NCAA College Football - College Football Blog

Oregon Ducks Leave Little Weakness For Cal Bears To Exploit...But

2010-11-13T10:46:00.001-08:00

If one looks at the statistics for the 2010 Oregon Ducks, it's better for Cal fans with game tickets to go for a half, then make way for The Bears Lair, or Henry's for a session of cocktailing and socializing. Just make sure not to drive.

In other words, it looks like it's going to be that kind of day.

It's rare to see an opponent that has an average game score of 54.7 points, versus just 17 points allowed. Oregon is first in not just the Pac-10, but the nation in total offense, with 567.2 yards per game. That's totally insane.

However, there are some notable statistical openings for Cal.

First, Oregon allows a total 329 yards of total offense per game, which can be divided into 229 yards passing and 100 yards rushing. That's enough to be effective, and means that Oregon's pinball scoring machine forces opponents to try and play their game. Few teams can beat Oregon in a track meet, and none in the Pac-10 so far.

What's the weakness? Frankly, giving up 3.38 yards per rush is one. As long as Cal's willing to be patient and play a grind it out ground game of misdirection running, Cal can win. (Yep, you read that correctly.)

If Cal can get 3 yards per carry on the first two downs, then throw short on 3rd down just to move the chains, the Golden Bears can mount long drives and keep the ball from Oregon.

But the runs must be of misdirection design: not just reverses, but counter-action, and draws. The Ducks defense is aggressive to the point-of-attack, and can down runs for a loss if they can be tracked. Misdirection must be the plan of the day.

If Cal comes out with a plan of smash-mouth football in the first quarter, call Henry's or The Bears Lair and reserve a table - you're going to need it after all the pale ale you're going to consume.

Me? I prefer a screw-driver.

GO BEARS!

Boise State Football: Virginia Tech Preparation Reveals Broncos Approach

2010-09-13T00:43:00.001-07:00

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If you're wondering how Virginia Tech could come so close to beating Boise State, 33 to 30 ten days ago, but stunningly lose at home, 21 to 16 against James Madison, you simply must read the blog post by Mike Kuchar, The Defensive Coordinator at North Brunswick Township High School in New Jersey, as prepared for and presented at Chris Brown's excellent Smart Football Blog.

To give the Clift Notes version of what Coach Kuchar wrote before the link to it, Virginia Tech broke down Boise State Offense on film in detail and a full five months before their September 6th opener. Coach Kuchar was given the opportunity to be a part of the analysis process.

What was learned was that, first, Head Coach Chris Peterson's approach is to have not an offensive system, but a collection of plays for given situations. Second, Boise State uses leverage, numbers, and grass to "gash the opposition." That is, "leverage" is using shifts and motion to gain a "numbers" advantage at the point of attack, to run a running play that gashes the defense, at times for big gains. What the Broncos do is use a tight-end plus a wingback to add an extra hole for the defense to worry about.

If the defense overloads and overruns this set, their running backs are coached to cut back to the weakside.

(If you paid attention to the Colts vs. Texans game, this is almost exactly how the Texans ran against the Colts. The Colts answer would have been to adjust by putting "eight in the box," then blitz the weakside linebacker to force the running back to make a quick decision before he's ready, or be downed for a loss, or both.)

In the passing game, Boise State also uses the overload concept, employing a 3 x 1 formation, but then motioning the back to the strongside so we have a 4 x 1 set: if the safeties go to the "4" side, Boise throws to the Split End, or the "1," on the weakside.

Finally, Boise State's not afraid to take bold offensive actions, like the famous hook-and-ladder play against Oklahoma, the Wildcat pass, or the fake wide receiver screen draw play, all used in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl:

There's a lot more in Coach Kuchar's account, which you can read with a click here. But Virginia Tech's preparation was the reason they almost beat Boise State and arguably the reason they lost to James Madision, thus contributing to Boise State's drop in the polls this week.

USC AD Pat Haden Thinks Reggie Bush Should Give Back Heisman

2010-08-25T11:06:00.001-07:00

This just in: on The Dan Patrick Show this morning, USC Athletic Director Pat Haden said that if he were New Orleans Saints and former USC Running Back Reggie Bush, with Pat Haden's soul, he would return the Heisman Trophy he won in 2005.

"If I were Reggie Bush with Pat Haden's soul, I would say yes. Reggie Bush was a great player, an exciting player. But the NCAA report says that we must disassociate ourselves from Reggie."

This is USC officially throwing Reggie Bush under the bus. Now, it's all over the place with ESPNs Erin Andrews blasting the news out on radio.

To recap, Reggie Bush won the Heisman in 2005, but with USC suffering from severe NCAA sanctions including a 2-year postseason ban, loss of football scholarships, and the vacating of wins in the 2004-05 championship season, in the wake of alleged improper gifts to Bush, much has changed. Mike Garrett was fired as athletic director at Southern Cal, and replaced by USC Football Quarterback and NFL Analyst Pat Haden.

Pat Haden has waisted no time in trying to disassociate USC from Reggie Bush, a totally impossible task.

More on this today.

College Football: Cal Football's Jeremy Ross shows us his crib

2010-08-18T16:44:00.001-07:00

Cal Athletics on YouTube' has really improved in videos and creativity over the past year.

One example is this video by Francesca Weems featuring California Wide Receiver Jeremy Ross, #3.

It's part of a segment called "Cal Cribs" that's not only fun, but I wonder if they're going to show it at the Cal Football games this 2010 season.

One thing Ross needs is a real television set. But on second thought, he's got to hit the books, so a new TV set just may be a bad idea.

GO BEARS!

USC Football sanctions: some donors point to Mike Garrett and Pete Carroll

2010-06-14T02:45:00.003-07:00

In the wake of the NCAA's sanctions against USC for alleged violations in its football and basketball programs, and as USC's athletic administration led by USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett, digs in, circles the wagons, and prepares for an appeal, some USC donors who talked to this blogger are not pleased at all with the situation, and are using it to speak their displeasure with not just USC's Garrett, but former USC Football Coach Pete Carroll.

One donor who's met Carroll several times, has had a major role in giving to the USC program, and has been a visitor to the USC Football practices on several occasions said on Sunday "I could just walk into the practices and no one asked who I was. I could have had a $1,000 cash and no one would know."

The USC donor says that while Pete Carroll claimed disappointment with the NCAA action, and lack of knowledge of how the actions that were the focus of the punishment could have happened, on some level it was hard to see how he could not know or have some idea that something was going on with Reggie Bush. After all, he was the head coach. "This puts a cloud over everything that's happened in the past," my USC donor friend said.

Another USC Donor friend, in a conversation Saturday in San Francisco's Marina District, said "I think Mike Garrett should go" but focused more on their dislike for Garrett's style rather than any substantive argument. Still, it's clear the NCAA sanctions against USC have given Mike Carrett's enemies reason to strike, and they're doing so.

Mike Garrett, for his part, is fighting back, according to ESPN's Diamond Leung. In a blog, Diamond Leung noted that Garrett "had this to say when I approached him before the start of the event: “No comment. Don’t bother me. The world is great.” Then Leung noted "While walking away with associates, he (Garrett) said, 'Don’t talk to that guy. He’s the press.'"

Mike Ornstein

Garrett's best action is openness - with his friends, his enemies, and the press. It's not fair that Garrett's left to fight the USC battle alone while Pete Carroll escapes scot free. The word that's coming in here is that Mike Ornstein (currently working with 49ers Legend Joe Montana), may have been asked by Pete Carroll to work with his football program.

The possible smoking gun rests in the USC Public Infractions Report that you can download here and which reads in part:

There was information in the record that the former head football coach encouraged sports marketer A to hire student-athletes as interns. A current NFLPA certified agent ("sports agent B") is the chairman of a sports agency and a colleague of sports marketer A. He reported that the former head football coach asked sports marketer A to consider hiring football student-athletes as interns in his agency. Sports agent B reported:

(Sports marketer A) was like, „yeah, here's (the former head football coach) and the year before, he, he's tryin' to get me to hire, you know, three players, you know.‟

...How many players, I don't even know, maybe he tried to get him to hire ten....but it was totally agreed upon between (the former head football coach) and (sports marketer A) that there was an internship program for that summer. That's all I do know.

At the hearing, the former head coach denied that he asked sports marketer A to hire football student-athletes as interns, although he acknowledged that he knew sports marketer A and that he (sports marketer A) had "something about his past the years before that had gone wrong . . . (and) it was related to the NFL.”

[Note: At the hearing the institution's general counsel reported that, in 1995, sports marketer A had "pleaded guilty to mail fraud for defrauding the NFL."]

The "sports marketer" referred to is Mike Ornstein, as revealed in a 2007 SPORTS by BROOKS blog post. Mike told this blogger he was working on behalf of Joe Montana on the Red Carpet of The 2010 NFL Draft in this video at the 26 second mark:

In retrospect, it did not occur to me to ask Mike about the USC issue at the time and until three hour later after the NFL Draft started when it fully dawned on me that Mike Ornstein was the Mike Ornstein. But then, there were a number of "seasoned sports journalists" there, who didn't ask him any questions at all; I asked about sports marketing in this economic climate.

I digress. Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll should come out and say what he knows, because its clear he knows something and time will reveal what that is. By not saying anything, Pete Carroll places Mike Ornstein in the position of being able to "out" Carroll if he wants to. If Ornstein denies that Carroll asked him to participate in the football program, the question is "If not Pete, then who did?"

This story gets more complicated with every turn.

USC Football sanctions: some donors point to Mike Garrett and Pete Carroll

2010-06-14T02:45:00.001-07:00

Mike Ornstein

NCAA USC punishment calls Pete Carroll move to Seahawks to question

2010-06-10T06:13:00.001-07:00

The National Collegiate Athletic Association, via a source to ESPN, is set to announce that it is going to strip the University of Southern California or "USC" of the ability to play in a bowl game for two years, a forfeiture of wins at least from the 2004 season and possibility the loss of the 2004 National Championship. All of this after an investigation of activities in football and basketball, and related to former students Reggie Bush and O.J. Mayo, was completed.

The death blow to future USC success calls former USC Coach Pete Carroll's move to the NFL to coach the Seattle Seahawks into question, and casts a giant black cloud over all that Carroll did while he was at USC. At first, this blogger believed Carroll's departure was just because a 6 and 6 season and the criticism was too much to stomach...

But in light of the NCAA investigation and its decision to essentially destroy USC Football as we've known it, now it seems that Pete Carroll knew this was coming, even as he told Dan Patrick on The Dan Patrick Show that he "would be surprised" if the NCAA took any action.

Well, Pete Carroll has to express surprise now, but really also has a lot of explaining to do. This level of punishment is too great for Pete Carroll to avoid. He should talk about it, and soon. Indeed, he will have to at some point.

Pete Carroll and Charlie Weis (ESPN)

And one has to wonder what former Notre Dame Head Coach Charlie Weis thinks of this news. Weis famously implied that Pete Carroll gets a pass from the media, and dropped an allegation about Pete Carroll that he later retracted. But it's clear Pete Carroll has not been one of Charlie Weis favorite people because he thinks Weis got special treatment from the media.

Also, how does the NCAA action impact the 2010 Pac-10 race, which was already wide open? Does Cal or Stanford have an open shot at the Pac-10 title? Will the Cal Stanford Big Game finally have real meaning for the first time in years?

Stay tuned for updates.

Cal beats UCLA 45 to 26; Cal not in BCS Standings?

2009-10-18T20:56:00.001-07:00

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The Cal Golden Bears got the win they (we) needed Saturday with a 45 to 26 win over the hated UCLA Bruins, marking the first time Cal Football Head
Coach Jeff Tedford has won at the Rose Bowl in his time with Cal.

Congrats Coach Tedford!

The win gives us a 4 and 2 overall record, and it was all heart, frankly. Some things in the scheme department to rave about but plenty in the execution area to be happy with. But what vexes me is the BCS standings just released today: Cal's not in them.

But before I get to that, let's go back to that matter of running plays. Hats off to Heisman Trophy Candidate Javhid Best, who ran for 102 yards, discovered cutback running. Not that he's failed to do it before, but the 93 yard run was the best one I've seen him do. Plain and simple. See for yourself:

Cal's other star running back on Saturday was Shane Vereen, who gained 154 yards, most of it replacing the ill Best. But he did it out of a very well-designed set of running plays, one a draw play that was so smoothly executed by Cal QB Kevin Riley, it looked as if he had the ball even after he gave it to Vereen.

Another surprise was Riley himself running the ball out of a spread formation. Cal's done it before but had it tucked away for a few games until UCLA.

Offensively it wasn't Cal using a trick play but plays smartly designed to get the ball to their best players. Take the 2nd quarter play action pass to Best running out of the I Formation.

It's a play that requires the offensive line to hold their blocks after the play fake a bit longer than I'd like, because Best comes out of the tailback position to run a fly pattern. In this game it worked - Best caught the ball and scored 52-yards downfield - but I can see a defensive coordinator calling a six-rusher blitz in the future; UCLA only sent four people.

At any rate, it was a great and much needed win. Offensively Cal needs to install more true rollout passes and I'd like to see more of the system I've called for before, but a win's a win.

Now about that BCS thing.

The BCS (Bowl Championship Series) rankings were released today, and Cal was no where to be seen.

Florida, Alabama, Texas, Boise State, and Cincinnati are ranked 1 through 5. USC, TCU, LSU, Miami, Fla, and Oregon are 6 through 10. Here's the list:

First 2009 BCS Poll

1. Florida

2. Alabama

3. Texas

4. Boise State

5. Cincinnati

6. Iowa

7. USC

8. TCU

9. LSU

10. Miami (FL)

11. Oregon

12. Georgia Tech

13. Penn State

14. Virginia Tech

15. Oklahoma State

16. Brigham Young

17. Houston

18. Utah

19. Ohio State

20. Pittsburgh

21. Wisconsin

22. Arizona

23. West Virginia

24. South Carolina

25. Kansas

It's a crowded field, with a whole bunch of one-loss teams, and four two-loss teams, including (huh?) Arizona (4 and 2) is there. We're (Cal) 1-2 in the conference, whereas Arizona is 2-1.

So we've really got to turn on the jets to get into BCS land and UCLA was a great start. Washington State, at 0-4, is the next home game and every bit as important as this one. Arizona now faces a desperate UCLA team: a loss could be just the tonic we need to enter the BCS picture.

Of course the BCS system is more complicated than that, but let's put it this way: for now we want to root for UCLA to beat Arizona Saturday.

GO BEARS!

Cal v. USC Tickets on sale from $73 for Saturday's game

2009-09-30T21:31:00.001-07:00

Catch the game at Cal against USC. You can get tickets here: Cal v. USC

GO BEARS!!

Cal's Jahvid Best's for Heisman! Five td's v. Minnesota

2009-09-19T13:37:00.000-07:00

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GO BEARS!

Jahvid Best, Cal's star running back, placed himself at the top of the season's Heisman Trophy conversation with a 26-carry, 131 yard, five touchdown performance. Cal beat Minnesota in a tough game, 35-21, and is now 3 and 0.

Best, who set a school record with the final touchdown in the fourth quarter, scored his first three in the first half. He seemed to slow down in the third quarter, picking up only four yards. I'm not sure if he was slightly injured and the ESPN announcers didn't say anything about his condition, but it seemed as if he was a step slower in the last two quarters.

Cal needs to install three-step passes

While Best was making Cal Football history, Kevin Riley put in a solid but not great performance with 16 for 25 and 252 yards; I would have preferred 22 of 28 for 300 yards, but I don't blame him for this. It's the offensive play design and game plan I question.

What bothers me as I watch the Golden Bears' offense is the almost total lack of a three-step passing attack. Offensive Coordinator Andy Ludwig needs to take a page from 2009 Notre Dame passing attack and install a five-wide-receiver formation, three-step passing play series to counter some of the blitzes from the defense's outside linebackers that Cal gets from time to time.

(In the "five-wide" formation I envision for Cal, Jahvid Best would be in the weak side slot position.)

Right now, Riley's asked to take deeper drops and read the coverage, then receiver progression, on almost every drop back pass. It's only in the play-action passes that Riley is able to make the immediate throw.

Cal needs a three-step system to beat USC

Installing just four new plays from the system I advocate would help Cal beat USC October 3rd. Cal must force USC's defense to chase the ball all over the field, from sideline to sideline in an effort to simply exhaust and frustrate the Trojans. A good three-step passing game is the perfect tool to accomplish that objective.

NCAA College Football week 2 - wrap up

2009-09-14T20:53:00.000-07:00

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NCAA week two was marked by two marque games: Notre Dame v. Michigan and USC v. Ohio State. In the first game, Notre Dame, which was 18th ranked and is now dropped from the rankings, looked to the contest as the "must-win" if The Fighting Irish were to prove to themselves and to America that they were indeed BCS-bound.

They failed.

The reason for their failure could be directly attributed to the fact that they don't have enough talent to beat or even compete with teams that commonly play at the BCS level. As I stated before, Notre Dame's academic requirements prevent it from consistently getting those players and Notre Dame Head Coach Charlie Weis has not demonsrated an ability to "scheme" his way out of that problem.

I still believe it wise to place the game in the hands of the superbly talented sopohmore quarterback Jimmy Clausen, who's an amazing passer and a capable leader. But what he's asked to do from a perspective of play design is my concern.

I contend that if Notre Dame believes it can reach the BCS it has to "scheme' its way there. It doesn't have a defense strong enough to stop, for example, the Michigan running game and that "belly series" from the Spread, which Michigan ran to perfection under freshman quarterback Tate Forceir.

Spread "Belly" Triple Option

That game's not the last time Notre Dame will see this play.

Rather than focus just on defensing it, Notre Dame needs to move toward a better short passing and roll-out passing game. Weis spent so much time trying to bomb the Wolverines into submission - and racking up over 400 yards in the process - he left time on the clock for Michigan's offense - its easier to run when the clock's working in your favor.

USC beat Ohio State. Guess how?

The ability to run was what lifted the then-third ranked USC Trojans over the Ohio State Buckeyes. And in that game we saw the coming of age of another freshman quaterback, Matt Barkley.

Barkley, who took over for the man who-would-be-the-senior quarterback Mark Sanchez (who won his first game as a rookie quarterback with the New York Jets), came in with a lot of questions because of his youth. But he answered them all in the Trojans' final drive to win the game, which even though it was driven by a suddenly powerful running attack, saw Matt hit open receivers on time.

While running back Joe McKnight did much of the heaving lifting in the drive, along with the SC offensive line, Barley did his part in completing the passes when they neeeded them the most. That was something Ohio State could not do.

What that game demonstrated was that Ohio State has an undisciplined passing attack. Many of the plays are out of play action and the patterns are some of the most ineffectively unusual I've ever seen. What I mean is that they call for the receiver to be out of proper position just by their design.

Plus, the passing game lacks the timing necessary to complete passes even with close coverage. And forget the idea of Ohio State mounting a pass-oriented comeback because they don't seem to practice the two-minute drill. Quarterback Terrell Pryor is an obviously talented athlete, but he's a raw passer who needs a lot of drilling in basic timed throwing; he's not getting it at Ohio State.

Cal steamrolls opponents

With all this, my Cal Golden Bears dropped 50 points on its last two "challengers", Maryland and Eastern Washington. Look out for the 7th ranked Golden Bears.

Twitter tweets claim Boise State's Hout did use N-word to Oregon's Blount

2009-09-09T20:03:00.000-07:00

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Twitter was the source of the latest information torpedo in the (unfortunately) still unfolding story behind the "punch seen round the sports World" by Oregon Running Back LeGarrett Blount to Boise State Defensive End Byron Hout.

Track athlete E.J. Prince used Twitter to blast this:

@realskipbayless Just talked to Jamere Holland (from Oregon WR) said that L. Blount socked dude from Boise State cuz he called him a n_____

Jamere Holland is Oregon's wide receiver.

Prince also tweeted this:

@q17 yeah I just hope the news about LaGarett Blount being censored gets out to people like @jemelehill

@jemelehill is ESPN Columnist and Analyst Jemele Hill.

There's no indication that she responded to Prince's Twitter feed. He also sent a tweet to Skip Bayless; no tweet back to Prince from Bayless. Basically it seems that Prince's story is being ignored by certain mainstream media people. I can't confirm that, but it seems that way.

The main problem has been that none of the main actors in this play are talking. LeGarrette Blount's not moving his lips. Byron Hout's lost his voice. Both schools are silent on the question.

(And on that note, my first blog post speculated on the use of the N-word, not claimed that Hout used it as one blogger inaccurately wrote; this is different.)

E. J. Prince's value in this story rests on his tweet that he talked to (not tweeted) a friend of Oregon receiver Jamere Holland who plays for Oregon and who I will not name here.

E.J. Prince's value is that he's part of a larger "grapevine" network of multi-racial athletes, some connected via the fraternity system and athletics, some not. I contacted Prince on Twitter, and after following each other, exchanged private messages.

From that series of contacts, I made several calls to confirm what Prince was tweeting and I got more information than I bargained for.

Friends of Oregon wide receiver Holland had no idea that Prince put his name on Twitter because there's some kind of "gag order" placed on Oregon players regarding this matter, and they feared Oregon coaches would punish Holland.

This was told to me by an unnamed source over the phone, who said "Young people don't care (about explaining who said the N-word); it's the older people in suits, all of those, who care."

There seems to be an idea that if Blount keeps quiet about what was said then the Oregon would take care of him. What I explained is that Oregon would present a better picture for minority players if it stepped up to defend a player who was the target of a racially-charged statement.

But I think what stopped Oregon from doing that was Blount's punch and his subsequent tirade. Blount's from Mississippi and there's an old school view of the use of the N-word down there: no one uses it, period.

Again, no one is excusing Blount's actions; but there's a view within the grapevine I tapped that the media is unfairly piling on Blount but not punishing Hout. Moreover, every black man I've talked to regarding this story said they knew something racial was said to set Blount off.

It's that nasty experience with being on the receiving end of the N-word that bonds African Americans. There's an idea in some quarters in America that because the word is used in rap music, it's common and accepted to use it in American culture. It's not and its not even desired in the music.

What this proves is New Media is the new grapevine of our country and the World. I hope Boise State fills in the blanks in this picture, but if they come out and say Hout didn't use the N-word, they've got a whole lot of people in Oregon and part of a grapevine on the West Coast willing to tell another story, even if its through Twitter.

Lou Holtz says Notre Dame's Charlie Weis is "most underrated"

2009-09-05T11:02:00.000-07:00

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It's College Football Gameday and I'm watching ESPN's Lou Holtz make the case that Notre Dame's Charle Weis is the most underrated coach in college football. Now, remember this is the same guy who said Notre Dame would play in the BCS Championship.

Holtz colleague, the former Washington Redskin Mark May went ballistic, and rightly so.

Sure, Weis generates good schemes, but if he were the great coach and "most underrated" in college football he would not have lost 15 games in the last two years. Weis record between 2007 and 2008 is 9 wins and 15 losses, going 3 and 9 in 2007.

Weis' record over the last two years is so bad 2007 and 2008 aren't even mentioned in Coach Weis' on profile on the Notre Dame website.

Who's really underrated? Cal Coach Jeff Tedford, who's Golden Bears take on Maryland today. Of course, being a Cal graduate, I'm biased, but I'll put Coach Tedford's 59 and 30 record against Coach Weis' 29 and 21 record any day.

Notre Dame plays Nevada this afternoon and for the first time in school history. Cal takes on Maryland in this evening's game at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley.

Was Oregon's LeGarrette Blount called the N-word by Boise State's Byron Hout?

2009-09-04T19:39:00.000-07:00

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On YouTube.com

Oregon's star running back LeGarrette Blount lost it after the loss to Boise State 19 to 8 last night. His quick right hook to the face of Boise Defensive End Byron Hout after the end of the game cost him the season: Oregon announced that LeGarrette Blount's suspended for the rest of the season.

While the suspension is certainly appropriate for what is essentially assault, I have three questions: First, what did Byron Hout say to cause Blount to react so quickly and violently? Second, what did the Boise State fans say that lit the match and ignited the already hot passions of Blount? Third, why wasn't Byron Hout suspended by Boise State, even if for one game?

First a quick recap of the action. After the end of a hard fought battle that 14th ranked Boise State won with a withering offensive attack chipping away at the 16th ranked Oregon Duck's defense, LeGarrette Blount was walking along absorbing what for his team was a shocking loss when along came Byron Hout to hit his pad hard enough to cause him to run around, then said something to him, pointing at him. Blount rapidly fired a right hook to the jaw of Hout just as Hout turned his face away from Blount.

The impact caused Hout's legs to just give away and he fell to the turf.

Cooler heads on the Oregon staff dived in to intervene faster than you could yell "police!" and Blount and Hout never got near each other again. But Blount's anger management system failed and he was ready to fight anyone: his own players, hitting Garrett Embry after he gave Hout the shot seen round the World.

Then, headed to the locker room but drawing closer to the stands to get there, a Boise State fan (probably drunk) yelled something and Blount, already in orbit, hit the thrusters and tried to go after that fan, then another fan grabbed a chair and said something and Blount tried to go after him. It took four to five guys to restrain him. By that time, it was clear Blount went too far and his college career was over.

What did Hout say to Blount?

What goes through my mind and others is the question "What did Hout say to Blount?" Blount himself won't tell, choosing to issue an apology after the game. Boise State Head Coach Chris Peterson doesn't know what Hout said, and Hout's not talking. But one thing's clear: Hout and Blount know what was said.

Was it the N word?

The mind runs with possible reasons Blount went off like he did but the only two logical ones I can see is that something racist was said or something awful but not racist was said. Whatever the case, this is on the mind of the blogsphere; many people are thinking it was race based or at the very least a trash talk comment like "Ass Whuppin!" which is what Blount openly promised for Boise State.

What did the Boise State Fans say?

Now the possibility that what the Boise State fans said to LeGarrette Blount was racist is much higher than that for Hout. First, there was drinking involved and even though Boise Police reported that there were no fights or incidents, they somehow left out this matter. Again, even commenters at Boise State websites agree that the fans were out of control. However no one seems to know what was said.

Why wasn't Byron Hout suspended by Boise State

That Byron Hout wasn't suspended is what really gets me. Boise State's Peterson said:

“We’re not good with it,” Petersen said. “It always takes two to tangle. Those are things we preach about every day around here. We just need to keep our mouths closed … and let our play speak for itself.

“I’m sure (Blount) would give his right arm to take that whole thing back, how it looks. Byron’s mistake wasn’t as extreme as LeGarrette’s, but he was still wrong.”

But even with that, Coach Petersen's choosing to handle the matter "internally" and whatever that means it signals that we, you and I, will not know if anything's done to punish Hout. That's shameful. It sends the very public signal that Hout's words were ok. Perez Hilton's act comes to college football.

A message must be sent that trash talking is not allowed in sports. It's gone too, too far. Really, racist or not, it's wrong and while I' not condoning what LeGarrette Blount did, it's not right to have the punishment so one-sided in the public eye.

Maryland folks make fun of Cal's Jahvid Best

2009-09-04T11:40:00.000-07:00

Maryland fans are making fun of Cal's Heisman Trophy hopeful running back Jahvid Best and the reason is a monster hit Best sustained last year and delivered by Terps linebacker Kevin Barnes. He hit Best so hard the runner was momentarily looking to right himself, then tossed his cookies on the field.

As we approach what's shaping up to be an epic battle between the 12th ranked California Golden Bears and the Maryland Terrapins, that play comes up again and again, and again in the media and on the blogs with the Internet providing remiders of headlines past.

The blogs have had a field day.

"Terps Pull Upset, Cal Pulls Upchuck"
"Terps Football Makes People Sick"
"Cal's Jahvid Best Loses His Lunch"

You get the idea.

Best wants revenge, saying "I have to go this weekend and reclaim my name in Maryland." And he has every reason to want to. That hit was the shot heard round the World. Barnes hit Best so hard that dogs howled, children dried, Terrapins hi-fived, and, well, Best threw up.

I wonder how the memory of that play will impact Best on Saturday,after his first contact. It's a weird position for him to be in: first game of 2009 but against the very team that knocked him silly last year. Best can either sink or swim. My bet is that he swims.

Maryland's 46 Defense v. Cal's "Utah" Offense Saturday

2009-09-04T11:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I wrote that Cal has not seen tapes of Maryland's new defense as the Terps have a new defensive coordinator Don Brown. Maryland players expressed joy that Cal would be surprised by their new look system. It was also reported that Cal's looking at last year's Maryland tapes, for some reason.

But as it turns out, the new look is an old look: the Buddy Ryan 46 Defense.

According to this Washington Post article, Brown is bringing a version of the "46" - named for Chicago Bears Safety Doug Plank, who was a key rover in the Ryan defense - to Maryland.

Don Brown's defense, called "The Bear" reminds me of the kind of system Artie Gigantino brought to Cal when he was defensive coordinator under Keith Gilbertson at Cal: the linemen positioned opposite the tight end or the side with the most receivers, and both outside linebackers on the strongside of the offense.

Artie called his defense the "Split" 43. The Bear's the same thing, except that I'm concerned he calls it "The Bear" because it could mean he's trying to develop an approach that he thinks will stop the Golden Bears.

Makes sense.

But regardless of the name, the idea is to blitz, early and on every down. The concept is to overload the offensive line on the side with the fewest blockers. There's one problem: the Utah spread system is perhaps the best way to attack the defense and its elements of that offense Cal will use on Saturday.

Why?

Because Cal has first year offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig who came over from Utah. So while Cal doens't have tapes of Maryland's new defense, Maryland lacks video of Cal's new offense. I write "new" because my educated guess is that Ludwig has added formations and route combinations from the Utah spread, particularly the Shallow Cross pattern, which is a short crossing pattern calling for a receiver to start downfield two yards, then turn and run across the ball to the other side of the formation about seven yards downfield.

Cal has a pass pattern like that, but ran much deeper downfield, thus it's not a true Shallow Cross pattern. In the Cal offense of last year, the tight ends ran the short crossing patterns. Moreover, it's not something Cal ran as a steady diet in its offense last year. What's exciting is Cal has the speed receivers to make the Shallow Cross pattern work for big gains.

