Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Kill the Ibis. Kill the Ibis
(Elmer Fudd voice...)
Miami is in trouble. Miami has been in trouble before. Miami understands trouble. Miami grows trouble. Miami cultivates trouble. Miami breeds trouble. The problem with Miami lately, nobody cared because they weren't winning. Since 2004 they are tied for 5th on the wins list in the ACC. In no season did they have more than 9 wins. They have yet to compete for a conference title. It has been since the 2002 season since they were relevant to the football landscape. Heck, it's been 5 years since they won a bowl game. Wouldn't you think they would be better with that kind of money being thrown around, allegedly. Pryor won at least 10 games a year. Reggie Bush won a Heisman and a National Title. As did Cam Newton. They were singular players. Demaryius Thomas at least won an ACC title. What were they paying for in South Beach and Coral Gables?!
Currently, the NCAA is investigating the team and players to determine eligibility for this year. My feeling is that we are going to see another UNC situation with several players notified the end of next week that they will be sitting for the first few games. Depending on how things shake out, it could be a rough start to the season for the Canes: at Maryland, #18 Ohio State, Kansas State and at Virginia Tech all before October 8. If they are forced to sit all 15 players under investigation for the first 5 games, Uh Oh.
If found guilty on a bigger scale, which I don't see the NCAA making a ruling for quite some time, it could mean bigger issues. The suits at the top has all discussed tougher penalties, stiffer control, and sending messages to other schools. Should the death penalty be levied against the Canes? Well, yes and no.
Yes:
If USC got whacked for lack of Institutional Control and the "should have known" clause, then the Canes won't see the football field for 10 years. A booster giving checks for large sums of money, cussing out the compliance director at halftime in a private box, offering $1million to coach the team, standing on sidelines religiously and even leading the Canes out of the smoke in the Orange Bowl, the Miami equivalent of dotting the I at Ohio State. If this does not spell lack of Institutional control than nothing does. And the "should have known" thing...well, they did know.
Cleaning up the game and giving the Canes the death penalty would hopefully set a precedent for the remaining 115 schools competing for the National Title. Given Miami's past and what has transpired from them previously, they must be dealt with now. If not, if you are Alabama, Texas, Ohio State, TCU, Washington, UConn, etc why wouldn't you follow suit and start paying large sums of money to your players. There wouldn't be a worry about pay-for-play for the NCAA, the market would figure it out because Miami was allowed to get away with it. Have you seen the show "Scared Straight"? The NCAA should be filming a new episode soon...let's hope. Enough of the Ibis and the crooked ways.
And the no:
Killing Miami football would affect more than just Miami. Directly, the (clean) players that are there now would be devastated by past indiscretions. Even more directly, the remaining ACC schools would be hurt for years to come. Why would ESPN keep the tv contract when, let's be honest, one of the 3 big draws from the ACC would not be playing (or be allowed on TV for a period of time following.) A canceled TV contract, the inability to play against the Canes if you go to an opposing school, an uneven number of football teams in this day and age of musical chairs for conferences means that the NCAA probably won't kill the Ibis. There is too much money spread over too many teams to simply look directly at one school. Here's hoping that the NCAA suits figure out a stiff penalty, worse than USC's that will send the message to all schools out there and make them fly straight from here on out.
(That being said, I'm not a promoter of this, but if Miami is given the death penalty, Virginia Tech should run to the SEC as quickly as they can...)
Miami is in trouble. Miami has been in trouble before. Miami understands trouble. Miami grows trouble. Miami cultivates trouble. Miami breeds trouble. The problem with Miami lately, nobody cared because they weren't winning. Since 2004 they are tied for 5th on the wins list in the ACC. In no season did they have more than 9 wins. They have yet to compete for a conference title. It has been since the 2002 season since they were relevant to the football landscape. Heck, it's been 5 years since they won a bowl game. Wouldn't you think they would be better with that kind of money being thrown around, allegedly. Pryor won at least 10 games a year. Reggie Bush won a Heisman and a National Title. As did Cam Newton. They were singular players. Demaryius Thomas at least won an ACC title. What were they paying for in South Beach and Coral Gables?!
Currently, the NCAA is investigating the team and players to determine eligibility for this year. My feeling is that we are going to see another UNC situation with several players notified the end of next week that they will be sitting for the first few games. Depending on how things shake out, it could be a rough start to the season for the Canes: at Maryland, #18 Ohio State, Kansas State and at Virginia Tech all before October 8. If they are forced to sit all 15 players under investigation for the first 5 games, Uh Oh.
