Thursday, October 19, 2006
Coach Scooter's College Football Diary Vol.12
Welcome to Coach Scooter’s Weekend Preview of the College Football Diary! This week, the Vols host Alabama in what should be another great SEC battle that could decide who will be playing in Atlanta on December 2nd. Let’s look at that game, as well as the other great games around the country.
Saturday Games
(5) Texas at (17) Nebraska
Noon- ABC - Brent Musburger/Bob Davie
This game will be big for both programs. Texas needs the game to stay in the BCS title hunt. Nebraska needs the game to get back on the national radar. Bob Davie needs to smack Brent Musburger.
Michigan State at Northwestern
Noon - GP - Wayne Larrivee/Kelly Stouffer
How did this game get on the CFD? My research staff is really getting lazy on me these days. I would rather watch the Joey Chitwood Stunt Team wreck Gary Danielson’s Chevette for 60 minutes…
UCLA at (10) Notre Dame
2:30 – NBC – Tom Hammond/Pat Haden
Hmm, who do you think USC Alum Pat Haden will be pulling for in this game? It’s kind of like asking FDR who he is rooting for when Hitler State goes up against Stalin Tech.
Iowa at (2) Michigan
3:30 – ABC – Brad Nessler/Bob Griese/Paul McGuire
Iowa has been doing a darn good imitation of another team in the Big 10 the last few games (Bonus points if you can name who that could be) and a trip to Ann Arbor is not what the doctor ordered. Lloyd Carr has placed an order, and that’s for a large can of “you know what” to be opened at 3:30 on Saturday.
(13) Georgia Tech at (12) Clemson
7:45 – ESPN – Mike Patrick/Todd Blackledge
The two titans of the conference meet in Clemson in what could be a preview of th
e 2006 ACC Championship game. Many questions arise in this one. Is this the game Calvin Johnson puts himself in the thick of the Heisman race? Will Clemson fix their special team issues? Will this guy (right) be at the game?
Alabama at (7) Tennessee
3:30 – CBS – Verne Lundquist/Gary Danielson
Once again the third Saturday in October means Tennessee and Alabama are renewing their long rivalry. The Vols are explosive, and have had a week to prepare, however, remember 1990 when the Big Orange blasted Steve Spurrier and Florida 45-3, then laid an egg the next game in a 9-6 loss to Bama?
Who’s playing on the Plaines next, Foghat?
Auburn got a written warning from the SEC about playing loud music between plays during the Florida game last Saturday night. Associate League Commissioner Charles Bloom told the media, “The music violated the SEC's restriction on "institutionally-control
led computerized sound systems." However, Bloom did not say who reported the violation.
The SEC rule states: "The use of institutionally-controlled computerized sound systems, including music, and institutionally-controlled artificial noisemakers shall be restricted to pre-game, halftime, post-game, after a score and team or media timeouts."
Among the music played were, Eye of the Tiger and Crazy Train. I think they could set the music to whatever was going on during the game so they could get around the SEC rules. When they have a game sewn up, they could play Loser, by Beck. When there is a late hit out of bounds, Party out of Bounds by the B-52’s. When the opposing team has to call an unnecessary timeout, how about Communication Breakdown by Led Zeppelin? When the opposing team has a penalty, Breakin’ the Law, by Judas Priest. If the Tigers swarm over a QB and get a sack, it’s gotta be Jailbreak, by AC/DC. When Tuberville comes out of the tunnel, they could play The Gambler. And finally, just for Sweetie who is a closet Styx fan, AU could play Too Much Time on My Hands, when the opposing team gets a delay of game penalty. What do you think?
My question is why do you need to pipe in music during the game when you have a band? Isn’t the band a part of the college football experience? If I want to hear rock music, I’ll go see Motley Crue. When I want to see the best football in the country, I am going to a stadium in the SEC. I’m sure Auburn has a great band, why doesn’t someone in charge let them play? Pretty soon, you’ll see some hammer head in an Army jacket shouting to the crowd, “Let them play, let them play…” (Bonus points if you can tell me what movie that line is from).
