Bleacher Report - Articles by Trey Bradley

Stanford QB Andrew Luck Refutes Report, Will Start Sun Bowl Vs Oklahoma (Satire)

Trey Bradley — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:48:27 -0500

Early Monday, multiple sources reported that Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck would not be available to start the Dec. 31 Sun Bowl versus Oklahoma.

Luck broke the index finger on his throwing hand in a win over Notre Dame, an injury that required surgery and will take two-to-three weeks to rehabilitate.

His head coach, Jim Harbaugh said, "Based on what we know right now...he won't start."

However, the freshman phenom tells Bleacher Report that he will be under center against the Sooners, and that his broken phalanx won't be a factor in the game.

"Look, am I in pain? Absolutely. Will I be 100 percent? No chance," Luck said via text message.

"But everyone knows it doesn't take ten fingers to hand off to Toby Gerhart. I'll just turn the other way and use my left hand to get it to him."

Gerhart, a Heisman Trophy candidate and dual-sport athlete, doesn't anticipate any trouble with the change, or the quarterback-running back exchange.

"I dominate left-handed pitching on the diamond," the Cardinal outfield said. "Don't see why a left-handed quarterback would give me any trouble."

Luck boasts a quarterback rating of 143.47 in his first season of collegiate football. He has passed for 13 touchdowns and just four interceptions in 2009. So, the Cardinal would certainly miss his passing presence if he does opt to play left-handed.

However, an a source close to the Cardinal program tells Bleacher Report, "If the alternative is Tavita Pritchard (10 TD, 13 INT in 2008), we'll take out chances with the lefty."

Catholics on Cable: How Comcast, NBC Merger Impacts Notre Dame Football

Trey Bradley — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:58:56 -0500

As athletic director Jack Swarbrick and the Irish scour the country to sign their next head coach, an even bigger deal involving Notre Dame football is already done.

Comcast and NBC Universal announced their heavily-anticipated merger Thursday morning, combining the resources of the nation's largest cable and Internet service provider with a broadcast corporation that reaches approximately 112 million American homes.

One of the driving forces behind the alliance is Comcast's desire to challenge ESPN. It already operates 10 regional Comcast SportsNet entities that hone in on major markets like Chicago, Washington D.C., and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Yet, the self-proclaimed world-wide leader in sports is as established and well-positioned as any cable entity in any sector. ESPN recently outbid FOX for the Bowl Championship Series and is purported to be interested in wresting March Madness away from CBS.

Among NBC Universal's highly-coveted sports assets: The 2010 and 2012 Olympics, the US Open Golf Championship, Sunday Night Football through 2013, and the rights to Notre Dame home games.

In order for Comcast to compete with ESPN using Versus, or more likely, a re-branded NBC Sports Network, it will have to populate that cable channel with compelling live events.

And Notre Dame Football seems a likely place to start.

According to the Sports Business Journal, Comcast has its sights set on the Irish, in part because NBC's current contract with Notre Dame contains a clause that allows for a certain number of games to "mitigate to cable."

A quick glance at the 2010 schedule reveals a slate ripe with cable-caliber opponents: Western Michigan, Tulsa, Utah, and perhaps even a nostalgic neutral-site date with Army at Yankees Stadium.

Such reallocation to a cable channel would surely be perceived as a demotion, and rankle a segment of the Notre Dame fan base, who are already disgruntled by ABC/ESPN's oxymoronic coverage-map approach to national broadcasts.

Fighting Irish faithful routinely combat the perception of entitlement, but the one arrogance we can't deny is the "right" to watch our team for free every Saturday during the fall.

That same insatiable appetite for blue and gold, despite an extended era of mediocrity, represents the potential exposure Comcast sees in Notre Dame football.

The opportunity to play six, and in recent years as many as eight, games on NBC has long been a selling point for Notre Dame recruits and their families. It also generates revenue for the University that makes a hefty financial buyout of Charlie Weis possible.

It would be too strong to state that the Comcast-NBC Universal merger threatens that competitive advantage in any significant way.

Because of popularity and independence, the Irish still have more access to broadcast television than any college football program.

However, in the context of a multi-billion dollar deal between media conglomerates, Notre Dame is a mere pawn.

Bob Stoops Won't Say No to Replacing Charlie Weis at Notre Dame

Trey Bradley — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:13:14 -0500

None of the comments matter until someone is actually fired.

There's a code of conduct among college football coaches. You don't express an interest, or a lack of interest, in a job that someone else still holds.

Until just moments ago, Charlie Weis was the head coach at Notre Dame.

Meanwhile, published reports—which only amount to published rumors—swirl, as Irish faithful forward them to family, friends, and anyone who will listen. Where there's smoke, there's fire. So why not try to spark a coaching change with billows of soot?

Oklahoma's Bob Stoops is the man of the moment.

He maintained the coaches code. But with Stoops, reading between the lines is even easier than breaking through his depleted offensive line.

It started when the Chicago Sun-Times cited a source close to the 11th-year head coach, who made it clear that Stoops would be interested in talking to Notre Dame about its looming vacancy.

Stoops' response was swift; it was emphatic.

"That's ridiculous. I have no idea what you're talking about," Stoops told reporters two weeks ago. "Some confidant, huh?"

Notice what he said...and what he didn't:

The story is ridiculous. I don't know what confidant you're talking about, and clearly he's not much of a confidant since he tipped a newspaper writer.

However, denying the validity of a report is much different from denying the validity of what is being reported. If you are unable to grasp that distinction, please stop reading now. I assure you the rest of this article will only frustrate you further.

Saturday, a pre-game broadcast speculated that Stoops would be on his way to South Bend as soon as Sunday to pursue the Irish position.

During the Notre Dame-Stanford contest, ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit said he spoke to Stoops by phone before and after his Bedlam shutout of Oklahoma State. Stoops made it clear that neither he nor his agent had been contacted by Notre Dame.

Irish athletic director Jack Swarbrick patently denied that he, or anyone authorized to speak on his behalf, had contacted any coaching candidate.

I believe both men are being truthful. I also know that nothing they've said to date precludes them from having a very important conversation later this week.

Why would Stoops insist that Notre Dame hasn't come to him instead of insisting that he isn't going to Notre Dame?

He may or may not have a sincere inclination to leave Norman for South Bend, but Stoops is absolutely playing the game.

The Ohio Catholic could have squelched speculation about his interest at any point during the past 14 days.

Instead, he narrowly focused his denial on whether or not he's already communicated with the Irish, permitting observers to parse his words.

He's after something.

More money? Stoops is already the head of the highest-paid staff in college football.

More security? His president and athletic director already cherish his services.

A change of scenery? He has been in Norman for 11 seasons.

Maybe he's just leveraging Notre Dame against a segment of an Oklahoma fan base that forgets how bad it was before he arrived at OU. That would be an awfully high-stakes game to play with message board goons.

Or perhaps he really does see himself under the Golden Dome.

Whatever his motivation, Stoops isn't naive. He didn't close the door on the Irish because he knew Notre Dame's coaching search hadn't officially begun.

Now it has.

Notre Dame to Charlie Weis: Let's Just Be Friends

Trey Bradley — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:06:55 -0500

Dear Charlie,

It's not you, it's me.

Actually...it is you.

But this is something we need to do, and I hope we can do it amicably.

I want to start by saying, "Thank you."

You're a Notre Dame guy. You know what we've been through. And I, for one, will never compare your record to Bob Davie's or Tyrone Willingham's, similar though they may be.

You were different.

You'll leave our program in better condition than you found it. For five years, it appears you've done it the right way, without sanctions or scandal, and that's something that goes unnoticed far too often in college football.

With a tireless work ethic, you've managed to recruit the players Irish fans had given up on luring to South Bend, selling Notre Dame to Californians like Jimmy Clausen and even Hawaiians like Manti Te'o. As a result, your job is more desirable now than it was when you, and several of your predecessors, accepted it.

I do not resent you for your mistakes, nor the brash arrogance that soured so many of your would-be supporters. Who among us with ambition hasn't been guilty of overconfidence? It was why we wanted you in the first place. It was our error as much as yours. We let our need and your Super Bowl rings blind us.

In January of 2005, we needed someone to restore our self-belief as a football program. You've somehow managed to do that, without significantly altering the results on the field.

Which is exactly why it's now time for us to part ways. And as an alum, as someone who cares for the school, the program, and the players you've brought into it, let's find a way to do it productively.

Please step down.

For all the haughtiness that defined your arrival, you now have an opportunity to depart with a little humility.

In a sense, it's giving in. It's giving your detractors (both internally and externally) what they wanted all along. But it also gives them a chance to forgive you and move on.

And that will serve us all well.

You'll no doubt have immediate opportunities. Finding work won't be an issue. Whoever drafts Clausen next spring would be wise to make it a package deal.

And Notre Dame has an over-saturated field of candidates to choose from in its search for your successor. Help us handle that process better this time around by working with athletic director Jack Swarbrick on a strategic resignation.

Choose the timing that best fits the needs of the current team, the verbally committed class of 2010, and the wildly fortunate 29th head coach of the Fighting Irish.

