Barrett Jones to return to Tide for another year

Barrett Jones, the Tide’s consensus All-American left tackle, announced Friday that he will return to Tuscaloosa for another season instead of making himself available for the April NFL draft. The decision doesn’t exactly constitute a surprise, but making it officially official ahead of the Jan. 9 championship game eliminates one potentially unnecessary distraction for ‘Bama.

“I have decided that I will be coming back to Alabama next year,” Jones said in quotes distributed by the school. “I sat down with my family and made a list of pros and cons and decided I love college, I love being at Alabama and I love putting on the crimson jersey. I have a great group of friends, and I am in no hurry to get to the NFL. I do want to play in the NFL one day but I am not in any rush.”

Jones started 10 games on the left side of the Tide’s line this season, and was named the winner of the 2011 Outland Trophy earlier this month. He’s started 35 games in a Tide career that will now officially extend beyond the BCS title game next month.

Vick Ballard has career night in Music City Bowl win

Mississippi State entered the 2011 season with high expectations following a 9-4 campaign a year ago that included a Gator Bowl win over Michigan that officially put the stamp on Rich Rodriguez‘s career in Ann Arbor.
Vick Ballard has been one of the bright spots for MSU this year. Ballard rushed for 1,009 yards heading into tonight and played in every single game in some capacity. The somewhat unbelievable part is that he only touched the ball 15 times a game on average this season; Ballard matched that in a 23-17 win tonight over Wake Forest (6-7) in the Music City Bowl with 16 touches for 189 total yards.

The senior running back was an absolute beast when he did get his hands on the rock, though, averaging 12 yards per carry and scoring two touchdowns. His 180 rushing yards tonight were a career best at Mississippi State and three shy of Walter Packer’s postseason record of 183 yards in the 1974 Sun Bowl.

Uncertainty swirls around DeAnthony Arnett’s transfer from Vols

According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, the fact that Arnett has spent less than a year with the Vols — he signed his Letter of Intent in early February — means it may be in his best interests to stay with the Vols through spring practice before transferring. If the wide receiver were to leave prior to spending a year at the school, his appeal for a waiver that would allow him to play immediately at a new school instead of sitting out a transfer year would likely be denied.

The where of his ultimate transfer destination is very much uncertain as well. Arnett’s father lives in Saginaw and his health is in decline because of diabetes, a couple of heart attacks and multiple surgeries. Arnett. a four-star member of UT’s 2011 recruiting class and the No. 12 WR in the country, would like to transfer to either Michigan State or Michigan to be closer to his dad and still play at a BcS conference.

The only problem with that? Arnett told ESPN.com‘s Joe Schad in an email that the Vols will only release him from his scholarship to MAC schools.

“Coach [Derek] Dooley, myself or anybody doesn’t know what the future holds for my father,” Arnett said in the email. “I feel that I represented the University of Tennessee the best way I can on and off the field and I feel I have earned the right to be released unconditional to all schools in Michigan.”

That’s not exactly how his current school sees it.

“We’re not denying him a release to be near his family, get a good education and play Division 1 football at the same time, but we do have a policy of not releasing players to schools we either play or recruit against,” UT said in a statement to the News Sentinel

A.J. McCarron’s brother transferring to Tide

Corey McCarron confirmed to the Birmingham News that he will be transferring from South Alabama to the Tide next month. The younger McCarron said the overriding factor in the move was the presence of his brother and the possibility of playing football with him again.

“I missed playing with AJ,” Corey told the paper. “That’s something I always wanted to do. The two years I played with him [in high school] I loved it. Deep down, I wanted to play with AJ.

“You only live once. I want to play with him before my playing days are over.”

Corey McCarron was listed as a tight end for the Jaguars as a freshman last season, but did not see any playing time. He will have to sit out the 2012 season to satisfy NCAA transfer rules.

Spurrier stays in-house for ‘new’ defensive coordinator

Head coach Steve Spurrier confirmed Tuesday evening that Lorenzo Ward has officially been “promoted” to permanent coordinator. Spurrier informed Ward of his decision earlier in the day.

“We don’t have an interim defensive coordinator any more, we have a full-time (coordinator),” said Spurrier in quotes distributed by the team. “Lorenzo Ward is our defensive coordinator here at South Carolina. He’s the best guy I could hire. That’s why I’ve hired him. He knows what we want to do. He and I think almost exactly alike defensively. We’ve talked a lot of defense over the last two or three years and he knows how to coach it and we agree on how to coach it.

“So he’s going to be our guy, hopefully for several years, and he’s certainly the full-time guy as we go through the bowl game and next year and so forth. I felt like I was going to do it anyway, and I felt like we needed to do it right now.”

Ward replaces Ellis Johnson, who left the Gamecocks to become the head coach at Southern Miss. Ward was actually named USC’s coordinator in January of 2009, but Johnson, who held the title of assistant head coach/assistant coach-defense, was responsible for the defense on game days.

“It’s a blessing that Coach Spurrier feels the way he does about me and I’m excited about it,” said Ward.

SEC releases 2012 conference schedule

After weeks of delays thanks to the additions of Texas A&M and Missouri as its 13th and 14th members, the SEC has finally released its 2012 conference schedule.

Next year’s league slate will open with South Carolina traveling to Vanderbilt on opening weekend Aug. 30, while the two newest members will be one of a handful of games to close out the season Nov. 24, with Mizzou traveling to College Station to take on the Aggies. Alabama and Florida are the only schools that will face both Mizzou (SEC East) and A&M (SEC West) in their inaugural SEC season.

For the second straight season, 2011 SEC East champion Georgia will avoid both Alabama and LSU. Instead, the Bulldogs’ two cross-divisional games will be against Ole Miss and Auburn to close out conference play. According to Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News, UGA will have “the easiest SEC schedule based on opponents’ 2011 overall records (.500).”

Coming off a winless 2011 season in conference play and with a new head coach in Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss has an absolutely brutal 2012 league schedule: all eight of their SEC opponents will play in bowl games this season, and they will take road trips to Alabama, LSU, Arkansas and Georgia — the top four teams in the conference this past season. Solomon notes that the Rebels will have the toughest schedule in the conference based on this year’s records. Good luck with that, Coach Freeze.

The press release notes that the 2012 schedule is not based on any other previous or future scheduling formats. The SEC athletic directors will convene in Spring 2012 to begin formulating scheduling principles for the 2013 season and beyond.

“The SEC transition team and our athletic directors did a great job with significant logistical challenges in a short time frame in developing the 2012 football conference schedule,” said SEC Commissioner Mike Slive. “The ability to come together for the conference is what makes the SEC so strong and that was evident yet again in this process.”

The SEC West dominated this season

The SEC West was the dominant division in the league – and in the nation. Division rivals LSU and Alabama will meet for the second time this season when they square off in the national title game; it will be the first regular-season rematch in the title game in the BCS era. The teams met Nov. 5 in Tuscaloosa, with LSU winning 9-6 in overtime in a battle of defense and field position. SEC West rival Arkansas reached as high as No. 3 in the BCS standings and finished No. 6. Arkansas is 10-2. Its two losses were to Alabama and LSU.

LSU lands commitment from top-ranked ’12 QB Kiel

Kiel, the top-rated quarterback in the Class of 2012 according to Rivals.com, announced Tuesday evening that he’s flipping his non-binding verbal commitment to LSU, becoming the 22nd commit in the Tigers’ 2012 class. Back in July, Kiel’s decision reportedly came down to the home-state Hoosiers and Alabama; this time around, Kiel chose the Tigers over Vanderbilt and Notre Dame.

“I woke up Friday morning and knew I wanted to be a Tiger,” Kiel told MyIndianaFootball.com. “I can’t wait to be a Tiger.”

Kiel will graduate from Columbus (Ind.) East High School early and enroll in college in January, meaning he will be available to participate in spring practice.

With the expiring eligibility of both Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee, Kiel will compete for the starting QB job with, among others, Zach Mettenberger beginning in the spring. Mettenberger, a transfer from Georgia, will likely head into those sessions as the early favorite.

