Dome spells doom for Kiffin and Vols

It was all Virginia Tech early as the Hokies -raced out to a 14-0 lead against Tennessee in tonight's Chick-Fil-A Bowl, but the Vols fired back. Sr.Jonathan Crompton, who's interception early led to Va. Tech's first score, completed three big passes, one to Denarius Moore and two to Gerald Jones. That would set up a remarkable touchdown run by senior Montario Hardesty to pull the Vols within seven at 14-7. Then later with the Hokies driving, Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor is intercepted by freshman Janzen Jackson and the Vol offense is back in business. UT calls the screen pass and works the play to perfection. Hardesty takes the short pass and runs it all the way down to the one yard line. From there it was Crompton to Denarius Moore. With the extra point, the game is tied at 14. But instead of taking a knee, the Hokies go deep and Taylor hits #82, Jarrett Boykin with a 63 yard pass. It appeared time had expired in the half, in fact, the Vols headed toward the locker room, but after further review, the officials put two seconds on the clock, just enough time for a Tech field goal. The 11th ranked Hokies lead the Big Orange 17-14 at halftime of the 2009 Chick-Fil-A Bowl.
Ryan Williams and the Hokie defense took over in the second half. Williams had a record-setting game and powered Virginia Tech past Tennessee 37-14 in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Thursday night.
The Hokies (10-3) took the lead with a field goal in the final seconds of the first half and outscored Tennessee 20-0 in the second half on their way to a sixth straight 10-win season.
The only team with a longer active streak is Texas with nine.
Williams, a redshirt freshman, had 117 yards rushing and two touchdowns to become Virginia Tech's single-season rushing leader with 1,655 yards. Williams also set Atlantic Coast Conference records with 21 rushing touchdowns and 22 total touchdowns this season.

Kiffin sees little to exploit in Virginia Tech defense

A missing cornerback is nice.
But if Lane Kiffin had a choice, the Tennessee coach would probably take somebody else away from a talented Virginia Tech defense.
There's a play-making safety, an intelligent linebacker and a couple terrors at defensive end that might be better candidates, though Kiffin won't complain about academically ineligible Stephan Virgil's absence Thursday (TV: ESPN, 7:30 p.m.) in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. It's just difficult for the Vols to find a way to really capitalize on it.
"I think the scheme they play is not very demanding on the corners," Kiffin said. "They make it difficult to attack them. They're not a press-man team where he's going to be out there on the field all day long and they're going to leave him in man coverage.
"They run a very unique defense, a very unique coverage; and they don't ask those guys to be matched up one-on-one very much, so it's kind of hard to go after one of their corners."
Even if the Vols (7-5) aren't specifically targeting some inexperienced replacements for Virgil, they'll still be trying to test a secondary that's been among the best in the nation this season.
The Hokies (9-3) gave up just 161 yards per game through the air and ranked sixth in the country against the pass, though that wasn't with Cris Hill or Jayron Hosley in the starting rotation.
"Both have practiced well," Hokies coach Frank Beamer said of Virgil's replacements. "I think we're going to end up playing both of them and see how it goes during the game. Both of them are talented enough, but they just need to rise to the occasion, and hopefully they will.
"We haven't really talked about (starting). What we've talked about is that both of them are going to play."
It's not like they won't have help when they're out there, either.
Kam Chancellor is still in the lineup at the back of the defense at safety. Ball-hawking linebacker Cody Grimm and his 99 tackles are available in the middle, and Nekos Brown will be supplying pressure up front. The starting cornerback who did stay eligible is no slouch on the other side, and Rashad Carmichael will be looking to add to his team-high five interceptions.
The Vols have largely avoided throwing many down the stretch, but they figure to at least give the Hokies a few chances to snag one tonight - no matter who's on the field.
"As we look at it, if there's someone else that you'd rather have them lose, it wouldn't be a corner," Kiffin said. "You'd rather attack somebody else."
Full Speed Ahead: The Vols are as close to perfect health as they can get. They apparently have managed to avoid adding any self-inflicted wounds as well.
For the second consecutive day Kiffin addressed issues with focus and staying out of trouble, but indicated nobody will be missing when UT takes the field against Virginia Tech.
"I thought our players have really done a better job the last couple days of being focused," Kiffin said. "When you first get here, it's such a great bowl and such a great city with so many events, it can be easy to get distracted.
"But we're all still here and accounted for and I like what they've done."

