Morning Six Pack: April 29, 2013

Another week starts with six college football stories from around SEC Country.

Even more proof that the SEC is the best college football conference

The NFL draft was another reminder that the SEC is the best college football conference.

SEC Football by the Numbers: NFL Draft - The choice of pros

NFL teams selected 63 SEC players in the 2013 draft. That's the most SEC players picked in one draft.

Monday Musings: Hill's arrest, SEC's best

Looks like LSU's offseason just got even worse. Star RB Jeremy Hill, already on probation after pleading guilty to sex with a 14-year-old in a locker room as a high school senior, was arrested over the weekend for... wait for it...

AJ McCarron, Johnny Manziel competitors on the field, friends off the field

"Football is our life, so when we get away, we try to get away and not really bring that in."

Sony Michel: UGA 5-star RB from Plantation, Fla.

Prospect: Sony Michel, running back, American Heritage High School in Plantation, Fla., Class of 2014 Colleges: Committed to UGA over Miami, while also considering Notre Dame, Florida and Florida State.

Quotable:

The idea was to make it similar to the one that puts together the NCAA basketball tournament, made up of athletic directors and conference commissioners. But make no mistake, this will be much tougher to put together, and the commissioners know that.

''This is an issue of considerable complexity and given how much time we have until the playoff begins, we're in no rush,'' BCS executive director Bill Hancock said Thursday, the final of three days of meetings at a resort hotel in the Rose Bowl's backyard.

Everything is apparently still up for debate, from who will be on the committee — current or former athletic administrators? — to how many people will be on it — 16? 18? 20? — to what kind of metrics and rankings it will be given to guide decisions.

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

Morning Six Pack: April 26, 2013

Here we go, tossin’ out six college football stories (like mullets on the beach) from around SEC Country.

SEC has record 12 first-round picks

Alabama had a profound impact on another NFL draft when cornerback Dee Milliner, guard Chance Warmack and tackle D.J. Fluker were the ninth, 10th and 11th selections in Thursday night's first round.

.Eddie Lacy, Jesse Williams among top 10 best remaining players heading into day 2 of NFL draft

Names like Eddie Lacy, Mant'i Teo and Geno Smith were considered potential first-day picks, but still remain.

SEC stars rule Day 1 of draft

SEC stars were hot commodities at the draft, and the bigger, the better.

AL.com's five burning questions answered

Auburn's quarterback competition will continue through the summer, but a few more spots -- and position groups -- appear have found their footing following their first spring under coach Gus Malzahn.

New e-mails show NCAA concern over use of athlete video-game images

Ed O'Bannon plaintiffs say Electronic Arts and Collegiate Licensing Company misled the public and college athletes about the length EA went to model video game avatars after real players.

Quotable:

Bear Bryant produced 13 first-round picks in his 25 seasons at Alabama. After tonight's latest NFL Draft dominance, Nick Saban has 14 first-rounders in six seasons.

Alabama's production of NFL first-round picks continued to reach historical milestones. Tonight, the Crimson Tide became the first team to produce three straight picks in the first round.

Over the past five years, Alabama has 14 first-round picks. In college football history, only the vaunted Miami teams of a decade ago produced more first-round picks over a five-year period than Alabama's current run.

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

Morning Six Pack: April 25, 2013

Happy Draft Day! May your favorite SEC player go high in tonight’s proceedings. Meanwhile… Six college football stories from around SEC Country.

NFL Draft: Milliner vows to be ready for training camp

When Dee Milliner was at the NFL Combine in February, some draft analysts had questions about his speed. Those detractors asked him what he thought his 40-yard dash time would be. Milliner simply smiled and said…

Florida football returns to relevance in NFL Draft

Given the Gators' rich draft history, last year's dismal showing was equal parts stunning and revealing. This year should be different.

Sites Picked, Selection Committee Next for Playoff

Now that the guys putting together the College Football Playoff have determined where the games will be played, there's only one major item left on the agenda — and it just might be the most important piece.

