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      After that debacle, it’s definitely time for Rich Rodriguez to go

      November 27, 2010 /
      ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 20: Head coach Rich Rodriguez of the Michigan Wolverines reacts while playing the Wisconson Badgers at Michigan Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Wisconsin won the game 48-28. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

      I don’t know if you’ve been able to figure out over the course of the season which team I root for when it comes to college football, but I’ll admit that it’s not Michigan. I do, however, live near thousands and thousands of Michigan fans, and most of my friends root for the Maize and Blue, so I’ve heard a lot of this lately: Fire Rich Rod!!! (Their exclamation points, not mine.)

      Ohio State defeated Michigan 37-7 today in a game that really wasn’t competitive past midway through the second quarter. It’s the seventh straight loss to the Buckeyes for Michigan, and it could be the final game for Rich Rodriguez in Ann Arbor.

      Let me rephrase that, it should be the last game in Ann Arbor for Rich Rodriguez. Through three years, Rodriguez has won 15 games, six of which have come in Big Ten play. One of those wins came against the top half of the conference — a crazy victory over Wisconsin in his first season — and none of them have come against Michigan’s two biggest rivals, Michigan State and Ohio State.

      Those are incredibly damning statistics, and while this team is obviously better than the last two years, there is no way any Michigan fan can claim enough progress has been made over these three years to be satisfied. The defense is awful, and that doesn’t look like it’s going to change too much next year, as it will still be young and void of talent at most positions. That can partially be solved with a new defensive coordinator and scheme, but then again, it will be the third coordinator and scheme in four years, which can only cause confusion.

      Then there’s the matter of the offense, which has the potential to be incredibly explosive. It also has the ability to completely sputter against good, physical defenses, like it did today against Ohio State.

      The only reason to keep Rodriguez around is because of his offense, and I suppose you could make a decent argument that the Wolverines should score a lot again next year as most all of the offense is coming back. But one more year of that system, and the recruits Rodriguez is bringing in to run it will only further create a problem for the next coach, who no doubt will be in the “Michigan Man” mold, and run a power-based, play-action offense that has proven it can work in the Big Ten.

      There’s also the thought that Michigan’s most prized target, Jim Harbaugh, has reached his peak at Stanford, and when Andrew Luck leaves for the NFL, Harbaugh could do the same. A Michigan offer could be the one thing to keep Harbaugh in the college ranks, as he’s an alum. But once he goes pro, he’s not coming back to the college game without being fired.

      Michigan AD Dave Brandon has a big decision to make, but it also seems pretty crystal clear at this point. He has to fire Rich Rodriguez.

      College Football, External Sports

      Big Ten title will be decided today (and probably by some computers tomorrow)

      November 27, 2010 /
      IOWA CITY, IA - NOVEMBER 20: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with fans after beating the University of Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Iowa City, Iowa. Ohio State won 20-17 over Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images).

      After Friday’s games, today might be a little anti-climactic, but there’s still plenty to be determined on college football’s more traditional day.

      The Big Ten title is still up for grabs, with three teams — Wisconsin, Ohio State and Michigan State — all tied at the top with one loss. If all three win, the BCS standings will decide who goes to the Rose Bowl. That will likely be Wisconsin, which has that edge going into today. If Wisconsin loses and the other two win, the BCS will again decide who goes to the Rose Bowl, as Ohio State and Michigan State did not play each other. It’s a problem the Big Ten will have solved next year when there’s a title game (two title contenders not playing each other, that is. As the Big 12 showed us two years ago, the BCS can still decide a divisional race if all hell breaks loose).

      If Wisconsin wins, however, and either Ohio State or Michigan State lose, it will be a lot more clear cut. The Spartans get the bid with an Ohio State loss as they have the head-to-head edge over Wisconsin. The Badgers get it if Michigan State loses, because they hold that same edge over Ohio State.

