Dawg fans...

...your QB.

Game winning drive against the Buffs:

Some of CMR's words:

And from the man himself:

Landers, Leadership and Unexpected Landings

Bernie is a believer in Joe Cox. We haven't seen 14 start but one game. I'm proud to say I was in Oxford for that one start, but remember it mostly as an ugly game with a tremendous tailgate. 

All things considered, ol' Joe is really only known in Athens for the winning TD against Colorado in '06 and being the red-headed backup to Matthew Stafford. In fact, it's conceivable that there are some Dawg fans out there that had to google Joe Cox after Stafford announced and Bobo and CMR started their ringing endorsement for the Charlotte native.

This kid's a winner. No, really. He hasn't lost a game since he was learning how to drive. He may not have the arm strength of our previous starter, but he's not going to be the type of signal caller that fails to manage games. He'll put us in position to win.

But the main reason I'm a believer in 14 is a reason that is getting a lot of play since Stafford announced his decision last Wednesday - Cox is a leader.

Now before you start to make an ass of u and me, let's get this straight - Stafford is a leader. He did it in red and black every game with his arm. 

I'm sick and tired of all the blowhards that label him a loser because he didn't bring us a championship and disloyal because he didn't finish out his eligibility. If you're bitter about these guys leaving, get a life! They're Dawgs. 'Nuf said.

Cox however, is a leader with his voice. For a guy to be a backup on the depth chart and still have the respect of the players speaks volumes. That should translate into leadership through his actions as well around September 5th. 

Quick Hits

• For a run down on our starting QB, check out Bubba 'n Earl's very thorough work up.
• Early entries into the NFL draft used to be non-existent. Just ask Herschel Walker. 
• If he doesn't answer the phone, read this John Underwood article published in March of 1982 after the Georgia tailback had finished his sophomore campaign. Great article.
• And if you've read Walker's book"Breaking Free", Underwood's piece will seem eerily familiar; like a glimpse into a time when no one, not even Walker himself, knew what he was going through.
• You want a playoff? SNL is rarely worth a tune in anymore (my humble opinion), but this is pretty funny. The W jokes toward the end are a little creepy from this guy, but it was worth the looksee. Maybe it'll convince you the BCS isn't so bad....
• If you think Mark Sanchez will rise above Stafford in the draft QB pecking order, think again. This season's stats may favor the USC Trojan, but Staff showed in his three years he can handle adversity within the pocket. His blindside protectors this season alone dropped like flies.
• Did anyone catch the (very) quick "tap" on the elbow Carroll gave Sanchez as he left the stage...before Sanchez addressed the media? Coach Carroll was pissed.
• Rumblings from Athens that CWM got into quite the heated exchange with his safety after learning Wednesday of Jones' decision to turn pro.
• Wonder if the phrases "arm tackle" and "second day pick" were hurled around.

Shout Outs

• Captain Chelsey "Sully" Sullenberger. His heroics in landing that airbus yesterday in the Hudson were astounding, even more so than his two sweeps of the plane to make sure his passengers had all disboarded.
• Captain Sully, you sir are now in charge of our flight to Tulsa in September. 
• Andy Landers. 800 wins. Wow! 
• The NCAA says his victory total stands at 718 because of 82 wins at Roane State. I say take a bite of one of the coach's cigar stumps and give Landers and us Dawg fans a break. BTW - he was something insane like 34-1 against D1 schools while at RSCC.
• Back at the number 800, Landers is the second fastest coach to reach the feat, behind some coach at Tennessee. And check out the GeorgiaDogs pic with the throw back to a time with the wide tie and before the slick backed hair. Well done coach. Here's to the next 800!
• Teresa Edwards for making it to Athens for the momentous occasion. The four time Olympic Champ never forgets her roots.
• And lastly, Reshad. It always pays to make your grandparents happy. They helped raise you and in December you'll repay them with a college degree. That will be a moment worth more than millions of benjamins. Not just a hug, one of those big 'ol, grandmamma, back breaking hugs. Enjoy!

