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COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS- (covers.com):week 13 tv bettors guide.
Tuesday, Nov. 21
Bowling Green at Toledo (-6), total 47 ½
7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Don’t expect a shootout between the Bowling Green Falcons and the Toledo Rockets at this
year’s battle for the Peace Pipe. The books certainly aren’t. The last two meetings
resulted in scores of 44-41 and 49-41, but with the graduations of quarterbacks Bruce
Gradkowski and Omar Jacobs, this year’s total will sit below 50.
The teams have each played six games since the end of September. The Falcons have scored
more than 20 points only twice over that span and the Rockets just once.
Thursday, Nov. 23
Boston College at Miami (Fl.) (+4 ½), total 37 ½
8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Perhaps the easiest way to tell how well the Miami Hurricanes are doing is to count how
many references Michael Irvin makes to “the U” during ESPN`s NFL Gameday. In a rare display
of humility, Irvin’s been fairly quiet about his alma mater on recent Sundays.
The Boston College Eagles will try to win their second road game of the season over a
traditional Floridian powerhouse after beating the Seminoles as 7-point dog on Oct. 21.
It’s the first meeting between these teams as ACC rivals. The Eagles are surely hoping for
a reversal of fortunes from the Big East days, when the Canes routinely laid double-digit
thumpings on them no matter the venue.
Friday, Nov. 24
Texas A&M at Texas (-12 ½), total 57 ½
Noon ET, ABC
The Thanksgiving Friday coverage starts with a doozy in the Lone Star Showdown.
The Sooners are praying that the Texas A&M Aggies maintain their perfect road record so
that Oklahoma can waltz to the South Division title. None of A&M’s three road wins,
however, came against teams with a winning conference record.
Quarterback Colt McCoy has been cleared to suit up and start, which gives the Texas
Longhorns the upper hand for Friday’s game. The Horns have played five Big 12 games in the
state of Texas this year and have won all five with an average margin of victory exceeding
20 points per game.
Ohio at Miami (Oh.) (+4), total 39 ½
Noon ET, ESPNU
Maybe the Hurricanes will take solace in the fact that the “other” Miami is a home dog too.
The Miami (Ohio) Redhawks are 2-9 SU and 4-7 ATS on the year, however, so the Canes
shouldn’t get comfortable with any comparisons between the programs.
State rivals the Ohio Bobcats have been the class of the MAC East this year and have
delivered for backers too, going 8-3 SU and 6-3-1 ATS. The Bobcats haven’t won this annual
rivalry since 1999, but with a six-game winning streak (covering in five of them) in hand,
this could be a good year in which to exact revenge.
LSU at Arkansas (-1), total 45
2:30 p.m. ET, CBS
The Arkansas Razorbacks opened as early 1 ½-point home favorites in the Battle of the Boot.
Eager bettors made the LSU Tigers road favorites, despite the Razorbacks being the only SEC
team without a loss in conference play. Arkansas has also covered the spread in their last
two conference home games, with double-digit points to spare.
Bettors are siding with the Bayou Bengals despite the squad barely escaping last Saturday’s
home game versus Ole Miss as 28 ½-point favorites.
Colorado at Nebraska (-15), total 42
3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are double-digit favorites for the second straight year in this
traditionally meaningful Big 12 North rivalry. The Huskers covered in Boulder last year
with a 30-3 win over the downtrodden Colorado Buffaloes.
The Buffs have home conference wins over Texas Tech and Iowa State and a close call at
Georgia back in September. That’s the extent of Colorado’s highlights for the 2006 season,
as the school lost its other scheduled games and failed at the window as well.
Oregon at Oregon State (-3), total 51 ½
3:30 p.m. ET, FSN
It’s Civil War in the Pacific Northwest as the Oregon Ducks are dogged for the first time
since 2003 for their annual grudge match against the Oregon State Beavers.
The Ducks scored 50 or more points in each of the last two head-to-head meetings, but the
offense is struggling these days. Scoring only 10 points against USC isn’t shameful, but
repeating the feat against Arizona is.