Because its a fast developing pattern, its the perfect counter to the middle linebacker blitz I expect to see from Maryland.

Urban Mayer created the concepts

Former Utah coach and now Floria Coach Urban Meyer developed the spread system of passing. This document below has an excellent presentation of Meyer's system that Cal's Ludwig learned and is bringing to Berkeley.

Urban Meyer Spread Offense Description

This game is going to be fun to watch.

Notre Dame national champs? No. Cal beating USC? Yes!

2009-09-03T15:42:00.000-07:00

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College Football's back and ESPN's Lou Holtz thinks The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame will be in the BCS National Championship Game. He's wrong. But the Cal Golden Bears will beat the USC Trojans October 3rd in Berkeley, 20 to 14.

Notre Dame lacks team speed

At 29 wins, 21 losses this is Notre Dame Head Coach Charlie Weis' make-or-break year. If he wins seven games or more, he's in the clear and gives Irish fans and boosters a reason to expect better years ahead. But if he losses 7 games or more, he's in trouble. My prediction is for another six win season.

Why?

Notre Dame's chronic lack of team speed.

The Fighting Irish have a problem drawing the fastest players at all positions. The states that generally produce the fastest talent - Florida, California, and Texas - have those players literally programmed to go to one of the colleges in those states, and for good reason: they can get into them.

Notre Dame's demanding academic requirements, both before and after entering the school, are a road block to securing the best athletes required to reach the BCS title game.

So how does one explain Notre Dame and Weis success in 2005 and 2006, winning nine games in '05 and 10 in '06? Easy.

First, Weis was coaching former Notre Dame Head Coach Tyrone Willingham's recruits. Coach Willingham was able to get talent to chose Notre Dame in large part because as the school's first African American head football coach, he was a symbol of change where it wasn't expected. One of Willingham's prized players was Brady Quinn, who was obviously a player with great potential before Weis arrived: Weis caused Quinn to reach his potential as a passer in 2005 and 2006.

Quinn is Notre Dame's career passing leader and set 36 records while there. How he did this is the second reason why Weis won in 2005 and 2006: the system was new. Weis brought in the schemes he created while Offensive Coordinator with the New England Patriots: a combination of the timed offense popularized by the late Coach Bill Walsh, and a system that looks a lot like elements of the passing patterns used in the "Airraid" Offense at Texas Tech.

But in fairness, while Weis' system looks like the Airraid Offense created by Coach Mike Leach and Coach Hal Mumme, it's not and evolved from his years at New England.

It took two years for Notre Dame's NCAA foes to develop a "book" on the Weis system, and as that happened, the Irish faced a loss of Willingham-recruited talent. The once-good Irish defense was weakened by these losses.

The result was a season in 2007 that was so bad, with Notre Dame winning one game, it's not even mentioned in Weis' profile on the Notre Dame website.

2008 was not much better. While Notre Dame showed promise it was trying to determine who its signal caller of the future would be. Emerging from injury, Weis star recruit, the celebrated high school passer Jimmy Claussen, emerged to take control of the offense. The Irish roared to a 4 and 1 start, but finished 6 and 6.

I can't see them doing better this year. But this is not a wish just an analysis; I like Coach Weis and met him at the 2005 Super Bowl Party hosted by ESPN and sports agent Leigh Steinberg in Detroit.

Where I would be wrong is in the scheme changes. If Weis stays with more shotgun and spread attacks, rather than trying to emphasize running the football, the Irish will be in for a long season. But if he places the load on Claussen and uses the short pass and screen game, a 7 or better season can happen. Plus, I'm not sold on their decision to use a 3-4 defense with their opponents: pass rush has been the Irish' problem.

National Championship? Notre Dame? No. Cal beating USC? Yes.

Why?

Everyone talks about Cal's offense and Jahvid Best, but for me the key to what could be a national championship season for The Golden Bears is their defense. Cal has eight of eleven defensive starters returning for 2009. USC by contrast is burdened with the task of breaking in a freshman quarterback and rebuilding their defense. I can't see USC beating Cal, let alone Ohio State.

Score: Cal 20, USC 14.

On this issue, there's a looming problem for Cal this Saturday in that reportedly, Cal has no idea what kind of defense the Maryland Terapins will use because its brand new.

Maryland's planned "attacking 4-3" is a design that I favor, but I also know how to beat it: spread four and five wide receivers and match pressure with pressure and throw short passes. If Maryland should go "max blitz", the chance that a receiver will score after a catch-and-run or be wide open increases dramatically.

But if Cal runs a two-back set it's not going to be the easy win that's predicted for the Golden Bears.

At any rate, GO BEARS! And remember its BLUE DAY Saturday at Berkeley!

Confused Erin Andrews returns to ESPN College Football

2009-09-01T11:27:00.001-07:00

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She's back!

After laying low in the wake of the Erin Andrews Peephole Video Scandal, ESPN reporter Erin Andrews is coming back to work this Thursday as part of ESPN's telecast of the rivalry battle football game between the University of South Carolina and North Carolina State. But that's not all for the 31-year-old media star.

Erin's appearing on Oprah September 11th to talk about the videotape and how it impacted her. (Though some sites report September 24th; I will get a clarification on this.) Plus, she's not shying away from the camera, having just finished this photo shoot for GQ (before the video issue but out now for some reason), where she gets "dirty" wearing football gear.

Erin Andrews (photo courtesy of GQ)

Meanwhile whatever happened to the person who made the video? No one knows. Some have speculated that the person who did it either knew Erin or covered athletic events. Whatever the case, the person's still out there and the video was sold for profit.

Something tells me the person who did it is going to be identified in a strange way.

Erin's back,... as "trophy girl?"

Meanwhile, with the upcoming GQ photo spread its clear Andrews is not only back in reporting action but has no problem posing before a camera. There's something, er,telling about the photo below where she's on a pedestal while a group of college football players look up to her as if she's, well, a trophy girl.

Erin Andrews (photo courtesy of GQ)

I have to admit I've got a problem with her decision to make that photo in the wake of what happened to her and her increased visibility. As I wrote before, she should really use this moment in time to bring attention to the needs of those less fortunate, not just herself.

Plus, as I said in my video above, I'd prefer to see her in the image I used rather than the one she presents here. It's confusing. She's upset about the nude peephole video of her, goes into hiding essentially, then comes out having done a photo shoot that glorifies her sexuality and male desire for her.

What does Erin want? How does she want to be seen? Is she confused? What does she stand for? If she wants to be the 31-year-old version of Miley Cyrus, she needs to say so and do it. Period. Be authentic. But this confusing set of messages she's sending out is of concern to me.

Reportedly, Erin told Oprah the video was "a nightmare" but it's hard to take Andrews's claims against the video that seriously if, with this GQ photo, she's going to basically swim in the sex-based marketing pool she claims to hate, stating that people think she got her job because of her looks.

Maybe Christine Brennan was right and the whole video peep camera thing was just Erin working to get more publicity. Earlier this year, Brennan basically said that because Andrews was "trading off her looks" she created the problem.

Plus, the timing of the release of the photos, after this scandal, calls the whole video matter into question yet again.

I'm just going with my gut here, but something tells me this whole matter has changed her in a way she may not even see. If she's going to be Miley Cyrus she should stop being confused about it, that word again, and just do it. Personally, she could do a lot of good with her platform, but for now she's just messing around.

Stay tuned.

UPDATE: Here the new Erin Andrews GQ video:

Eric Plancher Victim Of Coaching Machismo In My View

2008-04-12T02:44:00.001-07:00

I just finished reading the terrible ESPN story about University of South Florida Wide Receiver Eric Plancher, who died after trying to finish a rather strenuous workout, which reportedly had head coach George O'Leary screaming at him to finish it, even as Plancher was trying to breath.

In my view, that alone is gounds for a lawsuit.

I'm personally sick and tired of the football coaching "meathead" ideal that says you have to struggle and force yourself to finish a workout routine. Look, a coach should be more concerned that their players don't have hardened arteries or any kind of heart problem. I don't care if the player's 19 years old, check on the person; To read that stuff is heartbreaking!

I think George O'Leary, who's famous for not getting the Notre Dame Coaching job for lying on his resume, should turn a reverse and appologize to the Plancher family rather than trying to cover his butt.

That stinks.

2008 NFL Draft: Receivers | Ranking The Receivers

2008-04-02T02:05:00.000-07:00

John McClain, Anna Megan and nfldraftbible.com's John Murphy discuss the draft

Two-time Little All-American Heath Benedict, an offensive lineman, found dead at home

2008-03-31T20:49:00.000-07:00

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP)—Heath Benedict, a two-time Little All-American offensive lineman from Newberry College in South Carolina, was found dead on a couch in his home.

Jacksonville police said no foul play is suspected in the death of the 24-year-old Benedict, a 6-foot-6, 326-pounder who finished up his senior season in the fall and left school to train for next month’s NFL draft. He was nine hours short of a business degree.

Benedict took part in the Senior Bowl in January, the first Division II player to do so since 2004, and was invited to last month’s NFL combine.

“He was a big, tough man, but he had a very gentle heart,” Newberry president Mick Zais said. “He was a teddy bear.”

Benedict, who redshirted at Tennessee in 2002 before moving to Newberry, was a native of the Netherlands. He played high school football at the Peddie School in Hightstown, N.J.

Jacksonville police spokesman Ken Jefferson said Benedict’s body was taken to the medical examiner’s office to determine the cause of his death. He was found dead Wednesday evening.

NFL DRAFT BIBLE DAILY DOSE 3/28

2008-03-28T04:30:00.001-07:00

BROHM TO MEET WITH FALCONS
The Atlanta Falcons, who own the third overall pick in the upcoming draft, are eyeing nothing but high-character prospects and will meet Louisville star QB Brian Brohm as early as next week, according to the Dayton Daily News. Members of the Falcons organization attended Brohm's Pro Day on Monday where he gave a phenomenal performance before NFL coaches and scouts. The 6-3, 232-pound quarterback ran a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash and lit it up during passing drills.

ON THE RADAR: DD TERRY
The Jaguars are reportedly "very high" on RB D.D. Terry.Impact: Jacksonville made no attempt to re-sign LaBrandon Toefield as a third back, and Terry could be the reason. If Fred Taylor or Maurice Drew goes down, Terry will be someone to watch. He might get carries over FB Greg Jones.

CHARLES GRANT HAD SURGERY
Charles Grant underwent surgery in January to repair a torn ligament in his left ankle, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Grant reportedly suffered the injury on Oct. 28 in a win over San Francisco. "Last year," Grant said. "I could have easily just hung my cleats up after I hurt myself in San Francisco. That's not my game. I played through the whole season, torn ligament in my ankle and couldn't really get the 'get off' that I wanted. The coach and the GM knew that. This organization knew that."

CARDS SIGN HAGGANS
Clark Haggans has inked a one-year deal (terms unreleased) with the Cardinals, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.

MARE SIGNS WITH LIONS
Olindo Mare has inked a two-year deal worth $3.5 million with the Seahawks, according to NFL.com.

IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED…
Detroit Lions president Matt Millen said he has total faith in Rod Marinelli and he must since the head coach has parted ways with so many of his high-profile draft picks and free agents, according to USA Today. Before Millen hired Marinelli in 2006, he drafted 12 players in the top two rounds. Those players should be the core of the team now, but Marinelli has parted with eight of them — including five this offseason. Defensive tackle Shaun Rogers (trade), running back Kevin Jones (release), defensive end Kalimba Edwards (release) and linebackers Boss Bailey (free agency) and Teddy Lehman (free agency) have all departed Detroit in recent weeks. They joined quarterback Joey Harrington (trade) and wide receivers Charles Rogers (release) and Mike Williams (trade), who departed previously under Marinelli. Marinelli often says that you become what you tolerate, and he will not tolerate players who don't live up to his standards. He told Millen what he wanted before he was hired, and he has "not wavered one inch."

NFL CONSIDERS CHANGE TO PLAYOFFS
Under the proposal, the two division winners with the best won-lost records still would be seeded Nos. 1-2 in each conference and receive first-round playoff byes. But the four other playoff qualifiers in each conference - the two remaining division champions and the two wild-card teams — will then be seeded according to won-lost records. Wild-card teams could be seeded as high as No. 3 in their conference and thus have a home playoff opener if an NFL competition committee proposal is approved by league owners next week in West Palm Beach, Fla., according to the St. Louis Post- Dispatch.

NFL DRAFT BIBLE DAILY DOSE 3/25

2008-03-25T04:20:00.000-07:00

BROHM POSTS IMPRESSIVE FORTY-TIME
Louisville QB Brian Brohm ran a 4.61 forty at his Pro Day Monday, according to NFL Network's Charles Davis.

PATS WORKOUT JOHNSON AS WIDE OUT
The New England Patriots recently sent a high-ranking member of their coaching staff to meet with quarterback Josh Johnson for a private workout. The New York Times suggests the Patriots are looking at San Diego QB Josh Johnson as a wide receiver. The Pats love versatile players and could view Johnson, who was timed as fast as 4.44 at the Combine, as a slash-type player.

REPORT: KELLY’S KNEES A CONCERN
NFL Network's Mike Mayock reports that both of Oklahoma WR Malcolm Kelly's knees "are of such concern" that he may be removed from some teams' draft boards in April.

JEFF OTAH PRO DAY UPDATE
Jeff Otah, a probable first-round pick in next month's NFL draft, did not work out at Pittsburgh's Pro Day because he's resting his left ankle, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Otah, a 6-6, 322-pound offensive tackle, said he sprained his ankle prior to last season and that it never got a chance to fully heal. "I'm not 100 percent so this will give me some more time to get better and train better," Otah said today. Otah will work out for NFL teams on April 9.

’09 PROSPECT UPDATE
Florida junior WR Percy Harvin, one of the most explosive players in college football, could might miss the rest of spring practice because of a nagging heel injury. Harvin was wearing a protective boot earlier this week and is going to be re-evaluated before team doctors decide whether to shut him down for the spring. Meanwhile, Clemson RB James Davis, another solid prospect for the 2009 draft, will be sidelined for the rest of spring practice because of a shoulder injury, although the injury is not believed to be that serious.

HUARD ON THE MEND?
Chiefs coach Herm Edwards says he wouldn't be averse to heading into the season with Brodie Croyle, Tyler Thigpen, and a rookie on the roster.

MARSHALL OUT THREE MONTHS
NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports Brandon Marshall will miss the next three months after undergoing right arm surgery over the weekend.

SAINTS AFTER SHOCKEY
The New Orleans Saints reportedly offered the New York Giants their 2008 second round draft pick (No. 40) and safety Roman Harper for tight end Jeremy Shockey, according to the Newark Star-Ledger.

49ERS TO EXPERIMENT ON DEFENSE
The San Francisco 49ers figure to run a hybrid 3-4 defense that also features a lot of 4-3, which would make sense after the club signed defensive end Justin Smith, according to USA Today. "He's going to be put in situations to make a lot of plays," 49ers GM Scot McCloughan said. "We would not have paid him the money we paid him unless we knew how to use him. You'll see him at end, you'll see him at tackle, you'll see him at times standing up. He's a special guy."

LANCE BRIGGS TAMPERING RULING
San Francisco has been forced to forfeit their 5-round pick at the 2008 draft after being found guilty of tampering with Chicago LB Lance Briggs. In addition, the 49ers will switch picks in the third round of this year’s draft.

NFL DRAFT BIBLE DAILY DOSE 3/24

2008-03-24T04:09:00.000-07:00

GRAY A TEXAN, ROSENFALS ON THE BLOCK
Quinn Gray told the Houston Chronicle that he plans to sign with the Texans. Gray says his deal will be a one-year agreement worth $635,000, with $40,000 to sign.

RUMOR MILL: DILFER TO OAKLAND
Free agent Trent Dilfer told the congregation at Northside Christian Church in Fresno Sunday that the Raiders have shown interest in him.

DEUCE MAY BE CUT LOOSE
Deuce McAllister is awaiting a decision as to whether he will remain a member of the New Orleans Saints, according to the Baton Rouge Advocate. McAllister is about six months past his surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee and the team has until April 15 to decide whether to pay him a $1 million roster bonus or terminate his contract. He commented, "Unfortunately I've been through this routine before as far as rehab is concerned. Every day you just try to make it a little better. For them to make good on their investment, as far as paying me the roster bonus, then I wanted to make good on my health. Having ACL surgeries on both knees in the last three years is an unfortunate deal. Before we went into this season I wanted to make sure I was healthy and obviously the team felt the same way. If it wasn't for the right knee, then I would be able to do a lot more strenuous workout as far as planting and cutting, etc. You want to be careful with the microfracture and it give it time to heal fully. It's not 100 percent, but it's getting close to the point where I can do different exercises and different things. There's still time out there for me to rehab and get stronger. If rehab continues to go as well, then it's possible I can participate in that last minicamp May 29-June 1."

MCDONALDS FOILS MARSHALL
Brandon Marshall slipped on a McDonald's wrapper, which resulted in his arm going through the television set, according to NFL.com. It is unclear as to how many stitches Marshall needed and he commented, "I want to thank everybody for their concerns and let everyone know that I'm okay. It's funny because I pride myself on yards after catch and being one of the toughest players to take down once I have the ball in my hands. So for the next couple of days I'm going to take the time to build my confidence back up after allowing that McDonalds bag to take me down and send me through the entertainment center."

RICE ON THE COMEBACK TRAIL
Free agent Simeon Rice says his shoulder is "100 percent" and is working to make a comeback. Rice, 34, is being filmed by a TV crew interested in turning his story into a reality show. He plans to run at his alma mater Illinois' Pro Day. Rice has talked with Lions coach Rod Marinelli, who isn't one to turn down ex-Bucs.

NFL DRAFT BIBLE DAILY DOSE 3/23

2008-03-23T05:32:00.000-07:00

CALEB CAMPBELL UPDATE
Caleb Campbell, a strong safety for the Cadets, will be “excused from his five-year service commitment” if he lands on an NFL roster. Sports Illustrated reports that his military responsibilities would be to “serve as a recruiter for the Army during and after the NFL season, speaking to young people and working at the local recruiting office wherever he plays. … If he doesn’t hook on with a pro team, he’ll return to the Army for five years.” That’s a long-term contract of a different kind than the typical NFL deal.

MARSHALL INCURS ACCIDENT
Brandon Marshall recently slipped and fell through a television at his home and gashed his arm, according to NFL Network's Adam Schefter.

KEITH BROOKING UPDATE
Falcons linebacker Keith Brooking said he had arthroscopic knee surgery in January to repair damage that he said he should have had fixed during the Falcons' 2007 season. Brooking, a 10-year veteran of the Falcons and the NFL, enters offseason workouts Monday as one of the few remaining players from the 2004 team that played in the NFC championship game.

KICKER CAROUSEL IN DENVER
While the Denver Post suggests that the Broncos front office will talk with free agent kickers Olindo Mare and John Carney, the team will give the first crack at replacing Jason Elam to Matt Prater, who was undrafted out of Central Florida in 2006. "Those are huge shoes to fill. I'll try not to compare myself to him," Prater said. "I'll have to keep that out of my mind. I don't think anybody can fill his shoes. But I'll be me and do the best I can."

PARCELLS COMMENTS ON FORST PICK
This is the third time Parcells has walked into a job and inherited the first pick in the draft. “I'm not sure anybody is interested in the pick," Parcells said. "The economics of the pick are a little more devastating if it doesn't work out. You have to have some willing partners of the trade-down thing. We're in position where we are assuming we are going to make the pick.”

Steelers Cut WR Cedrick Wilson

2008-03-22T13:29:00.000-07:00

The Pittsburgh Steelers have released wide receiver Cedrick Wilson, according to the Sports Network. Wilson signed with the Steelers as a free agent before the 2005 season after spending his first four seasons in the NFL with San Francisco. In three campaigns with Pittsburgh, he totaled 81 receptions for 1,162 yards and two touchdowns.

Derrick Harvey - HARVEY CREATES BUZZ

2008-03-22T13:28:00.000-07:00

Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey showed great burst in pass rush drills, and enough agility during his Pro Day, that scouts from teams utilizing the 3-4 alignment have already begun scheduling private workouts, according to Yahoo! Sports. While Harvey's burst makes him an intriguing fit as a 3-4 rush linebacker, his size, strength and long arms (82-inch wingspan) have most teams still viewing him as a better fit as a traditional 4-3 defensive end.

DAN CONNOR Penn State LB PRO DAY UPDATE

2008-03-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

Penn State LB Dan Connor indeed was timed in around 4.7 seconds for the 40 at the school's on-campus workout earlier this week. Connor had once been considered one of the top two LBs in the 2008 draft and a likely top 15-20 pick but his stock has slipped of late and that time in the 40 isn't likely to help. At the same time, though, Connor was quicker in some of the other drills; in fact, his time in the three-cone drill (6.78) would have been the third fastest among OLBs at the combine, while his time in the short shuttle (4.25) would have been in the top 10 for OLBs.

NFL DRAFT BIBLE DAILY DOSE 3/22

2008-03-22T04:56:00.000-07:00

KENTWAN BALMER INJURY UPDATE
North Carolina DT Kentwan Balmer is fully recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered at the Senior Bowl. NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports Balmer will take part in the Tar Heels' Pro Day on April 1. Balmer reportedly has private workouts/visits scheduled with the Eagles, Cowboys, Vikings, and Jets.

COLSTON UDERGOES SURGERY
Marques Colston recently had arthroscopic surgery on the left knee that bothered him throughout last season, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Colston is also rehabbing from a wrist injury he suffered in the final game of the 2007 season, but expects to be full speed in his training by next month. "Unfortunately I'm a vet to the surgeries, so I know exactly what it takes. I've just got to be patient with it," said Colston, who has kept up his conditioning on the stationary bike, among other methods. "I had a lot of irritation going on in there throughout the season. Now's the time to clean it up and get healthy."

MIKE WILLIAMS UPDATE
Mike Williams has been instructed by Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher to be at a certain weight or risk being released, according to the Nashville City Paper. Williams, a former first-round pick of the Detroit Lions, was signed by the Titans in November after being released by Oakland. Speculation was that Williams' weight was more than 260 pounds at the time of his signing. The Titans are believed to want Williams in the 235 to 240 range.

ALBERT TO SKIP WORKOUTS
Albert Haynesworth hasn't yet made up his mind as to whether he will report to Baptist Sports Park on Monday with his teammates for the beginning of the Tennessee Titans' off-season conditioning program, according to the Nashville City Paper. Off-season work is not mandatory, except for organized team activities (OTAs), but players are strongly encouraged to attend. Franchised players are not required to participate in OTAs and often use not reporting in the off-season as leverage in negotiations.

PAUL POSLUSZNY UPDATEE
The most eagerly anticipated new face in the Buffalo Bills defense in 2008 is linebacker Paul Posluszny, according to Pro Football Weekly. Posluszny, who broke his forearm in Week 3 last season, has been an active presence around the team facilities throughout the season, unlike many injured players who slink into the background. His hard-nosed style fits in well with the Bills' mantra, and his heady play provides the team with what it believes will be the consummate defensive centerpiece.

NFL DRAFT BIBLE DAILY DOSE 3/21

2008-03-21T04:29:00.000-07:00

MARTIN RUCKER PRO DAY UPDATE
Daniel Mogollon reports University of Missouri TE Martin Rucker worked out at his school's Pro Day Thursday, March 20. Rucker ran a 4.71 40-yard dash, had a 37-inch vertical jump and a nine-foot, eight-inch broad jump. He said that he ran slower than he expected but his vertical was impressive. Rucker did not perform at the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine and his vertical jump of 37-inches would have placed him second. Scouts view the vertical jump as the most important drill for tight ends because it measures explosiveness.

HARVEY CREATES BUZZ
Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey showed great burst in pass rush drills, and enough agility during his Pro Day, that scouts from teams utilizing the 3-4 alignment have already begun scheduling private workouts, according to Yahoo! Sports. While Harvey's burst makes him an intriguing fit as a 3-4 rush linebacker, his size, strength and long arms (82-inch wingspan) have most teams still viewing him as a better fit as a traditional 4-3 defensive end.

DAN CONNOR PRO DAY UPDATE
Penn State LB Dan Connor indeed was timed in around 4.7 seconds for the 40 at the school's on-campus workout earlier this week. Connor had once been considered one of the top two LBs in the 2008 draft and a likely top 15-20 pick but his stock has slipped of late and that time in the 40 isn't likely to help. At the same time, though, Connor was quicker in some of the other drills; in fact, his time in the three-cone drill (6.78) would have been the third fastest among OLBs at the combine, while his time in the short shuttle (4.25) would have been in the top 10 for OLBs.

JORDON DIZON PRO DAY UPDATE
University of Colorado LB Jordon Dizon worked out at his school's Pro Day Wednesday, March 19. Dizon ran a 4.63 40-yard dash, had a 34 1/2-inch vertical jump, a 4.51-second short shuttle, a 6.78-second cone drill and completed 12 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press. He measured in at 6-foot and 225 pounds.

QUINN GRAY TOUR CONTINUES
Quinn Gray will visit with the Houston Texans this weekend, according to Pro Football Talk. Gray has also visited with Oakland and Green Bay recently, but wasn't offered a deal by either club.

49ERS QB UPDATE
San Francisco coach Mike Nolan made it clear earlier this week that there will be an open competition for the team's starting quarterback position in training camp and the preseason between Alex Smith and Shaun Hill, according to NFL.com. "I have no favorites, I have no favorites at all," Nolan said. "You want to get the best one out there, because the players are looking. You're a football team, it's about winning. And your football team performs better when they know that jobs are won or lost on the field. That's where this will happen."

STEELERS CUT WIDE OUT
The Pittsburgh Steelers have released wide receiver Cedrick Wilson, according to the Sports Network. Wilson signed with the Steelers as a free agent before the 2005 season after spending his first four seasons in the NFL with San Francisco. In three campaigns with Pittsburgh, he totaled 81 receptions for 1,162 yards and two touchdowns.

DAVIS DRAWS PRAISE
Vernon Davis has gained praise from Coach Nolan, according to the SF Chronicle. Nolan was asked about Davis' route running skils and replied, "He's a wild horse kind of player rather than a polished tight end. Davis still has a lot to learn, but is better after the catch than Gates and Gonzalez. In terms of blocking, Davis is better than the other two could ever dream of being."

GROSS AGREES TO TERMS
Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Jordan Gross, the team’s franchise player for 2008, has accepted his one-year tender. As a result, Gross will earn a fully-guaranteed, one-year salary of $7.455 million.

PATS TRY AND FILL NEED
The New England Patriots have begun the process of rebuilding a secondary depleted by free agency by signing free agent cornerback Fernando Bryant.

REPORT: PACMAN A COWBOY
According to RotoTimes sources, Pacman Jones and the Cowboys have agreed to terms on a deal that would allow the talented defensive back/special teamer to play in Dallas this season.

VIKINGS SIGN BOULWARE
The Minnesota Vikings and safety Michael Boulware have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, according to Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "This team has a lot of potential and is headed in the right direction," Boulware said. "So I'm definitely happy to be a part of it." The Vikings also added defensive tackle Kendrick Allen.

PANTHERS INK VET
The Carolina Panthers have signed safety Terrence Holt to an undisclosed contract, according to the Rock Hill Herald.

ELAM AS GOOD AS GONE
Free-agent kicker Jason Elam is expected to negotiate contract terms with the Atlanta Falcons today, according to the Denver Post.

MORE TROUBLE FOR THE DEFUNCT AAFL
The Detroit News reports that Ford Field is suing the All American Football League for nearly $1 million for canceling games after it had committed to playing in the stadium. Stan Edwards, a former University of Michigan and NFL player and the father of Cleveland Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards, had signed on as president of Team Michigan.

NFL DRAFT BIBLE DAILY DOSE 3/19/08

2008-03-19T04:01:00.000-07:00

RYAN WORKS OUT
The Associated Press reports Boston College QB Matt Ryan worked out at his school's Pro Day Tuesday, March 18. Ryan threw 52 passes, completing 48 of them, with three drops and one that was overthrown. He did not run, instead keeping his numbers from the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine.

GREEN STILL TOO SLOW
NFL Network's Mike Mayock reports free agent William Green showed up to the Boston College Pro Day in "great shape," but ran a 4.85 forty. He did 25 bench press reps of 225 and had a 42” vertical jump.

GATOR STATES CASE AS TOP WIDE OUT
University of Florida WR Andre Caldwell worked out at his school's Pro Day Tuesday, March 18. Caldwell had a 36 1/2-inch vertical jump and completed 18 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press. He measured in at 6-foot 1/4 and 205 pounds.

MORE ON DORSEY INJURY MYSTERY
NFL.com's Adam Schefter reports LSU DT Glenn Dorsey has not undergone knee surgery this offseason. Dorsey has reportedly been seen running in preparation for LSU’s Pro Day March 26.

SYRACUSE SAFETY TURNS HEADS
Christopher Mogollon, of the NFL Draft Bible, reports University of Syracuse SS Dowayne Davis worked out at his school's Pro Day Tuesday, March 18, according to his agent. Davis ran a 4.40 40-yard dash, a 4.41-second 20-yard shuttle, a 6.80-second three-cone drill, had a 34-inch vertical jump, a nine-foot, 11-inch broad jump and completed 21 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press.

STEELERS INK CENTER
Steelers signed C Justin Hartwig to a two-year, $4 million contract. NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports Hartwig got $975,000 to sign.

HALL OFFICIALLY A RAIDER
DeAngelo Hall has agreed to terms on a seven-year, $70 million deal that will confirm his trade from Atlanta to Oakland, according to ESPN.com.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: AHMAD CARROLL
Former Packers first-round pick Ahmad Carroll is currently playing for the Arena League's Orlando Predators.

VINCENT’S RUN IS DONE
Troy Vincent's term as President of the NFLPA has expired.Impact: Vincent has been out of the league since 2006, so he likely wouldn't be eligible for another term. Titans C Kevin Mawae is in line to replace him. Vincent could eventually succeed NFLPA Director Gene Upshaw.

