FanHouse

Why Hasn't Greg Robinson 'Resigned'

John Radcliff — 2008-11-05T20:08:00+00:00

by John RadcliffThinking back to the beginning of the year, there was really one coach that we all knew was a dead man walking. That coach was and for some reason still is Greg Robinson. Robinson has handled it well if you ignore the whole wins-losses thing. Just a couple weeks ago he was talking about making a bowl game. No, really!

But with the rash of "resignations" recently at Clemson, Tennessee, Kansas St., etc., I have to ask why Robinson's fate hasn't been publicly announced? If there's one team in the country that needs to be out ahead of everyone else, it's Syracuse. Schools like Tennessee and Clemson are going to be able to pick basically anyone they want for their next coach. It might take a little extra money, but they have it and I'm sure they're willing to spend it to get the coach they want.

Syracuse on the other hand is a little harder to sell. If we learned anything from Robinson, it's that you need a coach that can recruit the northeast. You need a coach that is known as a program builder, and then there's that whole thing of if that guy wants to come to Syracuse. That I even have to type that is wrong. I grew up knowing a Syracuse program that was always in the top 25 and contended for a national championship from time to time. Now, the Orange are facing one of the most important hires in school history. At the very least, recruits need to know that there will be a change next season. They need to hear the names being mentioned to replace Robinson. Being a West Virginia fan, I know the tough times that caused us when we heard our coach's name being mentioned. But it's absolutely necessary that a new course start to take shape as soon as possible.

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College Football Songbook Says Goodbye Phil, Hello Dr. Phil

John Radcliff — 2008-11-04T08:00:00+00:00

by John RadcliffThe College Football Songbook is a weekly feature in which we'll be making as much fun as humanly possible of the most embarrassing moments in college football. Through words, music, and related video we'll leave a lasting memory implanted on the brains of the vanquished that they are not soon to forget. say goodbye to Phil Fulmer

Farewell Phil. We laughed, we cried, we wrote a song to remember you by.

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Photo Credits:

EDSBS
LSU Freak
The Wiz
Getty Images

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No End Zone Dance for Georgia This Year

John Radcliff — 2008-11-01T20:01:00+00:00

by John RadcliffBoth Georgia and Florida put up half-a-hundred on LSU this year. So we were expecting to see an offensive showcase today. We did, but it was all one sided. Maybe Georgia should have celebrated that field goal in the first quarter, because that was about all they had to show for their efforts in this game until the game was out of reach.

It was a story of two quarterbacks coming into the game, as well as the end zone dance by the Bulldogs last year. But while Tim Tebow accounted for five touchdowns, Matt Stafford was nothing more than a foot note. Tebow broke the record for rushing touchdowns at Florida. He only had to throw the ball 13 times, completing 10 for two touchdowns and 154 yards. Stafford had a decent day throwing the ball, but the three interceptions killed the Bulldog's chances for a victory.

Georgia goes from everyone's pre-season favorite to completely no chance to win the SEC east. While Florida has a clear path to the SEC championship game, and a possible second trip in three years to the national title game.

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Pat White Shines as Huskies Key on Devine

John Radcliff — 2008-11-01T15:28:00+00:00

by John RadcliffConnecticut's defense was keyed early and often on stopping West Virginia running back Noel Devine, and held him to four yards on four carries in the first half. In doing so, they also held the West Virginia offense in check. On the flip side, Donald Brown was ripping off large chunks of yards for the Huskies. But mistakes and dropped balls killed drives for UConn, and forced them to settle for field goals instead of touchdowns in the first half.

West Virginia screamed out to a 28-13 lead in the second half thanks to turnovers by the Huskies. The Mountaineers consistently had a short field to work with, and White hooked up with Jock Sanders through the air and on the ground for three touchdowns.

With the scores mounting for West Virginia, Connecticut was forced to abandon the running game that worked so well in the first half. Quarterback Cody Endres, who was sharp in the first half, fell apart throwing three interceptions. Pat White totaled 230 yards running and passing along with three touchdowns. The win put West Virginia in the drivers seat for the Big East title. But with games against Cincinnati, Pitt, and South Florida ahead, the chase for the title is far from over.

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Will Ferrell Inspires Trojans to Compete

John Radcliff — 2008-11-01T10:33:00+00:00

by John Radcliff

Ever the USC fan, Will Ferrell shows up at practice Thursday to lighten things up. No words really necessary here. Just watch and enjoy.

