Ty and Dan rehash college football’s eighth week and discuss Kirk Cousins’ Hail Mary, James Franklin’s casual dress Saturday, Clemson’s chances of going unbeaten, and Nick Foles… in a winning effort!

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.

Ty and Dan break down all the action from “Tire Fire Saturday,” including Ohio State’s passing offense, a near “Clemsoning,” and more unfortunate uniform combinations. Plus, voice messages from rowdy listeners.

Ty and Dan welcome Bruce Feldman back to the show to discuss Clemson’s ceiling, the looming LSU-Alabama showdown, Urban Meyer-to-Penn State rumors, the misunderstood Mike Gundy, and a host of other hot topics in college football.  Plus, your e-mails and voice messages, and a Week 7 Preview.

Ty and Dan review an underwhelming slate of Week 6 action, discuss Urban Meyer rumors, rank the ACC, and analyze Texas A&M’s attempts to simultaneously win AND lose each football game.  Plus, your Reverbs and another round of “Nick Foles In A Losing Effort.”

Ty and Dan rifle through all the Week 5 action and examine their lingering trust issues with Ohio State, Clemson, and Texas.

Ty Hildenbrandt and Dan Rubenstein take a closer look at impressive victories by LSU and Alabama, poke fun at Texas A&M’s pass defense, and devise a diabolical scheme to fix South Carolina’s quarterback problem. Plus, another batch of listener Reverbs and another tale of Nick Foles’ performance… in a losing effort, of course.

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by SUNY-Buffalo graduate and film mogul Harvey Weinstein. A little birdie told me that The Weinstein Company is interested in optioning The Solid Verbal story. That little birdie? Me.

*****

• The NCAA isn’t done with Ohio State. Or are they? No, they’re not.

• Your monthly Texas A&M-to-the-SEC rumor (this time with a double shot of Governor Rick Perry) is now ready for you. Careful, it’s hot.

• Boise State AD Gene Bleymaier is no more in the Treasure Valley. Ok, he’ll still probably be in the area, but somebody new will be occupying his office.

• Missouri DT Sheldon Richardson has finally been cleared to practice for the Tigers, though he may still go to USC. Or not. Or so.

• Cincinnati AD Mike Thomas will accept the same position at Illinois. Things just got a whole lot more orange.

• SB Nation’s Spencer Hall previewed every SEC game, I’m assuming because he hates sanity.

• ESPN’s Andrea Adelson has Big East practice reports. Most importantly, cursing and Tweeting is out at Pitt.

• ESPN checks in with second-year coaches.

• Penn State coach Joe Paterno returned to practice with his arm in a sling and his body in a golf cart.

• SB Nation’s Bill Connelly previews Boise State. Spoiler: The numbers love ‘em.

• South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier doesn’t want his players swearing. He’s the only one allowed.

• Is Cal‘s offense too hard for young players? Sure, that must be it, you all are just too dumb to understand.

• SI.com’s Stewart Mandel has a mailbag AND a Dodge Stratus.

• College football and MS Paint (penises) will never, ever get old.

• Dr Saturday‘s SEC Week keeps on keeping on.

• Georgia Tech OT Phil Smith has been suspended for two games for rule breakage.

• Former Nebraska RB Ahman Green will be roaming sidelines for the Big Ten Network this fall. My only connection to this is that I once accidentally walked in on two people (neither of which were Ahman Green) attempting to make babies in the basement of a building he lived in in Omaha. This has nothing to do with anything.

• 2012 Auburn QB commit Zeke Pike is already thrilled to prod Alabama fans on Twitter. This will only end in mutual respect and peaceful thoughts.

• Rivals previews Nebraska, without any of the Ahman Green insight I provided above. Lame.

*****

Today’s Video of the Day is Paul Rudd’s marketing genius.

Enjoy your Thursday. Enjoy your style.

***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 USC attendee Ron Howard, who had a similar run-in with TMZ to Marc Tyler’s, only his was way more graphic.

*****

• Oregon coach Chip Kelly gave his first extensive comments since Yahoo!‘s most recent Will Lyles story. Not much was said.

• Alabama *officially* has nothing to do with T-Town Menswear, the outfitter that definitely didn’t do anything wrong with current and former Tide players.

• The Mountain West has arbitrarily decided that Boise State can’t wear their all-blues at home. Because really, what you want to do when you lose your biggest team and gain a new signature team, you’d like alienate the new guys as soon as possible.

• Former Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor has a clearer path to the NFL’s Supplemental Draft — the Buckeyes want nothing to do with him.

• Stanford QB Andrew Luck will only play one more year for Stanford, surprising no one.

• UCLA QB Brett Hundley will be out for about a month after tearing meniscus in his right knee. The Bruins is exactly on schedule.

• Florida RB (and noted sprinter) Jeff Demps will play football this fall. Quickly.

• CBS’s Dennis Dodd talks to Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops at Big 12 media day about losing. Exciting stuff.

• SI.com’s Stewart Mandel has decided robots are the way to go for college football. It’s all fun and games until the video replay machine kills somebody.

• ESPN has choice quotes and storylines from Big 12 media day (Day 2). Lapel pins wowed the masses.

• ESPN’s Ted Miller is all up in Stanford QB Andrew Luck’s beard. And I don’t blame him.

• Georgia coach Mark Richt talks to ESPN’s Chris Fowler al fresco.

• Clemson QB Tajh Boyd got in an early dig on South Carolina. I like.

• SB Nation’s Bill Connelly loves him some pig sooie.

