Michigan is the Dog in the SEC Football Online Sportsbook vs. Miss State Bulldogs in Gator Bowl

Gator Bowl: Michigan Wolverines (7-5) vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs (8-4)

Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

When: Jan. 1st, 2011 at 1:30 pm EST

TV: ESPN 2

NCAAF Betting Lines

Michigan Wolverines +4 ½ -110 O 59 ½ -110

Mississippi State Bulldogs -4 ½ -110 U 59 ½ -110

The Wolverines’ offense, although exciting, is dependent too much on the legs of QB Denard Robinson and not his arm. Robinson did pass for over 2,000 yards this season, but he doesn’t have the touch on the ball needed to get it downfield without getting it picked off or knocked down before it reaches the receiver.

Robinson alone cannot beat the Mississippi State defense. Although Michigan’s offense averaged 34.3 points per game this season, the offense failed to score more than 28 points in any one of their final 3 regular season games. Mississippi State’s defense is one of the reasons why the Bulldogs are such a solid bet to cover the football bowl game odds spread in the sportsbook for the Gator Bowl.

The Miss State D ended up allowing only 20.3 points per game on average. Although the Bulldogs lost 2 out of their last 3 games straight up, they did hold Auburn to only 17 points in a 14 to 17 loss as 1-point dogs early in the season. The D also held Florida to only 7 points in a 10 to 7 victory.

More importantly, for sports betting purposes versus the Wolverines, the Bulldogs scored 30 points or more in their final 2 regular season games. What it means is that Mississippi State actually can play some offense.

There’s just no other way to cut it. The Michigan Wolverines aren’t a horrible team but they’re not on the level of Mississippi State. The Bulldogs should cover the spread in the Gator Bowl on January 1st.

SEC Football Online Betting Pick: Mississippi State Bulldogs -4 ½ -110

Tennessee’s mental errors cost Vols in thrilling Music City Bowl

All the credit should, and surely will, go to Butch Davis and his players. It should also be pointed out that UNC quarterback T.J. Yates is one helluva gamer. For all the NCAA distractions from earlier this year, coupled with the criticisms of his inconsistencies and cries for a change at QB, Yates has persevered and led a dramatic 31-second comeback at the end of regulation.
It should also be noted that North Carolina got a little help too, and no, not from Big Ten officials. While the last 30 seconds of the game included a few more flags and official reviews than one would hope, we saw the Vols shoot themselves in their foot. If anything, Tennessee might have gotten away with a few unsportsmanlike conduct calls against quarterback Tyler Bray.

The personal foul, leading-with-the-helmet penalty on Tennessee after Todd Harrelson caught a 28-yard pass from Yates on North Carolina’s final drive of regulation was justified, and there was no sufficient evidence to overturn the call on the field of a catch. Arguably, there could have been another personal foul penalty on Tennessee for a late hit one play later on a 12-yard completion to UNC’s Dwight Jones.

The personal foul penalty on Tennessee at the end of regulation, which was assessed 15 yards in favor of UNC in the first overtime, didn’t appear to be fully explained, but it ultimately became part of a larger scheme: Simply put, Tennessee committed too many mental errors and allowed North Carolina to stay in the game.
North Carolina’s game-winning field goal in double overtime was a fitting end to what has been a tumultuous season for both the Tar Heels and the Vols.

Vols lose Music City Bowl in double OT

Casey Barth's 23-yard field goal in double overtime gave North Carolina a 30-27 win over Tennessee in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl.

North Carolina (8-5) got the opportunity to win after intercepting Tyler Bray in the second overtime. In the first overtime, T.J. Yates rushed for a 1-yard touchdown for North Carolina. Bray's 20-yard TD pass to Luke Stocker sent the game to double overtime. Barth kicked a 40-yard field goal on the final play of regulation to tie the game 20-20 and send it to overtime.

Bray's 8-yard touchdown pass to Justin Hunter with five minutes left had given Tennessee (6-7) a 20-17 lead.(with a key PAT missed)

Hey, big spenders: Alabama, Ohio St.... top list

After OSU ($31.7 million) and Alabama ($31.1 million), the rest of top five biggest spenders include Notre Dame, Auburn and LSU, according to the database. Most schools' figures were for the fiscal year that ended June 30. Broken down on a per-student basis, the Irish spend the most, the database says. Their trip to the Sun Bowl is coming at a price of $3,531 for each of Notre Dame's 8,351 undergraduates, an overall budget of $29.4 million, while TCU spends $2,822 per student to run its Rose Bowl-bound football program.

For all the money they fork out, at least the TCUs and LSUs of the world are going somewhere this season. Texas, last year's national runner-up, spent $25.1 million and is sitting home for New Year's after going 5-7.

Boise State, meanwhile, looks like a bargain. The underdog Broncos stayed in contention for the national title all year with a program that spends a fraction of what the big boys do. The tab: $6.85 million for an average of $564 a student for a program that ended up winning the MAACO Bowl this year.

MSU's Dan Mullen gets his extension, raise

Mississippi State announced Thursday afternoon that Mullen and the school have reached an agreement on an extended contract that will pay the coach an average of $2.65 million annually. His previous contract paid him $1.5 million in 2010.

That is why it pays to have your name attached to openings, whether you’re actually interested or not.

"We’re very happy, my wife and I, to be staying here, and hopefully for a long time to come," Mullen said following today’s practice. "Really excited with the direction the program is going, with the leadership of Scott and within the athletic department, and with Dr. Mark Keenum. The vision they have, and the vision I have, everybody’s on the same page. We see a great future at Mississippi State, and we’re going to do some great things."

Vols, Tar Heels look to end a tough year for both, with Music City Bowl win

Tonight’s Music City Bowl is a mediocre bowl game between two teams nowhere near the nation’s elite. Although, either Tennessee or North Carolina will end a sour season with much-needed momentum. Which program needs it more, one could only ponder. Both could certainly use it.

"Just getting here is something we can all be very proud of, but winning is really big, too," UT junior tailback Tauren Poole said. "This is a huge opportunity for us. Going into the offseason with a big winning streak, man, that would be great for everybody’s confidence. We could put ourselves in position to really turn the corner."

Some suggested all summer that the Volunteers (6-6, 3-5 Southeastern Conference) would be lucky to play in any bowl game, even a lower-tier one like this, but try telling that to one of college football’s proudest fan bases, even when their team wins just two of its first eight games.

The Tar Heels (7-5, 4-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) weren’t initially predicted to spend their holidays in an environment like this, but lengthy absences from several stars due to off-field suspensions or injuries have decimated an experienced, NFL-talent-dripping defense that was supposed to be one of the game’s best. But then those issues left many wondering if the Heels, like the Vols, would make any bowl game.

"Our football team has a great deal of respect for Coach Dooley’s football team," North Carolina head coach Butch Davis said Wednesday afternoon. "I think that we share an awful lot of things in common. Both teams have gone through some adversity during the course of the season, and certainly the leadership and the character of both programs have shown up to put us in the situation to be able to play this game."

Gamecocks likely down a starting lineman for Chick-fil-A Bowl

Starting left guard Garrett Chisolm suffered a sprained knee a week ago and then aggravated the injury during practice Tuesday. As a result, the senior has been all but ruled out of the Chick-fil-A Bowl, putting an end to his Gamecocks career.

"Coming from where he’s come from to do what he’s done, and to take this away from him here, it’s a hard thing," offensive line coach Shawn Elliott said."He’s going to be emotional, just knowing he can go out and finish what he started with his teammates. It’s something that’s meant so much to him."

"We don’t need to win the game for him, but we do need to play well for him. We want him, as we all do, to go out with a victory."

Chisolm started all 13 games in 2010, and 15 total during his two years in Columbia. Coaches named Chisolm to their All-SEC second team after the regular season.

