Great day on the gridiron today!

Giants defense forces 7, yes I said 7 turnovers to defeat the Washington Redskins 20-14. My dark horse Jaguars win another close game over the impressive Denver Broncos. Defense wins championships and this team has a great defense! Colts bounce back with a big win against Tennessee and the Yankees smack the Red Sox around like a AAA team. Sorry that last one was baseball, but I couldn't contain my glee. :D

How is UT doing? (Texas)

How is UT doing? (Texas)

Texas had an off week. The destroyed a vastly out classed North Texas team 2 weeks ago 65-0. Then last week they won a nailbiter at Arkansas 22-20. They are currently ranked 5th in the nation.

I don't watch football, but I think I will start to.

Both my teams lost this weekend. The caugh umm Iowa Hawkeyes caugh caugh. And the broncos. I cant beleive they fumbled in the red zone in such a close game. My freakin fantasy football team is even getting beat this week.

I am a 49ers fan and a Wlad fan... Please send your pitty check to S0UTHPAW :p

Texas had an off week. The destroyed a vastly out classed North Texas team 2 weeks ago 65-0. Then last week they won a nailbiter at Arkansas 22-20. They are currently ranked 5th in the nation.
I'm sorry, I'm not really into football but I do support my university.
So can you tell me how they had an off week if they won?

Originally Posted by Sonny
Texas had an off week. The destroyed a vastly out classed North Texas team 2 weeks ago 65-0. Then last week they won a nailbiter at Arkansas 22-20. They are currently ranked 5th in the nation.


I'm sorry, I'm not really into football but I do support my university.
So can you tell me how they had an off week if they won?

lol. Try re-reading the post.

lol. Try re-reading the post.
lol Well you said offweek.
I thought you meant they had a bad week.

Damn Chargers and all their damn turnovers. Plus, Brees sustained a concussion in the 3rd and they still didn't take him out.

Anyone see that RB for UCLA? At one point in the game he had 4 rushes for 160 yards total.

Both my teams lost this weekend. The caugh umm Iowa Hawkeyes caugh caugh. And the broncos. I cant beleive they fumbled in the red zone in such a close game. My freakin fantasy football team is even getting beat this week.


Oh man we whupped your asses something wicked. I really expect Iowa to come better than that.

The Cardinals lost to the Patriots this weekend, but I mean come on did anyone expect them to win?

my picks for next week:

Arz. over Atl

Cin over Bal.

Phil over Det.

Hou. over K.C

Mia. over Pitt.

Minn. over Bears

Giants over Browns

Rams over saints

Jags over Titans

Denver over S.D

Ind. over G.B

S.F over SEA

OAK over T.B

DAL over WAS

I don't watch football, but I think I will start to.

I like this girl.

Bad NFL Sunday for me! Both Pittsburg and the Titan's lost!!! It's bad for the Titan's even more cause they lost to the Colt's twice last season; and they were looking pretty good in the first half

Damn Chargers and all their damn turnovers. Plus, Brees sustained a concussion in the 3rd and they still didn't take him out.

Anyone see that RB for UCLA? At one point in the game he had 4 rushes for 160 yards total.

Did you go to the Charger game dingus? If you live in SD it was blacked out as you probably know.

It would be cool if we could make a football pool and use our points. Like make it 30 points a week, everyone whos in puts into a pot, then whoever wins gets all the points.

It would be cool if we could make a football pool and use our points. Like make it 30 points a week, everyone whos in puts into a pot, then whoever wins gets all the points.

Wow, I love that idea. Let's make it happen!

Wow, I love that idea. Let's make it happen!

Could you administer it? I dont think im responsible enough for this.

If so, we could just donate to you and you could keep track of who donated and whos picks are in.

Could you administer it? I dont think im responsible enough for this.

If so, we could just donate to you and you could keep track of who donated and whos picks are in.

Absolutely. I PM'ed thefix to get him involved as well since he had a similair idea, just not with boxing scene points. I will have a new thread up momentarily in the Fantasy betting area.

Absolutely. I PM'ed thefix to get him involved as well since he had a similair idea, just not with boxing scene points. I will have a new thread up momentarily in the Fantasy betting area.

I dont know how you guys feel, but I prefer to play on the point spread. I think it makes it more interesting.

I dont know how you guys feel, but I prefer to play on the point spread. I think it makes it more interesting.

Everyone Check out the new football pool in the fantasy betting section!!!

50 points/cash per week per person.

Sorry Explosivo, I went with straight up picks because I thought more people would enter that way and it would be easier to tally up the winner.

Let's get those picks in everyone!!!

Did you go to the Charger game dingus? If you live in SD it was blacked out as you probably know.

I listened to the game on an online radio station. I don't live in SD so I hardly get to see any games no matter if the game is sold out or not.

Gators win 20-3

Not great, but not bad. :cool:

Gators win 20-3

Not great, but not bad. :cool:

Hey, its a W! Our homecoming is today, and it's PPV (bunch of ****) and it's not against a "big" team either

Texas is beating Rice 28 to 3! :D

Texas is beating Rice 28 to 3! :D

35-13 final. Congratulations, Now Pay Me! :D

35-13 final. Congratulations, Now Pay Me! :D
lol Yeah yeah, they won anyway so that's all that counts! :p

35-13 final. Congratulations, Now Pay Me! :D
Paid you bastard. :p

Paid you bastard. :p
:D Thanks man.

http://www.gatorzone.com/football/images/sun22/1096148230.jpg

Best Baby!!

