Comments on the week from our expert panel of reporters, bankers, doctors, lawyers, ad wizards, lawn guys, bond guys, car guys, pilots, priests, principals, builders, teachers, bums, and nomads.
Continually updated throughout the day...
Oh,God... Clemson. -- G Biz
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Jeff G's Weekly Line
I’m moving too close to the top, so I’m due for a letdown. Where’s Clemson? Oh, there they are…along with my other favorite – UGa. Great. Thanks.
MSU – I’m riding Sparty although I feel a loss coming. Damn that was a great game last week.
UGa – not sure why I keep doing this to myself.
Tennessee – going with my gut
Stanford – famous last words... "this one won’t even be close"
Clemson – remember when I said I was going to pick Clemson to lose from here on out just to spite them? I don’t.
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Thanks for not putting Norte Dame on the list this week, they have always done me wrong, no matter which way I pick. -- Mike O
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Regards From the Big O
I can't say your comment about Tub's winning accurately reflects the U fans I know best... I, for one, will always pull for Tommy except when we play his team: his ten years at AU were pretty significant in my opinion, not just as to football victories, but also in the way he rebuilt our program the right way. Enough of that, time to make my picks with less research than previously: 1) Nebraska (primarily because they are playing at home and their opponent isn't Notre Dame -- are we sure they didn't throw last week's game?); 2) Florida (because those dawgs don't really bite and, most importantly, the gators are faster and two original starters are rumored to be playing...Brantley is clearly the key to this pick); 3) South Carolina (because TN's coach is too immature and the old ball coach has had enough time to get his new QB up to par -- hopefully); 4) Stanford (while USC is much improved since I picked them over Arizona State, there's good reason they are a 7 point favorite, namely their QB); and 5) Clemson (because they're pretty good and I like their QB). Now, one final observation: you let us off the hook by not including Ole Sis at AU...obviously, by hanging in there with the hogs, the Rebel Black Bears are soooo much improved and we're using a backup QB-- oh, so are the Rebs; never mind. Regards, Oscar And Release the Kirchen for real this weekend so I can learn to Lutzie (that's his dance at bama for the uninformed)!
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Can I make 4 picks & take an auto loss on Clemson? -- Rob O
UGA – the over/under fights in the game: 1.5, the over/under on fights outside the stadium and in the stands: 532 -- Jeff K
Clemson - can they really be #6 and only favored by 3??? -- Steve N
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Poetry Corner
Michigan State
Made me irate
When they caught that Hail Mary pass.
Once again
The stupid Big 10
Made me smack my wife on the ass.
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So...how on earth could I guy like me go with Clemson, for a second time after filing my C&D letter weeks ago. Well, it seems the best way to beat the curse is to join the curse. own the curse, make love to the curse in an unnatural and unprotected way... So, as I order my Clemson Football visor from Lids.com, I offer my picks as follows. -- G Biz
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Live Fan Feedback: Week 8
Comments on the week from our expert panel of reporters, bankers, doctors, lawyers, ad wizards, lawn guys, bond guys, car guys, pilots, priests, principals, builders, teachers, bums, and nomads.
Continually updated throughout the day...
GO CARDINALS?????? I'm shocked, disgusted and saddened by that. The opportunity to have 2 Championships (Go Mavs) in the same city should be reason enough for any sports fan to root for the Rangers. Plus they're due. Plus Nolan Ryan will put you in a Robin Ventura headlock and beat you silly if you root against them. -- John R
How about Clemzon. My wife went there. Might as well cheer for someone worth while since UF is sucking it this year. -- My D [EDITOR'S NOTE: Clemson is favored by 10 over North Carolina, which I and probably most don't think has much of a chance to win at Clemson.]
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Bonus Challenge (only because I like a challenge):
Battle of the Pan Flashes
Rutgers - Louisville
7 p.m., Friday, ESPN
Line: Louisville by 2
-- Alex T
[EDITOR'S NOTE: A 2-4 Louisville team against Rutgers isn't exactly an attractive match-up.]