To wrap up, I know a lot of Dads venture into Bernie's cyber hole on occasion. And some of you have daughters...like me. True or not, here's hoping nothing like this ever happens to you gentlemen.

Trivia this week brought to you by the new AT&T, check out their unlimited text messaging plans. Satisfaction not guaranteed for fathers of daughters on class trips near a beach...where a fraternity is having their annual Beach and Beer Retreat. The Lady Dawgs recently moved into a new 3400 sq ft locker room area that includes a theater style meeting room and lounge area. Which team utilized the space from 1964-1987 as their locker room? Reader with the winning comment gets a shotgun to use to protect their daughter.

Enjoy the weekend reader(s). I know it's cold. But not as cold as the shoulder Mark Sanchez got yesterday.

Bernie

Another Jones Reversal Helps Dawg Fans and Coaches Breathe a Sigh of Relief

Reshad Jones has come back full circle and will stay for the 2009 season. Brett Jensen writes that the Georgia safety told members of the coaching staff this morning that he had changed his mind and wanted to return for his redshirt junior season. 

You had to at least wonder when the confirmation of his leaving didn't break late this morning that maybe Martinez and/or CMR had grabbed his ear after a good night's sleep. 

Jones was one of the members of the highly touted 2006 class that included fellow 5 star recruit Matthew Stafford and was the top rated safety in the nation. A product of Booker T. Washington, the state's top recruit chose Georgia over a slew of other offers after being recruited heavily by Rodney Garner.

Although Jones has yet to have the breakout season many were expecting back in February of '06 when he signed his LOI, few doubt the safety's potential. This season he was second on the team in tackles after starting 12 of 13 games. Many fans have grown impatient with his inconsistent play, but he also led the team in interceptions. If Rennie Curran was dotting the i in Columbia by forcing the Mike Davis fumble, Jones was crossing the t when he sealed the victory by means of his interception on the chickens' last drive.

Assuming the starting safety's heart is behind this final decision, it is good news for Dawg fans and surely has coaches around Butts-Mehre breathing a sigh of relief. 

It is just a matter of time before the production follows the potential. And this Dawg Blawgger can't wait...

Go Dawgs!

Desperation...meet THE VISOR, part II

The facts:

• Cameron Kenney was once an Auburn commitment
• He's a WR from Garden City CC in Kansas
• He's a native of Dacula, GA 
• And he is set to earn a qualifying math credit this semester
• Oh.....and when Auburn's knee jerked at the end of the '08 season, Kenney felt the power surge.

Other schools picked up the phone.

Kenney was scheduled to visit The Visor this weekend. He evidently caught a whiff of something and called Visor Jr and said he had made other plans. Did Bobo get a similar call? 

Uh...no.

The WR will choose the shorter trip down 316 and become a Dawg or stay in the midwest to catch balls thrown by Bradford.

Reshad Leaving Too...??

As the Butts-Mehre Turns...

Reshad Jones is giving out signals that he too will be leaving campus for the NFL draft. "I'm probably leaning toward leaving, but I'll know for sure in the morning," Jones said.

This after SID Felton said Tuesday that Georgia's safety was planning on returning. Hard to think that draft advisory report changed overnight, but evidently Jones' mind did.

He said he feels like the time is right for him to end his collegiate career, his coaches evidently disagree. All this drama for a second day pick...most likely.

That makes two offensive and two defensive defections. Owens and Atkins...

We'll know for sure tomorrow how many jerseys are needed for the spring game....

....stay tuned.

Earning Extra Schollies the Hard Way...

...and other miscellaneous musings.

Coach Mark Richt and staff have picked up three extra scholarships in the last week. Stafford, Moreno...and now Asher Allen has decided to attend the NFL combines this winter.

Most of us were not surprised when Stafford and Moreno cleaned out their lockers last week. But shame on me for having Asher all but ink'd in as returning for the 2009 campaign.

