A week to go until Ohio State's infractions committee hearing. Good see the Bucks' level-headed fans have accepted reality.

This week's feedback feed bag. Write on ...



From: blueriver

The worst thing about being a running back in the SEC...u have to take a pay cut when you go the NFL.


You're My Boy Blue:

So what you're saying is Mark Ingram needs to tell Trent Richardson to start saving his money?



From: GrouchoDuck

Good series, one of the problems is the painfully slow investigation process.

What is the NCAA going to know about Cam Newton next year that they didn't know last year? It took four years to rule against Reggie Bush, his parents were openly living in a house provided by a booster. The NCAA needs to start by making the process simpler and quicker. They should have already ruled for or against Oregon. The way they process information allows for too much posturing and media manipulation, by all sides involved.


Somebody Step On A Duck?:

Your last sentence is the most profound.

The NCAA has shortened the length of investigations. I was at The (Mock) Enforcement Experience in May at the NCAA. They made it known that the length of the average case has dropped from more than four years to 10 months.

Good on them. While USC gets a lot more attention, the process has become more streamlined. Ohio State has gone from the Buckeye Five to Indianapolis in less than eight months. North Carolina is about to be hammered in a relatively short amount of time.

What the NCAA has never gotten is public perception. Maybe it doesn't know. Maybe it doesn't care. But because the process is so secretive, it invites speculation. That's not going to change if a case lasts five months or five years.

I think a lot of the mystery would be cleared up if the infractions committee hearings were made public. I'm told that's a non-starter because it would cause witnesses to clam up. The NCAA can compel only players, coaches and administrators. Consider that Jim Tressel is coming to Indianapolis next week out of the goodness of his heart. That, and maybe he wants to work again.

So how does making the hearings public change the NCAA's ability that much to gather information? Investigators can use only on-the-record information to support an allegation. No anonymous sources. Making that public at least would peel back a layer of secrecy and make the process more credible.



From: Fergus

Dennis, I liked the article on the NCAA cheating. I live in the United Kingdom and am involved with football, not soccer, over here. In my experience the only real cheats in the game are the coaches, so the easy solution to the problem is fire the coaches - ALL of them, then ban them for a period of five years afterwards.

Fergie:

And I thought I was a radical.



From: Jeff

You are the Nancy Grace of CFB. Sorry, Nancy Grace. Your intent to start the cleanup in Columbus is misguided. It's like treating the symptom and not the disease. The NCAA should take Michael Jackson's advice and start with the man in the mirror as they are the disease. Ohio State, USC, Oregon, Cam Newton's dad are merely the symptoms.


Headline Newshound:

There is no comparison between us. I'm more handsome than Mr. Grace.


From: Mitch

Awesome article about Coach Leach, Mr. Dodd. I haven't always agreed with your opinions, but I agree that Leach was railroaded in Lubbock. I hope he ends up coaching again somewhere. College football players and fans miss him.


Pirate Fan:

Unfortunately, Leach won't be able to bring his special brand of swashbuckling back to the field until his lawsuits are cleared up. I'm beginning to think the legal battle will stretch into 2012 and keep him out of coaching until at least 2013.



From: TrojanFan

I disagree with the use of the words "cheaters" and "cheating" in reference to NCAA off-the-field of play code of conduct violations.

You cheat to win. Accepting money or gifts or meals does not help you win an athletic contest, but it is a violation of the code of conduct. Let's call a spade a spade. The emotional buzz words "cheat" and "cheaters" distort the issue. The problem is third parties, aka sports agents involvement and fair compensation for football players who make millions for the school and NCAA. That is the issue that needs to be addressed , not the fact that cheaters appear to be running rampant.


Trojan Man:

We're arguing semantics. Let's change the word "cheat" to "wrongdoing". I don't care. While those Ohio State players may not have been cheating in the truest sense of the word, they were getting extra benefits that the normal student and the overwhelming majority of their teammates don't get.

It also rendered them retroactively ineligible (just like Reggie Bush). Both USC (by the NCAA) and Ohio State (on their own) vacated wins from the effected seasons. It is assumed that most schools' players don't combine to take five figures in extra benefits (Ohio State) or six figures in houses, trips and cash (Bush).

Both cases involve third parties. Agents with Reggie Bush and a tattoo parlor owner at Ohio State. I think you've made a good case, it just needs to be categorized. There is cheating, wrongdoing and negligence. That about sums up every case.



From: Bama Fan

Hi, Dennis. Nice article about programs and the need to cheat if you want to win. To me, it's kind of like the sport of cycling and the need for the best riders to use performance-enhancing drugs.

You are a great rider and competitor and some guy, heck a lot of guys, who shouldn't even be close to seeing your backside is flying past you up a mountain. You have two choices...Accept it and be an anonymous rider in the pack or get your own performance enhancement drugs!

