The Bravery of Michael Sam

Last night, things in professional football changed for the rest of time. Michael Sam, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, let the world know that he is gay and will play his whole career being likely the first openly gay active athlete in the four major professional sports. This is a major step forward for sports as well as society... hopefully. 

Sam did the right thing by letting the world know about his sexuality before the combine and having the strength to do it before the process along with controlling the situation without having a general manager leaking it out to the media. When he is being asked at the Senior Bowl whether he has a girlfriend and his interaction with women, it makes sense for Sam to go guns ablaze and let teams know what's going on therefore nothing gets caught in the crosshairs. This takes a great set of balls and courage from Sam. 

Many people will come out on sports radio, in print, online and everywhere else asking the question 'Why this is important?'  'Why make a big deal about it?'  Well for one, any time there is a 'first' no matter what it is, people should pay attention to it. While other athletes have come out, football is a different beast. Second, there is a manliness about football where it is about getting girls, having a locker room culture where people deem it acceptable to use the word 'faggot' or use 'gay' in a derogatory manner. The football culture is one that is truly and deeply flawed. It bothers people to see or hear that, but there are too many problems around programs/franchises/fanbases. What's weird is the culture is not created for the most part by the players, rather the people whom want to be like the players perceiving that's how they act. Although the likes of Johnathan Vilma, Richie Incognito and Johnathan Martin would tell you players still are not 100 percent in the clear when it comes to having a clear mind and acting like a professional.  

 The more people that take no issue with this, the better, but there will be a great deal of people whom will despise everything about this from what Sam said to who he is as a person which is damn sad and disappointing. As a whole, this country is fracture for a variety of non-sports reasons meaning there will be people opposed to the idea of cheering for an openly gay NFL athlete, or that will think it is humorous when Sam tackles somebody and 'Oh he must like it being around other men.' This will occur with people, but as always, we assume the worst in people and recognize the NFL might have the lowest IQ when it comes to their fanbase. Of course, Roger Goodell and other executives hope the fans will be tolerable, but in the back of the head, he has to know it might not be the smoothest ride.  

One of the bigger reasons why this is a big deal is those who have come or who people believe to be gay have seen issues finding work in their profession. Jason Collins does not have a job after telling Sports Illustrated he was gay. Granted, Collins did not have a great season last season yet no one sought his services out when needing a big man. Kerry Rhodes, an NFL safety that never came out, but pictures around the Internet painted him as a gay man whether he is or is not, no NFL wanted to take that risk and remained unemployed for the entire season. Sam will be on team, he is too good not be on a team and hopefully his sexuality will not have any part of it.  

Most of the draft publications see Sam as a player going in the first three rounds. He led the mighty SEC in sacks last season with eleven and a half, and the only real knock on him is whether he can be a 3-4 linebacker or destined to be a 4-3 defensive end. As much as it is disappointing, Sam knows he might have cost himself some money on Sunday night by admitting he is gay even if the public relations team around him says he wants to be just a football player. There will be general managers that pass on Sam when they could use him because they do not want the attention or simply, they do not feel comfortable having the first gay NFL player on their roster. Ignorance like that will exist for awhile, and odds are someone makes a mistake by missing out Sam. This is one of four situations could happen with Sam when we get to the NFL Draft.   

There will be others who worry about how their fans will react to having the first active gay NFL player which is also a wrong way to think about things. More need the Ted Thompson middle finger attitude where he does not care about what the fans think rather what makes the team better. All of that being said, there are definitely teams where having a player being gay would be an issue at the surface given their attitude towards gay rights. Thinking from the glass half-full, this could be the thing that might make those places in the Bible Belt as well as Texas, Indiana, Ohio and other areas that could open the general public's eyes about gay rights. Football is something that can be a unifier of sorts, and let's hope if Sam ends up on team such as ones with not a tolerable fanbase, they will keep an open mind.   

One of my biggest worry for Sam is a team might draft him earlier than where he is projected because they want to exploit him for their greater benefit. While on the opposite end of the spectrum, Denver Broncos did this with Tim Tebow by drafting him in the late first round. Denver became the story of the first night of the NFL Draft rather than whatever happened in the first ten picks of the draft. While this is highly unlikely to happen with Sam, there could be a team out there thinking they need positive headlines and want the world to perceive them as an open culture. Now if Sam makes an impact at the NFL Combine where he deserves to be a first-round draft pick no matter what, then this paragraph becomes irrelevant but let's hope a team avoids this route. 

Some people believe Sam will not get drafted because he is gay.  CBS Sports dropped Sam from being ranked number 90 to number 160 which likely is due in lieu of talking to executives last night. While it is hard for me to believe 32 teams will pass 250+ times on the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, there is still a chance this might happen with Sam. If it does, some media will paint the picture 'This is a huge stepback for gay athletes', but if Sam ends up being a great undrafted rookie as many have before, it becomes nonsense.  Now if Sam does not get immediately picked up after being undrafted, it might be time to reevaluate the people running the front offices in the National Football League. All of this is highly unlikely, but at the same time, you can never underestimate the idiocracy of people.  

When Jason Collins talked about his sexuality, we did a podcast a couple days later talking about homosexuality in the National Football League. We discussed many different angles in the podcast, but none of them revolved around 'What if a highly-touted draft pick said he was gay before the combine or getting drafted?' Now, Sam will deal with more attention than we probably expected when he began the Senior Bowl, but from what I have heard and read from Sam, it seems like he is more than ready for it. There is something to be said for a man who is never scared.  

Charlie. 

Northwestern Football Union: A Step Towards a Needed Discussion

For anyone who studied feudal times about kings, queens and other royalty as well as any government where there is too much centralized power, the people beneath them start to get restless. They want to rise up, and form a coup trying to dethrone the leader or the king. This is the NCAA right now. A king or queen with too much power. Northwestern Wildcats football's attempt to form a union might be the first of many actions by teams trying to force the hand that feeds. This is a bigger problem for the NCAA than Northwestern.  

Let's face facts, NCAA is a monopoly without question. They earn all the money, do not really share the money without anyone besides the universities and players risk injuries for free. The last part is a murky, gray area topic. There is no right answer. "Just play the players" leads to a whole string of consequences while at the same time "Kids get free education and that's all they need." leads to another strand of consequences. There needs to be an obvious balance, and hopefully, Northwestern's effort to create a union will be a step in the right direction for the NCAA.

