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Bleacher Report: The Florida Gators Can Salvage The Season By Embracing "The U"

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:14:32 -0500

"The U" is an ESPN 30 for 30 film detailing the 1983–1994 run of the Miami Hurricanes football program. It isn't the end–all sports movie, but it's really good. If you are even remotely interested in college football you should watch it or DVR it.

It's been nine days since the' [...]

Bleacher Report: Cotton Bowl Bound: Oklahoma State Prepares For a Familiar Bowl Foe

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:34:14 -0500

Oklahoma State will return to a familiar place come January 2nd, as they head to Dallas, TX to play in the Cotton Bowl.

Head coach Mike Gundy will now have to prepare his team for a game against a familiar Cotton Bowl opponent. The last time the Cowboys appeared in the [...]

The House Rock Built: Stuffing the Passer - Coach Kelly Gets Grilled

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:37:00 -0500

Number of comments: 2
After a long dark nightmare of a coaching search, Notre Dame has finally found its man in Brian Kelly (and, also, apparently, a thirteen year-old to design a website for him). However, before he takes over the reins, he has to face his toughest critics in muppet Golden Tate [...]

Bleacher Report: Big Ten Expansion Will Eliminate Late-Season Exposure Issues and Bowl Problems

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:35:15 -0500

Earlier today, Big Ten ADs led by Wisconsin AD and former head coach Barry Alvarez announced they would create a committee to potentially expand the conference to a twelfth team.

None of this will result in immediate expansion within two years for certain, but down the road the Midwest might [...]

Deadspin: Forget It Jake. It's Dodgertown. [Mlb]

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:00:00 -0500

Number of comments: 9
The Frank McCourt divorce gets more bizarre by the day. After last week's mini-scandal featuring a homewrecking chauffeur and the Taiwanese goverment, I have to wonder why this isn't the biggest...' [...]

Bleacher Report: The Eight Improvements That Will Return Notre Dame To Glory

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:57:37 -0500

This slideshow is a presentation of the eight improvements Notre Dame needs to address in order to become an elite college football team in the 21st Century. In my previous article I stated that with the new coaching staff being assembled and the dismal track record of the previous thirteen [...]

Burnt Orange Nation: Open Game Thread: UT-Pan Am at Texas

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:57:06 -0500

Next Game

Texas-Pan American Broncos @ Texas Longhorns

Tuesday, Dec 15, 2009, 7:00 PM CST
Frank Erwin Center

KenPom Ratings: Texas #1, UT-Pan Am #306
KenPom Predictor: Texas, 96-50

TV: Fox Sports SW

Jai Lucas, Texas Longhorn

posted by Peter Bean about 4 hours [...]

Bruins Nation: Football/Basketball Podcasts Back to Back (Wed., 6 pm PST)

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:30:16 -0500

Just as was the case last week, tomorrow night will be a BruinsNation podcast night. The night will kick off at 6 pm PST when we'll have the football podcast and a bowl game podcast at that. UCLA is heading to the EagleBank Bowl in Washington DC, giving the East' [...]

Bleacher Report: Florida Gator's New Uniforms Bite

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:12:35 -0500

"They looked like a bunch of nurses out there!" commented a good friend of mine (never mind the way they played in the SEC Championship Game.)

The Gators were outfitted in new uniforms for the Florida State game.

Apparently, the marketing wizards at Team Swoosh (along with their complicit university sycophants), came [...]

Football recruiting | ajc.com: Latest: UGA commit Stripling says he ‘may’ visit GT, UT

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:59:57 -0500

Number of comments: 10

OK, I finally got T.J. Stripling cornered long enough to talk to him about all this chatter going on about him.

Southwest DeKalb's T.J. Stripling insists he's still very [...]

Bleacher Report: Breaking Down the Rose Bowl: Battle of the RBs

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:53:52 -0500

Continuing with position breakdowns, today I’ll go over the running backs. If you missed yesterday's, you can read about the quarterbacks here .

After losing first round pick Beanie Wells last season, there were questions about how effectively the Buckeyes would be able to run the ball. Coach Jim Tressel downplayed' [...]

Deadspin: Tiger Played The Senior Tour, Too [Duan!]

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:30:02 -0500

Number of comments: 40
Your evening Tiger Woods roundup: Everyone meet Theresa Rogers, paramour No. 14, who at 40-something years old represented a bit of an uphill lie for young Tiger. Tiger and Theresa go way back,... [...]

