Since I'm not much for boundaries, I thought it might be interesting to cross the line this morning to mix a little football with religion. I know this is a sensitive area and I understand if nobody bites, but Mr. Tebow puts himself out there every week, so I thought I might do the same, in my very little way. Alot has been said about Tim Tebow's public display of his faith, first at U of F with his eye black, now at Denver with his kneeling and public prayer, and all along with his willingness to share how he feels about things. I, for one, admire the heck out of the guy and look to him as a role model, not only for myself but for my kids. I also feel like God appreciates Tebow's efforts....it has certainly gotten some press....and as they say in the public relations business, any exposure is good exposure. That being said, if I had to bet, I would put my money on the Patriots. They look like the better team, and I'm not so sure God is too concerned about the score; he's already won the game. What say you?

Someone please straighten me out if I have my facts wrong, but several news outlets reported yesterday that the NCAA found Georgia guilty of some "minor" secondary violations. Seems that Coach Richt compensated some members of his staff out of his own pocket. The examples cited were more support staff than main staff members, and the reason generally given was that he (Richt) felt that the University was not compensating them fairly or didn't follow through on promises, etc. I'd link one of the articles, but I'm not smart enough.

THe NCAA is punishing him for that behavior....I think it deserves some recognition. While Georgia may not be my favorite team, there is no doubt that Coach Richt is one of my favorite coaches. He really seems to have some important priorities in order. I'm pretty sure that Coach Chizik is not up for coach of the year; I'm voting for Coach Richt.

***UPDATE manager

According to those reports, obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution through the Freedom of Information Act, Richt paid former recruiting assistant Charlie Cantor $10,842 over an 11-month period through March of 2011, former linebackers coach John Jancek $10,000 in the summer of 2009 and $6,150 to director of player development John Eason in July of 2010. All of the payments were made by checks from Richt’s personal bank account after UGA’s previous athletic administration declined his requests for increased compensation for those parties.

The above is from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution article, that can be found HERE

Al.com ran an article on Zeke Pike's visit to Auburn this weekend, his intention to start school in January, his non-intention to follow Gus somewhere, and the little tidbit that he has been suspended twice this year from his football team, most recently from their playoff game.  Anybody know what happened?  Maybe I'm just being too conservative, but after the off-season we just went through, those circumstances send up a red flag for me.

Thats the amount in attorney's fees Auburn paid in defending themselves against the Cam Newton allegations.  For the HBO four, they spent an additional $82,463.  Well over a quarter of a million dollars.  Think about what that could do for "Toomers for Tuscaloosa", or "Tide for Toomers", or maybe some starving kids in a third world country, or in our country.  Makes me want to throw up.  


Data courtesy of the Auburn / Opelika News.

I don't know how to do all the linking stuff, but there is a pretty good article over at espn.com about Texas A&M traditions.  It's on the college football page under a column called "Campus Crawl". 

My grandfather was a 1912 civil engineering graduate from Texas A&M.  Not sure how all that works, but I guess it makes me some kind of bastard Big 12 plainsman grandson.  Confession is good for the soul. 

My daughter will turn sixteen next month.  For the last eleven months, with her learner's permit firmly in hand, she has driven just about everywhere we have gone.  For the year preceeding that, I spent Saturday afternoons at the high school parking lot teaching her to drive.  She is a very good driver.  I've done very well teaching her.  As a matter of fact, she probably knows the rules of the road better than I do.  However, my confidence in her abilities does not keep me from sometimes becoming white-knuckled as she changes lanes, pulls into traffic, or navigates a busy parking lot.  The reason for my reaction is very simple; she does not possess experience when it comes to driving.  She has to learn.  Perhaps the reason I'm sure  her mother and I will have many long evenings this fall and winter waiting for her to get home - inexperience can allow stupid things to happen at any time. 

Auburn has a very inexperienced football team.  The evidence of this was never more apparent this weekend at Clemson.  The inexperience also showed itself at the first two games of the season, but we found a way to win.  Experience takes time.  I have great confidence in Coach Chizik, not only because he is a good football coach, but because he is a good man.  He has assembled a good staff - one only has to look one season removed to know this is true. 

I am not as versed in football as many of the other folks on this site.  I love coming here, because I learn something from all of the back and forth, such as we have had the past several days.  But when it all comes down to it, I think you can only analyze this so far....we have an inexperience football team.  They are going to do stupid things, no matter how well they are coached. 

