2011 Under Armour All-America Game Highlights

Ditka and Mooch get preps fired up.

The game features some of the biggest plays of the game including future Gator Jeff Driskel’s 63-yard touchdown run, future Seminole Karlos Williams’ pick 6 and future Aggie Taylor Bertolet’s 24-yard field goal to win the game.

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A Special Message to Bloggers from Joakim Noah

Joakim Noah invites you to Chicago for Blogs With Balls 3. Except for one person, that is.

Blogs With Balls 3.0 | Joakim Noah from HHR on Vimeo.

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HHR Breaking News: Urban Meyer Press Conference Footage

He will NEVER RETIRE!

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The Cynic's Guide to College Football: Week 9

First off, I apologize for not getting a review post done last week—we had some family friends with a medical situation, so I just wasn’t around enough to write one. Hope you can forgive me and, fortunately, everything is all better now so I can get back to thinking about football.

Last weekend, I went to visit my parents in Dallas. Didn’t have anything else going on, so I decided to make the trip down to Waco for the Nebraska/Baylor game. The game itself, a 20-10 Cornhusker win, wasn’t much to write home about but it made me think just how much things can change during the course of a football season. Just a few weeks ago, Nebraska’s offense actually looked competent, Baylor phenom QB Robert Griffin was healthy and this looked like it could have been a good game. Since then, Griffin’s knee went kaput and Nebraska’s offense never met a turnover it didn’t like.

The Nebraska offense’s team bus arrives at the stadium.

The same is true on the national scene—at the start of the season, it looked like we could have an epic championship race with Florida, Texas and Oklahoma all returning their star QBs. But injuries and sloppy play have taken their toll. Honestly, is there anyone this year that you would consider a truly great team? Sure, those three plus Alabama, TCU, Boise State, Oregon are all playing some good football. But will whoever wins ever be mentioned in the same breath as great teams of the past? Not likely. Anyway, on to my review of other bad football from the past couple of weeks.

Fading Reds

Speaking of the Cornhuskers, this Saturday’s Oklahoma/Nebraska game marks just the second time since 1969 when neither team was ranked in the top 15. While I understand that money rules college football and that’s why the Big 12 exists, I’m still saddened by the fading of this once-great rivalry. Growing up, Oklahoma/Nebraska was a Thanksgiving tradition between two great powerhouses. Now, it’s just another game. Sigh.

The Game of the Century. Gone but not forgotten.

Throw the Flag. Or Not.

You know things are bad when fans and the media spend more time complaining about SEC officiating than preaching the gospel according to Tebow. Is it just me or has officiating across the country been terrible this year? Not just on judgment calls like pass interference or personal fouls, but on truly bad calls that were either made incorrectly (balls not crossing the goal line) or not called (outrageous personal fouls that go unflagged). And then they review every other play. And they STILL don’t get calls right. There’s been a lot of focus on SEC refs and officials taking 14 points away from Indiana based on dubious (to put it mildly) calls vs. Iowa, but the bad officiating has been equal opportunity this year.

Think you could do better?

Justice is Served

Let’s see: Dez Bryant tells a lie and is banned from football for a year. Brandon Spikes tries to gouge someone’s eyes out and he has to sit out one half one game. Against Vanderbilt. Am I missing something here?

Could be worse. He could have been punished by having to play FOR Vanderbilt.

Pick Your Poison

Worst Division in Football: ACC Atlantic vs. Big 12 North. Discuss.

Hail to the . . . um, Whatever

Rich Rodriguez’s trip off the hot seat was short-lived. It’s amazing what losses to your in-state rival and a previously 1-6 team will do to erase memories over your 4-0 start.

Give Coach Rod credit: it’s not easy making Ron Zook look good.

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Rusty Vs. Rev: Florida Vs. LSU

Each week, HHR's Southern Gents, Rusty and Rev. Shaw Moore, will steal a page from NASCAR.com and go Head2Head and argue the winners of one of the week's upcoming marquee games.