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Can you say Heisman?

I saw the best comercial last night during the football game. This kid was like in line for a ride at a theme park and they strap him in and he is suddenly in the middle of a foot ball game with huge men laying insane hits on each other, and he somehow evades the defenders and scores a td. Everyone at my bar was laughing their asses off. Anyone else see it?

I saw the best comercial last night during the football game. This kid was like in line for a ride at a theme park and they strap him in and he is suddenly in the middle of a foot ball game with huge men laying insane hits on each other, and he somehow evades the defenders and scores a td. Everyone at my bar was laughing their asses off. Anyone else see it?

Its called the Micheal Vick experiance


I saw it, but I wasn't impressed. Everyone else I know loved it

Sophomore Chris Leak passed for a career-high 322 yards and three touchdowns to lead Florida to a 45-30 victory over Arkansas at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium before 90,014 fans. It was the first 300-yard passing game of Leak's career as the Gators (3-1/2-1 SEC) defeated the Razorbacks (3-2/1-1 SEC) for the fifth time in a row. UF scored touchdowns on five consecutive drives in the first half, including a 28-point outburst in the second quarter, to build a 35-7 halftime advantage.

UA scored 23 straight points to pull within 38-30 in the fourth quarter before an interception by sophomore Channing Crowder with 4:24 remaining set up the final scoring play, a two-yard pass from Leak to junior Dallas Baker. Baker had a team-high six receptions on the afternoon for 89 yards and set a personal-best with two touchdowns.

Locked in a scoreless tie, Leak and the Gator offense found the end zone for the first time with 1:36 remaining in the first quarter, as junior Ciatrick Fason had a one-yard touchdown run to cap a seven-play, 73-yard drive. Key plays included a 39-yard pass from Leak to sophomore Chad Jackson and a 12-yard reception on third-and-nine by senior O.J. Small that brought Florida to the UA 17-yard line. Fason charged 16 yards down to the one and then provided UF with a 7-0 lead on the next play.

After forcing the Razorbacks to punt, the Gators used a two-play, 80-yard drive to extend their lead to 14-0. Leak completed a slant pass to Small for 19 yards and then UF executed a reverse that sophomore Andre Caldwell completed by racing 61 yards into the end zone for his first career touchdown. Leak had pitched the ball to Fason, who then tossed it to teammate Caldwell. Weaving through a swarming Arkansas defense, Caldwell's run was the longest by a Gator this season.

Arkansas countered with a 10-play, 89-yard drive to narrow the deficit to 14-7 on a 1-yard run by De'Arrius Howard with 6:02 remaining in the first half. The Gators answered with a long scoring drive of their own, moving 80 yards on four plays before Leak hit Baker with a 34-yard touchdown strike for a 21-7 cushion.

On Arkansas' first play after the kickoff, junior Jarvis Herring intercepted Matt Jones' pass to give the Gators possession at the Arkansas 24-yard line. Facing a third-and-10, Leak found Baker to move UF down to the 11-yard line. Fason took a couple of handoffs from Leak and wound up scoring his second touchdown of the contest from three yards out.

Florida would enter the locker room with a 35-7 bulge when Leak connected on a 48-yard scoring strike with sophomore wide receiver Jemalle Cornelius with just 45 seconds left in the half. The Gators totaled their 35 points on 42 plays in the first half.

Arkansas rallied with touchdowns on three consecutive possessions, including a pair of successful two-point-conversion attempts, to move within 38-30 in the fourth quarter. Following Matt Leach's 37-yard field goal that put the Gators ahead, 38-7, Jones led the Hogs on an 80-yard drive that ended on a 12-yard touchdown run by DeCori Birmingham.


Jones later scored on a 25-yard run and made the two-point conversion, closing Florida's advantage to 38-22. Following a Gator punt, Jones found Marcus Monk for a seven-yard score, and they also hooked up for the two-point conversion with 6:47 remaining. After the Arkansas defense forced UF three plays and out, Jones would misfire on a second-and-12 pass that Crowder would intercept to seal the Gators' victory. Seven players later, Baker would finalize the 15-point margin with the two-yard TD reception.

Leak finished 23-of-38 for 322 yards, while Fason had 62 yards on 18 carries. Led by Baker's six catches, a total of seven Gators had multiple receptions. Jones was 23-of-39 for 252 yards and one touchdown but had three interceptions. He also led Arkansas with 68 yards rushing on 10 carries.

Florida will face defending national champion LSU next Saturday night at 7:45 p.m. at the Swamp. The game will be carried nationally on ESPN.

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anyone watching the #9 Auburn at #8 Tennessee game? Auburn is killing it

anyone watching the #9 Auburn at #8 Tennessee game? Auburn is killing it

NO...this is the first Tenn. game I missed this year (was watching boxing), and although I have it on tape I dont think I have the heart to watch it. We were slaughtered (with out help) from the sounds of it :(

Giants Baby!!

http://www.nfl.com/u/nfl/photos/nfl14fb_lower.jpg

How do they feel about Phillip Fulmer and Tennessee in the state of Alabama these days?