Terrence Campbell is expected to get the start against the Seminoles.

Free Music City Bowl Bet on SEC Football Online Vols vs. Heels

The Tar Heels of North Carolina and Tennessee Volunteers are both interesting teams with a lot of athletic ability, which could make for an interesting bet on college football bowl games pick matchup.
The game will be one of the more hotly-contested mid-level bowl games according to most projections and both teams are at a crossroads with a lot to play for despite average seasons in the ACC and SEC, respectively.

Tennessee Volunteers vs. UNC Tar Heels

6:30 pm ET, Dec. 30

Bet on SEC football online bowl games pick line: UNC favored at -1 ½.

The 'Heels are known as being a basketball school and Tennessee UNC last played Tennessee way back in 1961 and won by a point but the 6-6 Vols lead the all-time series at 20-10-1 over the Tar Heels, who finished 7-5 on the season. has actually had a lot more success in that sport than on the football field lately but both teams have a solid brand name that has allowed them to continue to recruit top athletes even in down years on the football field. While the Tar Heels have had a tumultuous year, QB T.J. Yates managed to settle them down with a superb season throwing for over 3,000 yards and offering steady play. The bet on college football bowl games pick favorite Tar Heels have a big edge at that spot in this game but Tennessee has some strengths to be aware of as well. They won four straight heading into this one and that momentum can't be understated. It will be a battle of athletic defenses in this one but Yates gives the Tar Heels the edge.

Go with UNC in a close one at the Music City Bowl for 2010.

Bet on SEC Football Online bowl games winner: UNC Tar Heels (-1 1/2).

SEC Football Online's free sport pick...South Carolina’s The Play In the Chick-Fil-A

No. 23 Florida State Seminoles (9-4 SU, 7-6 ATS) vs. No. 17 South Carolina Gamecocks (9-4 SU, 7-6 ATS)

Friday, December 31: 7:30 p.m. ESPN, Live from Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA

Betting Odds:

Florida State: +3

South Carolina: -3

Total: 54 ½

South Carolina enters this game as a favorite, off one of the best seasons in school history, and their first SEC title ever. And they did it with one of the most balanced offenses in college football.

Speaking of that offense, while it’s filled with juniors and seniors, the difference was a superstar freshman and sophomore. The freshman is tailback Marcus Lattimore, who had an incredible first season Columbia, finishing second in the SEC in rushing with 1,138 rushing yards. As for that sophomore, that’d be Alshon Jeffery, who himself turned into an All-American at wide receiver. On the season, Jeffery finished with a staggering 79 catches for 1,387 yards and nine touchdowns.

As for the Gamecocks Football Bowl Game Odds opponents, Florida State will enter the Georgia Dome confident they can pull the upset. The Seminoles finished this year 9-4 and won the ACC’s Atlantic Division under first year head coach Jimbo Fisher.

NCAA rebuts critics of Ohio St, Auburn rulings

The NCAA posted a statement on its website Wednesday responding to its critics. It says “the notion that the NCAA is selective with its eligibility decisions and rules enforcement is another myth with no basis in fact.

"Money is not a motivator or factor as to why one school would get a particular decision versus another. Any insinuation that revenue from bowl games in particular would influence NCAA decisions is absurd, because schools and conferences receive that revenue, not the NCAA."

Last week, the NCAA suspended five Ohio State players for five games next season for selling their championship rings, trophies and other memorabilia items, but allowed them to play in the upcoming Sugar Bowl. Sugar Bowl executive director Paul Hoolahan told The Columbus Dispatch that he encouraged Ohio State officials to push for the players to be allowed to play Jan. 4 against Arkansas in New Orleans.

Last month, the NCAA decided not to punishment Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, even though it ruled his father had solicited money from Mississippi State while that school was recruiting his son.

In the Ohio State case, the NCAA said the players; including quarterback Terrelle Pryor and three other starters, had been inadequately educated about the rules and that was a mitigating factor in the case.

In the Newton case, the Heisman Trophy winner was allowed to continue playing because there was no evidence that he or Auburn knew about Cecil Newton’s attempts to get Mississippi State to pay $180,000 for his son’s commitment out of junior college.

Auburn's Chizik on Malzahn/Maryland rumors: ‘there are possibilities of contact’

"To the best of my knowledge, there are possibilities of contact," Chizik said. "I have not talked to anybody personally, but there are possibilities of contact in there. I can’t give any details because I don’t have any."

Bruce Feldman of ESPN the Magazine can and does, though. According to Feldman, Malzahn interviewed with Maryland officials last Wednesday. Feldman intimates that something could happen on the Terrapins front in the 48 hours after their Dec. 29 bowl game.

Florida defensive coach treated for gastritis

Florida defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has been released from a Tampa hospital after spending the day there being treated for mild gastritis.

University of Florida spokesman Steve McClain says the 45-year-old Austin missed practice and was admitted to Tampa General Hospital on Tuesday with abdominal pains. He says Austin was diagnosed with an inflammation of the stomach lining.

Austin became Florida’s defensive coordinator this season, joining the staff from the Arizona Cardinals. He has been an assistant coach for 20 seasons, including 13 at the collegiate level.

He spent the previous seven seasons in the NFL with Arizona (2007-09) and Seattle (2003-06) as a defensive backs coach.

RB Bolden to return for another year at Ole Miss

Two weeks ago, running back Brandon Bolden requested an evaluation from the NFL’s draft advisory board. Their response, it seems, wasn’t what he wanted to hear to push him away from the collegiate level a year early.

According to the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, head coach Houston Nutt announced that the Ole Miss running back has decided to return to Oxford for his senior season. It was not revealed what the advisory board’s evaluation told Bolden specifically.

Bolden ran for 976 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2010, both career highs and team-leading totals. The junior has rushed for over 2,000 yards and 23 touchdowns during his three years with the Rebels.

SMU's June Jones,and Auburn's Gus Malzahn interview for Maryland vacancy

According to ComcastSportsNet Washington, Jones is one of a handful of candidates who have interviewed for the head coaching vacancy at Maryland. Also interviewed, the website reports, are Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and ex-Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach.

Leach has been at or near the top of most lists to replace Ralph Friedgen even before Friedgen had been fired; after a brief flirtation with Vanderbilt, Malzahn received a contract extension and raise to remain with the Tigers. There are additional candidates for the job, but those were the only three listed in the report.

UGA’s second-leading rusher officially out of bowl game

According to reports, running back Caleb King, cornerback Derek Owens and offensive lineman A.J. Harmon will be unavailable for the postseason game against UCF. King will miss the game because of UGA academic policy; Owens and Harmon will not play because of, as the Macon Telegraph writes, NCAA-related issues.

"We have three players that will not be here," head coach Mark Richt said in quotes released by the school. "They lost their opportunity to play in the bowl game."

All three players should be available for spring practice.

King is second on the Bulldogs with 430 yards rushing, and his 5.4 yards per carry leads the team.

Starting Gator CB, three others to miss Outback Bowl

According to the Palm Beach Post, a UF spokesperson confirmed that starting cornerback Janoris Jenkins will miss the Outback Bowl due to injury. Jenkins was suffering from a right shoulder issue and underwent surgery earlier this month to repair the damage.

Jenkins is viewed as a potential first-round pick in the April NFL draft and has been seen as a player who will likely leave a year of collegiate eligibility on the table to make the move to the next level. The injury, some have surmised, all but guarantees he will leave Gainesville a year early.

In addition to Jenkins, offensive lineman Maurice Hurt (right knee) and defensive tackles Terron Sanders (right shoulder) and Lawrence Marsh (right hip) underwent surgery this month and will miss the bowl game.

Brantley still won’t commit to Florida return

Two weeks later, Brantley still has yet to decide what his 2011 football future will hold.

