Thoughts From Around College Football Part Deux: Times of Change

With just a handful of regular season games remaining, and Bowl bids on the verge of being handed out for the holiday season, I felt it was time to weigh in on some of the various topics around the college football landscape.

NEW ERA IN KNOXVILLE...

Lane Kiffin was announced as the new head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers earlier this week. At first thought, I just can't get excited about this hire.

I tried really hard, because Knoxville is the home to some of the most passionate and dedicated fans in all of college football. Even though I'm not a Tennessee fan, but I love their tradition, their fanbase, and I think a good Tennessee is not only good for college football, but more importantly the SEC.

But I just don't see Lane Kiffin fitting the SEC mold. Lane Kiffin is a PAC-10 guy. He should have taken the Washington job.

He was an offensive coordinator at USC, he coached for the Oakland Raiders, he has a relationship with California recruits. It would've been an easier sell to California recruits to come to Washington, as opposed to Knoxville across the country.

All said, I hope it works out for both parties involved, but I actually thought that somebody like a Charlie Strong, or a Will Muschamp, or even a Mark Dantonio would've been a better personality fit for Tennessee.

Auburn Seeking Greener Pastures...

The marriage between Tommy Tuberville and Auburn always seemed to forced to me. When Auburn was winning, and things were good, the marriage seemed to be a happy one on the surface.

But I always got the impression that Auburn was never completely sold on Tuberville, which really baffles me because of his tremendous success against Alabama.

But upon a 38-0 beating at the hands of the "rising Tide" this past Saturday, an abysmal offense, and a non-bowl qualifying 5-7 campaign, Tuberville and Auburn mutually agreed to call it quits with one another.

And my advice to Auburn officials and fans alike is this...BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR...cause you just might get it.

I'll argue until cows milk Pepsi that a big reason for Auburn's success was the sleeping giant of a brother in Tuscaloosa. With this Alabama resurgence led by Nick Saban, I think this Auburn job is going to be a tough challenge to take on for the next head man.

And my question to Auburn would be, who's out there better than Tommy Tuberville who is going to legitimately challenge Nick Saban and the Tide for the top-flight Alabama recruits?

Because other than Mack Brown, Pete Carroll, or Urban Meyer...who could do that? Those coaches don't grow on trees, Auburn.

I would posture that Tuberville always did more with less during his tenure at Auburn, and I will be interested to see not only who Auburn gets to fill that position, but also where Tuberville will land as well.

Lay In The Grave You Dug...

That's what Notre Dame and their athletic department are going to do with Charlie Weis, despite his 1-16 record against Top 25 opponents and 28-21 overall mark in his four years in South Bend.

The 28-21 record comes out to a 57 percent winning percentage at Notre Dame in those four years, lower than Bob Davie, and lower than Ty Willingham (GASP!).

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