Ty and Dan talk with Spencer Hall about Will Muschamp’s early marks, LSU-Alabama, the Big Ten, “We” Bombs, and a college football version of The Truman Show.  Plus, picks for all the big action during Week Eight.

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by Oregon alumnus and sometime entrepreneur Phil Knight. Felt right.

*****

• Mississippi State rolled Memphis. Pretty numbers can be found next to the names of Bulldog QB Chris Relf and RB Vic Ballard.

• Wisconsin QB Russell Wilson and the Badgers had a fun Thursday night in Madison.

• CBS’s (!) Bruce Feldman has weekend picks. He began by missing the exact Wisconsin score by two points. Good start.

• USC secondary coach WIllie Mack Garza resigned. “NCAA probe” and “Willie Lyles” are two names that a report mentioned. Oops.

• Kentucky played Western Kentucky. Let’s just forget it ever happened.

• Syracuse‘s path to the national championship just got a little clearer.

• EDSBS’s Spencer Hall wrote this yesterday. SB Nation’s Spencer Hall wrote this. Not fair.

• ESPN‘s bloggers debate international free trade trends. Just kidding, it’s just Boise St -- Georgia.

• Connor Shaw will (maybe?) start at QB for South Carolina against ECU tomorrow. This can only end well, right?

• Ohio State is getting their suspension on. Feels like old times.

• SI.com’s Andy Staples talks to LSU coach Les Miles in moving pictures.

• Northwestern QB Dan Persa is listed as “questionable” for tomorrow’s game at Boston College.

• Alabama‘s going with two QBs tomorrow. Fancy.

*****

Today’s Video of the Day features a slingshot slip ‘n slide that launches people into a lake. I’m in.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShFAeNdiEiA

Enjoy your Friday. AND COLLEGE FOOTBALL SATURDAY!

***Follow me on Twitter.***

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by noted boat captain and laddy mag officer Hugh Hefner. He also is quite familiar with what Oskee Wow Wow means. I-L-L.

*****

• Four LSU players (including QB Jordan Jefferson) will be questioned soon about their alleged involvement in a bar fight. Well played, LSU, never let Oregon and the Pac-12 one-up the SEC with anything.

• NC State DT J.R. Sweezy is out six weeks after breaking his foot. Shame, he’s the captain of the All Real-Name-Sounds-Like-A-Nickname team.

• CBS’s Eric Sorenson has schedule grades. Kudos for the “F-” addition.

• Oregon RB Lache Seastrunk, a once-touted prospect and current central person in the ongoing Will Lyles saga, has decided to transfer, possibly to Baylor. Worth it!

• Nebraska‘s studying up for the B1G.

• ESPN‘s conference bloggers have bowl projections, just in case it had been too long without reading the words “Meineke Car Care” on a sports site.

• Notre Dame will name a starting QB tomorrow. The lathering sound you hear is coming from Eastern PA.

• SB Nation’s Bill Connelly previews Alabama, proving he’ll preview any team, no matter how small or well-dressed they may be.

• Georgia has new uniforms for Week 1′s Boise State game.

• Is there a Taiwanese animation to accompany the Miami-Nevin Shapiro story? You tell me.

• SI.com’s Cory McCartney previews the Mountain West. Hoping he didn’t wear blue on blue when he wrote it. Scandal.

• Celebrate former Miami booster Nevin Shapiro with new, comfortable attire!

• Rivals has the top ten flaws in college football. ACTUAL football flaws.

• “Boston College RB” is the new “Spinal Tap drummer.”

*****

Today’s Video of the Day is what you get when you combine a former fighter pilot who is now well into his 70s, a video camera, and a frank talk about boners.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGJ1zTMEupw

Enjoy your Monday.

***Follow me on Twitter.***

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by the number one Miami fan (and graduate) in national TV news, Chuck Todd. I’ll bet he’s working for the weekend.

*****

• The death penalty has not been broached by the NCAA re: Miami.

• There is no NCAA realignment summit, according to NCAA president Mark Emmert. That’s what they want you to think.

• Boston College RB Montel Harris will miss some time (and possibly BC‘s opener) after undergoing knee surgery. This hits close to home — we feel what Spaziani feels.

• Miami coach Al Golden wanted a little heads up, that’s all.