Much like he did after Muschamp was hired, Brantley said his focus right now is on the Gators' bowl game and he will sit down with his parents after Saturday’s Outback Bowl to determine which direction he’ll take.

"I haven’t really discussed it with my parents yet," Brantley said. "I’m really concentrating on playing this bowl game and playing the best against Penn State as I can."

NCAA bylaws, as noted by the Gainesville Sun, may make the decision for him, however.

According to NCAA rules, Brantley would not be eligible to transfer to another Football Bowl Subdivision school because he has less than two years of eligibility remaining. The same is true about transferring to a Football Championship Subdivision school, unless Florida granted Brantley a written release agreement stating UF didn’t object to Brantley receiving an exception to the transfer residence requirement.

Teammates Omarius Hines and Frankie Hammond Jr. both told the Sun that they believe he will ultimately stay at Florida and play his senior season in Gainesville. Brantley, though, remains focused solely on the here and now.

"I’m a Gator," he said. "That’s what I am right now."

LSU's Patrick Peterson picked for ESPN's All-American team

Few quarterbacks dared to throw near him. Alabama's Julio Jones made 10 catches for a total of 89 yards, with a long gain of 19 yards. It was against LSU and Peterson that we discovered how well Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton can run (217 yards). There's a reason he threw for only 86 yards.

Peterson made four picks for 134 yards this season. He also finished in the top 10 in punt returns (sixth, 16.1 yards, two touchdowns) and kickoff returns (seventh, 29.3 yards).

Gator's Henry picked for ESPN's All-American team

Florida senior Chas Henry is the best punter in the nation for a couple of reasons. First, he leads the FBS in punting average at 46.8 yards per attempt. Also, the Gators lead the FBS in net punting at 41.8 yards per.

Yes, the Gators have fast players on their special teams, and their ability to pin returners down also means that Henry can get the ball up in the air and keep it there and is consistent in his accuracy. On a team with a struggling offense, Henry's importance couldn't be overstated.

Auburn's Nick Fairley picked on ESPN's All-American team

Auburn junior defensive tackle Nick Fairley developed into a wreaking ball at the line of scrimmage and a reputation for hitting a slight bit after the whistle. The latter obscured the former, which is too bad, because Fairley proved impossible to contain at the point of attack as few defensive linemen ever can do.

He leads the Southeastern Conference with 21 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. The 21 quarterback hurries speak to the same ability.

Oregon will test Fairley's quickness and stamina, as he will test their line.

Auburn's Cam Newton named to ESPN's All-American team

The Heisman Trophy winner guided Auburn to a perfect 13-0 record, SEC championship and spot in the Jan. 10 Tostitos BCS National Championship Game.

Newton became only the third player in FBS history to both run and pass for 20 touchdowns in the same season and led the country with 49 total touchdowns. He became the first player in SEC history to pass for 2,000 yards and run for 1,000 in the same season and led the country in pass efficiency (188.2 rating).

Kentucky's Randall Cobb named to ESPN's All- American team

The junior all-purpose wonder is the only player in the country to rank first or second on his team in rushing, receiving and passing. He scored eight different ways this season: rushing, receiving and passing for touchdowns; returning a punt for a touchdown; throwing for a touchdown on a fake field goal; and scoring two-point conversions by rushing, passing and receiving.

Cobb ranked No. 2 nationally with 182.7 all-purpose yards per game and tied for the SEC lead with 79 catches.

Gamecocks' Alshon Jeffery member of ESPN's All- American team

South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery finished with 79 catches for 1,387 yards with nine touchdowns.

The sophomore set South Carolina single-season records for catches and receiving yards and led the Gamecocks to their first SEC East championship.

Jeffery played his best in many of the Gamecocks' biggest games, catching eight passes for 192 yards with two touchdowns in a 35-27 loss at Auburn and seven receptions for 127 yards with two scores in a 35-21 upset of then-No. 1 Alabama.

Ex-Vol, current Tide signee hit with DUI charge

Douglas, the offensive lineman who signed with the Tide a little over a week ago and who was, by all accounts, a recruiting coup for Nick Saban, got popped for driving under the influence earlier this week.

Douglas was released on a $1,000 bond pending a hearing on Dec. 29. According to the publication’s story at thedailytimes.com, Douglas was pulled over by Blount County authorities for running a stop sign and driving erratically. According to a sheriff’s report, Douglas refused to submit to a blood alcohol test, which incurred a citation for an implied consent violation.

Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Marian O’Briant said Douglas performed "extremely poorly" in a field sobriety test, and according to the police report, he was uncooperative.

Douglas had transferred from Tennessee earlier this year, and played this past season at Arizona Western College.

Gamecocks will have an offensive line coach for its bowl game this year

South Carolina has a major advantage this bowl season than it has in each of the past two, which, as you know, didn't go so well: The Gamecocks have an offensive line coach. Circumstances, though, have prevented it from being the case for the Gamecocks the past two years. This December it is a different story, it has Shawn Elliott helping the linemen get ready for the Dec. 31 Chick-fil-A Bowl against Florida State.

"That's right!" Steve Spurrier said, discovering it himself whenever someone asked him about Elliott at the bowl's Dec. 10 news conference. "That should help us. That is true, That should make a difference. When you get smashed around, and maybe your quarterback and receivers are not really having a big game, you look bad."

Two years ago, Spurrier made the difficult decision to fire friend and longtime assistant John Hunt after a wretched performance by the team at Clemson. Spurrier made that decision, though, with the thought that Vanderbilt's Robbie Caldwell would come on board for the Outback Bowl.

Didn't happen, and you know the rest.

Arkansas proposes raises for football assistant coaches

Nearly $200,000 in raises have been proposed for Arkansas’ football assistant coaches.

The proposal comes on the heels of a new seven-year contract extension and raise for Razorbacks head coach Bobby Petrino. That deal, which was agreed to two weeks ago, is worth $3.56 million, annually, and has an $18 million mirrored buyout clause for the first two years.

The proposed raises would increase the assistant salary pool to $2.215 million next year, with each assistant coach receiving a raise of at least $10,000.The salaries must be approved by the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees.

Defensive coordinator Willy Robinson would continue to be the highest-paid assistant coach at a proposed $375,000, annually, while offensive coordinator Garrick McGee would receive a 12 percent salary increase to $336,000 per year.

New deal for MSU's Mullen ’95 percent’ agreed upon

MSU's Dan Mullen is already in the midst of discussions with Mississippi State on a new contract. According to the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, the two sides are well on their way towards finalizing what would become a new four-year deal for the second-year head coach. Athletic director Scott Stricklin told the paper that they are on the same page for “95 percent” of the details.

"It’s just a matter of making sure we have something we feel good about going ahead," Stricklin said.

"We’re just trying to wrap up a few things that aren’t major but are things you have to make sure you get right."

In two years at the school, Mullen has led the Bulldogs to a 13-11 mark. MSU will face Michigan in the Gator Bowl New Year’s Day.

Vols Wilcox denies Texas offer, doesn’t deny he’s a candidate

Vols head coach Derek Dooley claimed that Wilcox "has never been offered a job at Texas". In his first meeting with the media since the speculation hit the fan, Wilcox denied a job offer as well. Interestingly, though, he refused to confirm or deny any potential interest.

In denying an offer from the other UT was on the table, Wilcox says his focus is 100 percent on helping the Vols prepare for their Music City Bowl date with North Carolina Dec. 30.

"Here’s the deal, I have a great job at Tennessee, I have not been offered any other jobs, I’m not in discussions about any other jobs, I believe 100 percent in what we’re doing here at Tennessee," Wilcox said according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. "I back Coach Derek Dooley 100 percent and where this program is going. My sole focus, 100 percent, along with the other coaches is getting ready for North Carolina. That’s what I’ve spent my time doing and will continue spending my time doing.

"That’s about it. We can talk about North Carolina."