This is not a time for the NCAA to dig its heels into the ground. For them to act like this is not a crisis situation would be terribly wrong. If the NCAA does act like a king or queen and basically treats Northwestern like pheasants, it could spiraled out of control for them. Northwestern could possibly go on strike if their demands are not met, and that would easily be the worst case scenario. Northwestern is a part of a power six conference, and a conference that will be welcoming Rutgers and Maryland to their conference next season. NCAA could threaten to seize funding if Northwestern decides to go on strike, but how serious is that?  Not much honestly. 

It is hard to defend the NCAA when Notre Dame announces their plans a 400 million dollars renovation to their stadium. Arizona State Sun Devils recently added a 252 million dollar renovation to their stadium.  There are other stadiums all over the country getting face lifts, and some of these universities could not at least shell out a little coin for the players?  It is not like any of these schools like Notre Dame and Arizona State are going broke any time soon. From afar, it has the look of an institution with its head buried in the sand which is usually relates to a system being broken. While NCAA rakes in more money than ever before, it is a broken system, no question about it. 

Although this is not a foolproof plan by Northwestern as the idea of 'medical protection' after their playing days is flawed. Listening to Kain Coulter, not a likely NFL player, he wants to be medically protected long after playing for Northwestern. If anything, a window would have to be made saying 'Unless it is a direct injury related towards playing football, medical coverage only last two to three years after football.' Because if someone like Coulter blows out a knee playing adult league basketball, there is no reason the university should have to front that bill. It is not a football injury yet Coulter's attitude seems like the players have a medical umbrella until the end of time which cannot happen unless a serious, life-altering injury happens during their time at the university.  Additionally, this could open a can of worms for players dating back to the 1970's and 1980's demanding medical coverage as well leading to more lawsuits. Once again, it is one grand gray area where things need to be flushed out and talked out instead of being struck down immediately. 

While Coulter is acting like this is not an attempt at 'pay for play', it is hard not to see it as such. NCAA talked about opening its door to a discussion just a couple weeks ago, and it needs to continue in order to find the best way to appease both parties. Sportandfashion-news writer and contributor Andrew Kasmarek covered this topic for us last week presenting the 'Trust Fund theory' which I believe is one of the best models I have seen in a long time. It encompassed what everyone wants on both sides of the aisle. Compromises almost never happy, and still when paying players happens, there will be a section of people on both sides of the argument unhappy, that's how life works yet there is no need to be one-sided. 

The biggest hope for Northwestern's attempt to unionize is we see a better, well thought out discussion about payment of players along with medical coverage including concussion protection. If we continue down the path the NCAA is currently going, it is destined to fail and universities will start leaving in bunches to create their own hegemony. Because that's another thing in feudal times that happened when the king or queen's power was too much, a group of people broke away and started their own country. Would not be surprised to see this sooner rather than later unless NCAA acts differently.  

Charlie.  

Dear NCAA, Pay The Kids

College sports are a hell of a lot of fun. The intensity and electricity that packs arenas, stadiums and ballparks nationwide is virtually unmatched. It mounts competition between 18-23 year old kids whom showcase their talent, skills and hard work at the highest level an amateur can compete at.

There is nothing quite like it. They are only playing because they absolutely love what they are playing. If they did not love it, it would not be worth it, because about 90 percent of what college athletes have to deal with is complete garbage in my opinion I really cannot stand it at all. The garbage I speak of, sparks a hot conversation of debate, should college athletes be paid? A simple question, without a simple answer.

The main argument (that I have heard) as to why student-athletes should not be paid is because said kids are receiving education from high-end universities (Here is the kicker) for free. And not only for free, but many times with perks that most students could not dream of as the school helps out with meal plans, mopeds, iPads, Brand name gear whether it be Nike, adidas or Under Armour and other related things. These athletes also get the opportunity to travel around and see many parts of the country on university dime. As a person that has been mainly planted in the Midwest, I would kill for the opportunity to get to fly around and see other parts of the country. Much less have someone else pay for it.

In some situations, these people are treated like immortals, and receive notoriety that most 20-something-years-olds could never imagine. At schools like Alabama, Texas, Duke and Ohio State, co-eds and grown men and women will bend over backwards for opportunities to help these guys and girls. All the enabling creates an environment that kids, who are no longer the “typical college student," can easily take advantage of certain normal things. This, of course, leads to the other stereotype that most student-athletes are not going to class or doing any schoolwork whatsoever. It is my opinion that they put in more of a school effort than what is perceived, but you hear rumors of Morris Claiborne showing up for class, day one of the semester at LSU, and then never returning to class again, yet like clockwork, he passed for nothing.

Whatever the case, I still feel like these kids are getting cheated.  And I mean cheated big time.

First, simply paying for school is not enough because of the massive time commitment these kids are giving on a daily basis. They are supposed to be student-athletes. Emphasis on student. But in reality, a lot of these kids are giving 50-60 hours per week to sports alone. This leaves little time for the students to complete schoolwork that they are required to be passing in order to keep competing. On a conservative scale, it is said that college students should spend an average of two hours per credit outside of class studying. So a 12-credit semester would result in 12-in-class hours, plus another 24-hours out of class, devoted to studies per week.So the average student will dedicate 36-hours per week on school. But then the athlete will have to do that, plus an additional 50 hours (give or take some either way) on activities related to their sports. At this point, we are talking 86 hours or 3.5 days out of their week that are already being completely spoken for already without considering simple things like eating, driving and sleeping.

Considering I get tired after a day of school and my retail job which involves usually no physical activity at all, I cannot imagine how tired these guys are after school, the mental tutoring of their sport, practice and  occasionally their workout. I know I would be wiped, and because of this I am going to go out on a limb and say some of these kids are getting decent sleep therefore I am giving these men and women an average of five hours of sleep per night. We are now (factoring sleep time in) up to five days of their schedule completely spoken for already. 

I mean, maybe I am crazy[1], but I think that the college years are hugely influential when trying to figure out who the hell you are and what you want to be. In my experience, people need time to figure out what is going to matter to them in life. And if you only have 47 hours, spread out sporadically in between the intense day-to-day activities that are intertwined with major cutthroat athletics, it becomes hard for these kids to find themselves.

In my opinion, the lack of free time makes a lot of these people one-dimensional. They are being systematically trained to behave a certain way, and often times the behavior that is being exemplified is not necessarily something that is going to help out these student-athletes long-term. What good does knowing how to systematically break down a “cover-3” do for someone who is now trying to tell you how to manage your money? Or how does knowing the ins and outs of perfect diving techniques do for someone that is now trying to sell real estate? Does this person even really care about real estate?

