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PHIL STEELE TOP TEAMS:
1. Florida
2. Ohio State
3. Oklahoma
4. USC
5. Clemson
6. West Virginia
7. Missouri
8. USF
9. Georgia
10. Penn State
12. Auburn
13. LSU
16. Virginia Tech
18. South Carolina
19. Notre Dame
23. Tennessee
24. FSU
26. Alabama
48. Miami
Phil Steele-SEC picks:
Western division-Auburn, LSU, Alabama, Ole Miss, Miss State and Arkansas
Eastern division-Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
ACC picks:
Atlantic division-Clemson, FSU, Wake Forest, Maryland, BC, N C State
Coastal division-Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Miami, Georgia Tech, Duke, Virginia
Phil Steele surprise teams-
USF, Clemson, Texas Tech, Auburn, Penn State, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, FSU, Cal, Oregon, Pitt and Notre Dame
Phil Steele most improved teams-
Notre Dame, North Carolina, Northern Illinois, Pitt, South Carolina, SMU, Miami, Western Michigan, Ole Miss, and Maryland
MIKE SLIVE: The SEC commissioner recently said that he has no plans to retire when his seven-year contract runs out July 31, 2009. Slive’s plan to have the SEC probation free in five years hasn’t quite worked out, but South Carolina and Mississippi State’s five-year probation runs out in June and only Arkansas’ track team (beginning last fall) remains on probation at this time.
SEC EARLY TELEVISION GAMES
- THURSDAY, AUG. 28-VANDERBILT AT MIAMI OHIO-7 PM ESPNU
- THURSDAY, AUG 28-N C STATE AT SOUTH CAROLINA-8 PM ESPN
- SATURDAY, AUG. 30-HAWAII AT FLORIDA-12:30 PM RAYCOM
- SATURDAY, AUG. 30-APPALACHIAN STATE AT LSU-5 PM-ESPN
- SATURDAY, AUG 30-MISS STATE AT LA TECH-6:45 PM-ESPN2
- SATURDAY, AUG 30-ALABAMA VS CLEMSON-8 PM-ABC
- SUNDAY, AUG. 31-KENTUCKY AT LOUISVILLE-3:30 PM-ESPN
- MONDAY, SEPT. 1-TENNESSEE AT UCLA-8 PM-ESPN
- THURSDAY, SEPT. 4-SOUTH CAROLINA AT VANDERBILT-8 PM-ESPN
- SATURDAY, SEPT. 6-SOUTHERN MISS AT AUBURN-12:30 PM-RAYCOM
- SATURDAY, SEPT 6-OLE MISS AT WAKE FOREST-3:30 PM-ABC
- SATURDAY, SEPT. 6-MIAMI AT FLORIDA-8 PM-ABC
- SATURDAY, SEPT. 13-UAB AT TENNESSEE-12:30 PM-RAYCOM
- SATURDAY, SEPT. 13-GEORGIA AT SOUTH CAROLINA-3:30 PM-CBS
- SATURDAY, SEPT. 13-ARKANSAS AT TEXAS-3:30 PM-ABC
- SATURDAY, SEPT. 13-AUBURN AT MISS STATE-7 PM-ESPN2
- SATURDAY, SEPT. 20-GEORGIA AT ARIZONA STATE-8:13-ABC
OTHER PROBABLE TV GAMES:
FLORIDA AT TENNESSEE CBS AND LSU AT AUBURN ESPN ON SEPT. 20; FLORIDA VS. GEORGIA NOV. 1; CBS will also likely broadcast a doubleheader on Oct. 11 with TENNESSEE AT GEORGIA at 3:30 and LSU AT FLORIDA at 8 pm. TENNESSEE’S GAME AT AUBURN ON SEPT. 27 is also a likely CBS 3:30 pm start.
SEC MEETINGS: The league is deciding on whether to stay with its current combination of TV partners or create an in-house TV channel because all the contracts end at the end of the next academic year (2008-09). CBS, ESPN, Fox Sports Net and Raycom are the four primary partners. Fox is trying to put together a huge package to take over the CBS slot. One of the main hurdles is distribution. An SEC TV channel would probably end pay-per-view broadcasts such as TigerVision.
A total of $127 million ($50 for television, bowls $25 million, SEC title game $13 million, basketball TV $13 million) or $10.6 million was given to the members.
SEC presidents and athletic directors voted down an early signing period. The measure would have allowed players to sign if they hadn’t taken an official visit or been contacted by an official school rep, both problems for presidents and athletic directors. Coaches voted 9-3 for the proposal. Still, the legislation might come up in another form during the next two years or by another conference. There was concern that without an official visit that players and families would not be able to visit with academic personnel. Matt Hayes of the Sporting News wrote this week that an early signing period has a chance to pass and would be held on in early fall according to sources on the NCAA executive committee.
