College football season kicks off in about 64 days. ‘Seems like to me that all we’ve been hearing about this “off” season is NCAA violations, suspected violations, possible sanctions, etc. and it’s all shrouded in projections and aimless conjecture.

“In view of the NCAA’s imposed sanctions at USC”, this is the phrase that has prefaced most of the ESPN interviews and the comments from their analysts. After this “lead in”, most go on to predict doom for The Ohio State University and the University of North Carolina, citing “lack of institutional control” as the violation looming large.

In truth, no one really knows what this “body” will do. I don’t think I’m alone in noticing that they don’t seem to be all that consistent with punishments levied. Sometimes they take a long, hard look and leave coaches with players they dare not put into ball games, lest they later have to forfeit or vacate the wins. Other times, they respond just in the nick of time and occasionally, overnight. There seems to be no rhyme or reason for any of these, but I am sure that somewhere in Indianapolis there must be someone to whom it all makes sense.

Best I can tell, we have several teams around the South that are awaiting some sort of ruling, determination, or hammer drop from the NCAA. The schools awaiting the “hammer drop” variety are of course, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Auburn, Florida, Ole Miss and others are waiting for answers to waivers they’ve filed to allow a student to play or perhaps awaiting a determination about academic eligibility. Outside the South, we’ve got the previously mentioned Ohio State, maybe Oregon ($25,000 to a recruit evaluator), and even good ol’ Lane Kiffin out at USC had some time with the “body” this summer.

Sure seems like these NCAA folks stay mighty busy. I don’t think they have enough help, do you? If they were to get some former school teachers (principals too, maybe)and a few school bus drivers (retired of course), I think things would become a lot more simple a lot more quickly for the decision makers.

In the meantime, your guess is as good as mine. We’ll just have to wait and see.

The compassion, love and support for those of us who live in the “Great State of Alabama” has indeed been touching . As southern football fans, we most certainly share a common bond and that bond has been evidenced very clearly by the support of  SEC schools, students and fan bases since the 27th of April, 2011.

Few of you have escaped the shocking photos and videos of places like Tuscaloosa and Cullman and little towns like Pleasant Grove, Phil Campbell, Hackleburg, Hatton and many, many others. And of course, some of you have been personally effected by the devastation. Other states, such as Mississippi, Georgia and Arkansas have also faced significant loss and now, the shocking and deadly storms in Missouri cause all of us to stop to think and perhaps, examine our priorities.

The tragic loss of life, property, businesses, historic churches and local landmarks is beyond the scope of any individual’s comprehension. These losses are being felt all over the South and now, the entire country. It seems that our hearts have opened and in so doing, a spirit of unity has kindled that feels right. You have probably paused a moment to breathe a prayer for all these folks. Perhaps you stepped in to volunteer or send a donation.

Right now as people struggle to get on with their lives, I hope we will remember each other and be kind. The reprieve from the rancor of rivalry has been a breath of fresh air and sadness and loss, a miraculous equalizer.

I know it won’t be long-lived but I for one, have enjoyed the feeling of good will and cooperation.

With the season still some 90 plus days away, maybe we can enjoy this unusual hiatus from bitterness a bit longer. While we’re at it, let’s offer a few more prayers and a kind word here and there.

It is the “off season” now and we’re terribly short on college football information. I’ve found myself getting excited about the NFL Draft today – sad, but true.

With that being said, I have noticed that even CNN has been covering the Jim Tressel situation at The Ohio State University and ESPN has been all over it. In case you missed it, some rather strong evidence has surfaced ( I thought about saying “damning evidence” because of the nature of the findings) which clearly shows intent to misrepresent on the part of Coach Tressel. Perhaps that is putting it mildly since many say that he out-right lied to the NCAA from the START of the 2010 season and that he knowingly played inelligible personnel all season.

Following the National Championship Game in January, I posted an article called, “Is Winning Really Everything? Kentucky vs. Ohio State“. In this article, I posed some doubts as to Coach Tressel’s…shall we say? – priorities. At the time, I was befuddled as to why he’d allow the suspended players to participate in the bowl game and, I was impressed with Kentucky Coach, Joker Phillips’ hard line stance in suspending his star QB for their bowl game.

Now, it makes a lot more sense. Why would Tressel hold them out of the game at that point in the year when he had knowingly played inelligible players all season? Oddly enough, I have always thought Tressel to be  a “stand up” kind of guy. This stuff has really surprised a lot of folks, including me.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying I predicted this or anything like that. I am just saying that I noticed what I consider to be a very bad “message” being sent by OSU staff and a very commendable message coming from UK’s.

