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There is no scenario where the Bulldogs are able to upset top-ranked Gators

(10/30) This is Norman Arey with my Norman’s No-Nos, where I pick the losers in 15 college games. Last week I was 9-6, 74-46 for the season (61.7 percent).

FLORIDA vs. GEORGIA - I can’t even conceive of a scenario for the ‘Dogs to take the Gators. NO-NO I can’t think of one. Tim Tebow passes, runs, hands off and maybe even punts Georgia into submission. Florida’s team helps a little. Bulldogs ruined, 38-14.

GEORGIA TECH at VANDERBILT - Tech’s second of three SEC games. Win this one and the season-ender and they have a better SEC record than Georgia. NO-NO. Vandy rears up for upset. NO-NO again. Tech is brutal in its assault, Commodores sink quietly, 48-12.

OLE MISS at AUBURN - The Tigers regain their season-opening form and pull the upset. NO-NO. Jevan Snead seems to have finally found himself. Rebels trail early but come back strong. War Eagles caught sitting on their perch, lose 31-21.

(Upset Special) - TEXAS at OKLAHOMA STATE - Cowboys have been pointing to this one all season. They can keep on pointing and Longhorns pass them silly. NO-NO. ‘Horns are one-dimensional. Than’s one dimensional too little as ‘Horns are hooked, 35-31.

(Upset No. 2) SOUTHERN CAL at OREGON - Trojans have already suffered their annual Pac-10 loss and cement their claim for national recognition. NO-NO. The only recognizable team will be the oddly-clad Ducks and quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. USC quacked, 28-24.

MIAMI at WAKE FOREST - The Hurricanes can’t lose another league game. Deacons aren’t themselves this year but pull this one out. NO-NO. Wake has the better coach but ‘Canes have too much speed, Demon Deacons aren’t that demonic, lose 31-22.

SOUTH CAROLINA at TENNESSEE - It’s The Mouth against The Mouth except the Gamecocks’ Steve Spurrier has been quiet lately. That should worry the Vols’ Lane Kiffin. It doesn’t and UT wins. NO-NO. Kiffin should have been worried, Vols spurred, 27-17.

Others losers:

-Northwestern to Penn State.

-Kansas State to Oklahoma.

-Mississippi State to Kentucky.

-Illinois to Michigan.

-UCLA to Oregon State.

-N.C. State to Florida State.

-Duke to Virginia.

-and Syracuse to Cincinnati.

This is Norman Arey and you can take these picks to the bank.

Tech gets a rush out of season; Gators can't seem to pull the trigger in red zone

(Media release) Here’s something I guarantee you won’t see often in college football. Three of the top eight rushers in the ACC are from Georgia Tech. Jonathan Dwyer is third with 89.8 yards per game, Josh Nesbitt is right behind at 88.4, and Anthony Allen is No. 8 with 58.8.

There are seven teams in the NCAA’s top division still undefeated and five who are winless. The perfect teams include Alabama, Boise State, Cincinnati, Florida, Iowa, Texas and TCU The winless unfortunates are Western Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, Miami (O.), New Mexico and Rice. Just thought you’d enjoy knowing.

Boston College quarterback Justin Tuggle, son of former Atlanta Falcon linebacker Jesse, started the first three games for the Eagles this year. He announced that he will transfer at season’s end. His daddy never quit.

Sporting News Today points out that No. 1-ranked Florida has scored just two touchdowns in its last 15 possessions inside the red zone.

How much do Kentuckians like their college basketball? About $7 million worth. That’s how much a group of supporters at the University of Kentucky has pledged to build a new Lodge to house the men’s and women’s basketball teams.

The latest rumors involving Florida State coach Bobby Bowden elicited a laugh from the veteran coach. Bowden is supposedly leaving FSU after the season to take over the head job at UAB and taking his son, former Clemson coach Tommy, with him.

Former Georgia quarterback and No. 1 NFL draft choice Matt Stafford of the Detroit Lions, is back at practice this week after suffering a knee sprain. Stafford took more than one-half of the snaps with the first unit.

And finally, I don’t know why it’s such a big story that an NCAA board has recommended some serious cost cutting for college sports. If you consider the multimillion-dollar contracts being paid in football and basketball, the foreign travel, the length of season and number of games in all sports, the off-campus housing before home games and the size of the travel squads, something has to give.

This is Norman Arey and I’m willing to give up my off-campus housing immediately.


Does the SEC have really bad officials or just really whiny coaches?

(10/28) It’s kind of hard to keep up but here goes:

-Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen said: "It’s understandable if a field official makes a mistake because of the speed of the game. But it’s inexcusable for a replay official. He can take his time and should be held accountable."

-Then Tennessee’s Lane Kiffin: "You run another play and throw an interception or they throw a flag on us. I wasn’t going to let the refs lose the game for us there and some magical flag appear."

-And Vanderbilt’s Bobby Johnson says he wants an explanation for two official reviews that went against his Commodores in their loss to South Carolina.

The up shoot of all this is that the Southeastern Conference either has very bad officials are whiny coaches. Take your pick. But if I were one of the television networks paying the league $3 billion to show their games, I’d be calling a meeting. I’m sure they didn’t pay all that money for the league’s integrity to be questioned in public every week. You’re familiar with the parable about killing the goose that laid the golden egg.

Is it just me or does it seem excessive that the Dallas Cowboys will pay linebacker DeMarcus Ware $78 million over six years? Said Ware: "I feel like I work really hard and am really deserving of what they’ve given me." There you have it.

Startling statistic: In 21 years of football, former Pitt and Miami Dolphins great Dan Marino threw more than 40 miles of completed passes!

Love this: Former All-Pro quarterback and TV commentator Terry Bradshaw has founded an organization called Pigs For Jesus. It raises pigs in Oklahoma and then processes them to feed the hungry in Texas and Oklahoma.

Just so you’ll know, both Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes and cornerback Joe Haden are predicted to go higher in the NFL draft than Gator quarterback Tim Tebow.