I would suggest coming to terms now, behind the scenes. Then make your players aware of the decision in Palo Alto, in the locker room, before the season finale at Stanford. It will inspire them to play their hearts out for you one more time, and earn the "signature win" both you and they have undoubtedly earned.

Let that be your signature moment. Not your termination.

Unfortunately, I can't guarantee you'll be given the credit you deserve when Kelly or Gruden or Stoops or whoever's next takes the Irish back to the BCS in short order. The media won't rush to defend your honor the way they did Willingham's when you "won with his players."

But if you can help Notre Dame through this transition, as opposed to allowing the Irish to be dragged through the mud again, those of us who truly follow and support this program will always have an appreciation for the endless hours, miles, and effort you put in.

Please know you're welcome to join us any Saturday in South Bend.

Sincerely,

Trey

Notre Dame QB Clausen: "Charlie Weis IS Getting Fired Because of Me"

Trey Bradley — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:47:04 -0500

Writers and broadcasters put words in Jimmy Clausen's mouth when they recount how he predicted national championships on that April 2006 commitment day at the College Football Hall of Fame.

His actual words were, "That's what I'm here for, to try to get four national championship rings."

To try.

It wasn't a prediction. It was a hope.

Yet for three years, it was the California native's most quotable moment, used mostly as a punch-line.

Then came April 2009 and the Sporting News ' cover story.

"Coach Weis will not get fired because of me."

That was a prediction. It was a promise. And ever since, it has become the Notre Dame junior's most quotable moment.

Unfortunately, it seems the Irish are about to turn Clausen's words into a punchline again.

To his everlasting credit, Clausen has transformed himself from a signal caller, who was intercepted 17 times in 2008 into the nation's third-leading passer in 2009. The Irish would be no better than 2-7 without his personal improvement.

But at some watershed moment in every great quarterback's career, personal improvement isn't enough. They must use their actions and words to elevate the players and coaches around them to even greater heights.

Clausen is dangerously close to letting that moment pass.

In the aftermath of a sinking loss to Navy, Clausen sent an apologetic late-night text to Weis, who he describes as "the reason [he] came to Notre Dame."

"I take full responsibility for everything, all the mistakes that I [made]," Clausen said this week. "Having the fumble on the one yard line, that's not coaching, that's playing."

On the referenced play, the Heisman candidate coughed up the football attempting to bowl over a Midshipman, momentarily forgetting he was Jimmy Clausen, not Tim Tebow.

His words reminded us.

In the era of Tebow's Promise , "I felt really bad for not only the team and myself, but really bad for Coach Weis" doesn't cut it.

That self-sympathy stands in stark contrast to Tebow's championship chatter: "A lot of good will come out of this. You will never see a team play harder than we will the rest of the season."

Perhaps it's unfair to expect Clausen to be as prolific with his speech as he is with his arm. Perhaps it's unreasonable to expect him to address NDNation the way Tebow addressed Gator Nation following last year's loss to Ole Miss.

However, with his coach on the hot seat and his program on the brink, I can't help but sense the void in Clausen's presence.

"Coach Weis is the right person to lead this football team, this year and into the future. And we're going to prove why from here on out," would reassure a lot of Irish ears right now. It might even reassure some of the doubters within that locker room as they prepare for BCS No. 12 Pittsburgh.

But far be it from me to join the ranks of those who have put words in Clausen's mouth.

If he's afraid of becoming a punchline yet again, maybe that says it all.

Would Charlie Weis Step Down?: Notre Dame's Best-Case Coaching Scenario

Trey Bradley — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:21:55 -0500

It's all about ego.

If Charlie Weis truly loved Notre Dame as he says he does, would he put his aside for the betterment of the Irish?

I am not a Weis-hater.

In fact, I commend everything he has done as a recruiter and would hate to undermine that foundation.

I count myself among the majority of Irish faithful who want to maintain his style of offense, because it's essential to recruiting the type of player that meets Notre Dame's personal and academic standards: smart, talented and pursuing an NFL career.

Yet, it's been abundantly clear for far too long that for all his strengths as a recruiter and play-caller, Weis is not fit to be a head coach.

He's an uninspiring personality and, as we were reminded on Saturday, his teams often play uninspired football.

He's a poor game manager, as evidenced by the extra down and timeout that went unused in a last-second loss to USC.

He's an inadequate staff manager, as the defensive and special teams units he delegates to his assistants have unequivocally underachieved.

Perhaps most importantly, he's had his chance.

Five years into the Weis era, the Irish are no better on the field (35-23) than they were under Bob Davie (35-25) or Tyrone Willingham (21-15).

However, because of Weis' recruiting and offensive scheme, they are in better position to immediately compete at college football's highest level.

And unlike Davie and Willingham, Weis (a 1978 alum) is one of Notre Dame's own and cares about its success.

Which is why I believe the best-case scenario for the Irish is not to fire Charlie Weis, but rather to retain him as an offensive coordinator and recruiter for the next head coach.

It's an equally improbable and unprecedented suggestion. But it's justified.

Although they will not factor heavily into athletic director Jack Swarbrick's decision, the financial considerations deserve mention.

Weis is under contract through 2015, and the reported buyout figures have ranged from $4 million to $18 million. If Notre Dame is going to pay him, why not negotiate a way to put him to work?

More consequential is the fact that Weis is on the verge of producing his second first-round draft pick at quarterback. He inherited and transformed Brady Quinn. He recruited and developed Jimmy Clausen into the game's most efficient player.

Weis and the Irish currently rank sixth in the country in total offense, and his is one of the few remaining productive pro-style attacks in college football.

Year after year, he's harvested top-10 crops of high school players.

His offensive mind is one that any future head coach, save Urban Meyer, would consider an asset. His recruiting prowess within that system is rivaled only by USC.

So whether Jon Gruden or Pat Fitzgerald or Brent Venables is next at the helm for Notre Dame, all should consider themselves fortunate to have Weis in the booth and on the road recruiting as their offensive coordinator.

Are any of these men secure enough in their own abilities to retain the head coach of the previous regime? Notre Dame shouldn't interview any candidate who isn't.

Would Weis' ego entertain the idea? Perhaps if his mind knows the alternative is far more humiliating.

ESPN College GameDay: Pick Notre Dame at Pittsburgh in Week 11

Trey Bradley — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:19:39 -0500

I think I speak for all Notre Dame and Pittsburgh fans when I say, "Yes. We want a little zing in our zang-zang."

Like most college cities, we could do without Big & Rich. But if Fowler, Corso, Desmond, and Herbstreit come along, we'll deal with it.

So ESPN, bring College GameDay to Pittsburgh for next week's clash between the Irish and Panthers.

By selecting the November 14 game for a prime-time kick off on ABC, the family of networks already signalled its intentions to make Notre Dame - Pittsburgh its featured match up, should both teams win this weekend.

But that's an indication that ESPN will bring GameDay to Heinz Field. Here are the reasons it should :

Ranked teams

The No. 22 Irish and No. 13 Panthers could both be top-20 BCS programs when they clash next weekend, and represent one of just four pairings of ranked teams in Week 11.

Novelty

Other solid matchups include Iowa at Ohio State, Utah at TCU, and Arizona at Cal.

GameDay has already been to Columbus this season. And by refusing to play November night games, the Big Ten has actively stifled its relevancy and appeal.

ESPN was on hand when TCU rocked BYU in Provo two weeks ago. And to be honest, Notre Dame-Pittsburgh could be more relevant to TCU's BCS chances anyways, as will be explained momentarily.

Arizona at Cal barely even play on Saturday, thanks to a 10:20 pm ET kick. I think we can safely rule the Bay Area out.

BCS Implications

BCS Bowls are already scouting the Irish , and with a top 14 ranking and a remaining contest against No. 5 Cincinnati, Pittsburgh is very much in the conversation for the Big East's automatic berth.

However, Notre Dame is the BCS linchpin.

If Clausen's Crew is eligible for an at-large selection, some other deserving program is getting left out in the cold.

TCU, if Boise State wins the non-qualifier race, that could be you.

Penn State, if Iowa runs the table, that could be you too.

The Heisman Candidates

Jimmy Clausen is clearly one of the front-runners. But Pittsburgh offers some legitimate under-the-radar candidates as well. Quarterback Bill Stull ranks third nationally in passing efficiency, trailing only Clausen and Kellen Moore of Boise State. And freshman running back Dion Lewis is a downright stud, currently fourth in the country with a 129 yard/game rushing average.

The Coaches

Dave Wannstedt and Charlie Weis are both in their fifth seasons at their respective programs, and have endured varying temperature on the hot seat.

Notre Dame has had more highs and lows under the current regime, but their overall records are fairly comparable. Wannstedt is 32-24 with the Panthers. Weis is 35-23 leading the Irish.

The two have split head-to-head meetings, with Notre Dame dominating in 2005 and Pittsburgh sending the Irish into a late-season tailspin with an overtime victory in South Bend a year ago.

Hard to believe that the Big East began the season without a ranked program. Now the conference has a pair of top-13 BCS teams, and three in the top-25.