So, I can’t really say, “I told you so”, but I’d sure like to do just that!

(for further details on the January article, visit it on my site)

The “off-season” has already been shaping up to be plenty difficult in the State of Alabama, but this latest development moves “awful” to an entirely new level. The arrest of a man who admits to having “poisoned” 130 year old oak trees on Auburn’s campus with lethal doses of herbicide has left me sickened, baffled and outraged all at one time.

A couple of folks wrote to ask if I “dared” comment on this event which has increased rancor among an already fussy fan-base in Alabama. Yes, I do. The way I see it, there is clearly only one “side” to this situation. Anyone finding another “side” to join with is just plain wrong. By the way, the man arrested for this assault on “tradition”, state history and nature is an Alabama fan.

I’ve been on the social network this afternoon, watching tweets and posts. I haven’t found even one Alabama fan who condones what was done. But, I am sure that there are some nuts out there who do. Unfortunately, I have seen and heard lots of threats aimed at retaliation. This is scary.

The Toomer’s Corners Oak trees are precious to the Auburn “family” and are gorgeous and tradition-rich symbols of a love that each fan has for their university. There is no excuse for destroying these symbols and even less reason to attack one of God’s glorious creations – living icons of Tiger devotion.

Justification for this doesn’t exist.

We all need respect for the traditions, icons, symbols of each university. I don’t hold with opposing teams “dancing and stomping” on the home team’s logo following a victory, nor do I like any unsportsman-like expression such as defacing a monument, statue or building. Believe me, I can see that putting an Auburn jersey on Bear Bryant’s statue is offensive and in bad taste, but certainly not grounds for murdering a tree!

What is happening to us?

I hope to see the administrations of both the University of Alabama and Auburn University come forward with some efforts at goodwill. I know the terrorist who did this was not acting on behalf of the U of A, but I’d like to see someone there make an effort to extend a hand of reconciliation. It’s the right thing to do. As fans, we can do our part but this ”mending” needs to come from the top of the ranks for it to make any impact whatever.

May we never have to endure more days like this in college athletics…

The 2010 College Football Season is officially in the books. The SEC, once again has made the country aware that we are the conference to be reckoned with year after year. The Auburn Tigers now reign as 2010 National Champions.

I have watched at least 90% of the bowl games which began in early December. My husband might say, “Only 90%? I think you’re underestimating yourself!” He will be glad to see it draw to an end and has been incredibly patient with my monopolizing the remote control during this stretch. For that, I thank him!

Is winning really everything? Let’s see what you think after you examine some facts that have surfaced recently. Here we go…

OHIO STATE

Six student-athletes on The Ohio State University football squad were suspended for NCAA violations. Mike Adams, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Terrelle Pryor and Solomon Thomas are to sit out the first five games of the 2011 season and must repay money and benefits.  Jordan Whiting, a 6th player will be suspended for the first game. A press release issued by Ohio State made information available regarding the violations with which the young men were charged. Now, be advised these were NCAA violations, discovered by the NCAA- NOT the university or the program’s monitoring systems. The NCAA said that Pryor must repay $2,500 for selling his 2008 gold pants ( a gift from OSU ), his 2008 conference championship ring and his 2009 Sportsmanship Award from the Fiesta Bowl. Adams has to repay $1,000 for selling his 2008 Big Ten Championship ring. Herron is to repay $1,150 for selling his jersey, pants and shoes and he accepting discounted services, reportedly for tattoos. Posey must repay $1,250 for selling his 2008 conference championship ring and accepting discounted services. Thomas has to repay $1,505 for selling his 2008 gold pants, his conference title ring and accepting discounted services. Whiting is to pay $150 to a charity “for the value of services that were discounted,”. News reports say that the punishments stem from an incident in which at least some of the Buckeye players received tattoos for their autographs.

Okay, in case you don’t remember Terrelle Pryor is The Ohio State University’s  star QB, an amazing athlete and obvious key to the success of the Buckeye offense. Here’s what coach Jim Tressell did:  He asked the players to make a promise -yep, I said promise (I guess they ‘crossed their hearts and hoped to die’!) to return for their Senior Season during which the NCAA  mandated they sit out the first 5 games in 2011. In exchange for the promises, they would be allowed to play in the BCS Sugar Bowl. Guess what? The players all agreed to promise to come back and they played in the Sugar Bowl last week against Arkansas. And by the way, they did win, 31 to 26 beating Arkansas led by Ryan Mallet. I am a music major but I think that’s only a 5 point victory spread. ‘Wonder what the score would have been without Terrell Pryor and the others? 