Honestly, this really hurts the Dawg defense. I realize that Stafford and Moreno were star players and accounted for just south of 90% of the offense this past season. And I also realize that replacing them will not be easy.

But for my money, losing Asher is a much bigger hit to a team that needs defensive leaders returning. Allen is an experienced cover corner that subscribes to a very physical style of play. His stats were down this season (only 44 tackles and no INTs), but he played the last five games with a broken hand. (Note: Allen had an INT against the reptiles, but a penalty negated it. What else?)

You only have to remember back to the Capital One Bowl to understand Allen's significance. Martinez used a lot of man coverage and the Spartans frequently threw in Allen's direction. Not sure why, they just did. 

Allen finished with a team high nine tackles and also recorded his first sack of the season. MSU receivers had a hard time getting off the line cleanly against him. And Hoyer and Cousins had an even harder time completing passes against him.

Asher joins Ramarcus Brown and CJ Byrd (both seniors) as departing players from the secondary. Assuming Bryan Evans stays at safety, there will be a lot of young, raw talent fighting for supremacy of the DB depth chart this spring. 

We saw a lot of Brandon Boykin in Orlando. The coaches also speak highly of redshirt freshmen Baccari Rambo's athleticism and Makiri Pugh's talent. Asher himself likes Sanders Commings (appeared in three games, no stats). Another possibility I guess would be moving Vance Cuff over from WC as Prince's backup.

Regardless, the competition going into spring at RB and now SC will be fierce. Come to think of it, with Shanahan being shown the door in Denver, maybe Champ can come back and use that last year of eligibility...??

Reshad Jones, Jeff Owens and Geno Atkins are on record as saying they are back next season. I guess that will become official after Thursday's deadline. No more surprises...right??

Today's Dose of Irony

John Kincade of 680thefan discussed this last week and even presented it to Stafford on the air after the QBs press conference last Wednesday. 

Ohh! The Irony...

Fifty years ago the Detroit Lions traded away their all-star QB Bobby Layne after he finished the season on their '50's version of the Injured Reserve list. So upset as he left town for Pittsburgh he placed a curse on the franchise. He supposedly declared that for the next 50 years the Lions would claim no championships. 

Since that day, the Lions have amassed the worst winning percentage in the NFL and have recorded just one post-season win. Oh! And they went o for 16 this season.

Is the curse over? Well...the 50 years are. The irony is that the Lions need a QB and have the first pick in the draft; the Dawgs' QB just declared himself available; and let's see...that's right! Stafford and Layne both graduated from the same high school, Highland Park.

If this ironic tidbit plays itself out, it could be the curse of Matt Stafford. The Lions put the awe in awful. 

And Stafford didn't take the bait Kincade was casting. After all, the Lions could be the team to take Michael Vick off of Blank's hands once he finishes his Leavenworth vacation.

Class Act

You've all likely seen the ad in the Athens-Banner Herald that 

Knowshon paid for last week. It was a class act by a young man that hopefully left an ounce of that trademark energy in his UGA locker. In case you missed it, click HERE.

And Knowshon, if my humble blawg is ever graced by your eyes and you happen to read this...NO! Thank You!

Recruitin' Update

• Greg Reid has narrowed his choices and is evidently not swayed any closer to choosing Athens by Asher's departure. The Lowndes star has narrowed his decision to Athens, Tallahassee or latecomer Tuscaloosa. He wrapped up a "great" visit to FSU this past weekend. Next is Bama before visiting the Classic City on the 30th.
  
• With Branden Smith's commitment Georgia has already landed one of the state's top defensive players. To land another top DB in Reid, that was once committed to the Meyer Machine would once again help CMR and staff seal the border...and give the Dawgs a tandem at defensive back to be reckoned with.
• There's no truth to the rumor that Coach Kiffy used a fake ID last weekend at the Knoxville gas 'n sip. The AP is reporting that Kiffy's wife bought him the wine coolers he was drinking at the Justin Timberlake concert.
• Derrick Favors, arguably the nation's top round ball player projected to play center, will announce his decision tonight. UGA, Tech and NC State are the finalists. In Georgia's favor is Trey Tompkins, a former teammate of Favors. Not in the Dawgs' favor is a series of second half collapses, most notably Tech. Bernie's prediction: Favors reteams with Tompkins this fall and saves Felton's job for at least another few months. (WRONG! - Favors favored North Avenue TS)
• And this just in: Spurrier hasn't pulled a scholarship from a targeted player in nearly a week.