UNFORTUNATE DEATH IN C. FLORIDA
A spokesman for the University of Central Florida says a football player has died after participating in offseason conditioning drills on campus. Ereck Plancher, a freshman wide receiver from Naples, Fla., was pronounced dead shortly before noon Tuesday at a hospital, says school spokesman Joe Hornstein. Hornstein says Plancher apparently took a knee during conditioning at the school in Orlando, Fla. He became unresponsive and was taken by ambulance to the hospital, Hornstein said.

JJ PESAVENTO PRO DAY UPDATES

McNEESE STATE
BRYAN SMITH, LB
240
40-4.51 (L)-4.70 (H) (In windy conditions)
Vertical-36.5
Broad Jump-9'9"
3 cone-7.20
Short Shuttle-4.31

MONTANA
CODY BALOGH, OL
6062
304
40: 5.12 / 5.15
Vertical-27.5 "
Broad Jump--8.0"
Bench--24 reps

KROY BIERMAN, LB
6027
245
40-4.65
Verical-35.5
3 cone-6.8

AIR FORCE
JOHN RABOLD, LB
6027
241
40-4.63 & 4.64
10 yd-1.62
Verical-35.5"
Broad Jump-10' 0"
3 Cone-6.87
Short Shuttle-4.07
Long Shuttle-11.67
Bench Press-23 reps

DREW FOWLER, LB
6010
237
40 – 4.75
Vertica; – 32 1/2
Bench – 23 reps
3-Cone – 6.96
Short shuttle – 4.15
Broad Jump – 9’3”

LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE
KOREY RAYMOND, DL
6033
298
40-5.28
Vertical-29.5 VJ
Broad Jump-8' 61/2"
Bench-25 reps

LAMAR MORGAN, DB
6010
217
40-4.53
Vertical-35.5
Long Shuttle-11.51
3 Cone- 7.1
Broad Jump: 10'6.5"
Bench: (did not do because of wrist injury)

EASTERN WASHINGTON
MATT ALFRED, OL
6023
309
40-4.55 4.48
Vert:ical-26"
Broad Jump-8"6"
Bench: 22 reps

ROCKY HANNI, OL
Height: 6051
299
40: didn't run
Vertical- 27"
Broad Jump: 8"3"
Bench: 21 reps

BRYAN JARRETT, DB
Height: 5'111
208
40-4.58
Vert:ical-34"
Broad Jump-9"8"
Bench: 22 reps

WESTERN MICHIGAN
SHANE SIMMONS, LB
6020
239
40: 4.58
VertIcal-33.5 "
Broad Jump-9'10"
Bench: DNP

DAREN HEERSPINK, OL, Portland State
6065
310
40: 4.53
Vertical 27"
Broad Jump-8"2"
Bench: 22 reps

EDDIE PINIGIS, OL, Liberty
6067
302
11' hand
35' arm
40-4.91 / 4.99
Vertical-30
Broad Jump-8'2
Bench-25 reps

CLINT WRIGHT, TE, Northern Colorado
6046
264
40-4.82 / 4.86
Broad Jump-9'6
Vertical -30'
Bench 24 reps
Short Shuttle-4.59
3 cone--6.59

DOMINIC BREAZEALE, QB, Northern Colorado
6065
262
40-4.94
Vertical-30
Broad Jump--8'1 broad
Short Shuttle-4.65
3 cone--6.75
Bench-17 reps

Derrick Huff, CB, Eastern Kentucky has a workout scheduled with the Cincinnati Bengals on April 15th.

NFL DRAFT BIBLE DAILY DOSE 3/18

2008-03-18T02:53:00.000-07:00

GLENN DORSEY MYSTERY
The Jacksonville Jaguars website claims there's reported "suspicion" among NFL people that LSU DT Glenn Dorsey underwent knee surgery recently. LSU holds its Pro Day March 26th.

DENNIS DIXON UPDATE
University of Oregon QB Dennis Dixon (knee) did not work out at his school's Pro Day Thursday, March 13. Dixon is still recovering from knee surgery. He plans to work out Thursday, April 3. Dixon measured in at 6-foot-3 1/4 and 195 pounds.

JAKE DELHOMME UPDATE
Word is that Jake Delhomme's recovery from Tommy John surgery is proceeding very well, according to the Charlotte Observer. He's expected to be ready for training camp, but clearly the status of his elbow will need to be watched closely heading towards next season.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: WILLIE GREEN
Former Browns RB William Green says he's got his life back together and wants another chance in the NFL. He says he's quit smoking marijuana and is down to 215 pounds. Green, 28, was out of the league the past two years. He'll work out at his alma mater Boston College's Pro Day Tuesday.

DJ HACKETT FINDS A HOME
The Panthers and D.J. Hackett have agreed to a two-year, $3.5 million contract, according to the Charlotte Observer.

49ERS ADD WIDE OUT
Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports the San Francisco 49ers signed free-agent WR Bryant Johnson (Cardinals) to a one-year deal worth $2 million Monday, March 17.

ROBERT MEACHEM UPDATE
Robert Meachem has been medically cleared to participate in the Saints' off-season training program, according to the New Orleans Times Picayune. Payton stated, "Medically, he's been cleared. I've been encouraged with the feedback I've gotten with the way he's running. I think any lingering effects from his knee from a year ago have all but disappeared. That's encouraging. I think the biggest thing for Robert a year ago was just being held back, not being 100 percent. He's cleared and full speed ahead."

DENVER DEALS OL TO TEXANS
The Texans picked up Chris Myers from the Broncos in a sign-and-trade deal on Monday, according to the Rocky Mountain News. The Broncos will get a sixth-round draft pick, while Myers' new contract is for four years and $11 million.

JJ PESAVENTO’S PRO DAY REPORT

GREYSON GUNHEIM, WASHINGTON
6054
268
Vertical -36"
Broad Jump-10' 3.5"
40-4.58 to 4.72
Short Shuttle-4.43
Long Shuttle-11.72
3-cone-6.76
Bench-28 reps
Drawing interest from the Chargers, Raiders, 49ers, Jaguars and Falcons.

RANDELL MEANS, HOWARD (Means worked out at both the Howard and Hampton Pro Days)
5077
192
40-4.46 (Hampton)--4.50 (Howard)
20-2,66 (Howard)
10-1.57 (Howard)
Vertical- 34 (Howard) & 35 (Hampton)
Short Shuttle--4.43 (Howard) &4.36 (Hampton)
Long Shuttle-11.52 (Howard) & 11.30 (Hampton)
Broad Jump--9'4" (Howard) & 9'6" (Hampton)
3 Cone-7.08 (Howard) & 6.84 (Hampton)
Bench--22 reps (Howard), 21 reps (Hampton)
Arm-31 1/8
Hand-8.5

FRED AMANO, DL, SAN DIEGO STATE
6012
292
40-5.09 & 5.12
20-3.03 & 3.06
10-1.83 & 1.87
Vertical-28
Broad Jump-8'8"
3 Cone-7.48
Bench-31 reps
Arm-31
Hand-9 1/2

BRANDYN DOMBROWSKI, OL, SAN DIEGO STATE
6052
323
40-5.30 & 5.32
20-3.08 & 3.12
10-1.84 & 1.90
Vertical-25
Broad Jump-8'3"
3 Cone-7.75
Bench-30 reps
Arm-32 1/2
Hand-9

LANDON COHEN, DL, Ohio
40--4.95
Vertical Jump-27
Short Shuttle-4.64
Broad Jump-8'6"
3 Cone-7.55
Bench Reps-32 reps

JT MAPU, DL, Tennessee
6023
286
40--5.22
Vertical--28
Broad Jump-8’4
3-Cone--7.46
Bench: 23 reps

SETE AULAI, OL, BYU
6001
296
40-4.95
Vertical-29.5
Broad Jump-8’11
Short Shuttle-4.60
3-Cone-7.10
Bench--24 reps

KEN SUSSMAN, DT, Hofstra
6030
305
40-4.98
Vertical-29"
Short Shuttle-4.42
Broad Jump-8' 9"
Bench Press-30 Reps

BRENNEN CARVALHO, OL, Portland State
606
294
40-4.96/4.96
Vertical-31
Broad Jump-9’4
3 Cone-7.34
Short Shuttle-4.27
Bench-28 reps

NFL DRAFT BIBLE DAILY DOSE

2008-03-15T03:51:00.001-07:00

MERLING UNERGOES SURGERY
University of Clemson DL Phillip Merling (groin) recently underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia and will not be working out at his school's Pro Day Friday, March 14. Merling hopes to be recovered in time to work out for NFL scouts before the 2008 NFL Draft.

PROSPECT GRANTED ELIGIBILITY
Oregon State WR Sammie Stroughter was granted a medical redshirt and will be back with the Beavers next fall. Stroughter had been expected to be a top prospect for the 2008 draft after catching 74 passes for 1,300 yards in 2006, but played in only three games last fall after suffering a season-ending kidney injury. That was after Stroughter missed time dealing with what were described as undisclosed personal issues.

WARD REMAINS WITH BIG BLUE
The Giants have decided to keep Derrick Ward in the fold for next season by signing him to a one-year, $1 million contract, according to the New York Daily News. He could earn another million in incentives.

FRED-EX LOOKING FOR WORK
Former Eagles and Chiefs receiver Freddie Mitchell is still hopeful of returning to the NFL.Impact: Mitchell was at his alma mater UCLA's Pro Day Thursday to chat with scouts. "Success is situational," he said. "The right coach can take an average receiver and put him in the Pro Bowl."

BENGALS SIGN UTECHT TO OFFER-SHEET
Following an earlier report, TE Ben Utecht has signed an offer sheet with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals' offer would give Utecht a three-year agreement.

RAVENS ASSUME OGDEN NOT RETURNING
Jonathan Ogden said that the Ravens "know to proceed with their offseason plans as if I'm retiring," according to the Baltimore Sun. "I have not officially retired," Ogden told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "So if I come back, it's great, they said, but they're proceeding as if I'm not." Ogden has been dealing with a hyper

RAIDERS STRIKE AGAIN
Free agent defensive tackle Williams Joseph has signed a contract to join the Oakland Raiders, according to John Murphy of Yahoo! Sports. Terms of the agreement have yet to be disclosed.

KLECKO FLIES THE COUP
Dan Klecko, a former Colt and Patriot, has signed a one-year agreement with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to NFL.com.

BUCS ADD KEY COG
Safety Eugene Wilson has signed a one-year agreement to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to the St. Petersburg Times. Wilson will earn $1.8 million next season with $500,000 in guarantees.

RICK SERRITELLA'S TWO ROUND MOCK DRAFT

2008-03-05T07:53:00.000-08:00

An early look at who might go where in the 2008 NFL Draft with our first two-round mock draft of the year.

ROUND 1
1. Miami (1-15): QB Matt Ryan, Boston College
2. St. Louis (3-13): OT Jake Long, Michigan
3. Atlanta (4-12): DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU
4. Oakland (4-12): DE Chris Long, Virginia
5. Kansas City (4-12): OT Ryan Clady, Boise State
6. New York Jets (4-12): RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
7. New England (from San Francisco): CB Leodis McKelvin, Troy
8. Baltimore (5-11): DE Vernon Gholston, Ohio State
9. Cincinnati (7-9): DT Sedrick Ellis, USC
10. New Orleans (7-9): DT Pat Sims, Auburn
11. Buffalo (7-9): CB Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, Tennessee State
12. Denver (7-9): LB Keith Rivers, USC 
13. Carolina (7-9): RB Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois
14. Chicago (7-9): OT Chris Williams, Vanderbilt
15. Detroit (7-9): RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon
16. Arizona (8-8): FS Kenny Phillips, Miami
17. Minnesota (8-8): DE Phillip Merling, Clemson
18. Houston (8-8): CB Mike Jenkins, South Florida
19. Philadelphia (8-8): DE Derrick Harvey, Florida
20. Tampa Bay (9-7): OT Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh
21. Washington (9-7): LB Dan Connor, Penn State
22. Dallas (from Cleveland): RB Felix Jones, Arkansas
23. Pittsburgh (10-6): WR James Hardy, Indiana
24. Tennessee (10-6): CB Aqib Talib, Kansas
25. Seattle (10-6): DT Trevor Laws, Notre Dame
26. Jacksonville (11-5): LB Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma
27. San Diego (11-5): OG Brandon Albert, Virginia
28. Dallas (13-3): OT Carl Nicks, Nebraska
29. San Francisco (from Indianapolis): DE Lawrence Jackson, USC
30. Green Bay (13-3): OL O’neil Cousins, UTEP
31. New England (16-0): Pick Forfeited
32. New York Giants (10-6): FS DaJuan Morgan, North Carolina State

ROUND 2
33. Dolphins: OT Anthony Collins, Kansas
34. Rams: WR Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma
35. Raiders: CB Antoine Cason, UNLV
36. Chiefs: WR Early Doucet, LSU
37. Jets: CB Brandon Flowers, Virginia Tech
38. Falcons: TE Dustin Keller, Purdue
39. Ravens: QB Brian Brohm, Louisville
40. 49ers: OG Chili Rachal, USC
41. Saints: DT Dre Moore, Maryland
42. Bills: WR DeSean Jackson, California
43. Broncos: OT Gosder Cherilus, Boston College
44. Panthers: LB Tavares Gooden, Miami
45. Bears: QB Joe Flacco, Delaware
46. Lions: LB Jerod Mayo, Tennessee
47. Bengals: DE Calais Campbell, Miami
48. Vikings: LB Quentin Groves, Auburn
49. Falcons (from Texans): CB Tarcy Porter, Indiana
50. Eagles: WR Devin Thomas, Michigan State
51. Cardinals: RB Chris Johnson, East Carolina
52. Redskins: WR Andre Caldwell, Florida
53. Buccaneers: SS Tyrell Johnson, Arkansas State
54. Steelers: OT Duane Brown, Virginia Tech
55. Titans: WR Mario Manningham, Michigan
56. Seahawks: OT Sam Baker, USC
57. Packers (from Browns): RB Jamaal Charles, Texas
58. Dolphins (from Chargers): LB Spencer Larson, Arizona
59. Jaguars: DT Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina
60. Colts: DT Red Bryant, Texas A&M
61. Packers: CB Justin King, Penn State
62. Cowboys: LB Erin Henderson, Maryland
63. Patriots: OG Roy Schuening, Oregon State
64. Giants: LB Xavier Adibi, Virginia Tech

NFL Draft Bible Football Friday Podcast

2008-01-31T19:10:00.000-08:00

The NFL Draft Bible's Football Friday Podcast crew Welcome in Zennie Abraham and Mike Ingram Live from Arizona with our Superbowl XLII(42) Preview Show. We will get you up to speed on all the Football news this week plus other special guests. Besides podcasting LIVE on Blog Talk Radio, the show is now available on iTunes as well.
We air Live at 6:30 EST every Friday...

Whats On This Week at the NFL Draft Bible

2008-01-16T19:01:00.001-08:00

> NEW PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
> INTERVIEWS
>
> Log Onto www.nfldraftbible.com To Listen To Interviews Of Upcoming Draft
> Prospects:
>
> -- Texas DT Frank Okam
> -- Georgia Tech G Nate McManus
> -- Oklahoma CB Marcus Walker
>
> Coming Soon: Senior Bowl Preview With Vanderbilt T Chris Williams
>
> Also Be Sure To Check Out New Shows At The NFL Draft Bible Powered By All
> Access Football:
>
> -- The Legal Line: Hosted By Scott Daniels
> Episode#2 Posted Now
>
> -- From The Press Box: Hosted By Dr. Bill Chachkes
> Coming Soon: Interview With Fox Sports College Football Analyst Richard
> Cirmeniello
>
> *REMINDER*
> The NFL Draft Bible's Football Friday Podcast Is Now LIVE every Friday From
> 6:30-8pm EST
> Listen Live At: www.blogtalkradio.com/nfldraftbible
>
> Join The Live Chat Room Or CALL IN: 1-646-200-0236
>
> *Pre-Order Your Copy Of The 2008 NFL Draft Bible Publication Now
> &
> Receive A FREE Subscription To Draft Digest Weekly (16 Issues), In addition
> To A FREE Instant Download Copy Of Our 2007 Edition.
>

NFL DRAFT BIBLE moves Football Friday Podcast to Blogtalkradio.com

2007-12-27T07:44:00.000-08:00

Well we have just outdone it this time. We will begin "live streaming"
our weekly shows in just a little over two weeks!

Our Page is www.blogtalkradio.com/nfldraftbible

Karl Dorrell Fired Despite 43-27 Record - Would They Keep Him If He Were White?

2007-12-03T13:27:00.000-08:00

Karl Dorrell took the UCLA program from the dumps to competitveness. Yet even with a 43-27 record, he was fired. While DeWayne Walker -- who's also African American -- will serve as the interim head coach, the question must be asked, would Dorrell be given a better chance to finish his work? He's gotten UCLA into a bowl game each of his five years. Let's se the next coach top that.

But given the fact that Charlie Weis is still around, one has to ask if there's a double standard between treatment of Black and White head coaches in college and pro football?

UCLA fires Dorrell after 6-6 season

ESPN.com news services
Updated: December 3, 2007, 4:23 PM ET

LOS ANGELES -- UCLA coach Karl Dorrell was fired Monday, a day after the Bruins accepted a bowl bid and two days after a loss to cross-town rival USC.

Dorrell was let go despite leading the Bruins to a postseason game in each of his five seasons at UCLA, which had an outside chance to reach the Rose Bowl before its loss to USC.

The 43-year-old Dorrell had a 43-27 record. The Bruins (6-6) will play BYU (10-2) in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 22, with defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker to serve as interim coach.

Dorrell's buyout will pay him just over $2 million. He was under contract through 2011.

"This was a very difficult decision for me," UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero said in a statement. "Karl has represented this program with dignity and class. He is a true Bruin and I respect what he has accomplished in his five years as our head coach, particularly off the field. But, at the end of the day, the focus has to be on results and I felt that a change was in the best interest for the future of our program."

Dorrell's firing leaves five black coaches at 119 major college coaches.

Talk of Dorrell's ouster has been building all year, which included early season losses to to Utah and to a then-winless Notre Dame. If the Bruins had made it to the Rose Bowl, it would have been the first time a team with five losses had played in Pasadena in the "grandaddy of them all."

Expectations were high for Dorrell's 2007 team. They were ranked in the top 25 of almost every preseason poll. They were up to No. 11 in The Associated Press poll before losing 44-6 by Utah on Sept. 15. Then they lost to Notre Dame. The Bruins went on to lose three Pacific-10 Conference games.

His best season was 2005, when he led UCLA to a 10-2 record, with one of the losses a 66-19 pounding by USC.

"I want to thank Dan Guerrero for the opportunity to coach at my alma mater," Dorrell said in a statement. "I know that the program is in much better shape than when I inherited it and I believe that it is ready to flourish."

Information from ESPN's Joe Schad and The Associated Press was used in this report.

The Coaching Carousel Around College Football

2007-11-27T17:03:00.000-08:00

Days after Saturday's festivities ended, heads began to spin on the sidelines at many Universities.

Texas A & M head coach Dennis Franchione resigned and Houston Texans assistant Mike Sherman took over the reigns in College Station.

Veteran head coach Lloyd Carr resigned as head coach at the University of Michigan after 13 successful years.

University of Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt resigned days after the team's monumental win against top ranked LSU and will be named the new head coach at Ole Miss.

Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan and all of his assistants were fired after four disappointing seasons.

Duke fired head coach Ted Roof after compiling a 6-45 record.

Georgia Tech fired Chan Gailey after sustaining six consecutive losses to in state rival Georgia.

Southern Mississippi head coach Jeff Bower will resign December 22nd after 17 seasons.

Northern Illinois head coach Joe Novak retired after guiding the Huskies to a 2-10 record. Novak spent 16 years at the school.

Washington State head coach Bill Doba has announced that he's stepping down.

Colorado State head coach Sonny Lubick will not return next season with the Rams.

University of Mississippi head coach Ed Orgeron was fired Saturday and Houston Nutt will be named the new sideline master at a news conference tomorrow.

Ole Miss hires former Arkansas coach Houston Nutt

2007-11-27T17:00:00.000-08:00

Why leave a stable job at the University of Arkansas to accept a volatile and difficult position at Ole Miss? Are there certain qualities that Nutt possesses that will enable his team to resurrect their woeful play over the last several seasons.

By CHRIS TALBOTT, Associated Press Writer
November 27, 2007

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) -- One day, Houston Nutt was leaving Arkansas. The next, he was heading to Mississippi.

Ole Miss will introduce Nutt as its new coach Wednesday, ending a whirlwind hiring that began when he resigned at Arkansas on Monday and agreed to become the Rebels' coach about four hours later.

Mississippi was without a coach for less than three days. Ed Orgeron was fired on Saturday after three losing seasons.

Rebels athletic director Pete Boone said Tuesday he contacted Nutt on Sunday after hearing a rumor the coach would be resigning. Nutt didn't really want to talk then "because he had a job," Boone said. That soon changed.

"This all happened overnight with me," Boone said.
Nutt agreed to a contract Monday night, a four-year deal that will pay him $1.7 million to start and increase by $100,000 each year. He has an option for three more seasons as well, with the opportunity to earn more money with incentives.

"I think we were thorough in our discussions and covered all the things we needed to cover, but I felt like let's get this thing done," Boone said.

Nutt will be introduced at a news conference on campus in Oxford, ending a frenetic 48 hours for the school and its new coach.

"It's human nature not to like change, but I think in this case, change is going to be a good thing," fullback Jason Cook said. "Especially as a player, you get excited when a guy gets hired like coach Nutt. He's more than proven in the SEC and proven as a coach that he can take talent and work with it. We're very excited."

Nutt led Arkansas to an 8-4 record and a likely Cotton Bowl berth while the Rebels stumbled to a 3-9 finish under Orgeron and were winless in the SEC for the first time since 1982.

Ole Miss was searching for a proven winner after years of mediocrity. Nutt neatly fits the description.

He is 111-70 in 15 years as a head coach at Arkansas, Boise State and Murray State, and he's been a winner in the SEC. The Little Rock, Ark., native revived the Arkansas program, going 75-48 since he replaced Danny Ford in 1997. Nutt was 42-38 in conference with one of his biggest wins coming last week when the Razorbacks beat then-No. 1 LSU 50-48 in triple overtime.

While the Razorbacks head into the postseason, Nutt will be going to the homes of recruits attempting to hold together the promising class Orgeron was assembling.

The 50-year-old Nutt said Monday he left Arkansas to help mend a split among fans after off-the-field problems were compounded by a difficult season. The Razorbacks started the year ranked and were expected to contend for the SEC West title.

Arkansas lost its first three SEC games and dropped out of the poll in September, fueling fan discontent over last year's transfer of quarterback Mitch Mustain and the loss of offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, who left for Tulsa.

Calls to Nutt's agent, Jimmy Sexton, were not immediately returned.

Arkansas officials said they would not comment until after Wednesday's formal announcement.

Nutt takes over a program that's won four or fewer games a season since 2003's 10-win effort under David Cutcliffe. The Rebels won a share of the SEC West that season with Eli Manning at quarterback.

Since the Rebels are 14-32. Boone fired Cutcliffe in 2004 for not recruiting well enough. He had hoped Orgeron, who helped build two national title teams at Southern California as Pete Carroll's recruiting coordinator, would bring the kind of energy needed to compete in the tough SEC.

Orgeron finished 10-25 and was routinely the target of fan discontent.

Boone and Chancellor Robert Khayat endorsed Orgeron midway through the season, but decided to go in a new direction after the Rebels lost five of six to end the year.

The Rebels have been looking for a coach who can produce championships since Johnny Vaught retired in 1970. Vaught won three national titles and six SEC championships between 1947-63.

The school has fired six of the eight coaches who have come since and a seventh, Steve Sloan, likely would have been fired after five losing seasons had he not left for Duke.

The last three coaches have been assistants in their first job as leading man. Orgeron, Cutcliffe and Tommy Tuberville went 73-69 over the last 13 years.

Only Tuberville left on his own, taking the job at Auburn in 1998.

Embattled Nutt out as Arkansas coach, leaves team to Herring

2007-11-27T16:56:00.000-08:00

By NOAH TRISTER, AP Sports Writer
November 26, 2007

The sudden departure of Nutt appears unjustified and several more qualms have been left unanswered.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) -- Embattled Arkansas coach Houston Nutt resigned Monday, giving up his job three days after directing the Razorbacks to a victory over top-ranked LSU. Defensive coordinator Reggie Herring will coach the team in its bowl game.

Nutt, 50, said he was hopeful his departure would unify the state, which had been torn with turmoil surrounding the football program.

"Deep, deep down in my heart as an Arkansan, as a person that loves the Razorbacks so much, (I wanted) for the state to come together as one," Nutt said. "At this time, I didn't think we could have one heartbeat."

Rumors of Nutt's departure surrounded the program after the loss last winter of key recruits and a popular assistant coach. Trouble mounted for the coach after the Razorbacks lost their first three Southeastern Conference games after a turmoil-filled offseason.

Arkansas did rebound to finish the regular season 8-4 and knocked LSU out of the nation's No. 1 spot with a 50-48, triple-overtime victory over the Tigers on Friday.
Two weeks ago, the university strongly denied reports that this would be Nutt's last season as Arkansas' coach. On Sunday, Nutt said Chancellor John White and outgoing athletic director Frank Broyles wanted him to return, but he said more talks with the university were forthcoming.

"Houston's decision to resign was neither forced, or encouraged, or requested," White said.

White said Nutt's contract gave the coach a set of "golden handcuffs" under which Nutt would have to pay the university if he takes another coaching job while also forfeiting a significant amount of money. White said he told Nutt he would ask the Razorback Foundation to free Nutt of the obligations.

"Whether or not he remained coach of the Razorbacks was up to him," White said.

Arkansas began this season in the Top 25 but fell out in September. The Razorbacks ended up 4-4 in league play.

Nutt went 75-48 at Arkansas since being hired in December 1997 to replace Danny Ford. Only Broyles (144) has won more games with the Razorbacks. Nutt took the Hogs to two Southeastern Conference title games, losing each time. He went 42-38 in SEC regular-season games and went to bowls during Nutt's first six seasons.

"I'm going to remember the good times," Broyles said.

A year ago at this time, Arkansas was preparing to play for the SEC title, which the school has never won. In fact, the Razorbacks started 10-1 in 2006 before losing to LSU, to Florida for the conference championship and to Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl.

Nutt's status was never the same afterward. In January, offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn left to join the staff at Tulsa, lending credence to speculation not everyone was on the same page. A short while later quarterback Mitch Mustain transferred.

As the team struggled this year, planes were spotted at games towing anti-Nutt banners.

"It's sad that it had to end like this," star running back and Heisman Trophy hopeful Darren McFadden said. "Coach Nutt, I love playing for him. He's a great coach."

Herring, in his third season as Arkansas' defensive coordinator, will take over for the time being.

"Although it is extremely difficult to see coach Nutt leave, I am honored and welcome the challenge of leading the Razorback football team and working with the other coaches on our staff as we prepare our team for a bowl game and as we continue to recruit," Herring said in a statement.

Athletic director-designate Jeff Long, who replaces Broyles on Jan. 1, will direct the search for Nutt's replacement.

Despite the announcement, the mood Monday was upbeat. Arkansas is still basking in the glow of last week's win. Nutt's name also figures to be mentioned in connection with other openings. His overall record as a college coach is 111-70, including four years at Murray State and one at Boise State for one before taking over at Arkansas.

Nutt went to Central High School in Little Rock. He played quarterback at Arkansas before transferring to Oklahoma State following the 1977 season.

"My dream job. I thought I'd be here for a long, long time," Nutt said of coaching Arkansas. "Sometimes things change and you have to make a hard decision."

Beating Duke and Stanford Save Notre Dame and Weis Already Bad Year

2007-11-27T05:39:00.000-08:00

People are still calling for Weis to be fired after the worst year in Notre Dame history.

Irish just said 'no' to losing

Last two games allowed Notre Dame to kick the losing habit.

BOB WIENEKE
South Bend Tribune Staff Writer

As Terrail Lambert sat in the Guglielmino Athletics Complex early last week, the possibility of a letdown against Stanford was posed, considering the Irish were coming off a victory over Duke.

The cornerback metabolized his ideas before offering a thoughtful response.

"As humans, it's said that we're the only creatures that are never satisfied in terms of hunger and desire," Lambert said. "It's almost like a drug. You get that win and you want to get it again."

The problem with the 2007 Notre Dame football team, as Irish fans and the college football world know, was that it made a habit of losing.

It lost in blowout fashion. It lost close games. It lost to teams to which it was expected to lose. It lost to teams it was supposed to beat.

It lost nine times, the most of any Notre Dame team in the history of the program. Further perspective? Jesse Harper lost a total of five times in five seasons, Knute Rockne 12 times in 13 years, Elmer Layden 13 times in seven years, Frank Leahy 11 times in 11 seasons and Ara Parseghian 17 times in his 11-year run.

Losses to Michigan and USC, the lofty measuring sticks on the schedule, were 38-point identical twins. Boston College beat the Irish by 13 points. Michigan State whacked the Irish. Same for Penn State. Purdue, a team easily handled during the first two years of the Weis Era, was two touchdowns better than the Irish. At the beginning, Georgia Tech had set the table for the losing ways.

And when November rolled in, the month Notre Dame was supposed to salvage a lost season and make the final record look un-horrible, the seeds of losing had been sown.

Certainly this wouldn't be the team to lose to Navy, would it? It was, and once that happened, a loss to Air Force seemed inevitable. And admit it, you weren't completely convinced about a win over Duke in the days leading up to the game, were you?

Why? Because by then this team looked like it had learned how to lose. Coaching decisions -- in-game and philosophical -- were partly to blame. An unsteady line crippled what the offense could do, and its failures seeped over to the defense in terms of time of possession and turnovers. By mid-November, this was a bad football team -- one that looked nothing like the 2005 and '06 teams that stomped the patsies on the schedule; and one that, when things were going good, it rolled.