Meyer 911 call: 'Urban, Urban talk to me please'

Just got ahold of the 911 call from Shelley Meyer from the night of Dec. 6, when her husband, coach Urban Meyer, was unconscious at 4:27 a.m. from their Gainesville home. Here is the audio of the 911 tape that reveals Meyer has chest pains while passed out on the floor. The report also states Meyer had a tingling sensation on his side before collapsing.
Shelley can be heard repeatedly saying “Urban, Urban, Urban, talk to me,” according to the recording from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.
Shelley tells the 911 operator that “my husband’s having chest pains.” Shelley, talking in a calm tone, eventually sees Meyer moving and breathing but “he’s not talking to me.”
The operator asks Shelley to try to wake him again. Shelley is on a land line while Urban was lying behind the bed.
“Urban, talk to me please,” Shelley said. “I see him breathing.”
The call was 1 minute, 49 seconds before fading into static. Paramedics arrived at Meyer’s house at around 4:40 a.m. Shelley said Meyer recently had taken the sleeping pill Ambien. Meyer’s vitals were positive despite being unresponsive.
The crew rushed Meyer to the hospital before 5 a.m.
Florida spokesman Steve McClain said on Dec. 6 that Meyer entered the hospital for dehydration. Meyer has admitted to chest pains, but has refused to comment on any specific heart issues or whether doctors recommended that he stay away from coaching.
Meyer resigned from his job on Saturday evening only to soften his tone less than 20 hours later, saying Sunday he’s taking a leave of absence.

UT prepared for tricky Virginia Tech defense

UT prepares for New Year’s Eve and a Chick-fil-A Bowl date with Virginia Tech (TV: ESPN, 7:30 p.m.), it might take a combination of everything its faced this year to deal with coordinator Bud Foster and his Hokies defense.
“The defense fits all the formations, that’s what is unique to them,” Vols offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said. “They don’t have to change their defensive personnel if you go with a grouping of three wide receivers, they have the right people on the field.
“This team is a little unique in what they do, and Bud’s been doing it for a long time with a lot of success. We’ve got to be very detailed in what we try to do, because they’ll make you look like a fool if you’re not ready to roll.”
For the most part, the Vols (7-5, 4-4 SEC) have been the team making people look silly over the second half of the season with a vastly improved passing attack and reliable running game. But the Hokies (9-3, 6-2 ACC) won’t make it easy for them to move the ball either way.
Tennessee’s Jonathan Crompton exploded down the stretch to finish with 26 touchdown passes, and Virginia Tech will counter the quarterback with a defense ranked sixth nationally against the pass. Running back Montario Hardesty piled up more than 1,300 yards without fumbling, but the Hokies rank No. 15 in the country in turnover margin and haven’t given up more than 13 points in any of their last four games.
UT has certainly faced its share of stout defenses this season, and it will likely have to lean heavily on that collective experience Thursday.
“They’re very sound and they play really hard — that’s probably their trademark and people that do that have a chance to play good,” UT defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said. “(Foster’s) not really a Cover-Two guy, they’re more of a nine-man front and their corners play back inside. They kind of have a scheme of their own, and it’s really a good scheme. I know they do a really good job.
“Every scheme is different, every coordinator is different, every coach is different, but it’s kind of about what your fundamentals are and what you believe in. Bud Foster, hopefully we’ll be able to move the ball and this and that, but he’ll be able to adjust because he knows his defense and his players know it.”
The Vols are well versed in it by now as well after spending the month practicing for it and watching it on film, and they’ve come up with any number of ways to try to attack it.
Chaney was obviously in no hurry to reveal what those might be, but the coaches on the other sideline have experience too. Foster and Co. have seen just about everything as well.
“We’ll try to do some things to create some mismatches and such, but I believe he’s seen about everything that’s going to take place,” Chaney said. “It’s going to come down to execution, because I do believe that he’ll know how to adjust to everything we’re trying to do.
“It’s going to come down to players making plays.”

