Dennis Dodd takes his own words served cold

Everyone's favorite college football hack columnist at CBS Sports, Dennis Dodd, defended Florida against the recent media scrutiny of its legal issues. He argued that because the Gators and Urban Meyer are really good, they're being given unfair attention for their wrongdoings. I'm not sure where to start, so let's begin with this: he must really not remember ANYTHING, even stuff he has already written about to great extent.

Higher standards? Title wins shouldn't exacerbate UF sins

"...The total now stands at 24, as in the number of arrests in Urban Meyer's four seasons. The number would be appalling if we weren't such hypocrites. The reason we care about that number for a fleeting moment is the reason we'll forget just as fast.

Meyer wins... [and] as long as Florida keeps winning big, does it really matter?"

I bet you I can answer that, with Dodd's own words, served on a chilled platter of fresh, crisp Google. God, the internet is wonderful, isn't it?

"It's ultimately up to the coach to recruit kids of character... Boys will be boys, sure, but what's happening at Penn State would be a national scandal if it was anyone else but Joe Paterno as coach. It's funny that other programs have leadership from its veteran players. Paterno had to suspend three of his senior guys last week a couple of weeks after ESPN portrayed the dearth of the off-field problems. Is it possible that in his zeal to win, JoePa took some chances on kids of questionable character?"

Oh, come on. Is that all you've got? If it weren't for the fact that Dodd has been on a personal crusade to oust Paterno since George W Bush was garnering a 90 percent approval rating, if not earlier, then this would be surprising to see such hypocrisy spewing from his keyboard.

Dodd is on record arguing that Penn State was being let off the hook, because of its stature as a national power and an untouchable head coach at the helm.

This week, he's on record arguing that Florida is being attacked too much, because of its stature as a national power and an untouchable head coach at the helm.

Now THAT, to quote a certain college football hack columnist, "would be appalling if we weren't such hypocrites."

Related articles:
It's not whining if Florida does it - Zombie Nation 6/17/09

More below the fold...

Preview: 2009 BCS Championship Game

No. 2 Florida vs. No. 1 Oklahoma

Florida

The Question on Everyone's Mind: Can the SEC make it three in a row?

The Answer to Everyone's question: Probably, but it's definitely a level playing field this time. In 2008, Ohio State backed into the title game, getting there only due to mammoth upsets in late November and early December. LSU was No. 1 several times during the season, and wasn't given enough credit going into the game. In 2007, Ohio State had the now-famous "50 days" from its last game until the title game, while Florida was a very underrated team. This year, Oklahoma has played a game as recently as Florida, and is just as good (on paper) as the Gators. This should be a good test for both Florida and Oklahoma.

How the Gators can win: Get to Sam Bradford. Teams all year had difficulty putting pressure on the Heisman winner, while all he needs is that split second longer to make a killer throw. Florida has to jam the Sooners' receivers, while forcing Bradford to throw sooner than he wants to, and that's no small task. I have confidence that Tim Tebow and the offense will score enough points to keep pace with Oklahoma, but if the Gators' defense can't slow the Sooner attack, this will turn into a shootout. On top of all that, Oklahoma will be without Demarco Murray, the team's leading rusher. So Florida should tee off on the one-dimensional offense.

Oklahoma

The Question on Everyone's Mind: Is the Big XII a fraud?

The Answer to Everyone's question: Again, probably. I'm still giving the edge to Oklahoma, but that's only because I think Florida's defense has had trouble with good offenses. Oklahoma's is very, very good. However, the Big XII's bowl outing this season has been more embarrassing than the Big Ten's, but no one seems to care. This was labeled as the absolute best conference this year, but has seen its best teams struggle mightily against inferior competition. Missouri, Texas Tech and Texas played terrible games against only mediocre teams. But Oklahoma could throw a wrench into that perception by beating Florida.

How the Sooners can win: Bomb away. Who cares if Bradford throws an interception, or there's a fumble? Oklahoma is fielding the most prolific offense we've seen in a long time, and the scary part of it is that it's under the pro-style scheme. Alabama was able to push around the Florida defensive front. Oklahoma's line is even better, if not the best and biggest in the country. The Sooners need to use that. Get a few quick scores, and force Florida into comeback mode. That's not to say Oklahoma should play keep away, but if the Sooners can make Tim Tebow throw more than run, and get the ball down-field, the nation's leader in turnover margin will have plenty to feed on. Considering that points might come easily in this game for both teams, Oklahoma has the early advantage. Keep Bradford upright for at least 2.5 seconds per dropback, and the Sooners win.

Predictions

What will happen: I expect both teams to come out strong, but a little sloppy. Florida will probably take a lead into the locker room, but it won't feel comfortable. Alabama led Florida at the half, but we all knew the Gators were ready to pounce. Oklahoma will try to run the ball early, but find that it's much easier to throw. Bradford will throw for a pedestrian 250 yards, but make the important plays when needed. Tebow will outplay Bradford, raising doubts as to which quarterback should have won the Heisman. But Oklahoma will settle down and take advantage of its size and talent up front to muscle its way to the BCS championship.