The SEC will also sponsor NCAA legislation that would prevent head football coaches from visiting high schools for any reason during the spring evaluation period. A loophole remained for coaches (for example Ron Zook) to speak at clinics.
MEDIA POLICY FOR COACHES AND PLAYERS: Motivated by Ron Higgins, who is the President of the Football Writers Association of America, the league is considering a media policy for coaches and players. Among the items discussed was media having access to scrimmages if the public can watch, interviewing freshmen who contribute and interviewing coordinators. The league’s bylaws include a rule that states all coaches and players must be made available after competition, although some schools and coaches have not abided by the policy.
SEC AT THE COTTON BOWL: Texas State Fair president Errol McKoy said Tuesday that he is in talks with several SEC teams about playing at the Cotton Bowl, which is set for $50 million in renovations, in the future. However, competition will be tough after the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium is completed in 2009. Arkansas and Texas A & M begin a series in the new Dallas Cowboy stadium in 2009. The Cotton Bowl begins play at the new same stadium in 2010.
BIRMINGHAM NEWS ANNUAL SEC FOOTBALL POLL: Georgia has been picked to beat LSU for the SEC title by the league’s sports information directors. Auburn and Florida were picked two in both divisions.
GEORGIA: Jeremy Lomax, a starting defensive end, was arrested for speeding (80 mph in a 55 zone) and carrying a concealed weapon under his seat Wednesday. The Bulldogs play Georgia Southern and Central Michigan in the first two games. He is the fourth Bulldog to be arrested this year. Fred Munzenmaier (underage possession of alcohol) and Donovan Baldwin (DUI) were arrested in January. Munzenmaier has been suspended the first two games. Baldwin is out for the opener. More recently, offensive lineman Clint Boling was charged with suspicion of DUI. Georgia hasn’t been west of the central time zone to play a football game since 1960 when they lost to Southern Cal. Football signee Xavier Avery was the 50th selection by the Baltimore Orioles in the Major League Baseball Draft.
AUBURN: Jonathan Evans (6-0, 205), an outside linebacker from Blount, Ala., has committed to the Tigers. Southern Miss, La Tech, UAB and have offered him. Quarterback signee DeRon Furr has made the move from quarterback to safety.
FLORIDA: Mike Gillislee (6-1, 205), a receiver/running back from DeLand, Fl., committed to Florida last week. Michigan, Illinois, Purdue, N C State, Notre Dame and Clemson offered him. Nu’Keese (Pete) Richardson, a four-star receiver from Pahokee, Fl., also committed to the Gators over South Carolina, Georgia, Southern Cal and Michigan. Janoris Jenkins committed to the Gators in the last signing class.
LSU: Tiger athletic director Skip Bertman is resting comfortably at home after having a stint put in an artery due to a blockage. Bertman will be replaced by Joe Alleva as AD on July 1.
ARKANSAS: Kicker Alex Tejada sustained a patella subluxation in his non-kicking left leg while running on Friday. He should be fine by fall drills. Tejada, who led the Razorbacks with 109 points last season, was 17- of- 23 field goal attempts. Austin Tate (6-6 230), a tight end from Harrison, Ark., has committed to the Hogs. Arkansas officials will pay out $1.7 million for three non-conference foes to play in the state including the much anticipated game against Tulsa with Gus Malzahn, the former Hog offensive coordinator. Western Illinois will receive $350,000, Louisiana-Monroe $500,000 and Tulsa $800,000. The school will receive $400,000 for playing at Texas.
KENTUCKY: Coach Rich Brooks said redshirt sophomore linebacker Brandon Thurmond is doubtful for the 2008 season after injuring his knee for the third time. He missed the entire 2007 season after blowing out his knee in spring practice. Senior receiver DeMoreo Ford is ahead of his rehab schedule for a torn patella tendon and could be ready for fall drills.
ALABAMA: Signee Destin Hood was the No. 55 pick on Thursday in the Major League Baseball Draft. Trent Richardson (5-11, 210), a four-star running back from Pensacola (Fl.) Escambia has committed to Alabama. Auburn, Clemson, Florida, FSU, LSU, Ole Miss and Texas have offered him. Richardson, who bench presses 365 pounds, has plans to visit Florida, Mississippi State and LSU this summer. He is also visiting Alabama in July. Fox Sports South televised “Under the Lights” featuring an Alabama spring football practice Wednesday night at 8 p.m.
TENNESSEE: Phil Fulmer, who turns, 58, on the day of the season opener, is expected to receive a significant extension in the next few days. Vol quarterback signee Casey Kelly was the 30th overall pick in Thursday’s Major League Baseball Draft.
MISSISSIPPI STATE: Former Bulldog quarterback Sleepy Robinson has been named the head coach at Prentiss, Mississippi. He played at State from 1988-92.