In its rawest form, the answer can be found in the feral environs of the Crimson Tide fan message boards. Never a haven of dispassionate discourse, the Internet opinions are all the more outré this week:

Through the magic of photoshop technology, we see Fulmer's face on the body of Adolf Hitler as he walked past regiments of the German army. Fulmer's face on the body of an ogre (Shrek). Fulmer's face on the body of a freakishly obsessed varmint (Gollum). What, no bin Laden photos available?

We see a picture of Fulmer next to a picture of Alabama coach Mike Shula. Beneath the Fulmer picture is the word "treachery." Beneath the Shula picture is the word "integrity."

We see the University of Tennessee described as "a festering pile of monkey dung." As "the epicenter of college cheating." As "UcheaT" and "UThug" and "Tutorsee."

We see a Tennessee fan wandering into Alabama cyberspace to say, "I wish it could get back to the good old days when it was just old-fashioned, no-frills hatred one Saturday, but respect the rest of the year. Unfortunately, some of our fringe elements, on both sides, have ruined that."

Alabama fan's response: "Yep, too bad your fringe element wears 130 feet of orange polyester and stands on the UcheaT sidelines."

We see a thread started by a Tennessee fan that began with a diplomatic dissertation on the Volunteers-Crimson Tide game Saturday, before being hijacked by this manifesto: "98.453% of UT fans are scum. The absolute lowest form of humanity one could meet in this great nation. ... There is nothing dignified about UT. Quite to the contrary, everything that oozes out of that cesspool reeks of impropriety, disgust and filthy, contemptible immorality. UT is what is wrong with not just college athletics, but with society and humanity in general. I avoid UT fans and their sordid ilk at all costs and will never again return to Knoxville for a game or any other reason unless forced at gun point (and even then I might have to think about it for a minute)."

Response from the thread starter: "I'm trying to be civil here. Get a grip."

There is no getting a grip this week in Alabama -- unless the object being gripped is a Tennessee fan's throat. Not with the schools' traditional third-Saturday-in-October meeting (actually the fourth this year, darn the calendar) juiced by a transfusion of bad blood. Not with the grievously wronged, 5-2 Tide traveling into the valley of sin to face the irredeemably villainous (and solidly favored) 6-1 Vols.

SEC football fans are the most passionate in the land, but this is something different. This is passion without the restrictor plates of perspective. This is poisoned passion.

Put it this way: Alabama-Tennessee is so vicious this year that it has temporarily demoted the nation's most all-consuming football rivalry (Alabama-Auburn) to second-string status.

"Auburn is a football game," said Alabama radio personality, newspaper columnist and all-around provocateur Paul Finebaum. "This is a cause. This is about principle and right and wrong -- in (the fans') minds."

Thus every other 2004 feud game in college football must queue up behind this one when it comes to sheer nastiness. Emotions are so raw that fans with tickets on both sides have voiced concerns about possible violence in the stands at Neyland Stadium, and in surrounding tailgate areas. Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton took out ads in the Knoxville News-Sentinel and the UT student paper to encourage sportsmanship from the home fans.

How did it get this way? How did we get to the point where a caller to a Birmingham radio station a few weeks ago said that, if it came down to Tennessee vs. the Taliban, he couldn't find a side to root for? How did we get to the point where Finebaum can assert, after listening to the venom percolate on the airwaves, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but there are kinder feelings toward Saddam Hussein right now than Phillip Fulmer"?

Alabama-Tennessee has always been one hellacious rivalry, full of oversized import and dramatic swings of fortune in the series. New York Times writer Warren St. John, an Alabama native who wrote a fascinating new book called "Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer," about Crimson Tide football in specific and fan mania in general, mentions in the book the 1901 game -- a 6-6 tie that ended with thousands of fans fighting on the field.

"Alabama fans and Tennessee fans have a heck of a lot in common," St. John said. "I think the more alike you and your adversary are, the more intense the rivalry."

But now it has wound up to a new pitch. It all goes back to Alabama's most crushing football moment since the day the Bear died: when the NCAA Committee on Infractions hammered the Crimson Tide with severe sanctions in 2001 for egregious rules violations on the watch of former coach Mike DuBose. Bama was banned from bowl participation for two years, and scholarships were slashed -- a manpower loss still being acutely felt today.

Simply put, one of the nation's premier programs has been a wreck since then -- shuffling through coaches, and losing games and prestige at an alarming rate. The result has been a finger-pointing orgy by the fans, and these days they're all pointing at Fulmer. (Who, not coincidentally, owns an 8-2-1 record against the Tide in this strangely streaky series.)

"I think there is a well-reasoned belief among Alabama fans that Phil Fulmer is not one of college football's good guys," St. John said. "... Fulmer represents the darker, win-at-all-costs attitude college football has come to be tainted by. I don't think people feel that way about Mark Richt, or about Tommy Tuberville.

"It makes a team rivalry personal. And that's always when it gets nastier -- when you're not focusing on just the guys in orange. It allows a fan base to focus its collective rage on one person."