Sick Bay

Well wishes go out to Buck Belue. The former Dawg signal caller, turned 680thefan radio jock has been diagnosed with Bell's Palsy. He's expected to return to Kincade's side as soon as this afternoon. Bell's Palsy is a paralysis of the facial nerve and is not life threatening. To pass along your own well wishes, here's Buck's Blog.

Buck Belue = DamnGoodDawg

Site of the Week

For a good blend of Dawg news, video, cyber links and other things Dawg, check out GeorgiaBulldog.com. BDB guarantees it's worth the trip.

Visitor of Note

BDB welcomes its first visitor from India. Not sure how long he or she stayed. But according to the report if you Google "water things down", BDB has the fourth hit from the top. And it was a good one too. I remember it fondly.

And lastly, congrats to Bryan McClendon. I think this is a great hire. CMR stands by his word in wanting Georgia blood and enthusiasm in his players and his staff.

There are rumblings about McClendon being a receiver coaching RBs and that being a position in transition with the absence of Moreno. I hear that.

And CMR could've gone out and lured some big name to Athens that may or may not have worked out. In McClendon he had someone who is vested in all things red and black. I think he'll bring some energy and experience to the sideline. And will turn out to be a great recruiter as well.

Mat Drills start soon. Better go hit the gym BDB readers. Coach Van Halanger isn't going to accept your lame excuses with that orange cheese doodle dust around your mouth. Drop the remote...er...the mouse, and strap on the spandex. 

Or maybe just a nice pair of sweats...

Bernie

Asher to follow Stafford and Knowshon

Asher Allen has decided to leave UGA for NFL riches. TotalUga is reporting that Allen has told members of the coaching staff that his decision has been made and he plans to pursue his professional career a year early. If true, it creates a big hole in Georgia's secondary. Arguably larger than the ones on offense created by the two departing offensive stars last week.

Not good news for Dawg fans. Or for a defense that struggled through the 2008 season.

The AJC's Tim Tucker reported earlier today that Georgia's junior cornerback was mulling over the decision to turn pro after requesting a projection from the NFL advisory board of his draft status.

Allen has been less than specific about what he needs to see from the board for him to forego his senior season. But many mock drafts list him around the 7th best DB should he decide to leave campus. The earliest it would seem he would go would be mid-second round.

Allen had a solid, yet unspectacular season in '08. But Coach Willie Martinez recently revealed that his cornerback played with a broken hand from the end of the LSU game through the end of the season in Orlando.

There is certainly talent behind Allen ready for the challenge, but it is talent as yet unproven.

Desperation....meet THE VISOR....

Something's Rotten in Columbia

Stephen Garcia's main competition as starting quarterback will not be in spring practice as Chris Smelley is transferring to another school to pursue baseball as his sport of choice. He has yet to decide which school he will be travelling to, but evidently has decided that his days as Spurrier's whipping boy are behind him.

No big deal, right? It gets stankier.....

Tucker senior linebacker Jonathan Davis had his scholarship revoked by the Gamecocks; Assistant to the visor, Shane Beamer admitted that it was wrong according to Tucker head coach Franklin Stephens, but said that South Carolina had to do what was best for the Gamecock football program. Stephens has since banned any Carolina coach from Tucker's campus.

By the way, Tucker won the state title this past season. And...it was one of many over the years. They have some players.

Pretty bad. Here's worse...

Senior wide receiver Freddie Brown is transferring and it is rumored that any senior players who are not projected as starters are being encouraged to transfer. That nugget comes from Brown's daddy, Freddie Brown Sr.