And here’s one coach who may have a legitimate gripe but not against the officials. Boise State manhandled Hawaii 54-9 over the weekend and fell three spots in the BCS standings. Chris Petersen only laughed when asked about it.

This is Norman Arey and I’ve done more than 40 miles of radio broadcasts and sports writing.

Is there anyone anywhere who believes Iowa is the fourth best team in college football?

(10/27) Florida’s less-than-impressive performances over the past few weeks comes down to three players on the Gator squad - running backs Jeffrey Demps, Chris Rainey and Emmanuel Moody. The trio has given Florida almost nothing this season. . . Quarterback Tim Tebow has more than twice as many carries as any of the backs.

I’ve just about had enough of SEC coaches criticizing the league’s officials in the media. Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen is the latest to join the chorus. The league should do something about airing its dirty linen in public -- how about a stiff fine - really stiff?

How about this for a startling statistic: Clemson running back C.J. Spiller has at least one play for 60 yards or more in each of the Tigers’ seven games this season.

When Florida takes on Georgia this weekend in Jacksonville, the game will be between the two SEC teams with the best overall records since 1999. The Gators lead the SEC with a 103-33 record while the Bulldogs have a 102-33 mark. . . . And by the way, did you realize that this will be only the fourth time in Georgia football history that it plays a No. 1-ranked team?

In the new BCS standings, Iowa has moved into the No. 4 spot. Is there anyone anywhere who actually believes that the Hawkeyes are really one of the top four teams in the country? If, by some miracle, the team should make it into the BCS mythical title game, it would give whomever is on the other side of the field yet another opportunity to embarrass a Big 10 team.

The Boston Globe reports that former NBA star Antoine Walker is being pursued by creditors who claim the former player owes more than $4 million. Walker, who’s made more than $110 million in the career, has evidently blown it all. That’s amazing.

Rumor is that former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville is keeping his eye on the head coaching job at Central Florida, currently held by former Georgia Tech coach George O’Leary.

The ACC preseason men’s basketball poll had a first this year -- North Carolina and Duke were tied for first place. Clemson was chosen third and Georgia Tech fourth in the voting by the league’s media. . . The pre-season first team consisted of Greivis Vasquez of Maryland, Kyle Singler of Duke, Clemson’s Trevor Booker, North Carolina’s Ed Davis and Malcolm Delaney of Virginia Tech. Georgia Tech’s Derrick Favors was voted pre-season Rookie of the Year. Singler was chosen Player of the Year.

This is Norman Arey with your commentary of the year.

Can you see Boise State, Cincinnati in the mythical championship game?

(Oct. 26) Who’s No. 1, indeed.

Alabama, which had to block a last-second field goal attempt by Tennessee’s Daniel Lincoln, has scored only two offensive touchdowns over its last three games. Florida’s Tim Tebow threw two interceptions which were returned for touchdowns as the Gators struggled mightily against Mississippi State; Texas won easily, despite the fact that the Longhorns can’t run the ball, and Southern Cal fought and clawed its way past Oregon State.

Overall, an unimpressive weekend for the top teams in the land of college football.

Can you say Cincinnati without smiling or Boise State without blushing? How does that sound for a national championship game?

If it seems that these Monday commentaries are beginning to sound the same each week, it’s because they are.

There’s just not a dominant team out there. There is no traditional powerhouse that doesn’t have serious flaws.

Locally, the good folks of the state can be proud of Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets are now 7-1 after disposing of Virginia and saw Clemson do them a great favor by beating Miami. Now if Paul Johnson can keep them focused against conference foes Wake Forest and Duke, they’ll appear in the ACC title game in early December.

Georgia, of course, had the weekend off but must trudge to Jacksonville for its annual October adjustment against the Gators. It’s hard to know what to expect in that game with neither team playing impressively. I’ve got a feeling that the Bulldogs’ unimpressive play will be worse than Florida’s unimpressive play and they’ll lose again.

You know how everyone likes to argue about which is the best conference in the land? I’m just not sure how proud anyone can be of any particular conference. They all pretty much are poor.

After the past few weekends, I’m ready to fast-forward to season’s end and get into the conference title games. This season is turning out to be a joke.

Parity is the buzz word for what’s going on, but that’s not really true - unless its that everyone has poor players and poor execution and poor coaching. I guess that is parity.

It’s less than three weeks before college basketball begins. I can’t wait.

This is Norman Arey and I may abstain from college football watching next week.

Tennessee could play Alabama naked and it wouldn't make a bit of difference

(10/23) This is Norman Arey with my Norman’s No-Nos, where I pick the losers in 15 games. Last week I was 9-6, 65-40 for the season (62 percent).

GEORGIA TECH at VIRGINIA - Cavaliers are on their usual October roll. Tech is 0-8 in Charlottesville since 1992 and that was with some good teams. Jackets go down again. NO-NO. Those losses didn’t have Paul Johnson as coach. Wahoos are fish out of water, drowned 38-21.

TENNESSEE at ALABAMA - The story this week with Lane Kiffin is whether his Vols could wear their orange jerseys to Tuscaloosa. ‘Bama said no, wear your white. Tide is swamped under. NO-NO. Doesn’t make any difference if they played naked, Tennessee goes way down, 35-7.

PENN STATE at MICHIGAN - Nittany Lions are favored. Wolverines have quarterback woes. Penn State has Joe Paterno and takes Michigan down. NO-NO. The Big House has intimidated better teams than this one. Rodriguez wins a big one, Lions slain, 28-24,

ARKANSAS at OLE MISS - Pigs have proven they can move the ball. Rebels lack proof they can stop anybody. But it is in Oxford and Houston Nutt prevails. NO-NO. I smell an upset. If Bobby Petrino stays for the game, he should get a win, Rebs surrender, 42-35.

IOWA at MICHIGAN STATE- Who cares, right? It’s just the Big 10. Anyway, the Hawkeyes will be looking to go 8-0 and they do. NO-NO. They’ll still be looking Sunday as the wheels come off of the Iowa title express, 28-20.