If found guilty on a bigger scale, which I don't see the NCAA making a ruling for quite some time, it could mean bigger issues. The suits at the top has all discussed tougher penalties, stiffer control, and sending messages to other schools. Should the death penalty be levied against the Canes? Well, yes and no.
Yes:
If USC got whacked for lack of Institutional Control and the "should have known" clause, then the Canes won't see the football field for 10 years. A booster giving checks for large sums of money, cussing out the compliance director at halftime in a private box, offering $1million to coach the team, standing on sidelines religiously and even leading the Canes out of the smoke in the Orange Bowl, the Miami equivalent of dotting the I at Ohio State. If this does not spell lack of Institutional control than nothing does. And the "should have known" thing...well, they did know.
Cleaning up the game and giving the Canes the death penalty would hopefully set a precedent for the remaining 115 schools competing for the National Title. Given Miami's past and what has transpired from them previously, they must be dealt with now. If not, if you are Alabama, Texas, Ohio State, TCU, Washington, UConn, etc why wouldn't you follow suit and start paying large sums of money to your players. There wouldn't be a worry about pay-for-play for the NCAA, the market would figure it out because Miami was allowed to get away with it. Have you seen the show "Scared Straight"? The NCAA should be filming a new episode soon...let's hope. Enough of the Ibis and the crooked ways.
And the no:
Killing Miami football would affect more than just Miami. Directly, the (clean) players that are there now would be devastated by past indiscretions. Even more directly, the remaining ACC schools would be hurt for years to come. Why would ESPN keep the tv contract when, let's be honest, one of the 3 big draws from the ACC would not be playing (or be allowed on TV for a period of time following.) A canceled TV contract, the inability to play against the Canes if you go to an opposing school, an uneven number of football teams in this day and age of musical chairs for conferences means that the NCAA probably won't kill the Ibis. There is too much money spread over too many teams to simply look directly at one school. Here's hoping that the NCAA suits figure out a stiff penalty, worse than USC's that will send the message to all schools out there and make them fly straight from here on out.
(That being said, I'm not a promoter of this, but if Miami is given the death penalty, Virginia Tech should run to the SEC as quickly as they can...)
A Break From the Norm
Taking a break from College Football for a second...there will be plenty of that coming up.
A brief minute about Tiger Woods. He will be missed over the next several months, just as he was before. I'm sure there will be a huge media hype over his return next season, just as there was before. I'm hoping he returns to some sort of top form, just as he had before. But, I'm hoping to not to have to hear a word about his caddie, unlike before. My vote for Tiger's new caddie is Romeo from "Tin Cup." Maybe Tiger should try to par the back side with a 7 iron. Maybe someone should look at him and say no. Tiger, you're not the 24 year old phenom that you were when you hit the 6-iron from the bunker, over trees, to a peninsula green with 7 yards to work with from 218 yards is a thing of the past.
Even you yourself admit the ball doesn't curve like it used to. How long were you gone from the game? Seriously? If it doesn't curve as much, and you need to start aiming more in the middle of the fairway, how come you can hit it even further off line now. There were times in the Bridgestone and the PGA that you were in the rough in the OTHER fairway. Something the local 12 handicap is familiar with, but YOU ARE TIGER WOODS! Do we need to bring out Jeff Gillooly to kneecap you before each event? (The last 2 majors before your surgeries with knee issues were a win at Torrey in the US Open and a T4 at the Masters after not playing for quite some time.)
As for Stevie, I wish him the best with Adam. Hopefully he will adjust to a normal PGA caddying career, a break from the whirlwind cartoon life he knew as Tiger's right hand man. Honestly, I can't believe the relationship wasn't cut off previously. Tiger needed a fresh start with EVERYHTING, including on the course. I'm sure Tiger having his lifelong friend on the bag was a nice change. Taking the game back to when tiger was 16 and carefree, pre-everything, just playing golf.
Tiger, go get some rest. Work with Sean in Canada or Florida or wherever. And learn that the ball does go straight sometimes. You are on pace with Jack, and can still get there. With 4 to go it's within reach...