In addition to being Rivals‘ top-rated pro-style QB, the recruiting service also rates the 6-4, 220-pound Kiel as the No. 19 prospect at any position in the country.
by J Taylor

Phil Steele's Independence Bowl Forecast...North Carolina (7-5) vs Missouri (7-5)

These 2 have met twice before with MO taking both incl their last matchup 24-3 in ‘76. This is NC’s 4th str bowl (1-2) and 29th overall. LY NC defeated Tenn 30-27 after a controversial call in regulation cost the Vols the win (NC kicked the GW FG in the 2nd OT) in the Music City Bowl. This is Withers’ 1st bowl as a HC but he has been DC the L/3 bowls here under Davis. The Tigers head to their 8th bowl under Pinkel (3-4) and their 3rd Independence (1-1) with their 38-31 ‘05 win over SC the biggest bowl comeback win in school history (trailed 21-0 after 1Q). MO was snubbed by the B12’s bowl tie-ins but were helped by their outgoing conerencef to find a home in Shreveport. It’s put up or shut up time for Tiger fans who have been stereotyped as poor travelers. NC is 5-4 vs 9 bowl caliber tms being outscored 26-25 and out-gained 370-356 (out FD’d in 7 out of 9). MO went 3-5 S vs bowl opp outscoring foes 31-30 and out-gaining them 474-460. NC was 1-4 on the road while MO was 1-4. NC has 8 Sr’s among 14 upperclassmen while MO has 11 Sr’s and 18 upperclassmen. These teams are very similar but North Carolina’s DL has reaped praise from many opposing coaches and their destructiveness can actually be a difference in the gm. The Heels also will have the edge with the skill players on the field but he will go with the more exp’d HC and staff in this one.

PHIL’S FORECAST: MISSOURI 27 NORTH CAROLINA 26

AnM-Arkansas series at Cowboys Stadium falling short financially

Scheduled to play each other at Cowboys Stadium each of the next seven years, the Arkansas-Texas A&M series could find itself doomed thanks to the failure to meet financial projections, the Bryan-College Station Eagle reported over the weekend.

The 10-year series, which was first played in 2009 and dubbed “The Southwest Classic”, was expected to make in the neighborhood of $5 million for each school per year. According to the paper, and by way of an open records request, A&M was paid $4.2 million for the first game, a figure that dropped to $2.9 million for the 2010 game. The numbers for the 2011 game were not yet available, and the Razorbacks’ take for the first two games was not listed.

As a result, the Eagle writes, “its continued existence as a neutral-site game may be in jeopardy.”

A&M will be moving from the Big 12 to the SEC in 2012, with 247Sports.com writing that “A&M’s 2012 schedule will include a game against Arkansas at Kyle Field”, not at Cowboys Stadium per the contract signed in April of 2008.

A&M athletic director Bill Byrne told the Eagle that the future of the series is still up in the air, and that the two school will need to continue discussions on which direction they should head.

“We wanted to play Arkansas in the Metroplex,” Byrne said. “We felt once we lost our contacts with TCU and SMU, we needed a presence in the Metroplex. We still think we do.

“Having said that, we need to talk to Arkansas and see whether they want to continue having a conference game in the Metroplex.”

Model student, model athelete, model citizen...Joe Villavisencio...a Great Loss for humanity

When University of Maryland basketball star Len Bias died two days after being the second overall pick in the 1986 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics, Larry Bird was asked by a reporter for his thoughts.
Bird, never one to mince words, looked at the reporter for a second and said, "That's the cruelest thing I've ever heard."

Larry Legend never met Joe Villavisencio, or he may have had cause to reconsider.

The senior died Thursday in a highway crash near the town of Normangee. Villavisencio was driving north when he swerved to avoid a buzzard in the road and his car hit an 18-wheeler in the southbound lane, the Texas Department of Public Safety said. Villavisencio was killed in the accident.

Like Bias, "Joey V." left this world at the entirely too young age of 22. But that's where the similarities end. Bias was a superior athlete who thrived in the spotlight; Villavisencio was a part-time player whose name was rarely mentioned in discussions of Aggie football. Bias, though, had followed a dark path that led to his death, while the young A&M offensive lineman was well on his way to doing great things with his mind and his heart.

When he committed to former coach Dennis Franchione, Villavisencio was a relatively unheralded recruit out of Jacksonville, Texas. But there was already something different about him -- he missed an overnight visit because he was taking part in an orchestra competition, for instance. While a lot of kids loved talking to recruiting services, Villavisencio would patiently answer questions, politely, then at the end of the interview ask if it was OK if that was the only one they did. He wasn't interested in the spotlight; he wanted to play football and keep on his studies. He did both pretty darn well -- he was second-team All-State as a senior and the valedictorian of his class.

When he got to A&M, he found the coach who recruited him gone and Mike Sherman had taken his place. Villavisencio didn't complain; he just went to work and gave his best effort. Every practice, every day. When the Aggies were desperate on the offensive line in 2008, he stepped up and started in a win at Iowa State.

That would be the highlight of his A&M career -- on the field, at least. His best work was saved for other places.

Even though he was primarily a backup, he held the respect of all of his teammates. He was a guy they could turn to for advice, and he was always there to pick them up when they were down. Even from a distance, observers could see something different in the way "Joey V." handled himself, and not in his blocking stance. He was more mature, more composed, than other young men his age.
On his last day on this planet, Joe Villavisencio went to the Twin City Mission in Bryan to hand out Christmas presents to kids with nothing, just to make their holiday season a little brighter. Then he was heading home to his family. The kind, polite young man is gone, in part, because he didn't want to hurt a buzzard in the middle of the road.

A lot of times, we get focused in on athletes who do great things on the field and overlook the guys who are quietly doing great things off it. That's where Joey V. was at his best.

And that's what makes his loss so cruel.

Orange Bowl scraps planned cigar sponsorship

Orange Bowl officials said Friday they’ve scrapped a planned sponsorship deal with Camacho Cigars.

Larry Wahl, an Orange Bowl spokesman, said in an email that after mutual review, it was determined that it would not be appropriate to go forward with the sponsorship.

The planned sponsorship called for a large presence at several game-day events, including lounges where fans could light up. The three-year deal included the 2013 BCS National Championship. Wahl said that plans were limited to non-game events and geared toward adults.

On Thursday, Sens. Dick Durbin, Frank Lautenberg and Richard Blumenthal, all Democrats, sent letters to bowl officials and the NCAA, asking them to reconsider the deal. It followed a similar effort earlier this week by several public health groups.

The senators and health groups said cigars contain the same toxic, cancer-causing chemicals that cigarettes do. They argued that promoting cigars at the Orange Bowl would send the wrong message to young fans.

This season’s Orange Bowl is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 4 in Miami, where No. 23 West Virginia will play No. 14 Clemson.

Why is Georgia coach Mark Richt so reluctant to fire assistants?

Why is Georgia coach Mark Richt so reluctant to fire assistants? In my opinion he kept former defensive coordinator Willie Martinez two seasons too long. I think he has kept offensive coordinator Mike Bobo two or three seasons too long.
by Calvin
Obviously, I cannot speak for Mark Richt. But I can offer speculation and theories. Although Georgia did endure subpar seasons in 2009 and ’10, the fact remains that before this seasons, the Bulldogs had had six seasons with at least 10 victories under Richt. Richt seems to be a loyal guy who doesn’t make knee-jerk reactions. Rather than assign blame to one or two individuals, he takes into account injuries and other factors and decides any issues were not necessarily the fault of one assistant and wouldn’t necessarily be fixed by bringing in someone else. No doubt, the move to replace Martinez with Todd Grantham has paid off for the Bulldogs. That would seem to show Richt that making a coaching change can solve a problem. But he may not feel that there is a problem that warrants a coaching change on the offensive side.

That’s one of the decisions he’s paid to make and that will factor into how he ultimately is judged as a head coach.

Georgia averaged 32.1 points per game this season, which is fourth in the defense-oriented SEC. And the Bulldogs did it with a sophomore quarterback, a true freshman as the leading rusher and a true freshman as the leading receiver. The Bulldogs played eight opponents ranked among the nation’s top 46 in total defense. They scored 45 points against South Carolina, which is ranked fourth in the nation in total defense. They scored 33 on Vanderbilt, which is ranked 19th. They scored 31 against Georgia Tech, which is ranked 46th.

Most important, they posted 10 victories for the seventh time in Richt’s tenure. And, frankly, if not for so many dropped passes early, they might have had a realistic shot at upsetting LSU in the SEC championship game.

Deion Belue signs again with Alabama

Deion Belue has once again signed with Alabama, according TideInsider.com.

Attempts to reach Belue on Thursday were unsuccessful.

Belue (6-0, 165 pounds) spent the past two seasons at Northeast Mississippi Community College. He signed with Alabama in 2010, but failed to qualify academically.