AUBURN at LSU - Remember when Auburn was 5-0 and ranked? That was another lifetime ago for coach Gene Chizik. Plainsmen break their two-game skid with an upset. NO-NO. Bengals Tigers are roaring mad after home loss to Gators, War Eagle Tigers are hurt, 35-13.

BOSTON COLLEGE at NOTRE DAME - I have a friend who says I always pick against Notre Dame and for Wake Forest. He’s right. BC is hot right now. Notre Dame cools ‘em off. NO-NO. I simply can’t pick The Irish and they make me look smart, lose 35-31.

Other losers:

-Maryland to Duke

-Clemson to Miami

-South Florida to Pitt.

-Vandy to South Carolina.

-Navy to Wake Forest.

-UCLA to Arizona.

-BYU to TCU

-and UConn to West Virginia.

Black Wednesday for two former local players; Broadway Matt he ain't.

(Oct. 22) It’s hardly surprising that four-star cornerback recruit Nickell Robey of Frostproof, Fla,. is wavering on his commitment to Georgia. Robey obviously had bonded with defensive coordinator Willie Martinez and is now looking around at other schools because of Martinez’ uncertain job status.

The AJC’s Jeff Schultz asks this question, and it’s a good one: "What now, Michael Vick?" The former Falcon has been almost absent in his on-field appearances with the Philadelphia Eagles. You wonder if there will be a place in the NFL for the dog-fighter after this season.

Stop the presses. When Duke hosts Maryland this weekend, the Blue Devils will enter the game as a favorite. And listen to this: There is a case to be made that Duke is the best team in North Carolina right now with slow starts by N.C. State and UNC, and a wobbly Wake Forest.

If Iowa defeats Michigan State this weekend, it will mark the first time since the Hawkeyes began playing football in 1889 that one of its football teams opened with eight consecutive victories.

Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin says Alabama is the model he chooses to pattern his Vols’ rise in football. Well now, Lane, nobody figured you were going to use Texas-El Paso as your model.

Broadway Joe, he ain’t. New York Jet rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez was spotted playing some nintendo-type game at 4 a.m. in a nightspot in Gotham. Not exactly cutting a swath through The City as predecessor Joe Namath did

Tough luck D.J. Shockley, the former Georgia quarterback, is no longer an Atlanta Falcon. The club released Shockley from its practice squad to add former Florida State running back Antone Smith. . . Across town, the Atlanta Hawks released former Georgia Tech basketball player Mario West. An aside on Shockley - don’t be surprised to see him picked up by the New Orleans Saints. They will want him to remember as much of his playbook as possible.

And finally, don’t bet house on Georgia Tech when it travels to Charlottesville to take on the resurgent Virginia Cavaliers this week. The Cavaliers’ hometown has been a horror show for the Jackets over the past decade or so.

This is Norman Arey and I choose to model my program after that of Harvard.


Believe me, it won't make any difference what color jerseys Tennessee wears

(10/21) The gamesmanship has already begun for the Alabama-Tennessee match up. The Vols’ Lane Kiffin had asked that his team be allowed to wear their home orange jersey on the road against The Tide. Alabama said no. I’ve got a feeling it won’t matter what color Tennessee plays in.

Quarterback Report: Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert will play despite a sprained ankle; Cincinnati’s Tony Pike is practicing with a cast on his arm and nobody knows; Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford is out until further notice; Texas’ Colt McCoy’s thumb seems to be fine; Virginia’s Jameel Sewell’s sprained ankle is a game-time decision.

Amazing but true. Frank DeFord points out in SI.Com that when Boise State beat mighty Oklahoma in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl, Sooner coach Bob Stoops’ salary was greater than the entire Bronco football budget.

The annual Save-My-Job campaign is in full swing yet again for Virginia coach Al Groh. The Cavaliers’ coach has compiled a 12-1 record in October over the past three seasons and is 3-0 this year.

Alabama’s success on the field is sparking success off the field in the recruiting arena. Last week, the Crimson Tide had recruits lined up several deep on the sidelines, in town on unofficial visits.

Here’s a different sort of dilemma. Marcus Jordan, son of NBA legend Michael Jordan, plays basketball for Central Florida, which has a contract with Adidas. The young Jordan says he has no problem wearing Adidas apparel but insists on wearing his father’s famous ‘Air Jordan’ Nike brand of shoe. That’s not sitting well with Adidas.

Since 2000, Florida has the best home record in the SEC with a 52-9 mark. Georgia is in second place at 51-9. During the same time frame, the Bulldogs lead in away games at 36-15 while the Gators are second at 34-15.

And finally, it was reported this week that Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin uses a helicopter to sweep in to high schools during recruiting. That’s nothing new. Cincinnati, Missouri, UCLA and Maryland have been doing it for years. In fact, Maryland started the trend.

This is Norman Arey and if my son played at Central Florida, I’d insist he wear his ‘Air Arey’ shoes.

Where are all the traditional big boys after the first BCS poll is released?

(10/20) Might I point out that in the first BCS college football poll, there was no ULCA, Michigan, Notre Dame or Oklahoma. There was, however, Boise State at No. 4, Cincinnati at No. 5 and TCU at No. 8. My, my how things do change.

Talk about balance. The teams in the Southeastern Conference have scored 122 touchdowns passing and 123 by rushing.

Talk show host Rush Limbaugh’s bid to become part-owner of the St. Louis Rams was quashed last week after folks came out of the woodwork to complain about Limbaugh’s politics as a reason to keep him out of the NFL. Then a study came out showing that various teams in the NFL gave more than $600,000 to Republican candidates during last year’s presidential race - almost double what was given to their Democratic foes.

The hits just keep coming from Tennessee football coach Lane Kiffin. During an interview, the Vol coach said he thought the best coach in the SEC was Alabama’s Nick Saban - not Florida’s Urban Meyer.

