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FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Tide's Offensive Line a Success Story http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/27/tides-offensive-line-a-success-story/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/27/tides-offensive-line-a-success-story/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/27/tides-offensive-line-a-success-story/#comments

Filed under: Alabama, Auburn, SEC

AUBURN, Ala. -- It just might be Alabama's biggest success story this season.

For an offensive line that lost All-Americans Andre Smith and Antoine Caldwell and opened the year with three first-time starters, the Tide's unit has come together just fine this season, thank you. The O-line will get another opportunity to show off in Friday's Iron Bowl against an Auburn defense that ranks last in the SEC in scoring defense (27 points per game) and ninth in total defense (359.2 ypg).

"I don't know if it was as much of a motivating factor as much as we just knew that we had to come to work," senior left guard Mike Johnson said of preseason questions surrounding the line and if those concerns served as motivation.

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]]> Gene ChizikGeneChizikMark IngramMarkIngramNick SabanNickSaban Jim Henry jim-henry 2009-11-27T06:00:00 00:00 All Eyes on Florida's Brandon Knight http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/27/all-eyes-on-floridas-brandon-knight/ http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/27/all-eyes-on-floridas-brandon-knight/ http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/27/all-eyes-on-floridas-brandon-knight/#comments

Filed under: Recruiting

College basketball coaches will be watching Brandon Knight's every move the next four months.

Knight, a senior at Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest High, is widely considered the top point guard and top overall player in the Class of 2010 by recruiting services. Knight has visited Connecticut, Kentucky, Kansas and, most recently, Florida; he also has Syracuse and Miami on his list of favorites.

Since Knight's not expected to make a final decision concerning college until the spring signing period, the interest in Knight's play should only increase. The Panthers split two exhibition games and open their regular-season next Tuesday.

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]]> Brandon+Knight Jim Henry jim-henry 2009-11-27T06:00:00 00:00 Coveted Minnesota Prep Lineman Prepares for Next Big Stage http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/26/coveted-minnesota-prep-lineman-prepares-for-next-big-stage/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/26/coveted-minnesota-prep-lineman-prepares-for-next-big-stage/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/26/coveted-minnesota-prep-lineman-prepares-for-next-big-stage/#comments

Filed under: Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, USC, Recruiting

Seantrel Henderson

Can Cretin-Derham Hall keep its aerial circus and powerful ground game going for one last game? Seantrel Henderson thinks so.

Henderson, the massive senior offensive lineman and top-ranked recruit in the country, ends his stellar Raiders football career on Minnesota's brightest stage Friday. That's when No. 2 Cretin-Derham (11-1) faces No. 1 Eden Prairie (12-0) in the Class 5A state championship at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

All eyes have been on Henderson, who has been very deliberative in his college selection process and is not expected to announce his decision until February's National Signing Day.

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]]> Seantrel Henderson Jim Henry jim-henry 2009-11-26T19:00:00 00:00 Top-Ranked Gators Look to Continue Dominance Over FSU http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/22/top-ranked-gators-look-to-continue-dominance-over-fsu/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/22/top-ranked-gators-look-to-continue-dominance-over-fsu/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/22/top-ranked-gators-look-to-continue-dominance-over-fsu/#comments

Filed under: Florida, Florida State

Florida's last two wins over rival Florida State have been the most lopsided in the series in nearly four decades. Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden tipped his cap and admitted last year the Gators simply had better players at many positions.

Bowden cites his team's youth this year and believes FSU has closed the gap on UF.

"We're getting closer," Bowden said Sunday. "Next year, we should be neck-and-neck."

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]]> Bobby BowdenCharlie WardTim TebowUrban Meyer Jim Henry jim-henry 2009-11-22T20:07:00 00:00 FSU's Streak Survives, Will Bowden? http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/fsus-bowl-streak-survives-will-bowden/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/fsus-bowl-streak-survives-will-bowden/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/21/fsus-bowl-streak-survives-will-bowden/#comments

Filed under: Florida State, Maryland, ACC

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- When Bobby Bowden finally decides to slip quietly into retirement, he believes Florida State fans will remember the good times -- and not the program's recent slide -- that happened during his storied coaching career. One question: Does his career have any chance at a storybook ending?