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As a TCU alum and a sophomore in 2003, I've seen how tough it is to play in Hattiesburg. -- Jarod D
I was expecting an epic struggle between big east powers Cincinnati and South Florida. -- Jeremy A [EDITOR'S NOTE: Game on Big East Network so virtually no one would be able to watch it.]
Why isn't the BC VT game up there? -- Stephen R [EDITOR'S NOTE: Virginia Tech favored by 21.]
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The Analysis With Jeff G
Another week where I have no good feel for any of these. BTW, I’m flying in for the MSU game 11/19. Craig May starts tailgating at 6:00 AM. I’m wondering if I’m going to even make it to the game.
Okie State – they look real to me and proved they can win on the road. Haven’t see Mizzou.
Miami – goin’ with the home team. That’s the only reason. I don’t think either of these teams are that good.
Domers – now that Kiffin is at USC, my hate expands to both these teams.
MSU – I am 1-1 with Sparty so far. Their handling of Robinson could foretell success against Wilson even though Wilson is a hell of a lot better passer. Just not sure about MSU’s passing game - they should be better than they are. I think a Saturday night showdown in E Lansing will favor Sparty as long as MSU comes out nasty like last week.
Southern Miss – for some reason I don’t think this game will be televised here in NC
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All those years in the School of Noise must have finally paid off!!! -- Randi P
Can you do me a favor and compare my picks to Huber's... If he picks the same as me (even if he got his in first), please email him and let him know those picks were already chosen and he needs to make different picks. We've basically had the same picks except in two weeks. His lead is small but his head is large!!! -- G Biz
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Regards From the Big O
One surprise in the selections, specifically SMU vs UMS, since I'm probably the only one in this pool that has been to a USM game at Hattiesburg. Indeed, I spent a lot of time at what was then Mississippi Southern because my uncle was dean of the Math School and coach of the golf team -- the school's golf course is named after B.O. Van Hook. Anyway, I transgress. My picks this week are as follows: 1) Oklahoma State (although Mizzou may soon be a member of the SEC, their offense is no where near the Jaguar like speed and efficiency of OSU); 2) Miami (because, I assume, all their suspended players are back by now and they are playing at home); 3) Notre Dame (because they are the better team playing at home and I don't pick huge underdogs except for AU -- notably, you likely saved me 2 point by not picking the SEC Tigers game as part of our selections this week, even though AU could surprise Old Man Miles as he's already used up his 9 lives and LSU's offense isn't top caliber, whereas our defense is getting better each week); 4) Wisconsin (because they have just the right person running their offense this year and they are at least the 4th best team nationally, ergo their defense may be over matched this week); and 5) Southern Miss (because they are playing on the same field I once competed against the state's best bands plus USM is pretty good this year...bet you didn't know I'm an old trombonist?).
Given UCLA's total ineptness even against Arizona (who would have guessed their problem was Stoops?), I guess I'll comment on LSU's loss of "Honey Badger don't give a ..." plus two additional starters. Incidently, those Honey Badgers eat Cobras...really. Basically, I thought they were smoking something over there at the red stick every time I read one of the Tigerdroppings comments about Cam and AU over the past year...what goes around comes around, especially to teams like the Corndogs and the Tahd (both of whom, per a comment I read earlier tonight on ITAT, "were born on third base and think they hit a triple").
As for the announced AU haters recently commenting on Poolsville, I ran across and apt Latin legal phrase in a new Legal Dictionary for we AU Davises which you can also feel free to use in the future where applicable: "Illegitimi Non Carborundum." Loosely translated (as it is actually a popular motto in mock Latin that is seemingly beloved of a certain stripe of lawyer), it means "Don't let the bastards get you down." Actually, it was invented in the 20th Century and means nothing sensible in Latin at all. If one must express such feelings, a closer formulation for any Latin Scholars (including more likely teachers or priests at Catholic High) is "Nunquam filii canis sinam vincere."
Enough prattle for this evening. "War Eagle" and "Release the Kirchen" (that's Lutzenkirchen for those who don't remember the last TD by AU at last years Iron Bowl)!
