FanHouse SamKeller

On May 5, 2009 former Arizona State and Nebraska quarterback Sam Keller filed a class-action lawsuit alleging that EA Sports and the NCAA unlawfully used player images in their NCAA football and basketball video games. The lawsuit (read it here) received quite a bit of initial attention, but no one pointed out the most fascinating angle of the case, the NCAA is being accused of violating their own rules of amateurism, selling the rights to the players that they're supposed to protect.

Yep, the NCAA, baronial ruler of the collegiate landscape, investigator of impropriety from sea to shining sea, protector of amateur athletics, may be in need of investigation themselves. Oh, the delicious irony. What's at stake in Sam Keller's lawsuit? Only every game and every record featuring NCAA athletes in football and basketball over the past decade. Thankfully, this lawsuit falls right in my legal expertise; I'm a lawyer with a decent knowledge of NCAA regulations and a great knowledge of NCAA video games. As I read this lawsuit, I began to realize that it's much bigger than a video game, the lawsuit makes a really bold statement, it accuses the NCAA of violating their own rules of amateurism.

That's a huge story that no one is talking about.

In the above video, taken from the official YouTube channel of EA Sports, a quarterback for Oklahoma who wears No. 14 is referred to as a "Heisman winner." EA Sports and the NCAA would try to tell you -- with a straight face -- that they're not cashing in on the name and likeness of Sam Bradford, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback who wears No. 14 for Oklahoma. Sam Keller is calling their bluff.

With less than 90 days to go until the start of the 2007 college football season, the FanHouse is exploring the impact players in each conference. Although Vince Young no longer dominates the headlines, the Big 12 still has its share of stars worthy of celebration.

What follows are one man's picks for Big 12 impact players on offense, defense and newcomers.

Offense

Colt McCoy - Texas: He got banged around quite a bit at the end of last year, but in response McCoy beefed up and returns as one of the nation's most efficient passers. Kid is legit, completing 68% of his passes for an NCAA freshman record 29 touchdowns.

Chase Daniel - Missouri: Daniel's a bit of a wild one, but he has full command of a potent Missouri offense. The Tigers are darkhorse league title contenders thanks to Daniel's heroics as both a passer (63% completions, 3,527 yards and 28 touchdowns) and runner (379 yards, 4 touchdowns).

Stephen McGee - Texas A&M: The Aggies are always going to pound the ball on the ground, but McGee's versatile enough to contribute as both a runner and passer. He famously scored the winning touchdown against Texas last year, driving his team down the field. McGee rushed for 666 yards and 4 touchdowns last year to go with 2,295 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and a fine .620 completion percentage.

This may be a reason why Sam Keller isn't the slam-dunk choice for Nebraska's starting quarterback everyone assumed he is:

"He doesn't slur his words, but they just come all together," NU receiver Maurice Purify said. "It's sometimes that he says it so fast that you don't catch all the necessary stuff. We just have to pay attention a little more when Sam's calling the plays."

Jigga-wha? Jigga-who? Someone get Jay-Z in as a consultant stat.

Could this also be a reason why he suffered a coup at the hands of Rudy "El Presidente" Carpenter and the rest of the Sun Devil junta? After all, one must be able to communicate with the common people to lead them on the Glorious Path that winds its way towards BCS riches for the proletariat.

(Via Fanblogs)

Most Nebraska fans assumed Sam Keller would run away with the starting quarterback job a year after leaving Arizona State under curious circumstances. But someone forgot to inform Joe Ganz of this plan. The unheralded junior is confident and his performance in Saturday's scrimmage apparently bettered that of Keller. Ganz directed three scoring drives with the first team offense and also connected on a touchdown pass in the 80-play scrimmage.

"I'm as confident as I've ever been," Ganz said. "I know what I'm doing. I've been here for a long time and I know what the defense is doing. ... I like to get my motor going. I like to get the guys going and put a lot of pressure on the defense."

Keller, on the other hand, never got going on Saturday. He managed to complete a long pass to tight end Hunter Teafatiller, but failed to lead the offense to any points.

"I didn't really get into the flow today," Keller said. "It wasn't one of my best days. I made some good throws on some play-action. But we really couldn't get in the end zone, which was disappointing."

Although Bill Callahan has stressed that the starting job was up for grabs, most figured this was nothing more than coach-speak. It now appears that there is some true competition to replace Zac Taylor, who completed his eligibility in 2006. While Keller experienced a similar position battle last August, let's hope that his performances – both on and off the field – aren't signs that the pressure is getting to him.

Last Year: 9-5, Unranked

Fans Are: Sanguine, like every other spring, but anxious to see if the Huskers can take the next step in 2007.

Expectations: Win the Big 12 North. Beat USC or Texas. Contend for a BCS Bowl.

Questions:

1. What's going on at the running back position?

No one really knows right now, and what in the world happened to all of the depth? Brandon Jackson parlayed a strong second half in 2006 into an early exit for the NFL. Marlon Lucky was hospitalized for a curious medical emergency in February and both Cody Glenn and Kenny Wilson continue to recover from injuries. Lucky and Glenn should be available for the spring, but it might be August before things really clear up.

Whoever wins the job (and stays healthy) should get a lot of work. Nebraska RBs have combined to account for an average of 403 carries over the past two seasons. If Lucky and Glenn are both available, the Huskers will have a nice 1-2 punch. Without Lucky or Glenn, the picture is less clear. Sophomore Major Culbert, a safety in 2006 will start the spring at RB and early enrollee Marcus Mendoza will also get a look.

This is rich.

Campus police cited Nebraska quarterback Sam Keller Thursday for disturbing the peace after he allegedly yelled profanities at a woman who took a parking spot he was waiting for in a campus parking garage.

The woman told campus police Keller got out of his car, yelled and threw a plastic cup at her car, said University Police Capt. Carl Oestmann.

I was just about to write about the Nebraska quarterback competition when I discovered this fantastic item that adds to Keller's legend.

In case you haven't seen Keller play before, dude's a little unhinged. Mostly in a good way with the rat-a-tat-tat finger guns he likes to take out of his imaginary holster. But sometimes he's doing stupid things like throwing into quintuple coverage to prove a point about his arm strength and insanity. We're talking MC Pee Pants level insanity (I'm a giant spider and I wear diapers, I'm insane!).

Anyway. Consider yourself introduced.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers found their new OC Saturday, and it didn't require a big national search. Tight ends coach Shawn Watson was hired to replace Jay Norvell who joined the UCLA staff after three years in Lincoln.

He sounds like someone who can compliment coach Bill Callahan in that he is versed in Callahan's offense and outlook.

He has an excellent offensive mind and has worked in this type of offensive system for a number of years. Shawn is also extremely organized and detail-oriented, and I am excited to having him lead our offensive unit

Don't expect many radical changes for the Husker offense, however. This is Bill Callahan's offense - part of the reason Norvell left for UCLA. Callahan calls the plays and can lead some to interpret his OC's as puppets.

That said, Watson was Colorado's offensive coordinator from 2000 to 2005 and head coach at Southern Illinois from 1997 to 1998.

So, what does this mean for Big Red? More of the same, probably. Watson has plenty of Big 12 experience and should nicely compliment Callahan's offensive duties. He's familiar with the personnel having spent a year as an offensive assistant (tight ends) and will have the luxury of coaching several fine offensive players like tailback Marlon Lucky, senior transfer quarterback Sam Keller and receiver Maurice Purify.