The regular season finale between Cincinnati and Pittsburgh will likely decide the Big East championship and the conference's automatic berth. However, next weekend's game against the Irish has broader national implications.

Get the headgear ready at Heinz Field. GameDay's coming to your city.

Could Les Miles, LSU Cost the SEC a BCS National Championship Berth?

Trey Bradley — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:39:44 -0500

The Southeastern Conference sticks together.

Spend an entire holiday season attending West Coast bowl games, and you'd never hear a Pac-10 pride chant.

Yet the most football-crazed, rivalry-driven, animosity-defined conference in all of college athletics shares success with a conciliatory "S-E-C! S-E-C!"

Go figure.

However, the Mad Hatter and his Bayou Bengals could seriously put that loyalty to the test if they cost the Southeastern Conference a trip to Pasadena.

For weeks, it's been a foregone conclusion: The Florida-Alabama winner goes to the BCS National Championship.

Makes sense. After all, the SEC is the undisputed top conference in college football. The Gators and Crimson Tide are both undefeated. Why wouldn't the victor get the spoils?

Because our college football world, save the state of Louisiana, has seemingly lost track of the fact that LSU still controls its own conference destiny. And if the eight-point underdogs go to Tuscaloosa and pull the upset, the Tigers—not the Tide—will have the inside track in the SEC West.

Would a subsequent victory in a rematch with Florida be any more stunning?

Of course not. It's the SEC. These things happen.

And if those things happen as described, the South may be without a representative in the BCS National Championship.

"Hold it right there," you say. (And I listen with rapt attention...)

"Am I to believe that 12-1 LSU, with wins over previously undefeated Alabama and previously undefeated Florida, wouldn't deserve a chance to play for it all?"

"Don't believe it for one second," I reply.

But in college football, "deserving" is worth about as much as SEC officiating.

Just ask 2008 Utah.

Deserving doesn't guarantee you an invitation to the BCS Championship. A top-two spot in the BCS Standings does.

From it's current No. 9 position, LSU has a long way to go and no fewer than four undefeated teams to overtake without the benefit of a head-to-head meeting: Iowa, Cincinnati, TCU, and Boise State. Not to mention one-loss Oregon, arguably the hottest team in the country. And one-loss Georgia Tech's going to make a run for it, too.

So that's not to say LSU can't, or shouldn't, EARN the Southeastern Conference another big dance invite.

It's just to point out an important possibility: If the Tigers derail the Alabama-Florida conference championship collision course, they might end up breaking the SEC's run of three consecutive national titles.

I wonder what that would do to conference camaraderie.

Where Does Jimmy Clausen Rank Among Notre Dame's Seven Best No. 7s?

Trey Bradley — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:27:06 -0500

Lucky Number Seven has a special place in Luck of the Irish lore. Three Notre Dame All-Americans have donned the number seven jersey. So did one of the school's seven Heisman Trophy winners. Jimmy Clausen wears it well, as have many before him. I've researched the seven best Irishmen to put on the No. 7 navy jersey, and endeavored to place Clausen in the proper position among those legends. Obviously, the task is incomplete, as is Clausen's college career. However, I believe his performance to date warrants inclusion on this list. And the fact that he wears the seven across his chest is reason enough to turn an eye to the Irish history books. We'll count them down from seven-to-one, even though all the greats will be accompanied by the No. 7. *Special thanks to und.com for their extensive record-keeping, biographical information, and photographs.

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Meyer vs. Weis: Why Irish, Tide Winning Out Would Make Sugar Bowl Sweeter

Trey Bradley — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:17:29 -0500

Think of bowls as businesses.

They conduct campus recruiting just like Accenture, Google, and Matt Leinart.

And if you were CEO of the Sugar Bowl, you'd be actively pulling for Notre Dame and Alabama to win out.

Why?

Because that would give you the right to hire the Irish and put them to work alongside Urban Meyer and Florida.

By way of explanation, if Alabama runs the table, that would entail an SEC Championship game victory over the Gators and earn the Crimson Tide a berth in the BCS National Championship game.

Losing its conference tie-in representative, the Sugar Bowl would get first choice from the remaining pool of BCS qualifiers. And given its SEC affiliation and national appeal, Florida would be an automatic choice.

That's one half of the puzzle.

If Notre Dame runs the table, the Irish will surely achieve the top-14 ranking necessary to become eligible for an at-large BCS selection.

Here's where things get dicey.

The selection order for the January 2010 BCS games is as follows: Orange, Fiesta, Sugar.

So there's a very real danger that the Orange or Fiesta Bowl (businesses in their own right) would want Notre Dame to fill its seats and bolster its television ratings, creating a match up against the likes of Georgia Tech or Boise State/TCU.

Ugh.

Thankfully, the BCS founding fathers had the foresight to provide a loophole known as "Team Selection Procedures 5-D."

It reads, "The conferences and Notre Dame may, but are not required to, adjust the pairings taking into consideration...whether alternative pairings may have greater or lesser appeal to college football fans as measured by expected ticket sales for the bowls and by expected television interest, and the consequent financial impact on Fox and the bowls."

Ah, what a gem.

Could any clause better summarize the nature of the BCS?

Suffice it to say, a Florida-Notre Dame pairing would sell the tickets and generate the television ratings necessary to exercise Plan 5-D.

Urban Meyer versus Charlie Weis. The one that got away against the portly house wife Notre Dame eventually married, together under the Superdome roof.

It would put Alabama-Texas in Pasadena to shame.

Imagine the commotion, pitting the patron saint of college football against the fan base that dubbed him its savior.

Mark May and Lou Holtz would chase each other in circles around ESPN, whipping towels with Rece Davis adjudicating and ND grad Hannah Storm, a one-woman jury.

Florida product Erin Andrews would immediately be assigned to hotel hallway interview duty.

Get Mel Kiper and Todd McShay hooked up to IVs and set them in front of cameras to give us a differing daily version of Jimmy Clausen's draft status.

Fox's Thom Brennaman would be reunited with the son he hasn't had since last January.

There would be standing room only media sessions in New Orleans, and both schools would have to re-sign their coaches to contract extensions to stem the tide of inevitable Urban-to-UND questioning.

And not even that would deter the South Bend Tribune .

Of course, ND Nation legions would readily run head-first into the Gators' mouth, and a Sugar Bowl date with Florida surely spells disaster for the Irish.

Perfect.

Another Notre Dame BCS debacle is exactly what Domers need to start the pursuit of Meyer anew.

Go Irish! Roll Tide! People, see the potential!

The Sugar Bowl does.

Ricky Stanzi of Iowa Tops the 12 Worst Winning QBs in College Football

Trey Bradley — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:24:19 -0500

College football often boils down to coaching and quarterbacking. But if 2009 has taught us anything, it's that the former is a whole lot more important than the latter. Winning teams across the country are overcoming their quarterback play. Defenses are doggedly determined to create more turnovers than their signal caller. Offensive coordinators risk coronaries anytime they venture into the pass portion of their play chart. There are no few than a dozen teams with winning records because of, and in spite of, quarterbacks who rate outside the top 50 nationally in passing efficiency. The following list in not for the feint-of-pick-six heart.

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Florida's Urban Meyer Suspends Eye-Gouging Hypocrite Brandon Spikes

Trey Bradley — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:48:13 -0500

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

Remember back in August when Florida LB Brandon Spikes accused the Sooners of playing dirty in the BCS title game?

Here were his exact words : "Compared to Oklahoma, you won't find anyone (as dirty)."

Well guess what?

We just did.

CBS cameras clearly caught Spikes trying to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey during last week's 41-17 win over the rival Bulldogs.

Coach Urban Meyer suspended the star linebacker on Monday, adding that Spikes was retaliating after he had his helmet ripped off and was poked in the eye earlier in the game.

"I don't condone that," Meyer said of his alleged captain's actions. "I understand what goes on on the football field, but there's no place for that."

The SEC also reviewed Spikes actions and accepted the discipline handed down by the defending national champions.

Thirty minutes of detention against the Commodores, who are 0-5 in conference play, seems inadequate.

Spikes is lucky to avoid an eye-for-an-eye .

Real classy, Brandon. Who's dirty now?

Iowa's BCS Makeover: Kirk Ferentz Replaces Criminals With Potential Champions

Trey Bradley — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:40:10 -0400

The rash of citations and arrests for alcohol-related issues had reached unprecedented levels.

School officials were actively combating the notion that Iowa football was facing an epidemic, and head coach Kirk Ferentz's seat had never been hotter.

26 charges between Spring Practice 2007 and Fall Camp 2009.

Sure Iowa City is renowned for it's party scene, but were the Hawkeyes running a football program or a fraternity?

It didn't help that Ferentz's own son, James, had fallen into the fray... twice.

And unfortunately, the off-field chaos wasn't limited to underaged drinking. A sexual assault case involving two former Hawkeyes was mishandled, accusations of a cover-up ensued, as did an investigation of the athletic department and Ferentz's knowledge of the debacle.

Winning can cure a lot of ills, but Iowa didn't have victories to fall back on.

A losing record in 2006 was followed by another six-win season in 2007, as the Hawkeyes dropped a home finale to Western Michigan and did not go bowling for the first time since 2000.