It's Berry time: Decision made after talking to family, Kiffin

Lane Kiffin doesn't stop recruiting often.
But at least when it comes to players already in the program, the Tennessee coach is able to shut down his role as pitchman and play it straight for a while.
That might cost the Vols a chance to keep a few NFL-eligible players for an extra season at times, but Kiffin won't ever try to hold anybody back - starting with junior Eric Berry. Neither announced a definitive decision during a press conference Monday, but with one expected after the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Virginia Tech on Thursday (TV: ESPN, 7:30 p.m.), it seems clear where the safety is headed.
"These may be the only conversations that I don't recruit in is with these guys," Kiffin said. "It's too important for them to make the right decision. This isn't about me, it isn't about Tennessee.
"This is about Eric and Eric's family, and so I told Eric from my perspective that he's done everything that he can do. If he wants to go, this is the time to go."
In all likelihood he will, and Berry's stock could hardly be higher.
At least one projection has the versatile defender as the No. 1 player in the draft, and though Berry has repeatedly talked about his love for UT (7-5) and the coaching staff, outside factors could make it hard for him to return.
After delaying an announcement last week until after playing the Hokies (9-3), Berry again deflected most every question about his status and wouldn't address specific issues influencing his decision. But everything from family concerns to possible restructuring of the NFL pay scale seem to make this the right time for him to move on, and one way or the other he's already made up his mind.
"It's kind of made up, but right now I don't want to get into that," Berry said. "I want to focus on Virginia Tech and just deal with that right now.
"I really just wanted to make sure there was no stone unturned. I sat down with coach Kiffin and talked about it, sat down with my family, talked with some of my close teammates and friends about the whole situation. I wanted to make sure I weighed out every possible scenario and situation that could happen."

Texas A&M's View on the Game

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) -Joe Cox threw two touchdown passes, Caleb King added two rushing scores and Georgia beat mistake-prone Texas A&M 44-20 on Monday in the Independence Bowl.
Cox hit Aron White on touchdown passes of 24 and 2 yards in the second half as the Bulldogs (8-5) pulled away for their fourth straight bowl victory. It was the fourth straight postseason loss for the Aggies (6-7), who have not won a bowl since 2001.
Georgia blocked two kicks, Brandon Boykin tied the Southeastern Conference record with his third kickoff return of the season and Cox threw his first touchdown pass after the snap sailed over the Texas A&M punter's head in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs sealed the win by intercepting Jerrod Johnson twice in the third quarter.
White tied the Independence Bowl record for touchdown receptions, sharing it with four others.
Special teams led directly to 24 points for the Bulldogs, who also blocked an early field goal attempt and got a 49-yard field goal from Blair Walsh.
The game was billed as an offensive showdown, but a shootout never developed. The teams had more punts than first downs in the first 25 minutes of the game.
Texas A&M finally got moving in the waning moments of the second quarter behind Johnson. He led a nine-play, 75-yard drive that included passes of 14 and 41 yards before the quarterback was flushed from the pocket, rolled left and fired a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jamie McCoy with 2:33 left in the half.
Georgia answered immediately, however, when Boykin returned the kickoff 81 yards up the middle of the field to tie the score. It was his third kickoff return of the season for a touchdown, setting a school record and tying the Southeastern Conference mark held by Tennessee's Willie Gault.
Bulldogs defensive end Demarcus Dobbs sacked Johnson on the next drive, forcing the Aggies to punt. Bacarri Rambo blocked the kick and Vance Cuff recovered it at the 2.
King scored on a dive to make it 14-7 for Georgia despite just 99 first-half yards.
Christine Michael appeared to get the Aggies rolling on Texas A&M's first drive of the second half with a 14-yard touchdown that was set up by Johnson's 19-yard pass on third down.
Their next three drives were disastrous, however.
The first ended on the botched snap, which gave Georgia the ball at the Texas A&M 24. Three plays later Cox hit White with a touch pass down the middle of the field with a rusher in his face to make it 24-14. Johnson threw interceptions on consecutive drives after that.
Georgia was unable to score the first time, but Reshad Jones' 59-yard interception return on the second gave the Bulldogs the ball at the Aggies 28.
Five plays later Cox faked the handoff from the 2, rolled right on a naked bootleg and found the wide-open White in the right corner of the end zone.
King and Shaun Chapas tacked on rushing scores in the fourth quarter to pad Georgia's lead and gave Georgia a share of the bowl record with six touchdowns scored. The Bulldogs also set a record with 30 second-half points.
Johnson, who had a breakout game with four touchdown passes against Texas in the team's regular-season finale, completed 29 of 58 passes for 362 yards and one score. Cox was 15 of 28 for 158 yards. Georgia defensive tackle Geno Atkins was named defensive MVP and White was the offensive pick.
The Bulldogs are 7-2 in the postseason under coach Mark Richt.
( by www.aggieathletics.com)