Counter to all preseason predictions, the Beavers have ascended the Pac-10 standings to sit
ahead of the Ducks and also boast a superior record at the window, going 6-4 ATS.
Western Michigan at Akron (-1 ½), total 44 ½
3:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU
The Akron Zips have an inferior overall record, conference record and ATS record when
compared to the Western Michigan Broncos, but the Zips are a perfect 4-0 at home and won
each home game by a touchdown or more.
The Broncos are only 2-4 on the road and lost their last conference road game by 24 points,
though that was to MAC pacesetters Central Michigan.
Fresno State at Louisiana Tech (+11 ½), total 53 ½
9 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Two of the worst teams in the nation meet on Friday afternoon in a battle of WAC Bulldogs,
a game with no postseason ramifications whatsoever.
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs have lost its last two games by a combined score of 103-17 to
drop their record to 3-8 SU and 2-8 ATS. The Fresno State Bulldogs remain the worst bet in
America in spite of securing their first ATS win last weekend against Idaho.
Saturday, Nov. 25
Florida at Florida State (+10), total 42
Noon ET, ABC (regional)
The Florida State Seminoles could boost their bowl credentials considerably with a home win
over the Florida Gators. Neither team is a winner at the window this year, with the Noles
sitting at 4-7 ATS and the Gators one game worse at 3-7.
Bettors may be tempted to take Florida State with the double-digit points at home. The
Gators have delivered a payday as a favorite only once in eight opportunities since Week 2
and topped out at 28 points in conference play this year. The Noles are 2-5 ATS in
Tallahassee this year, but give them 10 points and they’d be 6-1.
Kansas at Missouri (-7), total 52
Noon ET, ABC (regional)
The Missouri Tigers are getting the benefit of the doubt from the books in what was
formerly the Border War against the Kansas Jayhawks. Mizzou has dropped three straight
conference games and four of their last five (also going 1-4 ATS) but open as home
favorites by a full touchdown.
The Jayhawks are streaking in the other direction, fresh off three consecutive wins. They
also covered the number in their last two road games with a line.
South Carolina at Clemson (-5 ½), total 46 ½
Noon ET, ESPN
A mid-level SEC team takes on one of the ACC’s elite to give an idea of relative conference
strength in Saturday’s Battle of the Palmetto State.
The Clemson Tigers opened as 2 ½-point home favorites on Sunday but early action drove the
spread up by three full points by the end of the day. The Tigers are 0-3 ATS in recent
weeks but have delivered five straight against their state rivals.
The South Carolina Gamecocks have the SEC’s best ATS record at 7-3 and quarterback Blake
Mitchell is peaking since taking over the position against Arkansas in Week 10.
USF at West Virginia (-19 ½), total 54 ½
Noon ET, ESPN2
The South Florida Bulls visit their second Big East monster in two weeks when they drop
into Morgantown to play the West Virginia Mountaineers. The Bulls couldn’t deliver in
Louisville last week despite getting 18 ½ points from the books.
The Mountaineers are an offensive machine and only East Carolina held them under 34 points
this season. That said, the Bulls have yet to allow 32 points in a game this year, so
something has to give on Saturday.
Syracuse at Rutgers (-14 ½), total 38
Noon ET, ESPNU
The BCS powers-that-be are breathing easier now, knowing they won’t have to deal with an
undefeated Rutgers Scarlet Knights team when it comes time to divvy up the teams for the
big bowl games.
The Syracuse Orange sit at the bottom of the Big East standings, but their backers are
tickled with the team’s eight paydays this year, including a pair as double-digit dogs
against Louisville and West Virginia.
For the record, Rutgers has been favored five times this year and delivered only a single
win at the window.
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State (+6 ½), total 53 ½
2:30 p.m. ET, FSN
The Oklahoma Sooners have a stranglehold on the Bedlam Bell, but haven’t covered the spread
at Lewis Field since 1996. The Sooners have, however, won six straight conference games and
covered the number in five of them.
The Oklahoma State Cowboys have been a model of inconsistency in recent weeks, alternating
wins and losses in conference play to sit at 3-4 in the Big 12. They’re 3-1 ATS as a dog in
conference play, however, winning a pair of those games straight-up.