Somehow, someway, despite all that negative momentum, Ferentz pulled the program out of the fire.

After stumbling to 3-3 a year ago, the Hawkeyes won six of their last seven, including an upset of previously-undefeated Penn State and the Big Ten's lone bowl victory, a 31-10 trouncing of South Carolina.

Fast-forward to the present, where the only thing more stunning than the zero in the loss column is the one in the police ledger.

The Hawkeyes (8-0) are off to the best start in school history, with improbable wins that rival their improbable reversal in fortunes.

Iowa controls its own destiny in the Big Ten, and if undefeated, will be nearly impossible to lock out of the BCS Championship game.

So how did Ferentz do it?

Unless John Feinstein has been undercover in Iowa City, we may never know.

With his typical stoicism, the head coach would probably tell you he hasn't done anything differently. And perhaps that even-keeled personality is exactly what enabled Iowa to stay the course.

It clearly pained Ferentz to see his program dragged through the mud by irresponsible teenagers. Having a family member contribute to that contamination had to be especially gut-wrenching.

There's something to be said for a college football coach who can endure such prolonged ignominy and come out the other side. The athletic department's mismanagement during the dark period cannot be condoned, but Gary Barta and company should also be given their due for standing by the perfect fit for Iowa football.

Regardless of what happens in the season's final weeks, the Hawkeyes' success story is one worth celebrating, and the Coach of the Year balloting shouldn't come down to a blocked field goal or a last-second slant.

Ferentz better win that one by a much more comfortable margin.

What Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen Should Learn From Sam Bradford

Trey Bradley — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:08:31 -0400

He had delayed NFL millions—made the most improbable decision in college football history—and this was Sam Bradford's reward.

Before the writhing Heisman-winner could even pull himself off the turf at the new Cowboys Stadium, college football's collective conscience had already been hit with the realization.

"It will never happen again."

Yet, here we are, half-a-season later, and a significant contingent of Irish faithful believe that Jimmy Clausen has half-a-mind to make the same call.

Regardless of whether or not you think Notre Dame's Heisman candidate will or should return for his senior season, it's worth reviewing what he can glean from Bradford's decision.

Because there are both clear parallels and situational differences, the lessons learned may not be as one-directional as you might expect.

Career Accomplishments

Heisman Trophy, Davey O'Brien Award, Big 12 Player of the Year, All-American honors...there was only room for one more bullet point on Bradford's resume: national champion.

And when he announced intentions to return to Norman, he had just led the Sooners on a second straight BCS journey, only to fall one win short of that capstone.

By comparison, Clausen's accolades are sparse. Just this season, he's come into his own, although he appears destined for many of the same national honors typically bestowed on college football's best quarterback. Clausen may even walk away with the stiff-armed trophy.

The Sooner legend holds 15 school records and has already been dubbed Oklahoma's best ever, despite never winning the ultimate prize. Statistically, Clausen would easily eclipse every Notre Dame predecessor if he plays out his eligibility, but he's not there yet. He also still lacks a signature win, much less a title.

Conclusion: Clausen still has far more to prove at the college level than Bradford did when he chose to come back, and therefore is more inclined to play another season at Notre Dame.

Impact: Little-to-none.

Championship Potential

Ultimately, none of those accolades mattered to Bradford, and it's naive to think any of them matter to Clausen, either.

No one returns to school to glut themselves on college honors—currency is far more fun to accumulate.

However, the lure of a national championship tugged on Bradford's crimson No. 14 jersey, and very well may have the same effect on Clausen.

As the defending runner-up, Bradford surveyed his surrounding talent and competition and liked his chances. We'll soon discuss a couple costly oversights, but it was hardly unreasonable for Bradford to expect a return trip to the BCS Championship from his Sooners.

For Notre Dame, championship prospects are much less likely, but not unrealistic.

Through two seasons, Clausen has been unable to lead the Irish to more than a Hawaii Bowl victory. However, a convincing BCS appearance in 2009 and a compliant schedule in 2010 would set the stage for a national championship run, especially when considering the pieces around Clausen.

In fact, the question marks fall mostly on the defensive side of the football, a factor he cannot control.

Conclusion: Clausen and the Irish have much longer national championship odds than Bradford and the Sooners did, and therefore Clausen's more likely to go pro.

Impact: Crucial

Offensive Line

OU fans feared their offensive line wouldn't be able to live up to Bradford's expectations in 2009, but that unit's shortcomings didn't hit home until Coleby Clawson's hit landed Sam in a sling.

The Sooners sent four starting offensive lineman to the last NFL Combine, and three have found homes in professional football.

In hindsight, perhaps that was a factor the Bradford camp undervalued.

So what will the Notre Dame offensive line look like in 2010, should Clausen return?

Depending who you ask, the Irish will either be returning two or three starting pieces.

Senior left guard Chris Stewart has eligibility remaining, as does right guard Trevor Robinson. Irish center Dan Wenger, who is not in the starting lineup this season despite 18 career starts, could also return for a fifth season.

For the purposes of this discussion, we'll not look any further down the depth chart, because the only sure predictor of quality offensive line play is experience.

Conclusion : In both quantity and quality, Clausen won't lose as much up front as Bradford did. Yet, he stands to lose just as much financially should an injury occur. Therefore, this category is a wash despite it's importance in the decision-making process.

Impact : Mitigated

Wide Receivers

If there's a decisive category, wide receiver very well may prove to be the one.

Three of Bradford's top four true receivers departed after the BCS loss to Florida. He fully anticipated having an All-American tight end at his disposal before Jermaine Gresham suffered a season-ending knee injury.

By comparison, in 2010, Notre Dame will have the undisputed best receiving corps in the country, and perhaps the top tight end to boot.

Surefire pro Michael Floyd is not yet NFL-eligible, nor is Kyle Rudolph. And the prevailing opinion is that junior Golden Tate doesn't project highly enough at the next level to warrant an early departure.

But it's not just the talent that Clausen has to work with—it's the chemistry.

The story of the SoCal summer this crew spent together has been a favorite of every broadcast team. And if that camaraderie is genuine, it may be enough to bring Clausen back.

Conclusion : Clausen will likely have better targets at Notre Dame in 2010 than he would in Buffalo. And the cast is definitely superior to what Bradford had to work with. The receiving corps tilts Clausen's scale towards coming back to campus.

Impact : Significant

Coaching

Bradford was, and Clausen is, in a very unique position in terms of instruction.

Say what you will about Oklahoma's inability to land a quarterback in the NFL. The Sooners coaching staff ranks among the best in college football. This side of the pros, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better offensive combination than quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel and offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson.

Therefore, Bradford could trust that his extra year in Norman would be well-spent in terms of progressing as a signal caller.

Likewise for Jimmy Clausen, who may have the best quarterback guru at any level.

For all his shortcomings as a head coach, Charlie Weis helped Tom Brady thrive with the Patriots, transformed Brady Quinn from a mediocre talent into an NFL quarterback, and has now inculcated Clausen.

Were Weis to lose his job following this season, he would immediately be rehired as an NFL offensive coordinator. Therefore, Clausen stands to gain more from spending another season in a college system than any quarterback in the country.

(Note: I don't believe Weis will be fired. And if he were, Clausen would surely depart and the preceding point is moot.)

Conclusion : Because of Weis' track record, NFL personnel may even advise Clausen to spend another year in South Bend. If Bradford trusted his coaching staff enough to return, so should Clausen.

Impact : Essential

Personal Ambition

This week, as he made his announcement to undergo surgery, Bradford reiterated that playing for Oklahoma was always his dream. He grew up a multi-sport athlete, without an in-state professional football team, in a financially stable family. Donning the Crimson and Cream for his father's Alma mater was the ultimate, not NFL riches.

In that context, his improbable return to OU is far less shocking.

Clausen doesn't have family ties to the Irish program, and has never articulated a comparable love of Notre Dame (nor is he expected to).

He was raised in a family of quarterbacks, and because those older Clausen brothers fell short of their NFL dreams, the mantle falls to Jimmy.

While his college commitment dripped with national championship guarantees, let's not confuse predictions with priorities. Just because Clausen has yet to deliver doesn't mean he's reluctant to leave Notre Dame without a championship.

Conclusion : Bradford seemingly couldn't be convinced to leave Norman. Notre Dame is going to have to convince Clausen to stay.

Impact : Ultimate

Final Thoughts

If we're already thinking about the impact of Sam Bradford's experience, chances are the thought has crossed Jimmy Clausen's mind as well.

It's far too early for him to be weighing a decision. He still has much to prove at the college level, and injuries of his own to avoid. Additionally, he'll soon be bombarded with advice and peripheral considerations like the looming rookie salary cap.

But when the time comes, the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner may provide a precedent for the 2009 recipient.

How Clausen interprets that blueprint remains to be seen.

Free Dez Bryant!: Oklahoma State Waits, NCAA Delays Deion Sanders Case

Trey Bradley — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:02:27 -0400

"He's not doing good," Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy said on Monday when asked how All-American wide receiver Dez Bryant is handling his ineligibility.

"Not being able to play in the last three games, it's extremely difficult for him to handle that."

