CBSSpor Alab No. 1.

Coach Nick Saban has the Tide rolling the way Bear Bryant did in his day, in the top spot of the Associated Press preseason poll for the first time since 1978.

Alabama received 54 of 60 first-place votes from the media panel and 1,491 points to easily outdistance No. 2 Ohio State in the Top 25 released Saturday.

The Buckeyes, who have been ranked no lower than 11th in the last eight preseason polls, received three first-place votes.

Boise State is No. 3, its best preseason ranking, following another undefeated season. Underdogs no more, the Broncos even received one first-place vote.

Florida, Alabamas Southeastern Conference rival, is No. 4. No. 5 Texas received a first-place vote.

The rest of the top 10 has TCU at No. 6, followed by Oklahoma, which received a first-place vote, Nebraska, Iowa and Virginia Tech.

The 10th-ranked Hokies face Boise State at FedEx Field, home of the Washington Redskins, on Labor Day night in the seasons first huge game.

As for Alabama, Bryant was coach the last time the Crimson Tide was the APs preseason No. 1. The Tide started and finished that 1978 season on top of the rankings, the first of two straight national championships for Alabama. The only other time Alabama was preseason No. 1 was 1966, when Bears boys were coming off back-to-back national championships.

Sabans Tide, led by Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, will try to make Alabama the first program to win back-to-back AP titles three times. Oklahoma and Nebraska also have done it twice.

But at least not in front of its coach.

“What was accomplished by last years team has nothing to do with this years team. The players have to understand that,” said Saban, who in three seasons has fully restored Alabamas status as an elite program. “This team has to develop an image, an identity of its own by its performance. What was accomplished last year is just a standard for somebody else to top.

“Complacency is why the mighty fall.”

Saban has been trying to downplay this teams No. 1 worthiness since the morning after the Tide beat Texas 37-21 at the Rose Bowl to win the BCS championship.

Back in January he practically was lamenting the fact that his team likely would be preseason No. 1 in 2010, quick to point out that while the Tides offense would be returning most of its stars, its dominant defense was facing major turnover.

Gone are All-Americans Terrence Cody, Rolando McClain, Javier Arenas and six other starters from last season.

Stepping in will be a cast of former five-star recruits and talented players who will be asked to expand their roles.

“We have confidence in our defensive players. I think its more a matter of knowledge and experience and maturity that the defense is going to have to develop,” Saban said.

Donta Hightower returns from a knee injury to fill McClains spot at middle linebacker and defensive end Marcell Dareus, the star of the BCS title game, becomes the headliner up front - as long as an NCAA investigation doesnt sideline him.

“You cant really promote guys into leadership roles,” Saban said. “I think that its something that sort of grows, develops and happens because of personality types and respect that other players have.”

Saban has little to worry about on the offensive side. Ingram and sidekick Trent Richardson will run behind an experienced line, so the ground game should continue to churn out big yards.

Greg McElroy returns for his second season as starting quarterback and he has plenty of enticing receivers, led by NFL prototype wideout Julio Jones.

“We played early on last season and at times during the season to protect the quarterback a little bit,” Saban said. “We thought we had a really good defense and we could run the ball well, we could afford to do that. But I dont think thats going to be the case this year. We have too many good skill players on offense.”

Theres no doubting Alabama has the credentials to be No. 1, but poll history suggests the odds are against the Tide finishing on top again.

Only 10 of the 60 previous preseason No. 1 teams have won the national championship. And only two (Florida State in 99 and Southern California in 04) have held the top spot for the entire season.

The second 10 in the preseason Top 25 starts with Oregon. The defending Pac-10 champion Ducks are No. 11.

No. 12 is Wisconsin and Miami is 13th.

Southern California is No. 14. The last time the Trojans started a season outside the top 10 was 2002, Pete Carrolls second season as coach. Carroll is gone and USC is dealing with NCAA sanctions under new coach Lane Kiffin that prevent the Trojans from playing in the postseason this season.

Pittsburgh, the highest-ranked Big East team, is No. 15.

Georgia Tech, Arkansas, North Carolina, Penn State and Florida State round out the top 20.

