Sidelines

ESPN's early college football TV selections

ESPN has sent along its early choices for telecast this coming college football season:

Thursday, August 28

• 7:00 p.m.  ESPNU   Vanderbilt at Miami (Ohio) *  
• 8:00 p.m.  ESPN    N.C. State at South Carolina *

Saturday., Aug. 30  

• 3:30 p.m.   ABC (ESPN2) ~   USC at Virginia
• 3:45 p.m.  ESPNU   Delaware at Maryland   
• 5:00 p.m.  ESPN    Appalachian St. at LSU 
• 6:45 p.m.  ESPN2   Mississippi State at Louisiana Tech
• 8:00 p.m.  ABC     Alabama vs. Clemson (from Atlanta)    

Sunday, Aug. 31

• 3:30 p.m.  ESPN    Kentucky at Louisville *      

Monday, Sept. 1

•  8:00 p.m.  ESPN    Tennessee at UCLA *   

Thursday, Sept. 4  

• 8:30 p.m.  ESPN    South Carolina at Vanderbilt *

Saturday, Sept. 6

• 3:30 p.m.  ABC (ESPN2) ~   Mississippi at Wake Forest    
• 3:45 p.m.  ESPNU   Richmond at Virginia   
• 8:00 p.m.  ESPN    Miami at Florida      

Saturday, Sept. 13

• 12:00 p.m.   ESPN or ESPN2   California at Maryland
• 12:00 p.m.   ESPNU   Navy at Duke
• 3:30 p.m.     ABC     Arkansas at Texas *
• 3:30 p.m.     ABC (ESPN) ~    Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech
• 3:45 p.m.     ESPNU   Chattanooga at Florida State
• 7:00 p.m.     ESPN2   Auburn at Mississippi State   

Saturday, Sept. 20 

• 8:00 p.m.    ABC     Georgia at Arizona State *    

Thursday, Oct. 23

• 7:30 p.m.       ESPN    Auburn at West Virginia *

* Previously announced
~ Game will be part of a split national telecast and available on ESPN or ESPN2 in markets receiving second game (to be announced)

Brooks' salary comparisons

Interesting piece in today's USA Today about the salaries of football coaches. The story includes a list of what every Division I-A (old term) coach makes in the SEC, including that of UK coach Rich Brooks.

Here's how the SEC breaks down:

• School                 Coach                     2007 income
• Alabama              Nick Saban                 3,503,200
• Florida                 Urban Meyer              3,383,500
• Auburn                Tommy Tuberville       2,625,000
• Tennessee           Phil Fulmer                 2,050,000
• Georgia               Mark Richt                 2,024,700
• LSU                     Les Miles                   1,816,000
• South Carolina     Steve Spurrier            1,772,500
• Arkansas             Houston Nutt              1,251,144
• Kentucky              Rich Brooks               1,056,684
• Miss. State          Sylvester Croom           975,000
• Ole Miss               Ed Orgeron                  900,000

Note: As a private institution, Vanderbilt does not release Coach Bobby Johnson's contract information.

BCS gets it right, sort of

I don't have a problem with LSU being in the BCS national title game. The Tigers have possibly the best assemblage of total talent in all of college football. They are the undisputed champions of the nation's toughest conference. They did not lose a game in regulation all season.

LSU deserved the nod over Georgia because Georgia not only didn't win the SEC, the Bulldogs didn't even win the SEC East. Yes, Georgia beat Kentucky after LSU lost to the Cats. But the Dawgs downed the Cats in Athens, while LSU dropped that dramatic three-overtime thriller to Rich Brooks and Company at Commonwealth Stadium.

Plus, Georgia lost to Tennessee 35-14. LSU beat the Vols just yesterday for the league title.

I've got no problem with LSU.

I've got a problem with Ohio State.

The Buckeyes four non-conference opponents were Youngstown State (I-AA), Kent State, Akron and Washington. Sagarin ranked Ohio State's schedule as the 60th toughest in the nation. In the SEC, only Arkansas played a softer schedule, as judged by the computers. The Razorbacks came in at 64th. (Kentucky's was 26th.)

