Human selection committee for BCS playoffs only spells trouble Is a human selection committee for the coming college football playoff really a good idea? Think again. Dennis Dodd says having 10 people decide the best four teams after 12 football games is only asking for trouble. O'Brien sticking to core values, beliefs as Penn State changes A lot is changing at Penn State. A new coach. A new offense. More importantly, there's a changing culture in Happy Valley as one era ends and another begins. Dennis Dodd says one good thing for Bill O'Brien: football is still spoken here. Heisman favorite Barkley sticks with USC to be part of rescue mission The Bush fallout. The bowl ban. That's enough for Matt Barkley to bolt USC. But Dennis Dodd says the Heisman favorite, who is on a mission in Haiti, stayed not only for the bond, but to rescue the program, too. 'The Boz' still being punished for being ... a college kid Brian Bosworth is the only two-time Butkus Award winner. SI named him to its all-century team. But he's not in the Hall of Fame? Dennis Dodd says he's still being punished for being 'The Boz,' and enough is enough. Stubbornness, determination serve Davis well in latest comeback It's ugly math for Razorbacks back Knile Davis: Five broken bones in nearly four years playing in the rugged SEC. Should he quit? If you answered yes, Dennis Dodd says you don't know what makes Davis run at all. 25 things after spring ball: For starters -- Playoffs in, Petrino out The end of spring ball is a milepost in college football. Dennis Dodd marks this one by blessing the format-to-be-decided new playoff, bidding farewell (again) to Bobby Petrino and saying LSU is loaded for bear.
April
Out with the tainted BCS measuring sticks and in with the Dodd Plan Now that a four-team playoff is set, it's time to trash all the old polls -- the Coaches' poll, Harris poll, all those computers. Dennis Dodd says the next hurdle is how to rank those teams and he's got just the plan. Rose Bowl gives in, paving way for eventual change to postseason The Rose Bowl and Big Ten want to maintain their stature, but they don't want to be left out in the cold. Dennis Dodd says both institutions seem willing to give a little so they have a spot in the playoff picture. To stay in national playoff mix, Rose Bowl likely to shed more tradition The Rose Bowl surrendered Big Ten vs. Pac-12 exclusivity to be part of the BCS rotation. Dennis Dodd says inclusion in a playoff system -- being discussed this week -- likely includes the Granddaddy giving up even more. Bolstered by successful network, Big Ten to have big say at BCS meetings The Big Ten has a successful TV network and a stake in the Rose Bowl. Dennis Dodd says that makes Big Ten commish Jim Delany the biggest player in the room as the BCS commissioners gather to try to hammer out a playoff format. While tourists look for crash site, Arkansas looks to stay on track Tourists flock to the two-lane highway where Bobby Petrino's coaching tenure effectively ended. Dennis Dodd says as Arkansas has its spring game, the Razorbacks look to stay afloat by not changing anything else. RichRod working overtime to get Arizona football turned around Rich Rodriguez is going 100 directions at once to get Arizona football headed in a positive one. Dennis Dodd says the one-time walk-on courts them while rebuilding a broken program and chasing a Rose Bowl in Tucson. Petrino return more about dismissing lies to bosses than infidelity History says Bobby Petrino returns. Believe it. Dennis Dodd talks to psychologists and attorneys who assert the ex-Arkansas coach rallies but note Petrino's lies to bosses are harder to forgive than morality issues. NCAA wants to regulate bowl sponsorship, but should it? The NCAA nixes an energy drink sponsoring a bowl, but what about a casino? Dennis Dodd says the NCAA wants to protect its amateur-athlete brand, but it's a losing bet in today's business world. Big money always wins. Still stewing over title-game rout, LSU trying to remember how to win The Tigers died twice over the BCS title game: once to 'Bama and then from getting killed by all the second-guessing. Coaches insist the game plan was good, but Dennis Dodd says LSU's still stewing months after the loss. Kansas' Robinson stands by words, despite being forced to eat them Kansas' Thomas Robinson says he doesn't think Kentucky's Anthony Davis is Superman. Turns out that's a big mistake as Davis makes the Jayhawks pay dearly. Dennis Dodd says great players don't antagonize others. Kansas' identity? If Kentucky doesn't watch out, call Jayhawks champs The season started with low expectations and tough losses. But Kansas found itself in a huge comeback vs. rival Missouri and Dennis Dodd says the Jayhawks are right where they think they belong. Nothing can stop Kentucky from its destiny, especially Kansas Only Kansas stands in the way of Kentucky and what looks like a foregone conclusion -- the Wildcats' eighth national title. Dennis Dodd says John Calipari's kids are too tough and resilient, even for gritty Kansas.