What I mean is that, most of these people will not go on to be professional athletes, but until they officially do not make the next league, all they have known their whole lives is that sport. To have that label stripped of them so suddenly, I think is somewhat of a culture shock. If they are lucky they graduate with a degree in something, but is that even what they really love? Do they want to be that? Or did they use it as a placeholder when they were still chasing their real dreams of athletics. Once again, my point is while normal college kids have the time to tinker around and try out different routes and gain real world experiences that help shape who they are, college athletes have a route that is already semi-paved for them, and it it starts and ends on the playing field.

But then things really get crazy. As if the sacrifice of 86 mental and physical taxing hours were not enough, they also have to endure the pressure of making sure their coach keeps his or her job… and in some cases, their boat too.

After Johnny Manziel went OVO on everyone last year and won the Heisman trophy, his coach, Kevin
Sumlin, received a 1.1 million dollar raise (he now makes 3.1 million per year). Meanwhile, Johnny got in trouble for signing his name on some footballs. Alabama's Nick Saban is now getting paid an absurd seven million dollars per year to coach amateur football. Tom Izzo is making 3.5 million per season to man the pine at Michigan State and Carol Hutchins, the women’s softball coach at the University of Michigan, makes $200,000 per year. These coaches do not only thoroughly enjoy their jobs and the high paying perks that they sometimes carry, but also to show the competitiveness that college athletics produces among non-athletes.

College athletics are actually a job for thousands of people. A high paying job at that. And yet the moneymakers themselves (the athletes), get nothing but the pressures the coaches apply on them to keep winning. And if they do not keep win, the coach will only make matters more intense. When a college program starts failing, it gets awkward for the players. When losing, the media scrutiny heightens, thus putting more pressure on the coach to succeed. If he continues to fail, then the players, who put all their good faith in the coach when they picked the school in the first place, are subjected to feeling the guilt of a grown man losing his livelihood.  That kind of mental stress should be compensated in my opinion. Especially considering the universities are making so much on these kids. According to a Time Magazine article written in September about college athletics, Michigan Wolverine Football team made the university 85.2 million dollars in 2012 Longhorns of Texas brought in 103.8 million. In basketball, Duke brought in 25 million for the university, while the Louisville Cardinals made 42.4 million for their school.

If College Football created a revenue share that was weighted like the NFL each player on the Texas A&M football team could be making 225,000 dollars per season of college football. Instead, not one player is allowed to make money off the skills that they are working so hard to craft. I think it is all-together absurd that a football team is out there generating 103 million dollars and players are risking their heads, knees and time and not getting paid through the whole process.

So what can be done?

A couple different ideas need to be put in motion. The first one being letting these young athletes market themselves. While a small percentage of college athletes go on to the pros, most of them have to figure out how to do other things, but all of them are receiving notoriety in college, and by and large they deserve to cash in on it.The fact that some big wig somewhere says Johnny Football cannot go up to a car dealer in Texas, make a deal with him to be spokesman and boost this dudes car sales for a price is stupid. If I came up with some brilliant marketing ploy to boost the sales of someone’s car lot (Which is what I would have to do, because I’ m clearly not as much of a certified bad-ass like Johnny Football), I could reap the benefits and it would be awesome.

But a popular college athlete, who only got to his/her position through hard work, cannot do the same thing, is insane.This is stupid and bad for business especially considering restaurants, bars and area business use these guys all the time for local popularity. It is honestly sickening to me.Aside from simply letting these guys market themselves and sign autographs, I think that some sort of payout system could be made. And then does not mean that they have to pay them immediately.

Why not set up a system that is more or less a trust fund. Depending on how much each sport makes for a school, an allotted percentage can be divvied out to their players in the form of a trust fund. But they can only ever receive the money if they complete a set of guidelines and stipulations. Something like:

A.      Player must graduate. (This rule would ensure that they put in time at the university and were actually part of the campus community. No love for the “one and done”.)

B.      Player maintained a clean criminal record. (We can all agree that there is far too much media that only covers players that are messing up with the law. So this would make sure that if they want to go to school and get paid afterward, they cannot be acting like hooligans.)

C.      Player must serve as school ambassador for 1 year. ( A way to give back to the school.)

D.     Player needs to pass all his or her classes (You could bump it up to a C average, but I'm okay where it is).  

You get the picture. This set up, or something similar to it, would solve my issues. It would set expectations for player behavior, and because of the need to graduate, it bring their focus back to school first. This option also gives monetary value to the hard work that a long distance runner or swimmer, or tennis player put in, in his/her 4-years at University X. It gives monetary glory to the un-glorified athletes.

What I want to see is for these opportunities for these people to cash in on the talents and skills they put so much time in crafting. They had a full-time sports job, while the normal college student drinks beer with their friends and finds out what their values are. I want them to be able to sit back after four years of hard work and have some free time to then figure out what they actually want to do, and have some money in their pocket for all the work that they have already done.

We will all keep watching if something happens or it doesn’t. But I don’t think I will ever fully enjoy it, until I see this corrupt system undressed.

So pay the kids. So they can enjoy their work as much as we do.

~Andrew

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[1]Strrrrooong possibility on this one. 

Bobby Petrino: King of Second Chances

Louisville lost Charlie Strong, but many people thought they could bring a coach to the caliber close to Strong making sure the Cardinals do not miss a beat when they move into the Atlantic Coast Conference. There were a couple really strong candidates in Michigan State's defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi or Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris plus one strange candidate... Bobby Petrino. The same coach that left Louisville in the dust to go to the National Football League. People thought it was not possible Petrino would be back in Louisville but he returns to the place that made his career. But he returns with a great deal of baggage.

Everyone would think when the term 'baggage' is said, we are referring to his motorcycle scandal, and while that is a major part of it, Petrino napalmed bridges almost everywhere he had a job.  I mean this guy completely set the previous job employer on fire before leaving for the next job. Look at what happened to him left Jacksonville according to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post..

Favorite Petrino story: He was Jaguars' OC in 2001 when I covered them. Sneaked away to Auburn after season without telling Coughlin. (1/2)
— Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP) January 8, 2014

Coughlin wasn't aware Petrino had left until Auburn announced his hiring. Coughlin was furious, supposedly never spoke to him again. (2/2)
— Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP) January 8, 2014

 Let's not forget about how he nearly left Louisville in the night for the Auburn head coaching job. Petrino signed a 10-year contract with Louisville in 2006 before the season only to head to Atlanta Falcons the following January. It continued when he was with Atlanta as he left with a dog with his tail between his legs after the Michael Vick scandal and Atlanta's 3-10 record leading then Atlanta, now Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to calling him every name in the book. And then yes, one of the craziest scandals in college football history with the motorcycle incident that ESPN's Bomani Jones described perfectly when Petrino was in deep trouble.