• LSU coach Les Miles now says WR Russell Shepard could possibly sit out the Oregon game after all while his compliance issue gets sorted out. Oops.

• Florida released a statement indicating that their players mentioned in the Yahoo! Miami report are cleared to play. Whew.

• Same goes for Kansas State’s Brown brothers, they of paper and high school fame.

• ESPN’s Chris Low asks Auburn QB questions. I’d answer, but my lawyer has advised me against any such action.

• Wisconsin AD and former coach Barry Alvarez (and son) lost over a million dollars to the Ponzi scheme of former Miami booster Nevin Shapiro.

• Former Miami AD Paul Dee wanted the guillotine dropped on USC. He has some ‘splaining to do.

• I apparently went to the wrong UCLA practice.

• SB Nation’s Bill Connelly previews the “invisible” USC Trojans.

• SI.com’s George Schroeder has a Pac-12 preview.

• Central Florida has mail!

• Penn State still needs a quarterback.

• Nebraska CB Alfonzo Dennard has a bum leg. Not an actual bum’s leg, but rather just an injury. I’m positive you needed that clarification.

• TCU QB Casey Pachall (“Pa-ha” is what I’m told) has a bum shoulder. This one ACTUALLY IS a bum’s shoulder.

*****

Today’s Video of the Day is a guy dancing with a bottle opener in front of a cheetah mural. A senior citizen makes a cameo.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkdIVJ3Nngo

Enjoy your Thursday. Support support support. 

***Follow me on Twitter.***

Ty and Dan talk with Jim Young from ACCSports.com about the hype in Tallahassee, Virginia Tech’s chances with Logan Thomas, Al Golden’s impact in Miami, the supporting cast around Montel Harris, and the pure, unadulterated excitement of the Randy Edsall era at Maryland.

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by Missouri State (then SW Missouri St) attendee, just-announced Community actor, and all-around good thespian John Goodman.

*****

• Big 12 Media Day was full of Longhorn Network fun.

• Former Alabama WR Julio Jones was a man of many suits, just like we all were in college. No big deal.

• South Carolina QB coach G.A. Mangus really had to go. Like REALLY.

• CBS’s Brett McMurphy looks ahead to September 17, the ACC‘s day of reckoning. Dun dun DUN.

• The SJ Mercury News’s Jon Wilner updates the Pac-12′s search for a network partner. Let’s assume for now that The Solid Verbal is out of the running.

• The NCAA will hold a summit to talk about proprietary TV networks. Probably a good idea.

• CBS Sports has a new feature called Rapid Reports with quick breaking news for the bigger CFB programs. And Maryland. (press cmnd-D shortly)

• To those that said ESPN being involved in the Longhorn Network would affect their own Texas coverage… you have a point (via EDSBS).

• Missouri coach Gary Pinkel isn’t a fan of the Longhorn Network.

• Take a look at Texas DC Manny Diaz’s defense. He’s crafty.

• Texas coach Mack Brown talks about protecting QBs. He ends up saying very little.

• ESPN has choice Big 12 Media Day quotes and storylines. Also, OSU coach Mike Gundy‘s hair looks darker.

• ESPN’s Heather Dinich has a Day 2 ACC media day notebook. Punting is somehow involved.

• Boston College coach Frank Spaziani talks the ‘stache. He’s the best.

• Unofficial preseason B1G polls are out. Gobble ‘em up!

• ESPNU’s Tom Luginbill has recruit summaries from something called “Gridiron Kings.”

• Is Clemson coach Dabo Swinney already running out of time? Perhaps, says Fox Sports South’s Andrew Jones.

• SB Nation’s Bill Connelly doesn’t have a preview today. But if he did, it’d be South Carolina. I’m such a prankster.

• Paralyzed Rutgers DT Eric LeGrand is awesome.

• It’s B1G Week for Yahoo!!!!!!’s Dr. Saturday. Go get yourself some learnin’.

• Michigan’s too good for non-Notre Dame non-conference road trips. Not everyone can be men.

• Former top Miami S recruit Latwan Anderson will be making his way to Cincinnati.

• Rivals previews BYU. Fact: If you read all of the previews Rivals and Dr. Saturday do, you’re somewhere between 10-15x more informed than almost everyone on TV. Do it!