Ohio State's Pryor among 5 Buckeyes banned for 5 games in 2011...will play bowl

Pryor and four teammates were suspended Thursday by the NCAA for the first five games of next season for selling championship rings, jerseys and awards. They also received improper benefits from up to two years ago from the tattoo parlor and its owner. "I learned more about tattoos than I ever really want to possibly know," athletic director Gene Smith said. "As a student-athlete, you’re not allowed to use your persona to get discounted services."

The NCAA said all can still play in the Sugar Bowl against Arkansas on Jan. 4. Ohio State’s first five games next season are against Akron, Toledo, Miami, Colorado and Michigan State. Ohio State plans to appeal, hoping the number of games might be reduced.

Tattoos can run anywhere from $50 to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Many college athletes have more than one. Pryor certainly does. One arm alone is covered from his biceps to his wrist.

"I paid for my tattoos. Go Bucks" Pryor posted on his Twitter account Wednesday night.

He even sold a sportsmanship award from the 2008 Fiesta Bowl along with his 2008 Big Ten championship ring. More egregious to Ohio State fans, he sold a "gold pants" trinket; an iconic charm given to players who are a part of a victory over archrival Michigan. He may not be easily forgiven by Buckeye fans who revere such traditions. Our opinion...he is a real work of art!

UF's Steve Addazio introduced as new Temple coach

Addazio was officially introduced as Temple’s new head coach at a press conference in Philadelphia. Addazio replaces Al Golden, who was hired by Miami earlier this month. Addazio will remain on Florida’s staff through the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1, meaning he and Florida head coach Urban Meyer will go out together on the Gators’ sideline. Meyer recently announced his resignation following the Outback Bowl against Penn State in Tampa. During his six seasons at Florida, Addazio specialized in recruiting the Northeast and the Philadelphia area. A charged-up Addazio said Thursday that when he first heard the Temple job was open, he immediately pursued it with a passion. "This is a diamond in the rough,"’ Addazio said. "I knew this is where I wanted to be. It’s awful great to be back in the Northeast, and it’s awful great to be in Philadelphia at Temple University. This is a special place. I can feel it." "You couldn’t write a better script for me."

Academics KO's LSU’s leading rusher

LSU's Tigers head coach Les Miles confirmed Wednesday that the team will be without leading rusher Steven Ridley for the Cotton Bowl. According to Miles, Ridley has been declared academically ineligible for the Texas A&M game, a huge blow for an LSU offense that struggles mightily to do anything but run the football.

Miles said they plan to appeal the decision to the NCAA.

"Stevan Ridley is currently in an academic issue and may not be eligible to play in this game," Miles said. "We are appealing that. It’s an NCAA issue and we are very hopeful. Stevan Ridley is the captain of our team. He’s been in no off the field issues in any way. Everything that has been done here has been done extremely well. The school has been compliant. Ridley has been compliant. We just need to make our case yet again."

Ridley, a junior, leads the Tigers with 1,042 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. Jordan Jefferson is second on the team 383 yards; freshman Michael Ford is second among LSU running backs with 259 yards.

Auburn's Newton...voted AP player of the Year

Newton already has raked in the Heisman Trophy and Davey O'Brien and Maxwell awards for his spectacular season. He now added, AP Player of the Year to his collection on Wednesday.

Newton received 51 votes from the 60-member AP football poll panel. Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore received three, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck got two, and four ballots went unreturned. It took less than a year, for Newton to go from the junior college ranks to helping transform a team that went 8-5 last season and started this one ranked No. 22 in the AP top 25 poll (No. 23 ESPN/USA Today) to a perfect Southeastern Conference championship.

UF's Steve Addazio new Temple Owls coach

The Temple Owls hired Florida's offensive coordinator Steve Addazio to replace Golden, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity on Wednesday, because Temple has not publicly announced his hiring.

Addazio is expected to be formally introduced at a news conference Thursday. News media outlets in Gainesville and Philadelphia also reported Addazio's hiring.

The 51-year-old Addazio has been a member of Urban Meyer's staff at Florida the plast six years. He was an assistant at Syracuse (1995-98), Notre Dame (1999-2001) and Indiana (2002-04). His only head coaching experience came at Cheshire High School in Connecticut (1988-94).

Addazio was one of Florida's best recruiters under Meyer, landing some of the top talent in the Northeast and earned an associate head coach title this year after he helped keep the program's recruiting class together during Meyer's leave of absence.

Top college football recruit choosing between the SEC, ACC powers

Ray Drew is the No. 3-ranked football player in the class of 2011 and has yet to decide where he'll play his college football next season. Five schools reportedly still in the mix to land Drew, the news and updates surrounding his commitment are just beginning. The 6-foot-5, 253-pound defensive end is reportedly considering Georgia, Auburn, LSU, Clemson and Tennessee.

According to his ESPNU Recruiting Profile, Drew is already a talented defender with plenty of upside and room to grow. He has the quickness and athleticism rarely seen on the defensive line, Drew is sure to make whichever program he commits to next fall immediately better on the defensive side of the ball.

NCAA alleges no new LSU football violations

An NCAA Notice of Allegations received by LSU on Tuesday alleges no new violations in the LSU football program that were not otherwise previously reported by the university after an internal investigation that was launched last year.

"This reaffirms our belief that LSU performed a thorough and deliberate internal review of the violations that were discovered in this case and I am confident that we have taken corrective measures to avoid future violations," said LSU Chancellor Michael Martin.

The Notice of Allegations contains seven basic allegations. The first four involve alleged violations in the recruitment of one student-athlete by one assistant coach in four areas: (1) transportation; (2) free lodging with a student worker during an unofficial visit; (3) discounted lodging in a former student-athlete's apartment; and (4) impermissible telephone calls. The fifth allegation involves impermissible phone calls made by non-coaching football staff members. The sixth and seventh allegations concern alleged unethical conduct by the student-athlete and the assistant coach, both of whom are no longer with the university. The coach resigned from LSU following the 2009 season and the student-athlete, who never participated in an athletic contest for LSU, left the university prior to the 2010 spring semester.

Franklin filling holes on Vandy coaching staff

In a press release issued earlier Tuesday, Kansas State announced that tight ends coach Ricky Rahne has resigned his post to take a position as quarterbacks coach at Vanderbilt. Rahne, who has spent the past five years with the Wildcats,’ will not coach in KSU’s Dec. 30 bowl game. "I am proud of Ricky," said head coach Bill Snyder. "He is a fine young coach and person. His desire was to become a quarterback coach and that opportunity presented itself at Vanderbilt. I am happy for him and his wonderful family."

According to the Baltimore Sun, Terrapin assistants John Donovan and Charles Bankins are meeting with Franklin regarding jobs on his Commodores staff. The former is currently the running backs coach at Maryland, the latter the special teams coordinator.

Bulldogs’s second-leading rusher might be academic casualty

The Macon Telegraph reports, Georgia will not have the services of their second-leading rusher for this year’s bowl game. Caleb King apparently told a source close to him that he will not make the trip to the Liberty Bowl because he’s academically ineligible. "We’ll know on all that for sure Wednesday," said Richt. "I’m not going to make any comment. I’ll probably be on vacation tomorrow. Maybe at the bowl site, you can ask me"

Tomorrow is when final grades come in and are available.

King is second on the Bulldogs with 430 yards rushing, and his 5.4 yards per carry leads the team.

Oregon’s Chip Kelly wins AP coach of year

In just his second season leading Oregon, Kelly is taking the second-ranked Ducks to the national championship game on Jan. 10 against No. 1 Auburn—and for that he was voted AP Coach of the Year on Tuesday.

Kelly received 24 votes from the 60-member AP football poll panel to beat out his BCS title game counterpart, Gene Chizik of Auburn, who received 17 votes.