Lambert was a member of both of those Irish teams, and he knows how the wins fed off themselves.

"You want it in larger doses after time because it's something you get accustomed to," Lambert said. "We're all creatures of habit."

Two springs ago, the motivational slogan was that the 2005 record of 9-3 was not good enough, implying that one loss a month would not cut it.

That habit looks a lot better than one win a month.

Nebraska fires Callahan after 5-7 season-The Tumultous Road Comes To A Rocky End

2007-11-24T10:01:00.000-08:00

By ERIC OLSON, AP Sports Writer
November 24, 2007

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Bill Callahan was fired as Nebraska's coach Saturday, his four-year stay marked by the most embarrassing losses at a football program once among the mightiest in the nation.

Interim athletic director and Nebraska great Tom Osborne announced the dismissal one day after the Cornhuskers ended the season at 5-7 following a 65-51 loss at Colorado. They squandered an 11-point halftime lead by allowing 34 consecutive points.

"As a former coach this is a role I really don't like," Osborne said at a news conference. "I hate to sit in judgment of other people. I never envisioned being in a situation where I would have to make a decision on somebody's employment opportunity, but that's the nature of this business."

Osborne met with Callahan for five minutes Saturday, and Callahan left the football complex without speaking to reporters. After Friday's game, he said he enjoyed his time at Nebraska. "I have no regrets," he said.

Osborne said he told Callahan at the end of October there would be a coaching change if Nebraska finished with a losing record. LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini and Buffalo coach Turner Gill are the names mentioned most often to fill one of college football's glamour jobs.
Nebraska's dismal season followed one in which it reached the Big 12 championship game. This year also featured a 76-39 defeat at Kansas, the most points allowed by a Nebraska team.

Osborne's decision came one month and a day after Callahan said, "I have done an excellent job in every area." Osborne apparently thought otherwise after only the second losing season at Nebraska since 1962, both coming on Callahan's watch.

It will cost the university more than $3.1 million to buy out Callahan's contract, which was to run through the 2011 season. The contract was signed in September before a series of the most lopsided losses in decades and the firing of athletic director Steve Pederson, who hired Callahan.

Osborne said he had not yet spoken with any coaching candidates.

"The next few days I'll try to talk to four or five people," he said. "I would like to move it along as fast as I can because recruiting is really critical at this time."

Pelini was Nebraska's defensive coordinator in 2003 and was popular among fans, who chanted "We want Bo" after he led the Huskers to an Alamo Bowl win over Michigan State as interim head coach following the firing of Frank Solich.

Gill, a longtime assistant under Osborne and Solich, was the Huskers' quarterback in the early 1980s and a Heisman Trophy runner-up in 1983.

Callahan came nowhere near meeting the high standards for Nebraska football established by Osborne, who won 255 games and three national championships in 25 seasons before retiring after the 1997 season.

When the Huskers were 4-4, Osborne said, he told Callahan that if the team finished 8-4, there would be no coaching change and that if he won three of the last four games "we can maybe make it work."
"If it's two out of four, it's going to be pretty tough because now you're break even, and we haven't had many break-even seasons around here," Osborne said he told Callahan. "And if we have a losing season, there isn't any way this will work. The parameters were pretty clearly spelled out."

The Huskers struggled as their defense posted some of the nation's worst statistics and their offense fell flat in the biggest games, leading to a five-game losing streak.

Callahan's four-year record was 27-22, with three of those wins coming against opponents in the division formerly known as I-AA. He was 15-18 against the Big 12, 0-7 against top 10 opponents and 3-10 against the Top 25. He was 0-17 in games in which the Huskers trailed at halftime.

Callahan was widely acclaimed for his recruiting, and each of his classes was ranked high by analysts. But many of those players never delivered, and Callahan's ability to develop talent was questioned.

The Huskers won their first two games this season, but a 49-31 home loss to Southern California proved ominous, as did an embarrassingly close 41-40 home win over Ball State in which the Huskers were clearly outplayed.

"The USC game took a lot out of people," safety Ben Eisenhart said. "People put a lot into that game, everybody was excited to play and it didn't come out like we thought it would. Then we come out against Ball State the following week and it's 41-40. It's like we got knocked off track, and it was really hard for us to get back on track."

A win over Iowa State in the Big 12 opener was followed by losses of 41-6 to Missouri, 45-14 to Oklahoma State, 36-14 to Texas A&M, 28-25 to Texas and, worst of all, a 76-39 defeat at Kansas.

Also on Callahan's tab was the 70-10 loss at Texas Tech in 2004, the most one-sided defeat in the program's 118-year history.

Callahan came in with much bluster, saying he would "flip the culture." That meant dumping the triple-option offense employed by Osborne and Solich and installing the West Coast offense.

His 2004 team went 5-6, ending an NCAA-record 35-year bowl streak. The streak was a point of pride to Husker fans, and many were infuriated when Callahan downplayed the significance.

"It's one game today, it's one season," he said then. "I never look back."

That comment came two weeks after Callahan insulted Oklahoma fans after a 30-3 Nebraska loss by using an expletive while calling them hillbillies. In 2005, the Big 12 reprimanded Callahan for making a throat-slashing gesture at an official during a game against Oklahoma. Callahan denied wrongdoing.

The '05 team won three straight to finish 8-4 after losing four out of five, beating Michigan in the Alamo Bowl. That set the stage for last year, when the Huskers went 9-5 and swept all six games against the Big 12 North.

Then came this season's horrible downturn. The Huskers lost three home games for the first time since 1968 and allowed 40 points or more in six games for the first time.

"There were five (losses) at least that were three touchdowns or more," Osborne said. "So it's not just how many you win and how many you lose, but kind of how you do it."

Arkansas 50, (1) LSU 48, 3OT- Tigers Title Hopes Over

2007-11-23T21:33:00.000-08:00

By BRETT MARTEL, AP Sports Writer
November 23, 2007

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- LSU let its second chance slip away.

Twice the Tigers were No. 1 and in control of their national championship hopes.

Twice the team with a flair for the dramatic couldn't pull out a triple-overtime victory against a Heisman Trophy contender.

Darren McFadden rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns, and even threw for another score to lift Arkansas to a 50-48 victory Friday, likely eliminating another team from the national title chase.

"Certainly, he had a Heisman performance today," LSU coach Les Miles lamented. "Right now, there's a goal of our football team taken off the board and it's sad. ... Tonight, we'll be sick."

LSU may very well play a bowl game in New Orleans, but the one they were hoping to play -- the BCS championship game on Jan. 7 -- now looks out of reach.

That had to devastate most of the 92,606 fans who filled Tiger Stadium with earsplitting roars throughout this classic, then quietly filed out while the Razorbacks stormed the field in triumph after snapping the nation's longest home-winning streak at 19 games.

The Tigers (10-2, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) had already clinched the SEC West Division and will move on to the conference title game in Atlanta on Dec. 1, but will do so feeling a little hollow.

Winning the SEC title will put LSU in the Sugar Bowl. No team with two losses has ever played in the national title game. A few more upsets could put LSU back in the debate, but it could've been so easy for the Tigers. All they had to do was win two.

"It's a sick feeling, losing another tough game that we played our hearts out," tight end Richard Dickson said. "We can think about it for a while but we have to come out next week and win an SEC title."

McFadden's rushing touchdowns went for 16 yards in the second quarter, 73 yards in the third period and 9 yards in the second OT. His TD pass was a flawlessly executed 24-yarder over the middle to Peyton Hillis after McFadden froze the defense with a play-action fake.

Heisman voters will have to think twice about leaving McFadden off of the top of their ballot.

"However you want to put it," McFadden said, "numbers speak for themselves."

Hillis scored four TDs, the last in the third overtime. Felix Jones ran for the critical 2-point conversion to make it 50-42 for the Razorbacks (8-4, 4-4).

LSU responded when Matt Flynn found Brandon LaFell for a 9-yard TD, but Matterral Richardson intercepted the 2-point conversion attempt, and Arkansas' bench emptied onto the field in triumph, having ended the nation's longest home winning streak at 19 games.

"Hey, we were the best team in the country today," boasted Houston Nutt, who is rumored to be on his way out as the Razorbacks' coach. "To come down here in Baton Rouge and win is huge."

McFadden, last year's Heisman Trophy runner-up, has 1,725 yards rushing this season, breaking the school's single-season record he set last year.

No doubt there are West Virginia and Ohio State fans who'd vote McFadden for Heisman if they could.

By knocking off LSU, which was in first place in the BCS standings, Arkansas boosted the national championship hopes of the Mountaineers and Buckeyes.

McFadden often took direct snaps in the "Wild Hog" formation, in which he was a triple threat to run, hand off or throw.

While he looked quite comfortable in the quarterback role, he was most dangerous running the ball, as usual. All of his rushing TDs came on direct snaps.

"We had been watching film of LSU and saw they had weaknesses against running quarterbacks," McFadden explained. "So it was something we planned on doing all week."

Miles said he thought he had a good plan for the "Wild Hog," with two defenders shadowing McFadden. LSU linebacker Ali Highsmith did his best, making 15 tackles.

"There's a point where I thought we were going to defend that thing pretty well," Miles said. "There were two pretty good LSU tacklers ready to tackle that guy and he didn't go down. It definitely affected us."

Maybe McFadden was running a little angrier than usual after hearing Miles purposely mispronounce Arkansas as ar-KANSAS this week.

"They weren't saying it right so we wanted to let them know how to say it," McFadden said.

Hillis ran for 89 yards and Jones had 85 as Arkansas finished with a 385 yards on the ground against one of the best run defenses in the country.

Now that the Tigers have fallen as No. 1 a second time, the winner of Saturday night's game between No. 2 Kansas and No. 3 Missouri will likely take over the top spot in the rankings and the BCS standings. No. 4 West Virginia, which was third in the BCS standings, has a chance to sneak up to at least No. 2 in each with a win over Connecticut.

As for Ohio State, the Buckeyes are done and waiting it out. They were fifth in the last BCS standings.

Whichever team reaches No. 1, it'll be the fourth top-ranked team in this season of instability. The last season with four No. 1s was 1997.

Flynn finished with 209 yards passing and three touchdowns, two of them to Demetrius Byrd, who also was the intended receiver on the failed 2-point try that ended the game. Flynn ran for a 12-yard score in the first overtime, when LSU could have emerged victorious with a stop on fourth-and-10.

But Casey Dick found Hillis open for a 12-yard gain to keep the Razorbacks alive, then later found Hillis again for a 9-yard tying TD.

Jacob Hester rushed for 126 yards and two TDs for LSU, which had to rally from a one-touchdown deficits three times in the second half, and convert two fourth-down plays on its last drive in regulation, just to force overtime.

LSU had made a habit of pulling off dramatic second-half comebacks in victories over Florida, Auburn and at Alabama. Their only other loss also came in triple OT at Kentucky, with quarterback Andre Woodson putting on a Heisman-worthy performance.

This time, Arkansas and the embattled Nutt walked away holding the "Golden Boot," a trophy shaped like the states of Arkansas and Louisiana.

"This league's the toughest league in America and that's why it's hard for a lot of people to understand that every Saturday, anybody can beat anybody in this league," Nutt said.

Or on Fridays.

Nutt, who will have his team in a bowl game, may not be back with the Hogs next season after growing unrest in Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas officials have yet to confirm that, however, and firing Nutt may be a less popular move now.

Miles job is not in jeopardy, but there's been talk he could be moving after this season, too. Miles, who played at Michigan and was an assistant coach there, is widely considered a top candidate to replace Lloyd Carr as the Wolverines' head man.

Before Miles decides that, LSU still has a couple games to play -- just probably not the one the Tigers were hoping to play.

USC Beats Arizona 44-24; Tied For First In Pac-10

2007-11-22T20:46:00.000-08:00

Wow. Arizona State was poised for the Rose Bowl, but USC presented a massive doorstop. USC won 44-24 , marching back from being almost left for dead before the Cal game.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

2007-11-21T04:56:00.000-08:00

A Look Around The Conferences At Some Of The Stars Of Tomorrow

ACC WATCH
Georgia Tech running back Tashard Choice picked up 142 yards on 33 carries in helping the Yellow Jackets edge North Carolina 27-25. It was his seventh 100-yard rushing game of the season, as the senior is averaging 117.6 rushing yards per game. Teammate Greg Smith flashed his big-play talent hauling in two touchdowns and 155 yards. The 6’3” sophomore is certainly one to watch in the future as premature talk has him labeled as the next Calvin Johnson.

BIG 10 WATCH
Ann Arbor native Devin Thomas continues his outstanding season for Michigan State, helping rally the Spartans from a 24-7 deficit against Penn State. Thomas scored two of his three touchdowns in the second half and added 139 receiving yards as Michigan State prevailed 35-31. On the season, the junior transfer from Coffeyville Community College has 1,226 receiving yards.

BIG 12 WATCH: “CFI Player Of The Week”
Freshman phenom Jeremy Maclin gets mentioned for the second time in as many weeks with an overall performance for the ages. The Missouri playmaker set the tone early with his 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Maclin then put the game all but out of reach midway through the third quarter with a 44-yard touchdown catch that put Missouri up 35-18. That gave him 2,201 all-purpose yards for the season, 175 more than Terrell Willis of Rutgers had in 1993. "It feels good -- that's what all that preparation goes toward," said Maclin, who finished with nine catches for 143 yards. "When you do all that stuff, you can go out there and win a game, set you up for big-time games like next week against Kansas."

BIG EAST WATCH
Pittsburgh middle linebacker Scott McKillop registered 16 tackles, two fumble recoveries, an interception and 1 ½ sacks in a losing effort verses Rutgers. His combination of size, speed and smarts has enabled the redshirt junior to lead the Big East in tackles, as he has done a tremendous job replacing All-American linebacker H.B. Blades (Redskins). "It's been said that I was his shadow for the past couple years," McKillop explains. "When [Pitt coach Dave] Wannstedt came in [Blades] moved from outside linebacker to the middle linebacker, and I did the same exact thing. I kind of knew that Coach Wannstedt wanted me to be behind him, and hopefully whenever he was gone, to pick up where he left off."

PAC 10 WATCH
For the second time in three weeks, Washington running back Louis Rankin rallied the Huskies to a victory with another 200-plus rushing performance. On Saturday, Rankin ran wild for 224 yards on 21 carries guiding Washington to a 37-23 win over California. Two weeks ago, the senior rushed 36 times for 255 yards against Stanford. Rankin sat out the final 1 ½ quarters because of a hip pointer that he called minor. His backup, freshman Brandon Johnson, ran for 121 yards on 23 carries.

SEC WATCH
The Big upset this week came in Tuscaloosa, as Louisiana-Monroe running back Calvin Dawson introduced himself to the Crimson Tide defense, carrying the Warhawks to a 21-14 victory. While it wasn’t his greatest statistical performance, Dawson wore down the Alabama defense, gaining 91 yards on 33 carries, eating precious time off the clock. It was the WarHawks first victory over an SEC team since beating Mississippi State in 1995 and their third in 33 tries. The Sun Belt had been 0-11 against the SEC this season.

Carr calls it a career at Michigan

2007-11-19T09:50:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to one of the premier college football coaches of the last decade. A tremendous coaching career.

Ann Arbor, MI (Sports Network) - University of Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr announced his retirement Monday.

Carr apparently informed the team of his decision on Sunday night and made it official at a news conference on Monday morning. He will stay on through Michigan's bowl game.

"On this week of Thanksgiving, no one has more to be thankful for than me," stated Carr, who will remain with the Michigan athletic department as an associate athletic director.

The Wolverines closed out the regular season with a 14-3 loss to arch-rival Ohio State on Saturday at Michigan Stadium. It marked Michigan's fourth straight loss to the Buckeyes, who claimed the Big Ten title with the victory.

Michigan could have captured the conference crown with a win Saturday, but mustered just 91 yards of total offense in its second straight loss to wrap up an 8-4 season.

There had been speculation that Saturday's game would be the last for Carr, who said he really didn't know when he finally made the decision to retire but added that he felt this would be his last year.

"I read I'm tired and all that," Carr joked. "I'm not tired. I may look tired. I still have a great passion for the game, for the players and the competition. I also know there are some things that I don't have anymore. It's time. That's all I can say."

The Wolverines had a roller-coaster final year under Carr, who came under fire after home losses to Appalachian State and Oregon to start the campaign. They followed with eight straight wins before losses to Wisconsin and Ohio State to close the season.

Carr has guided Michigan to a record of 121-40 with five Big Ten titles and the 1997 national championship in his 13 seasons. He did, however, drop to 6-7 all-time against Ohio State, including 1-6 against Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel. Carr has guided the school to a bowl game in each of his seasons as head coach at Michigan.

Carr is the Big Ten's active leader in conference wins, compiling an 81-23 conference mark. He has led the Wolverines to six 10-win seasons and trails only Fielding Yost (165) and Bo Schembechler (194) in career victories at the school.

"We're all going to be measured by Bo," Carr remarked. "Things have changed [in college football]. It's changed dramatically. Yet the expectations here are never going to change. That's what makes this a great job and a difficult job."

Incredibly, Carr has been a member of the Wolverine football staff for 28 years. Prior to being elevated to head coach, Carr was an assistant for 15 years under Schembechler (1980-89) and Gary Moeller (1990-94). Carr joined Schembechler's staff in 1980 as the defensive secondary coach, was the defensive coordinator for eight seasons, and then moved into the position of assistant head coach for the final five years before becoming head coach in 1995.

"For the last 28 years, I've spent my life at the greatest of places -- the University of Michigan," Carr remarked.

The university will begin a search for Carr's replacement, but many believe LSU's Les Miles will be among the top choices. Miles played at Michigan under Schembechler and served two stints as an assistant coach for the Wolverines -- in 1980-81 and again from 1987-94.

2008 NFL MOCK DRAFT

2007-11-18T05:16:00.001-08:00

Rick Serritella

*Underclassmen Not Eligible

1. Miami – Jake Long (OT), Michigan
2. St. Louis – Glenn Dorsey (DT), LSU
3. New York Jets – Chris Long (DE), Virginia
4. New England (from San Francisco) – Mike Jenkins (CB), South Florida
5. Oakland – Sedrick Ellis, (DT), USC
6. Cincinnati – Quentin Groves (DE), Auburn
7. Atlanta – Brian Brohm (QB), Louisville
8. Minnesota – Gosder Cherilus (OT), Boston College
9. Arizona – Dan Conner (LB), Penn State
10. New Orleans – Keith Rivers (LB), USC
11. Baltimore – Antoine Cason (CB), Arizona
12. Kansas City – Sam Baker (OT), USC
13. Houston – DeJuan Tribble (CB), Boston College
14. Carolina – Frank Okam (DT), Texas
15. Denver – Shawn Crable (LB), Michigan
16. Chicago – Barry Richardson (OT), Clemson
17. Philadelphia – Early Doucet (WR), LSU
18. Seattle – Terrell Thomas (CB), USC
19. Dallas (from Cleveland) – Adarius Bowman (WR), Oklahoma State
20. Tampa Bay – Lawrence Jackson (DE), LSU
21. Buffalo – Philip Wheeler (LB), Georgia Tech
22. San Diego – Mike Hart (RB), Michigan
23. Washington – Xavier Adibi (LB), Virginia Tech
24. Tennessee – Simeon Castille (S), Alabama
25. New York Giants – Steve Justice (C), Wake Forest
26. Jacksonville – Ali Highsmith (LB), LSU
27. Detroit – Fred Davis (TE), USC
28. Pittsburgh – Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State
29. San Francisco (from Indianapolis) – D.J. Hall (WR), Alabama
30. Green Bay – Matt Ryan (QB), Boston College
31. Dallas – Chris Ellis (DE), Virginia Tech
32. New England – Pick Forfeited

FROM THE PRESS BOX

2007-11-17T07:02:00.001-08:00

COLT BRENNAN LEAVES GAME
Brennan was knocked out of Saturday's victory against Fresno State with a concussion and his status for next week's game against Nevada is uncertain.

CORRECTION: 321
ESPN is reporting after further review, McFadden only tied the SEC single game rushing record. McFadden actually rushed for 321 yards and not 323 - as a three yard carry was incorrectly credited to McFadden and he was shortchanged a yard on one of his carries.

KEENAN BURTON SET TO RETURN
Brennan was knocked out of Saturday's victory against Fresno State with a concussion and his status for next week's game against Nevada is uncertain.

SAM KELLER OUT FOR YEAR
Keller will miss the rest of the 2007 season with a shoulder injury.

Arizona 34, (2) Oregon 24- National title hopes terminated for Ducks

2007-11-15T23:27:00.000-08:00

By ANDREW BAGNATO, AP College Football Writer
November 16, 2007

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Oregon's national title dream has ended.

Quarterback Dennis Dixon's Heisman Trophy campaign also took a heavy blow.

The curse of No. 2 claimed another victim when the second-ranked Ducks lost Dixon to a knee injury and never recovered in a 34-24 upset by Arizona on Thursday night.

"The national championship thing was fine while it lasted," Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said. "The reality is we're still always trying to get the conference championship and the very best bowl game (the Rose Bowl)."

Oregon (8-2, 5-2 Pac-10) became the fifth No. 2 team to lose since Oct. 6, following USC, California, South Florida and Boston College. The Ducks' defeat could open the door for third-ranked Oklahoma in The Associated Press Top 25 poll, and for No. 3 Kansas in the Bowl Championship Series standings.
Dixon, Oregon's gifted starting quarterback, hurt his left knee on an option play in the first quarter. Dixon crumpled to the turf without being touched and took Oregon's national championship hopes with him.

Dixon sprained the same knee on Nov. 3 against Arizona State. Dixon wore a brace but said he felt good in warm-ups, and he flashed his usual explosiveness in a 39-yard touchdown run on the game's opening series.

"Coming into this game, I felt totally confident," he said. "My foot got caught in the ground. That's just the way football is."

Bellotti said he didn't know if Dixon, a senior, might be lost for the season. He didn't seem confident Dixon would return for Oregon's next game at UCLA on Nov. 24.

"It's obviously not a happy deal," Bellotti said.

Dixon said he would undergo tests on Friday, and he hadn't considered that his college career might be over.

"If that's the case, it's going to be hard to swallow that," said Dixon, who was consoled on the bench by his father, Dennis Dixon Sr. "You've got to play your heart out, because you never know when you're going to get that last play."
Antoine Cason returned a punt 56 yards for a touchdown and an interception 42 yards for another score as the Wildcats shook up the national title race on a cool night in the desert. Red-clad students poured out of the grandstand as the Wildcats (5-6, 4-4) ambushed a ranked team in Arizona Stadium for the fourth straight season under coach Mike Stoops -- all in November.

"November has been good to us," Stoops said. "It is nice to show what kind of team we have at Arizona."

Stoops' future appeared to be in jeopardy only a month go. It isn't now.

"I am so proud of all of the coaches and players," he said. "Everyone played great tonight, but we definitely had to earn it."

Brady Leaf, who replaced Dixon, completed 22 of 46 passes for 163 yards and threw two interceptions.

"I'm a little disappointed in the way I played," said Leaf, who stayed in the game despite spraining his ankle early in the second half.

Dixon finished 5-for-8 for 62 yards, and threw an interception. He carried twice for 34 yards.

Arizona quarterback Willie Tuitama completed 21 of 39 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns, and was intercepted once. Mike Thomas caught two touchdown passes for the Wildcats.

Oregon's Jonathan Stewart carried 28 times for 131 yards.

Early on, Oregon appeared to be on cruise control with Dixon running its potent offense, which came in averaging 42.8 points, fifth in the nation.

On fourth-and-3 at the Arizona 39, Dixon froze the defense with a fake to Stewart, burst through a hole in the right side and ran untouched to the end zone. Ed Dickson ran for the 2-point conversion to put the Ducks ahead 8-0.

Arizona cut the lead to 8-7 on a 34-yard pass from Tuitama to Thomas.

Then came the play that altered the national title race.

"When your Heisman candidate goes down, and a guy that's a captain and a leader, that was hard," Bellotti said.

With older brother Ryan Leaf watching, Leaf replaced Dixon and completed his first pass. But Cason intercepted Leaf's third throw and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown to put the Wildcats ahead 17-11 early in the second quarter.

That started an Arizona avalanche.

Tuitama hit Thomas for a 46-yard score and Cason's 56-yard punt return put the Wildcats ahead 31-11 with 5:30 to play in the first half. The Ducks appeared to be in a daze.

"I can't say we were out of sorts but it would certainly seem that way," Bellotti said.

Trailing 31-14 early in the third quarter, Oregon had a 13-yard touchdown run by Stewart nullified on a holding penalty against receiver Garren Strong. The Ducks settled for a 34-yard field goal by Matt Evensen.

Oregon pulled within seven on Andre Crenshaw's 2-yard touchdown run with 7:53 to go in the game. But Arizona answered with an 11-play drive that ended in Jason Bondzio's 46-yard field goal with 3:20 to go.

"I thought we did a good job in the second half of coming back after Dennis got hurt, but Arizona just played better than we did," Stewart said.

Oregon is the highest-ranked visitor to lose at Arizona since the Wildcats knocked off No. 1 Washington on Nov. 7, 1992.

No. 1 Ohio State Loses To The Fighting Illini - National Title Hopes Gone

2007-11-12T11:55:00.000-08:00

Illinois 28, (1) Ohio State 21

The Fighting Illini Upset No. 1 Ohio State

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- In this season of upsets, top-ranked Ohio State was the latest to fall.

Juice Williams provided the big plays on the ground and through the air, spurring Illinois to a stunning 28-21 victory on Saturday night and throwing open the national title race for a bunch of teams that needed the Buckeyes to lose.

Firsts And Lasts

Illinois' 28-21 victory over No. 1 Ohio State was big for the following reasons:

• Ends Ohio State's Big Ten-record 20-game winning streak.
• Ends Ohio State's school-record 28-game regular season win streak.
• Illinois' first win vs. a No. 1 team since 1956.
• Illinois' first-ever win vs. a
No. 1 team on road.
• Illinois is first team to rush for over 200 yards vs. Ohio State since 2001.
"I know 'shock the world' is overused," Illini linebacker J Leman said. "It is pretty shocking to most people, but not to the guys in the locker room."

It was the first time Illinois (8-3, 5-2 Big Ten) had beaten a No. 1 since 1956, and the first time it had done it away from home. The defeat also ended a record streak of 20 Big Ten wins in a row by Ohio State (10-1, 6-1).

"This is a game I'll remember for the rest of my life," Ohio State offensive tackle Kirk Barton said. "This is disappointing."

Williams, criticized at times because of his errant passing, tossed four touchdown passes. On the Illini's last drive, Williams used his legs to keep the ball away from the Buckeyes, running for three first downs and burning up the final 8:09.

Williams finished 12-of-22 passing for 140 yards and carried 16 times for 70 yards.

The Buckeyes, who were in first-place in the BCS standings and two victories away from a second consecutive trip to the national title game, became the second No. 1 to lose this season. Only Kansas and Hawaii remained unbeaten in major college football, but both played later Saturday night.

All those who doubted the Buckeyes because of what they called a weak schedule must feel vindicated.

Who will be No. 1 now? Maybe, LSU -- again. The Tigers lost as the top-ranked team to Kentucky earlier in the season. Count Oregon, Oklahoma, Missouri and even West Virginia among the others happy to see the Buckeyes get beat. All now have a better chance at reaching the national title game, thanks to coach Ron Zook's Illini.

The Illini rushed for 260 yards against an Ohio State defense that came in allowing just 65 yards on the ground per game. Rashard Mendenhall set an Illinois season record while rushing for 88 yards on 26 carries.

The defeat crippled Ohio State's dreams of a national championship and knocked the Buckeyes into a tie for the top spot in the Big Ten because of Michigan's earlier loss to Wisconsin.

Not since Nov. 14, 1959, had Michigan and Ohio State both lost the week before their annual year-end grudge match, which once again this season will decide the champion.

"We don't have time to put our heads down," Buckeyes linebacker James Laurinaitis said.

Marcus Thomas' interception gave Illinois the ball with 8:09 left at its own 24. And Ohio State would never get it back.

The Illini lined up to punt on a fourth-and-inches at their own 34 with 6:53 left, but Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel called timeout and Zook reconsidered after being prodded by his quarterback.

How The Mighty Fall

An unranked team has beaten a top-5 team nine times this season. Since the AP poll began in 1936, there had never been more than eight wins by unranked teams over top-5 teams in a year when at least 20 teams were ranked. The only time there were more than eight such upsets was 1967 -- one of seven seasons in which only 10 teams were ranked in the AP poll.

Date Top-5 team Lost to
Nov. 10 No. 1
Ohio St. Illinois
Nov. 3 No. 2 BC FSU
Oct. 18 No. 2 USF Rutgers
Oct. 13 No. 2 Cal Oregon St.
Oct. 6 No. 2 USC Stanford
Oct. 6 No. 5 Wisconsin Illinois
Sept. 29 No. 3 Oklahoma Colorado
Sept. 29 No. 4 Florida Auburn
Sept. 1 No. 5 Michigan Appalachian St.
"I will get it," Zook said the sophomore quarterback told him. "You better get it," the coach said he told Williams.

Williams sneaked for the first down and twice more he converted third-and-long on quarterback draws.

Tressel said of the timeout, "I'd like to have that one back."

After the game, while Illinois players flooded the field to celebrate at midfield. The two teams got into a small skirmish with some shoving and a couple of punches thrown before order was restored.

Ohio State's Todd Boeckman had his worst game in his first year as a starter. He completed 13 of 23 passes for 156 yards with three interceptions. Thomas had one pick and forced another in the Illinois end zone in the third quarter by tipping it to teammate Antonio Steele.

The Illini built the lead to 28-14 with a drive that was manufactured around the running of Mendenhall and Williams. Mendenhall ran for 17 yards in the march, with Williams going for 16 and also hitting Brian Gamble on a 15-yard gainer.

Williams, who has been replaced late in games, finished it off with a 31-yard scoring pass to wide-open Marcus Wilkins at the goal line.

