This is obviously a leaked tape that was cut down to make current ESPN analyst Lou Holtz look like a total jerk, and to some extent, it’s effective, but it’s so chopped up that it’s impossible to assume what led to what. So don’t take this as “Oh, Lou Holtz just chewed out some intern.” This is more like “Some TV producer tried to embarrass Lou Holtz with a ten-year-old video.” Whatever.

I don’t really see what about this tape is supposedly incriminating. Doctor Lou is obviously bent out of shape about how the interview was presented to him and lets his feelings known. That’s what happens when you try to give up your time to give interviews to people. And I have no sympathy for that little crybaby intern because most of the people in TV that I’ve met are total dicks anyway. Yeah, I’m sure you’re sorry, homegirl. Now dry those eyes and put on some pants. YOU’RE AT WORK. And don’t even get me started on those camera guys. God forbid that I actually happen to stand someplace where you’re shooting, sir. Some of us actually have lives. Read the rest of this entry »

So after South Carolina beat Kentucky Tuesday night, the student body at the Columbia, SC school stormed the floor, getting their program a $25,000 fine from the Southeastern Conference. I don’t get it; suddenly the SEC doesn’t want its students showing off their great team speed?

The league levied a fine of $25,000 because the school was guilty of a second violation of the rule, which prohibits fans from entering the playing area during or immediately after a game.

“This policy is designed to create a safe environment for everyone who participates and attends our athletic contests,” said SEC commissioner Mike Slive in a statement. “The security and protection of our student-athletes, coaches, officials and fans is our primary concern.” –Sports Network.

People in the media love to bitch about college students running onto the court after a win, and most of the time that just comes off as hot air, even though Indiana doing so after beating Minnesota seems a bit much. But if you knock off the No. 1 team in the polls or a big rival at home, shouldn’t there be some kind of exemption from public sanction? A fine for that is ridiculous, but you have to admire their gall. The Big Ten only would have fined them $15,000.

Three days after being named the consensus No. 1 team in America, the Kentucky Wildcats lost their very next game. Kentucky and their very young squad headed to Columbia, SC, where they were met with hostile aggression and exuberant defense. One might have thought that John Calipari had just written a disparaging blog post about Haiti. The Wildcats also were met by Devan Downey, whose 30 points help push the South Carolina Gamecocks over the newest No. 1, 68-62.

“This is what happens when you have young guys who think we’re are going to win at the last minutes of the game,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said.

“Those guys are very talented,” Downey said of the Wildcats. “But they’re also freshmen and this was a hostile environment.” –Y! Sports.

It was Downey’s fourth 30-point game in his last six outings. Also, Michigan State barely beat Michigan, and Kansas State did same with Baylor. We’re still about five weeks from the redundant conference tournaments, so let’s just come back to college basketball then, or until someone gets arrested. Cool? Cool.

The ESS-EEE-SEE saw one of its higher-ranked teams fall off the national landscape last night when Ole Miss wandered into Columbia, South Carolina to take its first loss of the season. After watching the Rebels quarterback Jevon Snead go JaMarcus Russell while running for his life (7 for 21 passing, 4 sacks), one has to wonder how that team was ranked fourth in the country by the AP.

The Gamecocks (3-1, 1-1) had been 1-31 all-time against Top 5 foes, but left Williams-Brice Stadium with the biggest win of coach Steve Spurrier’s five seasons.

“It was good to get a win when everybody watches,” Spurrier said. “It was good for all Gamecocks.” via.

I’m not burying Ole Miss based entirely based on their performance last night. After all, they started the season at No. 8, probably because of their 13 returning starters, including NFL scouting mancrush Jevon Snead. But seriously, fourth in the country? I’m just not that impressed with those middle-of-the-road SEC teams, especially when non-BCS schools are forced to run the table to garner any national respect at all.

As you’ve no doubt seen by now, Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia (this guy) was stopped on a quarterback draw in the red zone by umpire Wilbur Hackett Jr during LSU’s 24-17 victory on Saturday.  While it certainly looks like Hackett leans into Garcia with a shoulder to drop him after a four-yard gain, SEC officials claim otherwise:

“The umpire’s most vulnerable position on the field is right behind the line of scrimmage and sometimes gets right into the play. In this case, the umpire is there, he tries to defend himself by putting his arms up. The quarterback shifts direction a little bit and he puts his arms up.

“He makes an attempt to defend himself. I know it may look different on video, but what we see is that he makes an effort to protect himself.”

That’s a good call. I like the way he steps into it and initiates contact to protect himself. Why, if he tried to sidestep Garcia and get out of the way, he couldn’t have defended himself while he wasn’t getting in the way of the play.

And that team was South Carolina, who was ranked 24th heading into last night’s game. It was Vandy’s first such victory at home since 1992. While a short wave of BCS fever sweeps over the Nashville campus, it’s time to point and laugh at the second South Carolina team to soil itself on national television in five days. South Carolina is a program that Steve Spurrier still can’t seem to get into top gear. Well, I guess we can finally put the rumors to rest. There actually is at least one black guy playing for Vanderbilt.