All right, everybody, time to move on from Kyle Busch

It's one of the truisms of NASCAR that every major story has about a six-and-a-half-day lifespan: the time between the checkered flag of one race and the green flag of the next. With little to do between races but wait and debate, every story gets chewed into a fine paste over the course of the working week. And then, like the changing of the seasons, each new race brings a whole fresh crop of storylines to fascinate and titillate the fans and the media.

If the story is "these two drivers just plain don't like each other," that's one thing. But in a case where you've got a driver who's put himself at a career crossroads, as we had with Kyle Busch last weekend in Texas, everyone involved owes it to the driver and the sport to get the matter resolved as soon as possible.

NASCAR acted swiftly. Joe Gibbs Racing and M&M/Mars did not. They left Busch twisting in the wind for an entire week, exposing him to escalating levels of criticism that far outweighed the original act. And when the press conference did come, Busch fidgeted in a plain white JGR dress shirt as Gibbs, with disappointed-father demeanor, laid out exactly how much Busch had let down everyone around him.

It's going to take a long time for Busch's image to recover from this past week, and perhaps that was the point of all this. But in a world where news cycles are defined by minutes, not days, Busch has just gone through the 21st-century equivalent of a tarring and feathering, with his critics getting ever bolder in their top-this declarations of what his punishment should be. Out of the car for a race? Forget that, he should be out of the car for the season! He should be fired from JGR! He should be kicked out of NASCAR! He should be prosecuted for assault!

Come on. Enough.

What Busch did was stupid and thoughtless. He deserved parking, and he deserved a public denunciation. What he didn't deserve was to be treated like a misbehaving five-year-old told to wait until his father came home, with the entire NASCAR nation looking on and ticking off the hours.

Put it another way: when Busch plowed his truck into that of Ron Hornaday Jr., Joe Paterno was still happily esconced as coach at Penn State, enjoying an off-weekend and readying for this week's Nebraska game. That's how fast things can change. And yet it took until Thursday for M&M's to make up its mind about penalties, and until Friday for JGR to lay out its perspective on the whole matter.

"Sometimes we think we are bigger than the sponsors, and we are not," Jeff Gordon said Friday, and nowhere was this more demonstrably clear than when M&M's decided to yank its logo off Busch's car. You can agree or disagree with that sentiment, and with the possibility that sponsors have too much influence on what happens on the track. Clearly, they want value for their dollar, but where that value ends and influence begins is another matter entirely.

But if sponsors want the cachet of riding with one of the sport's most successful drivers (in the regular season, anyway), why not step up with some more definitive action earlier in the week? Why not send out a spokesperson, rather than communicating through press release? This was a defining moment, not just for Kyle Busch but for NASCAR as a whole, and all sides should have handled this with more speed and authority.

Busch deserved every bit of the punishment he's received; for the good of the sport's image, hopefully this will scare him straight. But he also deserved better than the drawn-out circus that, even now, may not be over.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/blog/from_the_marbles/post/All-right-everybody-time-to-move-on-from-Kyle-?urn=nascar-wp5215

Steve Kampfer Erik Karlsson Mark Katic Duncan Keith

Projecting Tuesday?s six Big Ten-ACC Challenge matchups

The Big Ten will look for its third straight Challenge victory over the ACC when this year's two-day event begins Tuesday night. Here's a look at my predictions for Tuesday's games, highlighted by fourth-ranked Duke's visit to Columbus to face No. 2 Ohio State.

Michigan at Virginia (7 p.m. ET): Although Virginia's packed-in defense prevents transition opportunities or buckets in the paint, the Cavs are susceptible against a team that moves the ball well and sinks perimeter jumpers. That sounds a lot like John Beilein-coached Michigan, which has an array of shooters capable of knocking down threes if they aren't too fatigued from three games in three days in Maui last week. Virginia needs this win more because of its weak non-league schedule, but it's a very difficult matchup.� Predicted winner: Michigan

Northwestern (5-0) at Georgia Tech (4-2) (7:15 p.m. ET): In the 2010 Big Ten-ACC Challenge, Northestern clobbered Georgia Tech 91-71 by shooting 64.6 percent from the field and sinking 12 of 19 threes. The Wildcats looked impressive in winning three close games at the Charleston Classic last week, but the Yellowjackets may provide a stiffer test this season if only because their defense under new coach Brian Gregory is vastly improved. Predicted winner: Northwestern