No. 21 LSU is followed by Auburn and Georgia, giving the SEC six teams in the preseason rankings, the most of any conference. The Atlantic Coast Conference is second with five ranked teams.

Oregon State is No. 24 and West Virginia is 25.

Posted on August 21st, 2010 by admin
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CBSSports.com Fresno State and Nevada should not expect any parting gifts from the other members of the Western Athletic Conference when the Bulldogs and Wolf Pack leave for the Mountain West.

WAC commissioner Karl Benson said on Thursday the departing schools will have to pay $5 million to his league and wait until 2012 to move after accepting the MWCs invitation and dismantling an agreement the WAC was on the verge of completing with BYU.

The Cougars were in line to rejoin the WAC in all sports other than football, in which BYU would have become an independent.

Benson called Fresno State and Nevadas decision “selfish.”

“In a 12-hour period, the WAC went from having a secure and prosperous future to once again not knowing what the future will hold,” Benson said in a conference call.

MWC/WAC realignment Related links Changes wont change Hatchs BCS charge Fresno State, Nevada accept Mountain West invite Dodd: WAC, MWC might shuffle off BCS radar Dodd: BYUs independence no sure thing yet SI.com: Would BYU be Notre Dame or Navy Video Dodd: Mountain West Conference preview Dodd: Western Athletic Conference preview

The WAC had already lost Boise State to the MWC earlier this summer, then on Wednesday both Fresno State and Nevada received a less than a week after WAC members formed a buyout pact intended to keep what was left of the league intact.

Although Nevada did not actually sign the buyout agreement and loyalty pledge, Benson said WAC lawyers believe the Wolf Pack are still subject to the terms of the deal and will seek the money, due 60 days from Wednesday.

“I recommended [the buyout] to the board. I wish at this time I had made it $20 million,” Benson said.

And because Fresno State and Nevada didnt declare they were leaving before July 1, Benson said both are obligated to the WAC until 2012. Letting the schools go in time for next season will be up to the remaining six WAC schools.

“Only if the WAC believes that it would be in the WACs best interest that there would be an early out, would there be an early out,” Benson said.

In the meantime, the WAC is looking for members once again. Since it formed with six teams in 1962, the WAC expanded to the point of two eight-team divisions in the mid-1990s before eight schools departed and formed the Mountain West in 1999.

The WAC has managed to persevere through all the turnover, but Wednesdays departures were a definite setback, especially if the league and BYU cant rework their agreement for the Cougars to come back, albeit without football.

Benson said the arrangement was for BYU to still play four to six WAC teams per season in football and schedule the remaining openings on its own, taking advantage of the exposure on the schools BYU-TV network.

If the Cougars are still up for it, Benson said the door is open. But he didnt seem optimistic about that possibility and the Cougars were keeping quiet for a second straight day as they considered options.

West Coast Conference commissioner Jamie Zaninovich said in an e-mail he had contacted BYU to see if the school would be interested in joining his conference but had not heard back Wednesday night. The WCC does not compete in football, which would allow BYU to remain independent and would give them another potential option if they dont want to join a depleted WAC.

The remaining WAC members are Hawaii, Utah State, New Mexico State, Louisiana Tech, San Jose State and Idaho. Benson said the league will look at other schools, including members of the Football Championship Subdivision that may be interested in moving up a division and joining.

“I would expect that were going to continue to see other movements and additional restructuring across the board,” he said. “Obviously as the WAC rebuilds we will need to look at other conferences. Unfortunately over the course of the last 15 years the WAC has done that on a fairly regular basis. When weve done it, weve done it in an aboveboard fashion.”

Utah State, which joined the league with New Mexico State and Idaho in 2005, was also approached by the MWC, but the Aggies felt the agreement already in place within the WAC was binding, athletic director Scott Barnes said in an open letter released Thursday afternoon.

“We were simply committed to uphold our agreement with fellow WAC members,” Barnes wrote.

While Benson was still seething about Fresno State and Nevada, his remarks softened a little when asked about the moves from the Mountain Wests standpoint and MWC commissioner Craig Thompsons quick push to get the Bulldogs and Wolf Pack on board if BYU did in fact leave.