Georgia's View on the Game

Georgia Wins Another Bowl Game With Record 44 Points: With today‚s 44-20 win, Georgia (8-5) now owns a bowl mark of 26-16-3. The 44 points was a bowl record, eclipsing the previous high of 41 in the win over Hawaii in the 2008 Sugar Bowl. They tied the bowl record with six TDs, matching the 1942 Orange Bowl champion Bulldogs, a 40-26 win over TCU.The Bulldogs made their record 13th consecutive appearance in a bowl game today and 45th overall. The Bulldogs are now 7-2 in bowl games under Mark Richt. Georgia improves to 2-0 at the Independence Bowl. They won 24-15 over Arkansas in 1991. The Aggies lead the series 3-2 but the Bulldogs have won the last two meeting, a 42-0 shutout in 1980 and tonight's 44-20 win.Georgia tight end Aron White (offense) and defensive tackle Geno Atkins (defense) earned Bowl MVP honors on offense and defense. White tied a bowl record with 2 TD catches while Atkins blocked a field goal and finished with three tackles and one sack.Bulldog Defense Looked Sharp: Georgia held Texas A&M to 20 points as the Aggie ran 92 plays for 471 yards, the most plays ever under Mark Richt, the previous high was 88 by Vanderbilt in 2001, Georgia won that game 30-14 in Nashville. The Aggies came in averaging 34 points a game, and Georgia was without three full-time coaches on defense. Bulldog graduate assistant Mitch Doolittle and Todd Hartley filled in along with asst. head coach Rodney Garner and head coach Mark Richt.At Least Eight In 13 Straight: With the win, Georgia (8-5, 4-4 SEC) leads the country with 13 consecutive seasons with eight or more wins. Texas and Virginia Tech ranks second with 12 each. Non-Conference Success Continues: Under the direction of Mark Richt, Georgia now owns a 38-4 record against teams from outside the Southeastern Conference. In bowl games under Richt, the Bulldogs are 7-2. Overall, Richt improves to 90-27 in his nine seasons.Boykin Sets School Record And Ties SEC Record With Another KOR TD: Georgia sophomore Brandon Boykin set a school record and tied the SEC record with three kickoff returns for a TD in a season. Today, Boykin had an 81-yarder to go with a pair of 100-yarders earlier this season. Boykin now shares the SEC record with Willie Gault (Tennessee, 1980). Boykin came in with a school record 881 KOR yards on 36 returns. Boykin had two for 107 yards.Offensive Bowl MVP White Snags Two TDs To Tie Bowl Mark: Senior QB Joe Cox connected with sophomore TE Aron White for a 24-yard TD that put the Bulldogs up 24-14 with 7:49 left in the third quarter. Georgia's TD-drive covered just 24 yards following a bad snap on an Aggie punt attempt. It was a three-play drive that took just 27 seconds. White tied a Georgia and Independence bowl record with his second TD-reception, a two-yarder to put the Bulldogs up 31-14 with 13:19 left. White shares the bowl mark with three other Bulldogs, most recently Fred Gibson in the 2004 Capital One Bowl. It was White's only two catches today.Blocked That Kick: Georgia senior DT Geno Atkins blocked a 50-yard field goal attempt, the first by Georgia since the Arizona State game (A.J. Green) earlier this season. It led to an Interception. Texas A&M failed to convert it into any points. Block That Punt: Redshirt freshman Bacarri Rambo blocked a punt and it was recovered by junior Vance Cuff at the Aggie 2 yard line. Sophomore Caleb King then ran in for a two-yard TD to give Georgia its first lead at 14-7 with 1:22 left in the first half. It was Georgia's first blocked punt since the Tennessee game (Zach Renner).The Bulldogs now have blocked 11 field goals in the Mark Richt era which began in 2001. They also have blocked 18 punts and 3 PATs in that time. They have scored 114 points off all the blocks.Busy Game For Butler: Sophomore All-America punter Drew Butler had a busy first half with five punts for a 41.6 average. In the Bulldogs last game, he did not have to punt once. Today, he finished with six punts for a 41.5 averageWalsh Nails Another One: Sophomore Blair Walsh nailed a 49-yarder to give the Bulldogs a 17-14 lead with 9:25 left in the third quarter. Walsh has hit 20-of-22 overall this year including 7-for-7 from a range of 40-49 yards. He tied a bowl record with five PATs and he's 92-for-92 in his career.Commings And Jones Get Interceptions: Redshirt freshman cornerback Sanders Commings notched his first career interception at the Bulldog 10. It came on a fourth down play late in the third quarter. It led to a punt. Junior safety Reshad Jones had a 59-yard INT return to the Aggie 28 with 32 seconds left in the 3rd quarter. It was a team-high fourth for Jones and 111h overall in his career It led to a TD."Russ" Gets It Done Again: For the second straight game, "Russ" earned a victory in his role as substitute mascot after Uga VII passed away on Nov. 19. He will not be next in line of permanent Uga mascots. Uga VIII will be selected some time in 2010. Russ is the five-year-old half brother of Uga VII.
( by www.georgiadogs.com)