Rev Takes LSU


For LSU, the start of SEC play has been heart-stopping to say the least. Against lowly Mississippi State, the Tigers needed a spectacular punt return for a TD and a last-minute, goal line stand to hold off the Bulldogs. Then, last week against the Bulldogs from Georgia, LSU got the biggest, most undeserved early Christmas present in the 2009 season when the refs handed out a completely bogus excessive celebration penalty on UGA wideout A.J. Green in the closing minutes of that game. I don’t know what exactly was excessive about the celebration, but the penalty did move LSU into great field position for a winning TD run by Charles Scott.

It certainly hasn’t been pretty – but in all reality, SEC football rarely is. The important thing for LSU is that they are still undefeated and keeping pace with Auburn and Alabama in the West. And while their first two SEC games haven’t been picture perfect, they’ve got a great shot to polish their image with Florida rolling into town this week.

What’s astonishing about LSU and Florida that the winner of this game has gone on to win the last three BCS championships. Now consider that Florida has been an odds-on favorite to make it to the championship since the start of the season, those hopes would have been in major jeopardy had this game been played last week. Human battering ram Tim Tebow was battered himself, sidelined with a concussion he received against Kentucky. As for the rest of the team, they were all fighting the effects of a flu virus that apparently spread through that locker room like the plague in Middle Ages Europe. Fortunately for Florida, last week was their bye week, so they got a week to recover and prepare for the biggest game on their 2009 schedule.

Still, with that week off, there are lingering doubts as to Tebow’s condition and availability. He’s apparently still a game-time decision, and it’s anybody’s guess how well he could play coming off the concussion. Keep in mind, Tebow is usually the one handing out the punishment. Now with soup for brains, it will be interesting to see if Tebow is able to keep that same aggressiveness that has been his trademark these past 3 ½ years.

Tebow’s injury status aside, LSU will still be up against their biggest challenge to date. The Tigers have been positively horrible on offense – as a unit, they rank 99th out of 120 teams. It doesn’t make matters any easier considering Florida has the number one ranked defense in the country. I don’t expect LSU to score much at all on offense against UF, so special teams will be absolutely critical for the Tigers. Mighty-mite Trindon Holliday will have to have a big game returning kickoffs and punts to maintain manageable field position for LSU. Plus, he’s got the combination of speed and elusiveness that makes him a threat to take one to the house at any time.

While LSU may be slightly less talented overall than Florida, they do have one major factor working in their favor: the Tigers are damn-near unbeatable at home. The crowd at Death Valley on Saturday nights can be a crazy deranged mob, and I mean that in the nicest way possible. Mix in a chance of rain and way to much whiskey in the stands, and you know it will be the most inhospitable environment Florida will face all year. I’m calling this one for LSU: 17-14.

Rusty Takes the Gators


While the college football world tries to read the tea leaves and determine if His Excellency Tim Tebow will start tomorrow against the LSU Tigers, Rusty isn’t going to worry about it. With or without Tebow, the Gators are still the best team in college football. Tebow's good (see an earlier post before the game against Tennessee), but he's not everything. The Florida offense has not shown any real weakness this year, scoring less than 40 points only once; a 23-13 win against Tennessee. In the other 3 games, Florida has tallied an amazing 159 points.

By facing cupcakes the likes of Troy and Charleston Southern, Urban Meyer's had a prolonged preseason to get his team warmed up and ready for the serious play in the SEC. As the Rev said, the winner of this game has gone on to win the BCS the last several years. Make no mistake about it, the coaches, players and everyone involved know that. So, while LSU's had to battle to get here, Florida's bowled over a few opponents and is hitting 4th gear coming into this weekend's game.

The Florida offense ranks #3 in the country, amassing an average of 526 yards a game. When the Gators make it into the red zone, they score over 90 percent of the time, and over two thirds of the time it's for 7. These boys from the Swamp know how to score. Now, granted, Tebow has accounted for a considerable portion of that offense, but it's not the passing attack that's propelling the Gators to the top. Florida is only ranked #58 in passing efficiency, but the Gators possess the #1 rushing attack with two great backs carrying the load with Tebow. Sophomore Jeff Demps and Junior Chris Rainey have combined to average well over 100 yards a game. Against a rushing defense that's giving up over a hundred yards every week, I would imagine this dynamic duo to keep racking up respectable numbers against the Tigers.