Illinois (6-0) at Maryland (3-2) (7:30 p.m. ET): With Jordan Williams in the NBA, starting guard Pe'Shon Howard injured and freshman center Alex Len still ineligible, Maryland has not been competitive in losses to Alabama and Iona. A quality team should be able to defeat the short-handed Terrapins even on the road, but it's hard to gauge just how good Illinois is. The revamped Illini boast veteran guards Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson and vastly improved center Meyers Leonard, but they've yet to beat anyone of consequence. Predicted winner: Illinois

Miami (4-1) at Purdue (6-1), (9 p.m. ET): Because Miami lost center Reggie Johnson to a knee injury, the Hurricanes lack an interior complement to guards Malcolm Grant and Durand Scott. As a result, it's difficult to see them ending Purdue's 21-game home win streak, especially with Robbie Hummel, Lewis Jackson and Ryne Smith playing so well. Predicted winner: Purdue

Clemson (3-2) at Iowa (4-2) (9:15 p.m. ET): This difficult-to-watch matchup pits two teams in need of victories. Clemson has already dropped home games to College of Charleston and Coastal Carolina, while Iowa fell to Campbell and Creighton by double figures. The combination of Clemson's stingy defense and the trio of Andre Young, Milton Jennings, and Devin Booker might be too much for the rebuilding Hawkeyes. Predicted winner: Clemson

Duke (7-0) at Ohio State (6-0) (9:30 p.m. ET): The Blue Devils are off to a 7-0 start in large part because of their accuracy from three-point range and their ability to get to the free throw line consistently. Can they keep that up in a true road game against one of the nation's best perimeter defenses? That question will likely determine which of these top five teams leaves Columbus with its first loss. Predicted winner: Ohio State

Duke at Ohio State, 9:30 p.m. ET

Source: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Projecting-Tuesday-s-six-Big-Ten-ACC-Challenge-m?urn=ncaab-wp6500

Matt Niskanen Maxim Noreau Lawrence Nycholat Shane O Brien

7-on-7: Updates on broken Eagles, Broncos, Lions, Chargers, more

Well, the Philadelphia Eagles have put themselves in quite a predicament. They basically need to win out, sweeping a difficult stretch of seven games ? including match-ups with the Giants, Patriots, Jets and Cowboys ? and, realistically, they'll need a few other teams to collapse. Philly is now 3-6, and the friendliest portion of their schedule (or so we thought) is now behind them. So things aren't looking good.

And then there's the injury report: Michael Vick is dealing with broken ribs, Jeremy Maclin has shoulder and hamstring injuries, and DeSean Jackson is battling ... um ... malaise? Narcolepsy? Dunno, but he should maybe just take a break from talking.

The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane doesn't expect Vick to play against New York this week. If Vick can't go, that would almost certainly close the book on the 2011 Eagles. No one should be too eager to get a look at Vince Young or Mike Kafka, not while the team still has any hope at all. This year's Vick rib injury isn't anything like last year's, and he was able to play through the discomfort in Week 10 (poorly, but he played). He was reportedly injured on the Eagles' second pass play, when an unblocked blitzer walloped him on a completion to Brent Celek. I'll still have Vick in the low-teens in my initial QB ranks this week; if he can't go, I'd slot his replacement in the low-20s.

I have zero optimism regarding Maclin, as his shoulder issue (AC joint) sounds like it could be a multi-week problem. Assuming he sits, Steve Smith gets a bump, but obviously his value is tied to his quarterback. So, again: Things aren't looking good.

? Willis McGahee suffered a left hamstring injury early in Week 10, and he's hardly a lock to face the Jets on Thursday night. The Denver Post reports that McGahee "went through warm-ups and stretching [on Tuesday] but did not participate in individual drills." You'll recall that he's been playing with a broken hand, too. Even if he's active on Thursday, we have to assume his role will be somewhat diminished; expect to see plenty of Lance Ball, with perhaps a cameo appearance by Jeremiah Johnson. And, of course, Tim Tebow remains Denver's most dangerous ball carrier.

I have a very tough time believing that a one-dimensional, run-heavy, read-option offense will stress the Jets defense, especially when the running backs are unspectacular players. This is really an extreme test for Tebow; I've ranked him as a non-starter in fantasy this week, which won't often be the case.

