & Observer names Nate Davis one of the 5 to watch for the Heisman next year. Congrats, Nate.
• The end of year honors banquet took place on Sunday. Awards, recognition, and such, can be found here.
  

Kentucky Quickies

• Like him or not, the success of this Kentucky team rests with Mike Hartline, who will be the starting QB for the Liberty Bowl.
• Nice little read about the recruits who have signed or who are still on the radar for the Kentucky staff, most recently, Dakatoh Tyler of Pike High School in Indianapolis.
• Bell County kicker Ryan Merrick was not offered a scholarship and is disappointed.
• Incoming Kentucky QB Morgan Newton, he of Carmel High School Greyhound fame, was named Indiana's Mr. Football.
• Trevard Lindley was named a third-team All-American by Phil Steele's College Football. Fantastic news for Lindley and the program.
• Interesting perspective from Braxton Kelley about the Liberty Bowl.
  

Everyone Else Quickies

• Syracuse has moved quickly and bypassed Turner Gill, Brady Hoke, and Skip Holtz for the Man-O-Awesome known as Doug Marrone, or the soon to be known as "Former Syracuse Coach". GetGrossOut, how do you feel? The answer... not pleased.
• Oklahoma stud DeMarco Murray will not be running roughshod over anyone in the BCS Title game, as he's out with a hamstring injury. Sort of ironic that Florida, who has been decimated by stupid ligaments and little pieces of flesh all year gets sweet tasty justice in the biggest game of the season.
• In more BCS Title news, Florida Blog Saurian Sagacity points out that Troy Smith won one of those little statues too and that didn't seem to matter much.
• In totally unbelievable news, more stories are surfacing about Auburn and their assistants who were canned while on recruiting trips. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall in a living room when they got their calls.
• Iowa blog Black Heart Gold Pants offers some advice to Iowa State as to who they should hire. We can only hope BSU AD Tom Collins has sought out their services.
• Dan Hawkins suggests a new mantra for 2009... Ten Wins. No Excuses. I have a better one... 13 wins. 24 losses. Which is The Hawk's career record at CU.
• In The ACC Can Actually Sell Tickets department, North Carolina has sold its allotted 22,000 for its Car Care Bowl appearance against West Virginia. This was an actual increase from the original 12,500 allotted. No word if fans realize its a football game and not a basketball game.
• Joe Paterno just signed for three more years. Over/under not if he finishes, but how soon he keels over on the sideline.

Kentucky Goes Bowling... Really?

I will preface this by saying that I am content with this football season at face value. This was a Kentucky team that by all measures would struggle as the push was made not to win, but to continue to win, a feat that had been virtually impossible in Lexington until now. There were injuries, there was chaos at the QB position, an angry fanbase, and excitement, disappointment, rejoice, and letdown all rolled in to one.

I am thrilled for the seniors that get to go to their third straight bowl game, who will close their careers with the potential to do something that no team has done in school history (win 3 straight). But frankly, this whole bowl has a "meh" sort of feeling for me. Why is that? Glad you asked...

• The Cats are playing a midmajor East Carolina team. This isn't a team like Florida State or Clemson, who bring some sort of name recognition. This is East Carolina, who banked their early season good will by beating severely over-ranked West Virginia and Virginia Tech. The Pirates faded down the stretch, losing three in a row at one point, squeaking by in several others, and just playing uninspired football. And now, it's a no-win situation for Kentucky. A win and it's what they should have done, a loss and it's the talk of the news. This opponent does not excite me in the least.
• The Cats are playing in a location that no one wants to be in. It's Memphis. It's the Liberty Bowl. This is not a premier location. This is not a premier Bowl. Yes, the Cats went to two straight Music City Bowls, but to campaign hard for the Liberty Bowl just to go someplace different seems ridiculous. This location excites me even less than the opponent.
• The Cats are quite simply put, an average football team. At best. This Kentucky team is .500. They were 2-6 in the SEC, winning their 2 conference games by a combined 2 points. The only QB they had that showed any sort of moxy is doubtful for the Liberty Bowl, and the last time they took the field they looked stagnant, uninspired, and like they were going through the motions in Knoxville.
  

On one hand, I'm happy the Cats made a Bowl game as around 50 schools can't say that. But to be truthful, I just wish they were staying home this holiday season. I'm not thrilled about the Bowl, the opponent, or the team itself, and am just counting down the days until next year.

I hope the Cats prove me wrong. I hope the Cats respond well to the month or so off, get healthy, and close the season on a high note. Hopeful, but not optimistic. This team has given me no reason thus far to be optimistic at all. And within a much larger argument, I'm not convinced a 6-6 team with a 2-6 conference record who won a game over a 1-AA opponent deserves to even be Bowling in the first place. Meh.