Hat Tip: The Wiz

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Week 10 Proposition Bets for the College Football Junkie

John Radcliff — 2008-10-30T09:00:00+00:00

by John Radcliff
Prop Bets for the College Football Junkie is a weekly post that cares not for your silly point spreads. If you have the money and the gumption, we'll lay down a weekly gauntlet of propositions that'll take you from the penthouse to the outhouse faster than you can guess the number of times Lee Corso will say "not so fast my friend." As always, this is for entertainment purposes only.

$ With the celebration that you all know is coming in the Worlds Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party Florida vs. Georgia game this weekend, we give you a multiple choice wager. Over/under on the following dances being performed:

-Funky Chickens +/-1. You know that's how Urban Rolls...
-Solja Boys +/-20.
-Worms +/-2. Come on, you know one or two guys that break this out at the worst possible moment.
-Sprinklers +/-1, because some things just can't end soon enough.

$ Number of employed cart drivers if they leave their cart in the back of the end zone, +/-0. It seems like an easy bet, but I want to remind you that the house gets all pushes.

$ Phil Fulmer is most definitely on the hot seat, and heading to South Carolina this weekend to face off with his old pal Steve Spurrier. This is probably the first prop bet I've done that is most likely alive and kicking somewhere in Vegas. But we give you the straight up bet that Fulmer will be fired after this weekend.

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North Texas is Doing All the Wrong Drugs

John Radcliff — 2008-10-29T18:01:00+00:00

by John RadcliffWith North Texas off to their worst start in school history, 0-8, one thing is very clear. No one on that team is taking steroids. However, the Mean Green (HA!) are taking drugs at what seems to be an alarming rate.

North Texas coach Todd Dodge has acknowledged that 15 of his players tested positive for "street drugs" this season...The 15 players have apparently not been suspended, but they have been placed on university probation for one year and forced to attend drug and alcohol counseling. The players will continue to be tested, and additional positive tests could cause a player to be placed in a rehabilitation program. The players would reportedly not be kicked out of school or off the team until a fourth violation, in accordance with university policy.

"The NCAA tests for performance enhancing drugs," Dodge said. "We test for performance 'de-hancing' drugs. The stuff that we tested for is not performance or life enhancing. ... As long as I am the head coach here, we will continue to test."

There is a serious lack of commitment at North Texas. They've adapted to the rock star lifestyle without, you know, actually being rock stars. It's real easy, guys. You've got it all backwards. You take the performance enhancing drugs now, impress people, THEN the mind altering drugs later. That way you can draw on the sympathy of the American public when you tell them you needed the illegal drugs to numb the pain from taking the performance enhancing drugs.

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LSU Would Like to Pad Your Offensive Stats

John Radcliff — 2008-10-25T19:13:00+00:00

by John RadcliffOnce a demon of defensive football, LSU has now given up 50+ points in a game for the second time this year. First, giving up 51 to Florida two weeks ago, and now 52 to Georgia in a 52-38 loss.

Georgia rolled up 443 yards of total offense, but were still short of the 50 point mark late in the fourth quarter. But Jarrett Lee was determined, throwing a lazy ball down field that was easily intercepted and run back for a touchdown by Darryl Gamble of Georgia. His second of the day.

LSU actually had more total yards (495) than Georgia, but three interceptions thrown by Jarrett Lee killed any chance of the Tigers winning the game. The good news for LSU is that they only have one team, Alabama, left on the schedule that will have the firepower to put up another 50. Then again, if you throw up the interceptions like Lee, anything is possible.

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Mike Teel and LeSean McCoy Were Not What We Were Expecting

John Radcliff — 2008-10-25T17:33:00+00:00

by John RadcliffComing into today's game between Pittsburgh and Rutgers, the two teams had only surpassed the 30-point mark three times combined.

The strength of the Rutgers team has been the defense by default, because the offense has almost been nonexistent. Likewise for Pitt, although their offense has been able to run the ball effectively and pass only when needed.

But only once has either defense allowed a 30-point game, when North Carolina put up 44 points on the Scarlet Knights. If anything, this was supposed to be a grind-it-out, defensive game.

However, on a day when offense has been the story around college football, these two teams have been anything but themselves.