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Poetry Corner
It’s time to make my move.
I’m in this thing to win it.
But if I start to lose
I’ll beat my wife for a minute.
It’s a strategy I use
And it always changes my luck.
But every time I do it.
She never wants to… cook.
Continually updated throughout the day...
GO CARDINALS?????? I'm shocked, disgusted and saddened by that. The opportunity to have 2 Championships (Go Mavs) in the same city should be reason enough for any sports fan to root for the Rangers. Plus they're due. Plus Nolan Ryan will put you in a Robin Ventura headlock and beat you silly if you root against them. -- John R
How about Clemzon. My wife went there. Might as well cheer for someone worth while since UF is sucking it this year. -- My D [EDITOR'S NOTE: Clemson is favored by 10 over North Carolina, which I and probably most don't think has much of a chance to win at Clemson.]
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Bonus Challenge (only because I like a challenge):
Battle of the Pan Flashes
Rutgers - Louisville
7 p.m., Friday, ESPN
Line: Louisville by 2
-- Alex T
[EDITOR'S NOTE: A 2-4 Louisville team against Rutgers isn't exactly an attractive match-up.]
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As a TCU alum and a sophomore in 2003, I've seen how tough it is to play in Hattiesburg. -- Jarod D
I was expecting an epic struggle between big east powers Cincinnati and South Florida. -- Jeremy A [EDITOR'S NOTE: Game on Big East Network so virtually no one would be able to watch it.]
Why isn't the BC VT game up there? -- Stephen R [EDITOR'S NOTE: Virginia Tech favored by 21.]
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The Analysis With Jeff G
Another week where I have no good feel for any of these. BTW, I’m flying in for the MSU game 11/19. Craig May starts tailgating at 6:00 AM. I’m wondering if I’m going to even make it to the game.
Okie State – they look real to me and proved they can win on the road. Haven’t see Mizzou.
Miami – goin’ with the home team. That’s the only reason. I don’t think either of these teams are that good.
Domers – now that Kiffin is at USC, my hate expands to both these teams.
MSU – I am 1-1 with Sparty so far. Their handling of Robinson could foretell success against Wilson even though Wilson is a hell of a lot better passer. Just not sure about MSU’s passing game - they should be better than they are. I think a Saturday night showdown in E Lansing will favor Sparty as long as MSU comes out nasty like last week.
Southern Miss – for some reason I don’t think this game will be televised here in NC
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All those years in the School of Noise must have finally paid off!!! -- Randi P
Can you do me a favor and compare my picks to Huber's... If he picks the same as me (even if he got his in first), please email him and let him know those picks were already chosen and he needs to make different picks. We've basically had the same picks except in two weeks. His lead is small but his head is large!!! -- G Biz
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Regards From the Big O
One surprise in the selections, specifically SMU vs UMS, since I'm probably the only one in this pool that has been to a USM game at Hattiesburg. Indeed, I spent a lot of time at what was then Mississippi Southern because my uncle was dean of the Math School and coach of the golf team -- the school's golf course is named after B.O. Van Hook. Anyway, I transgress. My picks this week are as follows: 1) Oklahoma State (although Mizzou may soon be a member of the SEC, their offense is no where near the Jaguar like speed and efficiency of OSU); 2) Miami (because, I assume, all their suspended players are back by now and they are playing at home); 3) Notre Dame (because they are the better team playing at home and I don't pick huge underdogs except for AU -- notably, you likely saved me 2 point by not picking the SEC Tigers game as part of our selections this week, even though AU could surprise Old Man Miles as he's already used up his 9 lives and LSU's offense isn't top caliber, whereas our defense is getting better each week); 4) Wisconsin (because they have just the right person running their offense this year and they are at least the 4th best team nationally, ergo their defense may be over matched this week); and 5) Southern Miss (because they are playing on the same field I once competed against the state's best bands plus USM is pretty good this year...bet you didn't know I'm an old trombonist?).