The Tennessee coach was one of the whistle blowers to the NCAA during its investigation of Alabama's recruiting misdeeds in Memphis. But nuance is not in play here, and "one of" has been lost in the partisan charge to make Fulmer The Fink who caused this mess. They've blamed him for everything but Brodie Croyle's knee injury.

They believe Fulmer threw Bama under the NCAA enforcement bus to save his own school from scrutiny. With the help of a blown confidentiality agreement from the NCAA, transcripts of his discussions with enforcement representatives were leaked, and some portrayed Fulmer as firing a fusillade of accusations about the Tide. Some of those led to a defamation lawsuit by a former Alabama player and his mother against Fulmer.

While St. John doesn't believe Fulmer acted with the purest intentions, he does believe that teams that cheat deserve to be punished. That sets him apart from some of the message-board mafia, who simply want to blame somebody else for Alabama's crimes and punishment.

Now, it takes a fair amount of denial for Alabama fans to call Tennessee "UcheaT" when a booster of its own agreed to pay six figures to a defensive tackle recruit out of Memphis. But the main thing Tide backers see in Fulmer is a coach they already held in low regard throwing mud.

And then Fulmer pulled the SEC Media Days boycott stunt in late July, refusing to appear at the annual event in Birmingham. Apprised that he was going to be subpoenaed by Alabama fan-lawyer Tommy Gallion to testify in a civil suit by former Alabama coaches, Fulmer stayed in Knoxville and fired back -- basically telling the state of Alabama to get over it.

"He made it sound like this was all about doing the right thing," Finebaum said. "Alabama fans see through that. They think he's one of the biggest hypocrites on the face of the Earth. This is one time I happen to agree with the fans."

Fulmer's go-to-hell-Alabama stance played very well in Big Orange country but further infuriated the populace in Crimson Tide territory.

In fact, the vilification of Fulmer is markedly similar to Kentucky basketball fans' feelings toward Rick Pitino since he became the coach at arch-rival Louisville. In both cases, feelings of betrayal have sparked an astonishingly visceral backlash.

But that's college sports in the South, where in many states there are no pro franchises or much of anything else to dilute fans' attention and passion.

"There's a bit of Southern machismo culture, and college football plays to that cultural trait," St. John said. "There's a raw kind of quality to Southeastern Conference football that finds its expression in unmoderated language and gestures."

And it's being expressed the Internet, where apparently no comparison of a football coach to vile creatures of history and film is too extreme. This is Alabama-Tennessee. It gets no nastier than that in 2004.



ROLL TIDE!

That isnt even worth reading; guess that's why I stopped after the first paragraph.

Hey Sonny I know you are a Gators fan, how do you feel about Ron Zook? I say they should fire that dope and pray Steve Spurrier will come back and bring life to the team once again.

Hey Sonny I know you are a Gators fan, how do you feel about Ron Zook? I say they should fire that dope and pray Steve Spurrier will come back and bring life to the team once again.

Zook is the worst head coach in the history of the program. He is a great recruiter though. In a perfect world Spurrier would come back and Zook would be the recruiting coordinator.

But of course it is not a perfect world and I do not think either of those things will happen. I think Zook is history, unless he somehow manages to win the rest of our games. I've heard rumors that Rick Neuhiesal (sp) may be our next head coach.

At least we aren't as bad as Nebraska. Not that, that is saying much. :p

Iowa 6
Penn State 4?

is this a ****ing joke?

Iowa must have bunted the runner over and then hit a sacrifice fly to win it ;)







"it's good to be a Florida Gator" :D

At least we aren't as bad as Nebraska. Not that, that is saying much. :p

Gee.... how badly did Mississippi (frikkin') State beat Nebraska??! :p

Sonny what happened to the gators this weekend?

They lost to a team who just lost to MAINE of all teams.

You know what, you can all kiss my ass. How about that.

Iowa 6
Penn State 4?

is this a ****ing joke?

Iowa must have bunted the runner over and then hit a sacrifice fly to win it ;)







"it's good to be a Florida Gator" :D

Yeah, Im an Hawkeye fan and that game was pretty discraceful. Iowa had a snap go over the punters head I think earlier in the game so he chased it back and just kicked it out of the end zone. Late in the fourth quarter Iowa took a saftey so the defense could close out the game. :o

Is it me or do the Falcons suck?

Is it me or do the Falcons suck?

No damion blaylock is just an excellent running back. :D

Everybody root for them Broncos tonight!!! :)

No damion blaylock is just an excellent running back. :D


yo they suck for real.

Everybody root for them Broncos tonight!!! :)
I've been a Bengals fan since Greg Cook was the QB.......since before Horst Muhlman was the kicker.....since...forever!
So I'm sorry but I now have to find, torture, and kill you.
Nothin' personal. :o

A Bengals fan your whole life? You poor poor bastard. :D

Ok, Ok, the broncos sucked ass tonight. Sometimes I wonder why I still root for em'

I mean...Chad Johnson is amazing. If he had Kitna throwing him the rock this year he would have had a break out year (yes even more so than last year) and would be a top 3 receiver no doubt. He's a good dose of Moss, Holt and TO all rolled into one guy.

This has been one of the worst sporting weeks of my life. :mad:

This has been one of the worst sporting weeks of my life. :mad:

Well hey they fired Zook so it's not all bad.

Well hey they fired Zook so it's not all bad.