Bleacher Report: Colt McCoy's Heisman Loss Is More Fuel for Disrespected Longhorns

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:27:07 -0500

Be honest. You had to feel for Colt McCoy, if only a little.

This is the winningest quarterback in NCAA history we are talking about.

The guy who, in any other year, would have been a slam-dunk Heisman winner after the gargantuan numbers he produced in 2008.

The guy who kept a low [...]

Bleacher Report: How Colt McCoy, Toby Gerhart and Others Can Impact Their Draft Status In the Bowls

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:08:43 -0500

Aside from Senior Bowls, Shrine Games, and other cowtown talent shows of dubious validity, the bowls are the last opportunity for players to make a strong statement on their draft potential. It's a great time for tough runners to face stiff defenses, pocket passers to test their presence against the rush, [...]

Deadspin: Big Ten Considers Desperate Plea For Attention [College Football]

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:45:00 -0500

Number of comments: 55
The Big Ten is sad because no one pays attention to it after Thanksgiving, so it wants to add a new school and rebuild its entire organizational structure to play one extra football game. I have a... [...]

Bleacher Report: While Other Teams Fall, Ohio State Maintains Its Consistency

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:30:22 -0500

This season saw some great moments and some not so great moments for Buckeye fans. The wins against Penn State , Iowa and Michigan gave the season a high note. The bitter loss to USC and the collapse at Purdue left many fuming.

Expectations [...]

Dawg Sports: Erk Update: To the Veterans Committee We Go!

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:00:20 -0500

As you know, Erk Russell’s nomination to the College Football Hall of Fame was received by the National Football Foundation prior to the December 11 deadline. Out of an abundance of caution, I asked the Foundation’s special projects director to e-mail me to confirm that the package had [...]

EDSBS: OHIO STATE COMES AT YOU WITH A GANG OF CHILDREN

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:00:04 -0500

Number of comments: 11

“We don’t need no kicker ’cause we goin’ for two.” Oh, now we know you’re just making shit up, especially with number three receiver Duron Carter out for the Rose Bowl thanks to academics (along with defensive end Rob Rose.)

The intimidating thing in the clip are the ferocious-looking [...]

Deadspin: Mailbag: Getting Old Blows [Balls Deep]

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:55:03 -0500

Number of comments: 55
Time for your Deadspin Open Mailbag Tuesday. Email us here or submit your questions via Twitter. This week, we're covering belly buttons, nude modeling, iced poops, and dick pinching. This is the...' [...]

Bruins Nation: [UPDATEx2]Reggie Carter, Logan Paulsen & Bruin Seniors Let Down UCLA Football

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:44:59 -0500

[...]

Burnt Orange Nation: Big 12 Hoops Is On Top Of The World

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:33:12 -0500

Big 12 Hoops Is On Top Of The World

Excellent AP article on how strong the Big 12 is in basketball this year. (Once again, I should add. The perception that we're a football conference is comically outdated.) From the article:

Led by Kansas and Texas at the top of the polls,' [...]

Bleacher Report: Big Ten Conference Officially Announces Expansion Moved to Front Burner

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:20:54 -0500

Long considered a “back burner” issue, the Big Ten Conference released an official statement on Tuesday afternoon indicating that expansion would be informally explored by the commissioner over the next 12 to 18 months.

According to the Big Ten’s statement, “the timing is right for the conference to once again conduct [...]

Bleacher Report: BK's Preseason Top 25 College Football Teams for 2010

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:06:51 -0500

Yes, it's bloody early for this kind of list—we haven't even seen a bowl game yet!—but I've found one of the best ways to cope with the temporary symptoms of withdrawal stemming from the offseason is to start planning for next year. This list will change and shift once the bowls [...]

Deadspin: Eritrean Soccer Team Apparently Not Big Fans Of Eritrea [Soccer]

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:05:24 -0500

Number of comments: 69
A dozen members of Eritrea's national football team mysteriously "disappeared" after playing in a tournament in Kenya. (Not because of foul play. They are presumed to have defected.) Have they tried... [...]