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Mike Leach Knows Kickers, Offense

John Radcliff — 2008-10-25T13:50:00+00:00

by John RadcliffToday is the first test for Mike Leach and Texas Tech as they face Kansas. If the first half is any indication, the Red Raiders are up to the challenge. Leading 35-14 at the break, Texas Tech has moved the ball at will and played solid on defense.

One of the secondary stories of this game is that Leach is using a student at kicker today. Texas Tech student Matt Williams kicked a 30-yard field goal earlier this year during a break in the UMass game to win a free months rent. Seeing the kick, Leach had someone flag him down to see if he'd be interested in kicking for the team. Next thing you know, you have a story as odd as The Waterboy. So far today, he's 5-for-5 on extra points. No field goal tries yet. Given the way the first half went, he probably won't get any shots.

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Lou Holtz Proposition Bets for the College Football Junkie

John Radcliff — 2008-10-23T09:00:00+00:00

-Mark May's perceived IQ will drop 50 points automatically.

-Trev Alberts will walk back into the Bristol studios with a "show me the money" look on his face.

-Regis Philbin will show interest, but someone will mention that the last guy was a Notre Dame guy.

$ Continuing with the same theme, Holtz won't sit idle for long. NBC would probably love to have him doing commentary on Notre Dame games. So we put the over/under on the number of times NBC will ask him to tone down the homerism in the first month at 10.

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Boosters Busted by Financial Crisis

John Radcliff — 2008-10-21T19:02:00+00:00

by John RadcliffFirst, college football programs felt the bite of increased travel expenses due to soaring fuel costs. Now, many are feeling the effects of the current financial crisis due to promised donations that can't be kept by boosters. I won't play this out like it's a tragedy, because let's face it, college football isn't life or death. We play it out that way sometimes when everything else in our lives is stable. We mourn the loss of our proud program to some directional state university that ruined our season because we generally live life without too much to fear. But unlike real tragic situations, the sun comes up the next day and we go about life as usual.

Still, many programs are having to scale back or even halt projects funded by donations due to current events. That's the case with Oklahoma State and T. Boone Pickens.

Nearly three years ago, the billionaire oilman T. Boone Pickens donated $165 million to Oklahoma State's athletic department so it could remake its facilities into a Shangri-La for Cowboys sports, complete with an indoor practice center and new facilities for baseball, equestrian, soccer, tennis, and track and field...Now, building on Oklahoma State's athletic village has been held up, and the athletic director, Mike Holder, said the project would have to wait until Pickens's financial situation improved.

Certainly not on the same scale as Pickens and the Cowboys, but the same is true for a lot of the major college football programs around the country.

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YouTubesDay: Smoke 1, Cyclones 0

John Radcliff — 2008-10-21T18:10:00+00:00

by John RadcliffAs more and more sports entertainment creeps into college football entrances, something like this was bound to happen sooner or later. Watch at about the 10 second mark as an Iowa State player runs into the goal post, blinded by the thick smoke. Someone was probably hoping that the smoke would also mask the incident from the cameras. But it didn't. Not even close.

Hat Tip: The Wiz

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College Football Songbook Thinks ACC Football Is BS

John Radcliff — 2008-10-20T20:54:00+00:00

by John RadcliffThe College Football Songbook is a weekly feature in which we'll be making as much fun as humanly possible of the most embarrassing moments in college football. Through words, music, and related video we'll leave a lasting memory implanted on the brains of the vanquished that they are not soon to forget.

All three ranked ACC teams were upset and knocked out of the top 25. It seemed more fun than a song about BYU...

Video Link

Photo Credits:
Amazon.com
Nick Anderson
Getty Images

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Penn State Ends Drought Against Michigan

John Radcliff — 2008-10-18T19:52:00+00:00

by John RadcliffComing into today's game with Michigan, Penn State had lost their last nine games against the Wolverines. Included in those losses, was a heart breaker in 2006 that probably cost Penn State a shot at the national title. But with Michigan going through one of the worst years in memory, Penn State was licking their chops in anticipation of breaking the streak.

Michigan looked to erase the memory of the loss to Toledo last week as they screamed out to an early 10-0 lead in the first quarter. Penn State would score two touchdowns in the first half, but found themselves trailing Michigan 17-14 at the half.