Georgia Tech at Georgia (-1 ½), total 42 ½
3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
Clean, Old-fashioned Hate. Great name, but can this rivalry deliver a great game?
The road team has covered the spread in seven of the last eight meetings between these two,
which bodes well for the visiting Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. It’s also a favorable sign
for the Jackets that they’ve won four straight games by a touchdown or more.
The Georgia Bulldogs have had two weeks to revel in their success at Auburn. Will they be
able to repeat their success on the Plains, or will they revert to earlier form? The Dawgs
have dropped five straight paydays as a favorite this season.
Louisville at Pittsburgh (+11 ½), total 58
3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Louisville Cardinals haven’t been able to deliver as a road favorite in its last three
attempts, but they can take advantage of a staggering opponent this week when they head to
Heinz Field.
The Pitt Panthers wasted an excellent first half against West Virginia last Thursday by
getting shut out in the second half. That resulted in Pitt’s fourth straight loss, all of
which were failures to cover the number as well. After a promising start to the season,
Dave Wannstedt’s Panthers fell apart at exactly the wrong time.
BYU at Utah (+10 ½), total 55
3:30 p.m. ET, CSTV
The Utah Utes hold the lifetime edge in the Holy War against the Brigham Young Cougars and
have also taken home the Beehive Boot four years running. The books, however, expect BYU to
maintain its awesome Mountain West form, setting the visiting Cougars as visiting favorites
by more than 10 points.
BYU is undefeated in conference play and 9-1-1 ATS on the season. The school has won eight
straight games by at least two touchdowns and the offense is clicking so well that they’re
a perfect 3-0 ATS when favored by four touchdowns or more.
Boise State at Nevada (+3), total 57
4:15 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Only the Nevada Wolf Pack can keep the Boise State Broncos from a perfect regular season,
but recent history suggests it won’t happen. In the teams’ six meetings since 1999, Boise
State has scored at least 44 points while Nevada has topped out at 21.
Tailback Ian Johnson, who missed the Broncs’ last game, has been upgraded to probable for
the season finale. The nation’s touchdown leader will be “ready to go, no doubt” head coach
Chris Petersen told reporters.
Arizona State at Arizona (-3 ½), total 44 ½
6 p.m. ET, FSN
The Duel in the Desert has become a lot more interesting with the Arizona Wildcats’ ascent
up (and the Arizona State Sun Devils’ corresponding descent down) the Pac-10 standings.
The Cats have won (and covered) in four of their last five, largely spurred by the return
of Willie Tuitama to the quarterback spot. The Sun Devils dropped their second conference
game in three weeks with their home loss as a favorite to UCLA last Saturday.
East Carolina at North Carolina State (-2 ½), total 42
7 p.m. ET, ESPNU
It’s hard to gauge teams that have played each other only once this decade, a 52-14 win for
the North Carolina State Wolfpack in 2004.
The East Carolina Pirates rank among the nation’s best bets at the window with a 9-2 ATS
record and a glance at the teams’ common opponents underlines who the moneymaker is. NC
State lost to Virginia and Southern Miss, failing to cover in either game, while East
Carolina won and covered against both the Cavs and Golden Eagles.
Marshall at Southern Mississippi (-7 ½), total 50
7:30 p.m. ET, CSTV
The Marshall Thundering Herd’s record doesn’t match that of the Southern Mississippi Golden
Eagles, but their recent results are as good as it gets for a C-USA East squad.
Perhaps inspired by the onslaught of recent We are Marshall commercials, the Herd have won
and covered in four of their last five games, averaging over 40 points per win in that
span.
Southern Miss still leads the division, however, and has outgained its last three opponents
by at least 100 yards en route to a trio of conference wins.
Wake Forest at Maryland (-1), total 40
7:45 p.m. ET, ESPN
The potential battle for the ACC Atlantic took a hit last Saturday when both the Wake
Forest Demon Deacons and the Maryland Terrapins were beaten by conference rivals.