*****

Today’s Video of the Day is my favorite scene from The Big Lebowski (N-S-F-W). Sometimes, I just need it. Happy Birthday, Keeerrrttt1!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPo9OBrIOi4

Enjoy your Tuesday. Get flossy.

***Follow me on Twitter.***

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by former Virginia Hoo (attendee), Talladega Nights actress, and all-around good looking person Leslie Bibb.

*****

• Ohio State apparently did NOT fail to monitor their student-athletes. CBS’s Bryan Fischer is STEAMED.

• Tennessee has recommended two years of probation for its crimes against NCAA humanity under former basketball coach Bruce Pearl and former football coach Lane Kiffin. A lot of probing.

• The Big 12 has media days today and tomorrow. Texas will be holding its own party and it’s going to be way cooler than the party you guys are throwing.

• CBS’s Brett McMurphy speaks with the most fashionably casual conference commissioner of them all, the ACC’s John Swofford. Even his last name sounds like an exceedingly comfortable polo shirt.

• Florida DB Matt Elam has been cited for underage alcohol possession, thus dragging Florida‘s sterling name through the mud. For shame.

• CBS’s Mr. CFB briefly profiles Florida St QB E.J. Manuel. FINALLY, Florida State gets some preseason ink.

• Yahoo!!!!!!!’s Dr. Saturday rips open the ACC with conference notes, defining games, and previews during ACC Week.

• ESPN humbly submits an anonymous Mountain West prediction.

• I don’t know what ESPN’s Heather Dinich and Pat Forde talk about here, I just know Forde does not look impressed by your camera equipment. An ACC notebook is also present.

• Fox Sports also seems to think that Florida State kinda, sorta needs to win one for the Atlantic Coast.

• An All-SEC preseason team exists.

• LSU WR Russell Shepard isn’t suspended, but may have some sort of compliance issue to address. Or something.

• FoxSports has a Big 12 preview. And it’s fully stocked with (Texas A&M RB) Christine Michael references. Well, one.

• SB Nation’s Bill Connelly previews Iowa. He anticipates the sound of a record suddenly being stopped on a turntable. Ree-rr!

• SI.com’s Jordan Conn profiles star South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffrey. It’s good, but not nearly as promising as SI.com’s Alshon Jeffrey profiling South Carolina WR Jordan Conn (as I originally envisioned).

• Colorado’s poster schedule is brought to you by Verizon, so if you don’t like it, Verizon customer service will tell you to go straight to hell.

• Rivals profiles woefully under-appreciated BC RB Montel Harris.

• Smart Football’s Chris Brown talks first half two point conversions. He’s anti.

*****

Today’s Video of the Day is the best pre-NASCAR race prayer ever.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=J74y88YuSJ8

Enjoy your Monday. Stay clothed.

***Follow me on Twitter.***

Ty and Dan talk with Frank Spaziani from Boston College about his coaching resume, new offensive coordinator, recruiting strategies, and the future of his mustache. Plus, Verballer e-mails.

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by Cal pole vaulter Allison Stokke, who I can only imagine is beyond excited to listen to our brand spankin’ new Jeff Tedford interview.

*****

• CBS’s Tony Barnhart is sick and GOT-DANG tired of all the messes off the field in college football and proposes five simple steps to clean up the game.

• Ole Miss QB Randall Mackey has turned the corner after struggling with his voice in the huddle. Good on him.

• Washington State coach Paul Wulff did something entirely human to seal the deal with a recruit across the country.

• Penn State coach Joe Paterno is none too pleased with his offensive line. Oh and also that incessant rock and roll racket.

• ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg visits with Ohio State. I’m sure they love the attention.

• ESPN’s Heather Dinich profiles new Virigina Tech QB Logan Thomas and the expectations surrounding his ascent to starter. And then she herself says he could be a mix of Tyrod Taylor and Cam Newton, so there’s that.

• Some mini-facts from the most recent scrimmages of Boston College and Miami have now seen the light of day.

• Colorado kicker Justin Castor isn’t a fan of Dan Hawkins nearly as much as he is, well, not a fan of Dan Hawkins.

• Yesterday was Colorado and today is Utah in Ted Miller‘s Pac-12 food odyssey.

• Scout.com has released its initial Scout 300 rankings for the 2012 class. #1 QB? Guy named Gunner. No big deal. Gunner.

• Georgia QB Aaron Murray wears a European Carry-all. It’s European!