Joe Paterno, forced to watch the game from the press box for the third game in a row, met the team in the locker room at half time. He had a simple pep talk for his team saying, "These guys lost to Toledo last week."** That proved to be all the motivation his team would need as they steamrolled Michigan in the second half for 32 points as the Nittany Lions went on to win 46-17.

This was the most points scored on Michigan by Penn State. Sadly, Joe Paterno couldn't enjoy the victory with his team on the field. Like Alabama, Penn State will be watching the Texas-Missouri game tonight to try to get a better idea of where they will be when the BCS standings come out Monday. With the late surge, Penn State might be looking to move into the top spot if Texas should lose.

**Not actually true, but we can't disprove these words either

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Alabama Survives Late Rebel Comeback

John Radcliff — 2008-10-18T18:47:00+00:00

by John RadcliffWith Alabama up comfortably 24-3 at halftime, the game between the Crimson Tide and Ole Miss looked to be a forgone conclusion. But Jevan Snead and the Rebels had other ideas.

Snead and the Mississippi offense took the opening drive 52 yards for a touchdown to start the second half, and the Rebel defense took over from there, limiting the 'Bama offense to one trip across midfield the entire second half, sprinkling in an interception and a fumble recovery along the way.

Meanwhile, Snead and the Rebel offense were able to draw within four points, 24-20, thanks to another touchdown and a field goal in the fourth quarter. With four minutes left in the fourth, Ole Miss forced another punt and gave the offense one last chance to win the game. But after Snead moved the offense to midfield, the drive stalled on an incomplete pass on fourth down and Alabama was able to run the clock out. What looked like a laugher turned into a tight game for Alabama.

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Week Eight Proposition Bets for the College Football Junkie

John Radcliff — 2008-10-16T09:00:00+00:00

by John Radcliff

Prop Bets for the College Football Junkie is a weekly post that cares not for your silly point spreads. If you have the money and the gumption, we'll lay down a weekly gauntlet of propositions that'll take you from the penthouse to the outhouse faster than you can guess the number of times Lee Corso will say "not so fast my friend." As always, this is for entertainment purposes only.

$ With the big news of the week being the firing of Tommy Bowden at Clemson, the crew at ESPN will be sure to debate the thought process at Clemson. Lou Holtz will most certainly defend Bowden and Mark May will defend the administration. So we give you a straight up bet that Holtz will forget the camera is still rolling again this week and have some less than flattering words for Clemson. What the heck, +/-5 on the number of times he says "damn."

$ Jim Harbaugh and Rick Neuheisel are both known for taking jabs at opposing teams and coaches in the week leading up to the game. As both have been quiet this week, we're sure they are saving everything for the post game handshake when Stanford plays at UCLA. The conversation will most certainly revolve around the post-game speech Neuheisel gave after the Tennessee game. Straight up, one of two thing will be said depending on the outcome of the game. Neuheisel-"Jim, I'd love to stand here and talk, but I've got a speech to give. Better luck next year, loser." Or, Harbaugh-"Doesn't look like anyone stuck around for your speech tonight. You guys got any games left on the schedule you think you can win?"

$ When Mississippi State travels to Tennessee, we'll be seeing the 103rd and 104th worst offenses in the country. So we'll put the over and under on the closeups of each team's offensive coordinator at +/-10. Because if someone is going to go, these guys are going to get the boot first.

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College Football Songbook is a Long Tearful Ride Home

John Radcliff — 2008-10-13T15:00:00+00:00

by John RadcliffThe College Football Songbook is a weekly feature in which we'll be making as much fun as humanly possible of the most embarrassing moments in college football. Through words, music, and related video we'll leave a lasting memory implanted on the brains of the vanquished that they are not soon to forget.

Lots of big upsets this week, but hats off to Texas and a long tearful ride home for the Sooners once again.

Video Link

Photo Credits:

USC Sports Talk
Scott Byers Design
Getty Images

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Cullen Harper Thinks Tommy Bowden Got What He Deserved

John Radcliff — 2008-10-13T12:53:00+00:00

by John RadcliffOn ESPN's First Take this morning, while reporting the news that head coach Tommy Bowden had been fired by Clemson, quarterback Cullen Harper was quoted as saying "Bowden got what he deserved."