According to the report, Belue signed Wednesday. An Alabama spokesman said an announcement regarding junior college signees and early enrollees would be sent at a later time.

"Finally I'm headed to The Capstone," Belue told the website. "I signed with Alabama yesterday. I'm really excited to finally be on my way to Tuscaloosa."

Belue was a second-team JUCO All-American this season. Belue told the website he would enroll in January.

"Alabama wants me to come in and play corner and also return punts and kickoffs," Belue said. "I'm eager to get there and go through spring practice. Its been a long wait."

Richt’s generosity part of several secondary NCAA violations reported by UGA

Mark Richt, who according to records obtained by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, made personal payments to assistant coaches totaling over $25,000 because Richt believed they weren’t being compensated enough. From the AJC:

Richt paid former recruiting assistant Charlie Cantor $10,842 over an 11-month period through March of 2011, former linebackers coach John Jancek $10,000 in the summer of 2009 and $6,150 to director of player development John Eason in July of 2010. All of the payments were made by checks from Richt’s personal bank account after UGA’s previous athletic administration declined his requests for increased compensation for those parties.

The AJC’s story goes on to list other instances where Richt paid assistants and staff out of his own pocket, and own goodwill. Nevertheless, it was a violation of a subset of bylaw 11, which regulates supplemental pay for staff members.

Richt and the staff members who accepted payments received letters of admonishment from the school and must undergo additional rules education. The NCAA accepted the response from UGA and no further action was taken.

“The report stands on its own,” AD Greg McGarity said Monday. “There’s nothing to add. We’re moving forward.”

Gamecock's Ellis Johnson new Head Coach of S. Miss

Ellis Johnson is taking over the Southern Miss football program and the veteran defensive coordinator has big goals for the Golden Eagles: Lead them to a BCS game.

The 59-year-old Johnson was introduced Tuesday during a press conference on campus. He has spent the past four years as defensive coordinator at South Carolina, and has substantial ties in Mississippi, previously working as defensive coordinator at Mississippi State and Southern Miss.

The Winnsboro, S.C., native takes over a program that has had 18 straight winning seasons and been to 10 straight bowl games, but has not made it to a Bowl Championship Series game like Boise State and TCU, two non-BCS conference schools that have managed to crash the elite college football club.

"As I take over this program, I'm looking for something that's never been done before," Johnson said. "Frankly, there's very little left. It's intimidating, but it's also challenging."

Johnson replaces Larry Fedora, who is leaving Southern Miss after four seasons to take the North Carolina job. The Golden Eagles just completed their first 10-win season since 1988 and won a Conference USA title for the first time since 2003.

Fedora will be the coach Southern Miss against Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 24.

Johnson said he would not coach in South Carolina's game against Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 2. He said he would begin work for the Golden Eagles immediately.

by D Bryant

LSU’s Miles wins AP coach of the year

LSU's Miles has been voted The Associated Press Coach of the Year. Thirty of 56 votes cast went to Miles. Bill Snyder of Kansas State was second with 16, Mike Gundy of Oklahoma State had six, Brady Hoke of Michigan got three and Lane Kiffin of Southern California had one. As Miles reflected on the various trials he dealt with this season in an interview with the AP this week, he spoke in a hushed tone and recounted a talk he had long ago with his father in the kitchen of his childhood home in Elyria, Ohio. When Miles was around 12 years old, he was worried about his dad, Hope “Bubba” Miles, who’d been passed over for a promotion and subsequently laid off, all while dealing with the death of his own father.

“We’ll be fine,” the LSU coach recalled his father telling him. “It’s the reaction to the difficult times; it’s always those days when something does not come your way and you have to make the best move, that’s what’s going to make your life rich.”

However LSU’s season ends in the BCS title game against No. 2 Alabama on Jan. 9 in the Superdome, it will go down as one of the more memorable chapters in the history of Louisiana’s most storied college football program. The events that could have derailed the 2011 campaign were numerous and diverse, yet the Tigers dominated just about every team they faced.

Gamecock's defensive coach heading to Southern Miss

Ellis Johnson, the assistant head coach for defense at South Carolina, is expected to become the head coach at Southern Miss., according to an ESPN.com report.

Johnson, 59, has run the Gamecocks' defense for the previous four seasons.

It wasn't clear whether Johnson would join Southern Miss immediately or stay with the Gamecocks through the Capital One Bowl Jan. 2 against Nebraska.

Johnson served as head coach at The Citadel from 2001-03. In addition to South Carolina, he was defensive coordinator at Alabama, Clemson, Mississippi State, Appalachian State and Southern Miss.

Georgia's Richt under scrutiny

Georgia football coach Mark Richt paid some of his staffers out of his own pocket, and unknowlingly violated NCAA rules, according to a report in The Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

The payments broke NCAA rules on supplemental pay, but discipline was limited to letters of admonishment from the school to Richt and those he paid, the paper said.

Athletic director Greg McGarity declined to discuss details with the paper, but confirmed that the violations were deemed secondary and that the NCAA considers the matter closed.

Arkansas loses a quarterback to transfer

Arkansas redshirt freshman quarterback Jacoby Walker has decided to move on from the program in pursuit of more playing time, coach Bobby Petrino confirmed on Saturday.

Walker will likely transfer to Central Arkansas, a 1-AA program, according to Matt Jones of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Walker would not have to sit out a year per NCAA rules if he moves down a level.

Walker has been buried on the Razorbacks depth chart for the past season and never saw any game time. Although he enrolled at Arkansas early in 2010, he tore his ACL in the spring game that year.

Arkansas’ other three scholarship quarterbacks, including starter Tyler Wilson, are set to return next year, so the chances of Walker getting any breathing room in the depth chart looked slim.

Five-star RB flips commit from Auburn to Alabama

Alabama high school running back T.J. Yeldon announcing he has switched his non-binding verbal commitment from Auburn to Alabama. Yeldon, who will be an early enrollee next month, announced his verbal flip-flop via a statement:

“Over the last few weeks, I’ve really put a lot of time and thought into where I want to go to school and continue my football career. I am blessed to be in a situation where I have several great opportunities and I appreciate everyone involved who has helped me get to this point.

“I want to make an announcement so I can put this behind me and get to work on the things I need to do to prepare for college both athletically and academically. I am going to enroll at the University of Alabama in January.

“I have a lot of respect for Auburn, the coaches, and all of the people there, but at the end of the day I feel like the University of Alabama is the best situation and fit for me and my family. I am 100 percent confident with my final decision. I feel great about it and I’m excited to get started.”

Yeldon had originally given a verbal commit to Auburn in June.

If the verbal commitment holds, Yeldon would be a huge get for Nick Saban and his Tide coaching staff as Yeldon is a five-star prospect and rated as the No. 3 RB in the country by Rivals.com.

Murray, Jones won’t make early NFL leap from UGA

Speaking to the media Friday, and armed with the knowledge that they change their minds between now and Jan. 15, quarterback Aaron Murray and linebacker Jarvis Jones both confirmed that they will return to the Bulldogs for another season in 2012. Murray, a second-team All-SEC selection by both the coaches and Associated Press, acknowledged that he submitted paperwork to the NFL’s draft advisory board, but said that was more out of curiosity than any intent to actually pursue early entry into next April’s draft.

“There’s no chance of me leaving,” Murray said. “I could use some more work.”

As a redshirt sophomore, Murray could actually have two more years of eligibility in Athens if he so desired. Murray did admit, though, there’s a chance he could decide to leave his final season of eligibility on the table and leave after the 2012 season.

While Murray submitted paperwork to NFL draft advisors, his teammate Jones didn’t even go that far. Jones, a consensus All-American who is currently second in the country in sacks with 13.5, told the media there was no reason for him to submit his paperwork to the board, which projects where an underclassman might fall in the draft, because he’s not going anywhere.