Now, to be fair most of the players who are not returning have been with the program four years. And in Brown's case, will finish their degree later this year. But if they want to play in their final year of eligibility they will need to transfer to a Div. II school or a I-AA.

If true, the message is clear: we're no longer interested in you and want to make a run at some younger guys...cuz we may be beyond our 25 already. And it would really help if you weren't around...thanks.

The other side is that Spurrier and staff made mistakes with these players in recruiting them and now want the room to make more mistakes.

Or more last ditch efforts at some key recruits that were off of their radar.

Stafford and Moreno Leave Athens: Georgia Fans Savor Memories, not Trophies

For college football fans, the ultimate experience for each of us is a national championship for our team. To see players wearing the colors you cheer for every Saturday hold up ADT's crystallized football is the reason we get up early each Saturday to head to the tailgate. It is the reason we sit in a stadium filled with thousands of others like us, acting like raving lunatics.

Every victory over an arch rival gets us excited for the fruits to our team's labor. Each win puts us a little closer to that moment our coach brushes away the confetti from his hair and, wearing a shirt very similar to the one we are wearing (minus the gatorade stain), addresses the national audience. 

And each loss makes us rant about having to wait another year.

Wednesday, Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno made official what Georgia fans had long suspected: they will continue their careers professionally. Stafford's last pass between the hedges has been thrown, Knowshon's last leap leapt from its hallowed turf.

The junior quarterback and redshirt sophomore leave behind many wins and few losses, but Georgia fans are undoubtedly conflicted between the highlights of two incredible athletes and the one win they were expecting to relish when the two players stepped on campus three years ago.

Stafford's arm was well discussed before he even arrived in Athens. Most Dawg signees are much ballyhooed and evaluated at great lengths on message boards and over the company water coolers. 

But Stafford was different. His size, talent and big time arm have had him labeled as a future NFL #1 draft choice since before he graduated high school. Georgia fans couldn't wait until that talent translated into victories. Banners. Championships. Even confetti.

And for the victories, they didn't have to wait long.

Stafford was never really in danger of a redshirt. He started eight games as a freshman and played in all 13. By the time he helped engineer a dramatic comeback against Virgina Tech in the 2006 Chick-Fil-A Bowl, fans were sure they would soon be able to hold #7's name up there with the likes of Buck Belue, David Greene and DJ Shockley. 

All SEC Champions. All beloved in the hearts that bleed red and black.

Meanwhile Moreno was finishing his redshirt season and rumors were starting to circulate about his performances on the practice field. A scout team running back did what? The seniors are talking about who? Isn't he the kid that signed from up north somewhere?

But most fans were focused on the upcoming senior season for Thomas Brown and Kregg Lumpkin, not to mention the recruitment of Caleb King. Surely this kid from Jersey would just push for some playing time; maybe hold the position warm until King developed into the next star tailback from Georgia.

So while Moreno was making his Georgia coaches second guess the decision to redshirt him, fans were preparing for the next Worley, Hampton, Hearst, even Walker. But by the end of the 2007 season opener against Oklahoma State, fans would have the same perspective, but for a different player.

From that game on there was an audible gasp in Sanford Stadium every time he touched the ball. Tickets were scalped and seats were sat in just to catch a glimpse at what he might do next.

Moreno only started six games as a redshirt freshman, but he played in all 13. He gained 1,334 yards. Scored 14 touchdowns. He broke defenders' ankles. He hustled, juked and jived. He played as if each play were a gift to be made the most of and never to be taken for granted. 

And in so doing, he endeared himself into the hearts of every Dawg fan.

In August of 2008, as #7 and #24 jerseys were flying off the racks around Athens and the Georgia Bulldogs were being speculated as the best team in the nation, injuries were quickly and indirectly becoming an issue for Stafford, Moreno and the team as a whole. 

Left tackle Trinton Sturdivant went down during two-a-days with a bad knee. Defensive tackle Jeff Owens in the season's first few minutes. The list grew each day it seemed.  