*****

Today’s Video of the Day is the same sink prank done three straight years. To the same guy (language NSFW).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnHIkS0T9HQ

Enjoy your Tuesday.

Follow me on Twitter.

Ty and Dan pose a variety of random questions about teams from the ACC in an attempt to make sense of 2010 and figure out what 2011 might have in store.

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by legendary horse trainer and Arizona graduate (Major: Race Track Industry!) Bob Baffert, though I have no idea if he follows college football and has a horse in the race when it comes to Friday’s game at Oregon. You see what I did there? Comedy.

*****

• Nebraska coach Bo Pelini apologized for his behavior and confirmed Taylor Martinez’s continued presence on the Huskers. He reiterated, “NBgHJ RN3GL JDaF K77GN&#*@3&* %&#$@(adf*#@!!”

• An Indiana prosecutor is investigating a sexual assault claim against a Notre Dame football player by a woman who died in early September in an apparent suicide.

• Oregon RB LaMichael James left the Cal game with an apparent leg injury and appeared on crutches in a walking boot post-game. He apparently practiced full-go yesterday and should be fine against Arizona on Friday. Upon hearing the news, Cal DT Aaron Tipoti instinctively fell to the ground.

• Stanford’s Andrew Luck, Boise State’s Kellen Moore, and Auburn’s Cam Newton are your Davey O’Brien Award finalists. All well and good, but who’s up for this year’s Ken O’Brien? Oh, it appears to be only Garrett Gilbert.

• Speaking of which, Wisconsin RB John Clay, despite managing only 42 rushing yards (due to injury) in November, is a Doak Walker Award finalist. CBS Sports’s Adam Jacoby (correctly) takes issue.

• EDSBS’s Doug Gillett prefers to disagree with you regarding the biggest college football rivalries.

• ESPN’s Gameday will be in Stillwater for Saturday’s Bedlam game, forgoing the excellent idea to have Lt. Jim Dangle be the celebrity picker at Boise State/Nevada on Friday.

• The LA Times’ TJ Simers says it’s not looking good for UCLA OC Norm Chow. But Rick Neuheisel is doing a bang-up job!!

• ESPN’s Brian Bennett compares Pitt RB Dion Lewis to West Virginia RB Noel Devine, two backs who have fallen in line with the Big East’s library-quiet presence this season.

• Boston College RB Montel Harris, the Eagles’ one offensive bright spot, could be out 3-6 weeks with torn meniscus. Plug in Kuechly!!

• ESPN’s CFB bloggers rewind and fast forward. Because they’ve done so every week and it’s why they get paid Cecil Newton money.

• Want to see this week’s most famous golf cart? Of course you kind of do! (Impressive upholstery)

• Arizona will be down a receiver (suspension) for Friday’s Oregon game. And so will Oregon (injury). Both rock solid names, though.

• Oregon‘s building a new HQ for its football program. It’s expected to be inexpensive, modest, and devoid of any flash. Ahem.

• SB Nation’s Spencer Hall (SVBFF) goes A through Y, and then just for kicks, goes to Z in this week’s Alphabetical. I enjoyed you best, Yale.

• Similarly, SB Nation’s Brian Cook (SVBFF) tackles some schadenfraude.

• SI.com’s Cory McCartney casts an updated Heisman vote because … actually, I really have no idea why.

• This week’s college football lines. Las Vegans (word?) seem to like the Crimson Tide of Alabama.

• This week’s screengrabs of the week (via The Wiz).

*****

Today’s Video of the Day is almost guaranteed to make you a vegetarian (if yesterday’s didn’t) or some sort of bloodthirsty maniac. It’s essentially every kind of edible animal combined to form a delicious super-meal called TurBaconEpic. With extra bacon.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xc5wIpUenQ

Enjoy your Tuesday.

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by James Lipton, host of Inside the Actor’s Studio. I couldn’t locate where/if he attended college, but I’ve actually become pretty excited about the upcoming appearance of Cal’s defensive line on his show. ACTING!!

*****

• Florida coach Urban Meyer expects Steve Addazio to remain in place as the Gators’ offensive coordinator next season. And yes, that’s good news for Gator fans who can’t stand to see supremely fast athletes getting the football in space. That would be the final frontier.

• Wisconsin coach Brett Bielema is going to keep on scoring and it’s pretty clear he doesn’t care what you or Dickie V think. Fine by me.