“I love being here,” Jones said. “I love the guys I play with. I love my coaches. I don’t think I’m ready to let that go yet.”

by J Taylor

Bama's Kirby Smart interviews, then withdraws name from Southern Miss

Alabama already lost one coordinator, Jim McElwain, to a head coaching job at Colorado State. Losing another would have been a lot to replace. For the Tide faithful, however, it looks like they’ll keep defensive coordinator Kirby Smart around… for now, anyway. Smart was one of a handful of candidates who reportedly interviewed for the Southern Miss job this week, including South Carolina assistant Ellis Johnson, Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Southern Miss offensive coordinator Blake Anderson and Louisiana-Lafayette offensive coordinator Jay Johnson. But sources told ESPN’s Mark Schlabach that Smart has withdrawn his name from consideration for the USM job. Smart had also been connected to openings at Ole Miss and Texas A&M, but the sources say Smart never had contact with either program. Those jobs would end up being filled by Huge Freeze and Kevin Sumlin, respectively. Smart, who has guided the Tide’s defense to being one of, if not the best, nationally, has two years left on a contract at Alabama that pays him $850,000 annually.

Nick Saban busy recruiting before bowl practices start next week

The Crimson Tide is officially off until bowl practices begin next week, and Alabama coach Nick Saban is using the time to recruit and build for the future.

Saban was spotted this week in Baltimore, recruiting Rivals.com four-star athlete Cyrus Jones at his basketball game and palling around with baseball legend Cal Ripken, Jr., whose son Ryan plays on the same basketball team as Jones.

There are great photos from the Baltimore Sun of Saban with Jones and Ripken in those links above.

Jones is a versatile athlete, who played defensive back, wide receiver, running back and returned punts and kicks for the Gilman School in Baltimore. Rivals.com lists Alabama, Auburn, Virginia and Virginia Tech as his top schools.
Thanks to AL.com

Three LSU Tigers on 'SI' All-America Team

The national honors continue to roll in for No. 1 ranked LSU as the Tigers placed three players on the Sports Illustrated All-America Team, the magazine and website announced on Tuesday.

Headlining the list for the Tigers is sophomore Tyrann Mathieu, who was named All-America at two positions - cornerback and punt returner. Mathieu, who finished fifth in the 2011 Heisman Trophy balloting, becomes the first player in school history to earn first-team All-America honors at two positions in the same season. In just his second season, Mathieu took the college football world by storm in 2011, making big play after big play in leading the Tigers to a 13-0 record and a berth in next month's BCS National Championship Game. Mathieu, who led the Tigers with 70 tackles, ranks No.1 in the nation in fumbles recovered with five and third nationally in forced fumbles with six. Mathieu finished second in the nation in punt returns with a 16.2 average on 26 returns. Mathieu returned two punts for touchdowns - one 92 yards against Arkansas and the other coming a week later against Georgia. Mathieu scored a total of four touchdowns in 2011, two coming by way of a punt return with the other two coming on fumble returns. Other Tigers on the first team include junior cornerback Morris Claiborne and redshirt freshman punter Brad Wing. Claiborne led the nation in interception return yardage with 173 on a team-high six interceptions. Claiborne, the 2011 recipient of the Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back, has 46 tackles and six pass breakups for an LSU defense that ranks No. 2 in the nation in both scoring (10.5) and total defense (252.1). Wing, a Melbourne, Australia native, had the best debut season for a punter in school history, averaging 44.1 yards on 50 punts. He had 23 punts downed inside the 20-yard line and 18 of his kicks went 50 yards or more. With pinpoint accuracy, Wing allowed just six punt return yards all year.

by M Bonnette

photo courtesy of LSUsports.net

LSU Duo makes AP All-America History

LSU placed three players, including cornerbacks in Tyrann Mathieu and Morris Claiborne, on the Associated Press All-America Team, the organization announced on Wednesday. Mathieu and Claiborne were joined on the AP First Team by redshirt freshman punter Brad Wing. Offensive guard Will Blackwell was named to the AP Second Team, while defensive end Sam Montgomery was a third team selection. Mathieu and Claiborne also become the first cornerbacks from the same school named to the AP first team since the organization began selecting an All-America team for both offense and defense in 1964. Last week the AP tabbed Mathieu as the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and Claiborne was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year by a vote of the league's coaches. Claiborne ranked second in the SEC this season with six interceptions, and he led the nation with 173 interception return yards, including a 45-yard pick six against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.

Mathieu, a Heisman Trophy finalist, led LSU with 70 tackles, six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. He added 6.5 tackles for a loss, two interceptions, seven pass breakups and 1.5 sacks. Mathieu also scored four touchdowns this season, including crucial punt returns in back-to-back games against Arkansas and Georgia.

Thanks LSU sports.net

Sporting News' SEC awards

Sporting News names the offensive and defensive MVPs of each Football Bowl Subdivision conference, along with that league's coach of the year and freshman of the year.Here are the winners of the SEC.

Offensive MVP: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Defensive MVP: Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU

Coach of the year: Les Miles, LSU

Freshman of the year: Isaiah Crowell, RB, Georgia

LSU corners market on AP All-American cornerbacks

LSU’s Tyrann Mathieu and Morris Claiborne became the first cornerback teammates to lock down spots on the AP All-America team. Mathieu, a Heisman Trophy finalist, and Claiborne were joined on the All-America team by Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III of Baylor and finalists Montee Ball of Wisconsin and Trent Richardson of Alabama. Heisman runner-up Andrew Luck from Stanford was the second-team quarterback. The team released Wednesday was selected by a panel of 16 AP poll voters.

The second-ranked Crimson Tide had the most first-teamers with four. Richardson was joined by tackle Barrett Jones, linebacker Dont’a Hightower and safety Mark Barron. Tide linebackers Courtney Upshaw and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick also made the second team, leaving Alabama tied with No. 3 Oklahoma State for the most players selected overall. The LSU duo was joined on the first team by Tigers punter Brad Wing. LSU guard Will Blackwell was a second-team selection and defensive end Sam Montgomery made the third team. The top-ranked Tigers will play SEC West rival Alabama on Jan. 9 in New Orleans for the BCS title.

Since the AP began selecting both an offensive and defensive team in 1964, no team had put a pair of cornerbacks on the first team. Of course, few teams have had two cornerbacks as talented as Mathieu and Claiborne.

Weis contract at Kansas guarantees $2.5M per year

Charlie Weis is guaranteed $2.5 million annually over the course of his five-year deal with Kansas, along with incentives that could push the total over $3 million. A copy of the contract, which is dated Dec. 9, was obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press. Weis’ base salary is $230,000, though he is also in line for an additional $2.27 million in “professional services rendered,” which includes educational, promotional and public relations duties. Last February, Weis signed a three-year deal worth $2.495 million to be Florida’s offensive coordinator. He was paid $765,000 in 2011.

Weis’ contract includes a $50,000 bonus for winning five Big 12 games, plus $10,000 for each additional game, along with $100,000 for a conference championship, $50,000 for appearing in a bowl game and $25,000 for winning a bowl game. He’ll make $100,000 for appearing in a BCS bowl game and $50,000 for winning it, and double those totals if it’s the national title game.

Weis will also make $50,000 if he’s voted the Big 12 coach of the year and $75,000 if he’s voted AP national coach of the year.

by D Skeretta

South Carolina self-imposes scholarship reduction in NCAA response

South Carolina has responded with a lengthy letter to the NCAA agreeing with all three allegations, including the failure to sufficiently monitor allegation. As a result, self-imposed sanctions against the football program will include a loss of six scholarships over the course of three years, a reduction of official recruiting visits to 30 for the 2012-13 year and an $18,500 fine for allowing four ineligible football players to compete during the 2009-10 football season.

“We continue to work in full cooperation with the NCAA on this very serious matter,” school president Harris Pastides said. “As an institution, we established self-imposed penalties and implemented corrective actions.”

South Carolina’s total amount of impermissible benefits from the Whitney Hotel are roughly $47,000. Again, that’s a loss in six scholarships. For $47,000. Boise State received a loss of nine scholarships over the course of three years for impermissible benefits, totaling less than $5,000, and Ohio State received a loss of five scholarships over three years for impermissible benefits to players totaling less than $1,000.

The school is scheduled to meet with the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions on Feb. 17-18.

Arkansas State confirms Malzahn hiring

Head coach Gene Chizik confirmed in a statement that Malzahn will stay with the Tigers through AU’s bowl game.

“I’m very happy for Gus and the opportunity that awaits him at Arkansas State. Gus has always had the strong desire to become a head coach and the chance for him to return to his home state that he is so familiar with, will be very beneficial. He’s meant a tremendous amount to our program the past three years, helping our offense and our program achieve unprecedented heights, winning a BCS National Championship and setting countless offensive records. Gus has experienced success in each stop of his coaching career and I have no doubt that he will have similar results at Arkansas State. We look forward to having Gus stay with us through the bowl game and hope to send him out with a victory.”