The fact he found a way back to a power conference in under two years since the scandal is incredible, and the finest form of throwing morality clauses out the window because winning trumps all. Louisville Athletic Director Tom Jurich is considered one of the top athletic directors in the country and he knows damn well they cannot go through a pseudo rebuilding process with Louisville headed to the ACC next year. He wants this team to be in a New Year's Day bowl or damn near close to one even if Teddy Bridgewater will not be there. Petrino seems to get results early and often and that's why he keeps getting chances. Winning makes people forget about everything even if that's a wrong way to look at things.

We spend countless hours criticizing a guy like Johnny Manziel for not caring about his team by his off-the-field antics yet we hire a coach with a multitude of problems creating the ultimate double standard. These men at Louisville are 18-24 meaning they can make their own decisions/opinions yet football players will always look toward their coach as a leader, an older brother and even in some cases a father figure. Does Petrino really feel like one of those?  Not really, just a man obsessed with winning and himself. Petrino is a selfish human, but he really has not been humbled due to continued success. It happens with even common people around the country.

Even though the money given to Petrino is not really that high, I cannot believe they have him for seven years with a 10 million dollar buyout essentially locking him into this role until 2021. Winning needs to happen immediately for a variety of reasons. Louisville is the classic case of a program having sustained success in their two major spots, and they do not want to lose this feeling meaning they will go to all lengths to ensure it keeps happening even if it means bringing a snake oil salesman back to town.

Charlie. 

BCS Closes its Door With a Classic

Bowl Championship Series started in 1999. After much debate about not having a National Championship, NCAA figured out a way to have a National Championship game with a bowl game posing as the title game. BCS took some major lumps throughout the years ranging from screwing teams out of titles, games and anything else you could think of. Next year, a playoff will begin which is what 75-90 percent of college football fans wanted for the last several years. The final game pitted Florida State against Auburn and it could not have been any better with Seminoles coming out on top, 34-31 in a dramatic comeback including a final award-winning drive by Jameis Winston.

It really felt like this game displayed college football in 2013 perfectly. The whole season was batshit crazy. Like Real Housewives crazy. No one expected Auburn to be there, and hell people thought Florida State would be there last year, not this year. There are many games from this year where people are going to point to and say 'I remember where I was when this happened.' Three of them have involved Auburn, and the third one, the Tigers were on the bad side of things meaning destiny does not always find its date at the end of the night.  

Auburn held an 18-point lead in the first half thrashing everyone's narratives to begin the game. S-E-C chants were being heard from stands in Pasadena. Instead people were starting to drum up another narrative about how Florida State did not play anyone for the entire year because they played in the ACC versus the big bad SEC. People also began comparing Winston's night to Troy Smith's horrendous performance in his only BCS National Championship. Those narratives would also be found stranded by the wayside at the end of the game and end of the college football season. 

Honestly, I feel like one of the biggest drive of the game featured Florida State getting their first touchdown of the game late in the second quarter. They were down 18 points, and severely dominated throughout the first half. Seminoles needed at least a field goal to keep themselves relevant in this game, and were able to get into the end zone with about 90 seconds left in the first half. Noles had a chance to double up as Aaron Rodgers like to calls it as they had the ball first in the second half meaning they could be right back into this game early on in the third quarter. 

Florida State did not really do much in the third quarter besides getting a field goal, but more importantly, the defense started to wake up. It is like they were Junior from Cool Runnings decided to be a 'bad ass mother who don't take shit from no one' and started to start hitting in this football game. Defensive tackle Tim Jerrigen led the charge with delivering big hit after big hit trying his damnedest to stop Auburn's rushing attack at the line of scrimmage. Auburn's offense held at 21 points and Florida State trailed by eight points heading into the final quarter where things got mad real meaning they need sunglasses and Advil in the morning. 

Marshall did not make a mistake all game long which is amazing to think up given how Florida State forces turnovers, and how often Marshall has the ball in his hand. But he made a mistake early in the fourth with Florida State cornerback P.J. Williams pick off a weak pass from Marshall sitting up the Seminoles in their best field possession all game. Winston and company took advantage as they marched down the field to get a touchdown to Chad Abram, the last remaining fullback with a neck roll meaning he probably eats footballs for dinner. Florida State's plan was to go for two, but Devonta Freeman may or may not have pointed the pistols at Auburn's bench leading to a 15-yard penalty forcing the Noles into an extra point. 

Even though Auburn pounded the ball down the field, they were not able to get a responding touchdown instead only three points giving the Tigers are four-point lead. It did not last long as Kermit Whitfield took back the kick 100 yards to give Florida State their first lead since 3-0. The game went from being 'pretty enjoyable' to 'HOLY SHIT, THIS IS GETTING ENTERTAINING AND FULL OF HAM.' People who trust in things like destiny believed Auburn had at least one more drive left in them and truth be told, they had Florida State on the ropes.

Tigers began to pound the football down the field. Florida State's defense started to suck wind, and it clearly showed their lack of fourth quarter games was coming back to haunt them a bit with Jerrigan, their best defensive player on Monday night had to go to the sidelines with cramps. Tre Mason had one of the best losing efforts performances with 196 yards on 34 carries including a 37-yard touchdown to give Auburn the lead again. It is weird to think about it, but Mason and Auburn could have drain this clock to virtually zero never letting Winston get another chance guaranteeing the Tigers second National Championship in as many years yet this is straight revisionist history due to Jameis validating his Heisman trophy with an exclamation point.

Winston started the drive from the 20 yard line heading the same direction Vince Young did many years ago leading Texas over USC. Florida State's talented redshirt freshman went six for seven marching this football team down the field. A couple things about that drive stood out to me... 1.) They never had a fourth down. Usually on these big last second drives, there is at least one fourth down, it did not happen. 2.) Florida State faced a 3rd and 3 and got a delay of game penalty of all things putting them at 3rd and 8 yet Winston kept his composure delivering a ball to the end zone that should have been caught but a yellow flag showed why the receiver did not.

Chris Davis, the hero of Auburn's season as he took back the miraculous Iron Bowl field goal, committed the penalty. If this game did not need another story line, Davis delivered another one. Scott Van Pelt says all the time 'Sports is the greatest reality show' and it is extremely true with Davis' case. Everyone tripped over themselves to buy him a drink after beating Alabama, and now people will probably still be cool with him yet the pass interference will be remembered.  