• Penn State RB Silas Redd was cited for disorderly conduct at 4:13 am, a fancy way of saying he was taking a leak in public. Since Ty blessed Redd as his favorite NIttany Lion RB this week, I think we can conclude that the Hildenbrandt Reverse Jinx is alive and well.

• SB*Nation’s Spencer Hall spoke with ESPN’s Rece Davis about Rece Davis-type topics.

• EDSBS’s Holly Anderson (Peete) gives out some rad stickers to college football names. Even Dan Hawkins (who was actually AT Saturday’s Colorado game) gets in on the action.

• Washington QB Jake Locker “expects” to play against UCLA Thursday night. Adjust your Thursday accordingly. And watch a new episode of The Office or something. Man, Archer needs to come back like yesterday.

• Boston College’s Luke Kuechly is an outstanding LB, but since he doesn’t play for TCU or Oregon or Auburn and he couldn’t personally jump somebody in the BCS rankings, he doesn’t matter. La-la-la I can’t heeeeaaaarrrr youuuuuu.

Ok, Yahoo!!!!!!!! also thinks he matters.

• Fanhouse’s Clay Travis thoroughly explains why Auburn QB Cam Newton will 100% be ineligible. Finally, SOMEBODY starts writing about the SEC.

• Staying on Clay, Wisconsin RB John Clay may sit this week (@ Michigan) after missing last week’s Indiana game. This changes nothing.

• Utah, once thought to be a legitimate top 10 team, embarrassed itself and hurt TCU with its loss to Notre Dame. That’s right, Mountain West Conference credibility has been hurt because of a loss to a depressing team like Notre Dame.

• A predominantly SEC-centric writer and a non-AQ writer predict bowl matchups. Penn State-Florida could theoretically happen, which would ultimately require a Spencer Hall/Ty Hildenbrandt live play predictor showdown.

• Cal defensive linemen are prone to spontaneous cramps. And below-average acting. Cal Football: We may not win, but we’ll go down acting like toddlers.

*****

Today’s Video of the Day is the definitive lesson on catching wild turtles in Kentucky. I defy you to do better.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn8EQ0azXpQ

Enjoy your Tuesday.

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by Texas alumnus Owen Wilson. I’m not sure if he’s funny when he’s not with Wes Anderson or (occasionally) Ben Stiller, but he sure is … a Texas alumnus. And not as happy as most Iowa State graduates today.

*****

• ESPN’s squad of CFB bloggers drop power rankings, bowl predictions, and take some time to figure out what they’ve learned. And also, a bit of advice — don’t wake them up when they’re dreaming.

• The latest rankings are out. Oregon has somehow insulted the computers and I can’t help but feel that, at some point, Chip Kelly told off a customer service rep at HP and things have since snowballed out of control.

• Did you know that the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl is now the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl? Thanks to some nifty new bowl projections, you do now!!

• Louisville is 4-3 after dismantling UConn. Turning around disaster programs in a year or two can be done. Ok, being in the Big East helps.

• SB Nation’s Andy Hutchins and Yahoo!!!!!!!!’s Dr. Saturday take a long, hard look at some of Saturday’s (and Thursday’s) box scores. I enjoyed the DII Indianapolis -- Northern Michigan analysis. Really.

SI.com’s Stewart Mandel tries to figure out who will be left standing and colleague Andy Staples talks about eating pizza in Columbia, MO. Ok, a fair amount of college football knowledge bombs are also included.

• Wounded: Two Notre Dame defensemen (whatever, I’m bringing the term to football) are undergoing MRIs, Colorado’s Tyler Hanson is out for the year with a ruptured spleen, and BC DE Alex Albright is also done for 2010, as broken fibulas are total jerks.

• Texas coach Mack Brown likes to use the word “I” when things are good and seems to shy away from it when things aren’t so good.

• The Wiz has the snapshots of the week. It’s mostly a cautionary tale examining how unacceptable the combination of a hat with revealed dude-bangs truly is.

• If Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads stops getting supremely excited over ginormous Cyclone road wins, his soul has been compromised. Here’s Saturday’s Austin glee.

*****

Today’s Video of the Day is a very convincing argument against going to law school. It even applies to those with dude-bangs.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMvARy0lBLE

Enjoy your Monday.