Exactly one year ago today, it was reported that Gus Malzahn had turned down an offer in the neighborhood of $3 million to become the head coach at Vanderbilt. The Auburn offensive coordinator is reportedly set to become a head coach at a non-automatic qualifying conference school. For about a fifth of what he turned down from Vandy. And for around 50-percent less than what he’s making now as a coordinator.

The Birmingham News is reporting that Malzahn will become the next head coach at Arkansas State, with a press conference expected to take place Wednesday. Per the News, Malzahn’s contract with the Red Wolves is expected to average $850,000 annually.

Arkansas State offers coaching position to Auburn OC Gus Malzahn

Arkansas State has extended an offer to Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. Specific details of the deal were not immediately known, but multiple sources confirmed an offer is on the table. Malzahn, an Arkansas native, is in his third season as offensive coordinator with the Tigers and said to be considering the offer. Malzahn, the 2010 Broyles Award winner as the nation’s top assistant cocah, is currently making $1.3 million annually at Auburn. He reportedly passed on offers at Vanderbilt and Maryland last season to stay with the Tigers following their national championship season, which included quarterback Cam Newton winning the Heisman Trophy. Auburn set nine school records on offense last season, including points in a season (577), points per game (41.2), total yards (6,989), total offense (499.2), rushing yards (3,987), rushing touchdowns (41) and passing touchdowns (31). Prior to working at Auburn, Malzahn spent two seasons at Tulsa. He spent one year at Arkansas as offensive coordinator in 2006, helping the Razorbacks to a 10-4 record and Capital One Bowl appearance. Malzahn is renowned for his time as a high school coach in Arkansas. In 14 years he led seven teams to state titles, winning three championships. Arkansas State is coming off a 10-win season and will play in the GoDaddy.com Bowl in Mobile on Jan. 8. ASU is looking to replace Hugh Freeze, who was hired last week at Ole Miss.

Gamecocks confirm Spurrier contract extension

USC head coach Steve Spurrier received a two-year contract extension Tuesday after leading the Gamecocks to their second-ever 10-win season this year. The deal will keep Spurrier at South Carolina through 2015. He did not get a raise. Spurrier received a $1 million a year pay boost last season after the Gamecocks won their first SEC Eastern Division title.

“I appreciate the administration agreeing that the head coach should have four years remaining on his contract to show the recruits and fans that he plans to be here,” Spurrier said in a statement. “Our football program is headed in the right direction. We’ve had some success and have had some good things happen here, but winning the SEC is one goal we have not yet reached. We hope and believe we can do that in the next four years.”

He is earning an average of $2.86 million a season in his latest contract. He started at USC in 2005 making $1.25 million. He also is receiving a one-time $1 million tax-deferred retirement plan at the end of the year. Much of Spurrier’s salary comes from compensation paid by contracts the athletics department receives from broadcasters, athletic apparel markers and commercial endorsements.

The extension was approved this morning by the USC Board of Trustees executive committee. The full board will vote on the deal later today.

McElwain to direct Tide’s offense in title game

In a press release officially announcing the hiring, the school also confirmed that, while McElwain will be their new head coach effective immediately, he “will return to Alabama Dec. 23 to continue coaching for the BCS National Championship Game Jan. 9, where he will serve as offensive coordinator for the game against LSU.” Tide football players are off for finals this week, so McElwain returning to Tuscaloosa late next week is not as big of a deal as it may seem at first blush. As far as the CSU job goes, the school wrote in the release “ that more than 50 coaches were considered as part of the search, which quickly narrowed to a pool of about 10 strong candidates.” McElwain had been heavily mentioned in connection to openings at Memphis and Fresno State before landing the Rams job.

“In Jim McElwain, we have a coach who has throughout his career demonstrated the level of excellence we’re aiming for at Colorado State, and we’re confident he’s the right man to lead us to a bold new era for Rams football,” new athletic director Jack Graham said. “Not only has Jim excelled at the very highest levels in college football, but he’s spent time in the NFL, he’s been part of rebuilding programs and he’s a native Westerner. He really is the right coach at the right time.”

McElwain has been Nick Saban‘s offensive coordinator since 2008. This will be his first head-coaching job at this level of football.

McElwain to leave Tide for Colorado State HC job

According to the Rivals.com Colorado State website, the Alabama offensive coordinator is expected to be named as the Rams’ new head coach, with an announcement possibly coming from the school as early as today. McElwain has been Nick Saban‘s coordinator since 2008, and has been mentioned in connection to a handful of head-coaching opportunities the past two years. In a press release, Colorado State announced they will hold a press conference at noon local time Tuesday to introduce their next head coach. While the release did not reveal the identity of the coach, the Birmingham News has confirmed McElwain is leaving the Tide for CSU. There’s been no official word on McElwain’s status for the BcS championship game against LSU next month, although the News writes that “coach Nick Saban met Monday with Alabama staff members to work on replacing the offensive coordinator after three seasons.”

Another Vols coach departs, this time for Washington State

Just a little over a week after losing wide receivers coach Charlie Baggett to retirement, Tennessee will have to look for another coach to fill their special teams needs.

The Knoxville News-Sentinel, citing a source who knows the personnel, reports that special teams coach Eric Russell will leave the Vols and take a similar job with Washington State under new head coach Mike Leach. Russell previously worked under Leach at Texas Tech and has ties to the Spokane, Washington, area.

Robert Griffin III wins 77th Heisman Trophy

There was a pool of about 7-8 players who all could make a case as to why they deserved to be invited to New York for the Heisman ceremony, but it came down to five: Luck, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, Wisconsin running back Montee Ball, Alabama running back Trent Richardson and LSU cornerback/punt returner Tyrann Matheiu.

In the end, though, the 77th Heisman Trophy was awarded to Robert Griffin III.

RGIII grabbed 405 of 846 first-place votes and 1,687 points to take home the trophy; Luck, was the runne- up for the second consecutive year with 247 first place points and 1,407 points; Richardson received 138 first place votes and 978 points. Ball and Matheiu finished fourth and fifth in the voting, respectively.

“This is unbelievably believable,” said Griffin, who threw for 3,998 yards and accounting for 45 total touchdowns this season. “To Baylor nation, I say this is a forever moment, may we be blessed enough to have more of these in the future.”

Michael Dyer suspended for Chick-fil-A Bowl

The school has confirmed by way of the Birmingham News that running back Michael Dyer has been suspended for the bowl game for a violation of team rules. Both AuburnSports.com and AuburnUnderground.com, the Rivals.com and 247Sports.com affiliates for the school, reported that Dyer was suspended on Sunday morning. The Birmingham News later cited sources who confirmed the suspension. Dyer, the Offensive MVP of last year’s BCS national title, finished the season with 1,242 yards and 12 touchdowns, second in the SEC behind only Alabama’s Trent Richardson. If nothing else, it’s a huge loss in production for Auburn’s offense, which has struggled down the stretch. Tre Mason could see more touches in the bowl game, but he’s had only 19 carries this season.

SEC dominates 2011 All-America Team

Top-ranked LSU and No. 2 Alabama lead the way with three players each on to the Yahoo! Sports All-America first team.

The Tigers actually take up four spots on the first team, but that’s because cornerback Tyrann Mathieu doubles as the punt returner.

There was a nine-man and 10-position, SEC contingent on the first team. Georgia had two players and South Carolina one on the first team.

Tide’s McElwain one of two finalists for Fresno State vacancy

By way of the Birmingham News, the Fresno Bee reported late Friday night that McElwain is one of the two finalists for the Fresno State vacancy. The other finalist per the Bee is Oakland Raiders running backs coach Kelly Skipper.

The paper reports a final decision could be made and an official announcement may come by Wednesday of the upcoming week.

McElwain was the Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator in 2007 before joining Nick Saban at Alabama, and has not been shy about his interest in the job if it were to come open. That happened earlier this month when Pat Hill was “relieved of his duties” after 15 seasons at the school. Skipper has even deeper ties to the Bulldogs, serving as an assistant at his alma mater from 1989 to 1997.

One prominent booster, though, indicated earlier this week McElwain may the preference of many people connected to the program.

“I know he said he was interested [in] coming back to Fresno State before, and he’d definitely be a good choice for the university to consider,” booster Harry Gaykian told the paper. “Whether he’s the best fit, I don’t know. I know a lot of people would be excited about him coming back. He did a lot of good things when he was at Fresno.”

by J Taylor

Favre’s nephew transferring from Mississippi State

Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen confirmed Saturday that the nephew of future NFL Hall of Famer and serial flip-flopper Brett Favre has decided to transfer from the football program.