Seminoles had to finish the drive though down at the goal line. Winston did not leave much theatrics as he found Kelvin Benjamin with a pop pass on the first play. Jameis threw a ball that only 6'6 Benjamin could pull down and he did it giving Florida State the lead once again with under 30 seconds. It showed incredible pose in the moment from a guy whom just turned 20 yesterday. He wanted the moment and took advantage of it. Heisman moments are overrated, but let's be clear, that was the play of 2013, Auburn plays be damned.

Florida State wins their third National Championship ending the seven year reign of SEC dominance setting up another great year of college football with a four-team playoff involved.  Winston will be back for another year with Florida State trying to claim the first college football playoff.  There is a chance people will still  not be happy and ask for the BCS back yet the last one will always be remembered for a great finish. This is how a series finales should end.  

Charlie. 

Sportandfashion-news BCS Championship Preview: Florida State v. Auburn

College football season is over. This is a sad thing for many people. Even though I really do not have a team, college football has become a big part of my life. I really think it is due to their Twitter users are the best out there. CFB Twitter is by far the best Twitter. BCS is also over as the college football playoff will begin next year. It closes with two teams whom have already won a BCS National Championship in Florida State and Auburn. One is more likely to be there with the other trying to finish their date with destiny as well as ensure the SEC had the final seven BCS National Championships.

Thinking back to different BCS National Championship teams, they are loaded with players who are currently playing in the NFL and making a big impact with their collective teams. Florida State might be the next team. They are completely loaded on both sides of the football. All 22 players starting for the Seminoles tonight will get drafted without question, and they are led by their Heisman-winning quarterback Jameis Winston who is having one of the best seasons ever.

People really believe in Auburn's defense, but at the same time, they have given up 30 points multiple times this season even in a winning effort. That should be a major red flag heading into a game against Winston and Florida State as they will break 2008 Oklahoma's record of total points with four touchdowns. Auburn will try to find some ways to break this Florida State team, but how exactly do you stop Winston?  The only thing I could come to is a true zone defense maybe channeling their inner Lovie Smith or Monte Kiffin (ACTUALLY STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM THAT ONE). Winston has been crazy good against the blitz this season meaning the zone will be their friends and a cover two could ensure their secondary is protected better than blitzing leaving a poor defensive backfield on an island.

If there is one defect in Auburn's game, it is their secondary. Tigers do not really have strong cornerbacks, and the only way to save them against Winston might be putting them in zones all game long.  Tigers passing defense could be the unraveling of this team on Monday night though no matter what. Auburn gives up around 260 yards per game, and they do not force many turnovers, only 13 interceptions this season. In no way whatsoever, Kelvin Benjamin cannot get behind the Auburn's secondary or it will be curtains for this defense. Further, Auburn should admit themselves early on that Benjamin will at least have one or two big plays and cut off the head of the other players.

No one thought Auburn would be here at August. People thought they would have an improving year, but a BCS appearance in the Sugar Bowl would have definitely suffice this January. Therefore Auburn is playing with house money. If they win, they carry an SEC torch for another year but if they lose, it was a hell of a season no matter what. Sometimes when a team plays with house money, they play loose and free leading to good things. Auburn is the best rushing team in the nation, and they will go up against one of the best rushing defenses in the country. Hate to sound like John Madden here pointing the obvious, but Auburn will need to run the football efficiently to win the game without question.

If Tre Mason and company are able to run the football and control the clock, they can win this football game. The longer they can keep Winston and Florida State's explosive offense off the field, the better. There is a slight problem though. Florida State's starting defense has not allowed a touchdown all season. I have to think knowing the kind of coach Gus Malzahn is, there will be some trick plays tonight. I expect Auburn to try and catch Florida State off-guard multiple times in this football game as this will be another way for the Tigers to keep the ball longer than expected.  Additionally, they need Nick Marshall to at least complete a couple passes even if they are not the pretty ones Winston is throwing when Florida State has the ball.

Many people are calling for a Florida State blowout.  These are the same folks who were calling for an Alabama blowout last year. I went against the grain last year and took Notre Dame. I cannot pick against Florida State in this game, but I do think five weeks for Malzahn will do more good for Auburn than it will do for the Seminoles and Jimbo Fisher. Additionally, whenever a player wins a Heisman trophy, their following game in the bowl is not a guaranteed great game. In the end, Winston will find a way to win this game late, but Florida State needs to slam the door on destiny before it gets a chance. Florida State 41 Auburn 31

Charlie.

Sugar Bowl Thoughts & Weekend Bowl Predictions

Well folks, that does it for me in Sports News On Tap confidence pool. I put a great deal of faith in Baylor, Arizona State and Alabama, and that we have lost all three games meaning my stellar record is tanking faster than half the NBA. This usually happens with Sportandfashion-news contests. I come very close to not giving away any money and then somehow I end up giving the little money I have away to someone.  Hopefully tonight's games and this weekend's go better for me, but before we make those picks, I did have a few thoughts on Oklahoma stunning upset of Alabama.

I did not give Oklahoma a chance. Oklahoma fans did not really give this team a chance. No one saw this coming (I am sure some smartass picked it), but seriously, what a complete stunner. Oklahoma looked like a top five team in the country last night, and considering they struggled against Texas and Baylor in major ways, it is amazing to see this team develop into something special. Trevor Knight looks to be first great Oklahoma quarterback in awhile. He can do it all, and I came away utterly impressed with the way he threw the deep ball. No reason why the Sooners should not be in the top 10 to begin the 2014 season.

As for Alabama, it is the first time they have lost consecutive games since 2008. Alabama had five turnovers, and they looked like a completely different team that did not belong out there. A.J. McCarron needs to rethink his Senior Bowl decision because this would not be the way I want to go out. I have no idea why Derrick Henry only had eight carries since he had 100 years plus he also added 61 yards of receiving. Maybe the future is bright with their backfield, but it is pretty clear this Alabama team was certainly not one of their best ones.