On the other side of the ball, Florida's been even more dominant. The Gators are bringing the #1 Defense in the country into Tiger Stadium tomorrow night. This is a defense that is giving up less than 215 yards of offense a week. Opposing teams have only seen double digits once against Florida, and that was Tennessee who only scored 13. Finding the end zone is going to be tough for LSU, no matter how many screaming Cajuns are bussed into Baton Rouge.

So, with an offense that's just hitting it's stride, a defense that able to crush opponents, I expect with or without Tebow, the Gators will win this weekend on their way to a 3rd national title. Florida wins 24-17.

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Tim Tebow Brings Visions of Terry Baker

When Kentucky coach Rich Brooks thinks Tim Tebow, he's reminded of his old Oregon State teammate and former Heisman winner Terry Baker. Obviously.

Via One Great Season...

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Rusty Vs. Rev: Florida Vs. UT

Each week, HHR's Southern Gents, Rusty and Rev. Shaw Moore, will steal a page from NASCAR.com and go Head2Head and argue the winners of one of the week's upcoming marquee games.

Rev Pick the Vols.


Florida has won four straight against Tennessee, including a 59-20 romp over the Vols last year in Knoxville. For those of us who’ve watched SEC football for most our lives, I think we can all agree that the world was a better place when this was an actual hot-blooded rivalry. So allow me to send a big “THANK YOU” to Vols coach Lane Kiffin for doing the unthinkable: calling out Urban Meyer and the Gators. As I write, I’m sure the Gator faithful are loading up on the brown water in preparation for Saturday’s big game.

Though Kiffin has next to no standing in the SEC, I like the fact that he’s trash talking Florida. Clearly, the Tennessee fan base is depressed – except for a freak appearance in the SEC title game, the last four or five years of the Phil Fulmer regime were enough to make ole’ Smoky howl in disgust. Vols fans need something to cheer about, or at least a leader to rally around.

On the other hand, it’s entirely possible that Kiffin’s remarks weren’t as innocent as that. From Athens to Baton Rouge, the hatred for the Gators is near universal – so give Kiffin a little credit for saying what everyone else in the league thinks, but would never dare say.

Clearly Florida is the superior team heading in to Saturday’s matchup, led by Mr. Universe, Tim Tebow. That doesn’t mean that the Vols don’t have a chance. I might be one of the (very) few who believes this, but I think the Vols are going to give the Gators a pretty good fight on Saturday.

Tennessee’s obvious strength is their defense. The Vols sport their own Mr. Universe, of sorts, in All-American safety Eric Berry – he’s one of the premier defensive talents in the country, and he won’t hesitate to blow up any ball carrier if given the chance. Though the Vols lost last week vs. UCLA, you can’t fault the D – they yielded only 186 total yards and four field goals to the Bruins. Plus, with former NFL defensive savant Monte Kiffin calling the shots, I think Florida’s gimmick spread offense could be in for a challenge it hasn’t seen for quite some time.

The offense, well … that’s another story. QB Jonathan Crompton was highly regarded coming out of high school, but he has fallen far short of his billing so far in college. He was simply atrocious against UCLA last week (13/26, 93 yards, 3 Int’s), almost single-handedly tanking the game for UT. He’ll get his shot to do better this week – Crompton is sure to see seven- and eight-man fronts from Florida, who I expect will load up to stop the run (UT backs Montario Hardesty and Bryce Brown combined for 40 carries last week). Quick, intermediate routes should be there for Crompton; but after last week’s performance, it’s anybody’s guess whether he’ll be completing those passes to UT receivers or to Florida defenders.