Gators' Addazio reportedly lands a new job… at Texas

The Florida offensive coordinator, according to multiple reports/rumors, appears to either be on the verge of being hired or has been hired as Texas’ new offensive line coach. In addition to his coordinator duties with the Gators, he was also Urban Meyer‘s line coach for the past five seasons.

Addazio will reportedly coach in UF’s bowl game against Penn State before heading to the ‘Horns.

Remember, all the talk goin' round, just because it’s reported doesn’t make it correct.

Vols Dooley says DC Wilcox ‘has never been offered a job at Texas’

Over the weekend, it was reported that Tennessee defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox is in serious discussion for the same job at Texas and that he hasn’t decided yet whether or not to accept a job. According to head coach Derek Dooley, that’s not the case. In fact, Dooley said Monday after practice that no assistant on his staff has been offered a job from any other school. That would presumably include Wilcox. "Here’s all I can tell you," Dooley said according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. "Nobody on our staff has been offered any jobs, I don’t anticipate any staff changes and I’m going to reiterate exactly what I said in Wednesday’s press conference, it’s a fluid industry, and it always is. But I don’t anticipate any changes, and nobody on our staff has been offered a job." "That’s where we are. I’m never going to beg people to stay at Tennessee, because this is a great job and there are thousands of coaches that would kill to be here and we’re never going to have one coach that’s going to be bigger than the program. I think we should expect this every year, so get used to it because it’s a good thing. When programs want your coaches, it means your coaches are doing a good job."

Dooley expounded further on the Wilcox issue, saying that, "to my knowledge, he has never been offered a job at Texas, and he’s not going to be named within 48 hours"”

Why Arkansas will beat Ohio State in the 2011 Sugar Bowl

Ohio State is 0-9 all time in bowl games versus the SEC. Recent history provides us with the the 2007 All State BCS Championship game against LSU in which the Buckeyes took a 10-0 lead and then utterly fell apart. Todd Boeckman lost his poise and started getting tentative in the pocket. The Tigers were aided by a total of 60 Ohio State penalty yards and 2 personal fouls levied against Tressel's team. The final score was 38-24.

While Ryan Mallett's game is that of a classic pocket passer, Pryor is a duel threat with his arm or legs. So, for all stats presented I have added in rushing yards as part of the conversation. Pryor has only reached the 300 total yard mark three times in 2010. That was against Indiana, Eastern Michigan, and a 7-5 rebuilding Miami Hurricane team. He has a knack for playing better against inferior competition, leaving open the question of his mental toughness on a large stage.

Numbers don't lie, so here are the 2010 stats for each quarterback:

Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
Passer Rating: 170.53
Yards: 3,592
Touchdowns: 30

Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State
Passer Rating: 105.1
Yards: 2,551
Touchdowns: 25

Schedule of Quality Opponents: The Big 10 is not nearly as difficult a league as the SEC top to bottom. In a season with Florida and Georgia down, the playing field is more even but still tilted towards the SEC. Arkansas played both Alabama and Auburn during their regular season. The best conference match-ups for OSU were Iowa and Wisconsin. Arkansas went 0-2 in those games, while Ohio State edged Iowa 20-17 while losing to Wisconsin on the road. The week after week grind of the SEC is not present in the Big 10. Simply put, a team the caliber of Ohio State can go 50% and beat the likes of Indiana and Purdue. The mental toughness gained by facing a challenge every week proves beneficial come bowl season.

The professional style offensive of Arkansas challenges defenses to adapt, showing everything imaginable, testing the defensive coordinator's skill. Multiple sets and formations highlight an offense that includes John Mackey Award Winning tight end D.J. Williams and 1,000 yard rusher Knile Davis. Davis emerged in his sophomore year after a disappointing freshman campaign that was injury riddled. D.J Williams will be a difficult match-up for the Bucks as they have historically struggled against talented tight ends. Lining up a linebacker to defend Williams may be Ohio State's best bet.
Prediction for the 2011 All State Sugar Bowl is 24-14, Arkansas coming away victorious.
by: Amber R.

Auburn’s Savage likely a no-go for title game

Safety Aairon Savage suffered a broken bone in his ankle and missed the remainder of the regular season plus the SEC title game. There was some hope that he would be able to return for Auburn’s bowl game, due to the late date (Jan. 10) of the national title. "It doesn’t look like that’s going to be a possibility right now," head coach Gene Chizik said. "Aairon’s really doing a great job being around on our team as a leader and really almost taking on a coaching role for us." The sixth-year senior had started the first seven games of the 2010 season before suffering the injury against Arkansas.

Vols possibly losing defensive coordinator to Texas

According to a website called FootballRumorMill.com, Tennessee defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox is in serious discussions to replace Muschamp at Texas. The site writes that Wilcox has not yet accepted the job, but a decision is expected soon.

Wilcox had been considered a candidate for Texas A&M’s coordinator position before ultimately leaving Boise State for the Volunteers in February.

Under Wilcox in the first year after Monte Kiffin followed his son to USC, the Vols’ defense went from 38th to 55th in scoring and from 22nd to 70th in yards allowed.

Auburn Tigers start title game preparation

No. 1 Auburn finally got to return to the football practice field, in a way. The Tigers (13-0) and their Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback began preparation for the BCS national championship game against Oregon on Saturday night. But they’re doing it on the soccer field while their regular surface is being redone across the street.

Coach Gene Chizik said the move across the street doesn’t disrupt the routine.

"If we’ve got to practice in a parking lot," he said, "we’ll practice out there."

UF's Addazio to reportedly interview for Temple opening

According to a report in this morning’s Philadelphia Inquirer, the in-limbo Gators offensive coordinator will interview for the vacancy at Temple. It’s unclear when Addazio will sit down with the school to speak about a position that opened when Al Golden took the Miami job.

Matt Rhule, the Owls’ offensive coordinator the past three years, is the only other known candidate to interview for the job.

New UF head coach Will Muschamp is not expected to make any decisions on the makeup of his first coaching staff until after the Gators’ bowl game, although it’s expected Addazio will not be retained.

Kentucky's Cobb still wading through NFL options

Kentucky wide receiver Randall Cobb said deciding whether to enter this year’s NFL draft has been more difficult than when he selected the Wildcats over Tennessee. Cobb, who was picked first team All-American this week by The Associated Press, still hasn’t decided. He’s been talking to as many people as he can, getting opinions on his status in this year’s draft.

"It’s double, triple what I went through in recruiting as far as wanting to stay home or coming here," said Cobb, who grew up in the Knoxville, Tenn., suburb of Alcoa. "The only thing I can do is pray about it and let everyone give me their input." He said he’ll take all the time he needs to make his choice until the NFL draft’s early entry deadline for underclassmen on Jan. 15. The deadline comes a week after Kentucky’s final game against Pittsburgh in the BBVA Compass Bowl in Birmingham, Ala.

Bowl season kicks off with a BYU blowout over UTEP

So, 1 down, 29 non-BCS bowls to go. Here is hoping that they get better, let's go for good.

BYU’s 52-24 win over UTEP in the New Mexico Bowl wasn’t even close to the best way to start the 2010 bowl season (unless, of course, your a BYU fan), and unfortunately for the casual observer, there’s no guarantee it’s going to get any better.

Still, there are some advantages to bowls, from the perspective of the players and coaches, it’s seen as a reward and a chance at extra practice. Bowls are usually held in decent locations and the money the schools receive is usually quite good. As for the traveling fans, bowls make a nice vacation and are easier to plan around than a 3 or 4 round playoff.(oops...did we say...playoff)

Really, there are way to many of them, but this is for now, much easier to deal with than a 70 team playoff, but time calls for change...who knows. In the meantime, we are working on a...SEC Football Online bowl, in let's say...make it sun, fun and suds.

