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!