All that aside, it was just a year ago that Ole Miss marched into the Swamp and upset Florida. I think it can happen again here. Tennessee has to get better production out of their offense this week and not turn the ball over so carelessly. Tennessee rang up 63 points in week one against Western Kentucky; obviously they’ll face a much, much more talented foe this week, but you know there is some talent on that side of the ball. I expect the UT defense to play as well as any unit the Gators will face this year, and if they can force some turnovers of their own – look out! Lane Kiffin better start learning the words to Rocky Top, because I’m calling the upset special: 28-26 in favor of the Vols.


Rusty Takes Tebow.
























Ole Rusty knew the Rev, or All-In as he's known in other circles, was a gambler, but this is just insanity. Thinking that UT has a snowball's chance at beating Florida, especially in the Swamp, makes as much sense as a screen door on a submarine. Why, you may ask? I've got 1 word for you, TEBOW!!!! This kid is good. He's like Jesus, Buddha, Muhammed, and Obama all wrapped up in one package. He throws TD's, he runs for TD's, he teaches Sunday School, he wins Heisman's, I think he even does your taxes.

In addition to Tebow on offense, the defending national champion Gators brought back all 11 starters on defense. On the offensive side of the ball, one of the few big losses was star wideout Percy Harvin, who's now playing ball on Sundays. His loss does hurt, but with so many other weapons, including Tebow (I really cannot mention him enough) and a stout defense, Florida should easily be able to handle Tennessee. At the running back position, Florida's got a cadre of talent and they all get to run behind of the best offensive lines in the NCAA.

It's quickly easy to see why Florida's got the #1 offense in the country. In Florida's first two games against Charleston Southern and Troy, they chalked up an amazing 118 points, while the defense only gave up 9. They are fast, big, and able to run up the score, quickly.

Now, as if going down to the swamp to play the Gator behemoth isn't enough of a challenge, Tennessee decided they'd get into a war of words and hurl some verbal footballs down to Gainesville, too. Now, if you've gotta go climb a tree, does it make sense to stir up the hornet's nest hanging from the branch, first?

So, make no mistake about it, Urban Meyer will have his boys more than ready, and the Swamp will be jumping come Saturday. Tennessee's got a new coach, a questionable quarterback, and has to go on the road to one of the toughest places to play against the #1 team in the country with JesuBamahammeda at the helm. Sorry, Rev . . . the Gators win this one, and win it big.

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Congresswoman Gradulates Gators BS Championship Game Goal

This lady makes Rickey Henderson seem like a cunning linguist. Or perhaps it IS Rickey practicing for his induction speech in drag.

Go Gator.

Best defense plays that I've seen. Gradulations, Corch Myers.

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7 Y/O Gator Fan Has Post Championship Hangover

Is this going to last forever?

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CR Dunbar: Government at Work

Economic Crisis? Who cares. Spiraling deficit? So. Entitlement programs run amok? Ah well.

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on a resolution honoring the Florida Gators and their BCS National Championship. The much-needed legislation finally puts members of Congress on record with declarations such as:

• The Gators have become one of the premier athletic and academic institutions in the country;
• The Gators improved their BCS Championship game record to 2-0;
• The Gators finished the 2008 season with a 13-1 record, matching the single-season school record for wins (also 13-1 in 2006);
• Coach Meyer became the 14th youngest head coach to win a pair of national titles since 1950;
• Tim Tebow showed why he is one of the most versatile quarterbacks in college football history by completing 18 of 30 passes for 231 yards and 2 touchdowns and rushing for 109 yards, the third highest ground total by a quarterback in a BCS title game;
• Florida's defense held Sooner quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford to 256 passing yards, his third-lowest of the season and his first two-interception game since October 11, 2008;
• The Gators' players and coaches football team represent the University of Florida and the State of Florida with honor and integrity;

Thank you, Nancy, for tackling the tough issues with a smile on your face.



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Obama Congratulates UF, Then Questions Their Right to Claim Championship

BCS system is so not cool, man.

The Hill reports that President-Elect Obama congratulated the Florida Gators on winning the BCS Championship Game last night. But one has to question just how sincere he was about it as he while reiterated his want of a College Football Playoff:

"If I'm Utah, if I'm USC, or if I'm Texas, I may still have some quibbles. And you've heard my pitch. That's why we need a playoff."