The Buckeyes came right back to cut the lead to 28-21 with a 76-yard drive of their own, with Boeckman -- never known as a runner -- picking up 35 yards on the first snap. The Buckeyes scored on Chris Wells' 18-yard run to the right corner of the end zone.

After forcing an Illini punt, the Buckeyes were moving the ball again when Boeckman's deep pass into double coverage was intercepted by Thomas, who leaped high to reach the ball ahead of Brian Robiskie.

Two of the best linebackers in the country were on display and both had good games. Leman had 12 stops, including two for negative yardage and Laurinaitis had 12 tackles.

Wells ran for 76 yards on 20 carries and scored on runs of 11 and 17 yards to lead the Buckeyes. Boeckman was harassed all day and was sacked twice.

The Buckeyes had won their last 28 regular-season games and hadn't lost at all since getting routed 41-14 by Florida in the BCS title game. Zook played a big part in building those Gators, before he was fired by Florida in 2004.

The Zooker got the Buckeyes again.

A year ago the Illini were 2-10, but they showed signs of improvement for the first time in years in a 17-10 loss to No. 1 Ohio State. The year before the Buckeyes beat Illinois 40-2.

Now the Buckeyes must travel to Michigan for a game they knew would decide the Big Ten title and hoped would be for a spot in the national title game.

Those hopes are pretty much gone.

LSU jumps up to No. 1; Ohio State drops to 7th after loss to Illinois - ESPN

2007-11-12T11:53:00.000-08:00

And Cal drops out of the rankings after losing to USC

LSU jumps up to No. 1; Ohio State drops to 7th after loss to Illinois

Associated Press

NEW YORK -- LSU is getting a second chance at No. 1.

The Tigers took advantage of Ohio State's loss and regained the top ranking in The Associated Press Top 25 on Sunday. Oregon is not far behind at No. 2.

As for unbeaten Kansas, the Jayhawks are No. 4, behind Big 12 rival Oklahoma. Ohio State fell to No. 7 after its first loss of the season, a 28-21 setback against Illinois on Saturday. The Illini moved back in the rankings at No. 20.

LSU started the season ranked No. 2 behind Southern California and rose to No. 1 on Sept. 30. It was the first time since 1959 the Tigers held the top spot in the AP media poll, but they weren't there very long.

Two weeks later, LSU lost in triple overtime at Kentucky and dropped to No. 5. A month later, the Tigers are back on top, having received 40 of a possible 65 first-place votes and 1,590 points. After a string of close games and thrilling finishes, LSU had an easy time Saturday night, beating Louisiana Tech 58-10 at Tiger Stadium.

LSU is the first team to lose the No. 1 ranking and regain it in the same season since Miami in 2002. Those Hurricanes were preseason No. 1, lost the top-ranking for a week to Oklahoma, and got it right back. Miami ended up losing the national championship at the Fiesta Bowl to Ohio State.

Oregon received 22 first-place votes and 1,574 points this week. The Ducks were last No. 2 at the end of the 2001 season.

Oklahoma, Kansas and No. 5 West Virginia also received first-place votes.

The Jayhawks moved to 10-0 with a 43-28 victory at Oklahoma State on Saturday night.

No. 6 Missouri gives the Big 12 three teams in the top six. Ohio State was followed by Georgia at No. 8, Arizona State and Virginia Tech.

No. 11 Southern California started the second 10, followed by Texas and unbeaten Hawaii. The Warriors and Jayhawks are the only unbeaten teams left in major college football.

Florida is No. 14, with Clemson, Virginia, Boise State, Boston College, Tennessee and Illinois rounding out the top 20.

Cincinnati and Wisconsin also returned to the rankings this week. The Bearcats were No. 21 after beating Connecticut 27-3. The Badgers, coming off a 37-21 victory against Michigan, were No. 24.

No. 22 is Kentucky, Michigan is No. 23 and UConn is ranked 25th.

Michigan and Ohio State will still play for the Big Ten title and a likely spot in the Rose Bowl on Saturday, but the Buckeyes' hopes for playing in a second consecutive national title games were dashed with the loss at home to Illinois. It's the first time since 1959 the Wolverines and Buckeyes lost the week before they played.

Falling out of the rankings this week were Alabama, which lost its second straight game, and Auburn and California, which both lost for the fourth time this season.

LSU is No. 1 again in AP Top 25, edging Oregon; Kansas No. 4

2007-11-11T16:16:00.000-08:00

It's imperative that the Kansas Jayhawks are rewarded for their stellar play and not discounted for their porous schedule

By RALPH D. RUSSO, AP College Football Writer
November 11, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -- LSU is getting a second chance at No. 1.

The Tigers took advantage of Ohio State's loss and regained the top ranking in The Associated Press Top 25 on Sunday. Oregon is not far behind at No. 2.

As for unbeaten Kansas, the Jayhawks are No. 4, behind Big 12 rival Oklahoma. Ohio State fell to No. 7 after its first loss of the season, a 28-21 setback against Illinois on Saturday. The Illini moved back in the rankings at No. 20.

LSU started the season ranked No. 2 behind Southern California and rose to No. 1 on Sept. 30. It was the first time since 1959 the Tigers held the top spot in the AP media poll, but they weren't there very long.

Two weeks later, LSU lost in triple overtime at Kentucky and dropped to No. 5. A month later, the Tigers are back on top, having received 40 of a possible 65 first-place votes and 1,590 points. After a string of close games and thrilling finishes, LSU had an easy time Saturday night, beating Louisiana Tech 58-10 at Tiger Stadium.

LSU is the first team to lose the No. 1 ranking and regain it in the same season since Miami in 2002. Those Hurricanes were preseason No. 1, lost the top-ranking for a week to Oklahoma, and got it right back. Miami ended up losing the national championship at the Fiesta Bowl to Ohio State.

Oregon received 22 first-place votes and 1,574 points this week. The Ducks were last No. 2 at the end of the 2001 season.

Oklahoma, Kansas and No. 5 West Virginia also received first-place votes.

The Jayhawks moved to 10-0 with a 43-28 victory at Oklahoma State on Saturday night.

No. 6 Missouri gives the Big 12 three teams in the top six. Ohio State was followed by Georgia at No. 8, Arizona State and Virginia Tech.

No. 11 Southern California started the second 10, followed by Texas and unbeaten Hawaii. The Warriors and Jayhawks are the only unbeaten teams left in major college football.

Florida is No. 14, with Clemson, Virginia, Boise State, Boston College, Tennessee and Illinois rounding out the top 20.

Cincinnati and Wisconsin also returned to the rankings this week. The Bearcats were No. 21 after beating Connecticut 27-3. The Badgers, coming off a 37-21 victory against Michigan, were No. 24.

No. 22 is Kentucky, Michigan is No. 23 and UConn is ranked 25th.

Michigan and Ohio State will still play for the Big Ten title and a likely spot in the Rose Bowl on Saturday, but the Buckeyes' hopes for playing in a second consecutive national title games were dashed with the loss at home to Illinois. It's the first time since 1959 the Wolverines and Buckeyes lost the week before they played.

Falling out of the rankings this week were Alabama, which lost its second straight game, and Auburn and California, which both lost for the fourth time this season.

Illinois 28, (1) Ohio St. 21

2007-11-11T08:15:00.000-08:00

By RUSTY MILLER, AP Sports Writer
November 11, 2007

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Top-ranked Ohio State's national title hopes teetered on a timeout, the ball inches from a first down for Illinois.

Illini coach Ron Zook changed his mind, decided to go for it on fourth down and that was the beginning of the end for the Buckeyes' hopes of redeeming themselves in this season's national championship game.

Juice Williams provided the big plays on the ground and through the air, spurring the Illini to a stunning 28-21 victory on Saturday night and throwing open the national title race for a bunch of teams that needed the Buckeyes to lose.

"I know 'shock the world' is overused," Illini linebacker J Leman said. "It is pretty shocking to most people, but not to the guys in the locker room."

Marcus Thomas' interception gave Illinois the ball with 8:09 left at its own 24. And Ohio State would never get it back.

The Illini lined up to punt on a fourth-and-inches at their own 34 with 6:53 left while grasping a 28-21 lead, but Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel called timeout and Zook reconsidered after being prodded by his quarterback.

"I said, 'Coach, you don't think we can get a half an inch?"' Williams said amid the uproar of the postgame celebration. "He looked at me and got on the headset to (offensive coordinator Mike) Locksley. He (Zook) said, 'If you don't get it, I'll hurt you."

Zook remembered it differently.

"Juice said, 'I'll get you an inch,"' Zook said. "I said, 'You'd better."'

Williams sneaked for the first down and twice more he converted third-and-long on quarterback draws to burn the clock.

Tressel said of the timeout, "I'd like to have that one back."

It was the first time Illinois (8-3, 5-2 Big Ten) had beaten a No. 1 since 1956, and the first time it had done it away from home. The defeat also ended a conference and school streak of 20 Big Ten wins in a row by Ohio State (10-1, 6-1).

"It's (my) last time in the Horseshoe and it's the last game I'll remember for the rest of my life," Ohio State offensive tackle Kirk Barton said.

Williams, criticized at times because of his errant passing, tossed four touchdown passes. He finished 12-of-22 passing for 140 yards and carried 16 times for 70 yards.

The Buckeyes, who were in first-place in the BCS standings and two victories away from a second consecutive trip to the national title game, became the second No. 1 to lose this season. All those who doubted the Buckeyes because of what they called a weak schedule must feel vindicated. Now only Kansas is unbeaten among teams in the six conferences with automatic BCS bids.

Who will be No. 1 now? Maybe, LSU -- again. The Tigers lost as the top-ranked team to Kentucky earlier in the season. Count Oregon, Oklahoma, Missouri and even West Virginia among the others happy to see the Buckeyes get beat. All now have a better chance at reaching the national title game, thanks to the Illini.

The Illini rushed for 260 yards against an Ohio State defense that came in allowing just 65 yards on the ground per game. Rashard Mendenhall set an Illinois season record (1,402 yards) while rushing for 88 yards on 26 carries.

The defeat not only crippled Ohio State's dreams of a national championship, it knocked the Buckeyes into a tie for the top spot in the Big Ten because of Michigan's earlier loss to Wisconsin.

Not since Nov. 14, 1959, had Michigan and Ohio State both lost the week before their annual year-end grudge match, which once again will decide the Big Ten.

"We don't have time to put our heads down," Buckeyes linebacker James Laurinaitis said.

After the game, Illinois players flooded the field to celebrate at midfield. The two teams got into a small skirmish with some shoving and a couple of punches thrown before order was restored.

Ohio State's Todd Boeckman had his worst game in his first year as a starter. He completed 13 of 23 passes for 156 yards with three interceptions. Thomas had one pick and forced another in the Illinois end zone in the third quarter by tipping it to teammate Antonio Steele.

The Illini opened a 28-14 lead with a drive built on the running of Mendenhall and Williams. Mendenhall had 17 yards in the march, with Williams going for 16 and also hitting Brian Gamble on a 15-yard gainer. Williams, who has been replaced late in games, finished it off with a 31-yard scoring pass to a wide-open Marcus Wilkins at the goal line.

The Buckeyes came right back to cut the lead to 28-21 with a 76-yard drive of their own, with Boeckman -- never known as a runner -- picking up 35 yards on the first snap. The Buckeyes scored on Chris Wells' 18-yard run to the right corner of the end zone.

After forcing an Illini punt, the Buckeyes were moving the ball again when Boeckman's deep pass into double coverage was intercepted by Thomas, who leaped high to reach the ball ahead of Brian Robiskie.

"I knew right away I underthrew the ball," said Boeckman, harassed all day and sacked twice.

Wells ran for 76 yards on 20 carries and scored on runs of 11 and 17 yards.

The Buckeyes had won their last 28 regular-season games and hadn't lost at all since getting routed 41-14 by Florida in the BCS title game. Zook played a big part in building those Gators, before he was fired by Florida in 2004.

The Zooker got the Buckeyes again.

A year ago the Illini were 2-10, but they showed signs of improvement for the first time in years in a 17-10 loss to No. 1 Ohio State. The year before the Buckeyes beat Illinois 40-2.

"We said two years ago when we were here," Zook said, "it would be a different story when we came back."

Was it ever.

Army Clobbering Notre Dame 31 to 17 - Fans Pissed With Charlie Weis

2007-11-10T14:17:00.000-08:00

First Navy then Air Force beats Notre Dame. As I write this, it's 31 to 17, Air Force going into the 4th quarter, Notre Dame's lost two starting offensive linemen and shows no sign of coming back to win this game, even with the 4th down touchdown pass to make it 31 - 17. Air Force is dominating The Irish, and it's not at all funny.

It's a development that's got ND fans beyond pissed off with Head Coach Charlie Weis and some feeling that ND's being spritually punished for the way it treated Tyrone Willingham four years ago. On top of that, the video above communicates the disdain that others have for Notre Dame as all the chickens come home to roost on a terrible football program, at least on the field, and that's where it counts.

Take a look at the ESPN Conversation:

PreviewBox ScorePlay-by-PlayDrive ChartGamecastPhotosConversation
1 2 3 4 T
AFA (7-3) 10 7 7 24
ND (1-8) 0 10 0 10
3rd Qtr 12:49
4th and 2 at AFA 33
NBC

2:43 PM ET, November 10, 2007
Notre Dame Stadium,
South Bend, IN
Air Force Falcons at Notre Dame Fighting Irish

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Comments (11-60)

3nOutJesus (Just now)
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There's is plenty of Pride. Maybe thats the problem. We needed to have stuck with Ty for 5 years and done what is right morally. Now we're just a joke.

furiousfalcon (Less than a minute ago)
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Where you at Austin10andFan?

Hartshwk (Less than a minute ago)
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how do you get the first down when your out of bounds foot comes down inside the marker?

101galaxy (2 minutes ago)
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Not an ounce of pride at Notre Dame...how the hell can a school which lands some of the top classes in the nation lose to a school like Navy or Air Force....unbelievabl e

3nOutJesus (8 minutes ago)
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This is getting out of control.
Losing to 2 service academies? Pathetic!

I feel bad for the current players and don't feel any anger towards those who left (D Jones) after Weis hosed them.

3nOutJesus (9 minutes ago)
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Navy is getting their butts kicked by NORTH TEXAS!!!
NORTH TEXAS weis, you fat freaking moron. And they lost to Delaware. My flag football team could beat Delaware! Unless of course weis was coaching us...

robalex (15 minutes ago)
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Actually, ND still has a chance against the Merchant Marines.

101galaxy (18 minutes ago)
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Geez is there another service academy to beat up on Nortre Dame? Does the Coast Guard have a team yet?

furiousfalcon (21 minutes ago)
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These refs are doing their best to screw Air Force over

3nOutJesus (27 minutes ago)
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The ND players are good, that tub of lard sucks!
Although I have to concede the coach is part of the team so maybe this is the worst team ever...

VINCEGRANDE3331 (27 minutes ago)
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We have to start to ask the question. Is this the worst Notre Dame team ever.

3nOutJesus (28 minutes ago)
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Even with the crappy officiating that usually goes in favor of Notre Dame, they still suck. I hate Weis and the morons that hired him.
This is getting pathetic. The chickens are coming home to roost. Should have given Willingham his 5 years or now fire Weis that fat weasel. This can't be blamed on recruiting anymore. Ty's worst class was ranked 30th and he also had a top 5 class. If Navy got that, they would cream their pants. Besides Michigan, USC and Penn State none of the teams on our schedule can consistently get a top 30 recruiting class.
This Fat Fool has gotten to work with 2 top 10 classes of his own plus a relatively decent (not great but not 1-8) crew that Ty left him and he is 1-8 on the verge of 1-9? And this is the guy they gave a 10 year contract? Are you serious?

Just plain disgusting...
Jesus has left our building folks!

LOBO449 (36 minutes ago)
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Air Force is not that good. ND is that bad!

OhioStateBrooklyn (39 minutes ago)
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I HOPE FOR THE SAKE OF UPHOLDING A HISTORIC MIDWESTERN FOOTBALL TRADITION THAT THE IRISH CAN BOUNCE BACK AND WE FOOTBALL RICH SCHOOLS LIKE OHIO STATE, MICHIGAN, NOTRE DAME AND PENN STATE CAN RECLAIM THE TOP STANDING AS THE POWERHOUSES AGAIN! I AM SICK OF THESE SEC, PAC 10 TEAMS LITTERED WITH RECRUITING VIOLATIONS AND THUGS MAJORING IN "FUTURE PRO FOOTBALL PLAYER" THINKING THEY ARE THE GREATEST IN THE GAME.

hoguear01591 (42 minutes ago)
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Air Force is finally good. Looks were going bowling!!!!!!!!!

kismetproductions (45 minutes ago)
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http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=p0Y7yjxJ Vlc

kismetproductions (50 minutes ago)
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Chalk up another LOSS for Notre SHAME!!!!!!!!!

middie79 (53 minutes ago)
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This Game really sucks but I love watching the collapse of the great golden weis

Nuch001 (1 hour ago)
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I have a lot of respcet for ND, but they have not been playing good at all this year.
Air Force will win.

greggfitz (1 hour ago)
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I am a big ND fan....this is killing me! I don't know if ND is going to beat Duke. Are the players this bad or is the coaching staff overwhelmed?

Werbals (2 hours ago)
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Gee, thanks NBC! An epic showdown between the Irish and Air Force on national TV! The first thing I said when I woke up this morning was "I sure hope I get to watch some lousy football between unranked teams today!"

Honestly, the sweetest thing about the Irish's massive collapse is having their TV deal blow up in NBC's face. This is karma for the network for forcing this worthless program on us for so many years.

number1nolefan123 (2 hours ago)
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This so sad to watch.

Hartshwk (2 hours ago)
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Uh-Oh

EAGLEBUZZ5150 (3 hours ago)
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I think Air Force will cover the 3.5 Air Force -3.5 = $$$$ Cha-ching! Sorry Dame fans.

docthn11 (6 hours ago)
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The military is attacking the fight irish. Will Army get their chance.

swedepuck (6 hours ago)
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Notre Dame always overrated and soon to attacked by the Air Force like the Taliban

austin10ndfan (6 hours ago)
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All you guys that think ND is going to lose this won are a joke. Clausen finally shows us why he's a high school all american and ND wins easily 45-10. Not even close!

NFaleris (6 hours ago)
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"Know what amazes me... ESPN commentator Mark Mays predited, BEFORE THE SEASON STARTED, that Notre Dame would be 0 & 8... He thought their first win of the season would be against Navy... I heard him repeat it like 3 times... dude, how did he know that!? "

And the previous two years he predicted ND would be .500 at best through the first half of their schedule...he's a clown.

CJLOPEZ44 (15 hours ago)
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ND is going to win the NC as soon as Charlie gets down to below 150...hahaha

msr_iaidoka (19 hours ago)
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Air Force has only improved since their loss to Navy and, despite me being a Navy fan, I believe that Air Force is currently the better of the academies. I will call this one in favor of Air Force.

TeamDoc1216 (19 hours ago)
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ND 31 AF 24

wierdomagnet (23 hours ago)
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Yeah, I agree with Racingwasel.... Its a strange move to change quarterbacks now... Wies is very indecisive. Last weeks press conference he basically said he wasnt going to start swapping QBs based on who practiced better. then he does it? You can't take this guys word for anything.

Hes probably approaching these games like.... I already lost... so I'm going to give my future QB game time... at this point hes not playing for anything.

Clausen deserves the beating he going to take saturday..... Hey Jimmy... watch your blind side!!! ; )

RacingWeasels (24 hours ago)
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Jimmy Clausen stinks. This kid is the next Ron Powlus. Sharpley may not be as sharp as you would want your starting qb, but Clausen has all of one td pass this season. I don't care how good Weis says he's looking in practice, Clausen will still stink. He will stink next year. He will stink the following year. He will stink the the year after that. I must find my nose plugs.

BKKBucks (1 day ago)
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Rangerfan04 ,

I think that Ty Willingham is not as low as Wies who sued his doctor and claimed that a MSU player slaped him in the 2005 game.

hskrfan2004 (2 days ago)
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AIR FORCE 31, NOTRE DAME 21

levismuck (2 days ago)
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bcs coming up for nortre dame jkjkjk yet they still are talked about

wierdomagnet (2 days ago)
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yeah I'm hoping Air Force smokes Notre Dame....

Irishhorn135 (2 days ago)
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notre dame is having a tough season but im gonna be their fan next year too and i like texas so of course them too

85BestAlive (2 days ago)
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I wish that I could be in South Bend for this one. I was fortunate to be there, to celebrate AF wins, twice in the mid-80's. I can still picture the mighty paw of Chris Funk, reaching up swat that last-second field goal attempt... And in my humble opinion, that beautiful mosaic of our Savior isn't signaling a touchdown... he is saying "Fly, Fight, Win!" Go Air Force! Beat the Irish!

paulygrabo (3 days ago)
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AF ... way to strong in talent and mind to be defeated .... looks like no more gimmies for the Irish... makes me happy to see the almighty get humbled. A bitter pill to swallow for all those arrogant ND fans ..... AF32 ND16

wierdomagnet (3 days ago)
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Know what amazes me... ESPN commentator Mark Mays predited, BEFORE THE SEASON STARTED, that Notre Dame would be 0 & 8... He thought their first win of the season would be against Navy... I heard him repeat it like 3 times... dude, how did he know that!?

C92400 (3 days ago)
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AF 35
ND 10

Colaa55 (3 days ago)
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go ND

crimsonandbluejayhawk (3 days ago)
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Air Force wins! lol

hannaclan (3 days ago)
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OK, congrats to Navy. BUT, as an AF alum, I can say the situation at South Bend reminds me of a time called the "Faust Years". I can, will full pride, say that in ALL FOUR YEARS I was at Air Force, WE BEAT NOTRE DAME!
Notre Dame football looks remarkably similar to those days in '82-'85! Chris Funk, if you are out there, your FG block in '82 at South Bend is still a GREAT memory!!!

wierdomagnet (3 days ago)
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The line is Air Force (big surprise) but only by 3..... Hmmm.

I listened to the Wies's post game interview after the Navy loss. He really doesnt seem too wigged out by going 1-8 and loosing to Navy. He was kind of laughing at the end of it. I'm sure he knows, they cant afford to fire him. His buyout clause is too expensive. Interesting. I'm curious to see what his record is like over the next 3 years. This is really his first wave of recruits, this year.

jerseyf15 (4 days ago)
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I remember the day in 96 when AF beat a good Notre Dame team by a field goal, I was a freshman at the AF academy... the place went crazy. I was also in falcon stadium for the AF(6-0) vs ND(6-0) monster game in 2002. That was during Notre Dame's "return to glory" year, Ty's First. Great game, really thought AF was going to win it. Carlysle holiday stole it from us by breaking a huge run. I don't think this game will live up to the hype of those matchups, but hopefully the falcons can pull it out.

stevenpeed (4 days ago)
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whats the early line on this one?

Rangerfan04 (4 days ago)
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if Weis is not fired when going 1-11 or 2-10, then Ty Willingham should call the NAACP and sue ND for about 100 million dollars.

oh and I"m white, so don't think i'm saying it for any other reason other than fact...

bringbacklt (4 days ago)
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If ever there was a year to beat Notre Dame, it would have to be this year. Air Force can help Notre Dame continue their losing ways. Hey ND administrators, you guys missing Ty Willingham yet?

Charlie Weis | Charlie Weis Starts Jimmy Clausen vs. Air Force - MISTAKE

2007-11-08T12:41:00.000-08:00

Well, the Notre Dame QB ride continues. Rather than give Evan Sharpley a chance to win versus Air Force, Weis elects to switch again, starting Jimmy Clausen.

I guess Weis is writing off this season. The question is, will Notre Dame win another game? The answer is -- I don't think so given this constant indecision. Give the job to Sharpley and leave him there.

Charlie Weis | ESPN's Gene Wojciechowski Blames Ty For Weis Problems - My Letter of Protest

2007-11-08T12:27:00.000-08:00

I read ESPN's Gene Wojciechowski column today on Charlie Weis and hit the ceiling because it blames Weis problems on Tyrone Willngham, which is really off base. So I wrote this to him, below.

Greetings,

Your column on Charlie Weis today was totally terrible. It is a stellar example of how many sports journalists covering football don't know how to evaluate a game even as it unfolds in front of them.

Futhermore, your assertion that Weis problems are due to Tyrone Willingham's recruits is not only baseless, it's wrong, and again shows no -- no understanding or knoweldge of the politics of football. If I were your editor, I'd fire you -- but for the fact that such writings as yours gain a response.

You don't know what you're writing about, frankly. Many of Ty's recruits were either demoted in favor of Weis' favorites -- like Jimmy Clausen -- or left the school. Also, you failed to mention that Weis won with a team entirely of Ty's recruits, like Brady Quinn.

But the more terrible problem I see is your desire to avoid the discussion of race. You know damn well that if Charlie were black, they'd have ran him out of town, yet you don't have the courage to write that. Look, think "out of your skin" -- just because you're not Black doens't mean you can't see, feel, or understand or recognize racism. If you can feel for an animal being mistreated, why can't you do that for another human being?

What's your problem?

And even beyond that, you fail 100 percent to see the real problem. The real deal is that Charlie does not know how to get more from less. He does not understand "scheme" enough to think out of a box of plays he's used to. For example, against USC I told a friend that if Charlie came out in a standard two-back set and used runs and play action, they were toast.

Well, that's what he did. Why is that wrong? Is this why.

Football is a study in time and motion: how much time it takes to get a movement done. If your guys are faster than my guys, the best approach is to make your guys have to go father to get my guys. A standard two-back set does not spread the defense and shortens the blitz lanes to the quarterback -- better to use five wide or four wide and throw short passes without a huddle. A great equalizer.

While Charlie could have done that, he didn't. Why? Ego. He can't deal with the idea that another team is faster or stronger than his own. He can't see that, so he stays in his box and when it doens't work, the box of approaches he's used to, he gets frustrated and gives up -- and looses.

That's not good for Notre Dame.

In closing, you should go to classes on football strategy and make your own playbook and use Playmaker to test plays. Understand football strategy. Learn the lingo. Study film and tape. Because right now, you're doing your readers a total disservice by your ignorance of the game.

Sincerely,

Zennie Abraham

Cal Hosts USC | Cal v. USC Saturday - Stil A Big Game

2007-11-08T11:56:00.000-08:00

Cal plays host to USC on Saturday, and don't think for a moment that this isn't a big game. It still is, at least to Cal people. Some Cal people are asking what it takes to beat USC. Here's some answers posted on Scout.com.

What do we have to do to beat USC?
Here's one guy's answers - an audio file recorded today at the Tedford press conference - a short (6 minute) conversation with broadcaster Todd McKim.
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I Bear
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Posted: 11/07/2007 10:04 AM
Re: What do we have to do to beat USC?
Score at least one more point than they do!
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ursainoregon
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Posted: 11/07/2007 1:31 PM
Re: What do we have to do to beat USC?

I disagree with almost everything Todd says. It's classic conservative coachspeak. Win the turnover battle (duh), and then play not to lose. That is, grind it out, don't take risks, avoid third and long (presumably by running up the middle on first and second down).
This year, and with this team, that kind of "strategy" plays right in to USC's hands.

They have a great defense, and would love to see us try to beat them in the trenches. If we play SC not to lose, we will lose.

The way for this year's team to beat SC is to take some risks and score on big plays, on both offense and defense. When SC has lost, it's because they were forced in to a lot of turnovers on Offense. BBDB, and giving Booty comfort and time in the pocket is not going to cause them to make mistakes.

On O, we have to take risks and take shots with our playmakers. Running for no gain up the middle on first and second down and consistently facing 3rd and 5, is a good way to get killed by this SC defense. We have to stretch the field. If they know we're only going to pass short, they'll jam receivers, jump routes, blitz like crazy, and it won't be pretty.

In the NFL, they always play not to lose. One of the things that's great about college football is playing to win. Going for it on 4th down, faking the punt, running the statue of liberty.

If we play conservative, we have every chance of being beaten in the same boring ugly way that Oregon State lost 24-3 to the Trojans. We have much better playmakers on offense than the Beavers. Our D will give up at least 24 to SC, so we had better play offense like we know we need to get 35 to win. I'd rather see us lose a game taking some chances lose running the ball 32 times in to the middle of the line for 2ypc.

The way to beat SC is to believe you can do it, and go for it!
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easdog1
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Posted: 11/07/2007 2:53 PM
Re: What do we have to do to beat USC?
I didn't bother listening to the article, and based on your critique, I'm glad I didn't. Win the TO battle? Who cares if we're settling for FGs.
To win, we need to pressure Booty into mistakes and flood the LOS on defense with 9 guys. The only person in the passing game that we can't let beat us (as I fear he consistently will) is Fred Davis. Make their WRs win their one on one battles with Thompson/Hampton/Conte. Rush six at least 50 percent of the time!

Offensively we need to do more play action on early downs and get the ball down field. If our tendency is a 5yd hook, run out and ups. Hawkins has been good at getting down the middle on crossing routes. Use him and TEs. Basically, do everything counter-tendency that you can within reason. I'd even contemplate putting in a new package that we've stolen from someone else this season. Say 4 or 5 plays that makes the D think twice. And can we put Best in the pattern on a wheel route?
But the biggest keys this game is this: after halftime when SC makes adjustments, have your second gameplan ready to go. If we've been blitzing a certain way, have another plan for the second half. If offensively we've been running patterns to certain depths, change it up.

University of California Band Tour After Oregon State Game

2007-11-07T08:21:00.000-08:00

This video is for all of you who wished they had their camcorder at the ready for some memorable moment at Cal (Berkeley).

You've got to admit, the Cal Band stopped at all the right places and caused friends to break out in song, as was the case with Cal Fans singing "Rocky Top"

Yeah. That song. Why? Because we beat Tennessee!