Given UCLA's total ineptness even against Arizona (who would have guessed their problem was Stoops?), I guess I'll comment on LSU's loss of "Honey Badger don't give a ..." plus two additional starters. Incidently, those Honey Badgers eat Cobras...really. Basically, I thought they were smoking something over there at the red stick every time I read one of the Tigerdroppings comments about Cam and AU over the past year...what goes around comes around, especially to teams like the Corndogs and the Tahd (both of whom, per a comment I read earlier tonight on ITAT, "were born on third base and think they hit a triple").
As for the announced AU haters recently commenting on Poolsville, I ran across and apt Latin legal phrase in a new Legal Dictionary for we AU Davises which you can also feel free to use in the future where applicable: "Illegitimi Non Carborundum." Loosely translated (as it is actually a popular motto in mock Latin that is seemingly beloved of a certain stripe of lawyer), it means "Don't let the bastards get you down." Actually, it was invented in the 20th Century and means nothing sensible in Latin at all. If one must express such feelings, a closer formulation for any Latin Scholars (including more likely teachers or priests at Catholic High) is "Nunquam filii canis sinam vincere."
Enough prattle for this evening. "War Eagle" and "Release the Kirchen" (that's Lutzenkirchen for those who don't remember the last TD by AU at last years Iron Bowl)!
-
Poetry Corner
It’s time to make my move.
I’m in this thing to win it.
But if I start to lose
I’ll beat my wife for a minute.
It’s a strategy I use
And it always changes my luck.
But every time I do it.
She never wants to… cook.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Live Fan Feedback: Week 7
Comments on the week from our expert panel of reporters, bankers, doctors, lawyers, ad wizards, lawn guys, bond guys, car guys, pilots, priests, principals, builders, teachers, bums, and nomads.
Continually updated throughout the day...
The Jeff G Analysis
State – for the reasons stated before, plus I think they can shut down Robinson enough. The over must be huge for this one.
A&M – A&M should figure out how to put 4 quarters together. What’s a Brazo?
Okie State – Texas’s problems last week seemed to be based on lack of experience. Now they know how to get the shit kicked out of them by an Oklahoma team, this week might not hurt as much.
Auburn – Florida’s QB situation is bad, real bad.
TTech – The Who Cares Game of the Week. That includes Sullivan who has been noticeably (and mercifully) silent so far. Yes, you can tell him I said that.
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If the sheep pokers of college station let me down im going to put a bag of dog shit on their bus when they come to Austin. -- David N
Whew, Aggies in the pool 4 weeks in a row. Me and Pap heading to College Station this weekend. Gotta load up on A&M-SEC merchandise. Hey, you think they'll move A&M-Ark to a home-and-home? Seems like it would make sense, but I'm guessing that both teams make way more guaranteed money from Jerry in Dallas than they would as a home game. But I'd love to get to Fayetteville or LR for a game. -- Aggie Mark
I'm thinking C. Don't know how you keep up with it all. I hope Steve Jobs gave you some fancy algortithm that automates this for you, before he passed. -- G-Biz
When will you start enforcing the 5p for Sal. I’m big on rules. BIG! Technically, he’s 0-15 the last 3 weeks. -- C Fish
Texas Tech just so Sully won't bug me. -- Moose
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Regards from the Big O
Since I'm leaving for Auburn at the game with the gators tomorrow morning and I don't want to forget to send them tomorrow, I guess I'd better make my picks which are as follows: 1) Michigan (because even a victory over Ohio State doesn't justify giving the edge to M. State; besides in the Big 11, Michigan's QB is the most effective after the kid who chose Wisconsin over us -- Wilson? -- thus probably adding a loss by us to the Hogs this year, unfortunately); 2) Texas A&M (because I've withheld church donations to the Bears lately and haven't set up Jeremy's cockeyed scheme for funding their recruits; besides, A&M is a better team and except for picking AU out of loyalty, I didn't get to the top picking 9 point underdogs); 3) Oklahoma State (same reasoning as before, I don't pick 7 point underdogs; besides, the L'horns didn't impress me at all after picking them last Saturday over OU); 4) Auburn (for the same previous reason plus their QB is less experienced than ours and our defense has gotten better each game -- feed it to Michael and run, run, run); and 5) Texas Tech (no real reason other than Tubs playing at home and he almost pulled it out against A&M last week). Really enjoyed Jack Arute's giving your friends Pawwly and Danny Boy heck on the radio today. Jack has condemned the rush to speculative judgment (spell checks wrong here, it is proper to spell with or without an "e" according to most legal authorities) against AU throughout our ordeal -- which is now over, regardless of what our detractors (I guess that includes you too) misguided beliefs. In Gene's off color refrain as he raised the crystal football last January 10th, "War Damn Eagle!"
