USC just cannot catch a break. I love it.
Arik Armstead, considered to be the top offensive/defensive line prospect on the West Coast by sports folks who care about such things, originally committed to the University of Spoiled Children Trojans football program on June 19, 2010. For those playing along at home, that’s nine days after the NCAA smacked down the program for what they called “improper benefits” given to then-Heisman Trophy winner and current Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush.
Not too many surprises this week in college football. Well, if you’re a Florida Gators fan, you may have been surprised that your team kind of sucks. Well, at least compared with Alabama. (Editor’s note: I’m pretty sure everyone sucks that bad compared to Alabama this year. Good luck, other SEC teams.)
Here are a few of my thoughts from this weekend’s action in the NCAA:
LSU 16, Tennessee 14
So, I don’t really like either of these teams. But part of me feels bad for Tennessee, who got screwed when Lane Kiffin left. But then that part of me doesn’t feel too bad, because good riddance! Lane Kiffin is an asshole.
This game went down to the wire. LSU pulled it out when Tennessee had too many men on the field and the Tigers were allowed a redo and Steve Ridley scored with no time remaining. This caused a Tennessee player to sob on the sidelines. SOB. Not shed a few tears, he was doing the whole-body-shaking-sob thing. You know, the kind you do when say, I don’t know, a family member passes away?
NOT IN A FOOTBALL GAME!
Alabama 31, Florida 6
Is anyone really all that surprised with this score? I’m not. The Tide is the real deal. And Florida is not. Although, I’m pretty sure Nick Saban should think of signing Florida quarterback John Brantley as he has an affinity for throwing completed passes to crimson jerseys.
Michigan State 34, Wisconsin 24
Wisconsin isn’t as good as everyone thinks. My Arizona State Sun Devils almost beat the Badgers, in Wisconsin. So this isn’t all that surprising. Michigan State ain’t no Austin Peay. Also, way to go Spartans, to win one for your head coach Mark Dantonio, who was coaching from a hospital bed. Get well soon, coach!
Oklahoma 28, Texas 20
I wonder if Texas wishes it would have moved to the new Pac-10 now.
Oregon 52, Stanford 31
This one was a lot closer on paper. Stanford was up 21-3 in the first half. But they totally lost steam, and the better team prevailed. It was so nice to see Jim Harbaugh get all pissy on the sidelines. (I have before expressed my irrational hate for Jim Harbaugh here on this site. It has not waned.)
Washington 32, USC 31
This was a hell of a game! Well, not if you’re a Trojan. Second-year Washington coach Steve Sarkisian acted like he just won the National Championship. It was a HUGE win for a head coach in a football program that was once good and has since fallen. Sarkisian was actually quoted post-game as saying that Saturday’s victory was the greatest day behind the days when his two sons were born. A bit of an exaggeration? Possibly. But the Huskies hadn’t won in LA since 1996. And despite having the worst receivers ever (CATCH THE DAMN BALL, YOU FOOLS! IT IS YOUR JOB!), Jake Locker was a rockstar and pulled his team to victory. Put that kid on a team with a better line and better receivers and he’s a Heisman Trophy candidate.
So tell me, what was your highlight of Week 5 of the 2010 college football season?
Whoever had 10 days in the pool can come collect their money.
That was how long it took Lane Kiffin to commit his first recruiting violation at USC.
On Saturday he picked a USC prospect up at the airport in a limousine.
At this rate he should be able to quickly shatter his record of six recruiting violations at Tennessee.
Yeah, as long as Lane Kiffin is a coach sports bloggers will have something interesting to talk about.
[source]
[Photo: Mark Wallheiser]
I think that your junior year in high school is early to commit to a college. I suppose if a school offered a full ride to my kid I would be okay with it, it just seems like sometimes it is nice to keep your options open.
So clearly I think it is nuts that University of Tennessee coach, Lane Kiffin offered a scholarship to a 13 year old this week.*
I know, it sounds like I was watching a Disney movie, but it really happened.
Evan Berry has never even played in a high school football game.
I guess Kiffin (who I am starting to think may be a few cards short of a deck) has a lot of faith in good genetics. His big brother is UT safety Eric Berry. Eric is almost certain to be drafted early in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft.
In defense of Evan, his father and brother both went to Tennessee so the odds were pretty good that he would have wanted to there anyway.
Plus, getting a full ride football scholarship to college probably gives him a good chance of scoring some 8th grade tail.**
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