Ohio State beat one team (Wisconsin) currently ranked in the AP Top 25. LSU beat four (Virginia Tech, Florida, Tennessee and Auburn). Ohio State played one team in Sagarin's top 25. LSU played six.

To me, the debate isn't about whether the Tigers should be in the final game. The debate should be do the Buckeyes belong.

5 up, 5 down

Five up and five down from a weekend of football:

5 up

• Kentucky football: Of course. A Top 10 team? Who'd have thunk it? As a previous commenter  opined, No. 8 does seem a bit high. But enjoy it while it lasts. Who know when it will come this way again.

• Micah Johnson: Kentucky's sophomore middle linebacker is coming into his own, recording a career-high four tackles, then snatching a tip-drill out of the Commonwealth and air and returning it for a 21-yard touchdown in the Cats' 45-17 spanking of Florida Atlantic.

• Brett Favre: The Packers legend set the all-time touchdown pass record on Sunday. Better still, while some have called for No. 4 to walk through the retirement door, Favre has Green Bay 4-0.

• Browns: Many a Browns fan grew up in these parts (me being one) and many a Browns fan is surprised by this 2-2 start. Yesterday's 27-13 thumping of Baltimore means that Romeo Crennel/Phil Savage may actually be making progress. Who knew?

• South Florida: Jim Leavitt's Bulls jumped all the way to No. 6 thanks to Friday night flogging of West Virginia. I remember the 1999 Outback Bowl when Leavitt was hanging around the Kentucky practices, observing Hal Mumme and Co. at work. He's built the USF program from scratch.

5 down

• Louisville: I know, the Cards finally got on the winning side, beating North Carolina State 29-10. But the Willie Williams fiasco in which the marijuana-eating, habitual criminal was arrested and then booted from the Cardinals program was another black eye. Hard to believe a guy with an 11-arrest rap sheet would fall off the wagon, right?

• Norv Turner: What was that made the Chargers think Norvball would be better than Martyball?

• Florida: Stupid and numerous penalties deep-sixed the Gators shot of staying unbeaten with a comeback win over Auburn.

• Nick Saban: He'll do fine as the Tide coach. But Saint Nick is not a miracle-worker. Florida State proved that.

• Mississippi State: Now the Bulldogs have lost quarterback Josh Riddell for the season, after earlier losing Michael Henig. Maybe Sylvester Croom himself will have to start taking snaps.

Should you criticize the players?

Overshadowed in the controversy over the Mike Gundy meltdown is the interesting and important question of whether it is appropriate or acceptable to criticize a college athlete in the media.

For those cave-dwellers, Mike Gundy is the football coach at Oklahoma State. In the post-game press conference after his Cowboys beat Mike Leach and Texas Tech 49-45 on Saturday, Gundy went on a 3 1/2-minute tirade directed at Daily Oklahoman columnist Jenni Carlson, who had written a column that morning saying that quarterback Bobby Reid had been benched for a lack of toughness.

With high emotion and decibels, Gundy claimed the column was both inaccurate and unfair. The OSU coach said that Reid was just a "kid," who shouldn't be criticized in a public forum, and that "75 percent" of the column was fiction.

Gundy said that Carlson "must not have kids" or she wouldn't have written something so harsh about someone else's child.

Carlson said Monday that she asked Gundy which parts of the column were inaccurate, and the coach refused to give her an answer. She said she stood by her column.

Here's the video. Here's the column.

Here's where I come down on this. Unless a college athlete is exhibiting a clear lack of effort or willfully committing acts detrimental to his team, my rule of thumb is to hold off the personal attacks. College athletics is big business. Coaches and athletic directors are paid outrageous salaries. They are criticized, and should be when warranted. It's the price they pay for elevating a game into a business. But student-athletes are different. They aren't paid. They aren't professional athletes. Gundy was right about one thing, they are, for the most part, just kids. They're playing a game.