AT&T Cotton Bowl 
13.) Oklahoma State vs. 11.) Missouri 6:30 pm FOX - With how the SEC and Big 12 looked this week, I do not know what to think about this game. Like no idea whatsoever. Oklahoma State is one team I have been wrong about for the entire season. Same goes for Missouri. It is like 'Laugh in Charlie's face bowl.' Here what it comes down... Do I believe the Tigers' inability to stop the run against Auburn what they truly are or was it just a mirage? As for Oklahoma State, they can move the ball with the best of them and occasionally they can play some defense. I like this Cowboys team a little more than Missouri. Close and fun game. OK STATE 45-38  

Orange Bowl 
12.) Clemson vs. 7.) Ohio State 7:30 ESPN - Fun game. I had someone shit on this game, and I had no idea why because this should be a pretty fun game if you like offense. I could see if you want to see some defense how this one could be bad because this is not happening. Ohio State will be without two of their best defensive players Bradley Roby and Noah Spence, one out with injury and one out with suspension. This does not help things. This is the last game for Tajh Boyd's illustrious career at Clemson, and you have to think Chad Morris will find a way to make this a memorable one for him. Like peeing your pants in the sixth grade, we do not forget Clemson had 70 points put on them last time at the Orange Bowl.  Urban Meyer has only lost once in his bowl career which you know what that means? He prepares really well for this games. Ohio State with a close shootout win. OSU 52-48

BBVA Compass Bowl (Saturday) 
Vanderbilt vs. Houston 12:00 pm ESPN - I think it is a complete slap in the face that Vanderbilt is even in this bowl. I do not think you will get many disinterested Commodores in this one. Rather they will played pissed off and dominate a Houston team who has not beat anyone worth nothing. VAND 41-14

GoDaddy Bowl (Sunday) 
Arkansas State vs. Ball State 8:00 ESPN - WE GET FOOTBALL ON SUNDAY NIGHT YAAAIS pitting the Sun Beast versus MACtion which is quite the dilemma on who to pick. I think the answer is Ball State as they held it close against bowl teams plus I do not really like a team who lost two games inside the Sun Beast. BSU 40-21

Charlie.

Quick New Year's Day Bowl Thoughts

This has become an annual tradition where I forget to post my bowl picks for New Year's Day. I was too lazy on New Year's Eve not to post something ready for Wednesday morning. I watched most of three of the games and a little bit of the other ones. My bowl record will be what I had in the confidence picks for Sportandfashion-news and I will give a couple quick thoughts about the games because I know you want to know I care about these bowl games along with a prediction for tonight's game.

North Texas 36 UNLV 14
- The beginning of my usual New Year's Day collapse. I have no idea why I thought UNLV was the better  team in this one.

- North Texas defense looked really good in this one. Their offense did not have a very impressive game, but they shut down the Runnin' Rebels.

- Thank goodness for Utah State or the Mountain West would have been shutout of bowl wins including them getting their asses kicked in three of them.

LSU 21 Iowa 14
-NO DREW TATE MOMENT :(

- Pretty boring game, but Iowa definitely had a chance to tie this one up multiple times in the second half, they could not get put points on the board.

- Jeremy Hill is a beast going for over 200 yards including a 27 yard touchdown run with about two minutes left to go in the game.

Nebraska 24 Georgia 19
- Ameer Abdullah with another big game for the Cornhuskers and if he stays next year, there could be some rumblings for Heisman next year.

- 99 yard touchdowns are always cool and proved to be the difference in this one scoring a win for the Big Ten against the SEC.

- WE NEED A GRUDGE MATCH NEXT YEAR.

South Carolina 34 Wisconsin 24 
- I wrote about this here. 

Michigan State 24 Stanford 20 
- There are three games this season where my confidence pick was different than how I felt before the game started... Utah State, Ole Miss and Michigan State. I switched my pick after Max Bullough's suspension.

- I would put this right up there with the best games I watched all season. It had everything you wanted from a football game. Sparty really has something going here with their football team and think they can be a threat for years.

- I would love to see Michigan State against Auburn or Florida State. I think they would give both teams a game without question. Their offense has came together to help out their terrifying defense.

- Not a good look at all for David Shaw and his playcalling. He really needs to start thinking about an offensive coordinator.

UCF 52 Baylor 42 
- It really stunned me Baylor played like absolute shit. Their defense had improved from years past, and it seemed like they were over getting completely boat raced by competent offenses.

- People really disrespected Central Florida and Blake Bortles all season including me. UCF is the real deal, and George O'Leary has done a wonderful job building this program.

- I had no idea why Sean McDonough kept being up the resume scandal that was about 10 years stale. Build a bridge, get over it.

Sugar Bowl 
Oklahoma vs. Alabama 7:30 pm ESPN - The narrative has begun about Alabama not really wanting to be there tonight but let's be honest, does Oklahoma really deserve to be there?  Sooners finished strong, but given what we saw from the Big 12 last night, I think it is fair to say we could see a game over by halftime. A.J. McCarron already came out and denied a Senior Bowl request meaning he will want to have a big game plus I expect Nick Saban to showcase him as much as possible plus Saban's defense can force some turnovers on this Oklahoma offense. I would be shocked if the Crimson Tide do not win by more than double-digits. BAMA 38-17

Bowl Record: 18-11

Charlie.

Continued Bowl Bummer for Badgers

People will say all the time to not put much stock into how college football teams do in a bowl games. It is a short-sighted comment by people whom usually have struggling teams during the bowl season. They are not meaningless despite what some might think rather they can set a tone for the upcoming season, or put an exclamation mark on the season.  For Wisconsin, there is definitely a recurring people during bowl season as they have now lost five of their last six bowls including yesterday falling to South Carolina, 34-24 in a game where Wisconsin failed to take advantage of second half opportunities.  

Wisconsin is certainly not afraid of SEC teams. Through the last decade, Wisconsin has done fairly well against SEC teams with a few losses sprinkled in. They beat Auburn and Arkansas teams who were probably high BCS quality teams at the time. South Carolina is a good team, but one who Wisconsin definitely could have beat yet a bad second half results in a Gamecocks win.

Usually in sports, we tend to remember the final quarter of the game, and not really point out some of the issues of previous quarters. If you want a spot where the Capital One Bowl changed it was middle of the third quarter. Wisconsin made a field goal to put them up 17-13 building on their halftime lead. They received the ball right away after Connor Shaw fumbled the first play from scrimmage after Badgers had a four-point lead. Wisconsin had the ability to put themselves up by double-digits and they could not capitalized whatsoever. Badgers went three and out including a holding call on tight end Sam Aronson causing to back up Wisconsin leading to a missed field goal for the Badgers. This has been a problem for Wisconsin all year and it continues during the bowl season. 

South Carolina would get a touchdown on the following drive including a fourth down conversion with Shaw finding Bruce Ellington down the field. This would be the last time South Carolina lost the lead, and much of the difference as to why they won this football game. Even if Wisconsin had a seven-point lead, it would have kept control for the Badgers even if the Gamecocks scored, the game is still tied rather than Wisconsin to try to come from behind. Although Wisconsin had a chance to reclaim the lead in the fourth quarter yet they could not do anything with South Carolina leaving the door open. 