The latest college coaching rumor is that former Tampa Bay Bucs coach Jon Gruden will be the choice to be the next head coach at Louisville if Steve Kragthorpe is fired at season’s end.

Image that. Southern Cal coach Pete Carroll is already complaining after just the first BCS poll is out. . . Kentucky coach Rich Brooks, whose Wildcats have played both Florida and Alabama, says he’s not so sure that the loser of the SEC championship game, providing both the Gators and Tide enter it undefeated, shouldn’t also play in the national title game.

You can kind of sum of the kind of college football season we’re seeing by taking a look at the top three. Neither No. 1 ranked Florida nor No. 3 rated Texas has exactly been overpowering thus far in the season while Alabama is seemingly on cruise control. The Longhorns have the easiest schedule among the three with only a date with Oklahoma State on Halloween to really be concerned about. Of course, barring something unforeseen, Alabama will meet Florida in the SEC year-ender.

And finally, I predict a Gator Bowl appearance for Georgia Tech and possibly a Music City Bowl for Georgia.

This is Norman Arey and I, too, favor a rerun of the SEC title game for the national title game.


Tech gets biggest win in 19 years but it still may not make the ACC title game

(10/19) To get the obvious out of the way first, every top-ranked team in the country got a little scare before they secured things. Florida used a last-minute field goal to subdue Arkansas; Alabama showed its Achilles heel in its quarterback situation before overcoming South Carolina; Texas and Oklahoma might still be playing if Sooner QB Sam Bradford hadn’t been injured and Southern Cal doesn’t want any more of Notre Dame, winning out despite a huge Irish rally.

Still, the top four did win and the new BCS rankings reflect just that.

Looking at things closer to home, Georgia Tech won its biggest game in 19 years by running past No. 4 Virginia Tech and Georgia didn’t have any real trouble with Vanderbilt, although I will say it looked to me as if the Bulldogs didn’t really want to be there.

Although the Yellow Jackets’ climb in the polls reflected their big victory, Tech also showed a big weakness in its attack. Remember when Paul Johnson said in the pre-season that the Jackets were going to work hard on their passing game? Guess what? Tech was one-of-seven passing in its triumph over the Blacksburgers and that’ll get you in trouble eventually. By the way, Tech is the first ACC team to reach six wins this season.

On the positive side of things for the Jackets, their remaining schedule of Virginia, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Duke and Georgia should favor them in every game. On the other side of the coin, Tech’s loss to Miami may cost them a shot at the ACC game unless somebody beats the Hurricanes. With Clemson, Virginia, North Carolina, Wake Forest and Duke remaining, I don’t see the ‘Canes tripping.

Georgia, on the other hand, has a schedule set with pitfalls. The Bulldogs’ annual October Adjustment is scheduled for Jacksonville on Oct. 31, Auburn comes to Athens on Nov. 14 and there’s Tech in Atlanta Nov. 28. A record of 6-6 isn’t out of the question.

To complete the national picture, Iowa is now firmly in charge of the Big 10 after Ohio State’s unlikely defeat at the hands of toothless Purdue and the Hawkeyes’ triumph over Wisconsin.

The Big East’s Cincinnati continues to impress and TCU looks to be the best of the non-BCS crews.

With Texas Tech stunning Nebraska and Colorado beating Kansas, the Big XII is Texas and everybody else.

Stay tuned. It ain’t over ‘til its over.

This is Norman Arey and I say Paul Johnson for Coach of the Year, Decade or Century.

If Georgia can score 52 on Arkansas, image with Florida and Tim Tebow will do

(10/16) This is Norman Arey with my Norman’s No-Nos, where I pick the losers in 15 games. Last week, I was 10-5, 56-34 for the season (62.2 percent).

VIRGINIA TECH at GEORGIA TECH - This is the biggest game for the Jackets since Nov. 3, 1990, when it beat No. 1 Virginia 41-38. The Hokies are used to big games. Engineers’ defense is suspect and Hokies win. NO-NO. Wishbone can’t be deboned, VT goes down 38-35.

GEORGIA at VANDERBILT - Bulldogs and their woe-be-gone defense goes to Music City. Georgia’s music will be the blues and Vandy rears up and surprises. NO-NO. Even Georgia and Willie Martinez aren’t that bad. UGA’s misery temporarily abated, ‘Dores are sunk, 35-17.

TEXAS vs. OKLAHOMA - The Red River Rivalry is a storied traditional game but it may be the River River Sorrow for Oklahoma. QB Sam Bradford is shaky, Texas is undefeated and the Sooners have lost two..‘Horns romp. NO-NO. I’ve got a feeling, ‘Horns hooked, 21-17.

SOUTHERN CAL at NOTRE DAME - Everyone wants to make out like the Irish have a chance. Both teams have one loss. The Fighting Charlie Weises are home, pull the minor upset. NO-NO. Trojans aren’t impressed with Jimmy Clausen, Irish spirit crushed, 35-10.

ARKANSAS at FLORIDA - On paper this looks interesting. ‘Hogs quarterback Ryan Mallett is unlike anything Gator defense has seen. Upset City! NO-NO. If Georgia can score 52 on Arkansas, image the fun Tim Tebow and friends will have, ‘Hogs butchered 59-21

WAKE FOREST at CLEMSON - Hey Dabo, still want to be head coach of the Tigers? Clemson is 2-3, one win against Middle Tennessee and another against sisters-of-the-poor Maryland. But this is Death Valley, Tigers roar. NO-NO. Wake shakes Swinneys, 29-17.

SOUTH CAROLINA at ALABAMA - Evil Genius finally has an opportunity to make a statement and upset the No. 2 Tide. NO-NO. Tuscaloosa isn’t a place to make statements or take wins. Spurrier is the better coach but doesn’t have the better team, ‘Cocks cold-cocked 28-17.