That doesn't mean they are above reproach. In my mind, Louisville's Mario Urrutia was open-game last Saturday for the two costly and careless personal foul penalties he committed in the Cards' 38-35 loss to Syracuse.

That doesn't mean Gundy was right in his rant, either. His complaint that his "kid" should not be publicly embarrassed rings hollow when so many coaches have no problem screaming at players during games in a public venue. That's a double standard. It's also a double standard for Gundy to say that the story was "75 percent inaccurate" and then refuse to list the inaccuracies.

What do you think?

Make or break year for Guy Morriss

Four years after Guy Morriss departed Kentucky for the security of a long-term contract at Baylor, his former employer is wildly optimistic after upsetting cocky Clemson in the Music City Bowl last season.

Meanwhile, down in Waco, It's bowl or bust for GuyMo.

In the fifth year of a six-year contract, the likable Morriss is 15-31 overall with the Bears. The victory total marks an improvement over predecessors Kevin Steele (9-36 in four seasons) and Dave Roberts (4-18 in two years). Morriss is 7-25 in the Big 12, but last year's three conference wins were the school's most since joining the Big 12.

Morriss has yet to earn a coveted bowl invitation for Baylor, however, a school that hasn't enjoyed a post-season since 1994. And Bear fans are growing restless. Last year, as Morriss switched to a new pass-happy offense, Baylor was the nation's worst rushing team, averaging a pitiful 40.2 yards per game. Plus, the Bears were routed by Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to the tune of a combined 157-55.

The investment in a new $34 million on-campus football facility, scheduled to be completed next year, helps the program, but increases the pressure to produce.

Plus, a Baylor legend is waiting in the wings. Some Bear backers are clamoring for Mike Singletary. The former Baylor linebacker is now an NFL assistant coach who received an interview for the head coaching job with the Dallas Cowboys. The Dallas Morning News reported that a Singletary supporter was hanging out in the school's parking lot, telling players it would be better in '08 when Singletary was head coach. Morriss reportedly had the man removed from campus.

The key is the non-conference schedule. Baylor opens at TCU, then plays host to Rice and Texas State before traveling to Buffalo. A 3-1 record heading into Big 12 play gives the Bears hope, and increases chances of a Morris' contract extension. Anything less could unfortunately spell GuyMo's swan song in Waco.

Links: [Waco Tribune] [Columbia Tribune]

An early Heisman list

With the first college football game six weeks away, let's rate the Heisman favorites:

• 1. Darren McFadden: Arkansas has never had a player win the Heisman. McFadden could be the first. The Razorback running back rushed for 1,647 yards last year. Better still, he averaged 5.7 yards per carry. His chances could suffer if Arkansas nosedives from its 10-4 record of a year ago. But being an SEC back, the junior will be in the spotlight all season.

• 2. Brian Brohm: Louisville has never had a player win the Heisman. Brohm could be the first. He's the best quarterback in college football, and U of L has a chance at playing in the national title game. Brohm needs to avoid the injury bug, which has shortened his past seasons.

• 3. Steve Slaton: The West Virginia running back shares Brohm's spot. Slaton rushed for 1,740 yards last year, averaging 7.0 yards per carry. If the Mountaineers make a national title run, Slaton's Heisman status will be greatly elevated.

• 4. John David Booty: Is Booty the best quarterback in the nation? No. Is he the second-best? No, Hawaii's Colt Brennan may fill that bill. (UK's Andre Woodson isn't far behind.) But as the qb on the nation's best team, Booty will be a regular on the ESPN highlight reel, and in the minds of Heisman voters.

• 5. Mike Hart: The Michigan back will benefit if the Wolverines make a deep run. He's not as talented as McFadden or Slaton, but does have a shot at a monster season. Could benefit from dominating the Midwest vote.