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Separated at Birth: Unsolved Mysteries

A great big offensive chop to our friends at Tomahawk Nation for pointing out this one...

We would like to reiterate TN's disclaimer:

Note: To my knowledge, Urban has never claimed responsibility for unsolved crimes in an attempt to get a free trip back to the United States.

The Cynic’s Guide to College Football, Week 13

A Florida State football player wins a prestigious award—for academics. Notre Dame loses at home on Senior Day to an 8-loss Syracuse with a lame-duck coach. Guns n’ Roses releases a new album. All things that, ten years ago, we never thought we would see. Yet they all happened this weekend, showing that when you expect the unexpected, bad things sometimes happen. (Except the GNR album—much to my surprise, it’s actually pretty freakin’ good.)

1. Win One for Ty. Or Not.

Thanks to the brilliant foresight of FSN, the entire country was able to see last week’s Washington/Washington State game. Fortunately for them, there are enough people across the country who like watching train wrecks to make the game palatable. The Sporting News put it best, when they called the game “essential viewing of the most desperate sort, like watching two homeless men fight over the last can of Sterno in an alley. You'll hate yourself for watching it, you really will ... but you won't be able to look away, either.” Really, as bad as these teams are, was there really any way for it to be decided but a missed field goal in the second OT?

Secretly obtained photo of Washington special teams practice.

Washington still has one chance to save its season with a 12/7 game at California. Anyone want to take that bet?

2. Remember That Time When Notre Dame Was Relevant?

Early in the fourth quarter, Notre Dame led Syracuse by a score of 23-10. And then the epic choke began. Syracuse came back to win 24-23. So which is the worst part of this week’s loss for Notre Dame?

(A) The Domers had more penalty yards (50) than rushing yards (41)
(B) They had their first loss ever to a team with eight losses.
(C) The ND players were pelted with snowballs from their own “fans” (and I use that term very loosely)
(D) The Irish likely played themselves out of an invite to the Gator Bowl in sunny Orlando and into a trip to the Sun Bowl in El Paso.
(E) All of the above.

The Sun Bowl is nice, but it’s no Olive Garden Never-Ending Pasta Bowl

3. No Cupcakes on This Thanksgiving Table

Florida vs. The Citadel?!?!? What the hell?!?!?! This is the time of the year for turkey, dressing and enough desserts to make your coronary arteries beg for mercy. September is the month for cupcakes. Get it right, Gators.

Well, I guess there is one way to have both.

4. That’s Alright, That’s OK, You’ll Be Working for Him Someday

In a follow-up to a story we wrote about last week, Florida State safety Myron Rolle was one of 32 American students to be awarded a Rhodes Scholarship last Saturday. He received the word at 5:22 pm EST, had a police escort to the airport and were airborne at 6:15. Rolle made it to College Park, MD and, courtesy of another police escort, was at the stadium and suited up late in the second quarter. Florida State then rolled to a 37-3 victory.

Congrats to Mr. Rolle. It’s very rare that I get to use the phrases “bigtime college football player” and “police escort” in the same story and have it actually be something positive.


Rolle had an even better day than this guy.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

UF Columnist is Not Amused by Gator Nation's Sophomoric Humor

While the Gators left a bad taste in the 'Cocks mouths this Saturday, hammering the 'Cocks 56-6, going into the weekend, one Florida pundit was not amused by Gator fans' reference to their opponent's Cocky nickname.

Cocks.

'Beat the Cocks' needs to beat it

Every year, without fail, my eyes are subjected to UF fans holding signs with that sophomoric drivel or some variant thereof — “Spurrier loves the Cocks,” perhaps, or “Block the Cocks.”

Enough already. We get it. They’ve probably been putting that catchphrase on T-shirts since before your parents were born.

If any of you bring those signs to Saturday's game, you’re no better than the opposing fans who bring the oh-so-trite "Teabag Tebow” messages into The Swamp or the countless Southeastern Conference fans who get joy out of adding “-eaux” to every word in their signs the week of an LSU game.