FSU's dramatic 29-26 home victory over Maryland Saturday helped an already wounded Seminole Nation avoid further grief, if not slow a potentially uncomfortable showdown with its iconic coach. Instead, the Seminoles (6-5) breathed a collective sigh of relief and became bowl eligible for the 28th straight year.

Another streak is on the line at top-ranked Florida next Saturday.

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]]> Bobby Bowden Jim Henry jim-henry 2009-11-21T18:19:00 00:00 Spiller Force Behind Clemson Revival http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/19/spiller-force-behind-clemson-revival/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/19/spiller-force-behind-clemson-revival/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/19/spiller-force-behind-clemson-revival/#comments

Filed under: Boston College, Clemson, Duke Football, Florida State, University of Miami, Virginia, ACC

C.J. Spiller

Much of the credit for Clemson's turnaround this season goes to its offense. Let us count the ways.

During Clemson's current five-game winning streak -- the program's longest in three seasons -- the Tigers have scored at least 38 points in each game, a program first. During that span, Clemson has averaged 42 points per game, 425 total yards per game, 6.87 yards per play and 220 passing yards a game.

No wonder the Tigers, who had lost three of their first five games by a total of 10 points, are positioned to clinch their first trip to the ACC title game with a home victory Saturday against struggling Virginia.

Of course, Clemson's success on offense revolves around all-purpose back and Heisman Trophy hopeful C.J. Spiller. Spiller needs 103 all-purpose yards to break the ACC single-season record of 2,054, held by Virginia's Thomas Jones.

In last Saturday's victory over N.C. State, Spiller had a 16-yard touchdown run, caught a 34-yard scoring pass and threw a 17-yard touchdown to Xavier Dye, becoming the first Clemson player to do all three in one game.

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]]> Al GrohAlGrohBobby BowdenBobbyBowdenC.J. SpillerC.j.Spiller Jim Henry jim-henry 2009-11-19T17:00:00 00:00 Bama's Greg McElroy Silences Critics http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/17/bamas-greg-mcelroy-silences-critics/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/17/bamas-greg-mcelroy-silences-critics/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/17/bamas-greg-mcelroy-silences-critics/#comments

Filed under: Alabama, SEC

Greg McElroy

Okay, Greg McElroy admits he overreacted and his feelings were hurt.

It was two Saturdays ago, following Alabama's dramatic victory over LSU, when McElroy vented that people, including teammates, had lost faith in him as the Crimson Tide's starting quarterback. Two days later, McElroy apologized if his postgame comments offended anyone and he further explained that getting mad was not the way to getting better.

McElroy was certainly better in Alabama's 31-3 victory over Mississippi State last Saturday, silencing critics with a solid performance he intends to build on as the undefeated Crimson Tide (10-0, 7-0 SEC) continues its march towards the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.

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]]> Greg McElroyGregMcelroy Jim Henry jim-henry 2009-11-17T12:04:00 00:00 For Kentucky Football, Survive and Thrive http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/17/through-it-all-kentucky-football-thriving/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/17/through-it-all-kentucky-football-thriving/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/17/through-it-all-kentucky-football-thriving/#comments

Filed under: Georgia, Kentucky, SEC

Kentucky Wildcats

While No. 1 Florida and No. 2 Alabama each play glorified scrimmages on Saturday and continue their march to the SEC Championship game next month, one of the more intriguing conference match-ups features Kentucky at Georgia. Yes, Kentucky. Football.

The Wildcats have done an impressive job of persevering this season.

They will be searching for their first victory in Athens, Ga., since 1977 and can improve their bowl berth in the final two games of the regular season. Kentucky has also won its last two road games for the first time since 2002 and has won four of its last five overall.