EKU-Cincinnati post-game

From Eastern Kentucky's 31-0 loss at Cincinnati:

CINCINNATI -- There was this certain overly optimistic idiot with a notes column and a blog who back in the summer, apparently under the influence of heatstroke, predicted that the Eastern Kentucky Colonels would open their 2006 season by upsetting the Cincinnati Bearcats.

I have no idea who that idiot might have been.

Not after last night anyway, when the Big East Bearcats thoroughly handled the visiting Colonels 31-0 at cozy Nippert Stadium.

Eastern was outgained 411-250. It failed to pick up a first down until the second quarter. It threw three interceptions in the second half. It was blanked for the first time since 1998.

Besides pocketing their $200,000 guarantee, did the I-AA Colonels learn anything from losing to the Division I-A Bearcats?

"Losing sucks," said quarterback Josh Greco.

Especially when plenty of people -- blush -- agreed with EKU coach Danny Hope that the season-starter was "a great opportunity" for the Colonels, maybe even an opportunity to stamp themselves as I-AA title contenders by knocking off a I-A team.

Didn't happen. All-America tight end Patrick Bugg dropped a couple of passes. Greco, the OVC's offensive player of the year, was picked off three times in his last 11 passes. All three came inside the Cincinnati 10-yard line.

"We didn't make big plays," said Hope afterward. "We had a couple of chances to make big plays and we didn't do it."

The Colonel defense was commendable. Despite the team's offensive struggles, the Colonel D kept Cincinnati to a 7-0 lead until the Bearcats drove 64 yards on its final possession of the first half to stretch the advantage to two touchdowns.

"Our defense is going to be all right," said Greco.

The offense has some work to do. First half, the Colonels couldn't move the ball. Second half, the Colonels moved the ball -- four straight possessions inside the UC 40-yard-line -- only to give up the ball.

"I came into the game knowing they were outstanding on defense," said Hope of UC. "I knew we'd have our work cut out for us on offense."

But after Cincinnati went 4-7 last year and EKU was picked to win the OVC this year, there were those (double blush) who thought this game would be much more competitive. From Eastern's standpoint, maybe even more than that.

"Put a positive spin on this," one Eastern fan told me afterward. "Predict Cincinnati to win the Big East."

Thing is I'm not too good at this prediction business. But is Cincinnati better than advertised? Or is Eastern not as good as advertised?

"We can play better than that," promised Greco.

Thankfully, there's a whole rest of the season to find out.

Cincinnati 31, EKU 0

Live blogging from Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati for Eastern Kentucky's football opener at UC:

• Post-game notes:
• Grutza ended up 9-of-15 for 161 yards and one touchdown. Teammate Nick Davila was 10 of 19 for 121 yards and a score. Davila played well the second quarter. Grutza played well the third quarter. Not sure if Cincinnati clarified its quarterback situation.
• Greco finished up 16-of-30 for 159 yards with three interceptions.
• Mark Dunn ended up with 58 yards rushing on 15 carries.
• Patrick Bugg caught four passes for 58 yards, but also had a couple of noticeable drops.
• Afterward, Danny Hope blamed Taylor Long's missed 53-yard field goal on the Colonels not having their No. 1 holder, Zack Denton, who was suspended for last night's game. "(Long) he'd been making it from that distance all week," said Hope. "We didn't get a good hold on that."
• Eastern was last shut out in 1998 by Appalachian State 19-0.
• Eastern plays host to Western Kentucky next Saturday.

• Final: Cincinnati 31, Eastern Kentucky 0.

• 4Q-3:30-UC 31-0: Allan Holland now in at quarterback for Eastern.

• 4Q-3:40-UC 31-0: Kevin Lovell's 34-yard field goal gives Cincinnati a 31-0 lead.

• 4Q-7:53-UC 28-0: Oh no, not again. Greco hits Lewon Lurry for a 39-yard gain to the Cincinnati 20, but then is picked off at the goal line by UC's DeAngelo Smith.

• 4Q-10:41-UC 28-0: Greco is picked again. After moving to the UC 10-yard line, on fourth down Greco's pass to the end zone is tipped and then picked off by Dominic Ross. A shutout appears to be looming.