Gamecocks took a 10 point lead after another touchdown involving Shaw throwing a short touchdown to Jerrell Adams. Wisconsin had a kickoff return from Kenzell Doe putting Wisconsin right back in this game only trailing by three points. But Badgers defense could not respond with a stop as South Carolina drove down the field leading to put the game back to a 10 point advantage at 34-24. Wisconsin had multiple opportunities to get the game back into single digits, but twice, Curt Phillips threw interceptions on short yardage downs. I have no idea what offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig is thinking there with two of the best running backs in the nation plus a backup quarterback and the decision is to throw the ball on fourth and third and one. It makes virtually no sense especially when Melvin Gordon and James White were over 100 yards a piece. 

Wisconsin will move on into what could be a promising 2014 season. They start the year off heading to Houston for a major non-conference clash with LSU before coming home to an easier than usual Big Ten schedule missing Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan next year. The door is open for Wisconsin to be a major player in the Big Ten next year and honestly, I think most Badgers would want a win over an SEC opponent later on in 2014 despite needing to be better in January. 

Charlie. 

Don't Bet Against Rich Homie Quan

In the last couple of months, I really got behind Michigan State football. I will write a little bit more about this game later today, but let's start with the most important thing that happened, Michigan State had rapper Rich Homie Quan on the sideline. Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio invited him to the sideline as the players and the coach have gotten behind his song, 'Type Of Way' leading to Dantonio dancing after big Spartans win. It is truly great and today he got to break it down with the team.



I really hope this means we are seeing different hip-hop artists on the sidelines moving forward with different teams. It is something we can all dream of right now. It seems like the step forward. Hopefully Quan sticks with his pledge to be a 'Spartan for life' and not pull a Lil Wayne liking half of every professional and collegiate sports.  (H/T @cjzero, zerotolerance_ for the pictures)

Charlie.

Sportandfashion-news Bowl Predictions: Hats, Getting Belk'd, Workout Shirts, Wings

New Era Pinstripe Bowl 

Rutgers vs. Notre Dame 11:00 am ESPN - I could not believe Rutgers actually sold out their bowl allotment of tickets. Maybe Rutgers is New York City's football team. But when it all comes down to it, I have no idea how Rutgers is a bowl team. Scarlet Knights have lost five of their last seven games, and they are playing in a bowl game. They have a relativity new quarterback and their defense is horrendous. As for Notre Dame, this is quite the contrast from a BCS Championship game last season, but I feel like there is definitely encouragement they got to eight wins after losing Everett Golson for the year due to academics. They will be without George Atkinson and Jalen Brown whom both were suspended for violating team rules. Nonetheless, Tommy Rees excels when he plays bad teams and bad defenses. He is not a bad quarterback when he faces marginal teams meaning he will have a big day and someone will draft him in the fifth round. ND 41-21   

Belk Bowl 

Cincinnati vs. North Carolina 2:20 pm ESPN - If you are unfamiliar with College Football Twitter, they love to make Belk jokes. It started last year, but it is fantastic. If you follow the right people, you will see all sorts of different Belk jokes throughout the day. It shocked me it started at 8:30 am this morning. Cincinnati gets Belk'd for the second straight year. Bearcats had a weird year. They started off the year 3-2 and finished winning nine games led by backup quarterback Brendon Kay whose thrown for at least 250 yards in every game since October 5th. North Carolina had a weird year themselves starting the year off 1-5 and losing their senior quarterback. Marquise Williams has stepped in nicely and is a solid duel threat option for them. Both teams can score a ton so it comes down which team can make the more stops. I am betting on Cincinnati to continue being the Belk kings even if Carolina has a homefield advantage. CINN 31-28  

Russell Athletic Bowl 

Miami vs. Louisville 5:45 pm ESPN - On paper, this is looks like a good game. We will be excited to watch Stephen Morris faced off against Teddy Bridgewater as both quarterbacks will get drafted in May. But here's the big problem... Miami cannot play a lick a defense. It has not improved from last year, and Bridgewater and company should have their way with this Miami defense. Morris struggles against good defenses as well meaning we could see some turnovers from the senior quarterback making this look like a nightmare scenario for the Hurricanes. Also worth noting, it seems like Louisville is treating this one like it is their first ACC game as they will move there next year and that's important. I think the Cards send a big message tonight. UL 38-14

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl 
Michigan vs. Kansas State 9:15 pm ESPN - I had no real interest in this game until true freshman Shane Morris was announced the starter for Michigan. Not surprising, Morris is a highly rated recruit and he will take the reigns for Devin Gardner. Morris could come out and surprises us being better than expected and pave the way for Michigan's future. But what we forget is Michigan still has to play defense and that's a problem. Wolverines are struggling once again on that side of the ball, and it is much of the reason why Michigan has lost five of their last seven games. Kansas State is the opposite. They started the year off 2-4 and since have won five of their last six. They led by their rushing attack of John Hubert and occasionally Daniel Sams who is a quarterback. Hubert is a beast, and I expect him to have a big day against a weak Michigan defense. I could see Morris handling himself alright, but he will make some mistakes costing the Wolverines in this one. KSU 30-21

Bowl Record: 7-4

Charlie.  

Sportandfashion-news Bowl Predictions: Aloha

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl 
Boise State vs. Oregon State 7:00 pm ESPN - You would not think Oregon State and Boise State would have many storylines, but wrong, good sir and ma'am, as Boise State quarterback Joe Southwick made things interesting. He was sent home from Hawaii after he allegedly peed off a hotel balcony. Southwick is trying to clear his name like he murdered somebody saying he has lie detector tests clearing Southwick's name. Nobody is in the Twitter streets saying #FREESOUTHWICK. I also do not understand why Southwick is so adamant about this unless he did in fact pee off the balcony. Who cares? It happens, we sometimes piss in places we are not supposed to because well nature makes it happen. Let's just call a spade a spade and say you got faced in Hawaii. Not mad at you, Joe.

We all make mistakes.

Oregon State is not a great football team, but I think they are better than Boise State whose now without their starting quarterback and their head coach. I realize Oregon State has not won a game since October 19th, but the teams they have played are all bowl teams. Beavers get it done.
OSU 45-37

Bowl record: 3-2  

The College Football Change

There are three things that happened or are currently rumored to be happening in college football that in a weird, convoluted way tie together. It is quite possible that I am reaching here, but I really truly believe they are all one in the same when discussing Jameis Winston's Heisman win, Clarett's documentary and the rumors of highly-touted draft picks staying at school.  

Jameis Winston took home the Heisman Trophy becoming the youngest Heisman winner and the second straight Freshman to do it. Many people wondered given the off-the-field issues if Winston would have a close challenger, but instead, he blew them out like Florida State did to many of their opponents. Watching him against Pittsburgh to open up the year in primetime, you could tell the kid was special. I remember having a fantasy draft that night and attempted to talk about him only to get shut down which is fine yet I knew people would realize how good of a player Jameis Winston is and will be for the time the come. 