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]]> Rich BrooksRichBrooks Jim Henry jim-henry 2009-11-17T08:00:00 00:00 FSU Appeals Its Case to NCAA http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/15/fsu-appeals-its-case-to-ncaa/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/15/fsu-appeals-its-case-to-ncaa/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/15/fsu-appeals-its-case-to-ncaa/#comments

Filed under: Florida State, ACC

Bobby Bowden

Will Florida State and the NCAA see eye-to-eye and make nice?

FSU officials and representatives presented the university's appeal before the NCAA Division I Infractions Appeals Committee in Indianapolis Sunday. The Seminoles argued to overturn one penalty handed down earlier by the NCAA in the university's academic-misconduct scandal -- the order to vacate wins in football and nine other sports.

School and NCAA officials worked together to investigate the claims and concluded with a deal that FSU believed would solve eligibility questions of athletes involved. But the NCAA Committee's punishment could cost football coach Bobby Bowden 14 victories and the men's 2007 track team its outdoor national championship.

Read the PDF Attachment:
Chain Reaction of Unprecedented Steps in Florida State's NCAA Case

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]]> Bobby Bowden Jim Henry jim-henry 2009-11-15T20:30:00 00:00 Say Good Knight to Keenum, Houston http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/14/say-good-knight-to-keenum-houston/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/14/say-good-knight-to-keenum-houston/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/14/say-good-knight-to-keenum-houston/#comments

Filed under: Houston, UCF, Heisman

Case Keenum

ORLANDO, Fla. - Good Knight, Case.

Case Keenum's late-game dramatics -- not to mention his Heisman Trophy consideration -- wilted under a brilliant Florida sun and an inspired Central Florida defense Saturday afternoon. Despite throwing two touchdowns in the closing minutes, Keenum and 13th-ranked Houston ran out of time in their 37-32 defeat to a band of merry Knights who clinched the program's first win over a nationally-ranked team.

"Whether it was making mistakes or them playing really hard ... they did a good job of covering down field and putting pressure on me," said Keenum, who had led Houston to consecutive victories over Southern Miss and Tulsa last week on last-minute scoring drives.

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]]> Case KeenumCaseKeenum Jim Henry jim-henry 2009-11-14T17:57:00 00:00 SEC Notebook: South's Oldest Rivalry http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/13/sec-notebook-souths-oldest-rivalry/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/13/sec-notebook-souths-oldest-rivalry/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/13/sec-notebook-souths-oldest-rivalry/#comments

Filed under: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, South Carolina, SEC

Georgia vs. Auburn.

It doesn't get any better, or older, than this for these two schools. Known as the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry, the series began in 1892 and is the seventh-most played in the country. The mutual disdain has been passed down through the generations, and the 113th meeting Saturday isn't expected to be any different.

"Everybody has their team," Georgia coach Mark Richt said.

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]]> a.j. greenanthony dixonjoe coxmark ingramtim tebow Jim Henry jim-henry 2009-11-13T08:00:00 00:00 ACC Notebook: Settling Divisional Races http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/acc-notebook-settling-divisional-races/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/acc-notebook-settling-divisional-races/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/acc-notebook-settling-divisional-races/#comments

Filed under: Boston College, Clemson, Duke Football, Georgia Tech, Maryland, University of Miami, NC State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, ACC

Closure.

That's what we may get from the ACC this weekend in terms of divisional winners advancing to the title game in Tampa, Fla., next month.

Clemson could clinch the Atlantic Division Saturday if the Tigers beat North Carolina State and Boston College loses at Virginia. Georgia Tech, meanwhile, can clinch the Coastal Division by beating Duke in its last league game. Of course, keep an eraser handy, just in case.