“He has a job to do and I have a job to do. Our jobs are to put our respective organizations in the best possible position for success for our member institutions. I dont look at it as necessarily predatory,” he said. “I think were all chasing the BCS. Were chasing recognition and notoriety and were chasing the financial benefits that come with the BCS.”

Thompson said Wednesday night that adding Fresno State and Nevada was not designed to thwart BYUs departure by weakening the WAC.

Benson had a very different take.

“My opinion, it was very clear to me and to the WAC membership that the Fresno and Nevada invitation was direct result of BYUs interest of going independent and joining the WAC,” he said.

Benson said the WAC will also have to re-negotiate its TV deal with ESPN.

Nevada athletic director Cary Groth said Wednesday night that the move made sense for the Wolf Pack in enough ways to jump despite the potential buyout and negative feelings from the rest of the league. The Reno school expects to be able to cut travel expenses now that Hawaii and Louisiana Tech will no longer be on upcoming schedules.

“The exposure of the Mountain West also has been a little stronger than the WAC,” Groth told the Associated Press. “Id say those two factors particularly played a role.”

Posted on August 20th, 2010 by admin
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CBSSports.com w Ara Parseghian knows a thing or two about winning football games at Notre Dame and the 87-year-old former Fighting Irish coach delivered a message to the current team Thursday.

As players gathered around in a huddle just after warmups, current coach Brian Kelly introduced the white-haired Parseghian, who then gave about a five-minute talk to the players, many of whom had never met him or heard him speak.

“It was really cool to be on the field and have him come out and really take control of the huddle,” Kelly said

“This was not walking out a guy that doesnt have an aura about him. He walked out there, took over and what it takes to win. It was just a great message.”

Parseghian was 95-17-4 in 11 seasons starting in 1964 and led the Irish to national titles in 1966 and 1973.

“It was just kind of neat to hear it from someone who was so successful here. It was just kinda of awesome,” place-kicker Nick Tausch said.

“It was really inspirational. Actually I had never seen him or met him in person. It was a great experience,” said linebacker Anthony McDonald, who was sidelined by a hyperexteded knee and entered the practice facility using a cane.

Kelly, who had talked previously with Parseghian after taking the Notre Dame job, said he didnt go into great detail introducing the famous coach.

“I didnt preface it by talking about him other than heres somebody whos talking to you whos won two national championships at Notre Dame,” Kelly said. “I dont think you can have a better message than this one.”

Notes: McDonald, a potential starter, was hurt during a goal line stand drill when he got hit, his foot stuck and he got knocked backward. He could be back in a couple of days. … NG Ian Williams is bothered by an infected toe and two players whove had concussion symptoms, C Dan Wenger and OT Matt Romine, are progressing but being teated cautiously because of the heat. … Kelly said star TE Kyle Rudolph, bothered all camp by a sore hamstring, has been shut down until Monday. … TE Mike Ragone, whod been hospitalized last week for heat illness, was able to go full speed for half of the practice. Kelly said he expects all of the injured to be ready for the opener against Purdue on Sept. 4

Posted on August 20th, 2010 by admin
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CBSSports.co Nebraska coach Bo Pelinis hard line with the media on Wednesday morning seemed to be softening by nightfall.

Irritated by some media members reporting methods, Pelini announced he was cutting off access to players and coaches for three days.

But in a phone interview with the Associated Press on Wednesday night, the mercurial third-year coach said he might relent and allow access sometime before Saturday.

“I dont want this place to be Fort Knox,” he said. “Thats not my nature.”

Practices under Pelini have always been closed, except for the first 15 minutes most days. Interviews are conducted after practices.

The ban on reporters came after athletic department spokesman Keith Mann told reporters this week to not use the open period of practice to compile injury lists.

Several media outlets, citing eyewitnesses, reported Tuesday night that linebacker Sean Fisher was taken off the field with a leg injury and that there were a number of fights at practice.

Pelini usually meets with reporters after three or four practices a week, but he wasnt scheduled to speak Tuesday, and he didnt make an exception to address Fishers injury.