The Deacons can still take the division with a win, but their ground game and was stunted
by Virginia Tech’s defensive schemes, likely to be closely observed and mimicked by the
Terps this week.
Maryland can win the division title too, but they need Miami to win the Thursday nighter
against Boston College, as well as a win on Saturday. Bettors had best hold onto their
money until Thursday’s game’s decides the Terps’ collective motivation.
Notre Dame at USC (-7 ½), total 56 ½
8 p.m. ET, ABC
The best of the Thanksgiving college games (or at least the most important with regard to
the BCS standings) has been saved for last. Hope you can stay awake this late after days on
end of turkey ingestion.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are clinging to the slightest of hopes for a berth in the BCS
Championship game, though how they’d ever hurdle Michigan is beyond me. To their credit,
the Irish have covered as a double-digit favorite in its last three games with a line,
rising to a respectable 5-5 ATS.
The Southern Cal Trojans, however, are in the driver’s seat for a meeting with the Buckeyes
in January, despite a shaky four-game stretch in Pac-10 play. Convincing wins over Oregon
and Cal in the last two weekends likely resulted in the quick jump in the lnie for this
game from USC -6 to -7 ½ shortly after opening.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS- (associated press): texas quarterback mccoy cleared to play.
Texas quarterback Colt McCoy is back at practice and the record-setting freshman is
expected to start this week against rival Texas A&M.
Oddsmakers have Texas listed as a 12 1/2-point home favorite. The total is set at 57 1/2.
Knocked out of the Longhorns` loss at Kansas State on Nov. 11, McCoy has been cleared to
return for Friday`s game, when the No. 11 Longhorns (9-2, 6-1) can win the Big 12 South
Division.
``Real good,`` is how McCoy described his shoulder and neck Monday. A pinched nerve
sidelined him in the first quarter against Kansas State.
McCoy was hurt on a quarterback sneak at the goal line on Texas` first possession. He
scored the touchdown, but it was his last play. He did not practice last week and Texas did
not have a game.
``It was really frustrating to be on the sideline,`` McCoy said. ``I had a good doctor`s
appointment (Sunday). I`m excited to be back at practice this week. I worked really hard
this week in the training room to get myself back and ready and get my strength back.``
Joining his return is senior offensive lineman Justin Blalock, who hobbled off the field
after injuring his left knee in the third quarter of the same game. Blalock has started 49
consecutive games at guard and tackle, anchoring a line that ranks among the best in the
country.
McCoy was the team`s biggest question mark coming into the season, but has turned into its
steadiest player and leader of the offense. He has a school-record 27 touchdown passes this
year.
``Anytime you take a guy out of your team that has taken a lot of snaps, touched the ball
every time he was on the field, and everybody was talking about for the Heisman, its going
to affect you some,`` Brown said last week.
Although freshman backup Jevan Snead played well against Kansas State, McCoy`s injury in
the opening minutes was a jolt to a team that still had a chance to defend its 2005
national championship.
A win Friday would set up a Big 12 title game against Nebraska, a rematch of Texas` 22-20
victory in October.
``I don`t want to talk about the injury anymore. I don`t want to talk about losing. We`ve
still got our No. 1 goal and that`s to win the Big 12 South,`` McCoy said. ``We can clinch
that this weekend.``
McCoy redshirted last season when Texas beat A&M 40-29 at Kyle Field in College Station.
A lifelong Texas fan, McCoy hasn`t been to a Longhorns-Aggies game in Austin since 1998.
Ricky Williams led Texas to a 26-20 win and broke the Division I-A career rushing record
with a long run in the first quarter.
McCoy was sitting near a group of A&M fans that day.
``In my family there`s some Aggies,`` he said. ``I hate to say that.``
NCAA FOOTBALL PICKS: (associated press): bcs odds improve for boise state.
Boise State running back Ian Johnson plans to wear a flack jacket to protect two cracked
ribs when the Broncos play Nevada in their regular-season finale.
``I feel great,`` Johnson said at a news conference Monday. ``The lungs feel great. I can
breath. I`m pretty much back 100 percent.``
Oddmakers have Nevada listed as a 3-point underdog. The total is set at 57.