Latest College Football Photos

COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 11: Patrick Lavine #4 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys is greeted by teammates after making an interception in the closing seconds against the Missouri Tigers on October 11, 2008 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. Oklahoma State won 28-23. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Patrick Lavine

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COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 11: Damian Davis #85 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys celebrates on the sidelines after scoring his 2nd touchdown against the Missouri Tigers on October 11, 2008 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. Oklahoma State won 28-23. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Damian Davis

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COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 11: Damian Davis #85 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys celebrates after scoring a 4th-quarter touchdown against the Missouri Tigers on October 11, 2008 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. Oklahoma State won 28-23. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Damian Davis

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COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 11: Damian Davis #85 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys makes a catch for a 4th-quarter touchdown against the Missouri Tigers on October 11, 2008 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. Oklahoma State won 28-23. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Damian Davis

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COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 11: Chase Daniel #25 of the Missouri Tigers throws a pass under pressure from Donald Boooker #44 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys on October 11, 2008 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. Daniel was wearing #25 in honor of Aaron O'Neal. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chase Daniel;Donald Booker

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COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 11: Ricky Price #6 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys upends Chase Coffman #45 of the Missouri Tigers on October 11, 2008 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. Oklahoma State won 28-23. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ricky Price;Chase Coffman

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COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 11: Derek Burton #98 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys sacks Chase Daniel of the Missouri Tigers on October 11, 2008 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. Oklahoma State won 28-23. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Derek Burton;Chase Daniel

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COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 11: Kendall Hunter #24 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys cuts back against the Missouri Tigers on October 11, 2008 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. Oklahoma State won 28-23. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kendall Hunter

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COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 11: Jeremy Maclin #9 of the Missouri Tigers dives for yardage against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on October 11, 2008 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. Oklahoma State won 28-23. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeremy Maclin

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Louisiana Tech quarterback, Taylor Bennett (13), is taken down by Hawaii defender, Ryan Mouton (2), as Brashton Satele, left, watches, during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008. Hawaii won the game 24-14. (AP Photo/Ronen Zilberman)

In the aftermath of the loss to Wake Forest last week, Bowden announced that Harper would not be the starter this week. Basically throwing Harper under the bus. So naturally, Harper wants nothing to do with Bowden.

"Friends that were with Harper say that Tommy was calling his phone nonstop after the announcement and that Cullen ignored him," reads another Tigertown text we received yesterday. "The players are with Cullen. They are pissed (Bowden) is trying to put the blame on them."

Not hard to agree with Harper. He's more than proved that when he has a whisper of a chance to throw the ball, that he is capable of making things happen. The young offensive line has let him and the fine stable of running backs down this year. This is something that only the coaches could fix, and they didn't. Note to coaches with star offensive players and poor offensive production, don't throw your players under the bus. Karma is a cruel mistress.

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Notre Dame Can Stop Worrying About Being Ranked in the Top 25

John Radcliff — 2008-10-11T19:16:00+00:00

by John RadcliffLeading up to the game with North Carolina, Notre Dame fans were voicing their displeasure that their team was 4-1 and unranked. This was the first time the Irish have been4-1 and unranked. Well, North Carolina made that point moot today with a 29-24 victory. And they had a lot of help from Notre Dame not being able to hold on to the ball. Notre Dame turned the ball over five times, while the Tar Heels had zero turnovers.

Irish quarterback, Jimmy Clausen had a strong day passing the ball for 384 yards and two touchdowns. But one of his two interceptions was taken back for a touchdown. That play, at the start of the third quarter tuned the momentum of the game. From then on out, North Carolina looked and played like the better team, outscoring Notre Dame 20-7 in the second half.

On the next to last play of the game, Clausen hit Michael Floyd for 24 yards at the North Carolina 19. Floyd fumbled the ball on the play and North Carolina recovered. With the crowd going wild and both teams walking on to the field to shake hands, the play was reviewed for what seemed like 10 minutes before a ruling that the play on the field stood. It was a weird scene waiting for the results, and kept the final outcome in question with Notre Dame so close. But the luck of the Irish ran out today, and Notre Dame fans can go back to worrying about things other than their team being ranked.

North Carolina, on the other hand is right in the mix for a shot at the ACC title game. With Virginia, NC State, Duke, and Maryland still on the schedule, things are certainly looking up. Also, with backup turned starter Cameron Sexton coming on strong at quarterback and not making mistakes while moving the team, questions about the offense might be put to rest.

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