? Calvin Johnson is practicing Wednesday, having been cleared of any concussion worries. You've dodged a bullet there, Megatronists. Matthew Stafford (broken finger) is reportedly practicing as well. The Lions have a get-right match-up at home this week against Carolina.

? The Chargers' offensive line could very well be without its left guard, its right guard, and its left tackle this week at Chicago. So good luck dealing with Julius Peppers, fellas. That guy lined up all over the place against the Lions in Week 10, creating all sorts of problems, very nearly destroying both Calvin and Stafford. If you own Philip Rivers in fantasy, you're basically just hoping he survives the week.

? There isn't any positive news just yet on the broken-footed Ahmad Bradshaw. This is from the New York Daily News...

The Giants may have to go one more week without Bradshaw, who is hampered by his fractured foot. He may try to practice either Wednesday or Thursday, according to a team source, but his status will depend on how he feels and whether he's at the point where he can push through the pain.

New York has a relatively friendly match-up against Philly this week, as the Eagles have allowed 4.8 yards per carry and 120.0 yards per game so far this season. Brandon Jacobs is a player of interest this week, and DJ Ware could prove useful in a PPR/flex role.

? AJ Green is calling himself a game-time decision for the Week 11 match-up with Baltimore, and I'm not about to argue with him. He suffered a hyperextended knee on Sunday, while hauling in a ridiculous 36-yard score. If he plays, you almost have to start him.

? Julio Jones, I'm gonna need you to play this week, mmm-kay? I appreciate the fact that you tried to talk your way back onto the field in Week 10. I do. Let's just be a bit more convincing this week, maybe put in a full practice at some point.

Harry Douglas obviously had a fine game against the Saints with Julio sidelined, but you'll recall that he wasn't terribly useful in Weeks 6 and 7, when Jones was out.

---

Photo via US Presswire

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/blog/roto_arcade/post/7-on-7-Updates-on-broken-Eagles-Broncos-Lions?urn=fantasy-wp11485

Derick Brassard Tim Brent

Austin Dillon wins 2011 Camping World Truck Series championship

Austin Dillon won the 2011 Camping World Truck Series title by finishing 10th in the rain-shortened Ford 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

His closest pursuer in the title chase, Johnny Sauter, won the race, which was stopped due to a rainstorm with 15 laps to go.

Dillon's title clinch was just a tad anticlimactic. As he prepared to be interviewed by SPEED during the rain delay, he received word that the race was over and that he had beaten Sauter by six points.

With 32 laps to go, Dillon restarted in second, but quickly fell to 15th after his truck couldn't get going. He was able to drive his way to 10th before the caution flag flew right after Denny Hamlin attempted to pass Sauter for the lead. Because Sauter was in the lead and eventually won, had Dillon slipped to 17th or further, Sauter would have been crowned the champion.

The rain-shortened race and the title circumstances around it do raise an interesting question: Should NASCAR have waited the rainstorm out?

The race was called minutes after the red flag was shown just before 9:50 ET. The track would have been in race condition ? given a brisk conclusion to the shower on top of the track�? at approximately 1 a.m., according to NASCAR Senior VP of Racing Operations Steve O'Donnell. Is that too late to finish the ultimate race of the season?

Dillon, who at 21 became the youngest champion in Truck Series history, is moving to the Nationwide Series full-time for 2012.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/blog/from_the_marbles/post/Austin-Dillon-wins-2011-Camping-World-Truck-Seri?urn=nascar-wp5323

Brayden McNabb Grant McNeill Patrick McNeill Adam McQuaid

Tiger Woods: ?Steve [Williams] is certainly not a racist?

We knew it was coming. Tiger Woods, in front of a microphone, with more questions about everything except his golf game. The thing is, none of these questions were Tiger's fault. Woods took to the podium early Tuesday at the Australian Open to chat about the comments made by Steve Williams last week in China.

Williams, of course, was at a pre-tournament event and was asked to talk about the infamous interview he gave months ago after his new boss, Adam Scott, won at Firestone. Steve said, "My aim was to shove it right up that black [expletive]," a comment that immediately took over the golf world.

Tiger was asked about what his former caddie said at the presser, and while he did admit that it hurt him, he was stern when saying of Williams, "Steve is certainly not a racist."

He went on to say, of Williams' choice of words, it was a "comment that shouldn't have been made, and certainly one that he wishes he didn't make," and, "It was hurtful, certainly, but life goes forward."