"The penalty has certainly achieved. I mean, it's worked."

Intentional or otherwise, Gundy's words serve as a subtle jab at the NCAA, an organization too afraid of legal liability to directly suspend a college player, that instead intimidates its member universities into holding athletes in question out of action.

Such is the case of Bryant, who was recently caught in a lie regarding a spring visit with former NFL All-Pro Deion Sanders. So long as there wasn't an agent present (and one would suspect that is the primary focus of the NCAA's current investigation), it does not appear that any major violation occurred that would disqualify Bryant.

So exactly what "penalty" has he been serving?

Despite repeated questioning, Gundy has done his best to walk the fine line of "no comment" mandated by the NCAA while at the same time supporting a player he recruited and nurtured into a surefire 2010 NFL Draft pick.

Gundy's implied point is that Dez has done his time...and continues to do time.

The de facto suspension will extend to four games this weekend. It has demoralized Stillwater's superstar, brought him back down to earth (something opposing defenses never could accomplish), and made him realize the error in his ways. Bryant conveyed as much in a recent letter to the NCAA, in conjunction with last Tuesday's visit to Indianapolis.

Seems like just punishment, if not overkill for an immature, panic-stricken college football player who so far is only guilty of lying, doesn't it?

Mission accomplished.

Bryant's better for it, having learned a valuable life lesson. And so are the Pokes, who haven't been defeated since losing their most dynamic threat and are prepared to welcome him back to a championship-caliber team.

So, if there's nothing else, Gundy and the rest of college football would like to see Bryant in uniform again, preferably before next weekend's prime time showdown with BCS No. 3 Texas.

Yet, the NCAA refuses to offer any insight into what's being done to further this investigation, much less provide a time frame for a decision.

"You're guess is as good as mine," said a dual palms-up Gundy, admirably masking the exasperation that afflicts all college football coaches cornered in the NCAA waiting lounge.

In a matter of months, Bryant will have the support of the NFL Players Association. Say what you will about the impotence of that entity in the face of the most domineering commissioner in league history. It still beats the imbalance of leverage with which Bryant is contending.

In professional sports, athletes routinely play through appeals, placing the onus on the governing body to make a ruling in a timely manner in order to enact a punishment.

Who puts the bur in the NCAA's saddle? Who represents a student-athlete against an organization so ill-equipped to conduct investigations such as these in a timely fashion?

At best, a university compliance officer who's trained in fire prevention, not firefighting, and whose loyalties ultimately lie with his or her employer (in this case, Oklahoma State) not the individual (Bryant).

As a result, the NCAA gets away with punishing Bryant indefinitely, without even having to define the punishment.

And the next time we see Bryant in a Cowboys uniform, it's just as likely to be Dallas' as Oklahoma State's.

Creature vs. Creature: An Irish Perspective on USC-Notre Dame

Trey Bradley — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:49:21 -0400

The implications of this game are astounding and range from BCS Championship hopes to future recruiting hauls.

I've also written about what Saturday's showdown means for Charlie Weis' future.

Now, bragging rights between Lisa Horne and me are also on the line.

One Notre Dame player USC can't contain: Manti Te'o

T'eo is the only Irish defensive talent who would definitively start for the Trojans, and the recruiting war Weis won over Pete Carroll for this linebacker's services could immediately translate to a win on the field.

The freshman's playing time and production has been steadily increasing. He was the second-leading tackler in the overtime win over Washington. His speed and nose for the ball will produce the turnover Notre Dame must have to pull off the upset.

One weakness the Irish must conceal: Run defense

Notre Dame ranks 68th in this category nationally. USC is averaging better than 200 yards per game on the ground. The Irish need a lot of possessions to win and must be able to force a young quarterback to beat them.

Weis and Clausen will come through under pressure

The late-game heroics have to mean something. What they tell me is that Clausen is impervious to adversity, pressure, and expectations...maybe even injury. I know for a fact the Heisman hype won't affect Clausen. This is the game he was recruited to win. It's also the game Weis was hired to win. Both are too gifted to let what could be their last chance escape them.

Carroll's coaching staff owns the Irish...but Carroll's coaching staff is in Washington

Irish fans have to believe that Notre Dame exorcised some demons two weeks ago against the Huskies. For years, offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian and defensive coordinator Nick Holt ate Weis' lunch. Carroll has done the same for even longer. No, I'm not setting up a fat joke—just pointing out that Weis needs to finish the job by severing the head of the snake on Saturday.

Prediction

Notre Dame builds a halftime lead and holds off the late-charging Trojans, 27-24, as USC misses a long field goal as time expires. See you in South Bend!

Notre Dame Dilemma: Charlie Weis' Fate Tied to Jimmy Clausen, Not USC Outcome

Trey Bradley — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:32:23 -0400

There's a perception among Notre Dame fans and detractors alike that head coach Charlie Weis must beat USC this weekend to preserve his job.

Weis is winless against Pete Carroll as he prepares for a fifth shot at the Trojans, and save one exception, the series hasn't been close.

Would Ohio State's Jim Tressel walk the sidelines after five straight losses to Michigan? Could Bob Stoops go 0-for-5 against Texas and still draw Oklahoma's paycheck? How about if those losses were by an average margin of 24 points?

Of course not.

So, if the Irish fall on Saturday, and especially if they're once again boat raced by USC, shouldn't Weis lose his job?

Of course he should. But he won't.

You see, the fallacy of the Charlie Weis hot seat is that his immediate future is tied to his 2009 record, and more specifically the outcome of No. 5 USC vs. No 25 Notre Dame.

It isn't. It's tied to Jimmy Clausen.

The Irish quarterback is destined for December's Heisman Trophy presentation, and perhaps next spring's NFL Draft. He's part of a prolific crop of sophomore and junior offensive players, the vast majority of which will be back in South Bend in 2010.

Clausen is the linchpin, and Weis' trump card.

If he declares early, Weis will have to stand on his own meager head coaching credentials and will absolutely be subject to termination.

But if the nation's leading passer wins the Heisman, or is at least a finalist in New York, then declares his intentions to return for a senior season, do you think athletic director Jack Swarbrick would dare pull the plug on his head coach? The man who coaxed that coveted recruit out of USC's backyard and developed him into the most prolific passer in Irish history?

That would cause Clausen to bolt for the pros faster than former Trojan Mike Williams.

And therein lies the Notre Dame dilemma.

Weis is essentially guaranteed the 2010 season by virtue of the national championship potential next year's team possesses. But what if the current coaching staff is the only thing preventing the Irish from seizing that potential?

If Clausen's return to campus promises the Irish offensive stability and a chance at a title, Notre Dame would be foolish to throw it all away by firing the head coach. Yet, so long as Weis is at the helm, some Golden Domers believe that title chance is at best a Grotto prayer.

It's an impossible Catch-22 that even Michael Floyd and Golden Tate would rather drop than decide. Fortunately, the Irish receivers won't have to and neither will Notre Dame.

Because, while you'll hear about Weis' job security ad nauseam this weekend on ESPN and NBC, and how it depends on breaking Notre Dame's seven-game losing streak against USC, any commentator who asserts that a loss seals his fate lacks foresight.

After all, it's ultimately Clausen's decision to make, not Swarbrick's or NDNation's.

Big Ten Football Barely BCS-Worthy, or So Say Sagarin Ratings

Trey Bradley — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:25:47 -0400

Desperate to make amends for its 1-6 bowl performance and reverse its reputation as a degenerating football conference, this is not where the Big Ten expected to be.

As college football reaches the meat of the league schedule, computer master and BCS contributor Jeff Sagarin ranks the Big Ten last among the six major conferences.

Sagarin Conference Ratings*

1. SEC

2. Pac-10

3. ACC

4. Big12

5. Big East

6. Big Ten

7. I-A Independents

8. Mountain West

9. WAC

10. CUSA

When you consider the fact that to date, the Big Ten's signature win is Michigan at home over Notre Dame, it's easy to understand why.

What has to be even more discouraging for the conference is the lack of marquee opportunities remaining. Between the 11 programs, there are only 10 non-conference games left in 2009. Only two, Illinois at Cincinnati in November and Indiana at Virginia this weekend, represent a clash of BCS-conference teams (a description that only loosely applies to the Hoosiers and Cavaliers).

So the odds of the Big Ten advancing from that sixth position are slim, as conference teams will only cannibalize themselves the rest of the way.

Speaking of the BCS, the initial standings will be published a week from Sunday, and Sagarin's ELO-CHESS ratings are one of six computer polls included in the ranking formula. Unlike his overall ratings, ELO-CHESS is purely a measure of winning and losing (given a strength of schedule), and does not take margin of victory into account.

Sagarin Team Ratings (ELO-CHESS in parenthesis)

1. USC (4)

2. Alabama (2)

3. Florida (10)

4. LSU (1)

5. Oregon (11)

6. Boise St (6)

7. Virginia Tech (8)

8. Ohio St (15)

9. Iowa (3)

10. Texas (16)

11. Cincinnati (5)

12. Auburn (7)

13. Miami (9)

14. TCU (12)

15. South Florida (18)

You'll notice that in the bold ELO-CHESS rankings, LSU, Alabama, Iowa, and Cincinnati are very buoyant relative to their standing in other polls, by virtue of their undefeated records. Computers can be very unforgiving when it comes to loses.