Miami spares the rod…again
Nothing that happens at the University of Miami surprises me. Seeing the disgusting scene at the Orange Bowl last Saturday night against Florida International made me ashamed to say I was a college football fan, and after hearing University of Miami President Donna Shalala gassing about a zero tolerance policy, it made me tell everyone I was into curling during Saturdays in the fall. She reminded me of those parents who need the Super Nanny to come in and help her discipline her children.
Taking a cue from the football team, Shalala shook her fist for emphasis as she con
firmed sanctions levied against 13 football players for their role in a sidelines-clearing brawl were fair, justified and strong enough to satisfy the school. She also proclaimed a zero tolerance policy for all Miami athletes. That, along with 12 one-game suspensions, one indefinite suspension and orders that all players involved in Saturday's brawl do community service, is sufficient punishment.
“This university will be firm and punish people who do bad things,” Shalala said. “But we will not throw any student under the bus for instant restoration of our image or our reputation. I will not hang them in a public square. I will not eliminate their participation at the university. I will not take away their scholarships.”
Meanwhile, the Golden Panthers took a much harsher stance -- dismissing two players, Chris Smith and Marshall McDuffie Jr., and extending the suspensions of all other 16 sanctioned players indefinitely. Shalala’s vehement support of the discipline is much like the U.S. telling Kim Yong Il, “We don’t condone what you did, and will impose a one day sanction plus give you a zero tolerance policy. The U.S. also promises that since North Korea is part of the world, we will never do anything to throw you under the bus to the U.N.”
Another disturbing image of the ugly incident was former Miami player Lamar Thomas’ comments during the CSS broadcast of the game. When the fight began, Thomas cheered UM on, plus said he wanted to join the fight on the field.
''You come into our house, you should get your behind kicked,'' Thomas told viewers. "You don't come into the Orange Bowl playing that stuff. I was about to go down the elevator and get into that thing.'' He added, ''Why don't they just meet outside in the tunnel after the ball game and get it on some more? You don't come into the Orange Bowl, baby -- we've had a down couple of years -- but you don't come in here talking trash.”
“UM officials were consulted about the dismissal,” said CSS general manager Mark Fuhrman, “And they were supportive of the decision.”
I guess because Thomas cannot contribute to on the field heroics, he gets thr
own under the bus, but the players, who can still bring millions of dollars to the program, will be given another chance. Shalala and Coker should both be standing in the same unemployment line as Thomas, since their actions say it is OK to be a criminal. Anywhere else, those players would be in jail, but as long as you are an athlete bringing in millions of dollars to the school, you get a free pass. The actions of Shalala, Coker and Thomas, are as shameful as those of the players.
Let me relate a story of someone who did things the right way.
On a Sunday morning in November 1963, Coach Bear Bryant took a phone call from the owner of a Tuscaloosa beer joint called Captain Cooke's. His QB, some kid named Joe Namath, went there with the football manager, Jack (Hoot Owl) Hicks, after the established midnight curfew.
Bryant confronted Namath, who said, "Yes, sir, I was there."
Bryant said, "I can either suspend you or I can let you play in these last two games. If I let you play, then I'll have to resign because I'll be violating all my principles of coaching."
Namath said, "I'll take my punishment."
Without its star quarterback, who had been told by Bryant he could return to the squad for spring practice if he behaved, Alabama beat Auburn, then nipped Ole Miss 12-7 in the Sugar Bowl. The next year, Namath led Alabama to the national championship. He cited Bryant's suspension as a turning point in his life. "I grew up overnight," he said.
President Shalala, Coach Coker, it’s not a matter of throwing a kid under the bus. It is a matter of teaching the kids right and wrong, and unfortunately, that means having the courage to take away the privilege of playing college sports. What have they learned by this slap on the wrists? Nothing.
Namath said he grew up overnight, and I bet those players involved in this ugly mess would say the same thing years from now if someone at Miami did the right thing.
Well, that’s it for another week. I hope everyone has a blast watching the V
ols and Tide play, and hopefully it will be a great day in Big Orange Country. I will be at the game with Sweetie, so I will have a special tailgating report (with pictures) for the Tuesday column, so you won’t want to miss it. Don’t forget before, during and after the game, rub those orange and white rosaries, repeat your game maxims, and never take Coach Fulmer’s name in vain. Go Vols!