Burnt Orange Nation: UT Faculty Council Criticizes Mack Brown's Raise

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:03:45 -0500

The University of Texas Faculty Council voted 23-15 in favor of a resolution criticizing Mack Brown's $2 million raise as "unseemly and inappropriate." The December 14th meeting was called to discuss the Report of the Intercollegiate Athletics Council, which you can read here. Because the Council lacked a quorum, [...]

mgoblog: Big Ten Expansion: Grid Of Judgment

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:57:22 -0500

The Crimson Quarry has an excellent post running down candidates in detail that sections of this post are derived from.

The Fringe

Schools that have been brought up at one time or another but are not worth a fuller discussion for various reasons.

Schools that would say no

Texas. Blame those Texas [...]

Pitt Blather: Forward Factors

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:50:35 -0500

Number of comments: 10
I won’t bore anyone with the details, but it was one of those situations where what started out as a couple minor things to do around the house this weekend got out of hand. The actual problems turned out to be much more involved, time consuming (and expensive). Add in [...]

Burnt Orange Nation: Jai Lucas, Texas Longhorn

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:49:32 -0500

A check of the calendar reveals that today is December 15th, which means Florida transfer Jai Lucas officially begins his tenure as a Texas Longhorn. The Statesman profiles the end of Lucas's wait, which arrives in time for tonight's match up against UT-Pan Am (7:00 CT, Erwin Center). [...]

Bruins Nation: 2009 BN Pac-10 Awards: Defensive Player of the Year

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:00:19 -0500

Junior Brian Price picks up 2009 BN Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year honors via latimesblogs.latimes.com

[...]

EDSBS: JOE PATERNO IS LIMBER OR BROKEN AT THE WAIST

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:58:49 -0500

Number of comments: 15

Hey, whaddya lookin’ at. I see you, there’s mirrors on my shoes just for this purpose. Walkin’ along last night and my back just went like this. When you’re four hundred and fifty-three this happens–er, “eighty-two.” Yeah, that’s what I meant. Eighty-two.”

(HT: NESN.) [...]

Bleacher Report: Clemson's C.J. Spiller's Reward Will Be An NFL 1st Round Draft Pick

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:51:06 -0500

The greatest running back in Clemson Tigers history—C.J. Spiller—is a first team All-American by every respected group that gives out such awards—but not as running back.

Spiller came up short in both the Heisman and Doak Walker award.

He was named the ACC Player of the Year, but was 2nd Team [...]

Bleacher Report: Virginia Football Won't Be Rebuilt in a Day

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:48:23 -0500

Mike London knew the challenge coming into Charlottesville.

The former head coach of the University of Richmond had two previous stints at Virginia before becoming the eventual successor to Al Groh after nine tumultuous seasons. He understands the culture and he recognizes the expectations upon him.

Most importantly, he realizes that this [...]

Burnt Orange Nation: Put Your Game Plan Where Your Mouth Is

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:39:34 -0500

Bumped. Your game plan theories/concoctions/wild ideas in the comments below.

Hey, its easy to criticize Coach Davis after the fact or even during the game; heck, I do that ALL the time...I actually believe I could call a better game, which may be ridiculous, as I only played basketball and [...]

SimonOnSports: NFL Week 14 Awards

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:35:00 -0500

Wow You Guys Suck: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, The Bucs gained ZERO yards in the first half. No really, their final yardage total in the first have was ZERO. The didn't gain a first down until midway through the 3rd quarter and the only reason they got a' [...]

mgoblog: Holy Crap: Big Ten Expansion For Serious

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:23:47 -0500

I got a couple requests in the inbox for a take on Big Ten expansion after Barry Alvarez made a comment the other day about the Big Ten adding that elusive twelfth team. On the assumption that Alvarez was just making an idle statement and expansion was a distant possibility [...]

Deadspin: Dad Now Says South Florida Coach Didn't Slap His Kid After All [College Football]

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:20:40 -0500

Number of comments: 59
Yesterday, a Fanhouse story accused USF football coach Jim Leavitt of striking one of his players, but today, the one person actually quoted about the allegations says Leavitt didn't hit anybody. Oh,...' [...]

Bleacher Report: Texas Is the Perfect (Darkhorse) Candidate for Big Ten Expansion

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:17:46 -0500

Recently, as a result of comments by Wisconsin A.D. Barry Alvarez, rumors and discussion about the Big Ten adding a 12th team have abounded. Most of these rumors involve a certain school from South Bend; the rest generally involve the conference looking East (at Rutgers, Syracuse, or Pitt) or west [...]