Woods said the two had talked and exchanged a handshake, and while it doesn't seem like they will be sending each other Christmas cards anytime soon, Tiger did seem in good spirits and ready for the latest in his always interesting media sessions to be over.

It's worth mentioning that through all the Williams talk, Tiger didn't seem to have any emotion one way or the other; nothing completely out of the ordinary for Woods during intense moments in press conferences, but worth pointing out. He answered the questions he was asked, avoided the ones you'd expect him to avoid, and went about his business with the others, laughing at most of the lighter questions and saying he's excited about this week and getting back to golf.

We all know that�this story will be buried until Scott and Tiger are paired together, and we will all remember what Williams said and be interested in the handshake that goes down between the once dominant team. But for now, it's Tiger back playing golf again, and that is an exciting prospect for golf fans.

Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
? Video: Honoring cancer research at A Day of Champions
? Kobe Bryant wants NBA owners to meet with players
? Magic Johnson's life since revealing he had HIV has been even more stunning

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/blog/golf_experts/post/Tiger-Woods-Steve-Williams-is-certainly-not-?urn=golf-wp6755

Brad Mills John Mitchell Torrey Mitchell Mike Modano

Video: Butch Davis finds 10 minutes to clear his name, via YouTube

Presumably, if Butch Davis wanted to speak publicly about his abrupt ouster as North Carolina's head coach just before the start of the season, he could have found ready and willing microphones at the major media outlet of his choosing, in North Carolina or nationally. That he chose to break his nearly four-month silence his own way Monday, on a newly created YouTube account, tells you just just how anxious he is to control a message that he had almost no control over during his final year on the job.

Of course, the DIY approach has its drawbacks: Davis is a little too made-up, his delivery is a little awkward, he asks rhetorical questions that he doesn't answer ? "Should I have known John Blake had such a close relationship with a sports agent? I wish I had known." ? and he provides almost no context for the "misinformation" he's defending himself against. (He might have also considered taking a long drag or two from a cigarette to liven things up a bit.) But it is Butch Davis telling Butch Davis' story the way Butch Davis wants to tell it.

On the timing of the video, he says he's speaking now because North Carolina concluded its case earlier this month before the NCAA Infractions Committee, where it was called to account for five major allegations against the football program under Davis' watch. The most serious among them: Players receiving improper benefits, academic fraud and employing an assistant coach (Blake) who allegedly partnered with an NFL agent.

On Blake, Davis says he assumed all hires were properly vetted by UNC's human resources department and downplays their personal history, dating to Davis' stint as one of Blake's high school coaches in Oklahoma. He's less severe here than he was after Blake's exit last year, when Davis told reporters "I'm sorry I ever trusted John Blake," but his crucial know-nothingness remains intact.

On the personal tutor he hired for his son ? who happens to be the same tutor accused of both academic fraud on behalf of UNC players and providing several thousand dollars' worth of free tutoring, airfare and money to pay off parking fines ? he says there was a simple failure to communicate the boundaries of her position. He liked her and still liked her. The academic support staff just let her go a little too far.

None of which, of course, was Butch Davis' fault. If his statement could be boiled down to one sentence, it's this one:

"As the head coach, you want to know every single thing. You'd like to think that you know the important things. But logically you know that you simply can't know everything."

He could have also pointed out (but didn't) that his name did not appear anywhere in the NCAA's 45-page notice of allegations against the program. Even the NCAA agreed that he knew nothing at all about any of three major violations involving at least seven players, an assistant coach and a tutor he brought into his own home. So potential employers take note: If ignorance is bliss, Butch Davis can still make you very happy.

- - -
Hat tip: Chip Patterson.
Matt Hinton is on Facebook and Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.

Source: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Video-Butch-Davis-finds-10-minutes-to-clear-his?urn=ncaaf-wp9960

Brendan Smith Derek Smith Carl Sneep Brent Sopel

Matchmaker, matchmaker: Pettis, Shields, Lauzon get next bouts

This week has seen the UFC come up with several upcoming bouts as the Rio, Super Bowl weekend and Japan fight cards start to fill up.

UFC 142 in Brazil: Siyar Bahadurzada revealed via Twitter that he will take on Erick Silva. Silva destroyed Luis Ramos in just 0:40 at UFC 134. Bahadurzada will be making his UFC debut after putting together a record of 20-4 in Europe, Japan and Brazil. Mike Massenzio and Rousimar Palhares have also been added to this card.