Ty and Dan delve into a few voice messages and some e-mails, and discuss their picks for Week Six.

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by proud LSU alumnus James Carville, who, if he had hair, would probably still be tearing it out watching Les Miles’s time management on Saturday. Also, airport scanners can go measure his penis.

*****

• Former UNC coach John Blake, who allegedly helped steer notable (and suspended) Tar Heel players toward Gary Wichard, a friend of Blake’s, also contacted players from Alabama and South Carolina regarding Wichard’s services. Remember, North Carolina fans, they can take away football, basketball may stink, John Edwards may be a complete fraud, but you’ll always have, uh, let’s see … vinegar based BBQ sauce?

• College football is painful. A lot of people get hurt. Here are some of them.

Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor mildly strained his left leg. He should be fine.

Boston College QB Chase Rettig sprained his left ankle and is, as of now, doubtful for NC State this Saturday.

Oregon State WR James Rodgers should be back against Arizona this week after sitting out due to a previous concussion.

USC FB Stanley Havili played with a dislocated shoulder against Washington. Seems painful.

(Injury reports from everywhere else.)

• Georgia WR AJ Green is still quite good, despite those around him. That jersey looks FRESH.

• BYU defensive coordinator Jaime Hill, after BYU became the third best team in the state of Utah, has been eliminated. Ok, that verb may have been too much. Still, though, it sends a message.

• USC coach Lane Kiffin defends attempting a field goal instead of aggressively trying to keep a drive alive. I think it worked out for everyone.

• ESPN‘s CFB bloggers gave out helmet stickers, figured out what they learned, organized power rankings, and examined how to properly cut sushi-grade tuna. Ok the last one may be somebody else, but it’s still incredibly useful.

• This week’s polls are out. Hurray! Find out who you can direct your irrational anger at by looking at the voters in the meaningless poll.

• SI.com’s Stewart Mandel reviews the action in his College Football Overtime column. It includes a picture of LaMichael James, who appears to be levitating. Rad.

• SI.com’s Andy Staples makes some snap judgements. Because in football, “snap” is a term for when … ok, you get it.

• A couple of ESPN writers predict bowl matchups in early October. Pour out some cold milk for your homies at BYU, who will be missing the Las Vegas Bowl for what feels like the first time since the school was founded.

• Fox Sports columnist Thayer Evans argues that the Mike Sherman era should come to a close at Texas A&M.

• In Oregon Duck news, Fox Sports goes way out on a limb and says it’s time to take the #3 team in the country seriously. Done and done.

Also, the Duck dougie’d. Somebody taught him.

• SB Nation went Box Scorin’. Wait, that sounded wrong. Or so very right.

• The Wiz presents some screengrabs from Saturday’s action. All excellent, but it’s quite difficult to capture how inept Penn State’s offense truly was in a single frame.

Today’s Video of the Day is part 1 of Steve Nash and Landon Donovan preparing to play FIFA 11. If you like boom mic comedy, today’s your day.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEb1iV3o4bc

Enjoy your Monday.

Ty and Dan review all the Week Five action and talk about another fabulous performance by Denard Robinson.

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by Rashida Jones (Parks and Recreation), who has a part in “The Social Network,” opening today. She’s also a Harvard alumnus, though I have no idea if she cares that the Crimson play THE Lafayette Leopards tomorrow. Oh, and she’s also perdy.

*****

Remember to listen to the latest podcast (iTunes link) for Saturday’s game previews + news/emails/voicemails. Also, don’t forget to look directly to the right of this sentence for Saturday’s TV schedule.

• Oklahoma State needed four Jerrod Johnson interceptions, but they put away Texas A&M with a last second field goal, set up by a … Jerrod Johnson interception. Here’s what we learned:

1. Neither of these teams will win the Big 12

2. The Cowboys’ Justin Blackmon is the best WR in the conference

3. Heavy ropes give Craig James trouble

• UNC safety Da’Norris Searcy has been cleared to play for the Tar Heels against East Carolina tomorrow. Hey, a guy’s gotta make a living, right?

• Purdue QB Robert Marve is out for the year with a torn ACL -- his second season ending knee ligament injury in 18 months.

• Smart Football’s Chris Brown writes about Cam Newton/Denard Robinson and their respective offenses for Yahoo’s Dr. Saturday. Knowledge bombs are dropped with little to no abandon. Read it. Now. Go.