TrojanWire: 2009 Team Awards

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:16:18 -0500

The Trojans held their annual end-of-the-year awards ceremony at the Nokia Club Sunday night. This years MVP is Damian Williams. Williams finished the season with 58 receptions for 821 yards and eight total touchdowns. Williams has until January 15th to decide if he will forgo his [...]

The Fanhouse: Erin Andrews Speaks in Court

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:15:00 -0500

Filed under: Sports Media, Sports Business and Media

LOS ANGELES -- On Tuesday in a Los Angeles federal court, ESPN sideline reporter Erin Andrews faced her stalker for the first time and told the court about the emotional damage inflicted by Michael [...]

mgoblog: Friday Night Lights 2009: 12-15

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:13:18 -0500

If you can help out finding articles on any of the commits, e-mail me, and I'll try to include your contribution. This should be one of the last couple updates, since every current commit's season has now finished.

LA Slot WR Drew Dileo

Last week: Pregame' [...]

Bleacher Report: Big 10 Epanding to 12 Teams?

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:11:33 -0500

It's been a few years since this last happened, so it is possible that we are due for a bit of a shakeup. Of course I'm talking about realigning of major conferences. Not too long ago, the ACC raided the Big East to expand to 12 teams. The purpose was' [...]

Bleacher Report: SEC Football Teams Get Visit, Gifts, From Santa

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:57:36 -0500

Has your team been naughty or nice this year? What will Santa think of the season you hath wrought upon the college football landscape? Was it worthy of accolades or do you deserve a lump of coal and a one-year old slice of fruitcake? Division-I football is hard enough without having to play [...]

Deadspin: Erin Andrews Comes To Court To Face Her Peeper [Erin Andrews]

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:36:07 -0500

Number of comments: 54
A tipster points us to the LAT which has the story. He also said this: "I hear she is staying at the Westin Boneventure for what its worth...." Dick. [LAT] [...]

Football recruiting | ajc.com: T.J. Stripling says not visiting Tech, but maybe Tennessee

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:09:15 -0500

Number of comments: 10

Georgia commitment T.J. Stripling refuted a report by JacketsOnline.com that he’s visiting Georgia Tech this weekend.

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound defensive end from Southwest DeKalb confirmed that in a text to me a little while ago. But he’s in school today and couldn’t talk. However, he spoke with UGASports.com’s Kipp Adams [...]

EDSBS: PLACES A BOWL GAME SHOULD BE HELD: MOGADISHU

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:48:12 -0500

Number of comments: 15

EDSBS’s ongoing series on bowl games that should be held continues with: The Mogadishu Bowl.

Who: The D-1 teams with the weakest six-win seasons, so go ahead and pencil in K-State and someone else. A bottom tier SEC team would do, as well, though let’s just [...]

Bleacher Report: USF Investigation of Jim Leavitt Becomes National Issue

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:44:26 -0500

The University of South Florida and its head football coach, Jim Leavitt, are all over the national sports headlines and this time, it's not because the Bulls are losing their games in November.

AOL Fanhouse put out a story on Monday that Leavitt allegedly struck one of his players during halftime [...]

Fanblogs.com: Big Ten Considering Expansion Again?

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:38:52 -0500

Big 10 commissioner Jim Delaney has consistently said that conference expansion was a "back-burner issue". Now it appears that the conference will get more aggressive about finding a 12th member in order to qualify for a conference championship game. A conference official said this week that there is [...]

The Fanhouse: NFL Power Rankings, Week 15: Vacating the Throne

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:30:00 -0500

Filed under: NFL Power Rankings

Pittsburgh is not mathematically eliminated from the AFC playoff chase as we roll out our NFL Power Rankings for Week 15. With a few losses here or there plus a 3-0 close from the Steelers, they could squeak in [...]

The Fanhouse: Fantasy Football Live Chat

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:30:00 -0500

Filed under: NFL Waiver Wire, Expert Chats, Playoffs Advice

If you didn't know who Quinton Ganther was before, you definitely know now. Getting an extended look with Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts out of commission, the Redskins running back racked' [...]

