InGameNow

Whaaaa? Tommy Tuberville done at Auburn, Charlie Weis Stays at Notre Dame

December 4th, 2008 | By Jack Newhouse Posted in NCAA FB

Coach Tommy Tuberville is done after ten years as coach of the Auburn Tigers football team.

Tuberville leaves Auburn as the 4th most winning coach in school history. He amassed a 85-40 record. The crown jewel of Tuberville’s time at Auburn, 2004, when he achieved a 13-0 season where the Tigers won the SEC and finished ranked #2 in the nation.

As we know, school Athletic Directors can be very short term focused. Auburn finished 5-7 in the very challenging SEC conference.

What makes this surprising? Next season, Charlie Weis will still be the coach at Notre Dame. Returning for his fifth season, Weis is coming of a 9-15 record over the past two seasons.

Weis started of hot at Notre Dame, but many attributed his success to the recruting efforts of previous Notre Dame coach Tyrone Willingham. Now that Weis is coaching his players, Notre Dame is playing horribly.

If current Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick knew coach Tommy Tuberville was available, would Charlie Weis still have a job?

Gator Bowl: Clemson vs. Nebraska

December 3rd, 2008 | By Dan Winter Posted in InGameNow, NCAA FB

It is being reported that later today, the representatives of the Gator Bowl will announce that the Clemson Tigers are playing the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the January 1st bowl.

The Tigers finished up their 2008 regular season 7-5, with a 4-4 conference record. They won the last 3 games of the year by an average of 17 points. Senior quarterback Cullen Harper leads the team with 2,395 yards, 11 TDs and a 63.2% completion percentage. When the Tigers get down to the goalline, the ball is put in the hands of Senior James Davis and fellow runningback C.J. Spiller, who have combined for 18 TDs. Clemson is looking to take the momentum from late in the season for one last run with Harper and Davis.

Standing in Clemson’s way is a Nebraska Cornhusker team that is starting to regain their strength of old, with an 8-4 season, including a 5-3 record in the tough Big 12 Conference. However, these are not your father’s Cornhusker’s, or even the Cornhuskers from 5 years ago! Senior Joe Ganz leads a high-flying offense with 3,332 yards, 23 TDs, and 69.3% completions. Gone are the days of the Wishbone, but Roy Helu rounds out the offense gaining 6.7 yards a carry.

This should be a great game, so come with your analysis and talk it over with other fans at InGameNow.

Lane Kiffin’s Recruiting Skills Fill Void Left by Bruce Pearl’s Divorce

December 2nd, 2008 | By Daniel Posted in NCAA FB

Lane Kiffin’s arrival to the Volunteer State not only renews the long term potential of their football program, but the Kiffin family also replaces the gap left by Bruce Pearl’s divorce: the lack of a prominent sports trophy wife. This is especially hard to come by in college towns, given how most of the talent is still in training to be a future trophy-wife (see: Tebow’s girlfriend), leaving the only real options left to the coaches and boosters.

Layla Kiffin fits the role nicely. Anyone who doubts Lane’s ability to recruit need look no further than the talent he married:

You may recall Pearl, the basketball coach, got divorced last year. We’re not sure if this is the ex-wife or a new girlfriend, but we had to make sure you enjoyed seeing one of them. Thanks for the mammaries:

Texas Tech Quarterback Graham Harrell is a Stud

November 30th, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in NCAA FB

Lost in the BCS ranking mess is Texas Tech - who really struggled in the last couple weeks.

But Texas Tech Quarterback Graham Harrrell really impressed me yesterday in their unimpressive victory. How? Why? Because, according to ESPN, Graham Harrell played the second half with two “shattered” fingers:

Harrell underwent four hours of surgery Sunday on the pinkie and ring fingers on his left hand, with 17 pins and two plates inserted in his hand to heal nine separate breaks. Despite the extent of the injury, suffered in the second quarter, Harrell finished the game against the Bears and is expected to be fine for Tech’s bowl game.

Texas Tech football spokesman Chris Cook said that coach Mike Leach’s policy is not to comment on the specifics of players’ injuries. But he confirmed that Harrell did have surgery Sunday morning.

The source said Harrell was x-rayed at halftime, and the Tech medical staff told him he was done for the day. Harrell responded, “Tape my hand up. I’m going out.” Harrell finished the game with black tape around the two fingers.

Despite the injury, Harrell threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Red Raiders back from a two-touchdown deficit in the second half. The victory gave Tech a share of the Big 12 South title, but it lost the BCS standings tie-breaker to Oklahoma.

BCS Rankings: Oklahoma Moves Ahead of Texas

November 30th, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in NCAA FB, Picks & Odds

Style points mattered.

And it could well be that the meaningless touchdown run with 20 seconds left to go moved Oklahoma into the BCS’s second spot… ahead of the Texas Longhorns… and into the Big 12 Championship.

By the way, I totally agree with these rankings. Oklahoma has been the most impressive football team - and their win over Texas Tech (the hottest team at the time) was the most convincing win I’ve seen in 2008. Texas, meanwhile, lost to that same team on a final drive - and that, in my opinion, is worthy of being ranked below Oklahoma.

BCS Standings
1. Alabama 12-0
2. Oklahoma 11-1
3. Texas 11-1
4. Florida 11-1
5. USC 10-1
6. Utah 12-0
7. Texas Tech 11-1
8. Penn State 11-1
9. Boise State 12-0
10. Ohio State 10-2
11. TCU 10-2
12. Ball State 12-0
13. Cincinnati 10-2
14. Oklahoma State 9-3
15. Georgia Tech 8-3
16. Georgia 9-3
17. Boston College 9-3
18. BYU 10-2
19. Oregon 9-3
20. Missouri 9-3
21. Michigan State 9-3
22. Northwestern 9-3
23. Pitt 8-3
24. Florida State 8-4
25. Virginia Tech 8-4

Lane Kiffin to Replace Fulmer at Tennessee

November 29th, 2008 | By Daniel Posted in NCAA FB

After rumors and buzz denying the charge as recently as yesterday, the Tennessee Volunteers announced they are hiring Lane Kiffin to replace Phil Fulmer. Kiffin was recently let go as the Raiders head coach. Fulmer won a National Championship with UT in 1998, but recently has had 2 losing in the past 5 years including their current 4-7 record.

This just goes to prove the usefulness of the Raiders and Al Davis in the football community. Kiffin, who was barely considered a legit choice to coach Minnesota 2 years ago, has verified the formula to get the most plumb coaching job. Step 1) get hired by the most dysfunctional NFL team - worst case scenario is you raise your profile before their dysfunctional management fires you. Step 2) Interview for the dream job of your choice once everybody sees your genius suppressed.

By the way, good luck recruiting against Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier, Urban Meyer, and Les Miles. Word on the street is that Kiffin will be bringing his father, Monte Kiffin, to UT with him.

Kiffin’s top goal for himself is not to be mistaken as a frat boy.

Phil Fulmer tells UT Fans “That’s All Folks” and prepares to go wabbit hunting.