"FIRE CHARLIE WEIS" BANDWAGON Heats Up After Upset To Navy

2007-11-03T16:19:00.000-07:00

"FIRE CHARLIE WEIS" BANDWAGON Heats Up After Upset Loss To Navy

UPDATE: Weis to start Clausen v. Air Force

UPDATE: Air Force Clobbering Notre Dame

Fresh after a historic 46-44 loss to Notre Dame, Charlie Weis -- for two years considered Notre Football's savior -- is now the focus of "Fire Charlie Weis" talk. Check out the conversation on ESPN:

Navy 46, Notre Dame 44

PreviewRecapBox ScorePlay-by-PlayDrive ChartPhotosConversation
1 2 3 4 OT T
NAVY (5-4) 0 14 6 8 18 46
ND (1-8) 7 14 0 7 16 44
Final
2:30 PM ET, November 3, 2007
Notre Dame Stadium,
South Bend, IN
Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Fighting Irish

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Comments (171-220)

ronbetzer (Just now)
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df1650: He lost 15 games in three years moron. You can shut up and go away with DonDada118, cuz you're both idiots

Noodles Cold (Just now)
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This one is for the sailors and troops out there. Congrats Navy, downtown Annapolis is going to be partying tonight!!!

62cowboyfan (Just now)
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Way to go NAVY!

L.A.FANATIK (Less than a minute ago)
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yea ill take that Air Force by 10 next week

RealTalk8 (Less than a minute ago)
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That's right DF, Aim High!!!

CJLOPEZ44 (Less than a minute ago)
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dowlong148...I guess when Ty was there things got so bad that even NAVY had better recruiting classes....ND is a joke and not a very funny one at that.

dowlong148 (Less than a minute ago)
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no willingham probably shouldnt have been fired......the problem with firing coaches like that and bringing in someone new is that the players that are in place may not fit the new coaches sytem......and the new coach pretty much loses their first recruiting class (like what happned to weiss) because recruits are unsure what is going to happen and commit elsewhere

ronbetzer (Less than a minute ago)
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DonDada118: you're an idiot, what part of GO AWAY dont you understand. Post something remotely intelligent, or dont post anything.

RealTalk8 (Less than a minute ago)
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Michigan (Appy State), you're now off the hot seat...

df1650 (2 minutes ago)
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AIR FORCE wins next week by 2 touchdowns....

RealTalk8 (2 minutes ago)
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A decided schematic advantage, ha, ha, ha,..... GOT TY?

df1650 (3 minutes ago)
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ronbetzer...Ty sucked, what was has record in each year he coached? You must forget how bad ND was before he go there?

DonDada118 (4 minutes ago)
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Very limited history

yates_009 (4 minutes ago)
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I'm sure this was already covered but why didn't Mr Potato Head kick the field goal at the end of the 4th?

RealTalk8 (4 minutes ago)
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Jack, nuh said...

sumowy (4 minutes ago)
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Charlie is thinking that he can tank the season away to get a better draft choice next year. DOH wait a minute this is college he's thinking and realizes there are no Draft Choices. Oh Well the ND fans will love me anyways with my play calling. If I keep this up I will be the Dumb Coach of the year =)

df1650 (4 minutes ago)
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dowlong148...so you would agree that TY WIllingham shouldn't have been fired?

Avsbroncs1981 (4 minutes ago)
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What was that call on the two point conversion attempt. A run up the middle? Horrible call. And then Weis is a jerk to the sideline reporter. An obvious graduate of the Belichick school of jerkery, without the coaching skills. Fire the idiot!

df1650 (5 minutes ago)
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jmb9919 if you give any decent coach time, he will turn around most programs. However, ND made it clear that TY Willingham was not good enough...But he didn't get the time turn the team, didn't even see his class graduate. Now how long does ND gives Weis....if he wins a National Championship in 10 years was he justified to have the Job. I don't think so....BILL FITCH loss 1000 basketball games, however he got a chance to coach the Boston Celtics with Bird, Mchale, and Parish, and he won a NBA Title. Does that make him a great coach. No, he has merely been given enough opportunities to win unlike a BLACK coach would be given. ANother example, Byron Scott being fired by the New Jersey nets after 2 trips to the NBA Championship Series. Now the coach of NJ NEts have never came close with Lawrence Franks.

jack810051 (5 minutes ago)
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ND should have never fired coach Willingham. That sums it up.

jmb9919 (5 minutes ago)
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To:TheHermet17
Everyone with a brain knows that this season has been over for weeks now. Congrats to Navy for winning today, but they had nothing to do with ruining Notre Dame's season.

ronbetzer (5 minutes ago)
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"DonDada118: What history does Notre Dame have? jmb9919 step away from the Kool- Aid"

Ok ND sucks, but to say they dont have history is quite possibly the most idiotic, iggnorant, pile of blabber ever spewed from any morons mouth. Please shut up and go away.

dowlong148 (5 minutes ago)
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you idiots who think weiss should be fired are....idiots....... .....a coach is only as good as his talent (which ND has none of)......you have to be patient, firing a coach after 2 or 3 years will only continue to hurt your program........weiss has had some good recruiting classes (and a top one coming in) and they need to let some of those players develop and then see wherer the program is at

L.A.FANATIK (6 minutes ago)
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congratulations to all my fellow sailors on and off the field that fought hard for that win!

IrishChris209 (6 minutes ago)
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Fire the Rodney Daingerfiled Look alike !!!! Let him go back to New England . He has ruined this great program. They have become the laughing stock of the leauge. Bring back #### DAVIE !!!!

CJLOPEZ44 (7 minutes ago)
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I guess this shows that Belichick must be even a greater coach (although a #### bag) considering he had this boozo on his staff for so long...

johnnylingo24 (7 minutes ago)
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The only reason I HATE Notre Dame is becuase of their ridiculously stupid NBC contract. ND is NOT America's team, I actually love watching them this season. I cheer for them to get blown out on national television and hope all that High School talent is out their watching and choosing not to go to ND. I feel bad for the kids who work as hard as the players at ND only to have it tranlsate into losses that are solely attributable to the coaches.
I bleed purple and gold, GO HUSKIES OF WASHINGTON, BOW DOWN!!

RealTalk8 (7 minutes ago)
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Every game we will have a decided schematic advantage... Ha, ha, ha, ha.... GOT TY?

ronbetzer (8 minutes ago)
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Enough about Willingham already. He deserved to be fired, so they canned him. They didnt fire Ty so they could hire Weis. They fired Ty because he sucked. With that said, Weis sucks more, and it's time for his firing too. But i still dont think any coach wants this job anymore...why would he?

jcallan911 (8 minutes ago)
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As an ND fan that has defended Charlie, I am officially on the fire him bandwagon. How the hell do you not attempt the game winning field goal? Did he bet on this game? His ego is bigger than ND football and he needs to go. Ty or Bob Davey would have kicked the ball. This is one of the lowest moments in ND history, thanks Charlie you fat ####.

RealTalk8 (9 minutes ago)
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10 year extention?

CJLOPEZ44 (9 minutes ago)
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Weiss should be arrested for grand larceny...wow

DonDada118 (9 minutes ago)
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What history does Notre Dame have? jmb9919 step away from the Kool- Aid

RealTalk8 (9 minutes ago)
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decided schematic advantage?

RealTalk8 (10 minutes ago)
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GOT TY?

CJLOPEZ44 (10 minutes ago)
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Weiss said it was no big deal losing to Navy because of the streak...today ND was actually competitive so that there is a bright side to all of this for ND

jmb9919 (10 minutes ago)
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Could you imagine the kind of popularity a coach would get from turning a falling Notre Dame program around, though. What kind of coach wouldn't want that opportunity. They may be worthless now, but there is no denying their history.
Example:Lou Pinella to the Cubs. They haven't won a World Series in 100 years, but he knows what he'll gain if he does lead them to a title.

TheOriginalBravesGirl (11 minutes ago)
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Congrats Navy!!!

Danonwis (11 minutes ago)
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ND= HArvard and Yale, once great powers that have faded from relvance. One more season like that and NBC will be calling the PAC 10 or ACC so they can show games that matter on Saturdays.

RealTalk8 (11 minutes ago)
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decided schematic advantage, ha, ha, ha,..... GOT TY?

RealTalk8 (12 minutes ago)
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decide schematic advantage, ha, ha, ha,..... GOT TY?

rgallivan02 (12 minutes ago)
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CJLOPEZ44 - I'm impressed that you're such a clone. Have your fun, but geez stop stealing Jim Romes' tagline to do it. Your comments are fine because their yours, right or wrong. But try to be more creative and not use Romeys "hilarious". CLONE CLONE CLONE!!!!!!!

Hartshwk (12 minutes ago)
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maybe recruiting class ratings have more to do with prep school players and their handlers working the media eh?

Good post NDFanatic

df1650 (13 minutes ago)
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Yes FIRE WEIS....he should have kicked the field goal and you run a stretch play to tie the game. Offensive Genius...If WEIS was a minority coach, he would be fired either tomorrow or end of season....No one can defend the firing of WIllingham after this fiasco. WIllingham never had a season this bad, even with bob davies players. Yet not one sports network will question ND to fire Weis....incredible

rgallivan02 (13 minutes ago)
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CJLOPEZ44 - I'm impressed that you're such a clone. Have your fun, but geez stop stealing Jim Romes' tagline to do it. Your comments are fine because their yours, right or wrong. But try to be more creative wand not use Romeys "hilarious". CLONE CLONE CLONE!!!!!!!

InsaneBigPappa (14 minutes ago)
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So any excuses from Weis as to why they didn't kick the field goal?

DonDada118 (14 minutes ago)
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Navy did what they had to do and beat a bad team. Congrats Navy

L.A.FANATIK (14 minutes ago)
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congratulations to my fellow sailors on and off the field that fought hard for that win!

TheHermit17 (14 minutes ago)
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Well put the last nail in this team is more than done.
There is nothing left for this season Time to blood the next crop since those in the job now are rubbish.

CJLOPEZ44 (14 minutes ago)
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wolfpack2013...it may not be 43 yrs for the next Navy win over ND...but it's probably going to be a lot longer before ND wins another national championship (or is even relevant)...hilariou s

NAVY BEATS NOTRE DAME 46-44 | FIRST TIME IN 44 YEARS

2007-11-03T15:41:00.000-07:00

NAVY BEATS NOTRE DAME 46-44 | FIRST TIME IN 44 YEARS

"The Streak doesn't mean anything to me," said Charlie Weis on NBC just 20 seconds ago. In a shocking upset, Navy has defeated Notre Dame 46-44 in a tripple-overtime shocker.

It was a great game that kept me on the edge of my seat. It's too bad Notre Dame lost, but perhaps this development will wake up alumni around the World that there are basic problems with Notre Dame football and that firing Tyrone Willingham when and as they did three years ago was just plain wrong.

I watched the entire game and I'm blogging this now. Over at ESPN's comments area some are calling for Weis to be fired:

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Comments (88-137)

tchat1001 (Less than a minute ago)
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somewhere, someone will blame ty willingham for calling that last play!! haha

bballnfballfreak31 (Less than a minute ago)
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a stretch play on fourth and goal?

InsaneBigPappa (Less than a minute ago)
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Maybe Notre Dame should adopt Ohio States schedule, bet they could get at least two wins with that schedule

dane40_40 (Less than a minute ago)
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ouch this is tough stuff for us notre dame fans to watch

y2lamanaki (Less than a minute ago)
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Life as a Notre Dame fan just hit a new low today.

CJLOPEZ44 (Less than a minute ago)
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Don't worry guys, ND is going to be REALLY good within the next two years....by really good do you mean actually scoring against Michigan and USC and maybe beating Navy....hilarious

willia488@yahoo.com (1 minute ago)
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Bottom line Charlie Weis has to be fired after the loss today to Navy. Why did he not kick the field goal! What is he thinking about

pluturner (1 minute ago)
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I haven't seen a beating like that since someone put a bananna in my pants and let a monkey loose..... ND = hot sewage...

KA_Gilligan (2 minutes ago)
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That's what Weis gets. Should've kicked a field goal in the 4th. I couldn't be happier. Congrats Navy!!!

Werbals (2 minutes ago)
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This is now officially the worst season in Notre Dame history.

I guess if you wanted to be optimistic, there's nowhere for the Irish to go but up! Maybe their fans will learn to appreciate their annual bowl game losses more after this season.

DylanFan78251 (2 minutes ago)
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Great playcalling, Charlie. You passed up a potential winning field goal for this?

GNewsomII (2 minutes ago)
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Thank you for this too Navy.

daveyo43 (2 minutes ago)
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Looks like N.D. needs to find a softer schedule. Maybe they can move to I-AA.

hailkaeser (2 minutes ago)
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Go NAVY!!!! - they've come so close to doing this over the past few years - Great to see them do it!!!

amcguire01 (2 minutes ago)
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...and ND give this coach a long term contract? ok.....

RoboNiner1 (3 minutes ago)
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Congrats Navy on a hard fought win.

InsaneBigPappa (3 minutes ago)
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I've tried to back Charlie the whole season but this is enough. How do you not kick tht field goal at the end of regulation? Worst play call ever! Notre Dame deserved to lose

donmarvn (3 minutes ago)
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! ! Let me get this right. Navy loses at home to I-AA Delaware. They then go to South Bend and beat ND. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Someone want to tell me again how good of a coach Weis is? I'm not trying to hear any "Ty excuses" either. Navy has ZERO blue chippers.

GO NAVY!

rwgrass (3 minutes ago)
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weis says the streak means nothing. somehow Ty is still going to get blamed, but Ty never lost to Navy.

DylanFan78251 (3 minutes ago)
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####' A!! Awesome! Good job for ending that 43 game losing streak.

CJLOPEZ44 (4 minutes ago)
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Puddin pants Weiss is a crappy coach who fleeced ND out of a bunch of money...hilarious..

shoeless1919x (4 minutes ago)
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An NFL job doesn't look that bad now does it Charlie?!!!

SoxSoxFan (5 minutes ago)
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charlie weis = 2008-2009 rams o. coordinator

BeamFox (5 minutes ago)
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Notre Lame..the magic is gone.

InsaneBigPappa (5 minutes ago)
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Notre Dame deserved to lose

knnywood77 (5 minutes ago)
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What we saw today was one rising program and one falling.

SoxSoxFan (5 minutes ago)
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HAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAH I HATE NOTRE DAME ANYWAYS... EVERY YEAR A CRAP LOAD OF PEOPLE BANDWAGON BEFORE THE SEASON STARTS, THEN AS THEY LOSE, THEY ALL GO INTO HIDING

wakerideordie (5 minutes ago)
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i think its time for Mr. Weis to start thining about going BACK to the nfl...

rwgrass (6 minutes ago)
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awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!

CJLOPEZ44 (6 minutes ago)
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Hey, but ND is going to be better than ever in a couple of years...laughable.

DylanFan78251 (6 minutes ago)
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WHat happened? What call?

shoeless1919x (6 minutes ago)
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HAHA even the refs couldn't help!!

SoxSoxFan (6 minutes ago)
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STUFFED!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

knnywood77 (7 minutes ago)
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WHat the f was that call? I bet the ref got a few grand for that one.

stateofhockey31 (7 minutes ago)
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good thing notre dame has the refs to keep em in it.

Hartshwk (7 minutes ago)
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horrible call

CJLOPEZ44 (7 minutes ago)
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Looks like the refs are trying to help ND out...unbelieveable. ...

Carmen_Bobbin (7 minutes ago)
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ND**

SoxSoxFan (8 minutes ago)
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paid refs probably wont be able to give ND a win

Carmen_Bobbin (8 minutes ago)
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I hope BD misses this 2 point conversion!

DylanFan78251 (8 minutes ago)
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Crap

SoxSoxFan (8 minutes ago)
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horrible call

SoxSoxFan (12 minutes ago)
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fat pig weis is horrible

DylanFan78251 (14 minutes ago)
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Sweet. stop them.

rstephensk (14 minutes ago)
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The Game of the Day so far: Notre Dame and Navy!

SoxSoxFan (14 minutes ago)
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im glad navy is going to beat this streak

DylanFan78251 (15 minutes ago)
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They have to go for 2, right?

DylanFan78251 (15 minutes ago)
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Awesome., Go Navy, stop ND now!!

deejpee2 (15 minutes ago)
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I have seen Navy 3 times this yr and that guy always comes to play

deejpee2 (15 minutes ago)
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that campbell kid is a stud I don;t care how big he is or is not

Michigan plays Minnesota without RB Mike Hart & QB Chad Henne

2007-10-27T14:43:00.000-07:00

October 27, 2007

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan's Mike Hart and Chad Henne did not play because of injuries Saturday against Minnesota.

Hart has missed 2 1/2 games since appearing to injure his right ankle. Henne was on and off the field in last week's win at Illinois with an unknown injury.

The No. 19 Wolverines might've kept the senior stars off the field against the lowly Golden Gophers to rest them for the final three games of the regular season: at Michigan State, at Wisconsin and against top-ranked Ohio State at home.

Sophomore Carlos Brown replaced Hart and freshman Ryan Mallett played for Henne in the starting lineup.

No. 18 Cal looking to end slide against seventh-ranked Sun Devils

2007-10-27T05:34:00.000-07:00

By ANDREW BAGNATO, AP College Football Writer
October 25, 2007

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) -- Three weeks ago, the California Golden Bears were dreaming about winning a national title.

Now they'd simply like to win a game. Back-to-back losses have dropped the Bears to No. 17 from No. 2.

Meanwhile, Arizona State has leaped from No. 18 to No. 7 and inherited all of Cal's national ambitions.

Two programs headed in opposite directions collide in the desert on Saturday night.

"We're very realistic about where we're at and the direction that we're trying to go in," Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson said. "We're going to get tested. Our team knows that. We're playing who I think is one of the best teams in the country."

For ASU (7-0, 4-0 Pac-10), the game is an opportunity to make a national statement and keep climbing in the rankings. For Cal (5-2, 2-2 Pac-10), it's the last chance to salvage a shot at the Rose Bowl.

"I think it's important that we bounce back, we regroup, and that we still have confidence in who we are and what we're all about," Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. "We're a couple of plays away from being undefeated. It's disappointing, there's no question about it."

The game might draw a rare sellout in 71,706-seat Sun Devil Stadium.

Erickson's 7-0 start is the best in school history, and he's the first coach to win his first four Pac-10 games at ASU.

The fifth looks as if it will be far tougher than the others. ASU's first four conference opponents are a combined 4-13.

"Tape doesn't lie on California," Erickson said. "They're an extremely good football team, and obviously they can't afford to lose another game in the league if they want to have any opportunity to go to the Rose Bowl. So we're going to have play pretty good, I'm afraid."

Both of Cal's losses came down to the final minutes.

Starting quarterback Nate Longshore was sidelined by an ankle injury in a 31-28 loss to Oregon State in Berkeley on Oct. 13. The game ended when Longshore's replacement, Kevin Riley, was tackled deep in Beavers territory and the clock ran out before Cal's kick team could attempt a potential tying field goal.

A week later, Cal trailed UCLA by 2 late in the fourth quarter when Longshore threw an interception that was returned 76 yards for a touchdown. Final score: UCLA 30, Cal 21.

"We just need to change a couple of things and we will be all right," wide receiver Robert Jordan said. "It's not like we're getting blown out. It's not like other teams are outplaying us."

ASU has had only one close call -- and it went the Sun Devils' way when Washington State missed a late field goal in a 23-20 ASU victory on Oct. 6.

Otherwise, the Sun Devils have mostly cruised against a schedule ranked 97th by the NCAA. They've faced little adversity, although that changed when starting tailback Ryan Torain was lost for the season with a toe injury.

The bruising 6-foot-1, 213-pound senior had started six of the seven games for the Sun Devils, rushing for 553 yards and five touchdowns. He also caught seven passes for 100 yards and two scores.

Torain will be replaced by a tandem of Keegan Herring, a 5-10, 186-pound junior from Peoria, Ariz., and Dimitri Nance, a 5-10, 204-pound sophomore from Euless, Texas.

Herring will start against Cal, but Nance is expected to see a lot of action.

"There's a little bit more pressure on me," Herring said. "The guys want to see me step up."

ASU hopes to avoid a repeat of last season, when a loss to Cal all but wrecked its season.

The Sun Devils won their first three games before walking into a buzz saw in Strawberry Canyon. The 49-21 whipping by Cal started a three-game losing streak, and the Sun Devils never recovered, finishing 7-6.

"For me, I didn't play too well at Cal last year and they beat us pretty good," Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter said. "This is a game I've been looking forward to, a little over a year now, waiting to get a second chance at them."

(2) Boston Coll. 14, (8) Virginia Tech 10

2007-10-27T05:33:00.000-07:00

By RALPH D. RUSSO, AP College Football Writer
October 26, 2007

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) -- Matt Ryan bought some time, scrambling to his left away from the Virginia Tech rush while searching for an open receiver.

He found just what he was looking for, fired a pass all the way across the field and kept No. 2 Boston College perfect.

Call it Ryan's Heisman moment.

The senior quarterback threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Andre Callender with 11 seconds left and the Eagles validated themselves as national title contenders with an improbable 14-10 victory over No. 8 Virginia Tech on Thursday night.

Boston College avoided becoming the fourth second-ranked team to lose in the last four weeks, with Ryan throwing two touchdown passes in the final 2:11 after doing little for the first 55 minutes against the Hokies' swarming defense.

"Well, you know there's still time left on the clock," Ryan said. "You know you still have a shot and you still got a chance. We've been in this situation so many times through the course of the year in practice and we've prepared ourselves really well."

Boston College (4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), second in the BCS standings this week, improved to 8-0 for the first time since 1942. Despite the fast start, some were skeptical of the Eagles, who had only played one ranked team before Virginia Tech.

Ryan finished 25-for-52 for 285 yards with two interceptions, but the final numbers hardly told the story.

"That's what Heisman's do," Hokies defensive end Chris Ellis said. "They don't ever give up. We beat the O-line, put licks on him and he came through at the end. He had a 2-minute drill -- two of them. He did what he had to do."

With the Hokies (6-2, 3-1) leading 10-0 late in the fourth and the Eagles backed up against their own goal line, Ryan finally found a rhythm. He led a 91-yard scoring drive, capped by a 16-yard TD pass to Rich Gunnell with 2:11 left.

"Matt Ryan, what he did tonight, along with the receivers and the whole crew there in the last three minutes of the game, that was special," first-year coach Jeff Jagodzinski said. "There wasn't one bit of panic -- nothing -- with those kids, especially that guy."

Jagodzinski was pointing to Ryan.

After BC recovered an onside kick at its own 34, Ryan went back to work. Three times he scrambled away from pressure to complete passes, showing off the powerful right arm NFL scouts love and some nimble feet, too.

On the deciding play, he slid to his left and spotted Callender drifting back into the end zone away from the defense. Ryan let loose, and Callender cradled in the winning score.

Sean Glennon, making his first start for the Hokies since being benched after the 48-7 loss to LSU early in the second week of the season, played steady on a soggy night at Lane Stadium. He was 15-for-25 for 149 yards with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Eddie Royal in the second quarter. Glennon's 41-yard hook up with Royal in the third set up Jud Dunlevy's 44-yard field goal that made it 10-0.

Glennon was replacing injured freshman Tyrod Taylor.

Virginia Tech, eighth in the BCS standings, appeared to be on its way to sneaking back into the national title race after D.J. Parker picked off Ryan's pass at Eagles 31 with 6:01 left in the fourth quarter.

The Hokies couldn't convert the interception into points.

"You think back to several times during the game where you have an opportunity to go ahead and win it," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "We just didn't quite get it done."

Ryan went 9-for-15 on the final two drives, keeping BC's high hopes from being washed away on a windy and rainy night.

The first half was played in a steady, soaking rain and neither team could get much going. The Hokies and Eagles combined for seven fumbles, though only one turnover.

The turnover set up BC at the Virginia Tech 19. The Eagles could only move backward and gave the ball back when Ryan threw incomplete under pressure on fourth-and-24.

"I told our guys at halftime don't you dare look up until the end of the game and we'll go on to win this thing," Jagodzinski said.

Hokies defensive lineman Ellis and Barry Booker harassed Ryan constantly and the Hokies sacked the BC passer three times, half as many as the Eagles had allowed in their first seven games.

Branden Ore rushed for 97 yards on 20 carries for the Hokies against BC's top-ranked run defense, which came in allowing 46 yards per game.

The Eagles' biggest win in years was far more about grit than flash, and who knows how many back in Boston even saw it with the Red Sox playing Game 2 of World Series.

As for all that Heisman stuff, Ryan shrugged it off.

"I'm happy we moved to 8-0," he said. "That's all I care about."

Updated on Friday, Oct 26, 2007 12:57 am, EDT

Boston College moves up to second-place in the BCS; Third-place LSU gains ground

2007-10-21T17:18:00.000-07:00

By RALPH D. RUSSO, AP College Football Writer
October 21, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -- With its toughest test yet just days away, Boston College moved into second-place behind Ohio State in the BCS standings Sunday.

Don't look back BC, third-place LSU gained ground this week and two Pac-10 teams are primed to pounce if the teams ahead of them falter.

With Boston College playing at Virginia Tech, which is eighth in the standings, on Thursday night, the Eagles stay at No. 2 could be as short as South Florida's.

The Hokies are the highest ranked team BC has faced this season.

The Buckeyes (8-0), who are No. 1 in the Harris and coaches' polls, lead the Bowl Championship Series standings for the second consecutive week with an average of .976 out of a possible 1.000.

Ohio State is also No. 1 in the AP Top 25.

Boston College (7-0), which is tops in the computer ratings, took advantage of South Florida's loss last Thursday night at Rutgers and moved up one spot. The Eagles have a BCS average of .950. LSU (.911 average) also moved up a spot and closed in on the Eagles.

Unbeaten Arizona State (7-0) moved up four spots to fourth-place with a .763 average, just ahead of Pac-10 rival Oregon (.762).

The top two teams in the final standings will play in the BCS national championship game on Jan. 7 in New Orleans.

The Boston College-Virginia Tech game will start a big weekend of college football that could reshape the Bowl Championship Series standings and the national title race.

Seven of the top 12 teams in the BCS play ranked opponents.

The Buckeyes also face their toughest game so far, playing Penn State on Saturday night in Happy Valley.

Arizona State plays California at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. Oregon hosts Southern California, which is 12th in the latest BCS standings.

West Virginia, seventh in the BCS standings, is at Rutgers, and Florida, 11th in the BCS, faces SEC rival Georgia in Jacksonville, Fla.

Unbeaten Hawaii, trying to be this season's BCS buster, was 17th in the new standings. The Warriors, out of the Western Athletic Conference, which does not have an automatic bid to the Bowl Championship Series, can automatically qualify by finishing in the top 12 of the standings.

USC 31 - Notre Dame 0 (In Progress) Comments Not Kind To ND

2007-10-20T15:19:00.000-07:00

Notre Dame's getting slammed by Cal. Here's the most recent comments on the game on ESPN.com. Warning ND fans, they're not kind.

geddymd73 (Just now)
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Is there a worse team in all of football than Notre Dame? I don't know what UCLA was thinking. Hopefully, this program doesn't come back in many many years. Sorry, zero points is not "fighting back".

MontanaDomer (Less than a minute ago)
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Pathetic and embarrasing. No offense, no enthusiasm. Some coaches don't fit in college, some don't fit in the NFL.
Prediction: Petrino leads ND in two years. Great college resume as a coach and player with offensive ingenuity - and even a catholic. Just ask Louiville if they miss him. You heard it here first.

7aslan3 (5 minutes ago)
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how did UCLA lose to Notre Dame, ND is terrible

209jdizzle (7 minutes ago)
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2 teams i love to hate, notre dame and the yankees, god im lovin this season

7aslan3 (15 minutes ago)
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the rout is on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

gobama4ever67 (22 minutes ago)
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Go USC Go!!!!!!!!

spiritsunami (32 minutes ago)
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rwk81 (33 minutes ago) Report Violation | Ignore User hmm,

USC really isn't looking all that great. Some tough games coming up so I don't expect them to go undefeated for the rest of the season.

...Well, duh.

CoyPorter (53 minutes ago)
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Notre Dame needs a running game

texas7710 (55 minutes ago)
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at least ND is still fighting.That means alot to the program. but they need to have Rudy come talk to them to try and spark something and get them ready 4 next year

rwk81 (1 hour ago)
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hmm,

USC really isn't looking all that great. Some tough games coming up so I don't expect them to go undefeated for the rest of the season.

AllenbaughLaw624 (1 hour ago)
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GO USC BABY!

AllenbaughLaw624 (1 hour ago)
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dude it's 5 a.m. Sunday morning for me in China and I'm stuck watching this on the internet, but i'm LOVING it!! Although it should 35-0 by now.....

209jdizzle (1 hour ago)
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weis is gonna get his fat #### fired

Bortz918 (1 hour ago)
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Its hard to be a ND fan.... just pissed all day on Saturday

geddymd73 (1 hour ago)
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ND has a rough future. They already have had 4 sophomores transfer and the season is just halfway over. This team may be 1-11 for a long time coming. Hello Jr. College transfers.

Spivy_08 (1 hour ago)
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notre dame decided to get uniforms that match their play huh

gravyboat63 (1 hour ago)
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Did Rudy make that tackle?

nloaboy (1 hour ago)
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usc will win.NOT!!!

shanebobane1 (2 hours ago)
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wow walker sucks

geddymd73 (2 hours ago)
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There are a lot of I-AA teams that would be a bigger challenge for USC than Notre Dame. The only good ND team this year is North Dakota State.

coldheat8 (2 hours ago)
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USC makes me wanna puke. The way the press is on thier jocks all the time like the press does the Yankess in baseball.

coldheat8 (2 hours ago)
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What a funny story it would be if ND could win this game...but, since Lou Holtz said they would....there isnt a chance in hell!

shanebobane1 (2 hours ago)
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its a great game so far

gravyboat63 (2 hours ago)
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Who says I'm not outside? 99% is high. I have to eat.

SomeonePleaseCall911 (2 hours ago)
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it's too nice outside to be here

SomeonePleaseCall911 (2 hours ago)
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so you spend 99% of yer waking hours chatting. bladowwwwwww

gravyboat63 (2 hours ago)
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Thank you.