Winston looks like a player that could honestly go to the league next May.  He is only a redshirt freshman, but there is no question Winston has the size and stature to join the National Football League next season. People will probably ask on Twitter for the entire draft process 'What would it look like if Jameis was in the draft?' It is stupid to think about right now. Yet the thought will probably be enhanced due to a fantastic 30 for 30 documentary ran on Maurice Clarrett after the Heisman. If you remember Clarett challenged college football's rules on their draft rule and nearly won although as the documentary pointed out, he left Ohio State because the administration forced him out instead of just going pro. 

Given with what happened with Johnny Manziel and what's already happened with Winston, I am already wondering what his off-season could entail especially if they win the National Championship over Auburn. My friend Eric has this theory about college quarterbacks that if they win a Heisman, National Championship, there is no reason to stay in school because you have hit the peak of the college career. I could see Winston's sophomore year to be judged with a just as microscope as Manziel. So is there a chance Winston tries to make an attempt at challenging the NFL's rules? Most likely not, but Winston unlike Clarett has an out... professional baseball.  

Winston played on Florida State's baseball team last season and was a contributor on the team as he was both an outfielder and a relief pitcher. I am not saying Winston would do this, but why would not Winston go pro in baseball for a summer if he were drafted. The MLB Draft happens in June and I am willing to bet some team does draft Jameis in the late rounds because there are so many throwaway rounds. Winston could play some baseball over the summer whilst getting a marginal paycheck then train for the National Football League for the 2015 NFL Draft.  While it is highly unlikely Winston will do this, it is still not out of the realm of possibilities. Although what's weird is there is a complete other side of the coin, highly touted quarterback are staying or very much considering staying at school. 

Marcus Mariota already announced he is going to come back school playing another year for Oregon even though he would probably be a top three pick.  Matt Miller of Bleacher Report and others have been saying Teddy Bridgewater is leaning to return as Louisville brings a ton back and given their move to the ACC, the Cardinals could make a legitimate title run. Manziel, a guy whom caught maybe the most flack of anyone in college football, says he might return if the draft grade is not a first round pick. While there might be people like Clarett out there, it seems more than ever, people want to return to college. The question is why?  

I think of two things

1.) The money is not there like it used to be for athletes. With the new NFL CBA, it is not like college kids can bank in Sam Bradford money any more when they come to professional football. Now, they will still make more cash than the broken NCAA yet the fact still remains the money is not there as much as it has been in years past. 

 2.) Take away the summer of Manziel, most of these men are treated like kings at school. They do not face the criticism as a Geno Smith or a Robert Griffin III is getting right now in the obsessive 24/7 media. If they stay in school, criticism might be there at least from a national scope but the people of Eugene, Louisville and College Station bow to them and yes that's a problem yet it is a different topic for another time. Could this mean maybe Winston stays past his three years? Possibly, but more than ever, it is not a guarantee people are leaving when the outside world thinks it is a given. 

College football's overall landscape has changed. Clarett in 2002 was not even nominated for Heisman. He did not make the top ten. Would this happen today?  Probably not. Carson Palmer had a huge year and probably still wins Heisman given Clarett missing a couple games but for him not to be one of the ten best players is a crime. Also in 2002, Mariota, Bridgewater and Manziel would not even think about coming back to school for another year. In a weird way, somehow this all seems to fit together. 

Charlie. 

Mack Brown Leaves the Longhorns

On Friday night, we thought Mack Brown was going to stay at Texas. People were rushing to laugh at those whom reported Brown's demise at the beginning of the week, and then Brown resigned from Texas with 40 minutes before the Heisman Trophy announcement. With Brown being out at as Longhorns coach, we are probably going to see one of the most insane coaching searches in history of football as well as what will Brown's legacy be in college football no matter if he keeps coaching in college football.

I do not think there is one head coach that I could say is off the table with Texas. There are many whom I think would say 'Thanks but no thanks' yet at the same time, they have more money than multiple small countries meaning some people whom would never listen to a new job, will actually give it some time. If nothing else, some of these coaches will take phone calls to work new deals. Nothing on whether CBS Sports is reporting Buzz Williams to be a candidate for coach of the football team.  This will be a fun time with Twitter because there are media members trying to step over other people's feet looking to find the one coach taking the job. It will happen on multiple occasions in the coming weeks.

One of the biggest fishes Texas might look to grab is Jim Harbaugh, head coach of San Francisco 49ers. Barking Carnival, SB Nation's Texas blog, made an excellent case on why Harbaugh is more realistic than other people believed it is right now. He keeps getting mentioned by everyone and it raises the question if he is happy with San Francisco right now?  I am not in Harbaugh's head, but it is interesting he turned down a two-year contract extension. It could just mean the Niners coach wants to be the highest-paid NFL coach, or it could mean he is looking for another adventure.

Another NFL coach that has been mentioned by ESPN Chris Mortensen is Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy. Not being a homer here, but I cannot see it at all.  Yes there are some ties there, but McCarthy has not coached in college since 1992. I was the ripe age of four. To say college football has changed since then is a complete understatement. It is a whole new world.  And even having a daughter in Austin, McCarthy, I believe, has four other kids to deal with right now and picking them up to move seems like something he would not do at all.  As for Harbaugh and McCarthy, if either of them end their season in the first week of January, it becomes more interesting.

I do think Harbaugh is not a fantasy selection but there are names that I think could be more of a possibility. Mark Dantonio is a name many are not mentioning right now. He built a great program at Michigan State, and while he is not the most media friendly guy, he could adapt and rebuild this program. Todd Graham has only been at Arizona State for two years, but the man does not really care about loyalty, always wanting to move up the ladder. New Texas athletic director Steve Patterson hired him at Arizona State, why would he not do the same with the Longhorns?  To me, those are two most realistic coaches whom I could see at Texas.

It is really fascinating to think about Brown's legacy in college football. People forget sometimes he won a National Championship beating USC in a virtual home game. Vince Young is one of the best college quarterbacks of the last 20 years and Brown recruited him. But he missed out on Texas high school quarterbacks like Johnny Manziel, Robert Griffin III, Matthew Stafford, Christian Ponder, Jameis Winston and Nick Foles.  Misses happened, but the fact, none of them played for the Longhorns is stunning. People will always remember Brown for this because it is the end of his legacy which we all remember more fondly then Brown's BCS Title.

Charlie.