UFC 143 in Las Vegas: Featherweights Erik Koch and Dustin Poirier will fight on Super Bowl Weekend. Poirier asked for the bout which will pit two rising stars against each other.

UFC 144 in Japan: Anthony Pettis and Joe Lauzon will meet on Feb. 26. Both lightweights are coming off wins, with Pettis taking out Jeremy Stephens and Lauzon submitting Melvin Guillard.

Jake Shields will try to put his tough 2011 behind him with a bout against Yoshihiro Akiyama. Shields lost to Jake Ellenberger in September just weeks after losing his father. This will be Akiyama's first fight at welterweight.

In his first fight since losing in a title fight to Anderson Silva, Yushin Okami will meet Tim Boetsch in Okami's native Japan.

Who will win these fights? Tell us in the comments or on Facebook.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Matchmaker-matchmaker-Pettis-Shields-Lauzon-?urn=mma-wp9508

Chris Summers Ryan Suter Andy Sutton Lee Sweatt

On and off: Is the switch for the Austin F1 race flickering again?

The saga of Formula 1's 2012 visit to the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas has yet another chapter.

Will it be the final one? Possibly. But probably not.

While the series was in Abu Dhabi over the weekend, F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone said that he wouldn't want to put his money down on the race happening next year at Austin.

Strong words. But is it just a power play? Or the real deal?

Tavo Hellmund's promotional company has the rights to the race at Austin. Bobby Epstein is helping fund construction of the track, which is estimated at $300 million. Apparently they're not getting along. And add in the fact that the state of Texas is involved to the tune of a $25 million major events fund, and yeah, this is getting messy.

From Autoweek:

By all accounts the meeting did not go well. Sources in Europe and the United States suggest that Epstein was offered a new contract but he has not signed it, presumably because he doesn't like the terms. Ecclestone hasn't been paid, and the state of Texas hasn't disbursed the $25 million from the trust fund. The rules say it can't until after Nov. 18, less than one year before the scheduled event. Even so, online inquires suggest that all of the applications, paperwork and meetings required to apply for the money have not been completed.

Circuit of the Americas president Steve Sexton downplayed Ecclestone's comments about the race's future in a statement, saying that funding for the race has been secured.

Maybe it's not all conjecture from Ecclestone at this point, especially given the fact that the series doesn't have to have all of its eggs in the Austin basket after the announcement of the race in New Jersey starting in 2013. At this point, it's almost a minor miracle that the race still has a future given all of the hurdles that it's had to clear And that's why it wouldn't be so surprising to see it actually happen.

Or not.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/blog/from_the_marbles/post/On-and-off-Is-the-switch-for-the-Austin-F1-race?urn=nascar-wp5262

Todd White Trent Whitfield Colin Wilson Kyle Wilson

This little kid is very excited to see the Spanish national team

If you find yourself slipping into an international break induced coma, this little guy should blow out your eardrums and bring you back to life with his very, very loud enthusiasm. When Spain arrived in Costa Rica for Tuesday's friendly, a kid in a backwards cap greeted them in spectacular fashion by screaming his favorite players' names and permanently damaging their hearing as they walked by him.

The absolute best is when Carles Puyol tries to quickly sneak by at the 45-second mark in the video and the kid screams his name like an air-raid siren. I bet his reaction to last year's World Cup victory could only be heard by dogs in Russia.

UPDATE: There's more of the same kid in this video. Watch as he continues to scream at Puyol and pats Fernando Torres on the head while getting an autograph.

Video via ONTD

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/This-little-kid-is-very-excited-to-see-the-Spani?urn=sow-wp6604

Cory Emmerton Andreas Engqvist Angelo Esposito Mitch Fadden

Devil Ball Golfcast 79: Ozzie Smith

Time again for another Devil Ball Golfcast, and this time we're chatting with Ozzie Smith.

Wait ... Ozzie Smith, the baseball player? Yep, one and the same. He's playing in the Desert Dunes Classic on the Canadian Tour, and he took a few moments to chat with us not just about golf, but about that little team he used to play for that's found a bit of success these days. Topics included:

? His thoughts on seeing the Cardinals win a World Series

? Whether Game 6 was the greatest Series game ever

? What it's like to win (and lose) a World Series

? His thoughts on Tony LaRussa, the man who basically forced him into retirement

? His starting lineup (himself included) of the greatest nine players he ever played with or against

...and, of course, how he'll avoid the fate of John Smoltz, Jerry Rice, Tony Romo and other pro athletes who have tried their hand at professional golf. It's fun stuff.