Questions & Comments: volsdiary@yahoo.com
Saturday Games
(5) Texas at (17) Nebraska
Noon- ABC - Brent Musburger/Bob Davie
This game will be big for both programs. Texas needs the game to stay in the BCS title hunt. Nebraska needs the game to get back on the national radar. Bob Davie needs to smack Brent Musburger.
Michigan State at Northwestern
Noon - GP - Wayne Larrivee/Kelly Stouffer
How did this game get on the CFD? My research staff is really getting lazy on me these days. I would rather watch the Joey Chitwood Stunt Team wreck Gary Danielson’s Chevette for 60 minutes…
UCLA at (10) Notre Dame
2:30 – NBC – Tom Hammond/Pat Haden
Hmm, who do you think USC Alum Pat Haden will be pulling for in this game? It’s kind of like asking FDR who he is rooting for when Hitler State goes up against Stalin Tech.
Iowa at (2) Michigan
3:30 – ABC – Brad Nessler/Bob Griese/Paul McGuire
Iowa has been doing a darn good imitation of another team in the Big 10 the last few games (Bonus points if you can name who that could be) and a trip to Ann Arbor is not what the doctor ordered. Lloyd Carr has placed an order, and that’s for a large can of “you know what” to be opened at 3:30 on Saturday.
(13) Georgia Tech at (12) Clemson
7:45 – ESPN – Mike Patrick/Todd Blackledge
The two titans of the conference meet in Clemson in what could be a preview of th
e 2006 ACC Championship game. Many questions arise in this one. Is this the game Calvin Johnson puts himself in the thick of the Heisman race? Will Clemson fix their special team issues? Will this guy (right) be at the game?Alabama at (7) Tennessee
3:30 – CBS – Verne Lundquist/Gary Danielson
Once again the third Saturday in October means Tennessee and Alabama are renewing their long rivalry. The Vols are explosive, and have had a week to prepare, however, remember 1990 when the Big Orange blasted Steve Spurrier and Florida 45-3, then laid an egg the next game in a 9-6 loss to Bama?
Who’s playing on the Plaines next, Foghat?
Auburn got a written warning from the SEC about playing loud music between plays during the Florida game last Saturday night. Associate League Commissioner Charles Bloom told the media, “The music violated the SEC's restriction on "institutionally-control
led computerized sound systems." However, Bloom did not say who reported the violation.The SEC rule states: "The use of institutionally-controlled computerized sound systems, including music, and institutionally-controlled artificial noisemakers shall be restricted to pre-game, halftime, post-game, after a score and team or media timeouts."
Among the music played were, Eye of the Tiger and Crazy Train. I think they could set the music to whatever was going on during the game so they could get around the SEC rules. When they have a game sewn up, they could play Loser, by Beck. When there is a late hit out of bounds, Party out of Bounds by the B-52’s. When the opposing team has to call an unnecessary timeout, how about Communication Breakdown by Led Zeppelin? When the opposing team has a penalty, Breakin’ the Law, by Judas Priest. If the Tigers swarm over a QB and get a sack, it’s gotta be Jailbreak, by AC/DC. When Tuberville comes out of the tunnel, they could play The Gambler. And finally, just for Sweetie who is a closet Styx fan, AU could play Too Much Time on My Hands, when the opposing team gets a delay of game penalty. What do you think?
My question is why do you need to pipe in music during the game when you have a band? Isn’t the band a part of the college football experience? If I want to hear rock music, I’ll go see Motley Crue. When I want to see the best football in the country, I am going to a stadium in the SEC. I’m sure Auburn has a great band, why doesn’t someone in charge let them play? Pretty soon, you’ll see some hammer head in an Army jacket shouting to the crowd, “Let them play, let them play…” (Bonus points if you can tell me what movie that line is from).
Miami spares the rod…again
Nothing that happens at the University of Miami surprises me. Seeing the disgusting scene at the Orange Bowl last Saturday night against Florida International made me ashamed to say I was a college football fan, and after hearing University of Miami President Donna Shalala gassing about a zero tolerance policy, it made me tell everyone I was into curling during Saturdays in the fall. She reminded me of those parents who need the Super Nanny to come in and help her discipline her children.