Yeah, I guess that's true. The word is that Former coach Steve Spurrier, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, Utah coach Urban Meyer and Louisville coach Bobby Petrino are considered possible candidates. Although I don't think Stoops will leave Oklahoma.

Yeah, I guess that's true. The word is that Former coach Steve Spurrier, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, Utah coach Urban Meyer and Louisville coach Bobby Petrino are considered possible candidates. Although I don't think Stoops will leave Oklahoma.

Yeah Stoopsy wouldn't be very smart to pack up and walk out on Oklahoma. Florida buffs would go nuts for Spurrier coming back...Petrino is a good coach...I thought that I heard NC State's coach was being considered too?? Maybe not.

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Lou Holtz wanted his South Carolina players to focus on their game against Clemson. They suddenly have a lot more on their minds.


Holtz will retire as coach at South Carolina after the season, The Associated Press learned Thursday night, apparently paving the way for Steve Spurrier to replace him.


Holtz told his players before the team's final regular-season practice, according to a source close to the program who spoke on condition of anonymity. All season, the 67-year-old Holtz said he was worn out and even said Spurrier would be a good choice to succeed him.


A press conference to introduce Spurrier has yet to be scheduled, but school officials said that a gathering would likely take place sometime on Tuesday. ESPN.com learned Friday that South Carolina has scheduled a news conference for 11 a.m. Monday at which Holtz is expected to formally announce his retirement.


On Wednesday, South Carolina cornerback Fred Bennett said Holtz promised the players he would tell them first when he decided about next year.


"So I respect him for that," Bennett said.


ESPN has confirmed a report in the Nashville Tennessean that Spurrier, who won a national title and six SEC championships in 12 seasons at Florida, has agreed in principle to be the next coach of the Game****s.


If Spurrier decides to coach the Game****s, he would face his old team next season on Nov. 12, when Florida comes to Williams-Brice Stadium.


South Carolina athletic director Mike McGee wouldn't confirm or deny the reports. Several calls to Spurrier's agent, Jimmy Sexton, were not returned.


Holtz wanted the Game****s (6-4) concentrating on the Tigers (5-5). A victory Saturday would mark the school's first seven-win season since 2001 and probably earn a bowl upgrade. A defeat would be South Carolina's fifth in six years of the series since Holtz arrived. And it would be another slap in the face after last year's 63-17 loss that Holtz said left him as embarrassed as ever.


South Carolina quarterback Syvelle Newton could tell Holtz was especially intense this week -- and not necessarily because he's leaving.


"We don't worry about any of that," Newton said. "We love coach Holtz and whatever he does, that's for after the season. We're only thinking about Clemson."


Holtz has said that the atmosphere surrounding the South Carolina-Clemson game at Death Valley reminded him of his last game at Notre Dame.


"Not that I'm saying this is my last game," Holtz said. "The decision was already made and Bob Davie was going to replace me. We had a terrible week of practice. We were 8-2 and had a young football team and we were playing Southern Cal.


"We played probably the worst football game I've ever had a football team play, yet we were up by eight points and missed an extra point. With about a minute and a half to go, USC scored and went for two and tied the game and we lost in overtime. We had five turnovers and all kinds of penalties," he said.


Holtz had opened the door for talk of his future. He said several times that he's worn out and tired from the season. Holtz went through a troubling offseason in which he let four longtime assistants go and took the offense away from his son, Skip. Holtz then went to work on a project he called "changing the culture" at South Carolina. He taught weekly sessions with his players on being good teammates, accountability and citizenship.


While Holtz hasn't delivered on the Southeastern Conference and national titles he spoke of at his welcoming news conference in December 1998, he's the only coach in Game****s history with two bowl wins.


Holtz thinks the team's talent level is up, along with discipline, commitment and academics. He feels the program is in much better shape than a year ago, when the loss to Clemson knocked South Carolina out of a bowl bid.


"I still say there's a lot of solid things," Holtz said. "We'll find out Saturday."


Spurrier and Holtz are friends. Spurrier helped Holtz's wife, Beth, obtain an appointment with Florida's NCAA faculty adviser Dr. Nicholas Cassisi for treatment for her throat cancer. When Beth Holtz was in the university's surgical center for several weeks, Spurrier's wife, Jerri, checked on her several times to see what she needed.


"He didn't have to do any of that," Holtz said in 1999. "He's got a million other things on his mind. I was out of coaching."


Spurrier, 59, went 20-13-1 in three seasons at Duke before taking over at Florida, his alma mater, in 1990. He posted 122 victories over 12 seasons, tormented opponents with his offensive flair and witty one-liners and left town with the best winning percentage in league history.


Spurrier abruptly left after the 2001 season, taking over the NFL's Washington Redskins. He resigned after two seasons with a 12-20 record.


There was much speculation that Spurrier would return to Florida next season, following the recent firing of Ron Zook. But Spurrier pulled out of the running, saying 12 years at one school was probably enough.


After practice Thursday evening, Holtz drove his golf cart from the practice field to the stadium to speak with a group of fans gathered to wish the team well before it leaves for Clemson on Friday. The coach thanked them for their support.


"It's always meant a lot to me," he said.


When asked if he had told his players, Holtz jumped in the cart and sped back to his office.