• I see what you did there, Georgia Tech. Clever.

• Yahoo!!!!!’s Dr. Saturday has a Minnesota preview. It includes a painful MarQueis Gray pun (but is otherwise very good).

(Michigan and Iowa are also ready for knowledge-gaining)

• Rivals has a West Virginia preview. I’m choosing to pronounced probable star WR Ivan McCartney “Ee-vahn,” mostly because I can.

• Tate Forcier is going to San Jose State (this week).

*****

Today’s Video of the Day is Baylor QB Robert Griffin not giving a crap. Go to 2:12 mark. (via Dr Sat)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAmEJ6qLN6Y

Enjoy your Wednesday. Drape yourself in fine cloth. 

***Follow me on Twitter.***

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by Miami attendee and Curb You Enthusiasm mainstay Jeff Garlin. Here’s to hoping that, at one point, Garlin yelled out, “IT’S ALL ABOUT DA U!”

*****

• Former Georgia coach Jim Donnan is accused of profiting off of a Ponzi scheme. I, I, I just have nothing.

• CBS’s Brett McMurphy thinks that if USF is FOR REALZ about succeeding in college football they need to leave Raymond James Stadium. For. Ev. Er.

• Everybody, this is Russell Wilson … Russell, this is everybody. Hurray!

• Is Cal coach Jeff Tedford going and making things so complicated? Maybe?

• Today’s July 18th, which means two things — 1. It’s Vin Diesel‘s birthday, and 2. B1G specialist rankings ARE OUT.

• ESPN’s Ted Miller reviews Pac-12 linebackers. We’re all grateful he led off with ASU MLB Vontaze Burfict, not only because it’s deserved, but also because the safety of Ted’s family was probably at stake.

• Former Georgia Tech C Sean Bedford wrote an open letter to the NCAA that ended with him saying they could pry his 1999 ACC championship ring from his “cold, dead finger.” Well okay then!

• Years after Larry Coker allegedly only used Rivals to recruit, he’s bringing college football to San Antonio.

• SB Nation’s Bill Connelly previews Oklahoma State. There’s a pretty good chance new OC Todd Monken is taking notes.

• Former Michigan WR Desmond Howard led a new class into the College Football Hall of Fame. Humbly.

• SI.com’s Stewart Mandel profiles Michigan coach Brady Hoke.

• As per my understanding of photography and art, Wyoming will be wearing giant, oversized helmets this fall.

• Yahoo!!!!!!!’s Dr. Saturday has a very specific set of WAC predictions.

• Georgia‘s loading up on touted recruits. Probably wise.

• Rivals profiles first-year starting QBs who could maybe (potentially) win some games.

• UCLA is getting Vanderbilt CB Jamie Graham, which is pretty much the final puzzle piece for the Bruins.

*****

Today’s Video of the Day is what happens when water jet packs don’t, um, jet.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=he2a4xK8ctk

Enjoy your Monday. Today’s Solid Verbal Apparel Day!

***Follow me on Twitter.***

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by Connie Britton, Dartmouth graduate, Friday Night Lights alumnus, and Jimmy Traina podcast guest. I think we all know what her legacy will be.

*****

• Bruce Feldman has an army of supporters. Here’s proof. And here’s the original story.

• Georgia Tech‘s 2009 season didn’t happen and they’ll be probed closely for the next four years. For $100,000.

• CBS’s Dennis Dodd examines the new Mike Leach book, Swing Your Sword.

• Fox Sports Florida claims Florida State’s secondary is the “best in the nation” (according to the headline). Also, it’s an irrefutable fact that the Seminoles were 103rd in 2010 in total passing yards allowed and were thoroughly average even within the ACC in Y/A allowed, QB rating against, and completion percentage against. Other than that, though, LOCK DOWN.

• Touted RB recruit Kenyan Drake picked his school of choice via head shaving. Yeah.

• Rivals previews Michigan. Apparently, the impact newcomer is a kicker. If that doesn’t get you fired up … you’re probably justified in your apprehension.

• Jim Tressel was officially “unacceptable.”

• Georgia LB Richard Samuel is now Georgia RB Richard Samuel.

*****

Today’s Video of the Day is an elaborate toy war. I’m more than a little jealous.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=38pj4mWDrsA

Enjoy your Friday. Merchandise!

***Follow me on Twitter.***

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by Southern Miss graduate Jimmy Buffett, who’s responsible for all of this excellent Mike Leach-Key West stuff. Good enough.

****

• Paralyzed Rutgers DT Eric LeGrand stood up. AWESOME.

• Ohio State AD Gene Smith figures everything’s cool now in Columbus. Ok then.

• It appears that Georgia Tech may have violated some NCAA rules. You have three options — stay tuned for more, stop paying attention, or keep the ball yourself.

• The NCAA isn’t done with Auburn. Allegedly.

• West Virginia OG Josh Jenkins will miss the 2011 season after undergoing knee surgery.

• CBS’s Bryan Fischer profiles compliance. Pretty much the sexiest thing of the entire offseason.

• Football Study Hall has adjusted strengths of schedule. I don’t know if Bill Connelly has kids, but if he does, I have a feeling he’s constantly disappointed with their F/+ rating.

• ESPN debates what motivates the SEC and B1G. The piece is accompanied by one of the most attractive pictures ever to be featured on ESPN.

• Now that you know how secondaries in the Big 12 are ranked (in July), you may move on with your day.