Gators fans are supposed to be better than that, supposed to be above the commonplace abuse that every other school surely throws in the Gamecocks’ direction. I know you can do better.

Sure you beat the hell out of the Cocks this weekend. But you're better than that, Gainsvillians. You're supposed to be the cock of the walk.

What? No (Chris) Smelley 'Cock reference?

The Cynic's Guide to College Football, Week 9

It's kind of appropriate that tomorrow is Halloween, because we're entering the Dead Zone. You know--that time of year when the World Series is over (for all six people outside the Philly metro area who actually cared) and the unmitigated evil of the NBA is upon us, but see-who-can-find-the-remote-and-hit-the-mute-button-before-Dick-Vitale-can-talk season (also known as college hoops) hasn't gotten here yet.

Scary, ain't it?

It's hard to believe that we're in the homestretch of the college football season. Everyone is nearly two-thirds of the way through the season and things are getting weirder by the week. With that, I give you your weekly dose of the Dark Side of college football. Happy Halloween everyone. And don’t forget to vote!

1. To Burn or Not to Burn

On paper at the start of the season, last Thursday’s West Virginia/Auburn game looked like it could have serious national title implications. After all, the two teams were the preseason #8 and #10 teams in the country. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Last Thursday’s game between these two was really just about saving face. West Virginia was able to do so, rolling off 31 unanswered points, en route to a 34-17 win that bumped their record to 5-2. They’re still very much in the mix for a BCS bid in the weakened Big East. But how bad are things for Auburn? So bad that West Virginia fans were wondering if beating the Tigers was even worth burning a couch over.

Warning: Contents are flammable.

2. Whodathunkit

Which is more improbable: that, nine weeks into the season, an 81-year old Joe Paterno has a legit shot at his first undefeated season since a then-22 year old Kerry Collins led the Nittany Lions to a 12-0 mark in 1994? Or that a now-36 year old Collins is an NFL starting quarterback and is leading the only undefeated team in the country?

The odds were this long!

3. The Joke’s On Kentucky

A week ago I wrote about Kentucky offensive coordinator Joker Phillips and wondered how he got his nickname. Well after seeing some of the Wildcats’ offensive performance in their 63-5 loss at Florida last weekend, now I think I know. To be fair, Kentucky was battling a ton of injuries. But three offensive points?

The Joker enjoying his trip to Florida. The same can't be said for the rest of the Wildcat faithful.

4. Can Drug Use Be Justified?

Fifteen North Texas football players reportedly tested positive for some kind of drug use. But let’s be honest—if you played for UNT, you were 0-8, had given up less than 40 points only once this season and had been outscored 400-135, you’d probably need something to take the edge off as well.

UNT's backup long snapper.

5. OK, who had October 27 in the Pool?

Look, we all knew the end was coming for Tyrone Willingham. But getting fired after losing to the team you were at previously? Talk about adding insult to injury.

6. You Can’t Buy Votes . . . But I’ve Got Two on the Fifty.

With the election just around the corner, I had to throw in one story with a political bent—earlier this week, former Ohio state representative John Widowfield pled guilty to two counts of using campaign money to buy Ohio State football tickets—and then scalp them. He had reportedly made nearly $14,000 in profits between 2003 and 2006, but resigned from the Legislature in May when their Ethics Committee began investigating.

Free market entrepreneur? Evil bloodsucking parasite? Or your next governor?

7. Iowa State is the New Baylor

The reports of the Big 12 North’s resurgence have been greatly exaggerated. After last year’s great runs by Kansas and Missouri, lots of people were saying that the Big 12 North had finally turned a corner and would be on an equal footing with the South. Missouri had national title and Heisman hopes. Kansas had no reason to believe they couldn’t be back in the BCS. This was supposed to be the year that Dan and Cody Hawkins moved Colorado up to the next level. And Bo Pelini was going to get Nebraska turned around. Well, those dreams may have to wait a while. Missouri’s title hopes are down the drain, followed closely by the Chase Daniel for Heisman campaign. KU already has three times as many losses as it did all of last season. If anything, the Buffaloes have actually taken a step backwards. Nebraska, while showing signs of life, is also showing that rebuilding projects don’t happen overnight. The “Fire Ron Prince” bandwagon is picking up steam at Kansas State. And Iowa State fans, modest as their expectations are, have still been disappointed by the Gene Chizik era. To date, the North is just 2-10 against the South this season (Nebraska over Baylor and Kansas State over Texas A&M).