Johnson averages nearly 150 yards a game and has 21 touchdowns. He sat out the 49-10 win
against Utah State on Saturday while recovering from a partially collapsed left lung.
Johnson was hurt Nov. 11 in the Broncos 23-20 win at San Jose State and spent five days in
a California hospital before being discharged Thursday.
The Broncos (11-0, 7-0 Western Athletic Conference) have captured at least a share of the
league title and could claim it outright if they win at Nevada (8-3, 5-2). It would be
Boise State`s second undefeated regular season in three years.
The Broncos are also chasing a spot in a Bowl Championship Series game. They moved up one
spot to No. 12 in The Associated Press poll on Sunday and one spot to No. 11 in the BCS
standings.
They have to finish No. 12 or better in the BCS standings to automatically qualify for one
of the big-money bowls. They would become only the second team from a non-BCS conference to
achieve that goal, following the 2004 Utah team.
``Whatever my roll is I`ll embrace it,`` said Johnson, adding he hopes to get 25 carries
against Nevada. ``I`m going to play like nothing happened. There`s going to be so much
adrenaline, I don`t think I`m going to worry about it at all.``
The Broncos dominated overmatched Utah State but face a tougher test at Nevada.
``There`s no doubt about it,`` Boise State coach Chris Petersen said. ``This is one of the
better teams in our league and they`re playing well.``
NCAA FOOTBALL FREE PICKS- (associated press) : sooners running back out for ok state game.
Oklahoma star tailback Adrian Peterson will miss this week`s game at Oklahoma State
because of his broken collarbone.
It was the first time Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops ruled out the 2004 Heisman runner-up for
the Bedlam game Saturday in Stillwater.
Oddsmakers have Oklahoma State listed as 6-point home underdogs. The total is set at 53
1/2.
Doctors initially expected Peterson to be able to return six weeks after his collarbone
snapped on a touchdown run against Iowa State on Oct. 14. This is the sixth week since the
injury.
``We`re not expecting him to play,`` Stoops said Monday on the Big 12 coaches` conference
call. ``His ... bone scan shows that there`s still a little bit of healing that needs to be
done. This won`t change, I don`t believe.``
Peterson had averaged 155.8 rushing yards and scored 11 total touchdowns in his first six
games for the No. 13 Sooners (9-2, 6-1 Big 12) this season. The best rushing performance of
his career came in Stillwater in 2004, when he ran for 249 yards and had an 80-yard
touchdown run in Oklahoma`s 38-35 win.
He had 237 rushing yards, including scoring runs of 84 and 71 yards, against the Cowboys
(6-5, 3-4) during a 42-14 Sooners win last season in Norman.
``He`s a guy that can make a difference in a game no matter who he plays against, but our
people have to adjust and prepare,`` Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said.
Since Peterson`s injury, backups Allen Patrick and Chris Brown have carried Oklahoma`s
rushing game to a 199.2-yard average. Brown, a freshman, ran for 169 yards Saturday against
Baylor in his first career start.
``I think they`ve done a done a good job of running the ball in his absence and you can`t
take any advantage just because Adrian Peterson is out,`` Oklahoma State linebacker Jeremy
Nethon said. ``They`re still a high-quality team.``
Despite Peterson`s success running against the Cowboys, several Oklahoma State players were
disappointed he wouldn`t be playing.
``I always want to play against the best,`` Cowboys linebacker Rodrick Johnson said. ``That
shows the caliber of player that you are.``
NCAA FOOTBALL PICKS- (associated press): gator get four starters back for fsu.
Fourth-ranked Florida expects to have four prominent playmakers back Saturday against rival
Florida State.
Oddsmakers have the Gators listed as 9 1/2-point favorites. The total is set at 42.
Injured receiver Dallas Baker and linebackers Brandon Siler and Earl Everett are scheduled
to return to practice this week and play against the Seminoles.
Defensive end Jarvis Moss, suspended one game for an undisclosed violation of team rules,
is expected to be reinstated and return to the starting lineup.