• John Legend likes Ohio State. The universe just balanced out a little. “Take that, talented guy who dates supermodels!”

• Fox Sports West profiles USC WR Brice Butler.

• SB Nation’s Bill Connelly contends that Oregon State has misplaced aggression, which is one of the worst types of aggressions there is.

• Syracuse coach Doug Marrone is an outstanding human.

• They’re dropping like flies in Tempe. Slutty, slutty flies.

• SI.com’s Stewart Mandel mailbags it and then talks with Maryland coach Randy Edsall. The multiple hustles continue!

• The sweatervest is alive and well in Ohio.

• Utah OC Norm Chow will make $500,000 to not coach at UCLA. Good gig if you can get it.

• Rivals looks back at all of the 5-stars of the “Rivals” era. You’ll learn who wins “Best Five Star” at the upcoming Rivies.

*****

Today’s Video of the Day is Seth Meyers monologging (sp?) at the ESPYs last night. I didn’t watch the whole thing. Mostly because I wanted to do something else.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGrq5RJ-wYw

Enjoy your Thursday. Shirts!

***Follow me on Twitter.***

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by USC attendee Tom Selleck, whose Magnum PI character was aped perfectly on Archer last night with “Terms of Enrampagement.” If you’re not watching Archer, I’m not sure you should be reading or listening to us. Ok, I take that back. Watch Archer, though.

*****

• If you heard yesterday’s show with Yahoo’s Charles Robinson, it won’t come as a surprise that embattled Ohio State coach Jim Tressel did, in fact, forward the emails (he got from his lawyer source regarding memorabilia sales) to QB Terrelle Pryor‘s hometown mentor.

• South Carolina über DE recruit Jadeveon Clowney was searched by police last night. I’m not sure if this actually news, but not the ideal photograph to see for Gamecock fans on a random March morning.

• In less troubling news, South Carolina basketball player Bruce Ellington (leading scorer) will try his hand at football. He played the sport in high school and is expected to get a look at slot receiver.

• Is Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville “miserable” in Lubbock? Apparently, three SportsbyBrooks sources seem to think so.

• CBS’s Dennis Dodd looks at BYU’s newfound independence. I’m not crazy about how often he uses the word “hallelujah.” Seriously.

Oh and don’t forget … BYU primer!

• ESPN’s Ted Miller runs down Oregon State’s spring. It’s college, so coach Mike Riley will do some experimenting… with the offense, sickos!

Speaking of which, Oregon State blog Building the Dam has more on Beaver updates. Oregon State Beaver updates, sickos!

• ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg looks at B1G Ten WRs. Slowly. With a bead of sweat running down his forehead.

• ESPN’s Brian Bennett offers a quick Big East scorecard of coaching moves. Pitt seems somehow … different.

• Minnesota‘s offense will look different this fall. The fine folks at The Daily Gopher are kind enough to explain what that means.

• Auburn CB Neiko Thorpe is moving to safety. This is only newsworthy because he was unable to answer any of our basic questions at media day in January. My man!

• Rivals primes Georgia Tech. Yellowjacket coach Paul Johnson doesn’t care one way or the other.

• Michigan safety Ray Vinopal is transferring to Pitt, according to the Youngstown Vindicator. Yes, that’s a real thing.

*****

Today’s Video of the Day is Jimmy Kimmel mashing up Jershey Shore and the Justice League. Because why not that’s why.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JK_fM-wUpQ

Enjoy your Friday.

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 Boston College alum Amy Poehler. She’ll probably never come down from the high associated with this specific achievement.

*****

• The lawyer who tipped off Ohio State coach Jim Tressel to the activities and associations of five of his players has been identified. He seems, well, interesting.

• Florida practices are closed to everyone. Intrigue! Or just inconvenience and undeserved self-importance after a bad year.

• Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson can get sassy.

• Boise State hosted the Oklahoma coaching staff. “Hey remember when we came back with the hook and… yeah.”

• Yahoo!!!!!!’s Charles Robinson isn’t done breaking hearts.

• ESPN’s Chris Low gets all sorts of detailed about Georgia’s spring.

• Oregon State could look relatively different (see: possibly no Rodgerseseses) this fall.

• Easy classes for Stanford athletes will be harder to find after a “courses of interest” list has been discontinued. Poor, poor Stanford kids.

• Things on offense may get a bit “simpler” at Nebraska.

• SI.com’s Stewart Mandel got off easy when he received his Big 12 preview assignment and saw that he only had to look at ten questions.

• Yahoo!!!!!’s Dr. Saturday issues a first glance at Nevada going forward. And then a second, third, and fourth. He’s thorough.

• Rivals’s Tom Dienhart examines LSU. SPOILER: Everything looks pretty good except for the most important position.

• SB Nation’s Spencer Hall advises the NCAA on how to govern social media. Sex, drugs, and Satan are all in there.

• SB Nation has a new stat-minded football blog. Huzzah!

*****

Today’s Video of the Day is a 1982 Advertiser Promotion Tape from MTV. Radical.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlQntJI8UPE

Enjoy your Thursday.

Follow me on Twitter.

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by Jennifer Aniston. She didn’t go to college, but she did appear on NC State alum Zach Galifianakis’s talk show. That’s good enough.

*****

• CBS Sports’s Dennis Dodd wonders why the ACC can put so many players in the NFL but can’t win BCS games. He also frames the column around Al Groh, but doesn’t make the “Sub-par coaches keep big jobs” point. Oops.

• Ole Miss WR Jesse Grandy is transferring to be closer to home.