Bleacher Report: Jake Locker's Return Brightens Washington Huskies' Outlook

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:19:06 -0500

The Seattle sports world rejoiced yesterday with the announcement that Jake Locker would return to the Washington Huskies for his senior season.

Forgoing his chance to become the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, Locker now has a chance to define the legacy he leaves with this Washington [...]

Deadspin: Texas Professors See Mack Brown Rolling, They Hating [College Football]

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:15:52 -0500

Number of comments: 96
An unofficial resolution passed by Texas' Faculty Council declares the football coach's $5 million pay package to be "unseemly and inappropriate." Unfortunately, he couldn't hear them as he was... [...]

Football recruiting | ajc.com: Grayson’s Pemberton commits to I-AA’s Austin Peay

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:05:01 -0500

Number of comments: 10

Grayson running back Ean Pemberton agreed to accept a scholarship offer from Austin Peay this morning, coach Mickey Conn said.

Grayson's Ean Pemberton,' [...]

SimonOnSports: Quicknotes: A Busy Hot Stove Day

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:01:00 -0500

Well yesterday was certainly an interesting day in the baseball offseason. The Red Sox made two huge signings. Two of the best ten pitchers in baseball were moved. The World Series MVP is now on a different team. So it's time for some quicknotes to cover the big day.

[...]

mgoblog: Take This Survey For The Naked Man

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:39:44 -0500

Hey. Remember last April Fool's Day when the banner on this site mysteriously changed to this guy?

Toby Hopp is the guy who sent that banner in. So you owe him. He's a grad student at SDSU studying user-generated content and he's got a survey for [...]

Bleacher Report: Laying the Foundation: USC Recruiting in 2009 (Briggs and Martin)

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:14:14 -0500

It is being reported by both ESPN and Scout.com that Trajuan Briggs, the 5'11", 192 lbs running back from Birmingham High School has rescinded his verbal pledge to the Trojans and instead will sign with California.

Briggs, rated as a three-star running back who has been described as not "overly big,' [...]

Deadspin: Missouri Basketball Players Say Cheerleader Beatdown Was Self-Defense [Women's College Basketball]

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:00:42 -0500

Number of comments: 45
Twist! The two Lady Tiger hoops players accused of roughing up a male cheerleader say that they did get physical with him, but only after he G-O-T A-G-G-R-E-S-S-I-V-E with their other female friend.... [...]

Deadspin: Everyone Talking About Tiger Woods, Except People Paid To Talk About Professional Golf [Tiger Woods]

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:45:29 -0500

Number of comments: 29
CBS golf commentator Ian Baker-Finch to The Sydney Morning Herald: "Mate, if I say one word about Tiger I will get fired." Maybe he could just whisper? [SMH] [...]

EDSBS: RECRUIT HIM OR LOSE OUT BAMA

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:43:42 -0500

Number of comments: 15

Recruit him or don’t. If you’re a pawn, you stay a pawn, even if you’re a smart-ass pawn. The king stay the king. (via Brian.)

[...]

Bleacher Report: NFP's 2009 Big Ten All-Prospect Team

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:05:50 -0500

In our continuing look at the top draft-eligible prospects from each conference, the National Football Post checks out the Big Ten.

The NFP’s 2009 SEC all-prospect team

The NFP’s 2009 Pac-10 all-prospect team

Offense

QB Mike Kafka, Northwestern

APNorthwestern QB Mike Kafka

This isn’t exactly a glowing review [...]

Bleacher Report: NFP's 2009 Pac-10 All-Prospect team

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:02:54 -0500

In part two of our look at the top draft-eligible prospects from each conference, the National Football Post looks at the Pac-10.

View the NFP’s 2009 SEC All-Prospect Team

The NFP’s 2009 Pac-10 All-Prospect Team.

Offense

QB Jake Locker, Washington

APWashington QB Jake Locker

Locker tied for the Pac-10 lead [...]

Bleacher Report: The Big East Must Keep Notre Dame from Joining the Big Ten

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:54:20 -0500

Ever since Barry Alvarez announced his desire for a 12th Big Ten member, the college sports world has been buzzing with expansion rumors. Most of these rumors involve Notre Dame; the rest generally involve Big East schools (specifically Rutgers, Syracuse, and Pitt). As the Big Ten isn't really considered to have' [...]

Dawg Sports: I think Georgia wins this one by ten. I am worried we will play them tough, but we'll be trailing...

