Loser with Socks

It’s week 12 in CFB and the season is flying by. Only a couple of weeks left, then Championship Saturday followed by the bowls and the BCS NC game. Well, we are officially in a 2-2 rut, as the Locks went 2-2 ATS last week for the 5th straight week in a row bringing the overall total to 19-21 ATS. Still trying to get above .500. Last week we had easy winners on Ore St -13 over Wash. and Wisc. -8.5 over Michigan. Two bad losers (Miss St +13.5) as the Tide broke through the SEC Bye Week Theory (5-4 ATS in ‘09) and dominated the Bullies and Troy (+14) got demolished in 2nd half by Arky. This week’s board does not have the marquee match-ups of weeks past, and the lines are getting sharper and sharper. However, I have a real good feeling  on the 4 games I chose this week.

I had a couple of people suggest to me that I was ducking the UT scandal or losing credibility by not mentioning it in last week’s letter. First, I am not sure what great value my take on it would be since everyone is well aware of my allegiances. Next, when did anyone ever accuse me of having credibility in the first place. Seriously though, it was a complete distraction that happened at the worst possible time. A few idiots could have ruined what could have been a decent first season for HC Kiffin. Right when the media had admitted to being wrong about Kiffin and several sources (SI, CBS Sportsline and ESPN) had Kiffin on top 10 list for coach of the year consideration, this incident blows up in his face. Predictably, the media jumped on the pile. When you stick your chin out there, the media is just waiting for the opportunity to knock it off. I am not sure what people expect me to say about this. It is a black eye, a distraction, but is it an overall indictment of Kiffin? Of course I would say “No.” I cannot think of one program who has not had similar or worse issues they have had to deal with. Have the 30 arrests effected Herban in Gunsville? Did the Penn St debacle last year get JoPa run out of town? At the end of the day, like almost all other coaches, he will be judged by Ws and Ls. The jury is still out on whether this has a lingering effect on the team or whether it will blow over. At present it has not affected recruiting (but NSD is 3 months away). I know rival fans love pointing the finger at other programs when they have problems arise but can any program (outside of Vandy ….oh, I forgot,  they had the steroid scandal in the 80s) say they are devoid of these types of issues? The question is, how does Kiffin handle it from here on out? And I am sure he will be criticized whichever way he goes, but that comes with the territory.    Now onto more important things ……. The Locks Lucky 7 this week are 1. Fla., 1. Bama, 1. Texas, 4. TCU, 5. Cincy, 6. GT, 7. Ore. Even with all the early upsets, it looks like we are headed toward a Texas versus SECC game winner for the BCS NC. This week’s Locks are:

1. OLE MISS -4 v. LSU      Man, is Vegas begging you to take LSU or what? The # 9 or 10 team is getting points? I really like Ole Miss in this spot. This is a huge game and will determine who is 3rd best team in SEC. LSU has won 6 straight over Ole Miss, but comes into this game beaten and battered (lost 5-6 players in Bama game) surviving a scare against LA Tech. In the past 2 games, LSU has given up 176 yds rushing (Bama) and 178 yds rushing (La Tech). That does not bode well for the Bayou Bengals as Rebel RB D. McCluster is on fire rushing for 282 yds. (TN), 186 yds. (Aub) and 123 yds (Arky) in his past 3 SEC games. The running game is taking pressure off of QB J. Snead and he is playing much better than he did earlier in the year. LSU lost a ton of starters in the Bama game (QB, RB, C) and it appears QB J. Jefferson will play but he is not 100 % (sprained ankle and bruised sternum). Last week back up QB J. Lee was horrendous going 7-22-105 yds against La Tech, and you can expect the Ole Miss DL to get after whomever is behind center. Ole Miss’ DL is fast and deep led by J. Powe, K. Lockett. M. Tillman, L. Scott and T. Laurent. Neither team yields many points (LSU #10 scoring D and Ole Miss #12 scoring D) but the Rebels seem to be playing with more pop and are at home where they have played better. OLE MISS 30 LSU 20

2. PENN ST -3 @ MICH ST   If Penn St is going to prove it is in the conversation as an elite team, then it needs to win this game and win it convincingly. There are still aspirations of a BCS game with a little luck, so Penn St has something to play for, while Mich St got bowl eligible last week after squeaking by Purdue (40-37) where they were out gained and out first downed. This game pits the #1 O in the Big 10 (Spartans) against the #1 D in the Big 10 (Nittany Lions). I’ll side with the D in this one. Penn St QB D. Clark has been very good in Big 10 road games (3) completing 65% for 675 yds/5 TDs/0 INTs while the Mich St Pass D ranks #94 in pass D and #99 in pass efficiency D in the nation. Penn St  also has a running threat as RB E. Royster has 990 yds/5.7 yds. a carry. Penn St is a brick wall against the run (#8 in rushing D) led by LB N. Bowman (12 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFLs and 1 INT for TD last week). The Spartans should find the sledding tough and will have to rely on Frosh QB K. Cousins for any offensive punch. I think Penn St is clearly the better team here and I am waiting for them to finally  show up and prove it. Crazy things have been known to happen in East Lansing, but I think Penn St cruises. PENN ST 30 MICH ST 17