We welcome your thoughts, ideas and recommendations on the podcast. Hit me up at jay.busbee@yahoo.com. Click the little arrow below to play the podcast or right-click it to download, and hit the iTunes or RSS icons linked below to subscribe. Follow us on Twitter at @jaybusbee and @shanebacon to get more frequent updates. Have at it!

Devil Ball Golfcast 79: Ozzie Smith

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/blog/golf_experts/post/Devil-Ball-Golfcast-79-Ozzie-Smith?urn=golf-wp6672

Ilari Filppula Valtteri Filppula Mike Fisher Rob Flick

Dunphy: Temple is ?great option? for leagues looking to expand

Before offering his thoughts on the best possible outcome of conference realignment for his basketball program, longtime Temple coach Fran Dunphy paused to choose his words carefully.

"I want to be cautious how I answer the questions," he said.

It's understandable for Dunphy to want to tread gingerly because Temple is in a sensitive position. The ever-improving Atlantic 10 has been a good home for its basketball program and the MAC has at least provided stability for the rebirth of Temple's football program, but the Owls feel they'd be wasting an opportunity if they don't explore joining the Big East or another BCS league.

"We have a terrific basketball conference that we're in and I also think our football program is well-positioned," Dunphy said. "I don't want to minimize that, but if there are some other opportunities, we're open to looking into them.

"We think we're absolutely positioned for a number of different conferences and if anyone wants to move their footprint into the Philadelphia area, I think we're a great option."

The combination of Temple's formidable basketball program and strong alumni base in the Philadelphia market have always been assets, but it's the resurgence of the Owls' football program that has made it a candidate for Big East expansion. After years of football futility, Temple won a combined 17 games the past two years and still stands at 5-4 this season despite a two-game losing streak.

One of the stumbling blocks reportedly preventing Temple from landing an invitation from the Big East has been opposition from Villanova. At Big East Media Day two weeks ago, Jay Wright denied that the Wildcats are trying to keep Temple basketball out of the league to maintain a stranglehold on Philadelphia recruiting but acknowledged that he believes Vilanova football should get in ahead of the Owls.

"Whatever they do with Temple is great. Just put Villanova in for football, that's all," Wright said. "We're 30-year members. If they want to put Temple in, great. We have great respect for Temple. We know all the positives that would come if they came in. Just put Villanova in for football, period."

Basketball coaches don't have much input on realignment because the process has been so football-driven, but Dunphy said his administration has at least kept him in the loop when other conferences have reached out to Temple. Rather than openly lobby for a spot in the Big East or push to stay in the more stable Atlantic 10, he prefers to highlight the fact that Temple should be an attractive option for any conference.

"We think we're in terrific position," Dunphy said. "We have all the infrastructure we need. We have very much a thriving football program. We play in a great facility. We have a great facility for basketball. We have so much graduates that live in the Philadelphia area. We have 39,000 students. We're in the fourth or fifth largest market. So we think we have a fantastic product. We think we're extremely well positioned if someone thinks we're worthy of joining one of the super conferences."

Source: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Dunphy-Temple-is-8216-great-option-8217-for?urn=ncaab-wp5971

Tim Sestito Michael Sgarbossa MacGregor Sharp Patrick Sharp

Mark Martin and Michael Waltrip Racing announce two-year deal

Mark Martin will drive 25 races for Michael Waltrip Racing with sponsorship from Aaron's in each of the next two Sprint Cup Series seasons.

The team announced Friday at Texas Motor Speedway that it would have sponsorship from Aaron's for 30 races over each of the next two seasons with Waltrip driving in the other five. Aaron's also holds an option for 2014.

Martin had been mentioned as a candidate for partial schedules at other teams, including Stewart-Haas Racing with Danica Patrick, but the deal with Waltrip came about three weeks ago.

Martin's No. 5 at Hendrick Motorsports will be driven by Kasey Kahne next year.

"I did have some other options," Martin said. "Most of the options were 'wait and see if it materializes.'

"When we talked at Talladega, there was no clear path but I was starting to see more traction on the Cup side than I had seen in Nationwide or Trucks."