Pelini confirmed Wednesday night that Fisher broke his leg and is out for the season. He also said backup cornerback Anthony Blue tore his anterior cruciate ligament Tuesday and is out.

Pelini said he was upset with reporters who called Fishers family and high school coach to get confirmation of the injury.

“The kid was still on the [operating] table last night, and people were calling the family,” he said. “Thats crossing the line.”

Pelini said he should be the person to release injury news.

He said he initially decided to ban the media to send a message that reporters should respect his policies. But he said a number of reporters told him that they must answer to their bosses and would continue to do whatever it takes to get a story.

“Keeping out the media for a few days apparently isnt going to change anything,” he said.

Pelini said he would continue to ban guests from practices. Typically, former players and members of current players families, among other people, are allowed to watch practices.

Pelini said a guest posted what happened at Tuesdays practice on an Internet message board.

“The guest was a friend of one of our coaches,” Pelini said. “You would think he would have known better.”

Pelini has had run-ins with the media about coverage of injuries, players legal problems and game strategy since taking over as head coach in 2008.

Last week he became visibly angry when a reporter pressed him about quarterback Taylor Martinezs absence from practice the day before.

Pelini, 42, recently said that learning how to deal with the media has been one of the biggest challenges hes faced as a head coach.

Athletic director Tom Osborne, who coached the Huskers from 1973-97, said the media lockout was Pelinis decision and that he would not comment on it.

The Huskers traditionally strong football program is easily the most scrutinized topic in this state of 1.7 million people. The team has sold out every home game since 1962, and as many as 25 reporters and photographers regularly show up for the teams post-practice media availability.

Posted on August 19th, 2010 by admin
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CBSSports.co Connecticut has indefinitely suspended backup quarterback Cody Endres and guard Erik Kuraczea.

The school would only say that Endres, a junior, and Kuraczea, a sophomore, violated school policies.

Endres started six games last season, throwing for over 1,354 yards and six touchdowns after starting quarterback Zach Frazer went down with a knee injury.

Frazer regained the job after Endres suffered a season-ending shoulder to Rutgers on Halloween night, and beat out Endres for the starting job during spring practice.

Kuraczea, a redshirt sophomore, started five games last year but was listed behind senior Mathieu Olivier at left guard this season.

Posted on August 19th, 2010 by admin
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CBSSports.com w Tennessee wants to eliminate a trip to North Carolina from its 2011 football schedule, even if it means paying a $750,000 buyout of a contract with the Tar Heels.

The two schools have a contract to play in Chapel Hill, N.C., in 2011 and in Knoxville in 2012, but Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton requested several months ago that the series be pushed back to future seasons.

Tennessees tentative 2011 schedule has the Vols hosting Cincinnati before trips to Florida and North Carolina, home games against Georgia and LSU and a trip to Alabama.

“Going into the season having two BCS non-conference opponents is problematic when youre trying to rebuild a team,” Hamilton said. “This is not a change in our scheduling philosophy, however.”

Hamilton said hes been told by North Carolina officials that the Tar Heels wont be able to delay the series to future seasons, which led to talks of a buyout of the contract. North Carolina senior associate athletic director Larry Gallo said the final outcome hasnt been decided, though, and the Tar Heels would prefer to play the series.

“The discussion obviously involves whether were going to play, whether were going to reschedule or whether were going to not play at all,” Gallo said. “We understand their reasons and so forth, however we have not come to any decision yet. Im hopeful that will happen in the next few days.”

Tennessee is in rebuilding mode after two seasons of coaching turnovers which prompted a number of players to leave the program. The Vols currently have 76 scholarship players, and coach Derek Dooley likely will need a few seasons to build the roster back to the maximum 85 scholarship positions allowed by the NCAA.

Dooley said the decision was Hamiltons.

“He doesnt do anything without at least getting my thoughts on it,” he said. “He has a real good understanding of whats important to the fans and to the program, and I have a lot of trust in how hes managing the schedule. Obviously if I was in big disagreement with what he wanted to do I would express that.”