• The Pac 12 is having issues acquiring Pac12.com. Because of a Tupac Shakur fan. Of course.

• SEC QB positions are available. Ole Miss is expected to bring in Hezekiah Masoli, Jeremiah’s twin brother with slightly different facial hair.

• Virginia lost backup RB Torrey Mack to academics. This is crucial information.

• ESPN’s Chris Low “kicks it” with SEC commissioner Mike Slive. Word.

• Scout looks at some names of note from the Class of 2012. It includes somebody named “Gunner.” I’m all in.

• SI.com’s Stewart Mandel is excited to see what Notre Dame can do with top-shelf DL talent. Me? I’m excited for a new era of 9-3 Notre Dame teams getting to BCS games over more deserving 11-1 teams. Woo!

• Nebraska has an offensive coordinator. His name is Shawn Watson. The Lincoln Journal Star has chosen to profile a potential replacement. Cold.

*****

Today’s Video of the Day is a trick shot (throw) mixtape from Johnny McEntee. It serves almost no football purpose, but neither does UCLA and we still love watching them.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0WMd0Y6hIw

Enjoy your Wednesday.

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by Seth Galifianakis, brother of Zach and proud NC State graduate. Go Wolfpack!

*****

• Air Force beat Georgia Tech in the Triple Option Bowl in a game that can best be described as “14-7.” If anything, it was a victory for football purists — those who still aren’t fully on board with newfangled ideas like “the forward pass.”

Even Air Force‘s falcon briefly left the action in Shreveport.

• Sue Paterno, wife of Penn State coach Joe, is fighting back against rumors that her husband is in poor health and retiring in a week.

• Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor will not, no matter his future plans, play in the Bucks’ first five games. A current high school senior probably will.

• North Carolina RB Anthony Elzy won’t play in the Music City Bowl because of “failing to meet his obligations as a student athlete.” Great, now the Music City Bowl means NOTHING.

• Four Florida players will miss the Gator Bowl after undergoing various surgeries. I’m calling it now — Muschamp-sponsored bionic limb introductions. Scandal!

• ESPN‘s bloggers are hard at work doing what they always do:

Insight Bowl — Keys … Preview

Champs Sports — Keys … Preview

• Texas Tech WR Adam James was upset about playing time under former coach Mike Leach. Things are WAY better now.

• Arizona had some famous former Wildcats call up the Alamo Bowl and talk up their school. Oh and they were all basketball players. Bowls!!

*****

Today’s Video of the Day is a random video of Craig Ferguson singing and dancing with a guy in a tuxedo, three bikini girls, a robot skeleton, and an S&M dude. Why not?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwkK5-ibYcw

Enjoy your Tuesday + Champs Sports Bowl + Insight Bowl!

Today’s Chorus is brought to you, in honor of today’s Independence Bowl by “Broken Arrow,” the greatest of all the Air Force movies that happen to star John Travolta and Christian Slater of all time. Or the worst.

*****

• Last night, FIU beat Toledo 34-32 in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. The game involved a hook-and-ladder to save 4th and 17, a RB named “Adonis,” and enthusiasm from the broadcast team that can only be defined as “slightly above-average.”

FIU coach Mario Cristobol was pleased.

• Hawaii got killed by Tulsa Friday night in the Hawaii Bowl. Turnovers were prominently involved.

• Georgia coach Mark Richt suspended three players for the Liberty Bowl — RB Caleb King and two backups — for academic issues. Somehow, some way, the Liberty Bowl MUST GO ON.

• Georgia Tech plays Air Force in the Independence Bowl later today. They themselves will also be without three players for the first half (curfew infraction) and four others because of academic issues. Apparently in the state of Georgia, being academically ineligible for lower-level bowl games is the new black.

• ESPN also has keys and previews for tonight’s Independence Bowl. It’s all very exciting.

• Texas Tech DC James Willis may or may not be the new DC at Florida. But he probably is. I think. Ok, I have no idea.

• TCU and Wisconsin went to Disneyland. No report yet on which players got pineapple whips, the single best dessert to be had at The Happiest Place on Earth.

• A post Splash Mountain reaction from Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien and TCU QB Andy Dalton. (via Dr. Sat)

• Yahoo!!!!!!’s Dr. Saturday ranks the best plays of the 2010 season. A good list, but a little too UCLA-heavy for my tastes.

*****

Today’s Video of the Day is a nice collection of people getting injured due to snow and similar inclimate weather. Hilarity ensues.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAYexv4lnaY

Enjoy your Monday + Independence Bowl!

Ty and Dan review a handful of conference championship games and dissect a bunch of projected bowl pairings.

Ty and Dan break down a wild weekend that saw a monster upset by Nevada, a triumphant victory for Auburn, and a defining loss for Rich Rodriguez against Ohio State.  Plus, wackiness in the Big 12, closure in the ACC, and a host of listener Reverbs.

Ty and Dan deliver a super-sized episode, chock full of analysis for all the week’s biggest rivalries, listener e-mails and voice messages.

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by Billings, MT Mayor Tom Hanel. I needlessly insulted his fine town (below) and am thus making it up to him and his town here. Tom is the one with the mustache.

*****

• Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee doesn’t like Boise State or TCU and doesn’t think there should ever be a system to put them on equal footing, mostly because he thinks their schedules are undeserving. And as SI.com’s Andy Staples notes, Ohio State should be congratulated on their 59th ranked schedule, a whopping NINE spots ahead of Boise’s 68th.