3. SFLA -11 v LOUISVILLE  The Bulls are in their typical late season swoon as they have gone 1-3 after starting the year 5-0. The Cards are just in a funk and avoided the basement of the Big East by barely topping Syracuse (10-9) last week. HC M. Kraggthorpe is all but gone and the team knows it.  SFLa has run a gauntlet of tough games recently and will be looking to take out their frustrations on the hapless Cards. L’ville is averaging a whopping 18 points (#103 in scoring O and #93 in total O) a game this year and has been straddled with tons of injuries and a revolving door at the QB position. Having so little offensive output is a killer when facing a very salty Bull D led by DEs G. Selvie and J. Pierre-Paul, LB K. Wilson, S N. Allen and CB D. Murphy. I do not see how L’ville is going to keep up in this game. SFLa also will be able to pound away at the Cards (#67 rush D) with QB BJ Daniels and RBs M. Plancher and M. Ford. The Bulls will get back to their winning ways at home this week with an easy W. SFLA 31 LVILLE 10

OBSCURE GAME DEGENERATE SPECIAL   A couple of games jumped out at me this week for this pick. At first I wanted to take Fresno -9 against La Tech since Tech is winless on the road and played their hearts out last week. I still like Fresno, but there was another I liked better. Take LA MONROE -3 @ ULALA. This is probably a rivalry game as both are in the Sunbelt. Last year ULaLa ran for over 500 yds on Monroe. This year Monroe has the #25 rush D in the nation. Monroe also has the #30 rush O going against ULa La’s #94 rush D. Pay back is in order as Monroe wins easily. MONROE 27 ULALA 18

From 3rd Down H Back who is currently on assignment to Southwest Asia:

It is so pathetic it is funny.  This kind of reminds me of the way the Shia took out all their pent up aggression on the Sunnis after Saddam was no mas.

Colonel Reb Foundation Press Release
For Immediate Release

Colonel Reb Barred From Football Stadium
Student in Mascot Uniform Denied Entry

Oxford, MS – Ever since the University of Mississippi Athletic Department chose to become the only SEC school without a mascot in 2002, the Colonel Reb Foundation has picked up the void and escorted a Colonel Reb look-alike into the football, basketball, baseball, and other athletic venues at Ole Miss. But that all changed this past Saturday with a student wearing the mascot uniform being banned from entering an athletic facility for the first time in 7 years.

Working with students, alumni, and Ole Miss supporters, the Colonel Reb Foundation purchased an exact duplicate from the original manufacturer of the Colonel Reb mascot uniform to allow student members to be “the Colonel” at athletic events. The CRF mascot, officially called “Colonel Too”, enters the games with a student escort with tickets paid for by CRF. But this past Saturday, November 7, 2009 at the Ole Miss-Northern Arizona football game a student wearing the mascot costume and his escort were banned from entering Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium for the first time since 2003. They were told by armed police and security that the ban on entry was dictated by Public Relations at the University of Mississippi’s Athletic Department.

In 2003 the Associated Student Body voted to keep Colonel Reb as the official mascot of Ole Miss, and a subsequent campus-wide vote showed that 94% of students at Ole Miss wanted to keep Colonel Reb as the mascot of Ole Miss.

Colonel Reb Foundation Chairman Brian Ferguson said “Chancellor Jones recently stated ‘Some may fear this is the first step toward changing other traditions. It is not.’ I ask him to back these words up with action and let the Colonel back in the stadium with the students and fans of Ole Miss where he belongs.”

A recent article in the campus newspaper The Daily Mississippian highlighted the fact that the university still reaps large financial rewards from the Colonel Reb logo in its stores on campus, and had a huge increase in sales after the University rescinded an earlier ban on the sale of items with Colonel Reb.

-30-___________________________________________________________
The Colonel Reb Foundation is a non-profit organization formed by students at Ole Miss in 2002 dedicated to preserving the 70 year tradition of having Colonel Reb as the mascot and logo of the University of Mississippi.

Colonel Reb Foundation•PO Box 2561•University, MS http://www.facebook.com/l/6387e;38677•www.saveolemiss.com
——————–

Lane Kiffin dismissed Janzen Jackson from the University of Tennessee football team today, over a week after the now infamous incident involving Jackson and two other players, Nu’Keese Richardson and Mike Edwards.