A brief minute about Tiger Woods. He will be missed over the next several months, just as he was before. I'm sure there will be a huge media hype over his return next season, just as there was before. I'm hoping he returns to some sort of top form, just as he had before. But, I'm hoping to not to have to hear a word about his caddie, unlike before. My vote for Tiger's new caddie is Romeo from "Tin Cup." Maybe Tiger should try to par the back side with a 7 iron. Maybe someone should look at him and say no. Tiger, you're not the 24 year old phenom that you were when you hit the 6-iron from the bunker, over trees, to a peninsula green with 7 yards to work with from 218 yards is a thing of the past.
Even you yourself admit the ball doesn't curve like it used to. How long were you gone from the game? Seriously? If it doesn't curve as much, and you need to start aiming more in the middle of the fairway, how come you can hit it even further off line now. There were times in the Bridgestone and the PGA that you were in the rough in the OTHER fairway. Something the local 12 handicap is familiar with, but YOU ARE TIGER WOODS! Do we need to bring out Jeff Gillooly to kneecap you before each event? (The last 2 majors before your surgeries with knee issues were a win at Torrey in the US Open and a T4 at the Masters after not playing for quite some time.)
As for Stevie, I wish him the best with Adam. Hopefully he will adjust to a normal PGA caddying career, a break from the whirlwind cartoon life he knew as Tiger's right hand man. Honestly, I can't believe the relationship wasn't cut off previously. Tiger needed a fresh start with EVERYHTING, including on the course. I'm sure Tiger having his lifelong friend on the bag was a nice change. Taking the game back to when tiger was 16 and carefree, pre-everything, just playing golf.
Tiger, go get some rest. Work with Sean in Canada or Florida or wherever. And learn that the ball does go straight sometimes. You are on pace with Jack, and can still get there. With 4 to go it's within reach...
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Pryor Indiscretions
There has been a lot of talk about Terrell Pryor and the 5 game suspension in the NFL handed down by The Roger. It seems more than a coincidence that he would have had to serve a 5 game suspension this year at Ohio State. Well, in my honest, there is no connection between the 2 numbers. Here's why:
-5 games of a 12 game schedule is not equal to 5 games of a 16 game schedule (not to mention the pre-season games.) If The Roger wanted to make it equal, he would have slapped him with 7 games, or 4 games with NO contact (ala Big Ben.)
-The Roger specifically said it was because of the manner in which TP tried to avert the rules set forth for the draft. You may not agree with The Roger all of the time, but he is the biggest company guy out there. You aren't going to mess with Roger's NFL, especially if you aren't even in it yet. (That means you too Maurice.)
-The Roger has no interest in policing the NCAA. Yes, the NFL has had it's issues, but everyone knows whose the boss. The Roger can hand out fines, suspensions, rule as he feels over professionals that are a part of 32 teams. He has no interest in trying to get involved in 116 teams, 116 presidents, 11 conference commissioners, etc, all amateurs that are held to a different set of rules. The Roger has to deal with Ochocinco, Big Ben, Harrison, Suh, why bother with a 22 year old entitled kid?
I know the sports guys are there to push ratings, but seriously, they are not related.
Now, let's assume that they are...
Why wouldn't there be a punishment for breaking the rules? There isn't a statute of limitations on cheating, stealing, breaking the rules. If a kids last year in school is allowed to be a cash grab for all he can and there aren't any repercussions, why wouldn't the Auburns, Miamis, Ohio States simply pay the kids to come there for their last year. The NFL "can't/won't" punish them...so it's giddyup time! NOOOO!!!!!! I don't believe TP is being handed a 5 game suspension for what he did at Ohio State. But, there is no way that these kids should be allowed to drop their school on probation because they are money hungry entitled "stars" and skate away scot-free.
-5 games of a 12 game schedule is not equal to 5 games of a 16 game schedule (not to mention the pre-season games.) If The Roger wanted to make it equal, he would have slapped him with 7 games, or 4 games with NO contact (ala Big Ben.)
-The Roger specifically said it was because of the manner in which TP tried to avert the rules set forth for the draft. You may not agree with The Roger all of the time, but he is the biggest company guy out there. You aren't going to mess with Roger's NFL, especially if you aren't even in it yet. (That means you too Maurice.)