That said, I wouldn’t encourage Oklahoma and Texas fans to get too comfortable. A decade ago, Nebraska, Kansas State and Colorado ruled the Big 12 and fans of those teams thought that’s the way it would always be. But then strange things happened. People like Tom Osborne and Bill Snyder retired. People like Bob Stoops, Mack Brown, Gary Barnett and Steve Pederson were hired. And just like that, the pendulum swung south. But believe me, it can—and sooner or later will—swing back north just as quickly.

The Big 12 (and Thanksgiving--not Halloweeen--weekend) the way God intended it.

However, in 2008 . . .

8. Abandon Hope, All Ye Who Enter the Big 12 South

While I’m not sure if this says more about these teams or the overall mediocre state of college football right now, has there ever been any division more dominant than the Big 12 South right now? You could make a pretty solid argument that the four teams playing the best football in the country right now all reside in the same division. After successive victories over OU, Missouri and Oklahoma State, there’s no doubt that Texas is legit. Oklahoma State certainly acquitted itself well enough on Saturday to show it belongs in the mix. Oklahoma hung 55 points in the first half this weekend (although only three in the second, and their defense is an issue). And Texas Tech, the team with the most question marks coming in, hung 63 on the road against a good Kansas team. No disrespect intended to Penn State or Alabama but, if my job depended on winning just one game, I’m not so sure I wouldn’t choose to play one of them instead of taking on anyone from the Big 12’s Murderer’s Row.

Erin Andrews : More than 5-10 and Blonde

Erin Andrews, in Gainesville filming for the horrific ESPN segment "Tittletown," talked with the campus' The Independent Florida Alligator about her "humbling" success and notoriety.

"I just want people to realize that there is more to me than being 5-10 and blonde. I actually do my own work, and I study a lot. People don’t know how much hard work goes into this.

I know that the window of people screaming my name isn’t going to last forever. I know that the next best young thing is going to come around sooner or later. I’m just trying to soak it all in while I can."

While we aren't as rabid as most Andrews fans out there (color us Wolf hounds), we admire the fact that she does bring credibility with her good looks. Which is a refreshing combination. She seems to recognize the inevitable environment that surrounds her given appearance and her profession's target demographic, and takes it all in stride, with class, restraint and humor.

Anti-Obama Vandalism Asks "How ‘Bout them Gators"

Barry must be a 'Nole...

Jorts Photo: SECTalk.com

City Vehicles Painted with Anti-Obama Sayings

The vandal or vandals appear to have political intentions; most of the vehicles were spray painted with anti Obama sayings, with ‘Obama’ misspelled several times. Some of their vehicles had their gas caps removed.

The person or persons left a business card with political ramblings and other phrases such as ‘How ‘Bout them Gators’ and ‘Legalize Marijuana/ Stop Building Prisons’.

NBA Players Getting Educated

The Independent Florida Alligator brings us news that is, well, refreshing.

Members of the '06/'07 Gators' championship team, Atlanta Hawk Al Horford and Denver Nugget Taurean Green, are back on campus this summer working towards their degrees.

Says Green, "People ask why we come back, because we're making a lot of money now. But there's life after basketball, so you might as well come back and get it done. Basketball is not forever. I wish it could be, but it's not."

While people chide the NBA's crackdown on athletes' attire and age restrictions, it's good to see two dudes with their priorities in mind and voluntarily looking out for their own best interests in terms of furthering theirselves off the court.

How do you expect me to build a successful program with all these smart kids??

Spurrier is livid with South Carolina's academic policy and admission process.



If only he had fine upstanding players like back in the old days.


Thanks to Losers with Socks for the Florida Rap sheet....