• ESPN’s Andrea Adelson looks at the great start the service academies have had this fall. Impressive, but I’m still claiming hidden bayonets are playing a prominent role.

• Yahoo’s Dr Saturday looks at Saturday’s lines and some possible upsets. Take the under of five of “Minutes Dan watches the Notre Dame -- Boston College Slapfight.”

• Fanhouse’s Clay Travis catches up with former Alabama WR Tyrone Prothro, who’s five years removed from his horrific leg injury against Florida.

• SB Nation’s Spencer Hall walks through Baton Rouge on game day. And then sits down and watches football. Saturday’s are awesome. In fact, every day should be one.

Today’s Video of the Day is the music video for the 2010 edition of “I Love my Ducks.” Joey Harrington is in it. I’m linking because I too love my Ducks. And my Joey Harrington.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_P1PPy7FTo

Enjoy your Friday + College Football Saturday.

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by Dr. Ken Jeong (The Hangover, Community, Kaiser Permanente), who received his medical degree from North Carolina. On now-infamous agent Gary Wichard’s dime. Ok there’s no proof of that. Or is there? No there isn’t.

*****

• Yahoo Sports saddled up, did their best Lester Freamon, followed some North Carolina money and now UNC appears to be, as the cast of Laguna Beach: The Real O.C. would say, “dunzo.” Settle down, Tar Heels, you were always a women’s soccer school, anyway.

Yahooooooooo! also provides copies of documents and an easy guide to the cast of characters involved.

• ESPN’s CFB bloggers went on a group vacation and shot a cool compilation video of their adventures on the nation’s water slides. Orrrrrr they tell you what to watch and predict what will happen during Saturday’s action. Only one of these stories is true.

• Boise State’s Winston Venable was suspended for a half for a hit on Oregon State’s James Rodgers that was deemed helmet to helmet. Or as it’s called in Boise, “fundamentals.”

• SI.com has a triumvirate of college football links: Andy Staples profiles new Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, Stewart Mandel ruffles through the mail, and Jon Wertheim (normally a tennis guy) profiles a Nebraska assistant that has more money than you or me. Unless Mark Zuckerberg is reading this. If so, what up Mark?

• Touted freshman Miami OT Seantrel Henderson may start for the Hurricanes this Saturday. In three dimensions!

• After benching incumbent Dave Shinskie, Boston College will start true freshman QB Chase Rettig against Notre Dame. Suddenly, with all of the different storylines taking shape, this could be one of the more interesting pillowfights of the weekend.

• Everybody’s going to play everybody in the Big 12 next year. For those of you craving yearly Iowa State-Baylor action, your time has come.

• Injured Michigan DB Troy Woolfolk used Google Images to prove his identity after being pulled over and forgetting his driver’s license. Because I’m thorough with my research, you should also know that when you look up “Troy Woolfolk” in Google Images, a first person shot of boobs in a bikini shows up. Just a disgusting act.

Today’s Video of the Day is, possibly for the first time, a football video. It’s Division III football!!!!!!!!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-tXkV1_8fk

Enjoy your Thursday.

Ty and Dan chat about all things ACC with ACCSports.com’s Jed Williams, including North Carolina’s uncertainty, Florida State’s defense, Virginia’s new era, and Miami’s chances of winning the conference.

Ty and Dan delve into the 2010 ACC season and chat about the new Noles, the lowly Terrapins, the stingy UNC defense and the reasons why Miami could win the whole conference.

Ty and Dan talk with NC State’s Tom O’Brien, who makes his podcasting debut and chats about academic standards, recruiting philosophies, and team discipline.

Subscribe: http://feeds.feedburner.com/solidverbal
E-mail: solidverbal@gmail.com
Voicemail: 206-338-1784
Website: http://www.solidverbal.com

Ty and Dan recap all the tricks and treats of Halloween’s football action, including the most recent Iowa scare, Oregon’s frighteningly-good offense, and Brandon Spikes’ attempt at goring out an opponents eyes.  Plus, voice messages and details on Ty’s costume and Dan’s injury.

Subscribe: http://feeds.feedburner.com/solidverbal
E-mail: solidverbal@gmail.com
Voicemail: 206-338-1784
Website: www.solidverbal.com

Ty and Dan talk with Jerry Palm from CollegeBCS.com about the first week of BCS rankings, the deficiencies of the system, the variables that make it tick, and the ultimate doomsday scenario.  Plus, your messages, another Solid Verbal Host City and week eight picks!