SomeonePleaseCall911 (2 hours ago)
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ok sorry i forgot ya sleep

gravyboat63 (3 hours ago)
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Yes.

gravyboat63 (3 hours ago)
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First of all, I'm not in here 24/7. It's more like 12/7. Second, I was referring to pariah's comment. And 3rd, I didn't tell you not to post. I didn't tell you what to post, just chill. Have some chili.

SomeonePleaseCall911 (3 hours ago)
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rudy sucks lmaooooooooooooooooo ooohahahahahahah too funny NOT

SomeonePleaseCall911 (3 hours ago)
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yer easily entertained huh gravy

gravyboat63 (3 hours ago)
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Now that's funny.lmao

SomeonePleaseCall911 (3 hours ago)
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well that's yer problem gravy because shame on dame??..huh??ppfftt immaculate reception??pfftt. i know yer in here 24/7 gravy but i'll post what i want to ok.

gravyboat63 (3 hours ago)
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I thought it was funny.lmao SomeonePlease..You need to chill.

SomeonePleaseCall911 (3 hours ago)
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This proves that haters have no sense of humor. These are some of the lamest comments I have ever seen.

blueandgold1977 (3 hours ago)
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3(+) USC turnovers fuel ND to a narrow victory!

ND 20
USC 17

plwtrick (4 hours ago)
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What do you think the pac 10 is the best haha.

usctrojans1023 (4 hours ago)
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Hey Charlie before you tell the crowd to annoy the Trojans in their walkthrough, try to earn some respcet as a head coach!

EAGLEBUZZ5150 (4 hours ago)
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yo flanders111,
It's all about the spread

Flanders111 (4 hours ago)
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And stop with the spreads - that is for betting/Vegas. LSU did not cover the spread vs Kentucky (favored by 9 but lost) so that means they suck arse as well?? They say USC's loss to Stanford was the worse ever - point spread wise - but there was no line on the Mich/Appa St game, so that tells me Michigan is the worst ever stilllll.....
App St Div-II; Stanford Div-I. A win is a win and screw the bettors - I hope all you clowns that bet on any game lose your butt.....

Flanders111 (4 hours ago)
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aimeedee2 - you should know by now that when you give facts to an SEC fan, it never registers! They are a joke - SEC is usually the best CFB conf but not this year. So Carolina is showing how great the SEC is - losing 17-3 to Vandy (worse than Stanford). LSU squeaked out a win vs the g c o c k s! I like Kentucky but not sure if they run the table. See when you lose to crappy SEC teams, they use the in conference excuse. But when USC loses to only PAC-10 teams over the last 4 years (exception Texas), they are overrated!

STFU SEC Fans! We get that you hate USC! Fine - when your teams have anywhere near the history of USC then we will talk...but you don't! You hate USC cuz we go into your backyard and take your players - that is what being a great school does. USC has the best record in CFB over the last 5 years and they still have only lost 1 game this year - oh the same as Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, etc. So when USC runs the table and makes it back into the BCS game, all you clowns can ...well figure it out your selves!

USC/ND is still a great rivalry. ND has had an awful season but this game defines each team. This year more than most, this will push USC up the chain again or push ND to a .500 record. This is the longest running OOC game and has more history, passion, and effect on the title than any other game nationwide.

Fight On USC and crush the Domers.....

EAGLEBUZZ5150 (4 hours ago)
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Southern Cal covers the spread...bank on it..........shame on dame shame on dame

pariahmonkey (4 hours ago)
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Notre Dame will need an immaculate reception to be break through the Trojans!

gravyboat63 (4 hours ago)
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beaushaf...How do you know?

sdumontjr5 (4 hours ago)
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LOL...some of these comments are funny....I'm a huge ND fan but seriously guys...what are the chances we are going to win....really!!! I'd love to see it happen especially after the miserable season we are having. But when is Weis leaving to coach the NY Giants???

SexiestManAlive21 (5 hours ago)
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blindfish, im sure your team has lost before too..........

So dont make me bring up those losses...........

blindfish28 (5 hours ago)
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beaushaf, just be quite, and don't make me talk about Appalacian state and Oregon!

beaushaf (5 hours ago)
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RUDY SUCKS!!!

beaushaf (5 hours ago)
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Man how I wish both teams could lose this game GO MICHIGAN!!!

USC's Plane On Way To Notre Dame Plummets Dramatically

2007-10-20T01:58:00.000-07:00

Some are taking this as a sign of an Irish victory. It could also just plain piss off USC. The bottom line is that this is shaping up to be a weird game.

Here's the story...

'Terrifying' Trip for USC
AP Sports
Posted: 2007-10-19 15:15:57
Filed Under: College Football

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (Oct. 19) - The plane carrying USC's football team to South Bend plummeted during a severe thunderstorm, forcing the pilot to abort his first landing attempt.

There were about 125 people, including 82 players, on the chartered flight Thursday night for the cross-country trip for Saturday's game.

"That was terrifying," fullback Stanley Havili told the Los Angeles Times. "I thought I was going to die."

Some passengers were thrown from their seats by turbulence as lightning crackled around the storm-tossed plane, USC sports information director Tim Tessalone told The Associated Press on Friday. Safety Taylor Mays was screaming.

"It was a little bit of a roller coaster drop there for a minute," Tessalone said. "We had some people fly out of some seats. Everybody is fine, but it was a frightening little dip there."

The pilot aborted the approach and circled around the storm before landing without incident about 20 minutes later to the relief of the shaken team and the spouses of some staff members also on the flight, Tessalone said.

USC's Pete Caroll Calls Charlie Weis: "He's A Jerk" - Also Dishes On Norm Chow

2007-10-19T05:57:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year, USC Head Coach Pete Carroll referred to Notre Dame's Charlie Weis as a jerk. Read this blog post for more information.

Eric Schnupp - Baylor Football Assistant Coach Pees on Tavern Bar, Suspended - AP

2007-10-17T08:42:00.000-07:00

Man. And the bathroom was just a walk away...

No. 1 coach: Baylor football coach suspended for peeing on tavern bar
04:59 PM CDT on Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Associated Press

WACO, Texas -- A Baylor University assistant football coach cited by police for urinating on the bar at a tavern was suspended indefinitely Tuesday.

Eric Schnupp, Baylor’s offensive line/tight ends coach, was not arrested but was issued a citation at 2:20 a.m. Sunday for disorderly conduct-reckless exposure at Scruffy Murphy’s, Waco police spokesman Steve Anderson said.

The citation is a Class C misdemeanor carrying a $258 fine, according to Waco Municipal Court.

Coach Guy Morriss said Tuesday during his weekly news conference that he suspended Schnupp indefinitely, but did not comment further.

Schnupp, 30, had traveled Saturday with the team to Lawrence, Kan., where the Bears lost to Kansas 58-10. The team was back in Waco by 9 p.m.

Bartender Danny Severe said in Tuesday’s editions of the Waco Tribune-Herald that the incident happened around closing time and that Schnupp apparently thought no one was watching him as employees were moving patrons out of the building.

Severe said an employee witnessed Schnupp urinating on the bar, and a manager told police officers who were there for an unrelated matter.

Severe said Schnupp had taken several shots of hard liquor, most bought for him by other people.

Schnupp, in his first year as a coach at the world’s largest Baptist university, played football for the University of Miami from 1995-2000 and previously coached at West Texas A&M University.

"I can tell you that coach (Guy) Morriss is taking this issue very seriously," Joos said, declining to say what disciplinary measures are being considered.

Schnupp, in his first year as a coach at the world's largest Baptist university, played football for the University of Miami from 1995-2000 and previously coached at West Texas A&M.

ND's Charlie Weis Wants This One - Evan Sharpley To Start v. USC - South Bend Tribune

2007-10-17T08:18:00.000-07:00

With the season slipping away, it's clear Notre Dame Head Coach Charlie Weis wants a win. A victory against USC would all but salvage one of the worst seasons in Irish Football history.

FLASH .... Notre Dame Tickets

Sharpley to start at QB for Irish

By JEFF CARROLL
South Bend Tribune Staff Writer

Saying that the junior gives his team the best chance to win this week, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis on Tuesday said Evan Sharpley will start at quarterback this Saturday against No. 13-ranked USC.

The 6-foot-2, 216-pounder from Marshall, Mich., is coming off a performance against Boston College in which he completed 11 of 29 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown.

Jimmy Clausen, a true freshman who had started the previous six games, has struggled to make progress in recent weeks, and Weis felt that it was time he took both a physical and mental break for at least a game.

"I think there's a lot of people who have bumps and bruises," Weis said. "That's not the only reason for this decision. I think Evan this week gives us the best chance of winning."

Clausen has completed 81 of 131 passes this season for 618 yards and has played in all seven ND games. He has thrown one touchdown pass and five interceptions.

Clausen also has been hampered by various physical ailments. He underwent offseason surgery to remove a bone spur on his throwing elbow, and was removed in the second half of a loss to Purdue on Sept. 29 with what appeared to be a hip or back injury.

"He's not injured," Weis said. "Is he hurt? Yeah, he's hurt.

"This gives him an opportunity to sit back and watch the game. The game slows down for you when you're not in. It goes fast when you're in there."

Sharpley threw for 208 yards and a pair of touchdowns in relief of Clausen at Purdue.

Other notes of interest from Weis' press conference:

* Starting running back James Aldridge is "doubtful" against the Trojans with a high ankle sprain. Aldridge, who leads the Irish with 249 rushing yards this season, left during the first half of last week's loss.

Weis said he expects fifth-year senior Travis Thomas to get a lot of the playing time at that position. Thomas has 20 yards on 18 carries this season.

"I think we would go a little heaver with Travis in the mix," Weis said. "More than he has been this year."

* Weis said that wide receiver David Grimes, who has not played the last two weeks, and linebacker Maurice Crum, who was severely limited last week, have a better chance of playing this week.

"Both of them have a legitimate chance of playing this week," Weis said.

* Weis brushed off a question about whether he was concerned about the number of midseason exits from the program this season. Guard Matt Carufel's exit over the weekend was the third this season. Quarterback Demetrius Jones and tight end Konrad Reuland also have left, and current backup right tackle Chris Stewart returned home to Texas for a few days to ponder his Notre Dame future before returning to campus.

"I really can't worry too much about the guys that are leaving that aren't starting," Weis said.

* Previously injured former starting right guard Dan Wenger is available this week, but Eric Olsen will continue to start at that position.

* Weis on the green retro jerseys the Irish are wearing this week to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 1977 national championship: "I think they're ugly. (The players) think they're cool. When I showed it to them, I thought it would be an emphatic no, (but) they couldn't have been any more fired up about it."

* On freshman linebackers Brian Smith and Kerry Neal: "They play this game with passion. When it's all said and done, by the time they leave here, they'll be household names."

Staff Writer Jeff Carroll

Notre Dame's Charlie Weis Losing Recruits - Matt Carufel Leaving

2007-10-15T12:16:00.000-07:00

Wow. ND Fans brag about Charlie Weis recruiting classes, but they fail to mention how many have plain left the program. The latest is lineman Matt Carufel.

Boise St. 69, Nevada 67, OT

2007-10-15T08:57:00.000-07:00

By TODD DVORAK, Associated Press Writer
October 15, 2007

BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- In a game with 136 total points and nearly 1,300 yards of total offense, it was the defense that made the biggest play.

Sooner or later the defense had to make a stop, and Boise State's Tim Brady did just that on the final play in the fourth overtime period, stuffing a 2-point conversion attempt in a thrilling 69-67 victory over Nevada on Sunday night.

The game set a record for most points in an NCAA Division I-A game since 1937, when official record keeping began.

The shootout finally ended on a sack by Brady, foiling Nevada's attempt to send the game into a fifth overtime.

"It was the biggest play we had all night," Boise State coach Chris Petersen said. "It's really too bad someone had to lose this one. I don't think I've felt that way after any game, ever."
For a while, it seemed this one would never end -- not with the way the offenses were moving up and down the field.

The Broncos (5-1, 2-0 Western Athletic Conference) rolled up 627 total yards on offense, including Ian Johnson's 205 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

Nevada, led by Colin Kaepernick, a redshirt freshman quarterback making his first start, topped the Broncos with 639 total yards. The Wolfpack (2-4, 0-2) tied the game in the fourth extra period when Luke Lippincott scored on an 8-yard burst up the middle, capping a rushing attack that amassed 406 yards, the fourth most ever allowed by Boise State.

But Nevada opted to pass on the two-point try, and Kaepernick rolled right, found nobody open then moments later found himself in Brady's grasp, sealing Boise State's eighth straight win over the Wolfpack.

"To come up two points short in overtime in a game like this is a hard pill to swallow," said Kaepernick, who threw for three TDs and rushed for two more. "We knew we were going to have to keep putting points on the board to stay in the game."

Talk about an understatement.

Altogether, the teams combined for 17 touchdowns, 1,266 total yards of offense and a handful of personal bests.
Boise State quarterback Taylor Tharp threw for a career-high 320 yards and four touchdowns. Two of those came in the first two overtimes, both 25-yard scoring strikes to Jeremy Childs and Sherm Brasser.

Johnson had 256 yards total offense, including a 32-yard TD pass, the first of his career in the fourth quarter that put the Broncos up 41-34. His 72-yard TD run in the second quarter was the longest of his career.

Kaepernick, starting in place of injured sophomore Nick Graziano, ran for 177 yards and two scores and passed for another 243 yards and three TDs. His performance came against a Boise State defense that entered the game the third best in the nation, averaging just 12.2 points per game.

"I'm proud of our guys," Nevada coach Chris Ault said. "They came back and stood up all game long. We're going to learn a lot from this game and get better."

The Wolfpack trailed most of the game, but grabbed their first lead late in the fourth when Brett Jaekle made a 35-yard field goal.

But Boise State freshman Kyle Brotzman sent the game into overtime by nailing a 27-yard field goal as time expired.

The teams traded touchdowns through the first two overtimes. In the third, Jaekle put Nevada on top with a 27-yard field goal, but Brotzman answered with a 29-yarder.

In the fourth overtime, Johnson scored from a yard out and Tharp lofted a short pass to Jeremy Avery on the 2-point conversion.

Nevada matched the touchdown, but Brady came up big when he got back up on his feet and chased down Kaepernick to end the game.

"You've got to give a lot of credit in this game to our offense," Brady said. "They battled for us and they kept us in the game because we weren't on top of our game tonight."

Updated on Monday, Oct 15, 2007 2:20 am, EDT

Hart injures right ankle in first half against Purdue

2007-10-13T19:55:00.000-07:00

Associated Press

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan's Mike Hart was limited to playing just the first half of the Wolverines' 48-21 victory over Purdue on Saturday after limping to the sideline with an apparent right ankle injury.

After coming out in the second quarter, Hart appeared to be relatively healthy in the second half as he smiled and laughed with teammates while watching the game.

"Talk to coach [Lloyd] Carr," he said repeatedly as he walked off the field after the game.

Carr bristled during his news conference when asked about the extent of the injury and whether it would keep Hart out of the next game at No. 18 Illinois, but was a little more forthcoming during Michigan's radio broadcast.

"How much swelling and how he feels in these next couple of days will really be the determining factor on what it looks like in terms of him coming back," he said. "He's a tough guy, a quick healer."

Hart's teammates expect him to be on the field.

"It's going to take a lot to keep Mike off that field," safety Jamar Adams said. "Somehow, he's going to find his way out there."

Against Purdue, Hart had 21 carries for 102 yards and two touchdowns that helped build a 31-7 halftime lead. He set a school record with his seventh straight 100-yard game.

Brandon Minor, Hart's backup, limped off the field during the first drive of the second half after he appeared to hurt his left ankle. Minor later left the stadium with a protective boot covering his left foot.

Third-string running back Carlos Brown scored twice in the fourth quarter.

Hart became Michigan's career rushing leader last week and entered Saturday's game as the nation's leading rusher.

The senior moved past Wisconsin's Anthony Davis for fifth among the Big Ten's career rushing leaders with 4,757. He trails Wisconsin's Ron Dayne -- who ran for a conference-record 7,125 yards -- Ohio State's Archie Griffin, Indiana's Anthony Thompson and Michigan State's Lorenzo White.

Hart finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting last year. He aided his bid to win the award with a made-for-TV play late in the first quarter. He ran to the left, landed on his back atop a teammate, rolled off, kept himself off the turf by extending his right arm and scored on an 11-yard run.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

(5) South Florida 64, UCF 12

2007-10-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

The cinderella story persists for the fifth ranked team in the country.While sixty-four points is impressive, their biggest test will come next Thursday against Big East foe Rutgers.

By FRED GOODALL, AP Sports Writer
October 13, 2007

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- South Florida coach Jim Leavitt doesn't want to talk about the national title race.

His fifth-ranked Bulls have to conquer the Big East first.

"I like to win more than I do lose, that I know. And I like the position we're in right now, but I'm not thinking about all that other stuff. I'm really not," Leavitt said after Saturday's 64-12 rout of Central Florida.

"I get distracted like everybody else, but I try to keep them to a minimum. We've only played one game in the Big East, and our goal from the beginning was the Big East championship. And I want to tell you something, it's going to be a barn burner these next number of weeks."

Playing at home for the first time since climbing into the top 10, the Bulls showed they're adjusting nicely to their new role of national title contender. The victory was their school record-tying eighth straight.

George Selvie, the nation's sack leader, led a swarming defense that corralled the nation's leading rusher, and Matt Grothe threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more to help the Bulls (6-0) extend the best start in USF's relatively brief football history.

Kevin Smith, who began the day averaging 172 yards per game rushing for Central Florida, was limited to 55 on 18 carries. The junior, who had gained at least 100 in a UCF-record five straight games, spent much of the second half on the bench after the score got out of hand.

USF's defense extended its streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher to 14 games. The Bulls haven't allowed a back to reach the plateau since Ray Rice of Rutgers gained 212 against them early last season.

"It was a great challenge," Selvie said, mindful that the Bulls face Rice again Thursday night. "We love it, but we've got to keep it that way all season."

Grothe completed 15 of 28 passes for 212 yards, including TD throws of 9 yards to Taurus Johnson and 7 yards to Cedric Hill. He also scored on a pair of 6-yard runs before being replaced by Grant Gregory with USF leading 43-10 in the third quarter.

Selvie continued his torrid start with three more tackles for losses, giving him a school single-season record 20 1/2 in six games. He had one sack, his total to 11 1/2 , and also forced a fumble that led to Grothe's first TD.

UCF (3-3) turned the ball over three times in the first quarter, a continuation of a sloppy second-half performance the previous week at East Carolina. The Knights led that game 28-17 before five third-quarter turnovers contributed to a 52-38 loss.

"They took it to us today," UCF coach George O'Leary said. "Life goes on tomorrow, but it's a disappointing loss from the standpoint of the amount of time we put in to try to get some things done right."

USF improved to 3-0 in the series that some fans refer to as the "I-4 War" because Interstate 4 is the main road connecting Tampa and Orlando.

The schools, located less than 100 miles apart, are natural geographical rivals who didn't meet for the first time until two years ago because of USF's reluctance to commit to the idea.

The teams will meet again in 2008, but the future of the series is uncertain after that.

UCF, which dropped to 0-18 all-time against ranked opponents, dug a deep hole for itself in an error-filled first half. The Knights lost two fumbles and an interception to set up 17 points, and Smith lost his footing in his own end zone for a safety that helped USF build a 29-10 lead at the break.

Grothe topped 100 yards rushing for the second straight week. The 6-foot, 213-pound sophomore broke two tackles on his 6-yard TD run in the second quarter, then spun out of the grasp of a defender to score again to put the Bulls up 36-10 early in the third.

UCF benched quarterback Kyle Israel briefly in the second quarter, but backup Michael Greco didn't have any better luck against a relentless pass rush. Israel finished 5-for-11 for 13 yards and one interception, while Greco was 6-of-16 for 71 yards.

The Knights scored their only touchdown without putting the ball in the air, marching 63 yards on the ground with Smith carrying six times for 39 yards and Israel finishing the eight-play drive with a 2-yard run.

"I can't believe anybody would beat us like that," Israel said. "With a loss like this, really all you can do is move past it. ... You've just got to give credit to South Florida. They played like where they're ranked."

Updated on Saturday, Oct 13, 2007 5:29 pm, EDT

4) Boston Coll. 27, Notre Dame 14

2007-10-13T19:44:00.000-07:00

As the embarrassment continues in South Bend, the BC Eagles celebrate their undefeated season.

By TOM COYNE, AP Sports Writer
October 13, 2007

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) -- Matt Ryan kept Notre Dame from getting payback on unbeaten Boston College.

Ryan used a series of screens and short passes to keep the blitzing Irish off balance and threw two touchdowns to lead the fourth-ranked Eagles to a 27-14 victory over Notre Dame.

The Irish were hoping to put a damper on BC's national title hopes as the Eagles had done when they cost Notre Dame a national championship in 1993. They threatened, but just couldn't pull it out.

BC coach Jeff Jagodzinski said he never viewed the game against the Irish (1-6) as a trap game because he knew his team wouldn't take Notre Dame lightly.

"Our kids were so excited about coming out here and playing this football game. It's a great rivalry," he said.

Jagodzinski said his message has stayed consistent against each opponent.

"I told our guys we can't get to where we want to go unless we keep taking care of business every week," he said.

Boston College is 7-0 for just the fifth time in 107 seasons, the first time since 1942, and beat its rival Notre Dame for the fifth straight time. The Irish lead the series between the only two Catholic schools to play major college football 9-8, but the Eagles have won six of the last seven.

The Eagles appeared ready to blow the game open when Ryan threw a 9-yard scoring pass to Andre Callender to make it 20-0 with 11:42 left in the third quarter. The score was set up when Tyronne Pruitt intercepted a pass by Jimmy Clausen and returned it 30 yards to the Notre Dame 11.

However, the Irish scored a pair of touchdowns 95 seconds apart to cut it to 20-14. Evan Sharpley, who replaced the ineffective Jimmy Clausen at quarterback, threw a 19-yard TD pass to Robby Parris and linebacker Brian Smith returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown.

The Eagles quickly regained control after the Irish were called for excessive celebration and penalized 15 yards on the kickoff. Brad Newman returned the kick 18 yards to the Notre Dame 44 and the Eagles needed only five plays to score. Ryan, throwing quickly to beat the blitz, hit Kevin Challenger for a 13-yard TD to make it 27-14.

Ryan said he wasn't flustered after throwing the interception for a Notre Dame TD.

"Right after you throw a pick that goes for six you want to come right back out fighting," Ryan said. "At this point in my career I've thrown plenty of picks. You just have to block it out. As a quarterback you definitely have to have temporary amnesia and go out there and keep chucking it. That's what we did."

Despite the constant blitzing, the Irish didn't sack Ryan.

"He's got a really quick release," Notre Dame nose tackle Pat Kuntz said. "He's good, and there's nothing much else I can say about that. He's probably the best quarterback we've seen."

Ryan, 21-4 as a starter, was 32-of-49 passing. Callender caught 10 passes for 91 yards and rushed for 90 yards on 23 carries, including TD runs of 7 and 1 yards.

The Irish offense struggled again, managing just 222 yards total offense. BC, which entered as the No. 3 defense against the run holding opponents to 49.7 yards a game, held the Irish to 27 yards rushing. It was the fifth time this season the Irish were held to less than 50 yards rushing.

Clausen started but failed to lead the Irish to a score. He was 7-of-20 for 60 yards and was pulled after he threw his second interception on Notre Dame's first offensive play of the second half. That set up BC's third touchdown.

Sharpley was 11-of-29 for 135 yards. Coach Charlie Weis said he would have to review the tape before deciding who will start against USC next week.

"I'm never big on blaming the quarterback for the lack of production on the offense," Weis said.

Weis said the biggest problem for the Irish were too many mistakes. The Irish had the excessive celebration penalty set up one score, the interception set up another and the punter's knee touching the ground another.

"I think we had a chance in this game, but the bottom line is they won 27-14," he said. "If I sit there and say, 'God if we were just better on that snap, or if we would have hit this one pass or if we didn't get a penalty. ...' But the thing is, we did."

Notre Dame has lost five straight to Top 5 teams since beating fifth-ranked Michigan in 2005 in Weis' second game as coach of the Irish.

Notre Dame is 1-6 for just the third time in school history. The other two times were in 1956 and 1960.

Penn St. 38, (19) Wisconsin 7

2007-10-13T19:42:00.000-07:00

Consecutive road losses by the Badgers will most likely move them out of the top 25.

By GENARO C. ARMAS, AP Sports Writer
October 13, 2007

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Wide smiles broke out on the faces of the Penn State Nittany Lions after Deon Butler's 29-yard touchdown catch.

Terrell Golden greeted his teammate on the sideline by jumping high in the air and bumping Butler's hips.

Penn State was glad to be playing football again.

Anthony Morelli threw for 216 yards and the TD to Butler, Rodney Kinlaw ran for 115 yards and another score, and the Nittany Lions capitalized on mistake-prone No. 19 Wisconsin in a surprisingly easy 38-7 win Saturday.

"It was getting back to the basics. Just play football," Golden said Saturday, following a week full of off-the-field distractions at Penn State. "You don't work football. You play it."

Penn State (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) moved the ball with ease in claiming its second straight conference win and scored on two of three Wisconsin first-half turnovers.

The Badgers (5-2, 2-2) lost their second straight after having won 14 in a row.

Just last week the Badgers were ranked No. 5 and had aspirations for a national title. Now, they've lost two straight and are struggling.

Wisconsin's season-long woes on defense continued after giving up 437 yards Saturday. Their formidable offense faltered, too, held to a season-low point total.

"We can't let them intimidate us," defensive end Maurice Evans, who had two sacks, said about the Badgers' physical offensive line. "We can't play scared."

"Overrated!" chanted blue and white-clad fans with five minutes left in the fourth quarter and the game well in hand.

Star tailback P.J. Hill, who bruised a groin last week against Illinois, had 19 carries and ran for a touchdown but was held to 75 yards rushing on the afternoon, 50 below his season average.

Coach Bret Beilema said Hill may have also hurt his wrist Saturday afternoon.

Hill got the Badgers off to an awful start, fumbling on the Wisconsin 16 after being hit by defensive end Josh Gaines on the first play.

Linebacker Sean Lee recovered at the 12, and three plays later Matt Hahn leaped into the end zone from 1 yard out to give the Nittany Lions a quick 7-0 lead.

"I was just at the right place at the right time," Gaines said about the fumble. "It kind of set the tone."

It was a bad omen for the Badgers.

"Anytime you start the game the way we did, with turning the ball over on the opening possession and putting our defense behind it ... mistakes out of the gate," Bielema said, trailing off at one point.

Early in the second quarter, wide-open freshman wideout David Gilreath, getting more playing time because of injuries to the Wisconsin receiving corps, bobbled a pass that would have given the Badgers a sure first down at midfield. Penn State's Lydell Sargeant picked the ball out of the air for an interception.

Three plays later, Morelli faked left and hit Deon Butler in stride down the right sideline for a 29-yard score and 17-7 lead.

A giddy Butler raised his right fist as he trotted by the raucous student section.

Happy Valley celebrated a happy homecoming game.

Evan Royster's 19-yard touchdown run on a fourth-and-1 with 6:29 in the second quarter gave Penn State a 24-7 lead that Wisconsin would never threaten. Royster had 68 yards on eight carries, and Morelli finished 16-of-28 passing.

Wisconsin safety Kim Royston readied for long day Sunday of watching film back in Madison.

"I can't think off the top of my head," Royston said when asked what's wrong with the defense. "Our defense has to get better, that's all I can really say."

The beleaguered Nittany Lions finally generated some good news Saturday after a tough week off the field.

Police on Friday charged running back Austin Scott with rape. Scott was suspended on Oct. 5.

Coach Joe Paterno has also said he is investigating the possibility that a couple players were involved in a fight earlier this month. And two Nittany Lions are still awaiting trial on criminal charges in connection with another fight off-campus in April.

Saturday was all about football.

"I told them, 'Let's go play football.' That's all," Paterno said when asked how his team responded in practice. "You can't do anything about some of the mistakes" made by other players.

Anthony Scirrotto also had an interception for Penn State's active defense.

For the second straight week, Wisconsin couldn't overcome a double-digit halftime deficit on the road.

Quarterback Tyler Donovan was forced to throw often in the second half and had to scramble often to keep drives alive. He finished 16-of-29 for 220 yards and an interception.

Wisconsin's Kyle Jefferson had six catches for 124 yards. Butler led Penn State with seven receptions for 93 yards and Golden added five for 83.

Updated on Saturday, Oct 13, 2007 8:40 pm, EDT

(17) Kentucky 43, (1) LSU 37, 3OT

2007-10-13T19:37:00.000-07:00

With number one LSU and number two Cal both faltering today, who will be the new top ranked team in the nation.

By JEFFREY McMURRAY, Associated Press Writer
October 13, 2007

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Kentucky topped them all by toppling No. 1 LSU.

Andre Woodson and the Wildcats became the latest team to shake up the national title race, and the first in nearly four years to take down the top-ranked team in the regular season, beating the Tigers 43-37 in triple overtime Saturday.

Woodson found Steve Johnson wide open in the end zone for a 7-yard score in the third extra period. The 2-point conversion, required after two overtimes, failed but it didn't matter.

With a chance to win it, LSU (6-1, 3-1 SEC) couldn't get a first down on four straight running plays. Charles Scott was stopped a yard short on fourth-and-2 and No. 17 Kentucky (6-1, 2-1) had it's first victory over a No. 1 team since 1964, when it beat Mississippi.

"It proved we're a team that obviously earns a lot more respect now," Woodson said in the middle of the on-field celebration. "We've come a long way from being a doormat in the SEC to competing with the best teams in the SEC and getting some wins."

No highly ranked team seems safe in a season of surprises. It started with Appalachian State knocking off then-No. 5 Michigan in Week 1. In the past two weeks, nine teams ranked in the top 10 have lost, including No. 2 USC falling 24-23 to Stanford last week.

No. 1 had been safe though, until now.