• Former Ohio State LB Chris Spielman is shocked at how bad Michigan’s defense truly is, but likes QB Denard Robinson a lot. I think the combination of these two thoughts works out to a compliment.

• Colorado apparently thinks LSU Coach Les Miles is worth pursuing. Kind of sad when the fake long-shot rumor you’re floating to make yourself sound important involves Les Miles. I take that back — there’s nothing “kind of” about it.

• Nebraska DC Carl Pelini is sorry now, too.

• Who argues and makes a bigger spectacle of himself — Bob or Mike Stoops? The Wall Street Journal took the time to find out. It’s pretty close, but Mike’s facial-redness factor has really taken him to new heights.

• ESPN’s CFB bloggers tell us what to watch and make some predictions. Here’s a guarantee: I predict there will be massive intestinally-driven DVR pausing across the country on Friday. Take that as you will.

• Here is this week’s regional ESPN/ABC map, so you can see what games are where. Residents of Billings, Montana — screwed again. The first time of course was simply having to be in BIllings, Montana. Actually, I take that back, it’s probably awesome in Montana. Now I feel bad. Here’s looking at you, Billings!

• GOOD NEWS: Eric LeGrand, the paralyzed Rutgers player, is breathing on his own and is not as paralyzed as he previously had been. Great things.

This news is essentially the opposite of any headline involving E. Gordon Gee.

• Clemson RB Andre Ellington is a game-time decision against South Carolina.

• Former Oregon coach and current ESPN broadcaster Mike Bellotti talks punt-blocking. PASSION!

• Penn State coach Joe Paterno will be back next year. Hey, Lavar Arrington isn’t going to coach himself.

• Georgia QB Aaron Murray says he’s pain-free (knee, sternum) and will be good to go against Georgia Tech Saturday night. The game plan remains unchanged — throw it up to #8.

• Yahoo!!!!!!’s Tom Dienhart interviews TCU coach Gary Patterson. Patterson gives his Fort Worth food and bar recommendations. Ok, he doesn’t, but we need them, Verballers. Where you at?

• Auburn DT Nick Fairley plays in a completely fair and just way. Just ask his teammates.

• USC RB Dillon Baxter, fresh off his 4th strike suspension, should be reinstated for the Notre Dame game. Whew.

• USC QB Matt Barkley hasn’t been practicing, but hopes to play against Notre Dame. He’s already started locking onto his receivers a few days ahead of kickoff, so things seem promising.

• The New York Times is all up in Cecil Newton’s church business grill.

*****

Today’s Video of the Day is SNL’s Jay Pharoah (not Natalie Portman) on Letterman. I think I’ve already posted a video of him, but good impressions are really hard to do and he’s going STRONG with Eddie Murphy, Denzel Washington, Will Smith, and President Obama.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbQ4CoxiGrY

Enjoy your Wednesday.

Ty and Dan talk about LSU’s close call, Nebraska’s dud, a potential Wisconsin-Stanford Rose Bowl, and the ongoing Dillon Baxter Experiment at USC.

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by Hollywood super-producer Joel Silver. Not only did he attend THE Lafayette College, but he also invented ultimate frisbee, which, as a sport, met it’s apex when this happened. Thank you and you’re welcome. Down with Colgate!! (the school, not the toothpaste)

*****

• Auburn QB Cam Newton or somebody Cam Newton is allegedly associated with is being investigated by the NCAA for the alleged acceptance of money on the QB’s behalf, in exchange for Newton’s football services. Mississippi State appear to be the whistle-blowers. <-- Please don’t sue The Solid Verbal.

The New York Times and ESPN have the story, and SB Nation has an update timeline.

SI.com’s Stewart Mandel and Yahoo!!!!!!’s Dan Wetzel offers their initial reactions. Mandel also has a mailbag and Andy Dalton on his podcast. Only listen after you’ve downloaded The Solid Verbal at least six times.

• Fox Sports’s Thayer Evans and SB Nation’s Holly Anderson (Peete) are asking if Heisman voters should steer clear of Cam Newton. That was fast.

That’s all I’m going to link to about Newton today, but if you have any further questions, SI.com has conveniently set up an easy system.

• Virginia Tech beat Georgia Tech last night (video highlight). Yellowjackets QB Josh Nesbitt is out for the year with a broken right forearm, but could be back for a bowl game.

• The weekly check-in from Fake Lou Holtz. I’m still not tired of this.

• ESPN’s David Ubben titled a profile, “A Tale of Two Helus.” Of course I’m going to link to it.

• The Wiz has game predictions from a variety of national writers.

• Miami QB Jacory Harris will be out at least a couple more weeks post-concussion.

• Oregon RB Kenjon Barner, who suffered a concussion against Washington State a few weeks ago, was “full-go” in practice this week. Because the Ducks need all the help they can get tomorrow with Washingt… woops.

*****

Today’s Video of the Day is the worst opening to a newscast ever. I don’t even know if this is funny as much as it is horrifying and uncomfortable. Ok, it’s funny.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e7LMFM4UNU

Enjoy your Friday + College Football Saturday.

Today’s Chorus is brought to you by Jimmy Buffett, who seems to enjoy eating cheeseburgers in tropical places and towns named after mixed drinks. He also owns Landshark Lager. I don’t know what a “landshark” is, but I imagine he’s pleased Ole Miss is considering making his made-up animal its mascot.

*****

• Florida QB John Brantley has injured ribs. But he’s doing great!