Coaches evaluate depth chart

Gus Malzahn had three goals for his first spring practice season as Auburn coach - to 'get our edge back' by building mental and physical toughness, for players to understand the base offense and defense and to have a two-deep depth chart.

Bielema embracing underdog role

Bret Bielema says he still has not unpacked a single box in his new house.

Quotable:

It’s become a regular occurrence. Every April former Alabama players are following Nick Saban’s path to the NFL.

The plan is simple: Come to Alabama, play 3 or 4 years…your choice. Follow the process, win hardware the right way, then go make big money in the NFL and change your life.

As Alabama head coach Nick Saban prepares for his seventh season leading the Crimson Tide this fall, he can look recruits in the eye and tell them he knows how to get them to the NFL. With consistency.

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

Morning Six Pack: April 24, 2013

From this point forward, the Morning Six Pack will focus on SEC football, with the occasional story of interest from a national perspective. So, without further ado… Six college football stories from around the best league in the country.

Nick Saban tops The Sporting News' rankings of 125 FBS coaches

Alabama's Nick Saban sits at No. 1 of this year's rankings, while first-year Auburn coach Gus Malzahn ranks No. 55 and 12th out of 14 SEC coaches.

Gators in the NFL Draft: Sharrif Floyd

Former UFdefensive tackle Sharrif Floyd is projected be a first-round pick in this week's NFL Draft.

QB race remains wide open

Through 14 practices, including Saturday's A-Day game, Auburn quarterbacks Kiehl Frazier and Jonathan Wallace have rotated and split reps with the first and second teams every day.

Alabama, UGA could total 20 NFL draft picks

Last December, Alabama and Georgia produced the greatest drama in the history of the Southeastern Conference football championship game.

Jones names Welton director of player personnel

The University of Tennessee has hired Bob Welton as director of player personnel after he spent the past nine years as a scout with the NFL's Cleveland Browns.

Quotable:

Yes, it’s the real name. College football’s power brokers voted on it Tuesday afternoon at the BCS meetings.

Meanwhile, Augusta National officials announced that the Masters will now be called “Pro Golf Tournament.’’ The World Series will be “Baseball Championship’’ and the Super Bowl: “Football Game.’’

This could be the most boring marketing campaign ever. And that was probably the point, really. The idea was to find something that was ridicule-proof, so bland you can’t make fun of it.

That said, with the money-grab that defines the sport, it won’t take long before this is called College Football Payoff. CFP usually stands for Certified Financial Planner, which is exactly what the sport is doing all week, planning its enormous windfall and finalizing details of the tournament.

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

Morning Six Pack: April 23, 2013

Another Tuesday, another brew of six fresh college football stories from around the country.

D.J. Fluker's account hacked, says agent, after tweet sent says the Alabama star took money in college

As soon as it was up, it was gone. And, apparently, all because of a hacker.

Now healthy, UAB linebacker Daniel White making the most of final chance

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Daniel White's career at UAB was headed for big things early on.

Brandon Allen is Arkansas’ starting QB exiting spring

As Arkansas heads for a bit of a break following the conclusion of spring practice and prior to the start of the summer conditioning program, Bret Bielema has tabbed his starter at quarterback.

Spring answers Oklahoma's questions on 'D'

Post-spring defensive depth chart: Could the Sooners be better in 2013?

Firing a football coach is not that easy for FBS schools

E-mails show the great lengths universities go to to save face, not to mention money.

Quotable:

The site of the first championship game could be announced as early as today. Set for Jan. 11, 2015, it has been considered a lock to be played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. But according to several published reports, Raymond James Stadium in Tampa made a strong bid and had gained consideration. Although the championship game is expected to rotate among several cities, only the first site is expected to be announced this week.

The name and logo of the playoff. Don't expect flashy. Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said last week the aim was for something classic, not corporate. "We want it to be more like the Masters than NASCAR," he said. Do not expect anything like "BCS." That brand, battered by controversy that ultimately led to the current postseason metamorphosis, will be retired after this season's championship game, which will be played Jan. 6, 2014, at the Rose Bowl.