``He`s on schedule to play if he does everything right,`` Gators coach Urban Meyer said
Monday.
Baker sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee Saturday in Florida`s 62-0
victory against Division I-AA Western Carolina. Siler (knee) and Everett (ankle) missed
that game.
Siler hurt his knee in practice two weeks ago, but convinced coaches he could play against
South Carolina. He was ineffective and eventually benched in the fourth quarter. Everett
also was injured against the Gamecocks.
Siler was wearing a knee brace Monday and said he was about 90 percent.
``Brandon Siler is good to go for practice Tuesday,`` Meyer said. ``Earl Everett should
practice Tuesday. Dallas Baker is better than they thought. They thought we would have him
Thursday. Now it looks like we might have him Wednesday.``
NCAA COLLEGE FOOTBALL FREE PICKS- (associated press): miami's coker responds to reports.
Asked how he reacted to a story suggesting Steve Spurrier was about to replace him at
Miami, coach Larry Coker said he chuckled.
"I thought he'd be a good candidate," Coker said Monday, "if this job were open."
For now, it's still not open, and Coker insists that nobody has told him the Hurricanes'
game Thursday night against No. 18 Boston College will be his last at Miami.
So he presses on, trying to find a way for the Hurricanes (5-6, 2-5 Atlantic Coast
Conference) to snap a four-game losing streak and become bowl-eligible -- all while
acknowledging that a season-long run of problems and turmoil has taken its toll.
"I'm proud of what we've done here," Coker said. "I don't know how that's perceived around
the country or whatever. There's not a hint of NCAA investigation. We graduate our players
more now than they ever have at this university. ... And I know how hard we've worked."
The rumor mill has spun around Coker for weeks, and some reports broke Sunday saying
Spurrier had been identified as Miami's top target to replace him. Yet Spurrier -- the
former Florida coach who's now at South Carolina -- said he does not expect to change jobs
anytime soon.
A source close to the situation told ESPN.com's Joe Schad that although Coker has not yet
been informed he will not be retained, influential members of the university community have
begun contacting representatives for prospective replacements with intentions of making a
splashy hire.
Defensive lineman Teraz McCray -- who replaced Bryan Pata in Miami's starting lineup two
games ago after the senior was shot and killed outside his apartment Nov. 7 -- claimed he
wasn't aware of the Spurrier rumors before Monday, adding that he doesn't think a change is
in order even after Miami's dismal season.
"I already have my coach," McCray said.
Coker won a national championship in 2001, his first season as coach, and got the
Hurricanes back into the title game a year later. Even after this current four-game skid,
his career record is 58-15 -- the sixth-best record of any coach in the country over the
six-season span.
But this season has been tough, with a sideline-clearing brawl against Florida
International and Pata's death among the things that the Hurricanes have endured besides
the losses.
"This is a great place to live. It's a great job," Coker said. "And I'm the football coach
here. I want to be here for a long time. Who knows? Who knows? There's rumors out there,
speculation out there, but it's not going to be done by certain fans, it's not going to be
done by the media, it's going to be done by the proper people in charge."
Those would include university president Donna Shalala and athletic director Paul Dee, who
has repeatedly said Coker will be evaluated at season's end, as normal.
Coker said he respects and understands that timetable, yet acknowledged that he doesn't
know exactly what to tell recruits who are desperate to know if he'll be around next
season.
"Until I know something to tell them," Coker said, "what do you say?"
If Miami loses Thursday, its season will end at 5-7 -- the Hurricanes' worst record since
going 3-8 in 1977. A win could help the Hurricanes end up in Boise, Idaho, for the MPC
Computers Bowl on Dec. 31.
That, for now, has to be the primary focus, offensive lineman Derrick Morse said.
"All we know is we're playing Boston College and all our coaches are here," Morse said.
"Whatever happens at the end of the season happens, but as far as we know, they're our
coaches from here on out and we're playing for them."
NCAA COLLEGE FOOTBALL FREE PICKS: (associated press): big twelve officials admits they blew
call.
This time, Big 12 officials blew the call.