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]]> Jim Henry jim-henry 2009-11-12T20:30:00 00:00 Stanford's Gerhart Battering Opposition http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/stanfords-gerhart-battering-opposition/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/stanfords-gerhart-battering-opposition/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/12/stanfords-gerhart-battering-opposition/#comments

Filed under: Stanford, USC, Pac 10, Heisman

Toby Gerhart spent so much time submerged in the cold tub Sunday that a Stanford athletic trainer joked Gerhart needed a snorkel. Thirty-eight carries and a school-record 223 rushing yards a day earlier against Oregon left Gerhart beaten and bruised.

He couldn't have been happier.

More Heisman Hopefuls: Boise State's Kellen Is 'Moore'
Houston's Consistent Keenum | Nebraska's Dominant DT Suh

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]]> jim harbaughJimHarbaughPete CarrollPeteCarrollToby GerhartTobyGerhart Jim Henry jim-henry 2009-11-12T18:30:00 00:00 Keenum's Heisman Campaign Heats Up http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/11/keenums-heisman-campaign-to-heat-up-at-central-florida/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/11/keenums-heisman-campaign-to-heat-up-at-central-florida/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/11/keenums-heisman-campaign-to-heat-up-at-central-florida/#comments

Filed under: Houston, UCF, Conference USA, Heisman

Case Keenum

If Central Florida's maligned pass defense is looking for motivation, well, here it is: The last time Case Keenum did not throw a touchdown pass was on Nov. 10, 2007, in a 56-7 defeat at Tulsa.

So it can be done.

Keenum's aerial show visits the Sunshine State on Saturday, when No. 12 Houston meets UCF in a key Conference USA showdown in Orlando. Better yet, it's also another great opportunity for Keenum, who has thrown for more than 1,000 yards in his past two games alone, to impress Heisman Trophy voters. That's if Keenum cares.

"I don't know what the Heisman voters are thinking," Keenum said.

"My goal right now is to beat UCF. My goal is not to win the Heisman or break records. Any individual award is a team award. If you're not being successful and winning games, those team accolades are not going to come your way."

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]]> Case KeenumCaseKeenum Jim Henry jim-henry 2009-11-11T15:00:00 00:00 FSU's History, Bowden's Future Rest on Shoulders of a Freshman http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/11/fsus-history-bowdens-future-rest-on-shoulders-of-a-freshman/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/11/fsus-history-bowdens-future-rest-on-shoulders-of-a-freshman/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/11/fsus-history-bowdens-future-rest-on-shoulders-of-a-freshman/#comments

Filed under: Florida State, Wake Forest, ACC, Coaching

Bobby Bowden

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State fans are speculating that Bobby Bowden's coaching future at FSU might be tied into the Seminoles' bowl eligibility. This much is known for certain: Bowden's status will be determined at season's end. And FSU's bowl chances will become much clearer on Saturday.

The Seminoles' hopes of a strong finish now rest on the shoulders of redshirt freshman quarterback E.J. Manuel. Manuel will make his first career start at Wake Forest following the season-ending shoulder injury to Christian Ponder.

What's at stake?

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]]> Christian PonderChristianPonderE.J. ManuelE.j.ManuelRiley SkinnerRileySkinner Jim Henry jim-henry 2009-11-11T01:00:00 00:00 FSU's Ponder Out for Season http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/09/fsus-ponder-out-for-the-season/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/09/fsus-ponder-out-for-the-season/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/09/fsus-ponder-out-for-the-season/#comments

Filed under: Florida State, Wake Forest, ACC

Florida State needs two more victories in its final three games to become bowl eligible and avoid its first losing season since 1976. The Seminoles will have to accomplish both without their starting quarterback.

Redshirt junior Christian Ponder will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery in two weeks, FSU coach Bobby Bowden told his weekly luncheon crowd Monday at FSU's University Center.

Ponder suffered a Grade 3 separation of his right (throwing) shoulder late in the game against Clemson Saturday, and had already been ruled out of Saturday's game at Wake Forest. Heralded recruit E.J. Manuel will get his first start against the Demon Deacons.