Gamecocks Continue Bowl Practice

The SEC Eastern Division champion South Carolina Gamecocks returned to the Bluff Road Practice Fields Friday morning for their second bowl practice of the week. The Gamecocks (9-4) are preparing for the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl against the Florida State Seminoles (9-4) in Atlanta's Georgia Dome on Friday, December 31. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and the contest will be televised nationally on ESPN with Ron Franklin and Ed Cunningham in the booth and Jeannine Edwards working the sidelines. Senior left guard Garrett Chisolm injured his knee and could miss the bowl game, head coach Steve Spurrier said Friday

Georgia Bulldogs go through Friday morning workout

The Georgia Bulldogs returned to the Woodruff Practice Fields on Friday morning, working out for approximately an hour in full pads as preparations continued for the upcoming AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

Simultaneous to Friday's practice, 17 current and former University of Georgia football student-athletes received degrees at the annual December commencement exercises at nearby Stegeman Coliseum.

Following the practice session Georgia head coach Mark Richt addressed the workout being an opportunity to get some of the underclassmen more repetitions than usual with such a large group at graduation.

"Today's the day we probably do that the most," Richt said. "We didn't have long practice at all with the seniors that our graduating gone. Actually, that was largest group that we've had (graduate) since I've been at Georgia. There were 17 of them with Fred Gibson and Andrew Johnson, so a lot of our guys missed this practice so we didn't do any kicking game. We did a little fundamental work, a little skeleton, a little 11-on-11, and then we scrimmaged for the rest of practice. It was a perfect day to do that."

Vols Dooley... 'everybody benefited' from Aaron Douglas decision

"First of all, I wanted to release him," Dooley said after practice this morning. "I didn't want to deny a release, which is what we normally do. I thought he needed to get away, and I thought it was good for our team that he wasn't close by, too. "I thought everybody benefited, that we just get away from the deal for a little bit and I think it worked out well for our team and it worked out well for Aaron. Everybody should be happy." The Vols would obviously be happier to still have the Freshman All-America in the program though.

"I think it's good. I'm proud of Aaron, I really am," Dooley said. "I think what he did was what he needed to do. He went out there, and anybody that knows anything about junior colleges, it's very different than a big-time program. I thought it was good for him to get away the way he did, and he probably matured a lot as a man and he made a decision. We wish him the best, and I think that's what Aaron needed and I think he's on his way now. I'm proud for him.

"We obviously wish he was at Tennessee, but what's more (important) than anything is it looks like he's got himself back on track."

LSU docks scholarships...as penance for the Over- see-ers of the NCAA

LSU docked itself four scholarships, two in the upcoming 2011 class and two in 2012, in atonement for violations involving former assistant coach D.J. McCarthy and short-lived junior college signee Akiem Hicks in 2009. The school's 55-page report to the NCAA earlier this year outlined improper contact with at least three recruits, sketchy housing and transportation arrangements for Hicks and at least one cash transfer of $350, to Hicks from an unidentified, non-LSU coach working at an LSU summer camp. The NCAA can accept the school's ritual self-flagellation as penance, or add more sanctions of its own.

Vanderbilt hires Franklin as football coach

Franklin, the offensive coordinator who was in line to succeed Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen, was introduced Friday as Vanderbilt’s third head coach this season.

"It was obvious to me right away that this place could be something really special," Franklin said. "It was really about the people. I was blown away by the people. Really, I was in a situation where I didn’t really have to take a job. I had a pretty good situation. It was going to take something really special to get me to jump on board."

Franklin replaces Robbie Caldwell, who took over July 14 when Bobby Johnson unexpectedly retired and resigned Nov. 27.This will be the first head coaching job for Franklin, who turns 39 in February. He will be the first black coach of any major sport at Vanderbilt and only the third in the Southeastern Conference after former Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom and Kentucky coach Joker Phillips. The Commodores are coming off consecutive 2-10 seasons after going 7-6 in 2008, their first winning season since 1982. They’ve only recorded seven wins four times in the past 50 years.

Vice chancellor David Williams, who led the coaching search with help from chancellor Nick Zeppos and a private search firm, said Franklin’s hire is part of an effort to instill a winning football culture at the school.

Vols dealing with personnel issues as Music City Bowl practice begins

The Vols headed into their first official practice of bowl season yesterday, three players short in their secondary, two of which they already know won’t return for the Music City Bowl in Nashville against North Carolina on Dec. 30 (TV: ESPN, 6:30 p.m.). Former starting cornerback Art Evans will miss a fifth consecutive game due to suspension, and reserve defensive back Stephaun Raines has been dismissed from the program for a violation of team rules. Although, it’s the player with an uncertain timetable who figures to be the most notable absence, and when UT reports for its workout to start preparing for the Tar Heels, it will do so without star safety Janzen Jackson. "Janzen Jackson is dealing with some very, very personal and family issues," Vols coach Derek Dooley said during a press conference on Wednesday. "He’s back in Louisiana, and I don’t know exactly when he’ll be back, but we do expect him to play. We do expect him to be back at some point to prepare for the game. That’s all I really want to say about it because it is really personal and I want to respect his privacy on that." "Art, we’ll reevaluate Art’s status at the end of the bowl game. We did dismiss Stephaun Raines for team-rule violations."

At this point in time, those appear to be the only subtractions from a UT roster that rolled through four straight wins just to qualify for the postseason, although there’s still a possibility of players being declared academically ineligible when grades are posted.

Petrino says Arkansas ‘is the place I want to be’

The staggering aspect of the contract signed by Bobby Petrino earlier this week was the buyout numbers contained in the new deal. According to reports, it would cost $18 million in each of the next two seasons to buy him out of the remainder of the deal. Those blockbuster numbers were a clear sign that Petrino was not going anywhere in the near or distant future, a notion that Petrino put into words in his first talk with the media since the contract agreement was announced. "This is the place I want to be," Petrino said in post-practice remarks relayed by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. "I’m very happy here. I’m pleased with the dedication the university is making to all sports, but especially football. Next December we don’t want to hear names come up in conversations about other jobs coming open. Everyone understands this is where I want to be and this is the job I want."
Petrino’s new seven-year contract, which replaced the one he originally signed upon coming to the school in December of 2007, will be worth an average of $3.56 million annually. In three years with the Razorbacks, Petrino has compiled a 23-14 record.

Mettenberger signs with LSU, status for bowl practices uncertain

Ex-Georgia quarterback Zach Mettenberger signed a letter of intent to play at LSU in 2011. It is still up in the air, whether he’ll be permitted to get a 2010 jumpstart on the practice field at his new collegiate football home. Head coach Les Miles said Wednesday that Mettenberger could be allowed to participate in LSU’s on-campus bowl practices, but that some paperwork needs to be completed before that would be allowed. Specifically, the Shreveport Times writes, his application for enrollment for the next semester beginning in January still must be approved by an LSU faculty committee because of his arrest record, and his academic work must be approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse. "He has to be admitted and on board and squared away,” Miles said. “There is some paperwork. …"I’m not certain that he won’t be able to practice, at some time, but we want to make sure that we do things right." Mettenberger pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual battery in early May, two weeks after being dismissed from the UGA football program.Sounds like NFL material, don't it, well you know...the SEC Rocks!