• Former Virginia coach (and current Georgia Tech defensive Allow More-dinator) Al Groh will face off against former assistant and now UVa head coach Mike London. It’s like master vs student, only Al Groh isn’t a master, and nobody cares.

• Wisconsin and Pitt each came into the season with excellent, well-known running backs. Now, John Clay (Wisc) and Dion Lewis (Pitt) both may not be as good as their backups. Next!

• Players in the Big 10 are injured. Beep beep ba beep beep beep ba beep beep. That was me typing out an old fashioned telegraph spitting out the headlines. Really for no reason.

• ESPN’s Pat Forde‘s weekly “Forde Yard Dash” is out. ***Dan’s Notes*** Lots of Les Miles, coaching, plays-per-minute, Ana Ivanovic, previews, something about steaks.

• SVBFF and SB Nation’s Brian Cook drops The Week in Schadenfreude. It made me laugh. And a little gassy. Weird.

• Various people continue to rank players for an important award only eligible to certain positions. The Heisman Pundit, SB Nation, and Fox Sports publish these people. Ndamukong Suh will not be clicking any of these links, and with good reason.

• SI.com’s Andy Staples doesn’t just rank teams, he ranks them in powerful fashion. After each entry, I like to imagine he pounds his desk with a fist and yells, “BOOM!” That’s power, children.

• Ole Miss revealed possible mascots to be the new Rebel. I kind of like the bear, and that’s as nice as I can possibly be. Whatever, I happen to like bears wearing hats that bears never wear.

• Arizona State LB Vontaze Burfict, aka The Walking Personal Foul, aka 15 Yards for Unsportsmanlike Conduct, aka The First Guy to Ever Rip Out a Spleen on a Football Field, has been benched. I wonder if this play or that play have anything to do with it. We may never know.

• ESPN’s Lou Holtz is trolling for Republican votes using cheesy football metaphors. Awww, so friggin’ adorable.

• Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly analyzes the differences between two of the teams that beat him, Michigan and MIchigan State, who play each other this weekend in Ann Arbor. Solid analysis before Kelly gave the coaching advantage to Michigan’s Rich Rodriguez because of his wonderful stent-free arteries. What an animal.

Today’s Video of the Day is another one from the Harvard Sailing Team, who doesn’t sail and is not a team. And has nothing to do with Harvard. It’s called “Boys Will Be Girls: Night Out.”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FukzyfIqYf8

Enjoy your Wednesday. Totes.

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

Ty and Dan talk about a wild evening slate of Week 3 games and dissect all the other action from Saturday.

Ty and Dan delve into the news of the week, their previews for the big games of Week 3, listener messages, more random thoughts about creepy owls, and an uncomfortable theory about To Catch A Predator.

Ty and Dan walk through all the action from Week Two, including the one-day collapse of the ACC, Oklahoma’s barnstorming of Florida State, and curious movies featuring Barn Owls.

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 welcome back Sports Illustrated’s Stewart Mandel to discuss the post-Tebow SEC, the crazy ACC Coastal Division, the quarterbacks of the Big East, the Lost finale, and the next step for The Mandel Initiative.

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 spend the show chatting with Jay Christensen from The Wiz of Odds and Covers.com, previewing Thursday’s BCS Championship, paying homage to the Big Ten, and analyzing the mystery of betting lines.

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Ty and Dan review the bowl action (and their lackluster picks) since their last podcast, read some listener messages, and wonder what’s going on with Boise State cheerleaders.

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Ty and Dan recap the weekend’s action and comb through the controversy as yet another slate of BCS bowls is revealed. Plus, ranting voice messages, information about the Solid Verbal Bowl Contest and a special announcement for next week’s episode.

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Ty and Dan examine the firing of Charlie Weis and the resignation of Bobby Bowden, as well as the wacky week in college football. Plus, voice messages and a winner in the Solid Verbal fantasy league!

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Ty and Dan plow through a cornucopia of voicemails, e-mails, week 12 news and week 13 picks due to the Thanksgiving holiday and their live broadcast this Saturday at 3pm ET.  Tune in at SolidVerbal.com or Livestream.com/solidverbal.

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Ty and Dan welcome back Jed Williams from ACCSports.com to discuss various, in-depth ACC topics and explore the possibility of him being a machine inputs and outputs raw college football knowledge.  Plus, voicemails, e-mails, and week 12 picks (including some from a special guest).

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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.

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Ty and Dan kick it old school by flying solo with an extravaganza of voice messages, e-mails and week nine picks.  Plus, a quick game of “overrated/underrated”, more additions to pool of potential Solid Verbal host cities, and some secret news on the life and times of Dan Rubenstein.

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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 bring back Chip Brown from OrangeBloods.com and ESPN Radio 1530 in Austin to discuss this week’s Red River Rivalry.  Plus, voice messages, e-mails and week 7 previews as before another Road Trip Weekend for the Solid Verbal Crew.  *Note* This show was recorded on Wednesday.

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Ty and Dan delve into all the week five action, including tick-tack celebration penalties, Miami’s big win and Cal’s disappearing act.  Plus, voice messages, e-mails, Facebook chatter and more thoughts on the Solid Verbal host city in 2010.

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Ty and Dan return from respective trips to Georgia and Oregon to discuss their journeys, Tim Tebow’s injury, the craziness that transpired in the top ten, and the possibility of them finally meeting in-person.  Plus, voice messages, a brief fantasy football rundown and why Ty was rooting for Miley Cyrus on his car ride to Athens.