Kentucky

Police reports stated that Kentucky QB, Mike Hartline was arrested and charged with second-degree disorderly conduct, alcohol intoxication in a public place and failure to notify the department of transportation of an address change. This IS NOT an NCAA violation but a violation of team rules and policies and was dealt with “internally”. Mike Hartline’s career at the University of Kentucky is officially over. Kentucky’s coach, Joker Phillips announced  that Hartline, a fifth-year senior, was suspended from the team and would miss UK’s matchup with Pittsburgh in the BBVA Compass Bowl on Jan. 8, which would have been the final game of his career. Phillips says he’s tried to set a tone of discipline in his first year as a head coach.

“We’ve got 120 guys on our football team, and the vast majority of the time our guys are doing what they’re supposed to do,” Phillips said. “However, when something like this happens, we have to hold them accountable, and this is one of the ways we have to discipline our players into making sure they are held accountable. This is a way we’re helping them grow up and how to be a man.”  Phillips admitted it wasn’t an easy decision to suspend Hartline and he most surely knew that it would not be a move that paved the way for a victory. Pitt won the game, 27 to 10. Hartline, who didn’t have to be on the sidelines was there, wearing street clothes and headsets and trying to help the backup QB through the game. Even sohis replacement, Morgan Newton had great trouble getting anything going which isn’t surprising since the team had very few days to adjust to Hartline’s suspension.

Comparing

On one hand, we have NCAA violations where the players not only broke rules but I’d say they thumbed their noses at their teammates by selling articles for profit that were awarded as a result of team effort, i.e. championship rings. In this instance the coach, Jim Tressell decided that winning the Sugar Bowl was more important than taking overt disciplinary action regarding key players.  The Buckeyes won the game but what kind of message was sent? Will it matter in the long run? Will his players be better young men, respect him, his standards, feel like winners? I wonder.

On the other hand, Joker Phillips at Kentucky established a precedent for his players that says, “being a star does not garner exemption from team rules”. Hartline broke team rules and violated a code of conduct. His actions were very foolish, unbecoming and even dangerous, but not punishable by the NCAA.  They lost the game. Hartline was on the sidelines making an effort to contribute. He knew the TV audience and fans were fully aware of his arrest. He could have stayed away and saved the public embarrassment, I guess. I think I might have done so.

So, you decide. I’m sure you can tell from my completely biased commentary what opinion I hold.

Is winning everything? In the battle between Ohio State and Kentucky, who never met on the football field, I believe there is a clear winner. Good for you, Coach Phillips!

Hello to all. I’ve a bit of a feelin’ of disbelief  today. Its now all over. Bowl Season is upon us and the 2010 Season is in the record books. For good or ill, our Southern teams have once again been movers and shakers, inviting admiration and criticism in equal measures. The “haves” wound up looking like the “have-nots” and the “have-nots” outdid themselves with surprises to delight fans AND the nation. Since 2006, the SEC has cornered the market on BCS participation and…wins. In 2011, we will be there again with Auburn’s Heisman winner, Cameron Newton.

Florida’s season of grimness has culminated in a coaching change and a shocking replacement. Urban “took it to the house” and Will Muschamps “poo-poo-ed” his Texas coach- in-waiting status to take over for the Gators. With the surprising horror-story year for Texas in his rear-view mirror, Will will be returning to the SEC leaving Mack Brown with a mess that no one I know, would want to sweep up. ‘Still can’t believe that the Horns went from the BCS National Championship game to ”ineligible” for a bowl game, the very next season! Even Tennessee, for whom no one had high hopes in their rebuilding year, is going to a Bowl game.

Let’s make sure too, that we note that with an Auburn victory, the State of Alabama will be making history with back to back National Championships and back to back Heisman winners from the same state. I know, I might be counting unhatched chickens, but I’m just sayin’…

Vandy is still out there looking for a new coach and Miami is as well. We can look forward to seeing what might happen there, but since the Florida job is now filled I doubt that we will see much of significance in the way of the “head coach shuffle”. 

Of course, I do need to mention that the SEC has been the focus of unpleasant accusation and scandel. Mississippi State and possibly even Auburn still wait for the digging to end on the Cecil Newton/Kenny Rogers “pay for play” scam. The southern fan that feels they have no dog in this fight is deluded because any negative findings will wind up effecting us all. I watched the ESPN “30 for 30″ documentary last night called “Pony Excess” which heralds the saga of the SMU program’s “death penalty” offenses and the stunning aftermath for the players, college, fans, boosters, the governor, the state of Texas…, and the demise of the Southwestern Conference. This will replay over the next week or so and I strongly encourage you to watch. It was very enlightening and I was amazed to see the depth of corruption and cover-up that was once the norm in many big-time college football athletic departments. You will see the power of the NCAA and the fragility of schemes based on deceit.