      So those are your scenarios (sure, there’s the “all three lose” scenario, as well, where Iowa is back in the mix, but I don’t want to force that upon you before noon). Here’s how it will play out. Continue reading »

      College Football, External Sports

      NFL investigating Broncos – Spygate style

      November 27, 2010 /
      LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Head coach of the Denver Broncos Josh McDaniels speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the start of a team training session at The Brit Oval on October 29, 2010 in London, England. The Denver Broncos will play the San Francisco 49ers at Wembley Stadium on October 31. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

      Apparently Josh McDaniels wasn’t paying attention when his former boss Bill Belichick got caught for “Spygate 1” because now McDaniels’ Broncos are involved in “Spygate 2.”

      The NFL is investigating whether or not a Broncos’ employee videotaped a 49ers’ walk-through practice at London’s Wembley Stadium in Week 8. The team’s director of video operations Steve Scarnecchia is currently on a personal leave of absence as the team and the NFL investigate the situation.

      And surprise, surprise – Scarnecchia is a former Patriot as well.

      From the Denver Post:

      McDaniels and Scarnecchia both previously worked for the Patriots, Scarnecchia between 2001 and 2005 and McDaniels between 2001 and 2009 before being hired by the Broncos. In 2007, the Patriots were found to have videotaped New York Jets coaches sending in signals during a game between the two teams, which is against league rules.

      McDaniels hired Scarnecchia to run the Broncos’ video operations shortly after he accepted the job in January 2009.

      The NFL’s current investigation revolves around practices held by the Broncos and the 49ers on Saturday, Oct. 30, in Wembley Stadium. Both teams were allotted time to hold walk-through practices at the stadium that day. It was the only time while the two teams were in England that they would have used the same facility to practice on the same day. Teams normally bar anyone not associated with the team from watching practice. Taping another team’s practice could result in a severe penalty from the NFL.

      That must have been some crappy film because the 49ers wound up beating the Broncos, 24-16. If you’re going to get caught filming another team, you might as well win the Super Bowl like the Patriots did. Don’t tape someone in a regular season game and then lose to them the next day in rather lackluster fashion.

      What are the chances that the Broncos blame Scarnecchia for the entire thing? “Oh, we didn’t know he was doing that. He acted on his own. Dude has always been crazy. We almost had to fire him for stealing printers, so yeah, it figures that he would do something like this.”

      It’ll be interesting to see if anything comes out of this. The Broncos aren’t the Patriots and McDaniels isn’t Belichick. The Patriots lost their first round pick in 2008 because of “Spygate 1,” but they didn’t miss a beat. They’re still winning, they’re still in contention and it’s almost like the “Spygate” thing never happened. But if the Broncos lose a first rounder, you can bet that it’ll affect them at some point in the future.

      External Sports, NFL

      Kicker not the only one responsible for Boise’s downfall in Nevada

      November 27, 2010 /
      Nov 26, 2010; Reno, NV, USA; Nevada Wolf Pack quarterback Colin Kapernick (10) eludes Boise State Broncos defensive back Jerrell Gavins (4) to score on a 17-yard touchdown run in the third quarter at Mackay Stadium. Nevada defeated Boise State 34-31 in overtime. Photo via Newscom

      College kickers are about as reliable as cell phone service in the mountains.

      They’re just as likely to make a 55-yarder as they are to miss a PAT. And unfortunately for Boise State, kicker Kyle Brotzman fell into the latter category Friday night in Nevada.

      Everyone knows the situation for Boise. Because of the conference the Broncos play in, they have to win out to have a shot to play in the BCS title game. And even then, they have to beat the one or two top ranked teams on their schedule, then hope those opponents go on to do great things the rest of the year, then hope hell freezes over, then hope McDonalds comes out with the McRib sandwich at the exact right time, then pray that their auto mechanics don’t try to screw them over when they go in for a simple oil change.

      In other words: They have to be perfect in order to hope to play for a national title. Then they have to be lucky.

      In 2010, they couldn’t be perfect. With the game tied 31-31 with 13 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter on Friday night, Kellen Moore heaved a beautifully timed deep pass to Titus Young, who somehow got behind Nevada’s defense and made a spectacular catch for a 53-yard gain. With one second left, the Broncos used their final time out and sent kicker Kyle Brotzman up for a cheap shot field goal to win. But he pushed the short kick right and Nevada had new life.