Taking a cue from the football team, Shalala shook her fist for emphasis as she con
firmed sanctions levied against 13 football players for their role in a sidelines-clearing brawl were fair, justified and strong enough to satisfy the school. She also proclaimed a zero tolerance policy for all Miami athletes. That, along with 12 one-game suspensions, one indefinite suspension and orders that all players involved in Saturday's brawl do community service, is sufficient punishment.“This university will be firm and punish people who do bad things,” Shalala said. “But we will not throw any student under the bus for instant restoration of our image or our reputation. I will not hang them in a public square. I will not eliminate their participation at the university. I will not take away their scholarships.”
Meanwhile, the Golden Panthers took a much harsher stance -- dismissing two players, Chris Smith and Marshall McDuffie Jr., and extending the suspensions of all other 16 sanctioned players indefinitely. Shalala’s vehement support of the discipline is much like the U.S. telling Kim Yong Il, “We don’t condone what you did, and will impose a one day sanction plus give you a zero tolerance policy. The U.S. also promises that since North Korea is part of the world, we will never do anything to throw you under the bus to the U.N.”
Another disturbing image of the ugly incident was former Miami player Lamar Thomas’ comments during the CSS broadcast of the game. When the fight began, Thomas cheered UM on, plus said he wanted to join the fight on the field.
''You come into our house, you should get your behind kicked,'' Thomas told viewers. "You don't come into the Orange Bowl playing that stuff. I was about to go down the elevator and get into that thing.'' He added, ''Why don't they just meet outside in the tunnel after the ball game and get it on some more? You don't come into the Orange Bowl, baby -- we've had a down couple of years -- but you don't come in here talking trash.”
“UM officials were consulted about the dismissal,” said CSS general manager Mark Fuhrman, “And they were supportive of the decision.”
I guess because Thomas cannot contribute to on the field heroics, he gets thr
own under the bus, but the players, who can still bring millions of dollars to the program, will be given another chance. Shalala and Coker should both be standing in the same unemployment line as Thomas, since their actions say it is OK to be a criminal. Anywhere else, those players would be in jail, but as long as you are an athlete bringing in millions of dollars to the school, you get a free pass. The actions of Shalala, Coker and Thomas, are as shameful as those of the players.Let me relate a story of someone who did things the right way.
On a Sunday morning in November 1963, Coach Bear Bryant took a phone call from the owner of a Tuscaloosa beer joint called Captain Cooke's. His QB, some kid named Joe Namath, went there with the football manager, Jack (Hoot Owl) Hicks, after the established midnight curfew.
Bryant confronted Namath, who said, "Yes, sir, I was there."
Bryant said, "I can either suspend you or I can let you play in these last two games. If I let you play, then I'll have to resign because I'll be violating all my principles of coaching."
Namath said, "I'll take my punishment."
Without its star quarterback, who had been told by Bryant he could return to the squad for spring practice if he behaved, Alabama beat Auburn, then nipped Ole Miss 12-7 in the Sugar Bowl. The next year, Namath led Alabama to the national championship. He cited Bryant's suspension as a turning point in his life. "I grew up overnight," he said.
President Shalala, Coach Coker, it’s not a matter of throwing a kid under the bus. It is a matter of teaching the kids right and wrong, and unfortunately, that means having the courage to take away the privilege of playing college sports. What have they learned by this slap on the wrists? Nothing.
Namath said he grew up overnight, and I bet those players involved in this ugly mess would say the same thing years from now if someone at Miami did the right thing.
Well, that’s it for another week. I hope everyone has a blast watching the V
ols and Tide play, and hopefully it will be a great day in Big Orange Country. I will be at the game with Sweetie, so I will have a special tailgating report (with pictures) for the Tuesday column, so you won’t want to miss it. Don’t forget before, during and after the game, rub those orange and white rosaries, repeat your game maxims, and never take Coach Fulmer’s name in vain. Go Vols!Questions & Comments: volsdiary@yahoo.com