"It will be simple," BCS executive director Bill Hancock said. "It will not be cutesy. And it will be descriptive. I've seen too many people make mistakes by trying to be cutesy."

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

Morning Six Pack: April 22, 2013

We’re back with a new workweek and a fresh six pack of college football stories from around the country.

A-Day also a big recruiting day for Crimson Tide's talent scouts

Since head coach Nick Saban's arrival in 2007, Alabama's spring games have drawn huge crowds, and the coaching staff has been able to use that to draw more and more of the nation's elite prospects.

'We fell back into the same mistakes as last year'

Brian Kelly is seeing some of the offensive mistakes he did a year ago.

Joe Paterno apparently has thoughts about this year’s Penn State team from beyond the grave

Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno has been dead for more than a year, but that doesn’t mean he still doesn’t have some thoughts on this year’s Nittany Lions.

Colorado State player, girlfriend charged with assault, domestic violence

A member of the Colorado State football team as well as his girlfriend have both found themselves with some legal issues following an incident late this past week.

Les Miles has some fun with cell phones at post game press conference: Video

LSU Coach Les Miles is twice interrupted by reporters' ringing cell phones and then answers the second one.

Quotable:

The offenses combined for six interceptions and three lost fumbles, mistakes that Saban said weren't characteristic of the spring as a whole. He roamed the field surveying the action in slacks and a sports coat.

"The biggest thing that I was concerned about is how would the team go out there," he said. "What would be their energy, their enthusiasm and their attention to detail -- mental intensity. I don't think that there were enough guys that answered that question in a positive way to my liking. But I'm never satisfied."

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

Morning Six Pack: April 19, 2013

TGIF and TG for six college football stories from around the country.

Tide practices with 'a lot more intensity' after returning from D.C. trip

Maybe it was the couple of days off. Maybe it was the trip to the White House. Whatever it was, Alabama has looked better in spring practice this week.

NBC and Notre Dame Extend Television Deal

NBC Sports Group announced a 10-year contract extension to televise Notre Dame games, doubling the length of its previous agreement.

Marlin Lane's status leaves Vols thin at RB

Add running back to the growing list of skill-position concerns for Tennessee as it approaches the end of spring practice.

Miles stacks White team with first teamers for LSU spring game: notebook

There is a decided experience advantage on the White team, which is largely first team players.

Injuries putting a crimp in UCLA football's practice style

Sessions have been scaled back to allow for sidelined players. 'It's hard because you've got to get the work in,' Coach Jim Mora says.The numbers game is tilting against UCLA during spring football practice.

Quotable:

Meanwhile, colleges continue the money-grab that is college realignment. I'm glad that these institutions of higher learning have taken all of the sports into account as they make their decisions. As long as people are making money, it shouldn't matter that a school like West Virginia spends its conference season traveling to Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma. With the money-maker that is women's soccer, that shouldn't be a prob .... Oh, I forgot, those programs don't exist when it comes to realignment.

As long as the football team's competitive, right? At all costs, even probation? You can look at the allegations towards Auburn's program a few years ago, but if they did break the rules, it worked, right? They got a national championship, and although you can take away banners and crystal balls, you can't take away pictures and memories. Advantage, Auburn.

Don't misinterpret my meaning. I'm not suggesting the Tigers cheated and don't care if they did. Let boosters do what they need to do to build a competitive program. As long as the football team's competitive, who cares how they got there?

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

Morning Six Pack: April 18, 2013

Looking ahead to an eventful weekend, here are six college football stories from around the country.

Patrick may finally get his chance

He has been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. And if Alabama's annual A-Day Game counts as an audition, Tana Patrick will be a focal point for some Crimson Tide fans Saturday.

Mitch Mustain Documentary Trailer

The former Arkansas quarterback is the subject of a documentary that is narrated by Nolan Richardson.