Hamilton said the cost of the buyout would be made up by scheduling an eighth home game next season against Buffalo on the Vols Oct. 1 open date. Sept. 24, the date scheduled for the Tennessee-North Carolina matchup, would become their new open date.

Tennessee has already rescheduled one 2011 game after North Texas decided to open its season at home in its new stadium instead of on the road at Neyland Stadium. The Vols scheduled Montana in its place.

Hamilton also turned down a chance for Tennessee to face Southern California and former coach Lane Kiffin in the 2011 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game because of concerns about the Vols already difficult schedule.

Posted on August 18th, 2010 by admin
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CBSSports.com w Michigan cornerback Troy Woolfolk was taken to a hospital after being injured during practice.

Coach Rich Rodriguez says in a statement that Woolfolk sustained a “lower body injury” Tuesday afternoon. The coach declined to elaborate.

Woolfolks father Butch told the that his son dislocated his ankle and had bone and ligament damage. Butch Woolfolk was a Wolverines running back and played for the NFLs New York Giants, Houston Oilers and Detroit Lions.

Troy Woolfolk is a 6-foot, 195-pound senior from Sugar Land, Texas, and was considered a key to Michigans defense this season.

He was a 12-game starter last season and made 46 tackles, with one pass breakup.

Posted on August 18th, 2010 by admin
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CBSSports.com wir An Arkansas radio personality announced that she was fired Monday, two days after wearing a Florida Gators hat to an Arkansas Hogs news conference.

Renee Gork announced on Twitter that she had been fired by KAKS, a northwest Arkansas radio station that calls itself Hog Sports Radio. Gork had worn a Gator hat Saturday to a news conference with Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino.

Petrino, whose team lost to the Gators last season 23-20 at Florida, commented on Gorks hat after answering a question she asked. “And that will be the last question I answer with that hat on,” Petrino said.

Gork, a Florida graduate, said she grabbed the hat without thinking Saturday because it was raining outside. She also said she sent a letter of apology to the university and Petrino.

“Was hoping to publicly apologize to coach Petrino and UA fans on the show today … but I wont get that chance,” Gork wrote on KAKS Twitter account. “Ive been fired.”

Gork could not be reached Monday for comment. There was no telephone listing in her name in the Fayetteville area.

KAKS general manager Dan Storrs confirmed in a telephone interview with the Associated Press that Gork was no longer working for the station but declined to comment further, saying it was a personnel matter.

However, he added, “This radio station is Hog Sports Radio. We are very biased. We support the Razorbacks 100 percent.”

Posted on August 17th, 2010 by admin
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CBSSpor Former Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach will call games on television as he pursues a lawsuit over his firing from the school.

Cable network CBS College Sports announced Monday that Leach will work as an analyst this season.

Texas Tech fired Leach Dec. 30, two days after suspending him amid allegations he mistreated a player with a concussion. Leach has denied mistreating the player, and his lawyers have suggested he was fired because he was due to receive an $800,000 bonus Dec. 31.

Leach sued the school, claiming he is owed $9 million because of breach of contract.

Leach will work with play-by-play announcer Roger Twibell on CBS College Sports, which airs Mountain West, Conference USA and service academy games.

Posted on August 17th, 2010 by admin
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Even Derek Dooley has to know in his heart of hearts Tennessee is a mess.

Its one that can be cleaned up in time, but lets be straight about this: Maybe the best thing the Vols new coach has going for him right now is his surname. Dooley is son of one of the most respected men in the sport. Not being Lane Kiffin is a huge plus too. In Knoxville, those two things will get Vince Dooleys son through a season or two as Tennessee tries to cap its current oil spill.

Derek Dooley has a bunch of issues to straighten out before the winning can begin. (US Presswire) After that? You judge after this quick review of the immediate obstacles:

• The Vols are on their third coach in three years. It seems a lifetime since Phil Fulmer was dominating the SEC and a bitter memory that Kiffin was even in town.

• Players are learning their fifth offense in six years.

• Tennessee is assured of having a starting quarterback with, at best, 10 career Division I-A pass attempts.