-The Roger has no interest in policing the NCAA. Yes, the NFL has had it's issues, but everyone knows whose the boss. The Roger can hand out fines, suspensions, rule as he feels over professionals that are a part of 32 teams. He has no interest in trying to get involved in 116 teams, 116 presidents, 11 conference commissioners, etc, all amateurs that are held to a different set of rules. The Roger has to deal with Ochocinco, Big Ben, Harrison, Suh, why bother with a 22 year old entitled kid?
I know the sports guys are there to push ratings, but seriously, they are not related.
Now, let's assume that they are...
Why wouldn't there be a punishment for breaking the rules? There isn't a statute of limitations on cheating, stealing, breaking the rules. If a kids last year in school is allowed to be a cash grab for all he can and there aren't any repercussions, why wouldn't the Auburns, Miamis, Ohio States simply pay the kids to come there for their last year. The NFL "can't/won't" punish them...so it's giddyup time! NOOOO!!!!!! I don't believe TP is being handed a 5 game suspension for what he did at Ohio State. But, there is no way that these kids should be allowed to drop their school on probation because they are money hungry entitled "stars" and skate away scot-free.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Frank's Our Man!
Once again, I've heard a lot of rumbling about how something has to change with Hokie football due to the lack of ability to win. I call bullshit! Frank Beamer is everything that is right with college football, and I stand behind him. Let's look at some numbers, shall we.
VT was #7 in wins in the 2000's, with 99, behind Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio State, USC, Florida and Boise. What do all of them have in common, other than Boise? A STRONG history of football, dating back well past 50 years. Not bad company to keep, I'd say.
Let's look at who won National Titles since 1990...Alabama, Florida, FSU, Miami, Oklahoma, Ohio State, USC, LSU, Texas, Tennessee. What else do these teams have in common? They all have been sanctioned by the NCAA by some measure over the same period of time. Some are varying levels, but vacating seasons and wins, losing scholarships, recruiting restrictions, suspensions, etc. You get the idea...
Virginia Tech and Frank Beamer are what's right with college football. Who has the most consecutive 10 win seasons currently? Who has the third longest current bowl appearance streak? What coach has the second longest current tenure at one school (behind JoPa...) with 24 years? Who has won 3 of the last 4 ACC championships? Who has done ALL of this WITHOUT sanctions, NCAA infractions, vacated wins, reduced scholarships, investigations? Frank. With all that is wrong in the college football world, win at all costs, firing of coaches when they win coach of the year, paying players, recruiting sketchy players that will hurt the squad in 6 years when the NCAA gets around to it, Frank runs a clean ship and WINS!
Still not fully convinced, and want more out of Blacksburg? Let's look at BCS history. VT is #5 in BCS appearances, behind Ohio State, Oklahoma, Florida and USC. Again, nice shoulders to rub. There's much talk about how we can't beat a top 5 team, and Tech is 1-14 against top 5 teams. Well, Tech is 7-1 against teams #6-10. Let's look at some other school's records against top 5 teams: UVA = 1-20, UNC = 1-40, NCST = 1-27, WVU = 1-38, Miami = 18-42 (tops in NCAA), ND = 21-64, USC = 19-53, OhioSt = 9-45, Clem = 2-32. So, as you can see, it's a misleading stat without much to surround the information. I'm sure Ohio State will get to double digits in the next ten years or so...
And let's not forget one of the biggest issues surrounding Tech football...it's only really been around since 1993. The 1992 season was awful, 2-8-1, but was the last time we didn't visit a bowl game. Frank has failed to win 9 games only 4 times in that time span. Tech has been ranked in the top 10 of the final polls 7 times. All of this has been accomplished with a single head coach and no NCAA infractions. Why is this such a bad thing?
Oh, and let's not forget who won a trophy this year named for the only person who has been coaching longer than he has, the Joe Paterno award went to Frank Beamer.
Frank Beamer and Virginia Tech football stand for everything that is right with college football, and should be applauded for their efforts in this sell-your-jersey, pay-to-play day and age. Thank you Frank for making every game matter, every tailgate matter, and leading such an outstanding Virginia Tech squad every year.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
BCS over the NCAA
With everyone on the radio, tv, tailgate, watercooler, huddle complaining about the BCS and the lack of a playoff in the FBS (it's Division 1 football folks!), who would have thought that the BCS got it right this year? AND, that the NCAA got it wrong. WAY wrong.