• 4Q-14:42-UC 28-0: First play of the fourth quarter, Bearcats score again. Bradley Glatthaar runs it in from six yards out.

• 4Q-15:00: Through three quarters, UC had outgained Eastern 329-122.

• End of third quarter, Cincinnati leads 21-0.

• 3Q-1:39-UC 21-0: Eastern moves into Cincinnati territory again only to see Greco picked off by Bearcat safety Haruki Nakamara. Greco was trying to hit Bugg about the 10-yard line. First play, Grutza hits Derrick Stewart on a 51-yard bomb to the Eastern 21.

• 3Q-4:21-UC 21-0: Now Grutza decides he wants to get into the act. The former Mason County Royal drives the home team 64 yards for a TD and a 3-touchdown lead. Grutza hit Earnest Jackson for a 32-yard completion down to the Eastern 20. Later, Grutza found an open Dominick Goodman for a 6-yard touchdown pass. In the quarter, Grutza is 4-8 for  56 yards.

• 3Q-8:14: With help of a roughing the passer penalty, the Colonels actually move ball to the UC 36. But on fourth-and-seven, Greco is dropped for no gain, turning the ball back to the Bearcats.

• 3Q-11:57: Cincinnati is called for two penalties -- holding and a dead-ball personal foul -- which sabotages first drive and leads to punt.

• 3Q-13:31: Grutza does start the second half at quarterback for UC.

• 3Q-13:44: Bugg, EKU's star tight end, drops a pass from Greco at the 4-yard line, which would have been a 30-yard completion.

• 3Q-14:38: Not a good start as Colonels' Kyle Barber returns kickoff from end zone and is creamed at the 10-yard line. Then first play from scrimmage, EKU called for holding.

• First-half stats:
  • Greco is 7-of-12 passing for 37 yards.
  • Mark Dunn has 25 yards on nine carries.
  • Patrick Bugg has made two catches for 19 yards.
  • Eastern has 60 total yards on 29 offensive plays.
  • Grutza completed four of six passes for 54 yards in the first quarter
  • Davila completed nine of 14 for 104 yards and one TD in the second quarter.
  • UC tight end Brent Celek has 71 yards on five catches.

• Halftime: Here are the sad stats on Eastern's first-half drives (plays-yards-result):
  • 3           9       Punt
  • 3          -5       Punt
  • 3         -10      Punt
  • 8          35      Punt
  • 11        48      Missed 53-yard field goal
  • 2         -15      End of half

• Halftime-Cincinnati leads 14-0.

• 2Q-046-UC 14-0: This one hurts as Bearcats march 64 yards in 11 plays to score with just 46 seconds left in the half. Davalia hit Dominick Goodman for the 15-yard touchdown pass as EKU suffered a breakdown in coverage. Goodman was wide open at the 10 when he caught the ball, then scored untouched. So instead of going into the half down one score, the visitors have a two-touchdown hill to climb in the second half.

• 2Q-3:24: Taylor Long's 53-yard field goal attempt for the Colonels falls well short. But on the bright side, the visitors put together a nice drive, covering  48 yards in 11 plays. It's the defense that is keeping Danny Hope's team in the game at this point. EKU has just 67 total yards, but Cincinnati has only 115.

• 2Q-5:15 left: Eastern has finally made it into Cincinnati territory.

• 2Q-7:33 left-UC 7-0: Juco transfer Nick Davalia has replaced Grutza at quarterback for UC. That was expected. Grutza would play first, Davalia the second, then the Bearcats would go from there.

• 2Q-959 left-UC 7-0: Eastern finally found a bit of offense, picking up its first first down of the night at 12:34 mark of second quarter. Colonels moved ball from own nine out to the 44 before being forced to punt. But at least it was a sign of offensive light.