The league's supervisor of officials admitted Monday that the crew working Saturday's
Missouri-Iowa State game made a wrong call that nullified what would have been the go-ahead
touchdown late in the Tigers' 21-16 loss to the Cyclones.
Walt Anderson, who heads the Big 12 officials, apologized to Missouri coach Gary Pinkel for
the error and said his crew "made a mistake" when offensive lineman Monte Wyrick was called
for holding on fourth-and-goal from the 1 with 26 seconds left in the game.
The call wiped out a touchdown run by quarterback Chase Daniel that would have given
Missouri (7-4, 3-4) a 22-21 lead. On the next play -- fourth-and-goal from the 11 after the
10-yard penalty was marked off -- Daniel was sacked and the game ended.
Pinkel said Anderson told him the officiating crew "blew it."
"He said to me, 'If you call that [holding] you have to call it 40 times a game,'" Pinkel
said. "For him to admit that, it said a lot about him and the integrity of the conference
office."
Big 12 commissioner Kevin Weiberg acknowledged in a written statement that Anderson's
videotape review of the disputed call concluded it was "incorrect."
It's not the first time this season a conference has admitted its officials made a
game-changing error. In September, the Pacific-10 suspended a replay crew that failed to
overturn a call on an onside kick that set up Oregon's game-winning final drive against
Oklahoma.
The Pac-10 determined that Oregon's recovery of the onside kick should have been disallowed
because the Ducks touched the ball before it went the required 10 yards. Instead, Oregon
scored a last-minute touchdown to win 34-33.
It was unclear Monday whether any action would be taken against the crew from the
Missouri-Iowa State game.
While Pinkel appreciated Anderson's candor, he was still upset for his players Monday.
"That victory was taken away from them," Pinkel said. "It has bowl ramifications. It has
financial ramifications."
Saturday's loss was another controversial last-minute heartbreaker for the Tigers, who fell
victim to a fifth down that helped Colorado win in 1990 and a deflected, kicked pass in the
end zone that helped Nebraska to a 45-38 overtime win in 1997.
The loss came a day after Pinkel had been given a three-year contract extension and a
$255,000 raise. The new five-year deal, effective Jan. 1, extends Pinkel's contract through
2011 and increases his guaranteed annual income to $1.3 million.
FREE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS- (covers.com): top ten ats teams as of 11/21.
1 Nevada
2 Brigham Young
3 Central Michigan
4 East Carolina
5 Hawaii
6 Ohio State
7 Wisconsin
8 Rice
9 Syracuse
10 Texas A&M
FREE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS- (espn.com) spurrrior say's he's not going to miami.
If Miami comes calling for Steve Spurrier, the South Carolina coach said Sunday he won't
answer the phone.
"I took this job to do what the experts said couldn't be done, which was to win an SEC
championship here," Spurrier said. "We've got a good recruiting class coming in, we think.
"That [Miami] is a tough job. This is the challenge for me."
If Coker is fired as expected after Thursday's game against Boston College, then Spurrier
would be Miami's most desired replacement, a source close to the situation told ESPN's Joe
Schad Sunday.
The source told Schad that although Coker has not yet been informed that he will not be
retained, influential members of the university community have begun contacting
representatives for prospective replacements with intentions of making a splashy hire.
On a South Carolina conference call Sunday afternoon, Spurrier was asked seven questions
pertaining to Miami. A person close to the former Florida coach told Schad that the coach
would be willing to listen to Miami because of the possibility of winning a national
championship there and his love of the state of Florida.
On the call, Spurrier never specifically ruled out considering the Miami position, if and
when it opens. Instead he referred to the reports as "rumor" and "flattering" and quipped,
"I'm not leaving unless I get run off." He added, "This is where I plan to be, hopefully,
for the next five, seven or eight years or whatever."
"I took this job to do what the experts said couldn't be done, which was to win an SEC
championship here [at South Carolina]."
Steve SpurrierSpurrier said he believes Rutgers coach Greg Schiano, a former Miami
assistant, should be the top candidate at Miami. But Miami has not yet reached out to
Schiano or representatives, another source said. Rutgers has full intentions of extending
Schiano's deal after this season, but wants to wait until after the season to commence
talks.