Let's start with what's right. Outside of Fort Worth, TX, who doesn't want to see Oregon versus Auburn?! These are clearly the best two teams in the Nation this year. Both teams are top 5 in Rushing and Scoring. Both teams were represented in New York at the Heisman festivities. The coach of the year is present, as is the Doak Waler winner for best running back this year. Who doesn't want to see this game? We are pounded so often with playoff talk from the radio hosts that have to fill time on Tuesdays in August, that we forget what we get sometimes in the current system. This matchup is the one that system was made to give us. No matter the computer influences, tweaking of the system, automatic qualifiers from non-automatic conferences for BCS bowls, matchups that aren't traditional in the Fiesta of Rose, this game is #1 versus #2 in EVERYONE'S mind. Sure, we had the what-if scenarios in early November: what if Alabama beats Aubrun in a close game? What if Boise wins out? What if Ohio State kicks left footed from 67 yards? It all made for nice banter, but none of it mattered at the end of the day. Oregon and Auburn both took care of business on the field, winning every game that was scheduled for them. (And even taking care of some off-field issues. Everyone remembers the $Cam Newton issues, but what about Oregon finding a QB after dismissing Masoli in March...) The undefeated seasons by these two showcase the beauty of the College football season. Every game matters in FBS. EVERY one. Just win baby! Win and you're in! It all applies to the BCS title chase.
Adding a playoff to college football would make a lot of sense. It would allow for the champion to come out of the pool of teams, just like every other team sport that has a championship. It works for March Madness. It works for the Stanley Cup. (Only one of the past 6 President's Trophy winners for best record in the regular season has hoisted the Cup...) It works for the NFL. Heck, even Nascar and golf have a "playoff" now. So, shouldn't FBS football too? NO! A playoff makes that Auburn-Clemson game in September a little less important (which Auburn won in overtime...) They could mail it in, and still be in the running for the National Title. Oregon could just sit their starters in the second half of the Arizona State game, and "get 'em next week." Every game matters in this system. Sure, it's not perfect, but it makes sense, for now, and adds meaning to every game every week. Put it this way: in a playoff system, Virginia Tech would have most likely been included as the winner of the ACC, having lost to JMU, a FCS member. Is that what we want? Didn't think so.
So we have Auburn versus Oregon for the Crystal Football. Again, who doesn't think this is the best matchup to determine the national champ? One scenario I ran on the ESPN simulator had Nevada beating Boise for the title. How would THAT go over?! Nevada winning would be worse for the sport than TCU getting left out. I'm not sure there is a perfect solution, but for now, this works.
As for the NCAA, I have a ton of issues with their management of the 2010 football season. Let's start in August, with the suspension of Jeremiah Masoli from Mississippi. Masoli enrolled in Ole Miss in late July, and practiced with the team throughout August. On August 30, the NCAA declared him ineligible, citing that the transfer to be eligible clause should be used for a student looking for a different line of study, not duck and avoid sanctions by another institution. Duh. Did anyone think that Jeremiah was transferring to Ole Miss because they had a basket weaving program that Oregon didn't offer? Why did it take the NCAA 6 weeks to figure this out, only ruling him out the Tuesday before the first game. Ole Miss appealed, and on Firday before the first game, he was re-instated; 3 days after being ruled out. Why the delay in suspension? Why the flip flop? Why the backing down of the initial ruling? We ALL knew the deal...he openly shopped his services in March.
While we're on the issue of Oregon, let's not forget last years LaGarette Bount and the punch. That punch, post-game, would cost him 10 games. And that was only after he met several criteria for self improvement would the suspension be reduced to 10 games.
At least Masoli was cleared to play. South Carolina wasn't as lucky...as Wesley Suanders was suspended 45 minutes before kickoff in the opener. I assume he was already taped up and was on the field for pre-game stretching, only to get yanked at the last minute, literally. The NCAA couldn't figure this out before 6:45 on a Saturday?!
The North Carolina football team was also run over by the NCAA bus this year. There were 12 players held out of the opener against LSU this year, including 6 starters. At the time, nobody was sure the extent of the suspensions, waiting on the NCAA ruling to come later in the week, and even month in a few cases. It seems that a trip to California will cost you 6 games.