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Poetry Corner with Danny K
It’s time to pick.
It’s here so quick.
These games are really fickle.
But whoever wins,
Whenever it ends,
My wife will play Hide the Pickle.
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The Poolsville Auburn debate is very entertaining - I'm kind of sad to see the investigation come to an end for many reasons. And I'm very thankful that the Daviswa aren't a mafia family otherwise I'd have to go underground. -- Fleetwood
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Glenn B's NCAAFConverter App
The Converter is on Alaska Time today (includes French Polynesia, as you probably know) and rather than run the risk of a late submission, I am sending you the basic results.
1. Michigan - Michigan State
NCAAFConverter says Blue is back. MICHIGAN.
2. Baylor - Texas A&M (Baylor worth four points)
NCAAFConverter says the team of attorneys Baylor had on retainer to stop A&M's flight from the Big 12 has been working overtime on breaking down A&M's offensive schemes for litigation purposes; these guys will be key in pulling the upset here. BAYLOR. Bonus points, please.
3. Oklahoma State - Texas (Texas worth three points).
NCAAFConverter duly notes that This Week in Schadenfreude awarded the Tears of Unfathomable Sadness to Texas after last week's loss to Oklahoma. Standing in water is never a good thing when lightning is about to strike twice. OSU, please. Go peddle your shiny bonus point elsewhere.
4. Florida - Auburn
NCAAFConverter says: really? What purpose does this serve? Arkansas showed last week that the emperor wears no clothes. But that won't stop Auburn from trouncing those Gators. AUBURN, please.
5. Kansas State - Texas Tech
NCAAFConverter says some things just cannot be explained through science. KSU, please.
Continually updated throughout the day...
The Jeff G Analysis
State – for the reasons stated before, plus I think they can shut down Robinson enough. The over must be huge for this one.
A&M – A&M should figure out how to put 4 quarters together. What’s a Brazo?
Okie State – Texas’s problems last week seemed to be based on lack of experience. Now they know how to get the shit kicked out of them by an Oklahoma team, this week might not hurt as much.
Auburn – Florida’s QB situation is bad, real bad.
TTech – The Who Cares Game of the Week. That includes Sullivan who has been noticeably (and mercifully) silent so far. Yes, you can tell him I said that.