March
Gigantic football arenas a challenge for players, fans alike The 75,000-capacity Superdome is set for the Final Four. But is this massive configuration good for hoops? Dennis Dodd says it not only raises a shooting issue for players, but fans could need an oxygen tank and binoculars. Self enhances reputation by coaching un-Kansas-like team to Final Four Weren't the Jayhawks supposed to take a step back this season? Kansas has less talent than usual, but Dennis Dodd says by getting to the Final Four, Bill Self proves he can coach as well as he can recruit. As plan for playoff crystallizes, hard part is proving it's more credible Think the Final Four is big? Think of it times three -- three football games in three venues. Dennis Dodd says the BCS commissioners now have to convince everyone that such a playoff format is better than the current system. Healthy and refreshed after year away, Meyer set to revive Buckeyes Urban Meyer cherished his year away from the sideline, but the Ohio State job was too good to pass up. Dennis Dodd says Meyer looks and talks like a new man, but nothing's changed when it comes to his knack for winning. Pitino proves Hall of Fame chops as Louisville rallies into Final Four Rick Pitino should be in the Hall of Fame. Dennis Dodd and Billy Donovan say the NCAA West Regional final should cinch it. Pitino helps all-but-dead Louisville rally past Billy Donovan and Florida into the Final Four. Pitino vs. Donovan special and awkward at same time Teacher vs. pupil, but now coach vs. coach. Dennis Dodd says for Louisville assistant Richard Pitino, his dad Rick going against his former babysitter, now Florida coach Billy Donovan, will be 'awkward.' Mature Dieng shifts odds for Cards as D clamps down on Spartans Two years ago, Gorgui Dieng was a 187-pound weakling. But Rick Pitino and a lot of work made the 6-11 Senegalese a wall vs. Michigan State. Dennis Dodd says Dieng is pivotal as the Cards hand the Spartans an epic defeat. When it comes to game preparation, nobody better than film nut Izzo Tom Izzo has led Michigan State to the Final Four or lost to a Final Four team in 10 of the past 14 NCAA tourneys. Clearly, the coach knows about preparation. Dennis Dodd says all those film sessions certainly pay off. Behind Baylor's meteoric athletic success of late, there's Starr Baylor's star has never been brighter, and thanks to its president, its future in a BCS-level conference appears safe. Dennis Dodd says no one deserves more credit for keeping the Big 12 from dissolving than Kenneth Starr. Rising star Heslip puts on show, just might change Baylor's fortunes Some say the Baylor Bears are a team with no heart. Dennis Dodd says that will likely change, especially after a rising star named Brady shows a ton of it in a big win over Colorado. Once again Wisconsin wins by not letting its opponent score Wisconsin makes one basket in the final four minutes yet pulls out a three-point win over Vanderbilt in the East Regional. Dennis Dodd says it's typical Badger basketball and has a message for Syracuse: beware. Colorado back in NCAA win column, and so is Albuquerque's legendary Pit Colorado turns the clock back to 1997 with a rare NCAA victory. Dennis Dodd says a raucous capacity crowd helps The Pit in Albuquerque turn back the clock to 1983 and affirms the venue's reputation as one of the game's best atmospheres. Win over Harvard gives validation as Vanderbilt turns the corner Winning an SEC title would be plenty for some teams, but not Vanderbilt. Dennis Dodd says the Commodores get some much-needed validation after winning their Round-of-64 matchup against Harvard. Vanderbilt facing Harvard shows all that's good with college sports Academics and ethical practices have taken a back seat to athletic success in college hoops. Dennis Dodd says Vanderbilt and Harvard's success this season proves you can win and do it the right way. Notre Dame the sticking point on which teams get BCS playoff berths What to do about Veronica Lake? A once-hot blonde whose heyday is long gone, but she still expects star treatment. Dennis Dodd says Notre Dame is the BCS's aged starlet, expecting access into the playoffs to come. Missouri walks away as Big 12 champs, and that's a shame Missouri may be heading to the SEC, but for one last time the Tigers can call themselves the Big 12 tournament champs. Dennis Dodd says it will never be the same for Missouri and that's a shame. Those wishing for Kansas-Mizzou III disappointed, but Baylor feels fine The Big 12 tournament was supposed to end with the third Kansas-Missouri battle of the season. Baylor blows it all up, beating the Jayhawks in the semis. Dennis Dodd says the Bears have no problem nixing a Border War finale. Spring primer: Spartans not resting on dreams to get to Rose Bowl Mark Dantonio's Spartans know it takes more than dreams to get to the Rose Bowl. That's why they're up at 5:30 each morning. As spring football cranks up, Dennis Dodd checks in on a team on the brink. Jones III shows that beyond all the complications, he has serious talent For one afternoon, the cloud surrounding Perry Jones III is lifted. The mercurial Baylor forward has a career day in the Bears' win over Kansas State. Dennis Dodd says PJ3 proves there is big talent underneath it all. Mizzou amped to join elite SEC, but does it know what it's getting into? The Show Me State's flagship program has never been hotter. But does Missouri know what it's getting into with this SEC marriage? Dennis Dodd says, for better or worse, Gary Pinkel's program is now in college football's inner circle. Whether it's football or basketball, college coaches polls need to go Think Mizzou's Frank Haith getting snubbed for Big 12 coach of the year was bad? Nick saban is the SEC's only voting coach not to put Oklahoma State at No. 3 in the final poll. Dennis Dodd says polls need to go. National coach of the year favorite Haith changing culture at Missouri Frank Haith can't coach? Time to throw out that nonsense. In his first year at Missouri, Dennis Dodd says Haith has transformed a team that 'quit' last season into a legit contender for many seasons to come.