SOUTH CAROLINA: NCAA probation ends for South Carolina Friday. The penalty phase ended last year, which meant that coach Steve Spurrier could offer a full compliment of scholarships. South Carolina was the third school that Lou Holtz left on probation. The problems started around the recruitment of troubled star running back Derek Watson, who was given improper transportation on several occasions. South Carolina was cited with lack of institutional control in 2001.
ACC NOTES
ACC EARLY TV TIMES
- THURSDAY, AUGUST 28-JACKSONVILLE STATE AT GT-7:30 PM ESPN360
- THURSDAY, AUGUST 28-CHARLESTON SOUTHERN AT MIAMI 7:30 ESPN360
- THURSDAY, AUGUST 28-N C STATE AT SOUTH CAROLINA 8 PM ESPN
- THURSDAY, AUGUST 28-WAKE FOREST AT BAYLOR 8 PM FSN
- SATURDAY, AUGUST 30-VIRGINIA TECH AT ECU NOON ESPN
- SATURDAY, AUGUST 30-SOUTHERN CAL AT VIRGINIA 3:30 PM ABC/ESPN2
- SATURDAY, AUGUST 30-ALABAMA VS. CLEMSON 8 PM ESPN
- SATURDAY, SEPT 6-GEORGIA TECH AT BOSTON COLLEGE NOON RAYCOM
- SATURDAY, SEPT. 6-OLE MISS AT WAKE FOREST 3:30 PM ABC/ESPN2
- SATURDAY, SEPT. 6-MARYLAND AT MIDDLE TENNESSEE 7 PM CSS
- SATURDAY, SEPT 6-MIAMI AT FLORIDA 8 PM ESPN
- THURSDAY, SEPT. 11-UNC AT RUTGERS 7:30 PM ESPN
- SATURDAY, SEPT. 13-N C STATE AT CLEMSON NOON PM RAYCOM
- SATURDAY, SEPT. 13-CAL AT MARYLAND NOON ON ESPN/ESPN2
- SATURDAY, SEPT. 13-GEORGIA TECH AT VIRGINIA TECH 3:30 PM ABC
- SATURDAY, SEPT. 13-UTC AT FSU 3:45 PM ESPNU
FLORIDA STATE: Former quarterback Peter Tom Willis is joining Warchant.com as a columnist. Willis was recently let go by the Seminole radio network as an analyst. Athlete signee A J Alexander will be playing next week in a Pennsylvania vs. Ohio all star game called the Big 33 game. Nole offensive tackle signee Zebrie Sanders plays for the Ohio team. Phil Steele’s magazine selected receiver Greg Carr as a preseason second team All-American. ESPN selected the Oct. 16 game at N C State for television.
MIAMI: Defensive end Courtney Harris has injured his Achilles’ tendon and was supposed to have surgery this week. His status for the season is in doubt. Harris was going to be competing for a starting job this season. However, it looks like either Adewale Ojomo or Steven Wesley will compete for the starting job opposite Eric Moncur. The line was already hurting with defensive tackle Josh Holmes having gone down with an injury and defensive end Allen Bailey having to have surgery for a torn pectoral muscle. The Canes have four games already set for television. August 28-Charleston Southern at Miami 7:30 pm ESPN 360; Sept. 6-Miami at Florida 8 pm ESPN; Nov. 13 Virginia Tech at Miami 7:30 pm ESPN and Nov. 20 Miami at Georgia Tech 7:30 pm ESPN
PENN STATE: According to last week’s Phanatic Magazine, details are being worked out to replace coach Joe Paterno with Rutgers’s coach Greg Schiano. The article said that Penn State might make a statement in the near future that this will be Paterno’s last season.
SEC HOOPS
ALABAMA: Contrary to an ESPN report that Ron Steele has decided to return to school after attending a pre-draft camp in Orlando, Steele’s father told the Birmingham News that no decision had been made and that his son was still exploring options. Steele missed the entire 2007-08 season due to a knee injury. Tide forward Richard Hendrix is also going to workout for several NBA teams.
KENTUCKY: Guard Derrick Jasper is transferring. Back in May, coach Billy Gillispie said he expected Jasper to leave. Cal, UNLV and UCLA have been mentioned as possibilities.
MISSISSIPPI STATE: Jamont Gordon is working out for various NBA teams. He said that his stock is rising and plans on staying in the draft.
BRENT BEAIRD IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR MYCLAYSUN IN ORANGE PARK, FLA. HE ALSO WRITES FOR RIVALS.COM, SAMSPORTSLINE.COM AND GATOR BAIT MAGAZINE. HE CAN BE HEARD ON SPORTS RADIO 1010 XL.
E-MAIL BRENT AT bcbeaird@bellsouth.net
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