-
If the sheep pokers of college station let me down im going to put a bag of dog shit on their bus when they come to Austin. -- David N
Whew, Aggies in the pool 4 weeks in a row. Me and Pap heading to College Station this weekend. Gotta load up on A&M-SEC merchandise. Hey, you think they'll move A&M-Ark to a home-and-home? Seems like it would make sense, but I'm guessing that both teams make way more guaranteed money from Jerry in Dallas than they would as a home game. But I'd love to get to Fayetteville or LR for a game. -- Aggie Mark
I'm thinking C. Don't know how you keep up with it all. I hope Steve Jobs gave you some fancy algortithm that automates this for you, before he passed. -- G-Biz
When will you start enforcing the 5p for Sal. I’m big on rules. BIG! Technically, he’s 0-15 the last 3 weeks. -- C Fish
Texas Tech just so Sully won't bug me. -- Moose
-
Regards from the Big O
Since I'm leaving for Auburn at the game with the gators tomorrow morning and I don't want to forget to send them tomorrow, I guess I'd better make my picks which are as follows: 1) Michigan (because even a victory over Ohio State doesn't justify giving the edge to M. State; besides in the Big 11, Michigan's QB is the most effective after the kid who chose Wisconsin over us -- Wilson? -- thus probably adding a loss by us to the Hogs this year, unfortunately); 2) Texas A&M (because I've withheld church donations to the Bears lately and haven't set up Jeremy's cockeyed scheme for funding their recruits; besides, A&M is a better team and except for picking AU out of loyalty, I didn't get to the top picking 9 point underdogs); 3) Oklahoma State (same reasoning as before, I don't pick 7 point underdogs; besides, the L'horns didn't impress me at all after picking them last Saturday over OU); 4) Auburn (for the same previous reason plus their QB is less experienced than ours and our defense has gotten better each game -- feed it to Michael and run, run, run); and 5) Texas Tech (no real reason other than Tubs playing at home and he almost pulled it out against A&M last week). Really enjoyed Jack Arute's giving your friends Pawwly and Danny Boy heck on the radio today. Jack has condemned the rush to speculative judgment (spell checks wrong here, it is proper to spell with or without an "e" according to most legal authorities) against AU throughout our ordeal -- which is now over, regardless of what our detractors (I guess that includes you too) misguided beliefs. In Gene's off color refrain as he raised the crystal football last January 10th, "War Damn Eagle!"
-
Poetry Corner with Danny K
It’s time to pick.
It’s here so quick.
These games are really fickle.
But whoever wins,
Whenever it ends,
My wife will play Hide the Pickle.
-
The Poolsville Auburn debate is very entertaining - I'm kind of sad to see the investigation come to an end for many reasons. And I'm very thankful that the Daviswa aren't a mafia family otherwise I'd have to go underground. -- Fleetwood
-
Glenn B's NCAAFConverter App
The Converter is on Alaska Time today (includes French Polynesia, as you probably know) and rather than run the risk of a late submission, I am sending you the basic results.
1. Michigan - Michigan State
NCAAFConverter says Blue is back. MICHIGAN.
2. Baylor - Texas A&M (Baylor worth four points)
NCAAFConverter says the team of attorneys Baylor had on retainer to stop A&M's flight from the Big 12 has been working overtime on breaking down A&M's offensive schemes for litigation purposes; these guys will be key in pulling the upset here. BAYLOR. Bonus points, please.
3. Oklahoma State - Texas (Texas worth three points).
NCAAFConverter duly notes that This Week in Schadenfreude awarded the Tears of Unfathomable Sadness to Texas after last week's loss to Oklahoma. Standing in water is never a good thing when lightning is about to strike twice. OSU, please. Go peddle your shiny bonus point elsewhere.
4. Florida - Auburn
NCAAFConverter says: really? What purpose does this serve? Arkansas showed last week that the emperor wears no clothes. But that won't stop Auburn from trouncing those Gators. AUBURN, please.
5. Kansas State - Texas Tech
NCAAFConverter says some things just cannot be explained through science. KSU, please.
Since the NCAA says case closed, where does Auburn go to get its reputation back?
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/10/after_the_ncaas_all-clear_wher.html
Published: Friday, October 14, 2011, 5:00 AM
By Kevin Scarbinsky, Birmingham News
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Now that it's over, as Julie Roe Lach might say, now that Auburn has a letter from the NCAA that isn't a notice of inquiry or allegations, now that the official asterisk has been removed from the 2010 Heisman Trophy and BCS Championship, one question.
Where does Auburn go to get its reputation back?
It's a famous question once asked by a former U.S. Labor Secretary who was charged with corruption, then was tried and acquitted on all counts.
It's a trick question, of course, with a cruel answer.
Once you've been convicted in the small minds of people hoping beyond hope that your success has been a sham, it doesn't matter how many formal letters you receive from the proper officials saying you're free to go. Some people won't believe you got cleared.
They'll believe you got off.
Cam Newton gets to keep his Heisman Trophy, but he'll forever be the first and probably last Heisman winner to finish runner-up for SEC male athlete of the year. To a tennis player.