• 2Q-15:00 left-Cincinnati 7-0: Eastern's total yardage for the first quarter was -11. The Colonels could neither run nor throw in the first 15 minutes. Quarterback Josh Greco completed two of his four passes, but for a grand total of two yards. Their hope is that the next 45 are considerably better.

• 1Q-7:41 left-Cincinnati 7-0: Bearcats draw first blood thanks to a 66-yard, nine-play drive. The home team moved easily down the field turf, never facing a third-down situation.

• 1Q-11:11 left: As Lindsey Nelson used to say, an exchange of punts marked each team's first possession. UC did starter Mason County product Dustin Grutza at quarterback. The sophomore had his first pass attempt knocked down at the line of scrimmage, however.

• Pre-game: There's a light rain falling which may or may not have something to do with the fact that this 35,000-seat stadium is not even half full.

• Pre-game: Here at Nippert Stadium, where I witnessed my first pro football game back on October 20, 1968. As a 9-year-old, I went with my father and two of his friends to Nippert to see the first-year Cincinnati Bengals lose to Larry Csonka and the Miami Dolphins 24-22. My recollection is that Csonka did not play in the game because of a concussion. But that was a few years ago.

Predictions: Week 1

SEC predictions for Week 1:

• South Carolina at Mississippi State (tonight): The Gamecocks will be running and gunning, and it will be interesting to see what the Spurrier Era looks like in year two. State hopes to have a stout defense. It won't be stout enough. Carolina by three touchdowns.

• Vanderbilt at Michigan (Saturday): Vandy coach Bobby Johnson said opening at Michigan was heavily debated within the academic walls in Nashville before the school decided to accept ESPN's offer. Midway through the first half, Johnson may be regretting that decision. Michigan by a couple of touchdowns.

• Southern Miss at Florida (Saturday): If only Southern Miss had Brett Favre. He'd fire five interceptions and lose a couple of fumbles, but at least it would be interesting. Chris Leak starts his senior season as the Gators quarterback knowing that the packed house at The Swamp wants to see Tim Tebow. Florida in a romp.

• Western Kentucky at Georgia (Saturday): Bulldogs coach Mark Richt is so worried about this game he gave his coaching staff some time off. Says it's going to be a long grind. Just not this Saturday. Toppers are legitimate contenders. Division I-AA contenders. Georgia in a romp.

• California at Tennessee (Saturday): Give the Vols credit. They're either brave or crazy. Maybe a little of both. California is an opening foe you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. Or maybe you would. Vols will win, but in a squeaker.

• La-Lafayette at LSU (Saturday): Thankfully, Tigers don't have to move their opener from Baton Rouge to Tempe. Louisiana-Lafayette may be wishing for a hurricane by the time this one's over. LSU rolls.

• Hawaii at Alabama (Saturday): This is the return game from when Bama went around the NCAA's no-bowl directive and scheduled a 13th game in Honolulu. You'd think Bama should pay for being so underhanded. They won't. Bama wins.

• Washington State at Auburn (Saturday): If the Tigers win that first game, they've been known to win them all. They'll win this first game.

• Southern Cal at Arkansas (Saturday): Trojans fried the Razorbacks 70-17 last year out in Los Angeles. The return match is in Fayetteville, which helps out Arkansas. USC doesn't have Matt Leinart or Reggie Bush, which helps out Arkansas. But I doubt if it's enough to close a 53-point gap. Hail the Trojans.

• Memphis at Ole Miss (Sunday): Rebels coach Ed Orgeron once said he would build a fence around Memphis to keep all the recruits from going anywhere but Ole Miss. The Rebels refer to Memphis as Memphis State because Memphis keeps referring to Ole Miss as Mississippi. They don't like each other. Ole Miss has a new quarterback. Too new. I'm taking Memphis in an upset.

• Kentucky at Louisville (Sunday): Cats should be a bit better, but probably not improved enough to overtake the Cardinals. If Louisville's new offensive line can protect Brohm and open holes for Bush, it will be a long night for the Cats. Louisville doesn't cover the 23 1/2 point spread, but still wins easily.