Up Next..Ut vs VT...Vols will test Hokies new cornerback

Virginia Tech doesn't know exactly how it will replace Stephan Virgil, so neither does Gerald Jones.
But it apparently doesn't make much difference which cornerback lines up against the Tennessee receiver on New Year's Eve in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
If it's not Virgil, who will miss the game due to academic ineligibility, the Vols are going to attack him.
"Well, I don't know how much his backup has played this year, if any," Jones said. "But we'll definitely take shots at him.
"He'll have to make us respect him."
The Vols surely would have had more for a senior with 24 career starts and seven interceptions, but with Virgil on the bench, a passing game that has improved throughout the season could pick on the Hokies.
Possible replacements Cris Hill and Jayron Hosley have only combined for one start and neither has an interception, and with Jones and Denarius Moore healthy and productive, Virginia Tech could have its hands full.

Clemson defeats Kentucky football 21-13 in Music City Bowl

UK had won three consecutive bowl games, but not this time around.
The Wildcats made the only turnover in the game and were denied a fourth straight bowl victory, dropping a 21-13 decision in the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl before an announced crowd of 57,280 at LP Field.
The win by Clemson (9-5), which lost in the ACC championship game, avenges a 28-20 loss to Kentucky in the Music City Bowl in 2006. The loss also snaps an 18-game non-conference winning streak by UK.
UK (7-6) slowed All-American C.J. Spiller for much of the game but he scored the game-clinching touchdown and then helped ice the victory.
Playing a mistake-free game on offense, UK was trailing 14-13 when Gene McCaskill made a 6-yard reception but was stripped by linebacker Kavell Conner and the ball was recovered by Jarvis Jenkins at the UK 19.
Three plays later, Spiller - sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting - scored in his 14th consecutive game on an 8-yard run to make it 21-13 with 10:14 left.
Kentucky had one final shot, driving the ball down the field behind a 15-yard run by Moncell Allen and a 14-yard pass from Morgan Newton to Randall Cobb.
The Wildcats even converted a fake punt with Ryan Tydlacka carrying nine yards around the right side on fourth-and-three from the 43 with 6:38 left. But Clemson then held on its next four down, with Newton throwing two incomplete passes and running for eight yards on a fourth-and-nine with 5:27 left.
Spiller then helped ice the win with three key runs, including a 6-yard gain on third-and-two from the 37 with 1:23 left in the game.
Clemson then took a knee and started to celebrate.

Urban Meyer To Take Leave of Absence, Not Step Down; Addazio Named Interim Head Coach

University of Florida head football coach Urban Meyer informed his team Sunday afternoon that he will take an indefinite leave of absence rather than step down. Meyer addressed the team shortly before the Gators boarded a plane to New Orleans for Friday evening’s Allstate Sugar Bowl.

“During the past couple of days I was offered and encouraged to take a leave of absence,” said Meyer. “I’ve accepted this offer to improve on my health.”

