2009 NCAA Football Thread: Revenge of the Computer Polls

[StorminNorman]

I actually picked Cincinnati before the whole Meyer thing went down (along the lines that Florida wouldnt' be inspired to play in the Sugar Bowl). I am now regretting that decision - though I still think there is a chance Cinci comes out inspired.

 

[redfirebird2008]

The Mike Leach story is starting to turn in Leach's favor, even on ESPN. Tonight they interviewed him and he was able to tell a bit of his side of the story. It appears that Craig James will be fired from ESPN in the near future once Leach releases the smoking gun voicemail(s) of him badgering the coaching staff to give his son more playing time because his dad works for ESPN. ESPN apparently already questioned James on this matter before Leach ever made the allegations. James denied it. So either Leach is lying or James is.

Leach has a signed statement from the doctor who diagnosed Adam James' concussion. This doctor said that Leach's actions did not place Adam at risk for further injury. And on top of this, the head trainer of the team has released a statement that jives with Leach's side of the story in direct contradiction with Adam James' story. Even ESPN released this statement on their website. The tide is definitely turning after ESPN sensationalized the bullcrap rumors initially reported by anonymous sources (aka Craig James, their buddy).

In ESPN's interview with Leach, they didn't even bother mentioning the booster emails to the Chancellor during the contract negotiations earlier this year. It is obvious Jim Sowell (big time Tech booster and former Chairman of the Board of Regents) hates Leach's guts. The emails mentioned that they wanted to fire Leach after the 2009 season. To make this situation worse, there is a rumor that one of the Lubbock TV networks is currently investigating an alleged partnership in a wind farm business between Chancellor Kent Hance and Craig James. I think this Jim Sowell fellow needs to be investigated as well. I think there has been a conspiracy here. The question is just how bad is the conspiracy? How deep is the rabbit hole? Craig James is wanting to run for the U.S. Senate. Given Sowell's hatred for Leach and Adam James' lack of credibility, I would be very interested to know where Craig James gets his funding if and when he does try to run for the Senate. If Leach has the smoking gun voicemails, however, Craig James' political career will be over before it ever gets started.

Here are the emails. Note that Jim Sowell was not a member of the Board of Regents at the time he sent these emails to the Chancellor. This means he wasn't an employee of the school while being involved in these negotiations. Also of note is that there is one email that supports Leach. The name is blacked out on this email. I've heard rumors that it is from Ed Whitacre (current CEO of General Motors and former CEO of AT&T):

http://everythinglubbock.com/media/pdf/leach2009-12-31-1262281289.pdf


Here's the stuff about the voicemails as well as the doctor and trainer:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/01/sports/ncaafootball/01leach.html?ref=sports


Here is ESPN's report on the trainer as well as the video interview with Leach:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4787194


I hope he takes them to the cleaners. They could have easily fired him "without cause" and simply paid his $1.6 million buyout. But they chose to take James' word for it in an effort to pull a character assassination move on Leach to get out of paying him a single cent by firing him "with cause." When this is all said and done I think it's going to cost them around $20 million to Leach, and who knows how much in legal fees.

 

[Addendum]

Even college football is going the TMZ route. Glad I dropped the sport in '08

 

[Dr. Evil]

Navy defeats Mizzou 35-13 at the Texas Bowl. The Midshipmen run for 385 yards, 166 of them from QB Ricky Dobbs. Unreal.....Air Force also runs for 402 yards as they crush Houston 47-20 at the Armed Forces Bowl. I have got to feel the love for those guys though because soon after their football careers end, they will be headed off to Iraq or Afghanistan to fight to defend our country.

 

[Immortalfire]

What the puck...Northwestern's QB already has 240 passing yards, but Auburn is up 21-7.

 

[Trainwreck2100]

What the puck...Northwestern's QB already has 240 passing yards, but Auburn is up 21-7.

he got picked off in the end zone..............twice

and 1 was a pick6

 

[Immortalfire]

I saw the pick six, then had to step out, so I didn't know what's been happening.

 

[El_Citrus]

Let's go, Mountaineers! Show Bowden that he should have retired years ago.

 

[VampElvis]

I saw the pick six, then had to step out, so I didn't know what's been happening.

Too bad you missed the 100+ yard INT return. It was something.
Of course just before the half they left Cody Burns throw a pass. Result? You guessed it - INT!

 

[SuperJediHero]

Bobby Bowden's Final game!

GO FSU Seminoles!!!

 

[Immortalfire]

Oh my...Auburn/NW is now tied

 

[SuperJediHero]

Here comes the Seminoles!!!

 

[Kelly]

Go Seminoles......Help the old man go out with a win, he deserves it.


And damn the Penn St./LSU game is just one big mud hole...its terrible.

 

[Immortalfire]

NW's quarterback has 413 yards....and 5 interceptions. lol

 

[NotFadeAway]

I actually picked Cincinnati before the whole Meyer thing went down (along the lines that Florida wouldnt' be inspired to play in the Sugar Bowl). I am now regretting that decision - though I still think there is a chance Cinci comes out inspired.

That was my thinking as well, that Florida wouldn't care. But with the Meyer situation, and the fact that Cincy's NT isn't that much bigger than Tebow, I think there in trouble, and there without Brian Kelley.

I wish Cincy hadn't hired Butch Jones so quickly, they could have gotten Mike Leach.

 

[SuperJediHero]

A good punt by WV, these sacks put them 30+ yards loss

 

[StorminNorman]

Go Seminoles......Help the old man go out with a win, he deserves it.


