I know, believe me, I know it has been awhile, folks. I've been busy doing some things behind the scenes, but I am finally back on my normal beat, and with a vengeance. Believe me, I'm so happy to be back to doing the mailbag! Thanks to everyone who sent in submissions. Here we go, people!

Oh and haikus!

I think Finebaum wins
Probably some classic games
And a cooking show

But, seriously, I think Finebaum will be the SEC Network's cornerstone in the afternoons. It is low budget programming, not from a quality standpoint, but from a "it doesn't cost a ton to televise a radio show" standpoint. Stationary cameras, general lighting and go from there. There's a reason CBS, Fox and ESPN all do that already.

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There is a new playoff system looming on the horizon, yet the American Athletic Conference is looking to add another bowl to the veritable smorgasbord of postseason destinations. And, folks, there is not a thing wrong with that.

Mike Aresco, commissioner of the AAC, formerly the Big East, told the Tampa Bay Times that his league was looking into carving out its own niche in the conference-owned bowl landscape. The game, possibly to be held at the new Miami Marlins baseball stadium, would be a sort of Pinstripe Bowl South; football played at an outdoor baseball park.

Dr. Fan Huff'n'Puff and Cynical Media Guy won't like this. They think there are too many bowl games already. They think that there is no point to teams going to these meaningless bowl games that they swear they do not watch.

That is quite OK. They do not have to like it. They do not even have to watch.

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The buzz began with one image, a scene so unfathomable it had to be photo-shopped. 

But it wasn’t.

Tree-trunk legs with a waistline that would be chest-high for most. An upper body that made the No. 96 look remarkably out of scale. Just mass, endless mass, and a low-cut jersey that could serve as a gown for us mere mortals.

The legend of Tennessee defensive tackle Daniel McCullers and his incredible physical presence has grown since this image (on the right) surfaced. Others photos have followed, each just as hard to comprehend. With a season in the SEC under his massive belt, however, the potential of college football’s biggest being remains a mystery.

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For the first time in a while, Todd Graham is staying put. He’s not moving his family across the country to a new city for a new job, with  another batch of angry fans trailing the plane with pitchforks and torches. Instead, he's remaining at Arizona State, where the future is brighter than it has looked in some time.

In the case of the 2013 season, things could be very bright. Other teams in the Pac-12 will garner headlines and preseason praise, just like they always do. But  there’s a quiet optimism surrounding a Sun Devils team that will return many key pieces.

Arizona State’s 2012 started on a promising note, thanks in large part to a gift from the scheduling gods, although as the competition increased—especially during a monthlong stretch during the heart of the schedule—the losses began to mount. Still, Graham’s test drive, which culminated in a blowout victory over Navy in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, was a success given the circumstances.

The term “sleeper” has been beaten to death, although it applies in this case. If Arizona State can stay afloat during a brutal early stretch of its schedule, a breakout season could be on the horizon.

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Regardless of your thoughts on the Wes Lunt situation, the controversy surrounding his transfer speaks to the pressing need for a standardized means of handling transfer scenarios.

Friday, news broke that former 4-star quarterback would see his transfer efforts greatly hindered by Oklahoma State. The Tulsa World reported that Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy is barring the rising sophomore, who was asked to redshirt this season, from transferring to any school in the SEC and Pac-12, along with Southern Mississippi. That is, of course, in addition to the standard blocking of in-conference schools and teams on future schedules.

Hence, Central Michigan showing up on the list of places the Pokes will not release Lunt.

Gundy's actions certainly set the criticism world ablaze. ESPN's David Ubben commented on the specifics of the story. Yahoo!'s Frank Schwab also had thoughts on the petty nature of the decision, as did Matt Murschel of the Orlando Sentinel.

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Do you hear that? That’s the sound of a lumbering herd of NFL scouts returning to civilization after a few weeks of R and R.

With a fresh crop of future NFL players ready to be gauged, the year-long process of football study is underway yet again. For Johnny Manziel—college football’s great electrifying chain-mover—this dissection (and predictable doubt to accompany it) will be persistent, regardless of how close he comes to matching impossible expectations.

Think Alabama will be Manziel’s biggest obstacle in 2013? Or, perhaps his late November trip to Baton Rouge? Or, if things go exceptionally well, maybe this obstacle will come during the SEC or even BCS Championship Games?

As daunting as these on-field opponents might be, NFL scouts could prove to be his most worthy adversary. Nothing is confirmed that Manziel’s second season as starter will be his last, although he’s not exactly shying away from this talk either.

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If you’re a regular at recruiting websites, a few trends have become apparent in recent years.

There’s been a sudden surplus of 6’5'', 250-pound 17-year-olds capable of running a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. The athleticism—especially near the pinnacle of these rankings—is consistently astounding but almost assumed at this point. Physical freaks are no longer a rarity, but we still marvel at their presence.

And while size and speed are at a premium with both defensive and offensive linemen now consuming most of the elite prospect levels, the blue-chip quarterback has seemingly disappeared. They exist, although not like they once did.

In the recruiting world, the most important position isn’t grabbing the 5-star, “can’t miss” headliners. In fact, despite being the position fans flock toward and schools market around, the same one which has come home with the Heisman in 11 of the past 12 years, scouting of the quarterback still remains an inexact science.

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Jimbo Fisher has been put in an impossible predicament, one that will spark criticism and controversy regardless of the eventual outcome. Yet, even though Florida State has done absolutely nothing wrong in this instance, it needs to reconsider its position and release 5-star linebacker recruit Matthew Thomas from his letter of intent.

Its firm stance against doing so, while understandable given the circumstances, accomplishes little. The concern over setting a recruiting precedent might actually pale in comparison to the national perception—unfair or not—brought on by the school simply standing its ground.

The situation is well known by now. 

Thomas, the No. 14 player in the class of 2013, according to 247Sports, committed to Florida State on national signing day by submitting his signed letter of intent. As it turns out, this decision was greatly influenced by his mother—something he discussed in a recent interview with The Miami Herald.

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