Holtz is the eighth-winningest coach in Division I history with 249 victories at six schools. He took each school -- William & Mary, North Carolina State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina -- to bowls in his second season after inheriting losing teams.


South Carolina has qualified for a bowl game -- the third in Holtz's six seasons. It was expected that Holtz would lead the Game****s in the postseason before stepping aside. A victory would be his third bowl win at South Carolina when no other coach in the school's 112 seasons of football had more than one.


Holtz said Monday the program was flush in young vibrant players like quarterback Syvelle Newton, receiver Troy Williamson and tailback Demetris Summers. In addition, Holtz said the players were disciplined, academically talented and committed to winning titles.


That's not how it looked after Holtz left Notre Dame in 1996 and then stunned college football by taking over 1-10 South Carolina. Holtz went 0-11 in his first year.


But then he turned the program around, and the Game****s went on the best two-year run in their history, going 8-4 in 2000 and 9-3 in 2001 and beating Ohio State in the Outback Bowl after each season.


It appeared the team was ready to challenge Florida, Georgia and Tennessee in the SEC East. But South Carolina reached only five wins by October in 2002 and 2003.


Holtz began weekly sessions with players in a yearlong project he called "changing the culture" at South Carolina. And while things haven't been perfect -- there's a 43-29 loss to Tennessee on Oct. 30 and a 48-14 defeat at Florida a week ago -- Holtz apparently felt comfortable enough to step down.

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Lou Holtz wanted his South Carolina players to focus on their game against Clemson. They suddenly have a lot more on their minds.


Holtz will retire as coach at South Carolina after the season, The Associated Press learned Thursday night, apparently paving the way for Steve Spurrier to replace him.


Holtz told his players before the team's final regular-season practice, according to a source close to the program who spoke on condition of anonymity. All season, the 67-year-old Holtz said he was worn out and even said Spurrier would be a good choice to succeed him.


A press conference to introduce Spurrier has yet to be scheduled, but school officials said that a gathering would likely take place sometime on Tuesday. ESPN.com learned Friday that South Carolina has scheduled a news conference for 11 a.m. Monday at which Holtz is expected to formally announce his retirement.


On Wednesday, South Carolina cornerback Fred Bennett said Holtz promised the players he would tell them first when he decided about next year.


"So I respect him for that," Bennett said.


ESPN has confirmed a report in the Nashville Tennessean that Spurrier, who won a national title and six SEC championships in 12 seasons at Florida, has agreed in principle to be the next coach of the Game****s.


If Spurrier decides to coach the Game****s, he would face his old team next season on Nov. 12, when Florida comes to Williams-Brice Stadium.


South Carolina athletic director Mike McGee wouldn't confirm or deny the reports. Several calls to Spurrier's agent, Jimmy Sexton, were not returned.


Holtz wanted the Game****s (6-4) concentrating on the Tigers (5-5). A victory Saturday would mark the school's first seven-win season since 2001 and probably earn a bowl upgrade. A defeat would be South Carolina's fifth in six years of the series since Holtz arrived. And it would be another slap in the face after last year's 63-17 loss that Holtz said left him as embarrassed as ever.


South Carolina quarterback Syvelle Newton could tell Holtz was especially intense this week -- and not necessarily because he's leaving.


"We don't worry about any of that," Newton said. "We love coach Holtz and whatever he does, that's for after the season. We're only thinking about Clemson."


Holtz has said that the atmosphere surrounding the South Carolina-Clemson game at Death Valley reminded him of his last game at Notre Dame.


"Not that I'm saying this is my last game," Holtz said. "The decision was already made and Bob Davie was going to replace me. We had a terrible week of practice. We were 8-2 and had a young football team and we were playing Southern Cal.


"We played probably the worst football game I've ever had a football team play, yet we were up by eight points and missed an extra point. With about a minute and a half to go, USC scored and went for two and tied the game and we lost in overtime. We had five turnovers and all kinds of penalties," he said.


Holtz had opened the door for talk of his future. He said several times that he's worn out and tired from the season. Holtz went through a troubling offseason in which he let four longtime assistants go and took the offense away from his son, Skip. Holtz then went to work on a project he called "changing the culture" at South Carolina. He taught weekly sessions with his players on being good teammates, accountability and citizenship.


While Holtz hasn't delivered on the Southeastern Conference and national titles he spoke of at his welcoming news conference in December 1998, he's the only coach in Game****s history with two bowl wins.


Holtz thinks the team's talent level is up, along with discipline, commitment and academics. He feels the program is in much better shape than a year ago, when the loss to Clemson knocked South Carolina out of a bowl bid.


"I still say there's a lot of solid things," Holtz said. "We'll find out Saturday."


Spurrier and Holtz are friends. Spurrier helped Holtz's wife, Beth, obtain an appointment with Florida's NCAA faculty adviser Dr. Nicholas Cassisi for treatment for her throat cancer. When Beth Holtz was in the university's surgical center for several weeks, Spurrier's wife, Jerri, checked on her several times to see what she needed.


"He didn't have to do any of that," Holtz said in 1999. "He's got a million other things on his mind. I was out of coaching."