Georgia's Head Coach Richt on the UGA vs UCF showdown

Central Florida coach George O’Leary hopes his team is primed to finally earn its first bowl victory. Georgia coach Mark Richt is looking to redshirt freshman QB Aaron Murray to help the Bulldogs avoid their first losing season in 14 years. The Knights make their second Liberty Bowl appearance in four seasons when they take on the Bulldogs in Memphis on Dec. 31. Godfrey completed 68.4 percent of his passes for 2,042 yards with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions this year, going 9-2 as a starter to earn Conference USA freshman of the year honors. Godfrey, the eighth-highest rated quarterback in the FBS at 165.3, also ran for 546 yards and nine TDs, helping the Knights (10-3) score 33.8 points per game - 24th in the FBS. He didn’t even begin the season as the starter, backing up junior Rob Calabrese before taking over by the third game. Murray has also made quite a mark in his first season under center with 24 touchdowns, six interceptions and 2,851 yards through the air. He is the second-highest rated freshman in the nation at 162.7 - trailing Godfrey - and tied with former Bulldogs QB D.J. Shockley with a school-record 28 total touchdowns in a season. With three TD passes in a 42-34 victory over Georgia Tech in the regular-season finale Nov. 27, Murray moved within one of Matthew Stafford’s single-season record of 25. That win allowed Georgia (6-6) to at least temporarily avoid its first sub.-500 season since going 5-6 in 1996. The Bulldogs averaged 10.3 wins in the previous eight seasons. Richt is hoping a matchup with the C-USA champs gives his team an opportunity to show it is still among the nation’s elite. "When you’re 6-6 and you’re in a bowl, you’re kind of hoping you’re going to play another 6-6 team," Richt said. "… But we got into the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, and we get to play a conference champion. … And that’s exciting for our guys. We get a chance to prove to the country that we’re still a pretty darn good football team."

Auburn's Gene Chizik named a finalist for Paul "Bear" Bryant award

Auburn head coach Gene Chizik has been named a finalist for the 2010 Paul "Bear" Bryant Award, the American Heart Association and Marathon Oil have announced. The Paul "Bear" Bryant Award honors excellence in coaching while raising funds to fight heart disease and stroke, the nation's No. 1 and No. 4 killers, respectively. The Bryant Award is the only college football coaching honor voted on after all bowl games are played. Chizik has guided Auburn to a 13-0 record, the Southeastern Conference title and an appearance in the BCS National Championship Game this season. After starting the season ranked No. 22 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll, the Tigers have climbed to a No. 1 ranking in the BCS standings and in the AP and Harris Interactive polls. Joining Chizik as finalists for the award are Chris Ault (Nevada), Bret Bielema (Wisconsin), Mark Dantonio (Michigan State), Jim Harbaugh (Stanford), Chip Kelly (Oregon), Gary Patterson (TCU), Bobby Petrino (Arkansas) and Mike Sherman (Texas A&M). The winner of the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award will be announced live at an awards dinner benefiting the American Heart Association on Jan. 18, 2011 at the Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel and Convention Center in downtown Houston. The event will also recognize Florida State's renowned former coach, Bobby Bowden, as the Bryant Lifetime Achievement Recipient.

Auburn's Cam Newton has been named Sporting News' college football player of the year

Auburn junior quarterback Cam Newton has been named Sporting News' College Football Player of the Year, and was joined by junior defensive tackle Nick Fairley on Sporting News' All-America team, the publication announced Wednesday. Sporting News is one of only five All-American groups the NCAA uses to determine consensus All-Americans. Auburn, LSU, Oregon and Wisconsin each had two representatives on Sporting News' team.

Auburn's Michael Dyer named to freshman All-America second team

Auburn running back Michael Dyer has been named a second-team Freshman All-American by CollegeFootballNews.com, it was announced Wednesday. Dyer ranks ninth in the SEC in rushing, averaging 73.1 yards per game. He has totaled 950 yards on the ground with five touchdowns while averaging 5.9 yards per carry. He ranks sixth nationally among freshmen in rushing this season. Dyer broke Bo Jackson's school freshman rushing record and has three 100-yard rushing games, including a season-best 180-yard effort against Ole Miss that was the third-best single-game rushing total by a freshman in Auburn history, and most ever by an Auburn freshman against an SEC team. Dyer was previously named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, and was the SEC Freshman of the Week following his performance against Ole Miss.

Three Gators highlight Sporting News All-America Teams

Three Florida football players were named to the 2010 Sporting News All-American Teams, announced by the publication Wednesday. Senior punter and Ray Guy Award winner Chas Henry (Dallas, Ga.) was named to the All-American team, while freshmen Andre Debose (Sanford, Fla.) and Jon Halapio (St. Petersburg, Fla.) were named to the All-Freshman team. Henry, the 2010 Ray Guy Award winner and a first-team All-SEC choice, has punted 44 times for 2,042 yards (46.4 avg.) this season. He has the highest average in the country and the best average in Florida history. Fourteen of his 34 punts (41.2 percent) have been 50 yards or more through 12 games and 16 of his punts have landed inside of the 20-yard line. Debose, a wide receiver and kick return specialist, averaged a conference-high 29.7 yards per kickoff return (19 returns for 564 yards), including two for touchdowns, also good for sixth nationally. Halapio, on offensive lineman, earned six starts for the Gators in his first year. Florida and Texas A&M are the only programs to have two players on the All-Freshman team.

The Gators will cap off the 2010 season with an Outback Bowl appearance, when the Orange and Blue takes on Penn State at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. on Jan. 1, 2010.

UK's Randall Cobb has been named to first-team All-America recognition as an all-purpose player by the AP and SI

The versatile talents and performances of Kentucky wide receiver/quarterback/punt returner/kickoff returner Randall Cobb have been rewarded with first-team All-America recognition as an all-purpose player by the Associated Press and SportsIllustrated.com.
Cobb leads the Southeastern Conference in pass receiving with 79 catches for 955 yards and seven touchdowns but his value far exceeds those contributions. He also plays quarterback in the "WildCobb" formation and has rushed for 401 yards and five touchdowns and thrown three TD passes in that role.
In addition, Cobb returns punts and kickoffs, including a punt return for a touchdown this season. Cobb has 2,192 all-purpose yards, ranking second in the nation and breaking the Kentucky single-season record. During the season he broke the UK career record for touchdowns with 37.
Cobb's versatility as an all-purpose player is underscored by the fact that he is the only player in the nation who ranks first or second on his team in rushing, passing and receiving. He has put points on the board eight different ways this season - rushing, receiving and passing for touchdowns; returning a punt for a TD; throwing for a TD on a fake field goal; and notching two-point conversions by rushing, passing and receiving.

Cobb is also a finalist for the new Paul Hornung Award, which goes to the nation's most versatile player.

Brantley pondering his future as a Gator

According to the Gainesville Sun, Brantley will reevaluate his football future after sitting down with his family following the Jan. 1 Outback Bowl against Penn State.

"We’re worried about the bowl game right now," Brantley said after Muschamp’s introductory press conference. "I’m going to give it all I got for that game and then we’ll sit down and discuss everything."

During his talk with the media, Brantley, even as he acknowledged that a pro-style offense is "what I’m fit for more", continued to consistently deflect questions about his future at the school.

"It’s tough to say right now because we haven’t discussed anything at all," Brantley said when asked if he would wait until Muschamp hires a new offensive coordinator before making a decision. "I really haven’t thought about it to be honest with you. I’m just trying to finish out this season right and win this bowl game for coach Urban Meyer and these seniors."

Vandy talking with Maryland's OC for head coaching job

Vanderbilt vice chancellor David Williams says the Commodores are talking with Maryland offensive coordinator James Franklin about the Commodores head coaching job.

But Williams says the school still doesn’t have a coach—yet.

Williams told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Vanderbilt has been talking with Franklin throughout the search for a new coach. Williams calls it a “fluid process.” But Williams says if Franklin is telling people he is coming to Vanderbilt, he hasn’t informed university officials.

The vice chancellor was in Birmingham, Ala., for Southeastern Conference meetings Tuesday.

Vanderbilt is trying to replace Robbie Caldwell, who was forced to resign Nov. 27 at the end of a 2-10 season.