Well, AJ Greene was only suspended 4 games for selling a jersey that was HIS! Now, there are 5 Ohio State players suspended 5 games for selling Golden Pants pendants they won by beating rival Michigan as well as jerseys and receiving reduced rate tattoos. If I were a Buckeye booster, I would require a harsher penalty for selling the pendants, like revoking a scholarship, but that's just me. And, how are the players eligible for the Bowl game, with the suspensions starting next year? Shouldn't the punishment begin immediately? Spurrier was given 45 minutes to replace his tight end, while the Buckeyes get to showcase their talents for the NFL scouts in a BCS bowl?! Right...
But, if you plead ignorance, you get a trophy. That's right, $Cam Newton claims he knew nothing about the $180k pay-to-play scheme his father dreamed up. The NCAA already had a file on $cam from his day(s) at Florida. Not to mention the transferring to a JuCo and back in through the clearing house. At least he was actually suspended for 24 hours, which is a lot longer that it appeared he would be suspended for during the initial discussions of the improprieties. Alas, he is eligible to play, and will be on the field for the National Title game, Heisman in tow.
I don't disagree with several of the rulings made by the NCAA, just the way they are administered. There has to be a timelier manner to handle things. The NCAA cannot be that ignorant of issues, and cannot take that long to make decisions. I refuse to believe that. I understand that lives are on the line here, young lives, but there has to be a better system to deliver results. Results that must be more consistent. Selling a jersey that is yours gets you 4 games, but living for 25% of the going rate for 3 months over the summer gets you 6. Doesn't seem the same to me. And selling a pendant that you won (and don't get if you lose) gets you 5 games. If Ohio State traditional doesn't mean anything to you, that should be the Buckeye's issue to deal with, not the NCAA's. At least $Cam will be on the field, in all the $180,000 luster, to face Oregon. A true NCAA success story.
Let's start with what's right. Outside of Fort Worth, TX, who doesn't want to see Oregon versus Auburn?! These are clearly the best two teams in the Nation this year. Both teams are top 5 in Rushing and Scoring. Both teams were represented in New York at the Heisman festivities. The coach of the year is present, as is the Doak Waler winner for best running back this year. Who doesn't want to see this game? We are pounded so often with playoff talk from the radio hosts that have to fill time on Tuesdays in August, that we forget what we get sometimes in the current system. This matchup is the one that system was made to give us. No matter the computer influences, tweaking of the system, automatic qualifiers from non-automatic conferences for BCS bowls, matchups that aren't traditional in the Fiesta of Rose, this game is #1 versus #2 in EVERYONE'S mind. Sure, we had the what-if scenarios in early November: what if Alabama beats Aubrun in a close game? What if Boise wins out? What if Ohio State kicks left footed from 67 yards? It all made for nice banter, but none of it mattered at the end of the day. Oregon and Auburn both took care of business on the field, winning every game that was scheduled for them. (And even taking care of some off-field issues. Everyone remembers the $Cam Newton issues, but what about Oregon finding a QB after dismissing Masoli in March...) The undefeated seasons by these two showcase the beauty of the College football season. Every game matters in FBS. EVERY one. Just win baby! Win and you're in! It all applies to the BCS title chase.
Adding a playoff to college football would make a lot of sense. It would allow for the champion to come out of the pool of teams, just like every other team sport that has a championship. It works for March Madness. It works for the Stanley Cup. (Only one of the past 6 President's Trophy winners for best record in the regular season has hoisted the Cup...) It works for the NFL. Heck, even Nascar and golf have a "playoff" now. So, shouldn't FBS football too? NO! A playoff makes that Auburn-Clemson game in September a little less important (which Auburn won in overtime...) They could mail it in, and still be in the running for the National Title. Oregon could just sit their starters in the second half of the Arizona State game, and "get 'em next week." Every game matters in this system. Sure, it's not perfect, but it makes sense, for now, and adds meaning to every game every week. Put it this way: in a playoff system, Virginia Tech would have most likely been included as the winner of the ACC, having lost to JMU, a FCS member. Is that what we want? Didn't think so.
So we have Auburn versus Oregon for the Crystal Football. Again, who doesn't think this is the best matchup to determine the national champ? One scenario I ran on the ESPN simulator had Nevada beating Boise for the title. How would THAT go over?! Nevada winning would be worse for the sport than TCU getting left out. I'm not sure there is a perfect solution, but for now, this works.