The last time a No. 1 team was beaten during the regular season was Dec. 6, 2003, when Kansas State beat Oklahoma 35-7 for the Big 12 title.

The last No. 1 team to lose in overtime was Miami, beaten by Ohio State in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.

Kentucky took its turn this time, led by a Heisman Trophy contender at quarterback.

Woodson wasn't sharp early but completed 21 of 38 passes for 250 yards, throwing for three TDs and running for another. He largely had to carry the load with top rusher Rafael Little sidelined with a bruised thigh.

On the winning TD, Johnson was wide open because defender Jonathan Zenon tripped and fell. Woodson double-pumped before firing a strike.

"Whenever it starts to look dark, that's when they dig down and find something extra," Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said.

LSU became No. 1 two weeks ago for the first time since 1959. In its first game as the top team, the Tigers escaped with a 28-24 win over Florida last week when Jacob Hester scored on a 2-yard run with less than a minute left.

This week, LSU couldn't escape and it looks like the Tigers' stay atop the rankings will be a short one.

The first Bowl Championship Series standings come out Sunday.

Fans at Commonwealth Stadium stormed the field, in a scene reminiscent of 2002, the last time these teams played in Lexington. Only that time, it was a false alarm because LSU's Devery Henderson scored on a 75-yard tipped pass as time expired in what is still known in Baton Rouge as the "Bluegrass Miracle."

Early on Saturday, it didn't seem like this game was heading to a miracle finish. It didn't seem like the Tigers would need one.

But starting with a minute left in the third quarter, Kentucky scored 13 straight points to tie it at 27. Both teams scored rushing TDs in the first OT and field goals in the second.

Woodson, who earlier this season broke Trent Dilfer's major college record of 271 consecutive passes without an interception, had two picked off Saturday.

The Wildcats took an early 7-0 lead after Woodson's tipped, wobbly pass was grabbed in the end zone by T.C. Drake.

The Tigers didn't wait long to answer. Two long runs -- 27 yards from Trindon Holliday and 55 yards from Scott -- set up Scott's first TD, a 1-yard plunge, to tie the game at 7. The Tigers tacked on another TD by Scott, from 13 yards out, late in the first half.

Kentucky closed the deficit to 17-14 at halftime when Woodson found Steve Johnson on a 50-yard post, then scrambled 12 yards untouched into the end zone.

Until late in the game, Kentucky did little against LSU's top ranked defense, which had allowed fewer than 200 yards a game.

Updated on Saturday, Oct 13, 2007 9:29 pm, EDT

Penn St. RB Austin Scott charged with rape, assault

2007-10-12T17:30:00.000-07:00

By GENARO C. ARMAS, AP Sports Writer
October 12, 2007

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Suspended Penn State running back Austin Scott is charged with raping a woman at his campus apartment after meeting her at a bar.

Scott was arraigned Friday on charges of rape, sexual assault and two counts of aggravated indecent assault, all felonies, in connection with the Oct. 5 encounter. According to court papers, Scott told investigators the woman did not initially want to have sex.

Scott declined to comment as he left the courtroom Friday.

"The interaction he had with the woman involved was consensual, and we anticipate we will be able to prove that in court," Scott's attorney, Joseph Amendola, said. "Very optimistic. We're looking forward to the opportunity of establishing his innocence."

Authorities said the encounter occurred in the early morning hours of Oct. 5. Coach Joe Paterno suspended Scott later that day, and the school announced the next day the tailback had violated an unspecified team rule.

Scott remains enrolled at Penn State.

"As with the case with any sexual assault, we consider it a matter adjudicated by the court, and we can't get into details at this point," university spokeswoman Lisa Powers said.

Scott also faces three misdemeanors: two counts of indecent assault and one count of simple assault. He was released on $50,000 unsecured bail and ordered to stay away from the alleged victim.

Scott is still on the roster but still suspended, team spokesman Jeff Nelson said Friday.

"As coach Paterno stated earlier this week, he has not participated with the team since the end of last week and we do not have any further comment at this point," Nelson said.

A preliminary hearing for Scott was scheduled for Wednesday.

Scott, a fifth-year senior, ran for 302 yards and six touchdowns this season before his suspension last week. He arrived at Penn State in 2003 a highly touted recruit after setting state records of 3,853 rushing yards and 53 touchdowns as a senior at Parkland High School in Allentown.

He led Penn State in rushing his freshman year (436 yards), but nagging injuries and other off-field issues kept him lagging on the depth chart. He redshirted last season after being slowed by an ankle injury.

Florida walk-on player killed in motorcycle accident

2007-10-12T17:29:00.000-07:00

By MARK LONG, AP Sports Writer
October 12, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- A walk-on defensive back for the Florida Gators was killed early Friday when the motorcycle he was driving hit a median at a high rate of speed, police said.

Michael Guilford, a 19-year-old redshirt freshman from Quincy, was not wearing a helmet. Neither was passenger Ashley Slonina, a Florida junior from Lynn Haven who also died in the crash.

The two were riding a 1998 silver Kawasaki motorcycle when it struck a median near campus around 1 a.m., police spokesman Lt. Keith Kameg said. Kameg said officers estimated the motorcycle was traveling 25 to 30 mph over the speed limit.

Police were awaiting autopsy and toxicology reports and investigating a report that the students had been at a gathering at a nearby apartment complex before the crash, Kameg said.

Crisis counselors were available to meet with students who knew Guilford and Slonina.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Michael Guilford," coach Urban Meyer said in a statement. "He was an outstanding, quality young man that was loved, respected and admired by all of us. His unselfish efforts on helping his teammates getting ready to play every week were only a glimpse of the person he was.

Guilford, nicknamed "Sunshine" because his long blonde hair resembled that of Ronnie "Sunshine" Bass in the football movie "Remember the Titans," was named one of the scout team players of the week following Florida's win over Mississippi earlier this season.

Guilford also mimicked Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith during preparation for the Bowl Championship Series national title game in January.

Wake Forest 24, (21) Florida St. 21

2007-10-12T05:30:00.000-07:00

The upsets continue to mount.

By JOEDY McCREARY, AP Sports Writer
October 12, 2007

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) -- Riley Skinner wasn't good enough to play for the Florida State Seminoles. Once again, he proved talented enough to help Wake Forest beat them.

Skinner's 35-yard touchdown pass to Kenneth Moore in the fourth quarter led the Demon Deacons past No. 21 Florida State 24-21 on Thursday night and helped the sophomore quarterback improve to 2-0 against his homestate school that didn't recruit him.
"We needed that for Wake Forest this year (because) a lot of people doubted us, we hadn't really won real pretty," Skinner said. "We needed that for our confidence and to show we're for real."

Skinner completed 19 of 27 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns for the Demon Deacons (4-2, 3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference).

The defending league champs rallied in the second half to follow up last year's stunning 30-0 rout in Tallahassee by claiming the first consecutive wins over the Seminoles (4-2, 1-2) in school history.

"They didn't want to be a one-hit wonder and just have a good season last year," coach Jim Grobe said. "There's been a lot of pressure on this football team."

Skinner led the Demon Deacons 82 yards in nine plays, converting three third downs during their game-winning drive. The biggest came when Skinner sidestepped a pass rush, stepped forward in the pocket and found Moore, who had a step on cornerback Jamie Robinson at the goal line, for the easy score that put Wake Forest up 21-14 with 6:41 remaining.

"It got into a battle of quarterbacks, and their quarterback made the play down there that won the game," Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said.

Florida State gave the ball right back to Wake Forest on the first play of its ensuing drive, when Chip Vaughn intercepted Xavier Lee's deep pass at the 26. The Demon Deacons milked the clock and set up Sam Swank's 48-yard field goal with 1:40 to play that made it a 10-point game.

Lee scored on a 17-yard run with 17 seconds left to draw the Seminoles within three, but Wake Forest recovered an onside kick to seal it.

"For the most part, I still think we had opportunities to put the game out of hand, but we didn't capitalize on the chances we had," Lee said.

Josh Adams rushed 18 times for 140 yards, including an 83-yard touchdown run, and caught a scoring pass. Micah Andrews gained 57 tough yards in helping spark the comeback. The Demon Deacons ran all over Florida State's 11th-ranked run defense, gaining 180 yards, more than double the Seminoles' 81.8 yards entering the game.

"Everybody got that first hit, and after that, we kind of figured out that ... we can play with these guys," Andrews said.

Wake Forest's defense in the first half allowed two big plays that set up the Seminoles' two scoring drives, then shut them down after halftime. The Demon Deacons forced five second-half punts, intercepted two passes and allowed 105 total yards after the break -- with a good chunk coming after Swank's late kick. Florida State's rushing offense never could get going, finishing with 47 yards on 24 carries.

"They pretty much ran a similar offense that we saw last week against Duke," Wake Forest defensive lineman Jeremy Thompson said. "We pretty much knew what they were going to show us."

Lee finished 24-of-45 for 283 yards and two touchdowns for the Seminoles, who led 14-7 at halftime before the Demon Deacons' offense began clicking.

Wake Forest moved 80 yards in nine plays late in the third quarter to force a 14-14 tie -- a drive that started when Alphonso Smith intercepted Lee in the end zone. Skinner capped the drive with a nifty play in which he faked a handoff to Adams, deked like he would roll right and instead reversed field and flipped to the wide-open tailback for a 6-yard score.

Florida State rallied from an early deficit by using two big plays to set up short touchdowns passes. Lee hit Parker for 58 yards and then hooked up again three plays later from 6 yards out -- the first TD of the receiver's career -- that snapped a five-quarter scoreless streak against Wake Forest.

Later, Carr outjumped Smith on a 50-yard gain down the right sideline, then did it again in the left corner of the end zone to make it 14-7 43 seconds before halftime.

Adams had given Wake Forest a 7-0 lead midway through the second quarter when he took a handoff at his own 17, stutter-stepped through the line and burst down the right sideline for the fourth-longest touchdown run in school history and the longest run allowed by Florida State in more than a decade.

"The home run, that's what Josh gives you," Grobe said. "Against a team like Florida State, you've got to have that once in a while."

Boston College Visits Notre Dame - Suffering Irish Fans Pray For Win

2007-10-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

Boston College -- now 4th ranked in the country -- is coming to Notre Dame for a big game. But this ND team has won only one game and that was lucky as UCLA made several turnovers -- seven in all. Notre Dame was outgained by almost 100 yards in that game. It's a big game, with tickets going for over $200 in some parts of the stadium.

Notre Dame fans know that they need help. That's why a few have made new "Suffering Irish" t-shirts for sale. The idea is to get Notre Dame fans to pray for their team to win.

It's a good idea, as they're gonna need it.

Pac-10 Tables Turned - Cal Ranked #2, USC Ranked #10

2007-10-07T15:55:00.000-07:00

Wow. read it and weap! Plus, USC's coming to Cal in November. This is going to be a game for the ages!

LSU is unanimous No. 1 after week of upsets; USC falls to No. 10 - Associated Press
NEW YORK -- No doubt about it, LSU is No. 1.

As for the rest of the Top 25, five wild weeks of college football have taken quite a toll.

The Tigers were a unanimous choice for the top spot in The Associated Press rankings released Sunday, receiving all 65 first-place from the media panel. The last unanimous No. 1 during the regular season was Ohio State in December.

LSU is one of just four teams that started the season ranked in the top 10 and remain there. The others are No. 6 Oklahoma, No. 8 West Virginia and No. 10 Southern California, which became the latest team to take a tumble after a startling loss to an unranked opponent.

The Trojans fell to Stanford 24-23 on Saturday, then dropped eight spots in the rankings.

California is the new No. 2, with its best showing in the AP Top 25 since 1951, when the Golden Bears were No. 1.

Ohio State is No. 3 and No. 4 Boston College has its highest ranking since Doug Flutie had the Eagles fourth in 1984. South Florida, which entered the poll for the first time three weeks ago, is now No. 5.

A week before the first Bowl Championship Series standings are released, LSU is a unanimous No. 1 in all the major polls. In the coaches' poll, the rest of the top five is California, Ohio State and Boston College while Oklahoma and South Florida are tied for fifth.
In the Harris poll, the top four are the same as the AP and coaches' poll, but Oklahoma holds the No. 5 spot all to itself with USF sixth. The Harris and coaches' polls are part of the formula to determine which teams will play in the BCS national title game Jan. 7 in New Orleans.

A week after half the top 10 and nine ranked teams lost, another four top-10 teams and 11 ranked teams overall went down Saturday.

As a result, there are 10 teams in the latest rankings, including four in the top 10 (BC, USF, No. 7 South Carolina and No. 9 Oregon), that were unranked to start the season.

Coach Steve Spurrier has led South Carolina to its highest ranking since Dec. 12, 1984, when the Gamecocks were also seventh.
"It's nice, very nice," Spurrier said Sunday. "We appreciate it. Obviously it's good for our football program, for our university and all that, but we realize that it's almost exactly halfway through the season, six games, a lot can happen in the next six."

The second 10 starts with No. 11 Missouri, which has its highest ranking since 1981, when the Tigers were No. 8.

No. 12 Virginia Tech is followed by Florida and then three unbeaten teams -- Arizona State, Cincinnati and Hawaii. No. 17 Kentucky fell nine spots after losing at South Carolina 38-23 on Thursday.

Five teams fell from the rankings this week. Illinois, which beat No. 5 Wisconsin 31-26, and unbeaten Kansas, which won at Kansas State for the first time since 1989, moved into the poll for the first time this season.

The Illini are No. 18 and ranked for the first time since 2001. Kansas is No. 20 and ranked for the first time since 1995. In between is No. 19 Wisconsin, which dropped 14 spots after its first loss of the season.

No. 21 Florida State, winners of four straight, moved back into the Top 25, as did No. 22 Auburn. No. 23 Texas benefited from so many other ranked teams losing and stayed in the poll after a second consecutive loss. The Longhorns fell to Oklahoma 28-21.

No. 24 Georgia dropped 12 spots after a 35-14 defeat to Tennessee, and the Vols moved back into the rankings at No. 25, giving the Southeastern Conference seven ranked teams, the most of any conference.

Falling out of the Top 25 were Nebraska, Clemson, Kansas State, Rutgers and Purdue.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

UCLA's 7 Turnovers Lead To Loss: Notre Dame 20, UCLA 6

2007-10-07T15:50:00.000-07:00

Notre Dame was outgained by UCLA, 282 to 140 total yards. Given that performance, this may be the only game they win all year. Seven turnovers don't happen every week.

Notre Dame takes advantage of UCLA walk-on QB to win first game

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) -- Maybe this will stop the laughing.

Jimmy Clausen scored on a quarterback sneak and Maurice Crum returned a fumble 34 yards for another touchdown during a 50-second span of the third quarter as Notre Dame fought its way out of one of the worst slumps in school history with a 20-6 victory over UCLA on Saturday.

It was only the second time Notre Dame had played in Pasadena. Knute Rockne's "Four Horsemen" defeated coach Pop Warner's Stanford team 27-10 in the 1925 Rose Bowl to give the Irish their first undisputed national championship.

This win was significant in quite a different way. It was Notre Dame's first victory of the season and assured the Fighting Irish they won't equal the longest losing streak in school history.

Coach Charlie Weis obviously was relieved.

"When you're 0-5, everyone in the country is laughing at you," Weis said. "The only thing you can do is do something about it on the field. I'm really happy for the kids.

"We never had a better week of practice since I've been here. I said good things will happen, and it happened."

After a school record 0-5 start, the Irish avoided tying their longest losing streak. The victory was their first in eight games dating back to last season. The only other time the Irish lost eight straight was in 1960, when they won their opener and didn't win again until the final game of the season.

This time, Notre Dame (1-5) knocked UCLA quarterback Ben Olson out with a knee injury late in the first quarter, then hounded freshman redshirt McLeod Bethel-Thompson into a string of mistakes.

A walk-on pressed into the backup role for UCLA (4-2, 3-0 Pac-10) because of an injury to Patrick Cowan, Bethel-Thompson had not thrown a pass in a college game.

The Irish picked off four of his throws, with Crum getting two of them. He also recovered the quarterback's fumble and ran it in for a touchdown.

"It's unfortunate that Ben went down early in the game," UCLA coach Karl Dorrell said. "It's the kind of game where Notre Dame played everything close to the vest and didn't make any mistakes. They put some pressure on our offense, and our offenses made some mistakes.

"Mac (Bethel-Thompson) did a nice job, given the circumstances with the type of game and his experience. I give credit to Notre Dame. When they don't have any turnovers and you have six, that's unfortunate."

Clausen put the Irish ahead 13-6 when he bulled over from 1 yard out, with 1:53 left in the third quarter. David Bruton set up the score when he intercepted a pass at the UCLA 21 and returned it to the 4.

The Irish players began to celebrate a bit on the sidelines when Clausen scored, and Weis said he told them to tone it down.

"It's been a while since we've been up in the second half," he said. "So I told my guys to act like they've been there before. Don't make me look an idiot."

Crum gave the Irish a 14-point pad when he scooped up the fumble and scored with 1:03 remaining in the third.

Notre Dame's Brandon Walker kicked a 26-yard field goal in the first quarter and a 48-yarder that bounced off the cross bar and went over to tie it 6-6 midway through the third quarter. UCLA's Kai Forbath kicked a 29-yarder in the first quarter, then gave the Bruins a 6-3 lead with a 49-yarder late in the first half.

Bethel-Thompson completed 12-of-28 for 139 yards. Brandon Breazell and Joe Cowan each had five receptions for 69 yards for the punchless Bruins.

Clausen, a freshman who was a high school standout in the Los Angeles suburb of Westlake Village, completed 17-of-27 for 84 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions.

John Carlson had six catches for 38 yards for Notre Dame.

The oft-injured Olson left the game when Tom Zbikowski sacked him, twisting the quarterback's left knee, late in the first quarter. Olson fumbled on the play and Kerry Neal picked up the ball to give Notre Dame the ball at the Bruins' 1-yard line and set up Walker's first field goal.

Last year, Olson went out with a knee injury in the fifth game and Cowan was the quarterback the rest of the season. Olson missed this year's game against Washington because of concussion-like symptoms.

Stanford Shocks USC 24-23 - Southern Cal Loses To Cardinal

2007-10-07T02:33:00.000-07:00

It's hard to tell who's more shocked over Stanford's improbable 24-23 win over Number 1 or Number 2 ranked USC, Cardinal Fans or USC Fans , or College Football fans .

Or for that matter, me.

When I thought about the Stanford / USC matchup, it never occured to me that this would happen. It wasn't even on my radar screen to see it. I happened to hear it flipping the radio tuner and stopped. I was expecting that USC would be clobbering Stanford. And even when I learned that the Cardinal was only six points down with just over 2 minutes left, I thought to myself, "watch their fear of success doom them."

That's what I thought.

And those final two minutes gave me a lot of reasons to think that, from the several near-interception throws, to the final holding penalty on Stanford, and then the 12-men-on-the-field penalty, to the 4th down -- 4th down -- touchdown pass. It seemed that Stanford would almost -- but not -- win the game.

But, just as in life, they had chance after chance, and one of them turned up in their favor when it mattered most as this video shows:

And when it did, I screamed. I hollered. I'd wished I was at a sports bar just to see the reactions. Even the annoucer couldn't believe it, screaming "Touchdown USC! No! Stanford! Stanford!" Geez.

What's cool about this is it proves that nothing is certain, nothing is given, and it's all up to God. Think about it. The winning quarterback Tavita Pritchard, a sophomore from Tacoma, Wash., filling in for the injured starter T.C. Ostrander, completed 11-of-30 for 149 yards and the winning TD in his first college game as a starter.

Wow. Another reason to expect a Stanford loss. But it didn't happen.

I thought about going down to Stanford to celebrate the victory. After all, looking at this video from the Stanford campus celebration, you can see it was fun:

USC QB John David Booty who threw four interceptions, said of the loss, "You just gotta deal with it and move on."

The Meaning Of The Number 4

What they've got to deal with is the biggest upset in college football history. Stanford was a 40-point-underdog and pulled out a game that's marked with spritual references to the number 4: 24 -- the Stanford score; 14 -- Stanford QB Tavita Pritchard's jersy number; 4th down -- the down the TD pass was thrown -- 4 interceptions thrown by USC QB John David Booty; 4 -- the number of sacks by the Stanford Defense. What is it about the number 4? Well, is seems that the number has some real significance.

In Buddhism:

The Group of Fours 1. The Four Noble Truths 1. Suffering 2. The Cause of Suffering 3. The Cessation of Suffering 4. The Way Leading to the Cessation of Suffering

2. The Four Mental Principles 1. Wisdom (Panna) 2. Truthfulness (Sacca) 3. Abandonment of evil and selfishness (Caga) 4. Appeasement (Upasama)

3. The Four Bases of Success 1. Appreciation (Chanda) 2. Effort (Viriya) 3. Attention (Citta) 4. Investigation (Vimamsa)

4. The Four Divine States of Mind 1. Loving-kindness (Metta) 2. Compassion (Karuna) 3. Sympathetic joy over others' achievement (Mudita) 4. Equanimity (Upekkha)

5. The Four Virtues Conducive to Social Welfare 1. Generosity (Dana) 2. Kind Speech (Piyavaca) 3. Benevolence (Atthacaritya) 4. Adaptability (Samanattata)

6. The Fourfold Right Effort: 1. Effort to restrain from evil 2. Effort to abandon evil 3. Effort to develop good 4. Effort to maintain good

4 Virtues According to Plato:
Wisdom, courage, self-control, and justice.

Considering that Stanford was suffering, given their being waxed by Arizona State and losing their starting QB the week before, the 4s came into play, but it seems to mean that in this, Stanford has finished their journey through the road to success and achieved it, and in doing so reached a divine state of mind.

Will the Cardinal run the table and win all of its remaining games? Even this Cal fan has to admit the possibility seems real. I know it places a bigger light on this year's Big Game.

Boy this is a fun year!

Maryland 28, Georgia Tech 26

2007-10-06T13:50:00.000-07:00

Coming off a tremendous victory at Rutgers, the Terrapins improve to 4-2 and 1-1 in the ardent ACC.

By MATTHEW BARAKAT, Associated Press Writer
October 6, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) -- In his first career start, Chris Turner threw for 255 yards, and Lance Ball ran for three touchdowns as Maryland barely held on for a 28-26 victory Saturday over Georgia Tech.

Travis Bell sent a 52-yard field goal attempt wide right with 54 seconds remaining. Andrew Gardner was whistled for holding on the previous play, knocking the Yellow Jackets back 10 yards and preventing them from lining up for what would have been a 40-yard try.

Turner had three passes of longer than 40 yards in the first half, including the first touchdown pass of his career, a 78-yard strike to Jason Goode. He cooled off in the second half but finished 10 of 17 for 255 yards and a touchdown.
Ball carried 16 times for 86 yards and three touchdowns.

Maryland (4-2, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) had leads of 21-3 and 28-17, but Georgia Tech closed to 28-26 with 8:21 left in the game on a 39-yard touchdown pass from Taylor Bennett to Demariyus Thomas. The Yellow Jackets' two-point conversion try fell short when linebacker Dave Philistin stuffed Tashard Choice on a direct snap.

Philistin finished with 21 tackles.

In a matchup of the top two rushing offenses in the ACC, the teams combined for more than 550 yards through the air, compared to 263 on the ground.

Georgia Tech (3-3, 1-3) moved the ball consistently against the Terrapins, gaining 484 total yards and crossing midfield on every possession except its first. But the Yellow Jackets failed to capitalize on several drives, in part because of a lost fumble and two missed field goals.

Saturday's victory was Turner's second straight impressive performance. He replaced an injured Jordan Steffy late in the second quarter the previous week and led the Terps to a 34-24 road upset over then-No. 10 Rutgers.

Steffy, who suffered a concussion against Rutgers, did not dress Saturday. Nor did the team's leading tackler, Erin Henderson, who has a bad knee.

Maryland scored first on Turner's long pass to Goode, then extended its lead to 21-3 early in the second quarter on TD runs of 7 yards and 1 yard by Ball.

The Yellow Jackets managed only three points on offense in the first half, thanks to a missed 47-yard field goal and a fumble by Tashard Choice at the Maryland 28.

On one of the drives, Choice took a direct snap from his own 40, broke through the line and appeared to be on his way to a touchdown. But he pulled up lame and ran out of bounds at the Maryland 32, and the drive stalled on Bell's missed field goal.

Bennett finished 22 of 34 for 309 yards and a touchdown. Choice had 32 carries for 132 yards and a touchdown.

Georgia Tech's first touchdown came with less than a minute to go in the first half, when Turner, under pressure on a third down, was hit by Vance Walker and fumbled. Defensive end Darrell Robertson picked up the ball and ran 32 yards for the score.

Updated on Saturday, Oct 6, 2007 4:02 pm, EDT

Franchione discontinues inside info newsletter for A&M boosters

2007-09-28T14:59:00.000-07:00

Associated Press
Updated: September 28, 2007, 1:50 PM ET

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione said he has stopped selling inside information on the Aggies in a newsletter to boosters who paid $1,200 per year in subscription fees that helped finance the coach's personal Web site.

About a dozen elite boosters subscribed for the past three years to the e-mail newsletter, called "VIP Connection." It offered Franchione's candid assessments of players and specific injury information, details Franchione routinely declined to discuss publicly because, he would say, it is not "our policy" to disclose injuries.

Franchione, who coached at New Mexico from 1992-97, made subscribers sign a confidentiality agreement and said he doesn't believe any of the inside information was used for gambling, the San Antonio Express-News reported in Friday editions after obtaining a copy of the newsletter through a "third-party source."

"We asked them to sign something," Franchione said. "And for them not to do that. Most of these people are tremendously loyal Aggies."

Athletic director Bill Byrne could not immediately be reached for comment by The Associated Press on Friday.

The newsletter was written by Mike McKenzie, Franchione's personal assistant. The two denied benefiting financially from the newsletter, although Franchione said proceeds were used to underwrite his personal Web site, coachfran.com.

In one newsletter, McKenzie wrote about six players being unavailable to play against Montana State and listed their specific injuries. A seventh player was "iffy" because he had not fully recovered from a mild concussion, according to the newsletter.

McKenzie also wrote about Franchione's assessment of the Aggies' wide receivers.

"Privately, Coach told me last night that Earvin (Taylor) and Pierre [Brown] are very steady but with average speed," McKenzie wrote. "Kerry [Franks] has great speed, but [is] inconsistent in receiving."

"The whole point of it was for them to be informed about the program, straight from the head coach," McKenzie said.

McKenzie referred to "VIP Connection" as "private correspondence between a head coach and the individuals involved."

Franchione, who makes about $2 million per year in a contract that runs through 2011, has offered refunds to the subscribers, McKenzie said.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

CFI: LIVE FROM THE DOME: THE BIG EAST REPORT

2007-09-27T16:13:00.000-07:00

BY CHRISTOPHER MOGOLLON
BIG EAST INSIDER

Big Winners

Syracuse - There was nobody who thought the Orange could possibly win this game -- as 38 point underdogs -- this was a historic win. This was the best football played under coach Greg Robinson who earned his second conference win in three seasons. The quarterback Andrew Robinson was efficient and smart, making the tough throws and the easy ones, throwing for four touchdowns. Robinson hit the big plays throwing for 423 yards including a 79-yard touchdown pass to Taj Smith to open up the game. Smith showed nice hands and big play ability catching four balls for 173 yards including a 60-yard touchdown where Smith put the moves on a couple Louisville defenders before taking it to the house for about 50 yards of YAC. Even though they gave up 35 points the ‘Cuse defense was solid and made plays. Jameel McClain has been waiting to break out and it may have started in Louisville where he recorded a sack and an interception. Syracuse forced four turnovers in a 38-35 victory, as Louisville scored two touchdowns in the last four minutes to make it close.

Connecticut - In what was supposed to be a battle -- the Huskies just walked all over Pittsburgh on their home field. The defense for Connecticut played their best ball of the year, forcing four turnovers and holding star freshman tailback LeSean McCoy to 70 yards rushing. The defense forced quarterback Kevan Smith to his worst game of the season, which included two interceptions and a fumble which directly led to 17 points. Smith had to be taken out at halftime after only completing 3/9 passes for 23 total yards. Pittsburgh did not convert any of their first seven third downs.

Most Lost

Louisville - The most noise in Papa John’s Stadium on Saturday was the cheers when Mario Urrutia was taken out of the game after committing a personal foul penalty. In total, Louisville’s 12 penalties cost them 105 yards. For whatever reason the offense ignored their tight ends and running game and instead just kept on throwing the ball up for grabs. Brian Brohm did throw for a remarkable 555 yards and four touchdowns but wasn’t as efficient has his opponent. The secondary was just embarrassed leaving Syracuse receivers open for big plays numerous times, twice the Orange responded after Louisville scores with quick long pass plays for touchdowns.

Setting Up a Showdown

Both South Florida and West Virginia took care of business before their much anticipated match up on Friday night. Neither of these teams looked ahead and blew out their opponents. South Florida came out strong putting up 14 points in the first quarter and never looked back. Matt Grothe threw for 230 yards and a touchdown, he also ran for 35 yards. The running game was strong rushing for a total of 192 yards, with junior Benjamin Williams led the way with 64 yards and a touchdown. The South Florida defense held North Carolina to only 85 passing yards and 164 total yards. North Carolina was four of fifteen on third down conversations and turned the over four times. Meanwhile in Morgantown, it was the Pat White show. White was an outstanding 18/20, throwing for 181 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for 42 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Darius Reynaud caught five balls racking up 54 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored on a reverse for a touchdown and had a 12-yard run on an option play. The defense was just as good holding East Carolina to 54 yards passing in the 48-7 win.

Under the Radar

The Cincinnati Bearcats have quietly remained undefeated after a romp over Marshall 40-14. Junior Mike Mickens started the blowout with an interception and a fumble recovery to setup their first two scores. Dustin Grutza played most of the game throwing for 142 yards and was 14/20 with two touchdowns. Ben Mauk was 6/7 with 77 yards and a touchdown. Freshman receiver Marcus Barnett caught 6 balls for 77 yards, and two touchdowns, both coming in the third quarter.