Coastal Alabama recruiting update: Examining Mobile's quarterback crop for the Class of 2014

At least four Mobile area quarterbacks - Vigor's Devin Adams, UMS-Wright's Gunner Roach, Faith Academy's Malik Rosier and Jackson's Matthew Jordan - have attracted the attention of major college scouts.

Whining About Schedules

There's no way a fan can talk about his team's schedule being tough without coming off as a tremendous whiner. I know this, but I'm going to it anyway.

UF progress report: Quarterbacks

A closer look at what we learned about this upcoming group of Gators from spring practice.

Quotable:

“I think we’re, and I’m concurring with you, I think what needs to take place, college athletics — particularly football — have changed dramatically throughout my career.

I think it’s in a bad place right now, and I think it’s in a bad place for a variety of different reasons. We’ve allowed it to become money-driven. We’ve allowed it to become TV-driven. We’ve allowed athletic programs or football programs to mean more to a university than what the university was really supposed to be all about.

The last I heard, these were educational institutions, and that’s what it needs to be about. … It’s not driven by values. … It’s driven by dollars and cents, and that’s unfortunate.”

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

Morning Six Pack: April 17, 2013

Back with six cool, clear and refreshing college football stories from around the country.

Alabama notebook: Tide's thin roster just got thinner

True freshman tailback Derrick Henry was the latest casualty of the spring, suffering a broken leg in Saturday's scrimmage that will sideline him from the annual A-Day Game.

On College Football: N.C.A.A.’s Case Against Oregon Moves Slowly

The University of Oregon agreed that violations occurred in its football program, but the N.C.A.A.’s unwieldy enforcement process offers little disincentive for any school to cheat.

Where will Shaun Dion Hamilton commit: Alabama, Auburn or Tennessee?

Carver-Montgomery linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton is set to announce his college decision at his school at 11:30 on Wednesday, choosing between his three finalists of Alabama, Auburn and Tennessee.

Nathan Peterman holding own in Tennessee QB work

The spring-practice portion of Tennessee's quarterback competition is nearing its end, and Nathan Peterman is looking to make the most of the final week.

Cincinnati punter transferring to Miami, already tops depth chart

Yes, it’s a punter, but still… In somewhat of a surprising move, Cincinnati head coach Tommy Tuberville confirmed Tuesday that punter Pat O’Donnell has decided to leave the Bearcats for a transfer to Miami.

Quotable:

"I remember the first scrimmage AJ was in, we made him play with the threes," Saban said with a grin. "He was hot behind the collar and fussing out on the field and stormed up to my office when the scrimmage was over and said, 'How come you made me play with the threes? I thought I was going to be with the twos.' I said, 'We're only evaluating your leadership today and you failed.'"

It was a light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek story about a quarterback who has since led two Alabama teams to BCS national championships, but Saban said it also shows how far the former St. Paul's star has come in his development as a leader.

"He has come a long way," Saban said of McCarron. "Now he is the best leader on our team, and has been, and is one of the best quarterbacks in the country. We're certainly pleased and proud to have him being our quarterback."

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

Surprise: Politicization Of The Boston Bombing

No morning six pack today. It just doesn't seem right or proper, and I'm slammed with day job duties as well (and have been for weeks; it's a good problem to have).

Instead, I'll leave these thoughts from Red State's Dana Loesch on the grotesqueness of the media's response to yesterday's tragedy.

This isn’t journalism. This is speculation. It’s hackneyed. It’s malicious, unprofessional, and dangerous. The lack of professionalism demonstrated by the above should be enough to shame them forever from the profession, but the profession now thrives on tabloid-level “reporting.”

After a tragedy the normal person responds by falling to their knees in prayer. The compassionate person responds with concern for the affected. The professional reports the facts and differentiates between speculation and confirmation.

It is the desperate and professionally and spiritually anemic who heartlessly view tragedy as a chance to settle some imaginary score. These individuals are baselessly impugning innocent groups and in doing so, inadvertently impugn themselves and their profession.

http://www.redstate.com/dloesch/2013/04/16/the-grotesque-politicization-of-the-boston-bombing/