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Ty and Dan record a special matinee edition of the Solid Verbal and are joined by Bob Condotta from the Seattle Times to talk about Washington’s upset of USC, matchups within the Pac-10 and the future of Jake Locker.  Plus, voice messages from all corners of the country, scathing e-mails, and details about Ty and Dan’s respective trips to Georgia and Oregon.

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Ty and Dan review a fantastic third week of the college football regular season, paying special attention to the three most notable games of the week (Tennessee-Florida, Georgia Tech-Miami, Washington-USC.  Plus, voice messages (we got one from a female!) and a brief chat with a member of the Solid Verbal fantasy league (Joe from CollegeGameBalls.com).

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Ty and Dan invite Chris Brown from SmartFootball.com to talk about the intricacies of the spread offense, including Ohio State’s misuse of Terrelle Pryor against USC, Michigan’s ability to keep Notre Dame guessing, and whether Tim Tebow classifies as a “system quarterback” or not.  Plus, loads of voice and e-mail messages from the Solid Verbal faithful.

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Ty and Dan welcome Ken Gordon from the Columbus Dispatch and BuckeyeXtra.com to discuss Saturday’s big showdown between USC and Ohio State, the Big Ten conference, and the progression of Terrelle Pryor. Plus, witty voice messages, a ton of e-mail, and a very special announcement.

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Throughout August, we will be counting down the top 25 teams (as listed here) going into the 2009 season.  Today, we travel deep within SEC territory to Athens, Georgia, a place that hates Ty Hildenbrandt and will have its opportunity to seek barbaric revenge when he visits on September 26th.

First Impressions

Two seasons ago, I penned the following line regarding Georgia football in an effort to draw a parallel between the Bulldogs and the great WWF star “The Ultimate Warrior“:

Hulk Hogan once described The Ultimate Warrior as a “flat character.” Is that not Georgia? Other than a wild touchdown celebration against Florida, the Dawgs have no real defining characteristics. Likewise, they continually fall short of being THE team to beat in college football, content on going 8-4, 9-3, or 10-2 every season.

Never in my life have I been so afraid.  This statement resonated throughout Dawg Nation like a crying baby in a crowded church.  And I was inundated, relentlessly, with messages from angry fans, all of whom contested every syllable of the three sentences I had inadvertently used to launch a pseudo-controversy.  It was undoubtedly the closest I had ever come to being beaten by an angry mob while attempting a joke about a once-superstar in an imaginary sport.

It was then that I realized what Georgia football was all about.  Though I stand by those initial statements — Georgia still hasn’t gotten over that proverbial hump on the national stage — I realize that Georgia sees it differently.  Georgia doesn’t lower its standards when it falls short; if anything, it raises them.  (And its fans sure as hell didn’t appreciate me poking a stick in their wound.)

That’s where we’re at with the Dawgs in 2009.  Only a year ago, this team was loaded for bear with Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno on offense, and a preseason No. 1 ranking to its credit.  But as losses amassed against Alabama, Florida and Georgia Tech, it became clear that Georgia was somewhat overrated.  It also became clear that Georgia, at least under Mark Richt, thrives better when it can fly under the radar.  And, well, hello 2009.

As Stafford and Moreno were both first round NFL picks, and the focus in the SEC has shifted to teams such as Florida, Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss, Georgia again finds itself lurking in the weeds, perhaps an upset or two away from making an improbable run.

Last Year

Georgia started the 2008 season as the preseason No. 1 team in the country behind Matthew Stafford‘s arm, and Knowshon Moreno‘s legs.  But it simply wasn’t meant to be.  After starting the year 3-0, Georgia was downed in Sanford Stadium by Alabama, dashing their dreams of a march through the SEC, and launching another title run, indirectly, for the Crimson Tide.

The Dawgs, however, got their act together and hammered out three consecutive wins against Tennessee, Vanderbilt and LSU (in Baton Rouge), setting up a showdown in Jacksonville with another one-loss SEC team: Florida.  But that wasn’t meant to be, either.  The Gators had Georgia on their mind after Mark Richt’s premeditated antics in 2007, and subsequently rolled up a 49-10 blowout victory, which essentially stole the Dawgs’ soul in the second half, and for the remainder of the season.  Two-loss Georgia was out of contention.

And that was pretty much that.  Georgia mailed it in.  In its final three regular season games, the Dawgs survived two back-to-back road scares against Kentucky and Auburn, before eventually succumbing to Georgia Tech to end its season.  Though Georgia won the Capital One Bowl over Michigan State, 2008 was a huge disappointment.

People

Though Georgia loses its two biggest names, the team, as a whole, returns 15 starters.  Get used to names like QB Joe Cox, RB Caleb King, and an underrated group of WRs led by AJ Green and Michael Moore, and a veteran group of defenders led by Geno Atkins, Rennie Curran and Reshad Jones.  Coach Mark Richt will again be in charge of navigating the ship through treacherous SEC waters.  This is the kind of underdog squad with which he is known to excel.  However, one of his most important tasks will be trying to drive a better turnover differential — the last two times Georgia‘s differential has been in the black, the Dawgs have qualified for a BCS bowl.

This Year

Georgia will be tested early when it travels to Stillwater to square off against Oklahoma State, arguably the second-best team in the Big 12, on September 5th.  More importantly, it will provide a very early glimpse at what Georgia’s defense can do against a high-powered offense, which has been a concern over the last few years (the Dawgs’ average points allowed has steadily increased from 16.4 to 24.5 since 2005).