Score: Oklahoma 36, Florida 29

**The poll (below the posts) will be open only until the game starts, so get those votes in!

More below the fold...

More on Coach of the Year

I really don't think Joe Paterno will be named Coach of the Year for 2008. Does he deserve it just as much as anyone? Sure. Will anyone care? Nope. So with that I've pretty much narrowed it down to a few "true finalists" for the award.

Bob Stoops, Chris Petersen, Kyle Whittingham and Urban Meyer.

Stoops and Meyer: It's relatively easy to explain these two. Their teams are in the national championship game, and have been media darlings almost all season long. On the Florida front, between Tim Tebow, and the fact that the Gators play in the SEC–even if it is down this year, no one cares–will give the head coach there a boost. In Oklahoma, well, the Big XII is the newest SEC, and rightfully so. The Big XII South race was one of the more exciting in recent memory, even though its climax left much to be desired by fans. Oklahoma has scored more points this season than any other team in the history of college football. Now, yes, it was a 13 game schedule, but 700 freaking points is a lot.

Whittingham and Petersen: I think these two guys should get more consideration, particularly Whittingham. Boise State has put together a nice undefeated run under Petersen, but the Broncos' resume this year is less than steller. Utah, on the other hand, has beaten Michigan in Ann Arbor (still impressive, regardless of how bad UM sucks this year) and almost-Pac 10 champ Oregon State. Utah also beat TCU and BYU. Now, I know neither of these teams play a slate like the Big XII or SEC, but remember that these coaches don't have the resources or players that Meyer and Stoops have.

So there's the short and sweet argument for both sides. I still think Joe Paterno has done the best true coaching job in America this year, after what this program, and Joe personally, have had to deal with.

More below the fold...

JoePa, Coach of the Year finalist, again

Yup, looks like Joe Paterno is still one of the best coaches in college football, even though many would want you to believe otherwise... (cough)Mark(cough)May(cough, cough).

"Penn State coach Joe Paterno has been selected as a finalist for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award, as announced by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Archie Manning, chair of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. Paterno is among a field of 10 Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I-A) coaches nominated for the honor, which is presented to the person who best exemplifies excellence in coaching - on and off the field... The other FBS coaches under consideration for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award are: Mack Brown (Texas), Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern), Brady Hoke (Ball State), Urban Meyer (Florida), Chris Petersen (Boise State), Nick Saban (Alabama), Bob Stoops (Oklahoma), Jim Tressel (Ohio State) and Kyle Whittingham (Utah)."

Will JoePa win it this year? No. But it's nice to know he's technically in the running. I'll have more on this, particularly the other finalists, Wednesday (tomorrow).

More below the fold...

Will Penn State go both ways in '08?

Penn State must chose between two very good quarterbacks in Spring practice. Can Daryll Clark or Pat Devlin pull ahead and take the job, or will Joe Paterno get them both on the field in 2008?

Sports Illustrated's college football page lead story today is Penn State's quarterback battle, along with other tidbits about Spring practice in Happy Valley. But hey, it's an AP story, so it is more of a "well, what else are you going to tell us that we already knew?" story.

Not all that long ago, ZN had its own breakdown of the impending quarterback battle at Penn State, and even though it's now outdated and I'm somewhat tempted to take another look at the situation, I'm going to hold off on this one until after Spring practice is over.

When was the last time the Penn State quarterback position wasn't clear going into Spring practice? After Zack Mills went ballistic against Ohio State in 2001, everyone knew he would be the guy, regardless of what Mike Robinson had to offer a year later. Mills came and went, leaving Penn State fans divided on whether it should be Robinson, or that strong-armed kid, you know, what was his name again? Oh yeah, Anthony Morelli. But that didn't last past December workouts. Robinson was the senior, so he was the starter. Through Spring practice, no one was debating who would be the starter. In an even less competitive quarterback race--actually, there was no real chance for the incumbent to be defeated--Morelli took the held immediately following the Lions' 2006 Orange Bowl victory.

Not so clear these days.

Penn State has two passers that can move. (Devlin is underrated as a scrambler, while Clark is a demon with the QB-draw) Both candidates are nearly equal in talents, and right now either could land the job. But why is it so important for Penn State to chose just one quarterback going into 2008? Florida won a national championship on the shoulders of Chris Leak and Tim Tebow. Although Joe Paterno isn't nearly as adventurous as Urban Meyer, an arrangement similar to Florida's 2006 team would give Penn State a distinct advantage over opponents: the defense cannot make its call until the ball is ready to be snapped. We saw it used with great effectiveness in the Alamo Bowl win over Texas A&M, and I wouldn't doubt it if the Penn State coaches are salivating at the prospect of having two, even better, quarterbacks on the field in 2008.

Email ZN: ZombieNationPSU@gmail.com Please take a moment to support ZN, by visiting some of our sponsors.

More below the fold...