And damn the Penn St./LSU game is just one big mud hole...its terrible.

I really don't want to see them shove the mic in Bobby's face after the game. That poor man is going to be a wreck.

Every member of the FSU administration who approved their treatment of a man whose importance to that University is far greater than their own (or any other single individual) can go to hell. Seminole hell. Which is probably Jacksonville.

 

[Kelly]

That was my thinking as well, that Florida wouldn't care. But with the Meyer situation, and the fact that Cincy's NT isn't that much bigger than Tebow, I think there in trouble, and there without Brian Kelley.

I wish Cincy hadn't hired Butch Jones so quickly, they could have gotten Mike Leach.

Send Leach to Dallas to coach the Cowboys....he's just the kind of ******* Jones likes.....lmao.

 

[Kelly]

The Mike Leach story is starting to turn in Leach's favor, even on ESPN. Tonight they interviewed him and he was able to tell a bit of his side of the story. It appears that Craig James will be fired from ESPN in the near future once Leach releases the smoking gun voicemail(s) of him badgering the coaching staff to give his son more playing time because his dad works for ESPN. ESPN apparently already questioned James on this matter before Leach ever made the allegations. James denied it. So either Leach is lying or James is.

Leach has a signed statement from the doctor who diagnosed Adam James' concussion. This doctor said that Leach's actions did not place Adam at risk for further injury. And on top of this, the head trainer of the team has released a statement that jives with Leach's side of the story in direct contradiction with Adam James' story. Even ESPN released this statement on their website. The tide is definitely turning after ESPN sensationalized the bullcrap rumors initially reported by anonymous sources (aka Craig James, their buddy).

In ESPN's interview with Leach, they didn't even bother mentioning the booster emails to the Chancellor during the contract negotiations earlier this year. It is obvious Jim Sowell (big time Tech booster and former Chairman of the Board of Regents) hates Leach's guts. The emails mentioned that they wanted to fire Leach after the 2009 season. To make this situation worse, there is a rumor that one of the Lubbock TV networks is currently investigating an alleged partnership in a wind farm business between Chancellor Kent Hance and Craig James. I think this Jim Sowell fellow needs to be investigated as well. I think there has been a conspiracy here. The question is just how bad is the conspiracy? How deep is the rabbit hole? Craig James is wanting to run for the U.S. Senate. Given Sowell's hatred for Leach and Adam James' lack of credibility, I would be very interested to know where Craig James gets his funding if and when he does try to run for the Senate. If Leach has the smoking gun voicemails, however, Craig James' political career will be over before it ever gets started.

Here are the emails. Note that Jim Sowell was not a member of the Board of Regents at the time he sent these emails to the Chancellor. This means he wasn't an employee of the school while being involved in these negotiations. Also of note is that there is one email that supports Leach. The name is blacked out on this email. I've heard rumors that it is from Ed Whitacre (current CEO of General Motors and former CEO of AT&T):

http://everythinglubbock.com/media/pdf/leach2009-12-31-1262281289.pdf


Here's the stuff about the voicemails as well as the doctor and trainer:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/01/sports/ncaafootball/01leach.html?ref=sports


Here is ESPN's report on the trainer as well as the video interview with Leach:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4787194


I hope he takes them to the cleaners. They could have easily fired him "without cause" and simply paid his $1.6 million buyout. But they chose to take James' word for it in an effort to pull a character assassination move on Leach to get out of paying him a single cent by firing him "with cause." When this is all said and done I think it's going to cost them around $20 million to Leach, and who knows how much in legal fees.

I hope Leach takes Tech for all they are worth...

I hate Texas Tech with a passion. The University I graduated from was Midwestern State University, it is under the A&M umbrella, and A&M allows it to keep its name. Tech wanted to buy it, but cried like a baby when the MSU Alumni said sure but you can't call it Texas Tech University At Wichita Falls....they pulled out like a little baby. Too bad for them, MSU is ranked #15 of the top 50 colleges of its size nationwide, and #1 in its region. They screwed up big time, but hey...no sweat off of this graduate. Take them to the cleaners Leach...I can't wait when Leach shows up in court with Donald's Trumps lawyers...lmao.

 

[BlackLantern]

Craig James is lying like a sum*****...he was a mediocre NFL player who is now a field father, hoping his kid can excel where he didn't....he's had a nice cushy tv job and thinks he can lord it over people....**** Craig James and his offspring....

ESPN is going to cut him loose to save face and hopefully Mike Leach gets some closure out of this

 

[StorminNorman]

Both Bud Foster and Jon Chevis have decided to return to their teams (VT and LSU) at a higher pay rate than become Georgia's defensive coordinator.

Personally, this is good news. If Georgia doesn't sign a guy before the National Championship game, Kirby Smart should be the guy.

 

[Immortalfire]

Holy cow..Auburn got lucky today.

FSU and WV is tight

 

[Kelly]

Congrats to FSU and Bobby, a hell of a career in college football.

 

[VampElvis]

And once again a Les Miles LSU team blows it in the 4th and has a last minute meltdown. When are people going to realize this guy is the most overrated coach in the SEC? (I don't want to think about how many points that cost me in the pick 'em)

 

[El_Citrus]

I knew it was a bad day when WVU got FSU for the Gator Bowl. We didn't change our offense one bit when FSU dialed up the blitzes after being down 14-3. Stewart says he'll have a national title contender in 2011. He better make good on that.