“We are very disappointed with these three freshman,” Kiffin said.  “We are building a championship football team here.  There is absolutely no room for this nonsense.”

The three former players were arrested last Thursday morning after a botched robbery attempt at a gas station.  Richardson allegedly held a pellet gun to three young men sitting in their car at the Pilot station on Cumberland Avenue near campus.  The victims had no money and have famously been quoted as offering the Vol freshman their cheeseburger.

Kiffin is unabashed with his criticism.  “Look at the teams of championships past.  Florida, USC, Oklahoma, Miami.  Those teams had a swagger, a certain championship attitude.  We simply will not condone this kind of pussy shit,” said Kiffin.

Kiffin said he was most disappointed in the players’ decision to rob a 1999 Hyundai.  “What does that car tell you?  Does it scream money?  Fuck no it doesn’t.  It says ‘I am a poor ass inbred from Maryville.’ I cannot believe that Nuke (Richardson) only came away with a goddamn Wendy’s Baconator.  If we are going to improve as a program, we have to be better than that.”

Kiffin cites Bruce Pearl’s basketball program as a benchmark for success.  “Look at what BP (Pearl) is doing over there.  That program was dogshit, and now they are a top 10 team.  He did that by recruiting the right kind of players.  Tyler (Smith) is straight up thug.  JP (Prince) is so Memphis it hurts.  Wayne (Chism) has black redneck swag.  We need that.”

Kiffin recalls two of Pearl’s players in particular who defined what he is looking for in a player.  “Remember Duke Crews and Ramar Smith?  Unfortunate victims of administrative bullshit.  (Crews and Smith were dismissed by Pearl last season).  Those guys dominated this town.  Ramar is currently in jail after catching a home invasion charge.  And not any bullshit burglary either.  He kicked in a drug dealer’s door and robbed him while wielding a shotgun.  Know what I call that?  Fucking championship.”

The young coach says he has learned from the experience and knows what he’s looking for from here on out.  “I knew Nuke was a fake gangster.  He tried to act like a balla, but he clearly wasn’t.  He shaved his goddamn eyebrows like Bobby Brown.  And I’ll say this – no one who has game takes down a ‘99 Hyundai with a fucking BB gun.  I promise Vol fans – from here on out, we will scout better.  Only straight up thugs from now on.  UT deserves better.”

Senior Wes Brown agrees.  “You try to be there for these kids.  You try to be a mentor, and all they do is fuck up.  I not only offered Nuke my .30-06, I even gave him camo and a Mapquest printout to an apartment where some fratboys are running a book.  Tons of cash, and that stupid fuck shakes down a gas station with a kid’s gun.  It’s simultaneously heartbreaking and hilarious.”

Tennessee plays Vanderbilt Saturday and will try to become bowl eligible for the first time in 2 years.  The team is massively depleted on defense and is starting walk-ons at key positions.  Kiffin says that Jackson’s absence will hurt this weekend, but his dismissal was something that had to be done.  “We need him, but we have to move on.  We have good players who are ready to fight.  I’ll tell you what – the fat man (Fulmer) left some hardass boys over here.  Don’t buy that ‘Family Atmosphere’ for a second.”

Fulmer agrees, with a smirk.  “That kid (Kiffin) has got a lot to learn.  You gotta get in these recruits’ kitchens and eat momma’s apple pie and gesture with your Bible, but in the end it’s all about noticing the AK under that young man’s bed or the knife scars on his arms.  Recruiting is more than video tape, it’s also about the size of the rap sheet if you want the trophies.”

I had visited General Neyland’s grave, then dropped in to Knoxville to provide some suggested plays to run against the Vanderbilt.  Crompton will go all “Fouts to Winslow” on Saturday.

Check this:Neyland Stadium — The color orange – ESPN

Check me out, getting all zen-like.

Dog gone, it’s Lane Kiffin’s fault.  Anyone have any idea what they will name his replacement?

Last known photo of UGA:

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via email:

The Charlie Weis clock is now ticking to its proverbial ending. It all started on Saturday night after the Irish lost to Pittsburgh 27-22 and it’s long flight back to South Bend. Sunday morning Weis was called in to Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick’s office at 9:30 am, where he was told something. Whether he is staying or going, has not been made publicly, but the final nail seems to have been nailed shut.
>
> Here are a few tidbits which should uncloud the Irish Nation’s mind about the future of Coach Weis:
>
> ~ Weis calls off his Sunday media press conference. This is the first time in five years he has called off a press conference.
>
> ~ The media try to contact both Swarbrick and ND President Fr. Jenkins for comment on Weis future, but are not able to be reached, due to both being away from campus.
>
> ~ 12:00 p.m. South Bend Private Flight carrying Swarbrick and Jenkins is headed South to Florida.
>
> ~ The same plane also has scheduled flights this week to Cincinnati and Oklahoma.
>
> ~ Bob Stoops of Oklahoma has been reported as being interested in the Notre Dame job if it becomes available, according to Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune.
>
> According to one of the Board of Trustees and a source inside the Athletic Department has both confirmed that both Swarbrick and Jenkins have put a package together to lure Urban Meyer back to South Bend. Here are the main details that are on the table as of yesterday:
>
> 1.) A 10-year $50,000,000 base salary, which doesn’t include endorsement and university incentives.
>
> 2.) 3 “special” projects a year, which may include JUCO transfers.
>
> 3.) A contract with Nike (football only)
>
> 4.) Additional incentives:
>
> (a) $550,000 for Top 10 Finish
> (b) $750,000 for BCS Bowl appearance
> (c) $1.2 million for BCS National Championship
> (d) $400,000 for 90% or better graduation rate
>
> The carpet is ready to roll out for Meyer for the taking, whether Swarbrick and Jenkins can get it done, will be the trick. If not, Brian Kelly, seems to be the next logical choice.
>
> These next two weeks will be a roller coaster for media and Irish fans alike. But one thing is for sure, the Weis era clock is about to hit midnight!

Unleash his ass, NOW

Jackson is “trapped like a duck in a pen”.

How is it that we everyday run-of-the-mill fan  recognize the importance of athletics in these players lives? Facts are facts:  Education has never done anything for these boys. They play football good and that is what is going to make them a star.  The sooner that Kiffin grasps this fact the sooner we can get back on top of the SEC.  He needs to take a real long  look at this years SEC-CG teams and their disciplinary programs.  Those coaches know how to discipline the right way and look where they are today:  ”bowl eligible”.  Dare I say that Meyer and Saban have established and finetuned the template for success?  Why reinvent the wheel Lane?

Despite the obvious damage keeping these Jackson off the field has caused, Lane Kiffin has  chosen to “suspend” Janzen Jackson, perhaps for multiple games .  I promise you this ill-advised decision cost us a ballgame versus Ole Miss without the Jackson’s help.  Let’s face facts, McCluster would have never gained 475 yards against us if Jackson had played, Thanks Coach.

So here is my message to Lane Kiffin:  Get Janzen back on the field ASAP.  We need to get bowl eligible and ESPN says we still can make a New Year’s Day Bowl if you hurry and reverse your oppressive decision of denying Janzen’s God given right:  The right to play Tennessee Football.

suckmydiiiick Mike Slive and Rogers Redding

It’s never a good thing to waste a crisis……

Via email:

“I don’t think it has one,” Kiffin suggested. “I think everyone at times goes through issues. We have been very fortunate to go through 11 months without any. This one hit us. I think the message sent in how we dealt with it as we have already talked to a number of parents and kids on the phone the last couple of days they understand that situations happen everywhere. It’s more how do you deal with them. Do you keep that kind of activity around your program. Do you suspend them for a half? Do you suspend them for a game? Then you do have parents question, ‘ok am I going to send my son to that kind of environment when you let those things happen and they are still on a suspension, but they are in your program’.”

I don’t think Kiffin stuttered. Do not misunderestimate him.  Lane Kiffin is a hard-nosed, baby-faced, supremely coiffed, old school coach and a offensive genius. Much to the amazement to his doubters, he continues to exhibit the leadership qualities necessary to lead a team of impressionable young men.  5 star Safety  Janzen Jackcon has shown that Kiffin’s example does not go unnoticed.

It seems like just yesterday that coach Kiffin put a recruiting whipping on those south Florida boys and then called Herban Meyer a ‘cheat’.

Today?  Lane Kiffin is  spinning, juking and jiving so he can go in again and harvest some more blue chippers out of fertile South Florida.  Just like last year when we went down and plucked Nu’keese from Pahokee at the last minute by taking him away from UF, FAU, UCF, USF, FSU, FIU and FAMU.

Sure it is a crying shame that Nu’keese had to go. He did learn a college  life-skill during  his brief time at Knoxville.  When he goes back to hunting rabbits in Pahokee,   he can use a pellet gun instead of chasing hares  through the sugar cane.  Prospects down in Pahokee will intuitively  know that Tennessee make Nu’keese a better  person despite being arrested.  Kiffin can build on this fact, thus making  a negative a positive.

That new recruiting tactic will  aid Tennessee immensely:  ” we may shitcan them, but they learn a skill anyway”!!

After a Kiffin beatdown special on Vandy,  Tennessee fans will forget about Nu’keese and his hamburgerlers.