Several of our blog followers have asked me to comment on the horrible situation in which Auburn QB and Heisman Trophy winner, Cam Newton has found himself. In truth, I just don’t know. I have listened to plenty of commentary and read numerous articles about it all and I’m not sure if we will ever really know how much of this sort of thing Kenny Rogers and others like him have done over the past years. Cameron Newton is a kid that truly burst onto the scene this year and wow-ed the entire country with his abilities and inherent talent. It is sad that his glorious season and the collective accomplishments of AU have not been fully enjoyed due to the national negative attention and the fear of impending “doom” that has clouded the entire 2nd half of the season for him, his colleagues, 2 universities, family and fans.

But like I said, we’ll just wait and see. It might be years and it might be months but we will all look forward to the “truth” and to putting the ugliness behind. In the mean time, let’s watch some bowl games, cheer for our conference and hope for victory. Another season is “all over, but the shoutin’”. Thanks for following the blog!

Happy Football and Happy Holidays to all y’all!

Well, Boise State is no longer a factor that Southern football fans can choose to ignor. They are #3 in the country. We can give up the faint illusion that they will fade into the background and leave the traditional powers “be”.  Of course, fading is the antithesis of these successful Idahoans. Check out their bright blue field if you are a doubting Thomas.

An earlier post of mine was motivated by the belief that their moon was waning, but it was not to be. They beat Va Tech and have been sailing on since. I remember a few years back when I thought Boise was a fun “novelty” to watch; amusingly fast and gimmicky and thriving on one trickeration play after the other. They were exciting and…they played on that blue field. At that time, it never entered my southern football fevered mind that we’d see them as a consensus #3 in the polls. But there they are…bless their little blue hearts.

Do you know what side you stand on regarding the “Boise-bate”? Its time you gave it some thought. If you need some info, check out this week’s Sports Illustrated feature article about them. You can’t miss it on the stands – it’s cover is just bustin’ with the bluest blue uniforms walking on a (you guessed it) very blue field. Also, you’ll find  a nice article about Auburn phenom, Cam Newton.

A couple of folks have asked this week about any recent posts, and wondered if I’d stopped “blogging”. Nope, I haven’t. However,  I do think I have achieved “football overload”. ‘Never thought it would happen but I am admitting I have a problem. I am listening to WAY TOO MUCH sports radio and every possible offering that ESPN has relating to college football- from Sports Center to ESPN U. No game escapes my interest, no college in our nation is too obscure to be noted.

This fact  hit home today as I sat in the delightfully relaxing massage chair during my pedicure, earplugs tucked-in and tuned-in to the Sports Radio app on my phone. That, I know “just isn’t right”.

This immersion experience I speak of began innocently enough with the onset of the 2010 Season and the cream puff games all round the Div. 1 arena. But, somewhere between Game 1 and Game 4, I went astray. All the talk just got to me. There was: Ryan Mallett’s Heisman hopes, Ole Miss’s felon QB, Marcel Dareus’ agent “connections”, an honest to goodness movie about Nick Saban-that’s just weird, Reggie Bush returning his Heisman, Va Tech losing to James Madison, Derrick Dooley’s shower technique instructions to his players, A. J. Green selling his ’09 Bowl jersey, Cam Newton’s elevation to 2nd tier sainthood (just beneath Tim Tebow), Mark Ingrams’s knee surgery, Florida’s freshman that scored 6 touchdowns in one game, Kentucky actually has a coach named, “Joker”, Boise State got way to much press for my taste, and believe it or not…Texas lost to UCLA. I still can’t believe that.

So, I couldn’t decide what to write about. There was just too much. I have really been enjoying the women I am meeting through this blogging experience. Women are great, you know? I knew today that I was betraying all that women hold dear and sacred today in the pedicure massage chair. Some balance has to be struck. Some degree of female decorum and loyalty to my kind has been roused and I am returning to my senses. I went shopping and bought some earrings, bracelets and a necklace. I searched a trendy boutique for a light jacket that compliments dress blue jeans. Then, I ordered a pair of shoes for fall; comfortable to walk in and a little “height” to give me an air of confidence. That’s just what I needed to bring me back into the “fold” of women being “women”. I felt good as I drove home and then the thought came…

I can wear these to the game this weekend.