      In overtime, Moore once again led the Broncos into field goal range and again, Brotzman missed – this time from 29 yards out. The Wolf Pack then drove into field goal range for Anthony Martinez and, like adding salt in the wounds of Boise, he converted a 34-yarder that couldn’t have been more down the middle.

      Game.

      With the loss, Boise can’t even claim to be WAC champions in 2010, although not that that matters. If they can’t play for a national championship, then who cares about the conference? Go ahead, Nevada – take the damn thing. The Broncos had their sights on a much bigger prize.

      Of course, while Brotzman will play the goat, the one thing that cannot be overlooked is how Nevada was only the second team all year (Virginia Tech being the first) to challenge Boise in the second half. The Broncos had built a 24-7 lead at halftime, then their offense went completely stagnant until five minutes left in the fourth when Doug Martin took a screen pass 79 yards for a touchdown to give Boise a brief 31-24 lead. Other than that, they were completely shutdown by a motivated Wolf Pack defense.

      Speaking of defense, Boise’s was completely worn down in the second half, which is something they didn’t experience all year. Usually by the fourth quarter their starters are standing on the sidelines watching their backups play because they’re up by three touchdowns. But on Friday night, they weren’t only in the thick of it, they were also being run over by the combination of Colin Kaepernick and Vai Taua. The senior duo put the game on their shoulders and led the Wolf Pack to greatness. It was almost surgical what they were doing to Boise’s defense in the second half.

      That said, Brotzman has to make one of those kicks. Maybe Nevada goes on to score a touchdown in overtime and they win anyway, but if Brotzman hits that chip shot at the end of the fourth, Boise escapes with a close call instead of disaster. Maybe they don’t play for a national title, but at least they’re still in the discussion.

      Not anymore.

      College Football, External Sports

      Wow. Boise State’s BCS dreams go up in smoke at Nevada

      November 27, 2010 /
      Nov 26, 2010; Reno, NV, USA; Nevada Wolf Pack kicker Anthony Martinez (40), right, and punter Brad Langley (48) celebrate after Martinez kicked a 34-yard field goal in overtime against the Boise State Broncos at Mackay Stadium. Nevada defeated Boise State 34-31. Photo via Newscom

      So who saw that coming?

      Nevada 34, Boise State 31. All talk of a BCS title game appearance, gone. Hell, all talk of a BCS game, gone.

      I fell asleep at halftime of this game, as it was nearly midnight and I was whipped after a lot of traveling over the holiday weekend. You know how sometimes when you fall asleep with the TV on and you’re not 100% asleep so what’s happening on the TV is kind of finding it’s way into your dreams? Yeah, I had a lot of that going on in my head. So when I came to at about 3 a.m., I had a weird feeling. Then I saw a graphic on Sportscenter with one loss next to Boise. I literally thought I was still sleeping.

      I wasn’t, obviously. You hate to pin losses on one player, but Kyle Brotzman is going to have a hard time getting to sleep for the next few weeks, at least. Especially if Auburn or Oregon fall next week. He missed two chip shot field goals, from the middle of the field. One would have won the game at the end of regulation after Kellen Moore hit Titus Young on one of those plays that a team of destiny makes. The second would have given his team a 34-31 lead in the first overtime.

      A friend of mine tweeted last night (yes, I checked my Twitter at 3 a.m. to get confirmation on what I had seen), “I’m surprised ‘That poor kid,’ isn’t a trending topic right now.” And it was accurate. Nearly every tweet written on the game included the phrase, and after watching the highlights you can see why.

      But let’s not forget the fact that Nevada’s defense shut down the Boise State offense in the second half until late in the fourth quarter. The Broncos have been stepping on team’s throats all season long, and with a 24-7 lead at halftime, I assumed that’s what they’d do again — hence the sleeping.

      I had a feeling Boise might let down after seeing Auburn come back and ruin their chance to move to No. 2. But I thought that might come early if it did, not in the second half with a 24-7 lead. It’s absolutely mind-boggling.

      It’s a huge win for Nevada, but an even bigger win for the power conferences, who have one less undefeated team to worry about.

      And it’s a huge loss for the Broncos, who went from brink of the title game, to certainly the Rose Bowl to the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl all in one day.

      College Football, External Sports

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