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Ty and Dan welcome in the fabulous Jed Williams from ACCSports.com and ACC Sports Journal Magazine to help preview the 2009 ACC football season. Plus, voice messages, e-mails, instructions for joining the pick ‘em pool, and some introduction for Thursday’s show. (Episode 52).

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E-mail: solidverbal@gmail.com
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Website: http://www.solidverbal.com

Throughout August, we will be counting down the top 25 teams (as listed here) going into the 2009 season. Today we climb the Chapel Hill and take a closer look at North Carolina. Fun fact: notable UNC alumni include Dan Cortese, Andy Griffith, and Dr. Ken Jeong. 

 

 

 

 

 

First Impressions

To be honest, ever since UNC hired Butch Davis, I’ve had the Tar Heels as a sleeping giant in the back of my mind. The recent tradition isn’t necessarily there, but their recruiting base of states in the Southern and Mid-Atlantic states is obviously rock solid. 

In Davis’s first two years, the Tar Heels have gone from four to eight wins and have put together quality recruiting classes along the way. 

As much as I like and think North Carolina should continue to move up in the ACC standings, there’s still the pesky reality that Miami and Florida State aren’t getting any worse and Virginia Tech shows no signs of slowing down. 

Last Year

The 2008 season saw the win total double and North Carolina emerge as an ACC threat. They notched impressive wins over Notre Dame, Boston College, Miami, and Georgia Tech, but fell respectably to Virginia Tech (after an injury sidelined QB TJ Yates), but not so respectably to Virginia and NC State. In the all-important Meineke Car Care Bowl, the Tar Heels played well, but a career day by Pat White was too much for UNC to handle in a 31-30 loss. 

In a word, UNC’s 2008 season was encouraging. When a new coach doubles your win total and you end up in a respectable bowl, things are heading in the right direction. 

People

The beginning of this story is who North Carolina loses. Hakeem Nicks and Brandon Tate were the team’s primary playmakers last year, but North Carolina has stocked the depth chart with impressive young talent (read: Greg Little) to step in and make in an immediate impact. 

TJ Yates has a fair amount of talent but needs to bounce back from a year in which he was afflicted by both injury and inconsistency. If Yates can stay healthy, limit the turnovers, and lead a balanced attack featuring inexperienced receivers, there’s no reason the Tar Heels can’t build on 2008′s improved season. 

Marvin Austin is one of the five best defensive tackles in the country -- always nice to have up front, although he could be gone after this season. Beyond Austin, UNC returns more than enough front seven talent on defense to keep up with the speed of the ACC and take pressure off an average secondary. It seems to me like being tackled by junior MLB Quan Sturdivant (all ACC name team) wouldn’t be all that pleasant. 

This Year

The non-coference schedule for the Heels is decent -- no ranked teams, but they do two play quality opponents -- @Connecticut and ECU in Chapel Hill. 

The first week of the season presents UNC with their first big road test in Georgia Tech, a team that they were able to handle last season despite an onslaught of rushing yards by the Yellow Jackets. They then round out the first half of the season with winnable home games against Virginia and Georgia Southern. At this point, best case scenario is probably 5-1, worst case probably 3-3. Not too bad. 

The second half of the season is pretty rough -- FSU and then a trip to Lane Stadium to take on Virginia Tech. A split there would be ideal. Miami at home is a big game for both teams and then the season finishes with two tough-ish road games -- @ Boston College and then @ NC State. 

The schedule isn’t great, but if turnovers are limited and the defense can remain stout, there’s no reason that 2009 can’t top a promising ’08.

Conclusion

On paper, it may look like UNC has stepped back because of receiver and offensive line losses, but if TJ Yates can continue to limit the turnovers and stay healthy, the young receiving corps should develop nicely. You’ve always got to like a team returning the majority of their front seven. If the Heels get more pressure on the opposing QB, they could be scary dominant. 

The Prediction

8-4. Not crazy about all those road games and improved Miami and FSU on the schedule, but UNC should be good enough to take down enough quality teams along the way. 

Highlights Set to Unfortunate Music

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewjHmToc_5Y

-Dan