“Dylan’s decided to transfer, and we wish him the best,” Mullen said following practice Saturday. ”He has our full support with everything. He did a great job for us during his time here.”

There was no official word on why Favre decided to transfer, or if he plans to continue the family tradition and actually stay in Starkville, although a search for more playing time would be a logical place to start. Where the redshirt freshman may land is also unknown. A school in the state of Mississippi might be a good place to start; Southern Miss, his uncle’s alma mater, was one of a handful of schools to offer Favre a scholarship two years ago. That school recently underwent a coaching change, however, so it’s unclear if the interest would still be there on that end. A member of MSU’s 2010 recruiting class, Favre completed 13-of-26 passes this season for 119 yards and a touchdown. He also scored two rushing touchdowns in 2011.

Kansas introduces former Notre Dame coach Weis

Charlie Weis knew little about the Kansas football program when his phone rang Wednesday morning. He knew that the Jayhawks won the Orange Bowl a few years ago, and that they finished 2-10 this season under Turner Gill, but that was about it. When Athletic Director Sheahon Zenger began to talk to him about the job, though, Weis realized that he was hearing an opportunity too good to pass up: The chance to build a long-suffering program into a winner, and prove that his failed attempt at Notre Dame was a distant memory. Weis was introduced as the Jayhawks’ coach during a news conference Friday, about 24 hours after he accepted the job and just a couple days after he emerged as the leading candidate.

“It was too good of an opportunity,” he said, “being able to go into a place that was down low and being able to see it through the rise back up top. Anyone who is goal driven in anything, whether it was a startup, taking a business and doing good, this is what I do.

“The team was 2-10 and you’re going to be the one that’s directly involved with taking that team and moving it to the other end of the spectrum.”

Terms of Weis’ contract have not been finalized, but Zenger said it would be a five-year deal that pays Weis about $2.5 million annually, almost all of which is guaranteed.

Muschamp confident remaining Florida staff will stay intact

“You never foresee some things like that happen,” Muschamp said at a Gator Bowl press conference.

Weis’ departure marks the third UF staff member to depart in recent weeks. Florida strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti and director of football administration Mark Pantoni both left UF to join Urban Meyer at Ohio State.

But Muschamp says he’s confident he can keep the rest of his coaching staff intact despite the fact that he’s already received several calls by other schools who wished to interview his assistants.

“I’ve been contacted by numerous schools about our staff, which is a huge compliment to the staff we have,” Muschamp said. “We have an outstanding staff, but at the end of the day we have guys and we want continuity with our staff. If guys get a promotion and guys get a step up, I think that’s great and I support it. It says a lot about the guys you hire, that they do a good job and they’re good football coaches and they’re good men and they’re good recruiters. But again, I’m very pleased with the continuity of our staff and I don’t anticipate any changes moving forward.”

Muschamp said he wants to stick with a pro style offense and will find a new offensive coordinator who fits that scheme.

“I will hire the best offensive coordinator in the country,” Muschamp said. “We need to improve offensively. Pretty obvious.”

Richt, UGA commence contract talks

UGA athletic director Greg McGarity confirmed to Gentry Estes of Dawgs247.com that he and Richt have commenced discussions that could/should lead to a new contract for the coach. Richt’s current deal runs through the 2013 season.

“Mark and I, we discussed for the first time today, moving forward,” McGarity told the website. “We’ve started that discussion, and I’m sure we’ll talk further. We didn’t have a lot of time today since he’s got a huge recruiting weekend.

“But we are moving that discussion forward. He and I had a great discussion this morning. I know Mark wants to be here, and we want him here. There’s just some things we need to work on moving forward.”

Th initial contract talks come less than 24 hours after Brent Zwerneman of the San Antonio Express-News reported that Richt is in the mix for the A&M job. McGarity told multiple media outlets that there’s “no truth whatsoever” to the Richt-to-A&M talk.

Roof officially leaving Auburn for UCF

In a release, the Knights announced that head coach George O’Leary has officially hired Roof as his new coordinator. Roof will replace John Skladany, who it was announced “would not be retained for the 2012 season” along with two other assistants/football staff members late last month.

This is a reunion for O’Leary and Roof as the latter served as the former’s coordinator at Georgia Tech from 1999-2001.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to come to a great place. It’s just as important to come work for a coach who I have tremendous respect for,” said Roof. “He gave me my first break as a coordinator in football, and I think it says a lot about how I feel about coach O’ Leary."

A smart move for Roof. Auburn it appears expected him to work miracles, and rebuild the defense after 2010, and the loss of a lot of the defense. Auburn is another, what have you done for me lately school. Georgia was doing the same thing with Coach Richt, but fortunately, he and the other coaches were able to get the young troops working faster. UGA didn’t have a schedule like Auburn did fortunately, and could get the team up for a run against the SEC East teams this year.

Kansas hires Charlie Weis as its next head coach

In an announcement made on its official website, KU confirmed that Weis will be introduced as the Jayhawks’ new coach at a press conference Friday. The specific time of the press conference is still to be determined. “I’m going to coach for a long time,” Weis said on Nov. 22, when he was asked whether he would be back at Florida next season. “I’m not… my wife says I can’t quit. That’s not even… remember I have a kid who is a freshman in college here. Remember the reasons why I came here. So, I’ll be here for a while, unless you’re trying to get rid of me. No, he didn’t get free tuition if you were wondering.”

That, obviously, was before the KU job came open after the firing of Turner Gill.

Air Force’s Troy Calhoun reportedly interviews for AnM job

The Houston Chronicle reported very early Wednesday morning that Calhoun has interviewed with Texas A&M for their head-coaching vacancy on Tuesday. A&M athletic director Bill Byrne has been interviewing candidates in New York City to replace Mike Sherman, who was fired last week by the Aggies. Interestingly, Calhoun’s former AFA defensive coordinator, Tim DeRuyter, is A&M’s coordinator and will serve as the Aggies’ interim head coach for their bowl game. Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart and Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin have also reportedly interviewed for the position. We’ve also been told a current Pac-12 coach has expressed an interest in the vacancy, although the extent of that interest or whether an interview has taken place cannot be confirmed. Additionally, reports have surfaced that an individual with third-party ties to A&M has approached Clemson’s Dabo Swinney.

Southern Miss’ Larry Fedora was also a candidate for the Aggies job, but accepted an offer from North Carolina Tuesday.

Tide’s McElwain emerging as a leading Memphis candidate

Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart has interviewed for the Texas A&M opening. Smart’s offensive counterpart, Jim McElwain, is reportedly drawing interest as well. According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, McElwain is now one of the leading candidates to replace Larry Porter after a handful of other candidates took jobs elsewhere recently. Mike Leach, Hugh Freeze and Curtis Johnson were all considered top targets for the Tigers, but have since by hired by Washington State, Ole Miss and Tulane, respectively.

The Birmingham News has also confirmed McElwain’s candidacy.

McElwain has interviewed for the Memphis job, but may also be in the mix at Fresno State following the dismissal of Pat Hill. McElwain was Hill’s OC with the Bulldogs in 2007 before taking the job on Saban’s Tide staff.

In addition to McElwain, the Commercial Appeal names Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner, North Alabama head coach Terry Bowden and former Arizona head coach Mike Stoops.

LSU’s Chavis wins Broyles Award as top assistant

LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis won the annual Broyles Award given to the top college assistant coach on Tuesday.

Chavis is in his third year for the top-ranked Tigers, who will play Alabama for the national championship next month.

Chavis is the 16th winner of the award named in honor of former Arkansas coach Frank Broyles, whose assistant coaches went on to become notable head coaches at the college or professional level. They include Barry Switzer, Jimmy Johnson, Joe Gibbs and Jackie Sherrill.

The 55-year-old Chavis guided an LSU defense that was second in the country in both scoring and total defense. The Tigers (13-0) allowed 10.5 points and 252.1 yards per game while finishing the regular season undefeated and winning the Southeastern Conference championship over Georgia.

Chavis arrived in Baton Rouge, La., in 2009 after spending 14 seasons as the defensive coordinator at Tennessee. While with the Volunteers, he helped Tennessee win at least nine games per season 11 times.