If you are a competitor, you will, in all likelihood, choose the latter. I grew up an Alabama fan in the 70's and the past 15 years, minus 2008-2011, have been a real trial for me. Not just because of the lack of sustained success on the field. But mainly because of the compliance issues of the program and the mark it has left on the reputation of the university. But I honestly believe that the administration and athletics department at the University of Alabama are now really trying to run a clean program.

The (recent) report of the 36 secondary violations is encouraging to me, actually. It shows the compliance department is doing their job. I think I would be more worried, if they weren't reporting these types of violations. You gotta admit some of this stuff is pretty minor.


Bammer:

It is minor, but it has to be reported. Those secondary violations are just that -- secondary. Basically, no one cares except taunting Auburn fans.

But schools are encouraged to report everything. If not, the NCAA gets suspicious. Everything includes every minor infraction, which usually don't amount to much. What hurts Alabama is that the athletic department has been slapped with four cases involving major violations in the last 14 years (three in football).

Combine that with hyper fans and a little thing like 36 secondaries becomes a big deal. Alabama and the SEC have a long history of wrongdoing. I agree that I think the school is being more vigilant. I also know that the next scandal could be right around the corner. Climbing that mountain almost demands it.



From: Dave

Does the Ereck Plancher trial place George O'Liar in hotter water than his performance would otherwise indicate at UCF?


Dave:

The answer is easy. George O'Leary has won two of the last four Conference USA titles and taken the Knights to four bowls in the last six years.



From: Vicki

Dennis, It sounds like the real story is the fact that Danny Sheridan claims to have a source for 25 years at the NCAA that leaks. REALLY? Wouldn't hurt to look into that...


Reading Between the Li(n)es:

That's one of the first things I thought of. I'm sure Mark Emmert would like to know too. It appears there is at least one mole inside the NCAA enforcement division.



From: Tim

Hey where is the APOLOGY for all the crap about The Ohio State University? I was expecting it yesterday or today.


Get Bucked:

What, did I miss a violation somewhere?



From: Mark

You need the season to begin...games to analyze. You are a loudmouth fool.


Marked Man:

One that you obviously read. Let the games begin. Please.

North Carolina football killed Butch Davis. Not the other way around.

Sure, Davis is to blame for allowing the program to go rogue on his watch but that's part of my logic. A coach successful enough to get to the highest level of the NFL, a man diligent enough to bring Miami back from the brink of scandal in a relatively short amount of time, a man who then basically delivered Miami a national championship, caved.

He caved because he knew North Carolina was not your normal salvage job. Even in the mediocre ACC, North Carolina's football mediocrity stood out. The last coach to win 10 in Chapel was the first to do it in 16 years. Mack Brown got the hell out 14 years ago because he knew it couldn't last. Butch Davis took the job because he was the latest in a line to believe he could make a difference.

But knowing the history of North Carolina football Davis was desperate enough to hire John Blake, a guy he had known for 30 years. That's what makes the events of Wednesday even more tragic. It wouldn't have taken much because Carolina fans don't demand much.

That was Davis' greatest mistake. He should have known better. He didn't have to hire Blake, the coach by his notorious nickname "Black Santa". Davis knew Blake's recruiting coordinator's rep. Hell, it looks like he hired Blake because of the dark side of that rep.

Davis ultimately concluded that Blake is what Carolina needed because it's Carolina. There are reasons why the administration failed time after time to get it right, why a school with a glorious athletic tradition elsewhere has averaged 5 1/2 football wins since 1998. 

It was all there in front of Davis and he was getting close. A BCS bowl was possible, dangling out there in a league that is still waiting to be taken over by Florida State and Miami. Once again, it wouldn't have taken much: All Roy Williams needed was a football program his hoopsters could be proud of.

But John Blake? Really? The guy was apparently funneling players to an agent. Wasn't he making enough money as associate head coach at Carolina? Unlike Ohio State, Carolina got out ahead of this thing for the moment with Blake's forced resignation in September.

You will read elsewhere about how the school has handled the investigation and the timing of the firing but those are just details at this point. Davis' job security has been a topic for months. It matters that the move comes 5 1/2 weeks before kickoff but only if you believe that Carolina is going to get anyone of substance with the NCAA ready to clamp down. That has been a threat for months.

Now we just add Davis to the list of college coaches who are radioactive at the moment: Jim Tressel. Gary Barnett. Mike Leach. These guys would all be great replacements for Davis if they weren't, like him at the moment, unemployable at the college level. Welcome to 21st century college athletics.

Yes, there are other aspects to this story. Davis deserved to be fired because he let the program crumble underneath his feet. The tutor thing is just incomprehensible. It looks like the players were running the program. For all of those in deep thought about the cost-of-attendance issue, ask yourself if $200 a month would have kept some of those entitled Tar Heels happy. It probably wouldn't have paid for a couple of Greg Williams' tickets.

Tie it up in a big Carolina blue bow and the football program resembles Miami at the moment. That would be the program Butch Davis inherited in 1995, not the one he passed on to Larry Coker in 2001.

Renegade-to-renewal never works in reverse.