In Sturdivant, suddenly Stafford's blindside insurance policy and Moreno's seal blocker was gone for the season. Although both stars enjoyed success individually during the season, the preseason expectations were grossly unfulfilled. Losses to Alabama and Florida had forced Georgia out of the driver's seat in the SEC bus.

Worse, a loss to in state rival Georgia Tech had left fans bitter and wanting more. Much more. The reality of a decision their star players would soon make was setting in and they felt the window of opportunity for crowns and glory was closing, if not closed.

Could Stafford leave with a losing record against hated Florida? Would Knowshon take his energy, enthusiasm and highlights to some NFL team's field? Where was the crystal football, the SEC Championship appearances, ...the confetti?

On the other hand, could Stafford pass on a possible top pick in the NFL? Could Moreno use another season in the short "lifetime" of a running back as a collegiate player? Could they pass up millions of dollars...to go to classes?

At the end of the Capital One Bowl we gathered close to hear Stafford accept the bowl's MVP trophy. With bated breath we listened intently, hoping that with the swell of emotions at the end of the season the young man would tell his fans he wasn't done at Georgia. We all chanted "One more year!" as if our desires could prompt a momentary loss of reason. He took the microphone, but was working off of a different playbook.

We wanted him to audible, but he stuck to the play. 

On the first of this month we had a chance to watch the first tailback to gain over 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons since Herschel Walker play another game in silver britches. With each yard Moreno gained we inched closer to the edge of our seat. With each signature sprint back to the huddle we smiled a little wider, as if to hide the anxiety at what we might be witnessing.

Six days later the two stars gave us their word. They made it official. Their time on campus was over. They were prepared to take the next step.

Did they, along with their fans regret the opportunites missed? Absolutely. Was it a difficult decision given careful thought? Without question, yes.

But when you have an opportunity to play a game you love and get paid handsomely for it, the choice is made easier. As nice as it would be to finish what they started three years ago, come back and lead their team to more victories, provide fans with more statistics to pore over and give YouTube junkies more sick moves to watch countlessly; the lure of another challenge awaits.

Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno leave Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall with no more SEC Trophies than there were in 2006. But while many fans will say that this tarnishes their exemplary career and legacy, they cannot be judged as any less of a player.

They are Dawgs. 

Stafford engineered a last minute comeback as a freshman, against the engineers of Georgia Tech. Moreno's first touchdown in Jacksonville sparked a celebration both in the stands and on the field. Stafford used just one throw in overtime to beat Bama in Tuscaloosa. Moreno defied gravity once for over five yards in the desert heat of Arizona, finally returning to Earth for a Georgia touchdown. Stafford calmly stood backed against his own end zone and fired a bullet to Massaquoi against the Gators. Moreno once returned a phone call to LSU's student body from

their team's endzone.

Yes, they ARE Dawgs!

How fitting that the Georgia quarterback's last pass as a Dawg was a beautiful spiral that was placed perfectly into the hands of his tailback. And how fitting that Georgia's tailback's last reception as a Dawg was a spectacular catch only outdone by the footwork that made it into a touchdown.

No BCS trophy. No SEC Championship ring to signify the event. No confetti falling from the Orlando sky. Just a signature moment for two talented players.

Two Dawgs their fans will always remember.

Bernie

Gators vs. Jackets at Talladega

In the interest of full disclosure (and in case this is your first visit to my space), I am a Southeastern Conference football fan. I live and breathe it, in all of its glory.

Like most college football fans in the southeast, I recognize the conference as the best. Others merely play out their games to see who should lose to the SEC champion.

It's pompous I know, but it's how we roll.

From its grills outside the stadium to its gridiron fanfare, the SEC is simply superior.

I will also be honest that during bowl season, I root for just about any team playing against an SEC team. The exception is Georgia, as I have now given them enough money in tuition for my degrees to call myself a rabid Dawg.

Oh, and I also pull for any SEC team playing Georgia Tech. Uh...unless it’s Florida.