Gene Chizik gets to say that he was the national coach of the year in 2010 but not the conference coach of the year, not in a vote of his peers.
Auburn will always have Jan. 22, 2011, the day 78,000 family members gathered in Jordan-Hare Stadium to cherish the memory of Jan. 10, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz., but two days of basking in the sun hardly compares to nine months of staring at a crystal football covered in shadow.
The shadow was real, but not because a rag-tag militia of bloggers, posters and callers rose up to take aim at the Tigers. The one true fact that became their cause was a form of friendly fire.
If Cam Newton was guilty of anything, as far as you and I and the NCAA know, it was being born to Cecil Newton. As close as father and son may be, it was the father who put his son and his son's school in this predicament in the first place.
Cecil Newton talking to former Mississippi State player Kenny Rogers about getting money to send the quarterback to State was the spark that set off a wildfire of unsubstantiated allegations captured most fancifully in the Internet fable "As the Plains Burn," which really should've won a Pulitzer Prize.
For fiction.
The unhealthy alliance between the elder Newton and Rogers, for all practical purposes, put Auburn on a form of probation from the day it was revealed last November until Wednesday, when the NCAA classified it as the only violation it could pin down against the Newton family.
Fortunately for anyone who cares about the truth, as the NCAA pointed out in the bureaucratic smack-down portion of its official statement, the association operates under a slightly higher burden of proof than bloggers, posters and callers, and even some members of the media.
Here's looking at you, Danny Sheridan and friends.
Instead of being swayed by public misinformation, the NCAA did what the NCAA is supposed to do. It assigned to the Newton case a bulldog of a lead investigator, Jackie Thurnes, whose previous work included the Derrick Rose-Memphis basketball case that cost the Tigers 38 victories and a national runner-up finish, and turned her loose.
Consider a list of states where the NCAA put actual boots on the ground to sniff around on Newton, the HBO 4 and beyond: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida and Arkansas.
Now contemplate the multiple fronts covered by a wide-ranging investigation that, according to Thurnes' "It's over" letter to Auburn AD Jay Jacobs, "was not limited to" Newton and the HBO 4.
According to people who were interviewed by the NCAA, the probe looked into everything from the repairs that were done on Cecil Newton's church to the suits that Cam Newton wore in New York during Heisman week. They asked questions about everyone from an alleged street agent in Louisiana to an alleged street agent in Arkansas.
They combed through bank, tax and phone records of Auburn players, coaches, officials and trustees. They requested and were provided some records that went back almost two years.
Did I say requested? Demanded is more like it. The NCAA made it clear that, if those records weren't turned over, the NCAA would consider that suspicious and might find Auburn guilty of failure to cooperate.
What did the NCAA find after 13 months of that kind of determined digging? Not enough to substantiate any of the potential violations it examined. Auburn's unofficial probation ended, not only without sanctions, but without a single formal charge brought against the school.
It's extraordinary for the NCAA not to find something somewhere to charge a school with when it invests this kind of time and money. People who've been involved in infractions cases will tell you. When the enforcement staff turns over this many rocks, it expects to find some serious dirt.
Auburn expected to come out clean, but it didn't expect to get the detailed letter it received that was signed by Thurnes. There probably isn't a more rare and valuable document in the possession of any athletic department in the country today.
It became clear on opening day of the 2011 football season, when Auburn was forced to come from behind to beat Utah State, that the Tigers were not going to defend their 2010 national championship.
Something even more important became clear Wednesday.
They no longer have to defend it. Not to the people that matter, the ones with the power to take it away.
Published: Friday, October 14, 2011, 5:00 AM
By Kevin Scarbinsky, Birmingham News
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Now that it's over, as Julie Roe Lach might say, now that Auburn has a letter from the NCAA that isn't a notice of inquiry or allegations, now that the official asterisk has been removed from the 2010 Heisman Trophy and BCS Championship, one question.
Where does Auburn go to get its reputation back?
It's a famous question once asked by a former U.S. Labor Secretary who was charged with corruption, then was tried and acquitted on all counts.