Another candidate of logical interest is former Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez, because of
his close relationship with current Miami president Donna Shalala. Alvarez, now Wisconsin's
Athletic Director, told Schad last week "never say never" about a return to coaching. And
another source familiar with Alvarez's situation said he believes he could recruit at Miami
with more ease than he did at Wisconsin.
Spurrier is 13-10 in two seasons at Columbia. The Gamecocks are 6-5 as they prepare to play
in-state rival Clemson on Saturday.
Shalala had hopes Coker could win the final two games of the season so she could argue to
bring him back. But at 5-6 and with the team in danger of missing a bowl, influential
trustees and boosters have begun to identify replacements.
Spurrier makes about $1.3 million a year at South Carolina and has five years remaining on
his contract. Miami would have to be prepared to pay upwards of $2 million a year to have a
chance to land Spurrier.
When Spurrier left Florida to coach the NFL's Washington Redskins in 2002, he said he
desired to coach somewhere that expectations weren't so immense on a yearly basis. But a
move to Miami would certainly bring added expectations. Coker is under intense pressure and
scrutiny despite compiling a 53-9 record prior to this season.
On Friday, South Carolina unveiled a near-$200 million proposal that included expanding the
stadium by up to 8,000 seats and an $11.4 million academic learning center.
"I guess in a way it's flattering someone would throw my name in with one of the top
programs," Spurrier said. "But I came to South Carolina to win an SEC championship. We
haven't proven we can yet. But we have an outstanding program. We're going to make that our
goal starting next year."
COLLEGE FOOTBALL FREE PICKS: (associated press) washington quarterback has brain tumor.
Washington quarterback Johnny DuRocher has a brain tumor that apparently will end his
college football career, UW athletics spokesman Richard Kilwien said Monday.
The tumor, found during a routine test following a concussion, was considered benign, or
noncancerous, Kilwien said DuRocher told him.
The junior QB planned to speak to reporters Tuesday.
DuRocher suffered a concussion in Washington's 20-3 loss to Stanford on Nov. 11. A
subsequent CAT scan at the University of Washington Medical Center revealed a spot on his
brain and further tests confirmed the tumor, which is believed to be non-cancerous.
DuRocher is expected to have surgery in the next few weeks to have the tumor removed.
DuRocher first told the Web site Scout.com on Monday.
He did not travel with the team for last weekend's Apple Cup against rival Washington
State.
DuRocher told Scout.com that the tumor is about the size of a golf ball, and he should be
able to play baseball this spring once he recovers from surgery.
DuRocher started his career at Oregon and transferred to Washington after his freshman
season in Eugene. He played in five games as a sophomore, and two this season. DuRocher
came off the bench to direct a fourth quarter rally in the Huskies 26-23 overtime loss to
Arizona State. He struggled against Stanford, completing just 1 of 9 passes and threw two
interceptions, the second getting returned 49 yards for a touchdown. He was injured in a
block on the return.
NCAA FOOTBALL PICKS: (associated press): texas a&m dt out for year with knee injury.
Texas A&M junior defensive tackle Red Bryant had surgery on his right knee and will miss
the Aggies' regular-season finale at Texas on Friday.
Bryant suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament against Oklahoma State on Oct. 21. He had
surgery on Friday.
The 6-foot-5, 324-pound Bryant had 19 tackles and five pass break-ups this season. Against
the Cowboys, Bryant blocked an extra-point kick in overtime to secure Texas A&M's 34-33
victory.
Bryant had started 29 of A&M's 30 games since the start of the 2004 season before suffering
the injury against Oklahoma State.
"There is a void there that has to be replaced by other players," A&M coach Dennis
Franchione said Monday. "We've been fortunate that there are a lot of leaders on this
team."
Sophomore Bryce Reed replaced Bryant in the starting lineup in A&M's last two games. Reed
has 15 tackles this season.
"You don't really necessarily replace what Red can do," Franchione said, "but at least you
have some other people capable of taking ownership in that." |