Spurrier, 59, went 20-13-1 in three seasons at Duke before taking over at Florida, his alma mater, in 1990. He posted 122 victories over 12 seasons, tormented opponents with his offensive flair and witty one-liners and left town with the best winning percentage in league history.


Spurrier abruptly left after the 2001 season, taking over the NFL's Washington Redskins. He resigned after two seasons with a 12-20 record.


There was much speculation that Spurrier would return to Florida next season, following the recent firing of Ron Zook. But Spurrier pulled out of the running, saying 12 years at one school was probably enough.


After practice Thursday evening, Holtz drove his golf cart from the practice field to the stadium to speak with a group of fans gathered to wish the team well before it leaves for Clemson on Friday. The coach thanked them for their support.


"It's always meant a lot to me," he said.


When asked if he had told his players, Holtz jumped in the cart and sped back to his office.


Holtz is the eighth-winningest coach in Division I history with 249 victories at six schools. He took each school -- William & Mary, North Carolina State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina -- to bowls in his second season after inheriting losing teams.


South Carolina has qualified for a bowl game -- the third in Holtz's six seasons. It was expected that Holtz would lead the Game****s in the postseason before stepping aside. A victory would be his third bowl win at South Carolina when no other coach in the school's 112 seasons of football had more than one.


Holtz said Monday the program was flush in young vibrant players like quarterback Syvelle Newton, receiver Troy Williamson and tailback Demetris Summers. In addition, Holtz said the players were disciplined, academically talented and committed to winning titles.


That's not how it looked after Holtz left Notre Dame in 1996 and then stunned college football by taking over 1-10 South Carolina. Holtz went 0-11 in his first year.


But then he turned the program around, and the Game****s went on the best two-year run in their history, going 8-4 in 2000 and 9-3 in 2001 and beating Ohio State in the Outback Bowl after each season.


It appeared the team was ready to challenge Florida, Georgia and Tennessee in the SEC East. But South Carolina reached only five wins by October in 2002 and 2003.


Holtz began weekly sessions with players in a yearlong project he called "changing the culture" at South Carolina. And while things haven't been perfect -- there's a 43-29 loss to Tennessee on Oct. 30 and a 48-14 defeat at Florida a week ago -- Holtz apparently felt comfortable enough to step down.

I heard on the news last night that Spurrier might go to SC....I was gonna ask you what you thought about that! ;)

i also heard spurrier is heading to sc. it said he will take over next year

I'm disappointed he's not coming back to Florida but it will be nice to see him back on the college football sidelines.

How 'bout them 'Phins...

How 'bout them 'Phins...

Okay, I cant resist, Sonny doesnt live in Fla. anymore, and far as I know he isnt a Dolphin fan either. :rolleyes:

Hey sonny, where are our karma snakes at?? :eek:

Okay, I cant resist, Sonny doesnt live in Fla. anymore, and far as I know he isnt a Dolphin fan either. :rolleyes:

Giants fan. You know that.

Giants fan. You know that.

Exactly....I just found his latest attempt to piss someone off failing miserably very amusing! :D

Hey sonny, where are our karma snakes at??

What do you mean?

What do you mean?


Weird.....they're back....my pc may not have finished loading or something and I jumped the gun! :o It's been dragging ass lately :mad:

I kind of gave up on both College and NFL football. After UM loss back to back games for the second time in two years...and the Dolphins who are about to go 1-15...I think I'm going to watch basketball..

Sonny it wont let me give karma to you again...not yet. I've gotta go babysit my vcr for an hour and a half, but after that I'll spread it around and send to you again ;)

I kind of gave up on both College and NFL football. After UM loss back to back games for the second time in two years...and the Dolphins who are about to go 1-15...I think I'm going to watch basketball..


I can't believe Miami lost to North Carolina. :eek:

That jerk Ricky Williams really screwed the Dolphins over.

What happened to your stacks of good Karma, Sonny?

What happened to your stacks of good Karma, Sonny?


My karma is loaded, but I could always use some more. Why don't you send me some. :)

Woooo Hooooo

GATORS BABY!!!

25 semi finalists for the 2005 class of the Footbal hall of Fame

Harry Carson LB 1976-1988 New York Giants

Don Coryell Coach 1973-1977 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers

Fred Dean DE 1975-1981 San Diego Chargers, 1981-1985 San Francisco 49ers

Richard Dent DE 1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles

Chris Doleman DE/LB 1985-1993, 1999 Minnesota Vikings, 1994-1995 Atlanta Falcons, 1996-1998 San Francisco 49ers

Randy Gradishar LB 1974-1983 Denver Broncos

L. C. Greenwood DE 1969-1981 Pittsburgh Steelers

Russ Grimm G 1981-1991 Washington Redskins

Ray Guy P 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders

Charles Haley DE/LB 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-1996 Dallas Cowboys

Lester Hayes CB 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders

Claude Humphrey DE 1968-1974, 1976-1978 Atlanta Falcons, 1979-1981 Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Irvin WR 1988-1999 Dallas Cowboys

Joe Jacoby T 1981-1993 Washington Redskins

Bob Kuechenberg G 1970-1984 Miami Dolphins

Dan Marino QB 1983-1999 Miami Dolphins

Art Modell Owner 1961-1995 Cleveland Browns, 1996-2003 Baltimore Ravens

Art Monk WR 1980-1993 Washington Redskins, 1994 New York Jets, 1995 Philadelphia Eagles

