DocFumbles

University of Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain has interviewed for the head coaching position at Colorado University, the Denver Post reported. McElwain has been UA's offensive coordinator for three seasons, but has reportedly interviewed for head coaching positions in previous off seasons, including the San Jose State vacancy a year ago. Former CU star Eric Bieniemy, an assistant coach with the Minnesota Vikings, is considered a leading candidate to be named for the job and has also interviewed. Other candidates, according to the Post, are interim CU coach Brian Cabral and former CU coach Bill McCartney.

At least we have an idea of who we would play in Dallas...

An SEC school administrative source who wished to remain anonymous has since confirmed to me that the message Bell received from Rogers, allegedly on behalf of Cecil Newton, was forwarded by Bell to NCAA investigators.

Two sources who recruit for Mississippi State said that Cecil Newton and his son, quarterback Cam Newton, admitted in separate phone conversations to a pay-for-play plan while Newton was being recruited late last year. Mississippi State compliance officials relayed the alleged conversations to Southeastern Conference compliance officials in January, according to two other sources close to the football program. Prior to Newton's commitment to Auburn, one of the recruiters said Cecil Newton told him it would take "more than a scholarship" to bring his son to Mississippi State, a request the source said the school would not meet. Cecil Newton also referred the recruiter to a third person that would provide more specifics, the source said. After Newton committed to Auburn, another source said an emotional Cam Newton phoned another recruiter to express regret about his change of commitment from Mississippi State, stating that his father Cecil had chosen Auburn for him because "the money was too much."

Alabama vs West Virginia in the Sugar Bowl. Auburn vs Florida State in the Orange Bowl Ohio State vs TCU in the Fiesta Bowl Iowa vs Boise State in the Rose Bowl and............ *drumroll* Oregon vs Oklahoma in the BCS Championship Game (Sorry, no UAB)

"The guys have had this one circled on their calendar since the beginning," UA head coach Eric McIlquham said. "They did a great job today. We haven't beaten Auburn since 1993 and they've won six out of the last eight national titles, so this is a really good place for our guys to be right now." "Obviously this is really early in the season and there are a lot of things we need to work on and continue to improve on, but this was a great way to begin the season at home," McIlquham said.

Deadspin.com linked to a Florida fan video, so they will probably cause this to become a story in Alabama. DO NOT WATCH THIS AT WORK. He curses a lot. And also, that lady isn't the most appropriately dressed.

Alabama coach Saban fired a pre-emptive strike Wednesday at Alabama fans who booed San Jose State players when they came onto the Bryant-Denny Stadium last week, encouraging them not to boo Penn State or any opposing teams. "Our football program and our stadium is probably the largest window that anyone looks at in the state of Alabama and maybe the University of Alabama," he said. "And I just don't think there's any place for booing anywhere in college football, and that includes booing the other team. ..." Penn State "is a class program with class people that have been there for 45 years and done wonderful things for college football, the game of football, and a lot of people over a 45-year period," Saban continued. "And I think it would be a (bleep) crying-(bleep) shame if we booed 'em when they come into the stadium like we did last week's team. I just don't understand that."

Nothing really concrete (at least for me), but this twitter post makes me wonder what Cothron will end up doing. "Talking with Luke Cothron right now. He is excited about his new opportunity to play at UMass and wants to make the best of it."

"Officials from North Carolina uncovered the academic issues in its own review, pertaining to a tutor, and self-reported the findings to the NCAA. Sources report the various players involved were relegated to the scout team at practice on Wednesday. North Carolina canceled the media viewing portion of Thursday afternoon's practice session, as well as a scheduled interview session with head coach Butch Davis. A school official announced UNC will hold a press conference on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. In attendance will be chancellor Holden Thorp, athletic director Dick Baddour, and football coach Butch Davis. These academic findings are a new element to the ongoing NCAA investigation. UNC received an interview notice form on June 21 from the NCAA, which requested to interview student-athletes. Inside Carolina broke the story on July 15 that the investigation centered on possible improper contact with sports agents. Telephone and financial release forms were requested for the student-athletes involved, as well as text message printouts for the past year. The interviews were conducted on July 12-13. The NCAA returned to UNC for a second round of interviews on Aug 4-5."

"Signees Luke Cothron and Shawn Kemp Jr. have not qualified academically and will not play at Auburn this year, men's basketball coach Tony Barbee confirmed tonight."

"The NCAA is investigating the living arrangements of several South Carolina football players at a Columbia hotel, according to two sources close to the situation. Investigators in town this week have questioned players about staying at the Whitney Hotel, a seven-story property located along the Devine Street shopping corridor in the Shandon area. Tight end Weslye Saunders, who has been the focus of the NCAA’s investigation of USC, is one of at least three players with rooms at the Whitney, The State confirmed. Offensive tackle Jarriel King and defensive tackle Travian Robertson also have rooms in their names at the hotel. Calls to the three players’ rooms on Thursday were not answered. The players have been living in the Whitney for several months, according to two sources. If the NCAA determines they received a rate lower than what is available to the general public, it could be ruled an extra benefit."

Gentry Estes suggests as much: "Florida QB Phillip Ely is announcing in a couple of hours. Alabama arrived late in that race, but all signs point to him picking the Tide." Apparently he was an LSU lean, but did favor us a lot... even without an offer. When Rivers (Philip's brother) picked LSU, Bama came in with an offer. He's a 4 star on Rivals, and a 3 star on Scout.

Alabama signee Blake Sims cleared academically today by NCAA, will practice tonight at safety, according to his father. Check out AL.com for more

Per Shane Youngblood "Tide 2010 signee Blake Sims reports two A's and a B-plus in summer courses, making him academically eligible."

Texas A&M regents have the votes to join the SEC and could announce that move as early as next week, sources tell Orangebloods.com From Chip Brown's Twitter

Check out the SBN blog "I am the 12th Man". They tend to favor moving to the SEC over tha PAC-16. Now I know that Texas politics (and Longhorn hubris to a certain degree) might push them to the PAC-16, but I don't think the fans would be incredibly happy in that conference. It seems to be understood that if A&M goes SEC, then Texas will black list the Aggies, so they will probably end up PAC-16 anyways.

According to sources, A&M and Oklahoma both have had conversations with the SEC. A&M's conversations with the SEC may have been to appease A&M regent Gene Stallings, who won a national title as coach at Alabama and would love to see the Aggies in the SEC.