Others losers:

-Iowa to Wisconsin

-Boston College to N.C. State

-Virginia to Maryland

-Kentucky to Auburn

-Oklahoma State to Missouri

-Central Florida to Miami

-Stanford to Arizona

-and Minnesota to Penn State.

Hey, there is someone in this country more unpopular than Michael Vick

(10/15) On a national survey of celebrity likability (is that really a word?), sincerity and believability only Joe Jackson, father of Michael Jackson, rates lower than former Atlanta Falcon and now Philadelphia Eagle quarterback Michael Vick.

Forgive me one small political comment but with sports connotations. I found it amusing that talk show bimbo Rush Limbaugh is listed as a potential minority owner of the St. Louis Rams. I wouldn’t have thought Limbaugh ever wanted to be referred to as a minority under any circumstances. . . And here’s a nice note. The great Wilt Chamberlain has been dead 10 years this week and the word is that 90 percent of his estate was left to charity.

Not exactly a "stop the presses" moment but Florida State coach Bobby Bowden says he’s "strongly leaning" toward returning as head football coach next year for the Seminoles. . . An added note: FSU defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews’ defense is ranked 108th in the country. Who would have ever believed it?

Quarterback news: Southern Cal’s Mitch Mustain, formerly of Arkansas, has moved into the No. 2 quarterback slot behind Trojan freshman Matt Barkley. . . Oklahoma Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Sam Bradford hinted that he might return for his senior year. . . Former Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn is considering asking for a trade from the Cleveland Browns.

Thank goodness cooler heads prevailed when Georgia decided not to move the annual Tech-Georgia game from November to the first game of the season in 2011. Besides, it was unconstitutional.

Gene Menez of SportsIllustrated.com says his Heisman Watch list has (get ready for this) Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen ranked No. 1. He has Cincinnati QB Tony Pike No. 4, one spot ahead of Florida’s Tim Tebow. I guess SI just lets anybody have an opinion these days.

And finally, and someone did ask, who’s my biggest disappointment of the season? A three-way tie among North Carolina, N.C. State and Illinois.

This is Norman Arey and I’m "strongly leaning" toward doing this commentary another year. Sadly, it isn’t up to me.

Georgia isn't the only in-state school with desperate defensive problems

(10/14) This is what ex-NFL scout Russ Lande told Sporting News Today about Florida quarterback Tim Tebow’s pro football draft prospects. "He’s a third-round prospect who likely will go in Round One because he’ll wow personnel men with his arm strength, athleticism and personality."

The concussions in college football keep coming. First there was Texas Tech quarterback Taylor Potts, then Florida’s Tim Tebow and now Michigan’s Tate Forcier, who may miss this week’s game.

With the current mess at Florida State and the scenario its Coach-In-Waiting created, its interesting to see what other schools have had or currently have coaches-in-waiting. Let’s see, there’s Purdue, Oregon, Kentucky, Maryland and Texas. Wanna bet that the tradition stops now?

Why is it a big story that Georgia athletics director Damon Evans says he has concerns about his football team? Of course he does. Did everyone feel that Evans thought things were going along swimmingly? . . . Interesting that the leading receiver on the Florida football team is tight end Aaron Hernandez. . . . And a little recruiting tidbit - Wilmington (N.C.) offensive lineman T.J. Leifheit turned down offers from Southern Cal and Tennessee to commit to North Carolina.

Here’s why court costs have skyrocketed in this country. World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has filed suit against the Wine School of Philadelphia. The wrestling folks contend they trademarked the name "Smackdown" years ago and objects to the wine school using the term Sommelier Smackdowns for its wine competitions.

NBA Chinese superstar Yao Ming has become the face of China’s anti-smoking campaign. That’s no easy task since China is the world’s largest tobacco market.

And just in case you’ve forgotten, the top four coaches in winning football games in the upper tier of college football are Penn State’s Joe Paterno with 388 wins, FSU’s Bobby Bowden with 384, Frank Beamer of Virginia Tech at 224 and Texas’ Mack Brown at 206.

And finally, Georgia’s not the only in-state school with defensive problems. Georgia Tech’s defense has given up 487 yards and 539 yards against Mississippi State and Florida State in its last two games - 1,026 yards in 120 minutes.

This is Norman Arey and I think I could win the Sommelier Smackdown.

UGA football: Leaky defense goes back to 2008 season; Dawgs 9-6 in last 15 games

(10/13) At the risk of seemingly piling on, Georgia has more than a few problems on the football field and I’m not sure exactly where they lie:

- I do know that, according to Rivals.Com, the Bulldogs and Mark Richt have landed a Top 10 recruiting class for the past eight seasons. As the "Ol' Ball Coach" Steve Spurrier once asked, "Georgia gets all these recruits. What happens to ‘em?" (Or something like that.)

-I do know that Georgia is an unremarkable 9-6 in its last 15 outings.

-I do know that the Bulldog defense isn’t a new problem. Besides giving up 37, 41, and 45 points in three of its six games, look back at last year. Alabama scored 41, LSU 38, Florida 49 and Georgia Tech 45.

-I do know that the Bulldog defense was so bad against Tennessee, quarterback Jonathan Crompton was voted SEC offensive player of the week.

-I do know that Richt is very well thought of in Tallahassee. FSU points to the beginning of its troubles when Richt left as offensive coordinator to take the Georgia job.

-I do know that Richt is loyal to his assistants but would you want him not to be? Will it appease the Bulldog nation if he fires defensive coordinator Willie Martinez and offensive guy Mike Bobo?

-I don’t know the solution but you have to admit that strange things are going on in Athens.

My second musing is about moving the Georgia-Georgia Tech to the start of the season rather than leaving it at the end as has been suggested.

Growing up in North Carolina, the big game each year was the season-ender with Duke playing North Carolina. I realize that doesn’t even make the Richter scale down this way but it was THE big game there. Now that game has been moved.

There are some rival games that kick off the season, Louisville vs. Kentucky, for instance. But those two just recently started playing each other. It was never the last game of the year for either.