Ken Stabler QB 1970-1979 Oakland Raiders, 1980-1981 Houston Oilers, 1982-1984 New Orleans Saints

Derrick Thomas LB 1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs

Roger Wehrli CB 1969-1982 St. Louis Cardinals

Ralph Wilson, Jr. Owner 1959-current Buffalo Bills

George Young GM/Administrator 1979-1997 New York Giants, 1998-2001 National Football League

Steve Young QB 1985-1986 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1987-1999 San Francisco 49ers

Gary Zimmerman T 1986-1992 Minnesota Vikings, 1993-1997 Denver Broncos

Sonny, empty your inbox. I cant answer your mess. til you do ;)

Sonny, empty your inbox. I cant answer your mess. til you do ;)

Just did.

message is too short blah, blah, blah

So it looks like the BCS has f'ed things up again. Auburn is probably the best team in the country and they will probably finish the season undefeated without even a share of the nation championship.

Will the NCAA and college presidents ever get their **** together and give the fans what they want; a tournament style championship?

Auburn has no claim to the National Championship. USC and Oklahoma were ranked #1 and #2 all year long and both went undefeated.

Auburn might have a claim had they not had such a joke of a non conference schedule.

Texas jumping Cal is a flat out joke. Pitt and Utah in the Fiesta Bowl is awfull, niether of those teams deserve to be there.

Auburn has no claim to the National Championship. USC and Oklahoma were ranked #1 and #2 all year long and both went undefeated.

Auburn might have a claim had they not had such a joke of a non conference schedule.

Texas jumping Cal is a flat out joke. Pitt and Utah in the Fiesta Bowl is awfull, niether of those teams deserve to be there.


I agree with Pitt. The Big East is so weak they should not even get a bcs bid. Cal did get screwed. Texas should be renamed chokers U :p

Auburn played and beat the better teams in my opinion. They got screwed in their strength of schedule by playing Tennessee twice. It shouldn't matter where a team starts. Oklahoma got a gift last year and again this year. The SEC is by far the best conference in the country from top to bottom. If you go undefeated in the SEC you should play fior the national championship.

I agree with Pitt. The Big East is so weak they should not even get a bcs bid. Cal did get screwed. Texas should be renamed chokers U :p

Auburn played and beat the better teams in my opinion. They got screwed in their strength of schedule by playing Tennessee twice. It shouldn't matter where a team starts. Oklahoma got a gift last year and again this year. The SEC is by far the best conference in the country from top to bottom. If you go undefeated in the SEC you should play fior the national championship.

what screwed there schedule is playing teams like The Citadel, Louisana Monroe and Louisana Tech. Thats a laughable non conference right there.

I agree they are hands down the #3 team in the country, but I dont think you can jump themn over USC and Oklahoma because those teams did nothing to be moved down.

I would have loved to have seeen Auburn vs Cal, but of course that would make to much sense for the BCS.

Auburn has no claim to the National Championship. USC and Oklahoma were ranked #1 and #2 all year long and both went undefeated.

Auburn might have a claim had they not had such a joke of a non conference schedule.

Texas jumping Cal is a flat out joke. Pitt and Utah in the Fiesta Bowl is awfull, niether of those teams deserve to be there.

HEY YOU!!!!!! You got mail from earlier today...gonna answer it?? :D :p

HEY YOU!!!!!! You got mail from earlier today...gonna answer it?? :D :p


Yeah I just did.

Yeah I just did.

oopss..guess I better read it then :o

I'm not a fan of the BCS. I'd rather see a playoff system. The bowl games make a lot of money for the schools so that's probally a big reason for having them.

I'm not a fan of the BCS. I'd rather see a playoff system. The bowl games make a lot of money for the schools so that's probally a big reason for having them.

They could incorporate the bowls into a playoff system. A playoff would make a ton of cash for the participating schools.

Yeah, was it last year or the year before. ESPN had it all figured out. Having the bowl games be brackets for the national championship. It would have worked out pretty slick too.

Hey everyone!!

I welcome one and all to join the NFL Post Season Extravaganza!!

You pick the winners of every game throught the superbowl.

5 million point entry fee so the winner will be a very rich guy or gal, plus, and most importantly it will be a lot of fun.

Hope to see you there.

Yo, Sonny, I may be a little late, but how 'bout them 'Canes!!!

Yo, Sonny, I may be a little late, but how 'bout them 'Canes!!!

You Bastage!!

Well at least we kicked Bowden's ass at Doak this year. :D

Hmm, looks like the Steelers lose could be the Giants gain.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2006620

Salary cap status of all 32 teams

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=2004973

Salary cap status of all 32 teams

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=2004973

wow eagles are legitimate contenders and they still have 14.4 mil.of course arizona would have the most money, no player wants to play their except kurt warner and he isnt good anymore. that franchise doesnt seem to take anything seriosly, otherwise they would get some good players and make the playoffs at least twice evey 15 years.

Hmm, looks like the Steelers lose could be the Giants gain.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2006620


They just lost Kendrell Bell too :eek:

The Indianapolis Colts may be poised to break up one of the greatest offensive trios in recent NFL history.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2008841