The news came less than 24 hours after Meyer had announced he was stepping down as head coach. Meyer will still coach the Gators in the Allstate Sugar Bowl Friday evening before beginning his leave of absence.
Florida offensive coordinator Steve Addazio will take over as interim head coach during Meyer’s time away from the program.
When asked among the biggest reasons for a change of heart, Meyer stated simply, “the players,” referencing the feeling of being back on the practice field Sunday morning.

Kentucky vs. Clemson in the Music City Bowl

Two teams that exceeded expectations this year will take the field for a rare Sunday night college football game, when the Kentucky Wildcats and Clemson Tigers get to get together in the Music City Bowl just a few days after Christmas.
Clemson, was just one game away from winning the ACC Championship, but because of bowl politicking now find themselves headed to Nashville. They are led by one of the most versatile and dynamic players in the sport, senior running back C.J. Spiller. Spiller literally scored a touchdown every way you can this season, rushing for 11, catching four, throwing for one, and also returning kicks and punts for scores. He is joined by freshman quarterback Kyle Parker, who really matured as the season went on. Parker, who also plays on Clemson’s baseball team, threw for 2385 yards this year as well as 19 touchdowns. Like many freshmen though, he got a little turnover happy, tossing 12 interceptions as well.
As for Kentucky, this will be the fourth straight bowl game for a team that hadn’t gone to one for decades before 2006. The Wildcats have overcome some tough injuries to get to an impressive seven wins, including victories over Georgia and Auburn, and a near miss against Tennessee as well.
On offense, the Wildcats are led by quarterback Morgan Newton, who was forced into action in replacement of the injured Mike Hartline. Newton completed just 54 percent of his passes on the year, but doesn’t make many mistakes, throwing just three interceptions in 2009. His top playmaker is Randall Cobb, a receiver who’ll lineup in the backfield and play running back as well, and even occasionally comes in as a Wildcat quarterback.

Texas A an M vs Georgia Preview

Both Texas A&M and Georgia had mediocre seasons in part due to defenses that consistently struggled, but that could make for an exciting offensive showcase as the Aggies and Bulldogs meet in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La., on Dec. 28.
While Texas A&M allowed more points (32.7) and total yards (431.3) per game than any other Big 12 team, Georgia's defensive woes prompted coach Mark Richt to fire three of his assistants, including defensive coordinator Willie Martinez.
Martinez had spent nine seasons with the Bulldogs, but his defense has had problems ever since Georgia was ranked No. 1 in the 2008 preseason.
The Bulldogs allowed more than 40 points in each of their losses during a 10-3 season last year, and they have been even worse in 2009, permitting an average of 26.4 points to rank 10th in the SEC.
"It was definitely not a one-year, knee-jerk reaction to one season, I can promise you that," Richt said of the personnel decisions. "It was more a decision that was made over the course of time, more time than just one year."
Martinez, defensive ends coach Jon Fabris and linebackers coach John Jancek all declined an offer to coach Georgia (7-5) in a bowl game before their dismissal, leaving Richt and defensive line coach Rodney Garner in control of the defense.
"Obviously, it's different," Garner told Georgia's official Web site. "I know it's different for the players also, but like I told them, the only thing they can control is what happens between the lines no matter what you feel about. ... What we've got to do is to be challenged to get these guys prepared to go to Shreveport and play probably one of the most prolific offenses we've faced all year."
The Bulldogs will have a tough task in stopping Texas A&M's Jerrod Johnson, who has thrown for 3,217 yards and 28 touchdowns with six interceptions while also rushing for 455 yards and eight scores.
The 6-foot-5 junior anchors the nation's fifth-ranked offense, which racks up 465.3 yards per game and boasts a potent ground attack led by freshman Christine Michael and sophomore Cyrus Gray.

Georgia's Richt gets defensive for bowl game

Offensive-minded Mark Richt has had to spend more time than usual on Georgia's defense.
Richt dismissed three defensive coaches, including defensive coordinator Willie Martinez, at the end of the regular season. So Richt has been overseeing the defense as the Bulldogs (7-5, 4-4 Southeastern Conference) prepare to face Texas A&M (6-6. 3-5 Big 12) on Dec. 28 at the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La.
"I've enjoyed it," Rich said Wednesday of his expanded duties. "I'm not trying to reinvent anything. My role is to set the parameters and make sure everything is being covered and to make sure we have a plan schematically and a plant to implement that strategy."