• An offseason bar brawl continued what some would sugges embarrassing off-field problems.

• Kiffin has become the gift that keeps on giving. The NCAA is interested in talking to assistant coaches and at least one former player about Kiffins recruiting tactics.

• The once-mighty Vols have been picked as low as fifth in the SEC East.

“Weve certainly had our bumps along the way and well continue to have our bumps along the way,” Dooley said.

The best thin to now has been bumpy and uncertain. Football at least distracts from the other stuff and begins the process of figuring out how far the Vols have to go. This is not the year to have Oregon, LSU and Alabama on the schedule to go along with SEC East powers Florida and Georgia. Tennessees current state supports a largely unwritten story in the SEC this season: After Alabama and Florida, it is a precipitous drop down to the rest of the league. Take away the Tide and Gators, then, and the mighty SEC is down. Tennessee certainly has done its part.

Related Links Expert picks, All-SEC team, more Podcast: Aizer, Darst discuss the SEC Top 10 NFL prospects from the SEC Fantasy prep: SEC SEC on CBS schedule Team-by-team schedules Preseason Coaches Poll MaxPreps.com: Stellar recruiting in SEC Video Conference preview

Depth has been affected in some unique ways. Dooley kicked one player off the team and suspended two others (since reinstated) after that July bar brawl in Knoxville. Three prominent players have left since the end of spring practice. Nick Stephens, the only quarterback on the roster with experience, transferred to Division II Tarleton State. Right tackle Aaron Douglas, Tennessees best offensive lineman, left for Arizona Western Community College in the spring. Douglas reportedly contacted USC about joining the program in January.

The Bryce Brown situation still hangs in the air. Dooley wont release the nations former No. 1 prep tailback from his scholarship. Bro to return home to Wichita, Kan. At best, Brown will receive his release in the next two weeks and be on scholarship when he sits out at Kansas State this academic year. At worst, Dooley looks vindictive and this becomes an ugly national story. Brown has appealed to the university for his release.

“I cant answer whats going through Coach Dooleys mind,” said Arthur Brown Sr.

The pressure is on AD Mike Hamilton as much as it is Dooley in this reclamation project. Dooley has been a lawye 17-20 at Louisiana Tech. Maybe Dooleys last name made that easier to overlook. Or maybe Hamilton botched the hire. At one time or another, the names of Jon Gruden, Gary Patterson, Kyle Whittingham, Troy Calhoun and David Cutcliffe were attached to the opening. Cutcliffe, a beloved assistant from the Vols 1998 championship team, eventually chose his current employer (Duke) over his former one.

Dooleys Career Record Year School Record 2007 Louisiana Tech 5-7 2008 Louisiana Tech 8-5 2009 Louisiana Tech 4-8 Totals Three Years 17-20

Dont blame Dooley for saying yes. He wasnt going to say no after finishing fourth, second and fifth in the WAC. Aside from the Brown situation, Dooley has said and done most everything right. He acted decisively after the bar brawl. The program lost a net 37 years when it replaced 70-year-old defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin with 33-year-old Justin Wilcox from Boise State. Wilcox, though, just happens to be one of the hottest young coaches in the country having brought a defensive attitude to the offense-first Broncos.

There will be challenges for Kiffin coaching holdovers such as Jim Chaney. Coming into fall camp, the offensive line had a total of three career starts. The quarterback position is basically down to two players. Matt Simms (10 passes at Louisville in 2008) had a good spring. Tennessee can only hope Matt has as much success as his brother Chris (Texas) and dad Phil (New York Giants). Six-foot-six Tyler Bray, a Kiffin commit, was playing in the spring game the same day of his high school prom as an early enrollee. Fellow freshman DaRick Rogers could help restore Tennessees receiver tradition.

The cleanup begins now. The question is how long its going to take.

“The national scene is really irrelevant,” he said, “because when you dominate this league, youre going to be on the national scene. … What we cant do is sit there and go, Florida and Alabama are winning right now. Oh my God, we got to do what they do. Were not gonna do that. We feel like we have a formula.”

Posted on August 15th, 2010 by admin
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