North Carolina coaching candidates

Before proceeding, let's make sure we're all on the same page here. It would be foolish for any of these coaches to the job right now. Expect Carolina to name an interim -- offensive line coach Sam Pittman was just bumped up to associated head coach. That guy will have to shepherd the program through the Oct. 28 infractions committee hearing. After THAT, comes the penalties perhaps early next year.

So before going all Malzahn or Mullen, consider that the program is most likely going to have its legs chopped off. Still ...

Mike Leach: If Carolina is looking for a proven academic head coach, he's their guy. Leach graduated 80 percent of his players at Texas Tech. It's interesting that Leach's lawsuits and the NCAA penalties could be finalized at the same time. Someone call Match.com.

Bill Cowher: Just keeps getting better with age, by sitting out. Cowher was Urban Meyer before Urban Meyer, content with spending time with his family. Doubt he would want to take on this burden.

Phil Fulmer: Proven. Rested. Ready. Age is a factor. Fulmer will be 61 on Sept. 1.

Gus Malzahn: Hey, he considered bumblin', stumblin' Vandy why not a crippled Carolina?

Dan Mullen: No way. His career is taking off. Why run it into the ground?

Rich Rodriguez: If it weren't for the NCAA violations at Michigan, this would be intriguing.

DALLAS -- Mike Leach says he was told the Big 12 would not credential him for the league's media days Tuesday, the same day as Texas Tech was scheduled to appear for interviews.

League spokesman Bob Burda explained that after XM asked for a credential on Sunday he suggested that it would have been "awkward" for Leach to appear Tuesday. He then asked Leach's producer if there were alternatives to Leach showing up in person at the Westin Galleria. Leach is already in town to promote his book Swing Your Sword and says he was supposed to do his XM satellite radio show onsite from the Westin Galleria, "until I was told otherwise."

That news about Leach was first tweeted by CBSSports.com's Brett McMurphy on Monday.

Leach says he was told about the situation by XM producer Matt Fishman. When shown a text from Leach saying the former Tech coach was supposed to do the show from here, Fishman would not comment further.

Leach added, "He [Fishman] told me he heard from the conference ... They didn't want it to be awkward for Tech."

Burda said, "We didn't say he [Leach] couldn't come."

"I was told not to go," Leach said when reached by phone. "That's indisputable. I got a call yesterday and told not to go."

In a text, Leach said, " ... yesterday I was told the conference would not give me a credential because tech was going to be there."

When informed of Burda's comment, Leach texted, "That is not what I was told. You can ask Matt Fishman ... I was supposed to do the radio show on site there until I was told otherwise yesterday."

Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville and three players appeared at the media days Tuesday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Leach is in the process of suing the Texas Tech, ESPN and a P.R. firm hired by ESPN analyst Craig James. He was fired in December 2009 after a clash with the Tech administration.

NCAA Football 12 is out today and I'm jacked. Hope the feeling is mutual because college football needs a break. The sport has been dipped in controversy, cheating, lawyers and courts too long this offseason. We need us some cfb even if it is from a PS3.


Quick background: For those of you who don't know, NCAA Football 12 is a video game. It is more addicting than 30 Rock depicting the thrills, detail and game day experience. This year's edition is the best yet. The Coaching Carousel function puts coaches on the hot seat. The new version includes the ability take the BCS out of the equation. That fantasy alone should be worth the $60 price. A MAC team can play in the Rose Bowl. The Big East can be kicked out of the BCS.

Think of the possibilities:

--Can't wait to play Ohio State in "shame" mode. That's assuming I can navigate my way through the "having a conscience" function to access the Buckeyes.

--Miami (Ohio) in the Rose Bowl. The RedHawks have never won a national championship in anything. Ever. This streak goes back a couple of centuries to when the school was founded. This being a video game is it possible Paul Brown (Class of '30) could jump on the dog pile if Miami beats USC for the national championship?

--Will asking the game to assemble the current membership of the WAC crash my PS3? Don't even try to sort out Legends and Leaders.

--If the Big East is cut out of BCS will West Virginia start an ugly rumor about the game's creator having a "reputation of being a partier"? 


--Mascot mode must: Delanys vs. Slives.

--There has to be a seven-on-seven function where gamers start with $10,000 in funny money and can pay it out to players any way they want. Will Lyles could narrate the tutorial.

--In light of the upheaval at Ohio State and deadlines for the game's production I'm really interested in who will be coaching the Buckeyes. Mike Leach is available.

--Need input, gamers: Jordan Jefferson on EA: Cotton Bowl version or spring-game version? 

--Does Texas Tech include Craig James on the sidelines or not?

--Where's the Pac-12 Network button?

--It seems only fitting that Mark Ingram graces the cover of this year's game. A tailback who won the Heisman in 2009 is pimping a fantasy version of the 2011 season marketed as NCAA 12.

Some things never change. In what might be an EA first, it is featuring a player whose school is currently on probation. Since 1987, Bama has been involved in more major football infractions cases (three) than national championships (two).

In this offseason of sleaze, there are some things you can't escape.