I am quite sure we will beat our opponent this weekend.  Next weekend, we could get destroyed by South Carolina, but I believe we could just as easily destroy them....sometimes inexperience works the other way.  I, for one, will still pick Auburn to win 42-14, like I do every week.  I believe it is possible, and I also hope it will continue to irk William Tell or whatever the hell his name is....

We need to get behind this team and these coaches.  And sure, if things do not improve, then maybe at the end of the season, Coach Chizik will need to make some hard decisions, but I trust him to know when to make those decisions.  At the end of this weekend, we will be 3-1, halfway to bowl eligibility, and probably back in the AP Top 25.  It could be a heck of lot worse, and if you listened to every pre-season analyst, it already would be.  War Damn Eagle. 

Now that Camgate is in the rearview, I need to bring up something kind of important.....

Let me preface this by saying, as I have in the past, that this is the greatest website ever.  Jay and the guys do a great job and this is my first daily internet stop.  That being said, I have to admit that I was a little critical last year when Jay made the bet with the lady from Northwestern --  a whole bunch of good barbeque against a box of weenies.  I have an idea....

I am proposing that we pony up some funds, say $5 or $10 each and send to Jay.  This will provide a slush fund to pay expenses towards a bet should Auburn loose the bowl game (and maybe provide some confidence to raise the ante, so to speak).  I only ask that we get some input as to what type of food we are betting against with our yet-to-be decided bowl opponent (I did some research; salmon, hazelnuts and wine seem to be big in Oregon). 

When Auburn wins, use the funds and buy some beer to go with dinner.  Or whatever. 

I know this might be a little early, but it's never too early to plan.  No more weenies.  

Couple of months ago I put up a post titled "Oil in the Gulf".  I didn't go back and read it tonight, but it was something to the effect of... lots of bad things are going to happen if the oil comes here, pray that it doesn't, yada, yada, etc. etc. 

Well, at least in Panama City, we didn't get much in the way of oil, we really didn't pay too high of a price in terms of lost business and tourism, everybody survived, and we even got a visit from the President.  The point of this post is, I think lots of times we don't finish what we start.  I asked for your good thoughts and prayers, several of you responsed to the post, and I'm sure more of you read it and thoughtfully considered our plight.  So for all of that, I thank you.  I know none of this is about football, but I asked for some help, and you responded, and I appreciate it.

War Eagle!

 

This has been one of the bigger headlines around the country today.  Bowden came out the other day and said he was forced out, it wasn't his choice.  He wanted to clear the air so that FSU wouldn't give anyone the wrong impression.  My question is, how naive is Bobby Bowden?  Please don't get me wrong...I have alot of respect for the man, he has spoken at my church, and he is obviously a very good guy.  However, I think it was apparent to most that it was time for a change.  I get the idea Coach Bowden was the only guy who didn't know it.  I might be out of line with this, but I was really hoping he would just fade into the sunset.  Now it sounds like sour grapes.   

I know that this is a sports forum, but I also know that alot of us spend vacation time at beaches on the Gulf of Mexico.  I am truely blessed that I have spent forty years of my life living in Panama City and the other five in Auburn Alabama. 

This is not a political message.  I simply ask, if you are so inclined, to take a minute and offer a prayer towards the efforts to stop the oil spill / leak in the Gulf of Mexico.  This event has the potential to change the way of life of countless people, from the way they live and work to the way they go on vacation.  It's already bad, and it could get a whole lot worse. 

I really hope that I'm being overly dramatic.  Please say a prayer.   

Al.com has a really good video of an interview with Michael Dyer done during the recent all star game.  I was impressed with the young man - seems to be very articulate and down-to-earth.  I'm like everybody else; I thought I was excited about next year last year, but I think great things are coming up.  War Eagle, War Eagle, War Eagle, War Eagle, War Eagle, War Eagle, War Eagle, War Eagle, 75

Watching ESPN's run up to the game, I was thinking about the most inspirational moments this season, Auburn or otherwise.  I think my vote has to go to Paul Rhodes lockeroom speech after Iowa State's win over Nebrask a.  Yea, I know, it's a little contrary to Auburn, but what pure passion.  You have to be happy for that guy.  Unfortunately, Tim Tebow didn't give us any automatic winners this year.  Any other ideas?

Big troubles - Both my girls went to Auburn and FSU's basketball camps this summer.  That means we have to go to the Auburn - FSU game on 11/27 in Tallahassee.  Just so happens there is this certain football game same afternoon......anybody got a suggestion as to where we can park to watch the Iron Bowl - close enough to Leon County Civic Center so we can get to the basketball game on time?  I was thinking maybe a sports bar in a mall (so the kids can entertain themselves as well)?  I don't know Tallahassee very well; any ideas are appreciated.