Therefore, it's also significant that USC is the highest-standing one-loss team at No. 4, well ahead of Virginia Tech at No. 8.

Overall, the SEC leads the ELO-CHESS with four top-10 programs. The ACC has a pair in Virginia Tech and Miami. Iowa is the Big Ten's lone representative. Likewise for Cincinnati and the Big East, USC and the Pac-10.

The Big 12 is actually the least represented conference in the ELO-CHESS ratings. Texas' weak early-season schedule warrants just the 16th spot. Oklahoma's pair of early-season losses haven't helped, nor did Houston's upset of Oklahoma State. For the first time in a long time, the South Division isn't pulling its weight!

Using the Sagarin ratings as our guide, what does this all mean?

First, it's clear that the SEC will once-again have a reservation for the BCS championship game, barring a complete and widespread meltdown.

It appears that despite the loss to Washington, when the BCS standings are unveiled, USC should be well-positioned relative to Texas, Boise State, Virginia Tech, and Miami. The Pac-10's strength should only help the Trojans from here on out.

So long as they continue to win, the Longhorns will ascend quickly once conference play begins this weekend. Likewise for the Florida Gators, whose No. 10 rating may be the most surprising of all.

Meanwhile, the Boise State Broncos are in a strong position, but of course have no margin for error.

The same could be said of Iowa, who is the only horse the Big Ten has in the national championship race. The fact that a narrow loss to USC has Ohio State at No. 15 in the ELO-CHESS speaks volumes about the Sagarin model views that conference.

*Sagarin Ratings published at USATODAY.com

Top 10 Tumbling: LSU Tigers Ripe for Upset Against Georgia Bulldogs

Trey Bradley — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:02:37 -0400

Who's failing more frequently: The AP pollsters or the coaching staffs at top-ranked programs? A top-five team has fallen each-and-every week of this 2009 college football season: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, USC, and Ole Miss/Penn State. Last Thursday through Saturday may have been the most stunning, as four of the top 10 took a header. First, Ole Miss was upset in Columbia. Then Miami got washed out in Blacksburg while Cal absolutely quacked... I mean, cracked in Eugene. And of course Happy Valley is left to "White Out" the memory of yet another humiliation at the hands of the Hawkeyes. It seems the question we should be asking in anticipation of Week Five is not, "Can this trend continue?" but "What ranked teams will continue this trend?" To provide some answers, here's a look at the top 10 schedule, along with analysis of which teams are going to tumble.

Begin Slideshow

Notre Dame Football: Why Weak Linebacker Play Will Keep the Irish Out of the BCS

Trey Bradley — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:22:30 -0400

Saved by Kyle McCarthy, again.

As he's been every week, Notre Dame's senior safety was the team's leading tackler against Michigan State, and his third interception in as many games saved the season and Charlie Weis' job.

Know how many top ten teams currently have a strong safety leading the team in tackling? One.

Yet Notre Dame's top TWO leading tacklers are safeties (McCarthy and Harrison Smith, respectively). I won't waste your time by asking if any top ten teams have to endure that ignominy.

So it's no wonder the Irish rank 96th nationally in total defense, and can safely be eliminated from BCS contention as a result, in spite of the Heisman candidate at quarterback and perhaps the best offense in school history:

Linebacker letdown.

The stats from Saturday's game against Michigan State are galling:

Total tackles by starting middle linebacker Toryan Smith: 1

Total tackles by three starting linebackers COMBINED: 8

Total tackles by McCarthy: 9

Watch the game again and you'll observe a toxic combination of linebackers being an easy target for blockers and whiffing on tackles when unblocked.

Half of the two-deep at that position is named Smith (Toryan, Brian, and Scott), and yet Notre Dame Stadium public address announcer Mike Collins has had little reason to recite that surname more frequently than any other this season.

While the linebacking corps is most at fault, it can't bear all the blame.

A dearth of sacks, tackles, and turnovers at that position is often an indication that defensive linemen aren't demanding enough attention. This is unfortunately reflected in the fact that despite Jon Tenuta's name being synonymous with "blitz," Notre Dame has recorded a whopping four sacks this season, and just one at defensive end.

Kerry Neal, Ian Williams, Ethan Johnson, and Kapron Lewis-Moore have to do more to create opportunities for linebackers to make plays, certainly.

But through three games, the three players in the middle of that Irish defense have been the most disappointing. They compose the position group that is holding Notre Dame back and will ultimately cost the Irish a trip to the BCS. Even highly-recruited freshman Manti Te'o, after a dynamic opening effort, has somehow become mired in the mediocrity.

Dominant defensive teams have dominant play at linebacker, and Notre Dame's must step up. Without injured wide receiver Michael Floyd, the Irish have to anticipate a lull in offensive production, and a corresponding commitment to defense is the only way to compensate.

So how can the men in the middle become more productive?

If I were them , I'd ask Kyle McCarthy.

Why NBA's David Stern Must Punish Derrick Rose

Trey Bradley — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:46:39 -0400

Based on what we know of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, how would he handle the Derrick Rose situation?

Come on, humor me.

Hypothetically, a No. 1 NFL draft pick is found to have falsified his SATs. He never should have been eligible to play for that top 10 college football program, the one that landed him on national television, took him to the BCS, and skyrocketed his draft stock.

Based on Roger Goodell's track record, would he not be tempted to fine or suspend that player?

After all, if he can't or won't, who else will?

Not the player's new team. They're afraid of offending their multimillion dollar investment.

Not the NCAA. When it comes to athletes-turned-professional, they have less jurisdiction than the Podunk Police Department.

However, the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy has expanded the commissioner's disciplinary power to a virtually limitless extent. Goodell has used it to set new precedent, and to serve notice to future offenders.

---

By now, we know more than we need to, and more than Derrick Rose ever hoped we would, about his eligibility issues at Memphis.

His decisions—and no matter who else was involved in the artifice, the blame is ultimately Rose's—have contributed to forfeiture of a record number of wins, the denigration of a college basketball program, and the untold financial consequences that go along with it.

Mercifully for Memphis, it could have been much worse.

Yet how is Rose affected?

He got exactly what he intended out of his illegitimate short stint in college hoops, including NBA Draft eligibility, a No. 1 overall selection, and millions in salary and endorsements.

Memo to all teenage basketball phenoms: get through that NCAA Clearinghouse by any means necessary...Because by the time they catch you, they'll no longer have authority over you.

Which brings us to David Stern.

Here's a man so concerned with his league's image that he instituted a dress code. And he's the one man who still has the authority to reprimand Rose.

Whether or not Stern can fine or suspend a player for something he did prior to NBA employment is admittedly above my pay grade. Whether or not he should is far more straightforward.

In Rose, the NBA now has one of those dreaded image problems. A rising young star playing in a major market whose offseason will be remembered not for all the work he put in, but rather for the work he had others do for him.

Unfortunately, Rose probably wasn't the first to cheat on his SAT or have a high school grade adjusted in order to gain admission to an elite Division I program. Nor will he be the last, unless some measure of discipline is meted out.

So Mr. Stern, while this isn't a duty that should have been left to you, we ask that you accept it nonetheless.

After all, if you don't, who will?

Notre Dame's 2009 Football Schedule: Enough Already

Trey Bradley — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:51:50 -0400

Manageable.

Ugh. It's like describing a blind date as "nice."

Sure, Notre Dame's 2009 schedule is "manageable." The Irish are independent. They, like everyone else in college football, want to play seven home games. They, unlike everyone else, aren't constrained by a conference schedule handed down by the league.

So yes, the schedule is manageable. That's by design and administrators have spent years getting it to this point.

Shouldn't analysts be required to delve a little deeper into a preview of the most publicized program in college football? Because when they talk about Charlie Weis' "manageable schedule" they're insinuating one of two things—and neither is true.

First, that Notre Dame's schedule is soft...and shame on them for taking advantage of their independence.

Actually, Irish opponents won 76 games last season. And that includes a whopping five victories from Washington, Washington State, and Michigan combined.

So essentially, with three BCS-conference programs dragging tail through rebuilding seasons, Notre Dame's opponents still averaged better than the bowl-eligible threshold of six wins.

To put that figure in proper context, Texas' 2009 opponents won 80 games last season. Mississippi's won 77. Penn State's won 72.

It's also worth pointing out that the Irish still have not dipped into the FCS pool and never will.

If Irish-haters aren't scoffing at Notre Dame's " manageable" schedule, Notre Dame supporters are using it to justify why this squad has the potential to be great, maybe even BCS-worthy.

Excuse me?

If the Irish schedule is manageable, why should nine wins be celebrated? If Florida or Ohio State or Oklahoma would run through this slate unscathed, why should Notre Dame be rewarded for anything less?

The beauty of it all is that Jimmy Clausen and company will be on national television 12 times this season, and there's no break in the schedule for Northern Arizona or Eastern Illinois. It makes the Irish the easiest program in the country to objectively evaluate.