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]]> Bobby BowdenBobbyBowdenChristian PonderChristianPonder Jim Henry jim-henry 2009-11-09T14:45:00 00:00 Recruiting: Sweet Home Alabama http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/09/recruiting-sweet-home-alabama/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/09/recruiting-sweet-home-alabama/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/09/recruiting-sweet-home-alabama/#comments

Filed under: Alabama, Auburn, Recruiting

Seantrel Henderson

One announced his decision with plenty of fanfare, while the other quietly committed. Either way, college football fans in Alabama couldn't be more pleased with their weekend.

Michael Dyer, rated the No. 3 running back in the country by Rivals.com, got the party started on Friday when he publicly committed to Auburn moments after accepting an invitation to play in the Under Armour All-America game. Keenan Allen, the ninth-ranked prospect in the country, followed on Saturday when he confirmed his commitment to Alabama on the same day the Crimson Tide clinched the SEC West title.

Meanwhile, the country's No. 1 recruit in the class of 2010 -- mammoth offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson (pictured) -- is scheduled to visit USC later this month.

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]]> Keenan AllenKeenanAllenMichael DyerMichaelDyerSeantrel HendersonSeantrelHenderson Jim Henry jim-henry 2009-11-09T13:00:00 00:00 Bobby Bowden in No Mood to Celebrate 80th Birthday http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/08/bowden-in-no-mood-to-celebrate-birthday/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/08/bowden-in-no-mood-to-celebrate-birthday/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/08/bowden-in-no-mood-to-celebrate-birthday/#comments

Filed under: Clemson, Florida State, ACC

Bobby Bowden turned 80 on Sunday, but he wasn't in the mood to celebrate.

Bowden's Florida State Seminoles lost a key ACC game at Clemson and also their starting quarterback, Christian Ponder, possibly for the season with a separated shoulder in the process on Saturday. Talk about a family funk.

Bowden's son, Terry, whose coaching staff includes younger brother Jeff, saw his undefeated and top-ranked Division-II North Alabama Lions tumble in four overtimes on Saturday, too. And Bowden's son-in-law, Jack Hines, the defensive coordinator at Colquitt County High (Ga.), opened the weekend with a defeat on Friday.

"Our whole family got whipped. We ain't celebrating nothing," Bowden quipped Sunday.

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]]> Bobby BowdenJoe Paterno Jim Henry jim-henry 2009-11-08T18:10:00 00:00 At Alabama, Not Even History Can Keep Up With the Jones http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/07/at-alabama-not-even-history-can-keep-up-with-the-jones/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/07/at-alabama-not-even-history-can-keep-up-with-the-jones/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/07/at-alabama-not-even-history-can-keep-up-with-the-jones/#comments

Filed under: Alabama, LSU

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Just when it appeared as if third-ranked Alabama was destined to lose yet another home game to LSU, ending the decade O-fer in five tries, the Crimson Tide looked to familiar faces to save the day.

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]]> Jim Henry jim-henry 2009-11-07T22:06:00 00:00 Three Years After His Murder, Bryan Pata's Spirit Lives On http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/06/three-years-after-his-murder-bryan-patas-spirit-lives-on/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/06/three-years-after-his-murder-bryan-patas-spirit-lives-on/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/06/three-years-after-his-murder-bryan-patas-spirit-lives-on/#comments

Filed under: University of Miami

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The telephone conversation between brothers, as always, was friendly and upbeat.

The noise in the Miami bowling alley, however, made it difficult for Bryan Pata to hear, so he quickly squeezed his feet into a snug pair of bowling shoes and walked outside for better reception. Edwin Pierre Pata was 400 miles away in Florida's Panhandle, standing near his car, but their bond was not diminished by distance or time. Or school allegiance.

Bryan was a Hurricane; Edwin a Seminole.

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]]> Bryan PataBryanPataedwin pata Jim Henry jim-henry 2009-11-06T04:00:00 00:00