What if other big games were suddenly moved to the first week of September? Think Alabama-Auburn, Michigan-Ohio State, UCLA-Southern Cal, Army-Navy all played in the sweltering heat of late summer.

That’s just plain un-American.

And finally, in this age of instant communications, moon shots, etc., why oh why can’t television get its referee microphones to work?

This is Norman Arey and I think Tennessee just scored again.

Nothing left to do but play the SEC Championship game twice -- and in two places

(10/12) With the college football season exactly half done for most teams, one thing has become abundantly clear: the real college national championship game will be played Dec. 5 in the Georgia Dome when Alabama meets Florida.

The winner will be one-half of the faux game that will be played in Pasadena early in 2010 but make no mistake -- the BCS should bend some rules and play the SEC title game twice -- once in each place.

I mean, do we really care what’s going on in Texas or Oklahoma or California or anywhere on the Atlantic coast? Not really. Tuscaloosa and Gainesville are the centers of the college universe.

One word each on the performances of Alabama and Florida over the weekend. Alabama has a serviceable quarterback in Greg McElroy and he’s good enough to get them to where they want to go. The Gators’ Tim Tebow’s performance against LSU impressed me -- just two weeks removed from severe head trauma. Amazing.

Elsewhere over the weekend, some unlikely teams showed up. Idaho is atop the WAC and Southern Methodist is in second in Conference USA. With a quarterback named Bo Levi Mitchell and a safety tabbed Rock Dennis, how could the Mustangs lose?

Some amazing performances over the weekend from some unlikely players. Duke quarterback Thad Lewis threw for 489 yards and five scores as the Blue Devils beat up on underachieving N.C. State. After losing his first three games of the season to non-BCS teams, Virginia coach Al Groh is putting on his annual save-my-job run. The Cavaliers have won their last two against BCS teams by a combined 63-10 count.

As far as the local landscape is concerned, Georgia Tech held on to defeat Florida State in a real defensive struggle and Georgia was annihilated by a bad Tennessee team, prompting Bulldog quarterback Joe Cox to say, "It’s embarrassing. We’re not doing the things we need to do as players."

I’ve got a feeling that some Bulldog assistant coaches may not be secure in their jobs for next season. How else to explain what happens to all that talent that feeds into Athens every year?

I think the Yellow Jackets may find out who they really are when No. 4 Virginia Tech comes to town this week. Both teams will be wearing their Big Boy pads.

I mean, Florida and Alabama have rendered the rest of the season meaningless. The Southern Cal-Notre Dame game this week is an afterthought. Neither are a threat to dislodge the SEC behemoths.

I don’t want to hear about Texas or Virginia Tech, either. The Longhorns haven’t played anybody yet and the Hokies have already lost to The Tide.

This is Norman Arey and I say, "Go Gators" and "Roll Tide."

Arey's No-Nos have a disastrous week; upsets rock the college football scene

(10/9) This is Norman Arey with my Norman’s No-Nos, where I pick the losers in 15 games. Last week, I was 7-8 (I don’t want to talk about it), 46-29 for the year (61.3 percent).

GEORGIA at TENNESSEE - I’m sorry Big Orange fanatics but the Vols are a really bad team. It may take more than a year or two to turn this mess around. But this one is home before 105,000 and the Dawgs are bitten bad. NO-NO. The only thing bad is UT, Vols lose 35-17.

GEORGIA TECH at FLORIDA STATE - Everybody knows that Tech can’t beat FSU in Tallahassee. But wait, what if there’s controversy and mayhem swirling around the Florida capitol. Nonetheless, Seminoles once again are on the warpath. NO-NO. Jackets run wild, 41-21.

FLORIDA at LSU - Everyone seems to think the big question is whether the injured Tim Tebow plays or not. That’s not material. The question is whether LSU plays or not, and the Tigers rise to the big occasion. NO-NO. LSU is chomped, with or without double-T, 28-10.

(Upset Special) - ALABAMA at OLE MISS - In my way of thinking, Mississippi is one of the season’s disappointments. The Tide is on a mission, continues rolling. NO-NO. Rebel quarterback Jevan Snead lives up to his pre-season hype, Johnny Reb pulls the stunner, 21-17.

(Upset Special #2) - AUBURN at ARKANSAS - Those daggone Tigers have had a great season. Arkansas has suffered in the early going. Auburn waltzes through the Big Pig State. NO-NO. War Eagle crashes after its heady early going.;

Razorbacks prevail, 35-24.

(Upset Special #3) - MICHIGAN at IOWA - Iowa beat Penn State but so what? Michigan couldn’t quite pull it out against Michigan State. That’s O.K. But Hawkeyes win at home. NO NO. Tate Forcier pulls this one out in the late going, Iowa goes down 38-35.

KENTUCKY at SOUTH CAROLINA - Kentucky has been to three straight bowls. South Carolina always gets sidetracked about this time of year. Wildcats take the road win. NO-NO. Gamecocks’ Stephen Garcia carries the offense, ‘Cats clawed, 27-10.

OTHER LOSERS:

-BC to Virginia Tech

-Duke to N.C. State

-Maryland to Wake Forest

-Syracuse to West Virginia

-Wisconsin to Ohio State

-SMU to East Carolina

-Stanford to Oregon State

-and UConn to Pitt.

Let Tebow watch this one from the sidelines; it simply isn't worth the risk.

(10/8) Just an observation but with the Major League Baseball playoffs beginning this week, did you realize that the final game of the World Series might be played as late as Nov. 7? It could be there will be some television timeouts for the snow plows.

The unthinkable happened in Ohio in college football when tiny Cincinnati was ranked ahead of behemoth Ohio State in this week’s coaches poll. Now how about playing each other? . . Here’s a strange statistic. West Virginia has more turnovers (14) than punts (12). . . A ticket for this weekend’s LSU-Florida game is the third highest priced ticket in the country at $444. It’s behind the $450 being asked for the Notre Dame-Southern Cal game and the Texas-Oklahoma contest.

Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford of Oklahoma, who’s been out with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder since week one, could play this weekend. On the other hand, if the soreness persists, he could decide to shut this season down, have surgery and prepare for the NFL draft.

Former Heisman winner Tim Tebow at Florida has not been cleared to play as of mid-week You would hope that Gator coach Urban Meyer does the right thing and not play him against LSU. This wasn’t a turf toe or a sprained ankle - this was trauma to the brain. I think Florida can beat the Tigers without Tebow but if they don’t, so what? They’re still in the national title race.

Matt Hayes of Sporting News Today says this could be a disastrous month for Tennessee. With a loss to Auburn opening the month, and with Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina on the schedule, the Vols could go 0-for-October.

Amen, brother. Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson says he hates night games and if it were up to him, all games would begin at noon. I like it.

There are 50 coaches in college football making more than $1 million annually as compared to five just 10 years ago. Something’s got to give.

And finally, keep your eye on Boston College quarterback Dave Shinskie. He’s a little different than most starting freshman quarterbacks. Shinskie is 25 years old, played minor league baseball for six years before enrolling in college after being cut by baseball. He’s led BC to two straight wins over ACC foes.

This is Norman Arey and I wouldn’t play Tim Tebow this week.

Hey, Dawg Nation! It's time to move on now about the celebration penalty vs. LSU

(10/7 ) According to Sporting News Today, Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn is earning his pay check. Last year, Tiger quarterback Chris Todd had five touchdowns, six interceptions and averaged a low 5.7 yards per attempt. This year, through the same amount of games, Todd has 12 touchdowns and one interception and an average of 8.9 yards per attempt.

I was so flabbergasted upon hearing that right-wingnut Rush Limbaugh was interested in purchasing the NFL’s St. Louis Rams, I was speechless and type-less. I’ve recovered. An opposing defensive coordinator would love it. He’d prepare his defenses for the Rams always running right -- way right.

Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis is whining that his Irish are underrated since they’re not ranked in anybody’s Top 25. Wonder which game he feels should propel the Golden Domers into the national spot? The three-point win over Michigan State, the three-pointer over Purdue or the overtime win against Washington? Relax, Charlie, Notre Dame is exactly where it deserves to be.

The Mobile Press-Register points out how amazing Alabama’s season has been thus far with the Crimson Tide averaging 40 points and 462 yards per game and super-star receiver Julio Jones has been only a supporting cast member in the act.

You just don’t tug on Superman’s cape. LSU fans have inundated Florida players and coaches with taunting e-mails about this weekend’s game between their Tigers and the Gators. Probably not a good idea.

My former colleague, Mark Schlabach of ESPN, says there are seven undefeated college teams flying under the radar this season. He lists Auburn, Wisconsin, TCU, South Florida, Missouri, Kansas and Iowa. South Florida is an interesting story. How long can the Bulls continue winning without quarterback Matt Grothe, out for the year?

And finally, the SEC admits that their officials missed the boat on a celebration call against Georgia’s A.J. Green late in the game against LSU. OK. Now let’s move on. The officials should have thrown a flag on both teams for a lackluster performance through three and one-half quarters.

This is Norman Arey and I’ve been guilty of excessive celebration myself.

Could Georgia Tech really be headed for a double-digit win season?

(10/6) Stop the presses! Georgia’s football team is unranked this week for the first time since December 2006. It seems like even longer than that. I think I still had hair when the Dawgs were last missing from the Top 25.

Another thought is that Georgia Tech is now 4-1 and has a tricky game this week in Tallahassee against under-performing Florida State before the Jackets come home to take on Virginia Tech. If the Wreck should do no better than split those two games, they have Virginia, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and Duke before it meets Georgia. I think 10 wins is a real possibility.

Based on the latest SEC team two-deeps, Ole Miss is the most experienced team in the SEC while South Carolina is the youngest. The Rebels have the most seniors (20), Auburn the most juniors (21), Georgia the most sophomores (19) and the Gamecocks (17) the most freshmen.

Jim Smith, the chair of Florida State’s Board of Trustees and one of its most powerful alums, called for this to be the last year for head football coach Bobby Bowden, saying enough is enough.

Here’s the skinny on Clemson, which has a 2-3 record in Dabo Swinney’s first year. The Tigers have a rookie head coach, a 30-year old first-time offensive coordinator, a redshirt freshman quarterback and have scored two touchdowns in their last 13 quarters of football.

Sometimes I think colleges just can’t help but get themselves in financial trouble. The University of Miami brass can’t wait to sign head football coach Randy Shannon to a contract extension. Why? He came into this season as a .500 coach, they got pasted by Virginia Tech and beat a Sam Bradford-less Oklahoma team by one point. I will say this though. The ‘Canes will be favored in every game remaining on their schedule.

And this made news? Minnesota Timberwolves rookie guard Jonny Flynn is a phenomenon in the NBA because he has no tattoos.

And finally, the biggest disappointment of the season thus far would have to be North Carolina while the most pleasant surprise is Idaho, off to a 4-1 start. When’s the last time the Vandals went to a bowl game? Never.

This is Norman Arey and I hear there’s talk about restructuring my contract.

Is the Bobby Bowden era over in Tallahassee? It looks like Alabama is for real

(10/5) Weird happenings over the weekend:

The ACC bottom feeders, Virginia and Maryland, both beat up on higher-regarded opponents - the Cavaliers took care of North Carolina and the Terps stopped Clemson. And to add to the oddity, Florida State was beaten by Boston College.

This was the death knoll for the Bobby Bowden era, in my opinion. The once-mighty Seminoles have become a joke -- losing to South Florida and BC on consecutive weeks, and having to play Jacksonville State almost straight up.

The Tar Heels are strange birds. It looked as if Butch Davis had finally gotten the program to the point that it could turn that old proverbial corner but up-and-coming teams don’t lose to Virginia. Ask any Tar Heel fan today and they can tell you exactly how many days until basketball starts.