Watch, critique, and rank accordingly.

If Notre Dame pummels a schedule consisting entirely of BCS-conference programs, that is a legitimate statement. The BCS invite is in the mail.

If, in recent Irish form, they play down to the level of their opponents and muddle their way to 8-4 or 9-3, that tells us something, too. Gator Bowl or bust.

In the sense that Notre Dame plays one of the fairest, most balanced schedules in the college football, "manageable" is exactly the right word to describe it.

And just as the Irish can't rely on a manageable schedule to field a competitive football team, analysts shouldn't use a manageable schedule to discredit or validate Notre Dame's expectations for 2009.

If Only College Basketball Had What College Football Has to Offer

Trey Bradley — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:36:09 -0400

While reading Ivan Maisel's recent article about the returning crop of Heisman candidates in 2009, I couldn't help but be struck by the disparity between what college football and basketball offer the casual observer.

Certainly, it's not every year that Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, and Taylor Mays return to Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, and USC, respectively.

But by and large, the minimum three-year career of an elite football player dwarfs that of the one-and-done hoopster. This allows fan bases to get to know their gridiron idols, media to unearth and disseminate their personal stories, and enables personal and team rivalries to develop.

Consider with me the possibility that the four best college-eligible basketball players in the country had not entered the 2009 NBA Draft.

Blake Griffin would be back at OU for his junior season, most likely triggering the resignation of Pat Knight.

Hasheem Thabeet could have solidified his reputation as the most dominant defensive center in Big East history.

James Harden could make amends for his NCAA disappearing act.

And Tyreke Evans...well since Memphis has become a dumpster fire, why don't we just substitute the possibility that Steph Curry could have returned to pursue the Division I scoring record at, of all places, Davidson.

Those four players alone could guarantee national appeal in every region of the country with compelling story lines and surefire professional talent.

I've never been a proponent of legislating the amount of time that an athlete must stay in college, and this article isn't intended to support an attempt to do so.

But as a passionate fan of college football and basketball, I've increasingly felt a gravitational pull to one over the other. And I think it's worth identifying why.

My hope is that the forces in college basketball, and the advisers of college basketball players, can somehow (maybe through osmosis) absorb the philosophy of college football.

McCoy, Bradford, Tebow, and Mays all took out insurance policies against their NFL futures in order to pursue one more chance at a BCS title. Certainly there are agents out there willing to offer similar policies to the likes of Griffin, Thabeet, Harden, and Curry.

Until then, football will continue to monopolize September through January, at which point we'll once again adopt a freshman hoops star to keep us company, at least for a few months.

Trey's Table: Roger Federer's Wimbledon Win Over Andy Roddick

Trey Bradley — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:33:27 -0400

The only thing that will last longer than Sunday's fifth set at Wimbledon is the memory of another epic gentlemen's final. That's why we've enlisted the opinions of Bleacher Report's top tennis analysts to weigh in on five burning questions, one for each set, following Roddick vs. Federer. As Long John Silver, Rohini Iyer, J.A. Allen, and Rob York pull up a chair at Trey's Table, I encourage you to visit their pages for more top-notch tennis coverage.

1. In light of last year's championship, and given that Nadal could not participate in 2009, could anyone have anticipated a better Wimbledon final? Where is its place in history?

York: I wrote earlier in the week that for this year’s final to match last year’s we needed Andy Murray in the final, and many of my fellow Bleacher Creatures were in agreement. Roddick, for all his accomplishments, was not the equal of Federer or Nadal. How wrong we were.

I don’t think this match will be as highly regarded as last year’s but it would have to rank in the top five Wimbledon finals of all time, certainly.

Allen: It will rank high in all future discussions of five-set Wimbledon finals. I give it the number four spot. The feeling before the match was that Federer was a lock, but that was not the case. The action was tense and exciting and the tennis was superlative. Memorable match.

No. 1 - Bjorn Borg vs. John McEnroe 1980
No. 2 - Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer 2008
No. 3 – Goran Ivanisevic vs. Pat Rafter 2001
No. 4 – Roger Federer vs. Andy Roddick 2009
No. 5 – Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal 2007
No. 6 – Stefan Edberg vs. Boris Becker 1990

Silver: For the most part, no, we could not have anticipated that showing. Even after yesterday, I am not sure we can compare the finals last year and this year.

Last year was more astonishing baseline rallies. This year was more classic grass court serve and return tennis. They were different match ups and it felt very different. In history, I think it is up there with one of the most important matches Federer has won in his career, may be top six or top seven.

Iyer: No it couldn’t have; the match in my opinion was a perfect roller coaster of emotions and drama, the pendulum oscillating between both the players equally. Each and every fan watching the match from their TV sets or straight sitting in the stands would have felt his heart beating a violent tattoo against his chest—the octane pumping from both ends made us slip constantly to the edge of our seats.

2. With Sampras in attendance, Federer surpassed his record, earning a 15th Grand Slam title. In your estimation, is Federer now the greatest that's ever lived? If not, what must he still prove?

Silver: In my two cents worth judgment, he is. Sampras never conquered the French clay. Federer did last month.

Let me put it this way: Federer is the best player of the Open Era. Before the Open Era, Laver never played for five years in his prime, and he has 11 titles. So, that’s the only end note to that statement.

In Sampras’ defense, he held the No. 1 ranking longer than Federer, and Bjorg won the French and Wimbledon consecutively for five years (Federer has done that one time). But I still think Federer is the GOAT (Greatest of ALL Time) after Open Era because of his scorching consistency—21 consecutive Slam semi-finals. Beat that.

Allen: Yes, Federer is the greatest ever... probably. Rod Laver says he is the best of his era. But, the final word on this “greatest ever” distinction should be made once his career has ended and not before. It is difficult to gauge the depth and breath of his tennis career while it continues.

Iyer: Yes, he is; if we take into consideration say a Bjorn Borg and compare Roger Federer with him, Federer will emerge as a better player for the simple reason that Borg never won anything except his record winning performances at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, not to mention that he gave it up when he was dethroned by McEnroe in 1981; a true champion never gives up.

If we take Pete Sampras, then he will have to be overlooked because while he managed to grab seven Wimbledon titles, he wasn’t even remotely close to reaching a French Open final, let alone win it; also, statistically while it took 12 years for Pete to achieve his count of 14, it has taken Federer half of that to make it beyond that legend.

His consistency has been remarkable and it’s this consistency that determines and concretes his place as the greatest.

But at the same time, the same argument will be questioned a bit when Federer and Laver will be compared. The man was a legend, winning 198 titles, not to forget two Golden Slams and that, too, not in two consecutive years, but six years apart.

If the rules would have allowed professionals to contest in the slams as opposed to only the amateurs, then Laver’s tally of slam victories would have definitely been more than what Sampras achieved and what Federer was able to surpass, in such a scenario Federer’s validity as the GOAT does remain under a cloud of doubt.

York: Federer clinched the status of best of the Open Era (1969 and after) when he won in Paris. As great as the achievements of Sampras and Borg are, Federer has now clearly overtaken them.

His only true competition now is with pre-Open Era players. Laver won the Grand Slam twice, seven years apart. Pancho Gonzales was the world’s best for eight years. Bill Tilden created the concept of a professional tennis player.

Whether or not Federer is greater than they were can only ever be a matter of opinion.

3. Based on his performance alone, do you believe Federer would have won either the French or Wimbledon titles if he had been forced to face Nadal in the final?

Allen: That is like asking if Federer would have won if there had been an eclipse of the sun or if the stadium had blown away. There is no way to answer the question objectively. We all imagine that Nadal would have made an impact, but someone else took him out at the French and his injury kept him away from Wimbledon. Not a relevant question.

York: Both Roddick and Soderling are tough, huge-hitting players, but Federer went into both of their matches with extremely favorable records against them. Having Nadal and his 13 prior victories over the Swiss across the net would certainly have changed that dynamic.

I won’t go any more in depth into this subject, though, because I’d not want to imply that Federer doesn’t deserve this. He’s not only talented, but wholly professional and a superb ambassador for the sport.

Silver: It’s a hypothetical question, and the answer to it will not make any difference to what reality is. Mate, you can only play who showed up to play on the Second Sunday of a slam.

Iyer: Roland Garros would have been difficult for Federer to triumph, though definitely not impossible; when you lose to your rival in a most humiliating manner, that rankles a lot and Federer’s 2008 RG loss would have played a pivotal role in this year’s final had Rafa contested that. Federer would have had to summon every ounce of mental solidity in addition to his clay court prowess to edge past Rafa if Rafa was his rival on the seventh of June, 2009.

Wimbledon, however, remains another matter, for Federer was possessed to regain that silverware back from Rafa, so it was always a moot point in Federer’s favour-come hell, come rain!

4. Put yourself in Andy Roddick's seat on that transatlantic flight back to the States. What must he be feeling, and will he ever win another major?

Silver: What must he be feeling… ‘Where’s the Sam Adams I asked for 15 minutes ago? I just want to get out into the sea on my boat in Austin (TX) with Brook.'

He’ll be all right. This is Justin Gimelstob’s tweet last night:

just left Andy at his rented house. he has a great team of people around him that care about him. he knows he has a lot to be proud of.