As for the NCAA, I have a ton of issues with their management of the 2010 football season. Let's start in August, with the suspension of Jeremiah Masoli from Mississippi. Masoli enrolled in Ole Miss in late July, and practiced with the team throughout August. On August 30, the NCAA declared him ineligible, citing that the transfer to be eligible clause should be used for a student looking for a different line of study, not duck and avoid sanctions by another institution. Duh. Did anyone think that Jeremiah was transferring to Ole Miss because they had a basket weaving program that Oregon didn't offer? Why did it take the NCAA 6 weeks to figure this out, only ruling him out the Tuesday before the first game. Ole Miss appealed, and on Firday before the first game, he was re-instated; 3 days after being ruled out. Why the delay in suspension? Why the flip flop? Why the backing down of the initial ruling? We ALL knew the deal...he openly shopped his services in March.
While we're on the issue of Oregon, let's not forget last years LaGarette Bount and the punch. That punch, post-game, would cost him 10 games. And that was only after he met several criteria for self improvement would the suspension be reduced to 10 games.
At least Masoli was cleared to play. South Carolina wasn't as lucky...as Wesley Suanders was suspended 45 minutes before kickoff in the opener. I assume he was already taped up and was on the field for pre-game stretching, only to get yanked at the last minute, literally. The NCAA couldn't figure this out before 6:45 on a Saturday?!
The North Carolina football team was also run over by the NCAA bus this year. There were 12 players held out of the opener against LSU this year, including 6 starters. At the time, nobody was sure the extent of the suspensions, waiting on the NCAA ruling to come later in the week, and even month in a few cases. It seems that a trip to California will cost you 6 games.
Well, AJ Greene was only suspended 4 games for selling a jersey that was HIS! Now, there are 5 Ohio State players suspended 5 games for selling Golden Pants pendants they won by beating rival Michigan as well as jerseys and receiving reduced rate tattoos. If I were a Buckeye booster, I would require a harsher penalty for selling the pendants, like revoking a scholarship, but that's just me. And, how are the players eligible for the Bowl game, with the suspensions starting next year? Shouldn't the punishment begin immediately? Spurrier was given 45 minutes to replace his tight end, while the Buckeyes get to showcase their talents for the NFL scouts in a BCS bowl?! Right...
But, if you plead ignorance, you get a trophy. That's right, $Cam Newton claims he knew nothing about the $180k pay-to-play scheme his father dreamed up. The NCAA already had a file on $cam from his day(s) at Florida. Not to mention the transferring to a JuCo and back in through the clearing house. At least he was actually suspended for 24 hours, which is a lot longer that it appeared he would be suspended for during the initial discussions of the improprieties. Alas, he is eligible to play, and will be on the field for the National Title game, Heisman in tow.
I don't disagree with several of the rulings made by the NCAA, just the way they are administered. There has to be a timelier manner to handle things. The NCAA cannot be that ignorant of issues, and cannot take that long to make decisions. I refuse to believe that. I understand that lives are on the line here, young lives, but there has to be a better system to deliver results. Results that must be more consistent. Selling a jersey that is yours gets you 4 games, but living for 25% of the going rate for 3 months over the summer gets you 6. Doesn't seem the same to me. And selling a pendant that you won (and don't get if you lose) gets you 5 games. If Ohio State traditional doesn't mean anything to you, that should be the Buckeye's issue to deal with, not the NCAA's. At least $Cam will be on the field, in all the $180,000 luster, to face Oregon. A true NCAA success story.
Thank You Tyrod
Thank You Tyrod Taylor!
It's been a wondrous trip over the past 4 years. It all began in Death Valley, replacing Sean Glennon in the second quarter of a Tiger drubbing, and immediately scoring an electrifying touchdown on the ground. That was the starting point of the trip that Hokie fans will never forget.
I must admit, in the beginning, I was a little worried about your health and well being, not to mention the longevity (or lack thereof) that you may posses over the next several years. There were several times you were slow to get up, hobbled off the field, took unnecessary risks and cuts upfield, and had a general lack of disregard for your body. But as all great quarterbacks, you matured right before our eyes. I believe some of that came from self preservation, some from play calling, some from just plain knowledge. However it came about, it was a glorious transformation.
The touchdown pass last night capped a storied career at Virginia Tech that shall lead to #5 being hoisted to the sky in Lane. The all-time Hokie leader in wins and passing yards deserves nothing less. Thank you Tyrod Taylor. You will be missed but not forgotten.
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