If that ever happens I would just succumb to whatever is on Jennifer's to do list. Because that game could only entertain me if it were played on the track of a NASCAR race.

No, maybe you misunderstood. Actually during a race... 

Come to think of it, that might be the first time I watch an oval track with cars travelling at such ridiculous speeds that Rosco P. Coltrane's head would spin and his revolver would discharge Plaxstyle...

I digress.

A large number of SEC fans have this feeling of pride in their conference that somehow requires them to root for the teams that their own team competes against every season. 

The SEC is best and we need to pull for each other. We need to show the country how our boys play football.

Do we? 

Is it really necessary and vital that Coach Spurrier has my support for his chickens to have any shot at beating a Hawkeye?

Bad example. Maybe Darth Visor actually did need my voice. 

See, in my mind, pulling for Florida to win yet another national title only hurts my team's chances at it next year. Or the year beyond...or ever again!

That and it would likely make my head implode. 

Let's face it, a Georgia fan pulling for a team of reptiles actually does NOT make the gators chomp harder. Tebow doesn't need me cheering heartily to defeat a team of BoomerSooners.

That's what his cape is for.

Why exactly should I hope that South Carolina wins against Iowa when Georgia not only plays the Gamecocks each year, but recruits against their coaches along the same interstates? And does Bama forgetting that their season is 14 games long this year help the Dawgs' chances at securing a commitment, maybe even a signature of a 17 year old?

Hard to say, but I'll take my chances. Go Utes! 

So as this year's bowl season began, all of the attention was focused squarely on the Big 12. And it turns out there are actually 12 teams in the conference, unlike the Big Ten that actually has 11.

No wonder their teams can't win at football, they can't count to 11! 

Yet again I stray...

Anyway, this attention was newsworthy because the SEC had won the previous two BCS Championships, but had taken some lumps from the media during the regular season. It seems Auburn, Tennessee and LSU had disappointed them.

Altogether now...Awww!

The Big 12 was sexy, high powered, offensive...and full of controversy. While Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma argued over who should play Florida (or Bama...remember they were that close) the SEC was going about their business. 

Practicing. Scheming. Concocting new formations. Having dinner with agents. Come to think of it, maybe Andre Smith knew what was coming in the Sugar Bowl.

And while I was looking at the schedule of bowls and wondering how the SEC would manage just four wins, Rich Brooks had his coaches watching film. Bobby Johnson had his players practicing 45 yard field goal attempts that would erase 53 years of post season misery. Coach Nutt had his Rebels running some sprints.

Coach Fulmer ate another pie.

This all went on behind my back; therefore I picked my beloved conference to finish the post season at .500. And I smiled at the thought that they might do worse.

Now it's no wonder my bowl pool left me at the shallow end before Santa even returned to the North Pole. Not only did Brooks' Wildcats and Johnson's 'Dores win, so did the Rebels and even LSU. WAHOO!

While the national media was setting the stage for a ceremony in which college football's torch would be passed to the sexy new neighbor with the shiny new Heisman and the ever subjective tie-breaker system, the SEC was setting the table.

And cleaning their plates.

Even before Florida won (everybody with me...) ANOTHER national title Thursday night, an argument could be made that the SEC still reigned supreme.

Now, in the words of our favorite Friend Joey Tribbiani, the point is moo.

Three pretty crystal footballs in three years. Six wins and two losses in the bowl season. And not one respectable coach fired in over a month.

The SEC is not back. It never left. The torch it carries is not petering out; it is burning brighter than ever.

Big 12, your case for supremacy has been dismissed. And not by some 1996 OJ Simpson trial judge in LA named Ito. Closer to one like Judge Jackie Glass in Las Vegas.

Oklahoma, Texas, others - you can ask for a retrial in August. But if Tebow and Sanchez return like they should, my vote would be for the Gators to defend their title(s) against the Men of Troy next January in Pasadena.

And this Dawg fan says, Go Trojans!