UF's Urban Meyer Steps Down as Head Football Coach

Urban Meyer is stepping down as head coach of the University of Florida football team, Athletics Director Jeremy Foley announced Saturday afternoon.

“I have given my heart and soul to coaching college football and mentoring young men for the last 24-plus years and I have dedicated most of my waking moments the last five years to the Gator football program,” said Meyer. “I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to re-evaluate my priorities of faith and family.”
“After consulting with my family, Dr. Machen, Jeremy Foley and my doctors, I believe it is in my best interest to step aside and focus on my health and family.
“I’m proud to be a part of the Gainesville community and the Gator Nation and I plan to remain in Gainesville and involved with the University of Florida.
“I’m very appreciative for the opportunity I’ve had to be a part of a tremendous institution – from Dr. Machen to Jeremy Foley and the entire administrative staff at UF. I’m also very thankful for the chance to work with some of the best assistants in college football and coach some of the best college football players and watch them grow both on and off the field as people. I will cherish the relationships with them the most.”
Meyer will coach his last game for UF in the Gators’ Sugar Bowl match-up vs. Cincinnati on January 1st in New Orleans, La.

Gamecocks head home for holiday

South Carolina practiced for a little more than an hour Wednesday morning before freeing players to leave for the holiday break.
USC coach Steve Spurrier said he has been pleased with the effort put forth during the eight Papajohns.com Bowl practices held so far. He felt the same way last year, though, before the Gamecocks lost 31-10 to Iowa in the Outback Bowl.
"We didn't practice all that poorly last year," Spurrier said. " Practices have been pretty good but we've got to maintain it. We've got to really step it up once we start the week of the game. It's been OK, but we have to take it to the ballpark."
The team is scheduled to return to Columbia on Sunday night and practice Monday and Tuesday before departing for Birmingham on Tuesday afternoon. USC is scheduled to practice at Birmingham Southern College on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before the 2 p.m. kickoff at Legion Field against Connecticut on Saturday.
Spurrier gave his team some words of advice before letting them head home for Christmas.
"Always tell the guys to be safe, don't get in the car with anybody that has been drinking, be careful on the highways," Spurrier said. "Every time you get in the car, potentially could be the last day of your life. We try to warn our guys the best we can and go from there. That's always the message before a holiday break."
Kickoff coverage. Spurrier said the Gamecocks plan to kick to Connecticut's return men even though the Huskies have returned three kickoffs for touchdowns. .
The Gamecocks' last special teams return for a touchdown was when Chavez Donnings returned a punt against Florida in 2003.
"Their coach has already mentioned they need to score on special teams to help win the game," Spurrier said. "Hopefully, some day we can have that attitude around here that we can score on special teams, because we don't do it very well. If we're ever going to be a really, really good team, we've got to do that."

Hokies' Virgil will miss bowl vs Vols

For the second straight season, Virginia Tech's football team will be missing a starter for its bowl game because of academic issues.
Senior cornerback Stephan Virgil has been ruled academically ineligible under NCAA guidelines for the Hokies' matchup against Tennessee in the Dec. 31 Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta.
It's a tough finish to a difficult season for Virgil. After playing well in Tech's 34-24 loss to Alabama in the Sept. 5 season opener in Atlanta, Virgil injured his left knee making a tackle on the game's final play. The injury was listed as a bruised knee, but it kept him out of the lineup for the Hokies' next two games against Marshall and Nebraska.
Virgil, the Hokies' most experienced cornerback, returned to start the final nine regular-season games. Following the Hokies' regular-season finale against Virginia on Nov. 28, the Rocky Mount, N.C., native had the knee "cleaned" in minor arthroscopic surgery.
"It was not a ligament tear or anything like that, which would have been bad," Virgil said last week in an interview. "I just wanted to try and get myself right for the season and my future."
Virgil, whose playing time was cut some following the knee injury, had 36 tackles in 10 games, including a secondary-leading six stops for loss. He recovered two fumbles. He had one sack and one interception.
With Virgil sidelined, the Hokies are expected to start sophomore Eddie Whitley at the field corner position against the Vols. Whitley, who is listed on Tech's bowl depth chart as the backup to free safety Kam Chancellor, made his first college start against Nebraska on Sept. 19.
Cris Hill, a redshirt sophomore who started the first game that Virgil missed (Marshall, Sept. 12), is listed as the backup at the field spot for the bowl, and should get playing time along with Whitley.