Will ROD win another slam? Of course he will. May I dare say, Big Apple 2009.

York: The last Wimbledon final he lost to Federer was in 2005 and it sent his career into a tailspin. That match was over in straight sets, so this loss is both better and worse for the American.

It's better because it showed Roddick can stay with Federer, and worse because he lost despite playing (and competing) his best. I wish I could say for certain that he will win another, because no other One-Slam Wonder has ever more deserved to shake that label.

Allen: Andy Roddick played his heart out on Sunday and he proved that he has the arsenal and temperament to win a major. He will. He is a year younger than Federer and does well on hard courts. In fact, his one slam title was earned at the U.S. Open. There is no reason to doubt Roddick's ability to recapture that title even as soon as 2009.

Iyer: He would have definitely been shaken and demoralised, but at the same time he would have understood that Federer is not an invincible factor and even he can get past him if he tries and zeroes in on the right moves; and, yes, he does have the potential to get himself another slam or two. He has resurrected himself into a rival who can pose a stiff challenge to the top three contenders and possibly create an upset!

5. Federer said in a post-match interview that breaking records has never been his concern, and that he hopes to enjoy competitive tennis for many years to come. How many majors will he own when his career is finished?

Iyer: Anything between 17-20 and only if he is able to maintain this level of consistency, fitness, and resolute determination.

York: Before Nadal reached No. 1, it looked like Federer might win 20. Before Nadal’s injury, it looked liked Federer might need to work at it for years to get 15. Therefore, you can understand my wariness when predicting this outcome. I think 18 is reasonable, though.

Allen: I grant him 20 majors if his present fitness and health continue. That is what Pete Sampras predicts and who am I to argue with the master?

Silver: Let’s say he will play another good three to four years. He will always be hard to beat in London, so three more—another three more in other places, combined. 21 or 22 when he is done. Cheers.

Editorial Comments

Excellent analysis, ladies and gentlemen. We appreciate you taking the time to weigh in with candid responses from international perspectives.

Question Three was certainly the wild card, and I wasn't surprised to see some of you discard it as unreasonably hypothetical. I think we all understand the intention behind it, however. To solidify his legacy as the greatest of all time, Federer needs to solidify his legacy as the greatest of his generation. He's indisputably the most consistent and accomplished. But until he dispatches Rafa in a Grand Slam final while both are in their prime, Federer is leaving the door open to doubt.

Well done, and I look forward to any further thoughts in the comments section.

Under the Bleachers: Why's Carroll so Cranky?

Trey Bradley — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:25:39 -0400

What's Up with Pete Carroll?

It's not that headlines are associating his football program with what's going on within USC basketball. It's that USC basketball is making headlines, period. Whatever happened to the good old Jim Saia days?

Tebow Has Ole Miss to Thank

Did Ole Miss win a national championship vicariously through Florida, or is that just what Houston Nutt has been telling recruits?

Top 10 WR/TE in Michigan History

Surprisingly, leading the NFL in dropped passes didn't cost Braylon Edwards any ground in these rankings.

Who Says Notre Dame's Schedule Isn't Tough?

Washington State and Purdue aren't going to win you any SOS points with the BCS computers. But after losing to Syracuse, the Irish are more concerned with finding enough points to win.

The Worst Jobs in College Football

Trey Bradley — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:29:06 -0400

This side of the BCS, there isn't much to complain about in college football. If you're fortunate enough to be employed by, involved or associated with the game, life doesn't get much better. College football is one of the most popular, fastest growing sports in America. In turn, it generates massive revenues that can support entire university athletic budgets while filling the coffers at ESPN, FOX, CBS, and maybe even Versus. Not to mention it's chock-full of young, educated, good-looking people. So while you'd have to be related to Bill Callahan to turn down a job on the college grids, I believe I've found a few gigs in the sport that you couldn't pay me enough to sign up for.

Begin Slideshow

Under the Bleachers: 2009's Greatest Gator Matchups

Trey Bradley — Tue, 26 May 2009 10:16:10 -0400

Florida's Most Anticipated Matchups

As much as we'd like to see it, Urban Meyer and Lane Kiffin aren't going to get down in a three point stance anytime soon. That's Pete Carroll territory.

Here's an article that takes a look at actual player matchups based on Florida's 2009 schedule. As for who would have the edge if Meyer and Kiffin lined up? Who cares? Neither would stand a chance against Les Miles.

Toughest Road Win in the Pac-10

Of course, Florida gets a pass for their one loss at home last season. But how many times have we seen USC drop one on the road and get left out of the BCS title game?

So where might the Trojans have the toughest time in 2009?

Here's a hint: It starts with a "H", ends in "-shoe" and you won't find it on this list of west coast venues.

The 10 Best Defensive Players in the ACC

This article rightly points out that the conference may be without Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich, who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Herzlich is the ACC's reigning defensive player of the year, and his are big shoes to fill.

The 10 Best Offensive Players in the ACC

Most of us would agree that Florida State's move to Christian Ponder at quarterback last year was the right one. But what ever happened to Drew Weatherford? Last we heard, he was battling for the Bears' fourth-string gig.

Makes sense. They've been willing to take on underachieving quarterbacks from Florida.

Playing Safety for Nick Saban

Nick Saban consideres safety play his forte, so the pressure is on guys like Ali Sharrief and Mark Barron. Their task is akin to taking piano from Beethoven. Arts and crafts with Martha Stewart. Or singing lessons from Susan Boyle.

Under The Bleachers: Best Head Coaching Gigs in College Football

Trey Bradley — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:40:24 -0400

Top 10 College Football Jobs

Look, just because we're jealous Doug Marrone got it, doesn't mean we have to leave Syracuse off this list of the best head coaching opportunities.

Why Nick Saban is Part of 'Bama Nation

How did our Alabama insider get this out of Nick Saban?

"This is my last stop 'til I go to the lake house and hang it up."

He told the Crimson Tide head coach to cross his fingers and tell us something funny. No seriously, it's a direct quote, check it out.

Five Defensive Players to Watch

It's a mistake to not include at least one Big Ten defender in this slideshow.

Someone in that conference is going to have a statistical field day against Kellen Lewis' former backup. The dude threw more interceptions than touchdowns last season before getting kicked off the team this spring.

The NBA Guide for CFB Fans

As May continues to crawl by, it's no wonder college football season doesn't seem to be getting any closer to kickoff.

After all, by the time this God-forsaken month ends, the NBA still won't have crowned a champion.

But here's a guide to pro basketball that every college football junkie needs to read. It may open your eyes, or at least help you close them until September.

Notre Dame's Dollars Don't Add Up

Everyone accuses the Irish of being all about the money. But truth be told, they could earn a bigger share of TV revenue by joining the Big Ten.

Either way, let's celebrate the fact that we can finally read a Notre Dame article that doesn't mention Obama or abortion.

Under the Bleachers: Rich Rod Ready for BCS Title Game

Trey Bradley — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:37:08 -0400

The Next Second-Year Coach to Win It All

Rich Rod? Seriously? Mike Sherman and Paul Wulff might have better odds.

Is Greg Robinson a Good Hire?

The former Syracuse head coach takes over the Wolverine defense this year. The question is whether or not he's the right fit for Ann Arbor—at least he knows how to beat Notre Dame with the equivalent of FCS talent. Oh, we're not supposed to mention those three little letters in the Big House, are we?

Notre Dame and the Big East: Beneficial or Burdensome?

And to think it all comes down to the Gator Bowl tie-in. Heck, give one spot to the Irish and the other to the Big East runner-up. Then they'll both be happy and we won't have to see either in the BCS.

Steve Spurrier Should Stay Out of Urban Meyer's Business

If you can't beat 'em, suggest he take the Notre Dame gig—thata way, Ole Ball Coach. What a classy approach to protecting your Gator legacy.

Conference Power Rankings

Why is everyone laughing at the Big East and Pac-10? Because they're looking up at the Big Ten in this formulaic evaluation of conference strength.

Under the Bleachers: Why USC Fears Washington in 2009

Trey Bradley — Mon, 11 May 2009 11:18:41 -0400

Can NFL Careers Tarnish College Legacies

Matt Leinart and Vince Young are two of the greatest college quarterbacks of all time. But saying those words out loud feels a little bit awkward given how pathetic their professional careers have been ever since. It’s akin to calling Macaulay Culkin one of the best childhood actors of all time.

Top 10 Seniors in the 2010 Draft

What does Roger Goodell do in the offseason? Practice pronunciations for college seniors like Nebraska defensive end Ndamukong Suh.

Top 25: May Edition

So much has happened since spring football wrapped up in April, we felt compelled to update our rankings.

USC’s Five Toughest Games in 2009

If recent history holds, at least one inferior opponent will jump up and get the Trojans this fall. It usually happens on the road, when USC is coming off either a big win or a bye, and always before the month of November. No wonder Pete Carroll’s been having Washington Huskies nightmares.

Grading the SEC APR

How tough is the SEC? It’s only May and there’s already been an upset: Georgia finished ahead of Vanderbilt in the Academic Progress Reports.