It's a trick question, of course, with a cruel answer.
Once you've been convicted in the small minds of people hoping beyond hope that your success has been a sham, it doesn't matter how many formal letters you receive from the proper officials saying you're free to go. Some people won't believe you got cleared.
They'll believe you got off.
Cam Newton gets to keep his Heisman Trophy, but he'll forever be the first and probably last Heisman winner to finish runner-up for SEC male athlete of the year. To a tennis player.
Gene Chizik gets to say that he was the national coach of the year in 2010 but not the conference coach of the year, not in a vote of his peers.
Auburn will always have Jan. 22, 2011, the day 78,000 family members gathered in Jordan-Hare Stadium to cherish the memory of Jan. 10, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz., but two days of basking in the sun hardly compares to nine months of staring at a crystal football covered in shadow.
The shadow was real, but not because a rag-tag militia of bloggers, posters and callers rose up to take aim at the Tigers. The one true fact that became their cause was a form of friendly fire.
If Cam Newton was guilty of anything, as far as you and I and the NCAA know, it was being born to Cecil Newton. As close as father and son may be, it was the father who put his son and his son's school in this predicament in the first place.
Cecil Newton talking to former Mississippi State player Kenny Rogers about getting money to send the quarterback to State was the spark that set off a wildfire of unsubstantiated allegations captured most fancifully in the Internet fable "As the Plains Burn," which really should've won a Pulitzer Prize.
For fiction.
The unhealthy alliance between the elder Newton and Rogers, for all practical purposes, put Auburn on a form of probation from the day it was revealed last November until Wednesday, when the NCAA classified it as the only violation it could pin down against the Newton family.
Fortunately for anyone who cares about the truth, as the NCAA pointed out in the bureaucratic smack-down portion of its official statement, the association operates under a slightly higher burden of proof than bloggers, posters and callers, and even some members of the media.
Here's looking at you, Danny Sheridan and friends.
Instead of being swayed by public misinformation, the NCAA did what the NCAA is supposed to do. It assigned to the Newton case a bulldog of a lead investigator, Jackie Thurnes, whose previous work included the Derrick Rose-Memphis basketball case that cost the Tigers 38 victories and a national runner-up finish, and turned her loose.
Consider a list of states where the NCAA put actual boots on the ground to sniff around on Newton, the HBO 4 and beyond: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida and Arkansas.
Now contemplate the multiple fronts covered by a wide-ranging investigation that, according to Thurnes' "It's over" letter to Auburn AD Jay Jacobs, "was not limited to" Newton and the HBO 4.
According to people who were interviewed by the NCAA, the probe looked into everything from the repairs that were done on Cecil Newton's church to the suits that Cam Newton wore in New York during Heisman week. They asked questions about everyone from an alleged street agent in Louisiana to an alleged street agent in Arkansas.
They combed through bank, tax and phone records of Auburn players, coaches, officials and trustees. They requested and were provided some records that went back almost two years.
Did I say requested? Demanded is more like it. The NCAA made it clear that, if those records weren't turned over, the NCAA would consider that suspicious and might find Auburn guilty of failure to cooperate.
What did the NCAA find after 13 months of that kind of determined digging? Not enough to substantiate any of the potential violations it examined. Auburn's unofficial probation ended, not only without sanctions, but without a single formal charge brought against the school.
It's extraordinary for the NCAA not to find something somewhere to charge a school with when it invests this kind of time and money. People who've been involved in infractions cases will tell you. When the enforcement staff turns over this many rocks, it expects to find some serious dirt.
Auburn expected to come out clean, but it didn't expect to get the detailed letter it received that was signed by Thurnes. There probably isn't a more rare and valuable document in the possession of any athletic department in the country today.
It became clear on opening day of the 2011 football season, when Auburn was forced to come from behind to beat Utah State, that the Tigers were not going to defend their 2010 national championship.
Something even more important became clear Wednesday.
They no longer have to defend it. Not to the people that matter, the ones with the power to take it away.
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