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:51:24 -0500

I think Georgia wins this one by ten. I am worried we will play them tough, but we'll be trailing by a field goal late in the game and they'll tack on one more score to win it by double-digits.

Beergut shares his view of the Aggies' prospects' [...]

Bleacher Report: Rose Bowl a No-Win Situation for Ohio State

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:50:50 -0500

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

BROOKLYN—I'm no fortune teller, but I already know what people are going to be saying about Ohio State after it plays a very dangerous Oregon team in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.

If the Bucks beat the Ducks, everyone outside Columbus, particularly those in' [...]

Bruins Nation: Spaulding Roundup: The Week For Freshmen

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:50:28 -0500

Brehaut getting lots of reps. Photo Credit: dabruins07 (flickr)

View full size photo »

Hey thank God we still [...]

Bleacher Report: Butch Jones New Marshall Football Coach? Why Not Bobby Pruett?

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:48:33 -0500

An enormous amount of wind is being blown around in Huntington, W.Va, Many people want to see Central Michigan head football coach, Butch Jones, come to take over the helm of the sinking ship we call the Thundering Herd.

Am I opposed to Butch Jones? Yes. Yes, I am.

Reason number one [...]

Deadspin: Tiger's Latest Mistress: A Doping Scandal [Peds]

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:45:51 -0500

Number of comments: 62
Because Tiger Woods doesn't have enough problems right now, being embroiled in a drug investigation should liven things up a bit. At least he should be used to the innuendo, speculation, and...' [...]

Bleacher Report: Notre Dame Football: Brian Kelly's Second Day on the Job

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:26:47 -0500

Dec. 15, 2009, 8:30 AM, the phone rings in the Notre Dame Athletic Office:

Donna: Good morning, athletic office, Donna speaking.

BK: Donna, it's Coach Kelly, can you come into my office please?

Donna: Yes, Coach Kelly.

Donna enters Coach Kelly's Office:

BK: Donna, what's this on my wall?

Donna: Which wall, Coach Kelly?

BK: The one [...]

EDSBS: CURIOUS INDEX, 12/15/09

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:21:38 -0500

Number of comments: 10

ROARGH. Translated from Leavittese to English: I didn’t hit anyone, and I’m disappointed to hear anyone would accuse me of doing such things.

The only source quoted in the Brett McMurphy Fanhouse piece, Paul Miller, the father of the player allegedly slapped by [...]

Bruins Nation: Ben Ball Gameday Roundup: Howland Staying The Course (Sticking With Failed Starting Lineup)

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:07:12 -0500

Ben Howland and his basketball team (I think we can stop calling these guys "Ben Ball warriors") take on New Mexico State Aggies today to follow up on the debacle against Mississippi State. Honestly, I don't feel the normal excitement and sense of anticipation around UCLA basketball I have felt' [...]

Deadspin: Last Night's Winner: This Guy? [Wakeupdeadspin]

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:00:49 -0500

Number of comments: 75
In sports, everybody is a winner—some people just win better than others. Like this Mozambique soccer fan, who is thrilled....I guess? He's either elated or just got hit with a cattle prod. It... [...]

Bleacher Report: 670 the Score Radio Interview Audio and Reflections

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:40:00 -0500

Clashmore Mike staff writer Anthony Pilcher was interviewed Saturday on the Joe O. & Rock show on 670 The Score regarding the hiring of Brian Kelly as the head coach at Notre Dame.

What follows are some further responses and elaboration on questions from the interview. The audio [...]

SimonOnSports: Ken Rosenthal Deserves a Gigantic Apology from the Blogosphere

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:33:00 -0500

Number of comments: 1
Over the weekend Ken Rosenthal had a hunch. He had a feeling something big was going to happen but he had no proof. Normally he would probably hold onto this feeling and not publish it but this weekend he probably had one two many cups of egg [...]

The Fanhouse: Top 10 of a Deep NHL Rookie Class

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:00:00 -0500

(POST UPDATED at 2:00 to include Washington's Varlamov. I watched him play so much last April, I left him out as a rookie this season.)

tweetmeme_source = 'FanHouse'; How good is the 2009-10 NHL rookie class? It's so deep, impact youngsters such as 2009 fourth overall pick Evander Kane, [...]