The biggest challenge, however, will be maneuvering another grueling year in the SEC.   This schedule is littered with potential landmines, and quite simply, there are no breaks.  After Okie State, Georgia is looking at South Carolina, @Arkansas, Arizona State, LSU, @Tennessee, @Vanderbilt, Florida (in Jacksonville), Tennessee Tech (OK, this might be a break), Auburn, Kentucky, and @Georgia Tech.  Such is life in the SEC.  The good news is that the Dawgs have a favorable home schedule; the bad news is that LSU, Florida and Georgia Tech could all be major flies in the ointment.

Perhaps the biggest challenge for Mark Richt will be finding better harmony between offense and defense.  Simply put, the offense cannot be asked to win every game, and the defense MUST step up and do its share if this season is going to exceed expectations.

Conclusions

Georgia is surprisingly deep in 2009, and in a familiar role in which it has succeeded before under Mark Richt.  Mark me down as a believer that this team will be extremely competitive in every single game, with losses only against Oklahoma State and Florida.

Prediction:

10-2

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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Throughout August, we will be counting down the top 25 teams (as listed here)
going into the 2009 season. Today, travel to beautiful Atlanta, GA, which boasts the Georgia Dome, bad traffic, five Waffle House establishments, and a college with the best-looking, insect-related mascot in FBS college football.  That’s saying something.

First Impresions

While the ACC’s ability to compete with other BCS conferences remains somewhat in question, there’s no question that this year’s race within the conference will be wide open.  Though most publications go the safe route and pick Virginia Tech, there are really a handful of teams that could win the league; Georgia Tech is very quietly one of them.

The media drumbeat isn’t all that loud for Tech, primarily because Paul Johnson‘s arrival meant the beginning of a new era (or old era, depending on your point of view) of offense mostly robbed of any flashiness.  However, despite predicted awkwardness in transitioning to the triple option in ’08, Johnson led the Yellow Jackets to a 9-4 record, which may have been the best coaching job all last season.  Yes, his offense may seem boring and predictable, but unlike Chan Gailey‘s version of a boring and predictable scheme, it has an identity… and IT WORKED.

The Yellow Jackets will have their work cut out for them in navigating a schedule filled with quality opponents.  But Coach Johnson proved in his first year that his offense can win games with the right personnel, and you’d have to think that the trend could continue in 2009.

Last Year

Hello, Paul Johnson.  The former Navy coach took over and switched the offense to a flexbone format led by Josh Nesbitt, who answered the call in a major way, passing/rushing for roughly 1,500 yards and 9 TDs from scrimmage.  Then-sophmore RB Jonathan Dwyer benefited greatly from the shift in philosophy, rushing for nearly 1,400 yards and 12 TDs, but most importantly, averaging 7.0 yards per carry.  The team, as a whole, reaped the rewards and put together a 9-4 season, including wins over Clemson, Florida State and Georgia (for the first time in seven years) and a trip to the Chic-Fil-A Bowl.

The team’s only losses came against Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Virginia and LSU in the bowl game.  So much for a throwaway, transition season, huh?

People

Much attention will be paid to quarterback Josh Nesbitt, but most people would agree that the true playmaker on offense is junior RB Jonathan Dwyer.  For lack of better terms, Dwyer is a bowling ball with eyes — measuring out at 6’0″, 228 lbs — who figures to make yet another stride toward becoming a household name.  But he’s not the only weapon.  Paul Johnson will probably try and improve upon his team’s measly FIVE TD passes in 2008, meaning more looks for Demaryius Thomas.

Defensively, junior safety Morgan Burnett, who achieved All-American honors in ’08, figures to be a leader on defense, as well as a potential Jim Thorpe Award finalist.  Beyond that, listen for names like Derrick Morgan, Sedric Griffin, and Dominique Reese, who should prosper at CB from the ACC’s lack of gamebreaking receivers. The question about this team headed into ’09 is its offensive line.  We’ll see which names emerge.

This Year

In short, the tone for Tech’s season will be set over a three-week span starting on September 10th, when the Yellow Jackets host Clemson, travel to Miami, and then host North Carolina.  But the schedule doesn’t quit there.  Tech has schedule with depth in ’09, also traveling to Tallahassee, hosting Virginia Tech, traveling to Virginia, and hosting Georgia to close out the year.  It will be no picnic getting back to nine wins.

Most of this team’s questions remain on the defensive side of the ball.  Tech needs to find answers at the interior line in order to stop opponents in a conference that know how to run the football.  If it can do this, then the sky’s the limit.  This team has the pieces to win the ACC.

Conclusions

Georgia Tech has a certain charm to it now that it’s running the triple option.  It is also a change of pace from every other team in the ACC, which absolutely makes it a thorn in everyone’s side.  Look for the Yellow Jackets to have their best season since 1998.

Prediction

10-2

Game Highlights Set To Young Jeezy

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhMsL9whyYg

--Ty

Ty and Dan recap their college fantasy football draft and discuss how it differs from more conventional fantasy leagues.  Plus, SI.com’s Stewart Mandel stops by to chat about the Coaches’ Poll, USC’s potential QB controversy, and which coach he’d pick to give a best man’s speech.  And, of course, your wacky e-mail messages.  (Episode #51)

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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

Ty and Dan bring back Clay Travis to talk about various topics around the world of college football, as well as his new book On Rocky Top.  Plus, West Coast Kevin drops by Solid Verbal Studio West to react to e-mails and celebrate the 50th show.

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