Here’s a statistical anomaly that tops anything I’ve previously seen. Houston quarterback Case Keenum threw 76 times against UTEP, completed 51 for 536 yards good for five touchdowns and still watched his team lose by 17 points -- 58-41.

Here’s another strange one -- the run-happy Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech passed for 266 yards while rushing for 213 in their win over Mississippi State. I might point out that the Tech defense gave up almost 500 yards to the Bulldogs.

I don’t know what you saw in LSU’s win over Georgia but I saw two teams flailing about that will be hard-pressed to give a good accounting of themselves at season’s end. If LSU is the fourth-best team in the land, we’ve got serious problems in the sport. Overrated doesn’t even begin to size up the situation in Baton Rouge, or Athens, for that matter.

I hadn’t realized how bad Tennessee really was until I saw the Vols beaten by Auburn. The Tigers are no slouches and Gene Chizik may be just what the doctor ordered but Lane Kiffin needs to tone his act down until he gets a team which can back up his pronouncements. I’ll bet Auburn will be ranked this week.

The national picture surely became clearer when Miami took care of Oklahoma sans Sam Bradford. It’s Florida, Texas and everybody else right now. How about Alabama, you say? Maybe the Tide deserves to be in the title talk, and I would love to see Florida and Alabama play in the SEC championship game the first week in December. Alabama visits Ole Miss next week and plays LSU in November. I can see them running the table.

This is Norman Arey and Nov. 9 is the start of the ACC basketball season.

At last, some Bulldogs the Yellow Jackets can beat; LSU Tigers aren't real tigers

(10/2) This is Norman Arey with Norman’s No-Nos, where I pick the losers in 15 games. Last week, I was 11-4, 39-21 for the year (65 percent).

LSU at GEORGIA - LSU almost lost to Mississippi State. Georgia almost lost to South Carolina, Arkansas and Arizona State. This will be one tough ball game. I’ve got a feeling Dogs aren’t there yet. NO-NO. Tigers aren’t really Tigers, lose to ‘Dawgs 24-21.

GEORGIA TECH at MISSISSIPPI STATE - New coach has Bulldogs competitive, but they’re missing too many pieces. Jackets have something to prove. Starkville ain’t the place to prove anything - Tech upset again. NO-NO. Finally some Bulldogs Tech can beat, 35-14.

OKLAHOMA at MIAMI - What a difference a week makes - this one would have been great a week ago. Now each team has a loss and ‘Canes’ quarterback Jacory Harris looks downright pedestrian. Hurricanes are back. NO-NO. Nowhere near as Sooners do a number, 42-21.

FLORIDA STATE at BOSTON COLLEGE - You’ve heard of must-wins, right? This one is an absolutely must-win for Seminoles. It may be time for Bobby Bowden to step away. Eagles hurry the process along. NO-NO. BC is lost in a mountain of FSU rage, 28-7.

MICHIGAN at MICHIGAN STATE - This one should tell if the Wolverines are progressing. The Spartans come out with a game plan to counter the spread. Big Blue isn’t big enough, lose in East Lansing. NO-NO. UM quarterback Tate Forcier is a force, Spartans downed, 31-24.

AUBURN at TENNESSEE - Not a blip on the national charts but a huge game in the Deep South. Auburn is a different team under Gene Chizik. UT trying its best to back up Lane Kiffin’s words. Tigers are too much. NO-NO. Vols find their muscle, Auburn fails, 20-13,

SOUTHERN CAL at CALIFORNIA - Trojans have already suffered their annual inexplicable loss. Cal is always on the rise and never makes it to the top. Two disappointing teams play hard. Bears rise up to finally win. NO-NO. USC is too talented, Cal foiled, 35-7.

Other losers:

-N.C. State to Wake Forest

-Maryland to Clemson

-Virginia to North Carolina

-Kentucky to Alabama

-Vandy to Ole Miss.

-Washington to Notre Dame

-Washington State to Oregon.

-and Wisconsin to Minnesota.

How can Georgia Tech basketball not be mentioned in Top 25? Makes no sense

(10/1) I’ve got a good bet for you this weekend in college football - South Florida to lose. A quick history lesson: Two years ago, the Bulls upset West Virginia and climbed all the way to No. 2 in the polls with a 6-0 record and then lost four of their next seven. Last year, South Florida won its first five games, then followed with five losses in eight games. See the trend?

The Sporting News’ pre-season Top 50 men’s college basketball rankings have Georgia Tech at No. 40. That’s right - 40. With a Top Five recruiting class, I don’t get it.

Can anyone explain how Georgia is 3-1, yet has amassed 41 penalties in four games, plus has a turnover ratio of minus-9? Just doesn’t make sense. . . But I’m sure all Bulldogs were happy with the announcement that Georgia will play the long-awaited game with Idaho State next season.

How is Florida quarterback Tim Tebow’s recovery going after a concussion against Kentucky last weekend? He’s not participating in any team activities, he’s not allowed to watch film, read or watch television. And he has to stay out of any kind of bright light. Other than that, he’s doing fine.

Here’s a sobering statistic worth some thought. Florida State is 5-5 against its last 10 Division 1-A opponents. . . Two must-win games this week - Oklahoma must beat Miami and Southern Cal must beat Cal.

Not to be gaudy but Michael Jordan is building a 38,000 square foot mansion in Jupiter, Fla. It’ll have 11 bedrooms and 10-foot ceilings with a wall and guard house. . . Atlanta Falcon quarterback Matt Ryan has signed on to Gillette’s latest advertising campaign and will be shaving for TV soon. . . And if you want to know who created the most buzz on the Internet between Michael Vick and Brett Favre, Vick was mentioned 25 percent of the time to Favre’s 18 percent.

And finally, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 6-foot-10 Al Jefferson dropped 31 pounds by eating nothing but Subway sandwiches and he doesn’t even have an endorsement deal with the eatery.

This is Norman Arey and I love Subway sandwiches - hint, hint.