The Fanhouse: Stars Keep Coming Up Short in Shootouts

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:00:00 -0500

Filed under: Stars

This is getting almost comical, though the Stars might argue it's more of a black comedy.

Dallas simply can't get the job done in overtime this year, particularly shootouts. So, of course, extra time is piling up left and right for' [...]

The Fanhouse: Fantasy Football Roundtable: Should You Bench Your Colts?

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:00:00 -0500

Filed under: NFL Start 'Em Sit 'Em

When the Indianapolis Colts defeated the Denver Broncos on Sunday, they had just about locked up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. When the Bengals lost their game against the Vikings, the Colts knew they'd' [...]

The Fanhouse: Mike Holmgren Reportedly Visiting Cleveland

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:35:00 -0500

Filed under: Browns, Seahawks

Former Packers and Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren is in Cleveland visiting with the Browns and discussing taking over the team's football operations.

Pat McManamon of the Akron Beacon Journal is reporting that Holmgren spent Monday afternoon and evening [...]

Bleacher Report: College Football: Baby's Losers Of The 2009 Season Bowls

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:51:30 -0500

The college football Bowls function as a reward for the players, schools, students, and fans. The Bowl season is rich in history and provides an entertaining comparison of various conference performances.. Too often, the Bowls avoid placing teams in the appropriate situation to measure comparative strength and weakness of any one [...]

Bleacher Report: Arkansas-East Carolina: Jesse Palmer, Razorbacks Will Win Big in Liberty Bowl

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:26:28 -0500

I've spent the past few weeks looking over game stats, individual stats, and team stats for the Arkansas Razorbacks and the East Carolina Pirates.

I have racked my brain trying to think of a way to put a spin on the 2009 AutoZone Liberty Bowl playing out, but I had drawn' [...]

mgoblog: Links for 2009-12-14 [del.icio.us]

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:00:00 -0500

Notebook: Blue still has question mark surrounding power play
no question here: it's bad, man. [...]

Bleacher Report: No. 14 BYU Vs. No. 16 Oregon State: Las Vegas Bowl Preview

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:59:48 -0500

For the first time in the history of the bowl, the Vegas Bowl will pit two ranked teams against each other.

Max Hall and Harvey Unga lead a prolific BYU offense against Jacquizz Rodgers and a dominating Oregon State offensive attack.

That should be enough to qualm the potential dissapointment of BYU [...]

Bleacher Report: Will the Recession Lead To Pac-10 Expansion?

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:59:07 -0500

University endowments nationwide have plunged an average of 23 percent since last July, the worst drop since the 1970s, according to the National Association of College and University Business Officers.

State subsidies for higher education are being slashed drastically as many states have severe budget deficits.

The State of California has a [...]

Fanblogs.com: Bowl Predictions

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:54:26 -0500

And now, regular reader Foster Keats gives his predictions AND renames the various bowls to his own anti-establishment liking:

It’s bowl season, my friends. Time to put those novels down, send the wives & kids to bed, and hunker down with non-stop football every day & night of the week until [...]

BCS Frenzy: College Football Coaching Update, 12/14/09

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:50:05 -0500

I’ve been updating you every week, and while there haven’t been many new announcements as far as firing goes, but there have been some new hires. The biggest news this week is probably Brian Kelly, who is heading to Notre Dame, which leaves Cincinnati high and dry.

Akron

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Eagle in Atlanta: My BC All-Decade Team

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:35:00 -0500

Number of comments: 38
Everyone is putting together their Decade in Review posts, so I thought I would get the ball rolling with my all decade teams. I was pretty subjective in my selection and tried to think of guy's individual season as opposed to careers. Therefore a guy like Alex Albright made the' [...]

Eagle in Atlanta: Ticket sales start strong and other links

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:27:00 -0500

Number of comments: 1
It seems that ticket sales are strong for the Emerald Bowl. Little if any credit is given to BC. I know we are not bringing the band, but I think we will have a good showing from the Bay Area BC fans.

BC added another member to this [...]

Bleacher Report: Why Rolando McLain Remains Underrated

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:01:36 -0500

In a year in which Alabama returned to championship form and Mark Ingram became Alabama's first Heisman winner, the staggering accomplishments of Rolando McClain may have been overshadowed.

McClain was originally recruited by Mike Shula. When Shula was fired several recruits jumped ship but McClain remained firm. How firm' [...]