He had an immediate impact upon his arrival with LSU, helping turn around a defense that had ranked near the bottom of the SEC in 2008. The Tigers improved to third in scoring defense in Chavis’ first season, and they followed that up by leading the SEC in pass defense in 2010.

LSU made another leap on defense this season on its way to the BCS national championship game. Led by Heisman Trophy finalist Tyrann Mathieu, the Tigers opened the season with a win over No. 3 Oregon and remain college football’s only undefeated team.

Razorbacks make a change at defensive coordinator

Earlier today Arkansas announced that Paul Petrino was returning as its offensive coordinator to replace GarrickMcGee, who left to become the head coach at UAB. While that coordinator slot may have been filled, head coach Bobby Petrino now has the other coordinator position to fill in the coming weeks. In a press release, UA announced that defensive coordinator/secondary coach Willy Robinson has “resigned” his post. Before the release was issued, rumors had begun circulating that Robinson either had been or was on the verge of being dismissed.

“I want to thank Willy Robinson for his role in helping our defense, which he leaves in better shape than when he arrived,” the head coach said in a statement. “I have the utmost respect for Willy Robinson as an individual who wants the best for the young men he coaches. I give Willy credit for his part in the building process the last four years and wish him future success.”

Robinson had spent the past four seasons as the Razorbacks’ coordinator.

Florida DT Easley has torn ACL

Florida defensive tackle Dominique Easley won’t be available for the Gators on Jan. 2 when they take on Ohio State in the Gator Bowl, coach Will Muschamp confirmed over the weekend. Easley, a sophomore, suffered an ACL tear during Florida’s season-finale game against Florida State and was carted off the field. Easley will have surgery Wednesday.

Easley started all 12 games for Florida, making 37 tackles with 7.5 for a loss while totaling 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hurries and one blocked kick.

Ole Miss tabs Freeze as new head coach

Sunday, it was reported that Hugh Freeze was expected to be offered and accept the head-coaching position at Ole Miss. In a video message posted to Ole Miss’ official website, Archie Manning, who headed the Rebels’ coach search committee, announced that the school has indeed hired Freeze as its replacement for Houston Nutt. Freeze comes to Oxford from Arkansas State, where his Red Wolves capped off a 10-2 regular season with a Sun Belt conference crown in his first and only season at the school.

Manning said during video clip that the committee was “immediately wowed” by Freeze’s “plan, his energy, his track record of recruiting and his proven ability to win and win the right way.”

Richardson, Mathieu take AP’s top SEC honors

Set to square off in the BcS title game next month, Trent Richardson and Tyrann Mathieu took home top SEC honors from the Associated Press Monday afternoon. The Alabama running back was named the offensive player of the year, while the LSU cornerback was named defensive player of the year. Les Miles, coach of the unbeaten and top-ranked LSU Tigers, was named coach of the year. Georgia running back Isaiah Crowell, who’s rumored to be in the doghouse and possibly on the verge of transferring, was named Freshman of the Year. In addition to Richardson and Mathieu, there were two other unanimous selections to the All-SEC first team — Alabama offensive lineman Barrett Jones and Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones. LSU and Alabama tied for most first-team All-SEC selections with five, while LSU’s 11 on the first and second teams combined topped the conference. Alabama had eight total selections, followed by Arkansas (seven) and Georgia (six). Ole Miss was the lone school in the conference to not have a player named to either the first or second team, which could very well be the reason the Rebels were introducing a new head coach today.
by J. Taylor

Finalists for 2011 Heisman announced

Announced on ESPN shortly after 6 ET this evening, the grouping of finalists vying for the 77th edition of the award will include five of the top players in the country for the 2011 season. Here is the quintet of finalists — none of them seniors — as voted upon by former Heisman winners as well as select members of the media:

• Wisconsin running back Montee Ball
• Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III
• Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck
• LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu
• Alabama running back Trent Richardson

SEC, Tide dominate coaches’ All-American team

The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced its All-American team Monday, with the SEC leading all conferences with nine players selected — six of those coming from the defensive side of the ball. The Big Ten (six), Big 12 (five) and Pac-12 (three) were the only other conferences with more than one player.

The MAC had more players selected — one, Western Michigan wide receiver Jordan White — than automatic-qualifying BcS conference the Big East.

As for individual schools, Alabama had five players (two offense, three defense), while Oklahoma State and Wisconsin had three each and Georgia two. The Tide’s total of five marks the second-highest one-team total in the history of the AFCA All-American teams, which were first announced in 1945. Oklahoma in 2003 holds the AFCA record with six.

Unbeaten and top-ranked LSU had only one player selected to the AFCA team — defensive back Morris Claiborne.

Just two players from the 2010 team made the cut for the 2011 squad — Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon and Oregon running back LaMichael James, who made it this year as the AFCA’s all-purpose player.

Of the 25 players, 12 were seniors, 12 were juniors and 1 was a sophomore. The lone sophomore was Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones.

BCS National Championship Game – New Orleans, La.

LSU vs. Alabama Jan. 9 – 8:30 p.m. ET – ESPN
* - The game is the first intra-conference matchup for the national championship in the BCS era.
* - The game assures the SEC of its sixth straight national championship and 8th overall in the BCS era.
* - LSU has won two BCS National Championships – 2004 and 2008 (both coming at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans).
* - LSU won a 9-6 overtime thriller in Tuscaloosa earlier this season. This will be the first rematch for a National Championship since the 1996 season when Florida State defeated Florida, 24-21, in their regular-season meeting, followed by the Gators rolling to a 52-20 win in the 1997 Sugar Bowl to earn the national title.
* - Alabama won the BCS National Championship in 2010 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
* - LSU is 22-19-1 all-time in bowl games, winning five of the last six (all under Les Miles).
* - Alabama is 33-22-3 all-time in bowl games, having won four of the last six (Nick Saban is 3-1 in bowl games at Alabama).
* - Alabama and LSU are 1-2 in the best records in the SEC since 2007. The Crimson Tide are 49-12 (.8033) and the Tigers are 53-13 (.8030).
* - Alabama has the most defensive shutouts in the SEC since 1992 (17) and LSU is second (16).
* - Alabama and LSU are 1-2 in least offensive touchdowns allowed this season (Alabama-9 / LSU-13).
* - Since 2000, the average winning margin in the LSU-Alabama rivalry is 11.00 points per game. Seven of the 11 games have been decided by 9-points-or-less.
* - LSU and Alabama are 1-2 in the SEC in points per offensive drive this season. LSU averages 2.75 points per drive (413 points/150 drives started) while Alabama averages 2.59 points per drive (373 points / 144 drives started).
* - LSU and Alabama are also 1-2 in the SEC in drive efficiency. LSU scores on 48.0 percent of its offensive drives while Alabama scores on 46.5 percent of its drives. LSU scores touchdowns on 37.3 percent of its offensive drives while Alabama scores TDs on 34.0 percent of its drives.
* - Alabama leads SEC in defensive 3-and-outs, stopping opponents without a first down 50.3 percent of the time (72 of 143). LSU is seventh at 31.5 percent (51 of 162).
* - LSU and Alabama are 1-2 in least amount of turnovers and least amount of opponents scoring off of its turnovers. LSU has turned the ball over just nine times and opponents have scored just 18 points off of them. Alabama has 12 turnovers this season and opponents have scored just 10 points off of them.
* - LSU and Alabama are 1-2 in fourth quarter scoring margin this season. LSU is +101 in the fourth quarter (129-28) while Alabama is +87 (105-18).
* - Alabama leads the nation in eight defensive statistical categories, including total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense and passing defense. The last team to lead the nation in those four categories at the end of the year was Oklahoma in 1986.
* - LSU has given up just 29 points in the first quarter all season, which is second best in the SEC (27 vs. Georgia).
* - KEY PLAYERS: LSU CB Morris Claiborne and Alabama SAF Mark Barron are finalists for the Jim Thorpe and Nagurski Awards and was a semifinalist for the Bednarik … LSU CB/RS Tyrann Mathieu and Alabama LB Dont’a Hightower are finalists for the Bednarik Award … Alabama LB tandem of Courtney Upshaw and Hightower are finalists for the Lombardi and Butkus Awards … Alabama OG Barrett Jones is a finalist for the Outland … Alabama RB Trent Richardson is a finalist for the Doak Walker Award … LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis and Alabama assistant head coach/linebackers coach Sal Sunseri are finalists for the Broyles Award.