TCU's Patterson is AP Coach of the Year

Gary Patterson guided TCU to its best season in 70 years on the way to becoming the first Associated Press Coach of the Year from outside the six conferences with automatic BCS bids.
Patterson led the Horned Frogs to a perfect regular season, their first Mountain West Conference title, their first BCS appearance and even had them vying for a spot in the national championship game.
"I'm really kind of humbled by the whole thing," Patterson said in a telephone interview. "The best way I know how to deal with it is to put my nose down and keep getting ready for Boise."
No. 3 TCU plays No. 6 Boise State (13-0) in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 4.
In a close vote released Wednesday, Patterson received 21 votes from the AP college football poll panel to edge Brian Kelly. The former Cincinnati coach, now with Notre Dame, received 19 votes and Alabama's Nick Saban, who won the award last season, got 14 votes.
Chip Kelly of Oregon received three votes and Boise State's Chris Petersen and Texas' Mack Brown each got one vote.
Patterson's ninth season with the Horned Frogs has been his best, but TCU's success this season is no great surprise. The Frogs have consistently been a threat to bust the BCS under Patterson, who was promoted from defensive coordinator after Dennis Franchione left Fort Worth for Alabama in 2000.

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SEC Football Online Free Pick...Kentucky vs Clemson

Kentucky Wildcats (8-4 SU, 6-5 ATS) vs. Clemson Tigers (8-5 SU, 7-5 ATS)
Sunday, December 27: 8:30 p.m.
College Bowl Picks Betting Odds: Clemson -7 ½, Total Points 52 ½
Kentucky: 2-1 ATS in their last 3 games
Kentucky: 5-2 SU in their last 7 games
Kentucky: The total has gone OVER in 3 of their last 4 games
Clemson: 0-3 ATS in their last 3 games
Clemson: 6-2 SU in their last 8 games
Clemson: The total has gone OVER in their last 5 games
Two teams that exceeded expectations this year will take the field for a rare Sunday night college football game, when the Kentucky Wildcats and Clemson Tigers get to get together in the Music City Bowl just a few days after Christmas.
For Clemson, they were just one game away from winning the ACC Championship, but because of bowl politicking now find themselves headed to Nashville. They are led by one of the most versatile and dynamic players in the sport, senior running back C.J. Spiller. Spiller literally scored a touchdown every way you can this season, rushing for 11, catching four, throwing for one, and also returning kicks and punts for scores. He is joined by freshman quarterback Kyle Parker, who really matured as the season went on. Parker, who also plays on Clemson’s baseball team, threw for 2385 yards this year as well as 19 touchdowns. Like many freshmen though, he got a little turnover happy, tossing 12 interceptions as well.
As for Kentucky, this will be the fourth straight bowl game for a team that hadn’t gone to one for decades before 2006. The Wildcats have overcome some tough injuries to get to an impressive seven wins, including victories over Georgia and Auburn, and a near miss against Tennessee as well.
On offense, the Wildcats are led by quarterback Morgan Newton, who was forced into action in replacement of the injured Mike Hartline. Newton completed just 54 percent of his passes on the year, but doesn’t make many mistakes, throwing just three interceptions in 2009. His top playmaker is Randall Cobb, a receiver who’ll lineup in the backfield and play running back as well, and even occasionally comes in as a Wildcat quarterback.
Defensively, the Wildcats might struggle to compensate for Spiller, as they had just the 100th ranked run defense in college football, allowing 183 yards per game. However, it is important to keep in mind that the Wildcats faced many of the top runners in the sport, such as Tim Tebow at Florida, Anthony Dixon at Mississippi State and Montario Hardesty from Tennessee, not to mention Mark Ingram. Is their rushing defense that bad, or the competition they played that good?
While on paper, Clemson seems to be the safe pick, we are going to go ahead and select the Wildcats. They really were one of the more underrated teams in the sport this season, and their seven wins were impressive considering their deteriorating health all season long. Also, had they played in a different conference, it seems not only possible, but probable they would have exceeded those seven victories.
Clemson is where the public money will go, but don’t be fooled. You want the Wildcats during this bowl season’s SEC Football Online pick...Kentucky and +7.5