Arkansas looking into potential recruiting violation

According to a report from Arkansasnews.com, the Razorbacks program might be self-reporting some secondary violations in the near future. A group of recruits on an official visit over the weekend were seen in a photograph wearing Arkansas home jerseys and standing in front of a set of lockers with personalized name plates. While the act may seem hardly noteworthy on the surface, NCAA bylaws state that a school "may not permit a prospective student-athlete to engage in any game-day simulations … during an official visit."

More specifically …

"Personalized recruiting aids include any decorative items and special additions to any location the prospective student-athlete will visit (e.g. hotel room, locker room, coach’s office, conference room, arena) regardless of whether the items include the prospective student-athlete’s name or picture."

It’s unknown as to whether the jerseys had the recruits’ names on the back, but given the latter specification, it doesn’t appear to matter; simulating any kind of game day atmosphere is considered an infraction. If nothing else, five of the players’ names are seen on the name plates in the photo, potentially constituting a secondary violation within itself.

Arkansas officials have stated that they are looking into the situation and, if there is indeed a violation, will report it to the NCAA.

Gators DC Austin appears headed to Texas

Florida reached out to Texas and swiped their defensive coordinator to replace Urban Meyer as their head coach. Now it appears the Longhorns are about to respond and use the trump card. According to both Orangebloods.com and Hookem.com, Texas is expected to hire Teryl Austin as their defensive coordinator. Austin was in his first year as the Gators’ coordinator after replacing Charlie Strong, who was hired by Louisville as their new head coach. Although if you want to get technical, Austin actually replaced George Edwards, who was originally hired to replace Strong but left a month into his “tenure” for a job with the Buffalo Bills.

Then again, at this point in time, it’s very unclear when an announcement on Austin’s hiring will be made. Again, that’s provided these reports are true. Remember that, the SEC Rocks!

Muschamp gets $13.5M 5yr contract at Florida

Will Muschamp spent part of his childhood in Gainesville, growing up just a few streets from Florida Field and cheering for the Gators. He left in the mid-80s, then returned as a player at Georgia and as an assistant coach with Auburn and LSU.

He’s back again, this time in a much different capacity. Muschamp, who agreed to a five-year contract worth $13.5 million to replace Urban Meyer, was formally introduced as Florida’s new coach Tuesday. He took center stage for a 40-minute news conference filled with confidence, enthusiasm and witty one-liners.

Muschamp says he plans to hire his staff after the Outback Bowl and intends to install a pro-style offense, welcome news for Florida fans who groaned about the spread all season.

Belk to replace Meineke as Charlotte bowl sponsor

North Carolina’s bowl game is getting its third name in a decade. The Meineke Bowl will be renamed the Belk Bowl beginning next season, officials announced Tuesday. The new sponsorship deal with the Charlotte-based department store company runs through the 2013 game.

Financial terms weren’t disclosed, but the deal will allow the bowl to help cover an increase in per-team payout from $1.3 million to about $1.8 million after moving up in the Atlantic Coast Conference selection order this year. The game features teams from the ACC and Big East. The private, family-owned Belk, Inc. has 305 stores in 16 states in the South. "The Belk Bowl provides a great opportunity to extend our brand exposure to millions of ACC and Big East college football fans across our entire market area and beyond," said CEO Tim Belk.

LSU's Peterson, Nevis named AP All-Americans

LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson was named to the Associated Press All-America First Team on Tuesday, while defensive tackle Drake Nevis was on the second team. Peterson, who received the Thorpe and Bednarik Awards this past week, became the school's 56th first-teamer.

A total of 19 Southeastern Conference players were among the 75 honored by the AP.

Four Auburn Tigers named to Associated Press All-America Teams

Auburn junior quarterback Cam Newton and junior defensive tackle Nick Fairley have been named to the Associated Press All-America first team, senior offensive tackle Lee Ziemba was a second-team pick and senior center Ryan Pugh was named to the third team, it was announced Tuesday. Newton, Fairley and Ziemba have now each been named a first-team All-American by three of the five All-America teams used by the NCAA to determine consensus All-Americans. All three were named All-Americans by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Newton and Ziemba were recognized by the American Football Coaches Association and Ziemba and Fairley were named All-Americans by the Football Writers Association of America. The Sporting News has yet to name its All-America squad.

UF's Chas Henry and Ahmad Black named to Associated Press All-America Team

Florida senior punter Chas Henry (Dallas, Ga.) was named to the 2010 Associated Press All-America first team, announced Tuesday. Senior cornerback Ahmad Black (Lakeland, Fla.) was named to the second team. It is the first AP All-America honor for each player. Henry, the 2010 Ray Guy Award winner and a first-team All-SEC choice, has punted 44 times for 2,042 yards (46.4 avg.) this season. He has the highest average in the country and the best average in Florida history. Fourteen of his 34 punts (41.2 percent) have been 50 yards or more through 12 games and 16 of his punts have landed inside of the 20-yard line. Black, a first-team all-league recipient, is eighth in the country and first in the SEC among defensive backs with a team-leading 102 tackles. He has recorded six tackles in all but three regular-season games this year and double-digit tackles in four of his last seven games.

Ole Miss lands top JUCO quarterback

Zack Stoudt, the No. 2-ranked junior-college quarterback in the country, will not be going to Kansas University. According to multiple reports, Iowa Western Community College quarterback Zack Stoudt has given Ole Miss a verbal commitment over Kansas. Stoudt had the Jayhawks favored before switching the non-binding verbal to th Rebels over the weekend.

"It came down to the opportunity to play in the SEC," Stoudt told Neal McCready of Rivals.com. "On top of that, the opportunity to play at Ole Miss is very good. Coach Houston Nutt is a great guy, and I really liked co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Dave Rader. They need a guy to come in, and the spot is wide-open."

Green named Georgia’s MVP at banquet

Wide receiver A.J. Green received the “Vince Dooley Most Valuable Player of the Year” award at Georgia’s annual football gala Saturday night in Athens.

Many other awards and honors also were handed out:

• Most Valuable Offensive Player: Quarterback Aaron Murray.

• Most Valuable Defensive Player: Outside linebacker Justin Houston.

• Most Valuable Special Teams Players: Placekicker Blair Walsh and punter Drew Butler.

• Overall permanent captain: Fullback Shaun Chapas.

• Offensive captain: Lineman Clint Boling.

• Defensive captain: Linebacker Akeem Dent.

• Special teams captain: Butler.

• David Jacobs Award (for player who portrays courage, spirit, character and determination): Chapas.

• Leon Farmer Award (for dedication to the strength and conditioning program): Chapas and Boling.

• Most Improved Players: Wide receiver Marlon Brown (offense); linebacker Darryl Gamble and safety Bacarri Rambo (defense); safety Shawn Williams and cornerback Sanders Commings (special teams).

• Newcomers of the Year: Murray (offense), safety Alec Ogletree (defense) and Blake Sailors (special teams).

• Coaches’ Leadership Awards: Center Ben Jones (offense); Dent and end Demarcus Dobbs (defense); Chapas (special teams).

• Outstanding Scout Team Awards: defensive end Jeremy Longo, offensive lineman Hugh Williams, receiver Michael Erdman, tailback Wes Van Dyke and safety Lucas Redd.

Gators offer DC job to Tide’s Smart

According to both the Tuscaloosa News and Gainesville Sun, new Gators head coach Will Muschamp has offered his defensive coordinator position to Tide coordinator Kirby Smart. The News reports that it’s Smart’s job to turn down, although it’s not known whether a formal offer that includes financial terms has been made. A source close to Smart told CFT this afternoon that he has yet to make a decision on the offer. A decision from Smart is expected within the next 24 hours, and Saban is pushing very hard for Smart to remain, and turndown what would be a lateral move. Almost immediately upon Muschamp being confirmed as Urban Meyer‘s replacement Saturday night, Smart was connected to the UF job. Muschamp and Smart served on the same staffs at Valdosta State and LSU, and remain very close friends. Well, we know...the SEC Rocks!