ATnT Cotton Bowl – Arlington, Texas

Arkansas vs. Kansas State Jan. 6 – 8 p.m. ET– FOX Sports
NOTES: The Razorbacks will be going to its 12th bowl game since joining the SEC … The Hogs are 12-23-3 all-time in bowl games … The Razorbacks have been to the Cotton Bowl 11 other times and are 3-7-1 … Kansas State leads the all-time series with Arkansas, 3-1 … The four meetings were between 1910 and 1926 … The last meeting was on Oct. 30, 1926 with KSU winning, 16-7 … Arkansas is 13th in the nation in passing offense (307.75 ypg), 15th in scoring offense (37.42 ppg) and 15th in punt returns (12.79 ypr) … QB Tyler Wilson is 21st in the nation and leads the SEC in total offense (283.4 ypg) … Wilson also leads the SEC in passing yards per game (285.2) and is 21st in the nation and fourth in the SEC in pass efficiency rating (148.7) … RS/WR Joe Adams leads the nation in punt returns, averaging 16.19 yards per return and P Dylan Breeding is 7th in punting, averaging 45.16 yards per boot … Arkansas defeated Texas A&M, 42-38, in an SEC-Big 12 game earlier this season while K-State won a four-OT thriller against A&M, 53-50 … Arkansas running backs coach/recruiting coordinator Tim Horton was an assistant (running backs) at Kansas State in 2006 …K-State is 7th in the nation in turnover margin (+1.08), 10th in kickoff returns (25.48 ypr), 29th in rushing offense (193.67 ypg) and 30th in scoring offense (33.08 ppg) … Freshman WR Tyler Lockett leads the nation in kickoff returns, averaging 35.19 yards per return … Junior defensive back Nigel Malone has seven interceptions and is tied for third in the nation.

TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl – Jacksonville, Fla.

Florida vs. Ohio State Jan. 2 – 1 p.m. ET– ESPN2
NOTES: The Gators will be going to their 21st straight bowl game … This will be the Gators first trip to the Gator Bowl since defeating N.C. State, 27-10, in the 1992 game … Florida is 19-19 all-time in bowl games … Former Gator coach Urban Meyer recently took the head coaching position at Ohio State … The only previous match-up between these two teams was the 2007 BCS National Championship in Glendale, Ariz., where Florida defeated Ohio State, 41-14 … Gators are 9th in the nation in total defense (299.58 ypg) and 9th in pass defense (167.25 ypg) … PK Caleb Sturgis is third in the nation in field goals (1.91 per game) and is a finalist for the Lou Groza Award, for nation’s top placekicker … RB’s Chris Rainey (2,393 yards) and Jeff Demps (2,440 yards) are both over 2,000 rushing yards in their careers … Ohio State is 24th in the nation in total defense (328.58 ypg), 26th in scoring defense (20.75 ppg) and 15th in pass defense (186.17 ypg) … Five of Ohio State’s six losses were by a touchdown or less.

Outback Bowl – Tampa, Fla.

Georgia vs. Michigan State Jan. 2 – 1 p.m. ET – ABC Sports
NOTES: Georgia will be going to its 11th straight bowl game under Mark Richt and its 15th straight overall … The ‘Dogs are 7-3 in bowls under Richt … These two teams met in the 2009 Capital One Bowl, with Georgia claiming a 24-12 win … The teams also met in the 1989 Gator Bowl, with Georgia winning, 34-27 … Those are the only two meetings in the series … Georgia is 2-1 in bowls after playing in the SEC Championship Game (2002 – def. Florida State, 26-13, in Sugar Bowl; 2003 – def. Purdue, 34-27, in Capital One Bowl; 2005 – lost to West Virginia, 35-38, in Sugar Bowl) … Georgia has not been to the Outback Bowl since 2005 when it defeated Wisconsin, 24-21 … Georgia is 3-0 all-time in the Outback Bowl … Georgia is 3rd in the nation in total defense (268.46 ypg), 4th in pass efficiency defense (98.27 rating), 7th in pass defense (165.08 ypg) and ninth in rushing defense (103.38 ypg) … DB Bacarri Rambo is tied for 3rd in the nation with seven interceptions … Sophomore QB Aaron Murray has thrown 57 career touchdown passes … The Spartans are 5th in the nation in total defense (272.69 ypg), seventh in sacks (3.08 per game) and ninth in scoring defense (17.46 ppg) … QB Kirk Cousins is 16th in the nation in pass efficiency rating (151.37) and WR B.J. Cunningham is 17th in the nation in receiving yards per game (95.38) … UGA Defensive Coordinator Todd Grantham was Assistant Head Coach & Defensive Line coach at Michigan State in 1998 and was D-Line coach in 1996-97.

Capital One Bowl – Orlando, Fla.

South Carolina vs. Nebraska Jan. 2 – 1 p.m. ET – ESPN
NOTES: The schools have met three times previously with Nebraska winning all three contest … Last meeting was Oct. 3, 1987 in Lincoln, with Nebraska claiming a 30-21 win … On Oct. 4, 1986 in Columbia, the Huskers took a 27-24 win … The only other meeting was a 28-6 NU win in Lincoln on Oct. 10, 1964 … Carolina is 4-12 all-time in bowl games and has been to bowls seven times since 2000 … Carolina is 3-9 all-time against current members of the Big Ten Conference with two wins over Ohio State (2001 & 2002 Outback Bowls) and Michigan (1980 at Michigan) … The Gamecocks are second in the nation in pass efficiency defense (92.42 rating), fourth in total defense (268.92 ypg), second in pass defense (133.00 ypg) and 13th in scoring defense (18.83 ppg) … DE Melvin Ingram is tied for 18th in the nation in sacks (0.71 per game) … QB Connor Shaw is 7-1 as a starter, completing 66 percent of his passes in his victories for 1,082 yards … Nebraska is 13th in the nation in rushing offense (223.92 ypg) and 8th in kickoff returns (25.90 ypr) … RB Rex Burkhead is 21st in the nation in rushing, averaging 105.67 yards per game … RS Ameer Abdullah is 10th in the nation in kickoff returns (29.96 ypr) and P/PK Brett Maher is 10th in the nation in punting (44.98 yards per game) and tied for 11th in field goals (1.58 per game) … Husker coach Bo Pelini was defensive coordinator at LSU from 2005-07 before taking over at Nebraska.

Chick-fil-A Bowl – Atlanta, Ga.

Auburn vs. Virginia Dec. 31 – 7:30 p.m. ET – ESPN
NOTES: The Auburn-Virginia series is tied 1-1 … Auburn won the 1997 season-opener in Charlottesville, 28-17, while Virginia won the 1998 season-opener on the Plains, 19-0 … Auburn is 21-13-2 in bowl games, having won its last four, including a 22-19 win against Oregon in last season’s BCS National Championship Game … The Tigers have been to the Chick-fil-A Bowl on four other occasions, the most recent being in 2007, defeating Clemson, 23-20 in overtime … The Tigers excel in special teams, they are 19th in the nation in net punting and 14th in kickoff returns … P Steven Clark is second in the SEC in percentage of punts inside the 20 (47.06; 32 of 68) … PK Cody Parkey has put 34 kickoffs for touchbacks, which is second in the SEC … RS Tre Mason is 19th in the nation in kickoff returns … The Cavaliers are 30th in the nation in total defense (343.17) and 34th against the run (128.33).

AutoZone Liberty Bowl – Memphis, Tenn.

Vanderbilt vs. Cincinnati Dec. 31 – 3:30 p.m. ET – ABC Sports
NOTES: Vanderbilt holds a 2-0 lead in the series … Two schools last played on Oct. 8, 1994, a 34-24 Commodore win … Schools also played on Oct. 9, 1993, with Vandy claiming a 17-7 victory … Vandy is 19th in nation in total defense (324.58 ypg) and 27th in rushing defense (123.00) … DB Casey Hayward is tied for 11th in the nation in interceptions … RB Zac Stacy set a school single-season rushing record in 2011 with 1,136 yards … He had five games of more than 100 yards and rushed for three TDs in three different games this season … Vanderbilt is 2-1-1 in bowl games, having won its last encounter, in the Music City Bowl, defeating Boston College, 16-14 … The Bearcats are 6th in the nation in rushing defense (93.67 ypg) and 11th in turnover margin (+0.92) … P Pat O’Donnell is 17th in nation in punting, averaging 43.93 yards per punt … Earlier this year, Tennessee defeated Cincinnati in Knoxville, 45-23.