Martin and Waltrip will be replacing David Reutimann, who has driven for Michael Waltrip Racing since the team entered the Cup Series in 2007. In 168 races with MWR, Reutimann had scored wins at Charlotte and Chicagoland. In 2010, Reutimann signed an extension with MWR that reportedly went through the 2012 season.

Both Reutimann and Martin will finish out the final three races of 2011 with their current teams.

The team plans to fill the remaining Cup Series races with an unknown driver and sponsor combination. Martin said that he's not currently looking to add Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series events to his schedule but that he wouldn't count it out either.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/blog/from_the_marbles/post/Mark-Martin-and-Michael-Waltrip-Racing-announce-?urn=nascar-wp5085

Peter Harrold Victor Hedman Jan Hejda Jordan Hendry

UFC on Fox: Dana White admits he?s nervous, fighters say no way

For the hardcore fans of mixed martial arts, Saturday night's UFC card on Fox will look familiar, but Dana White is sweating bullets. The usually unflappable UFC president looked beat at Wednesday's prefight press conference and stammered a bit. He's nervous with such a big event on tap on network television.

"I'm a ? wreck," [White told the media on Wednesday near Staples Center].

"I haven't slept. I feel weird. I can't wait for Saturday to be over with. I want to nail this thing. I want to do it right and put it behind me and move forward."

Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos are cool customers. They're in L.A. to fight just like were going to next week in San Jose at UFC 139.

"It feels the same as any other fight," said Velasquez.

"I'm feeling really excited for this fight, but no pressure," said Dos Santos.

White has to be hoping he gets two or three rounds out of the UFC heavyweight championship fight. There's no worry about the tilt being boring, but one has to wonder what a 30-second fight would do for casual fight fans. White told Yahoo! Sports' Kevin Iole that the one-fight format is what Fox executives asked for.

White said it was important to spend part of the hour introducing new fans to MMA.

"There's going to be storytelling, there's going to be explaining on who we are, what this is, what these athletes are about," White said. "There's definitely going to be some breakdowns and a lot of explanations, more than you would see on a typical UFC event."

[Related: Order the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fight on PPV]

Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
? There's no quit in veteran Juan Manuel Marquez
? Video: What drives Manny Pacquiao?
? Mom postpones son's appendectomy to see Manny Pacquiao in person

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/UFC-on-Fox-Dana-White-admits-he-s-nervous-figh?urn=mma-wp9218

Jay Harrison Peter Harrold

Danica Patrick to run Dan Wheldon tribute car at Texas

Danica Patrick's car in Saturday's Nationwide race will pay tribute to the memory of Dan Wheldon, who was killed in an IndyCar crash at Las Vegas on Oct. 16.

Patrick's car will have Wheldon's "Lionheart" logo on the hood and also advertise the Dan Wheldon Memorial website. Patrick's sponsor, GoDaddy, helped set up the Wheldon tribute site; Wheldon was set to replace Patrick at Andretti Autosport in 2012 as Patrick moves full-time to NASCAR.

Danica will also be wearing a special helmet for the race instead of her normal American flag-themed one and the helmet will be auctioned off to benefit a trust for Wheldon's two young children.

The auction benefiting the trust was started when Graham Rahal announced that he was going to auction off his Vegas helmet for Wheldon's kids. The gesture then mushroomed rapidly as donations started to stream in, and the online bidding has raised over $200,000 so far.

Patrick's short-term Sprint Cup future will also be known on Friday, as she and Stewart-Haas Racing are expected to reveal her limited Sprint Cup schedule in anticipation of her full season debut in 2013.

Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
? Fantasy Football: Week 9 quarterback rankings
? Hockey's top 10 billionaire owners
? Baseball's ultimate free-agent tracker: What will happen to Albert Pujols?

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/blog/from_the_marbles/post/Danica-Patrick-to-run-Dan-Wheldon-tribute-car-at?urn=nascar-wp5061

Jason Demers Chad Denny Simon Despres Taylor Doherty

UFC on Fox postfight: White tells critics to ?shut up?

UFC president Dana White had to know what was coming.

A 64-second knockout of Cain Velasquez by Junior dos Santos in the one-fight UFC debut on Fox was going to draw strong reaction from both ends of the spectrum.

But 30 minutes after the Fox show ended, the UFC president had already heard enough negativity and seen too many critical comments on Twitter.

So White lashed out during the UFC on Fox postfight press conference.

"For anyone to [expletive] about this fight because they didn't get to see [this fight or] that fight ... shut up!� You should've bought tickets if you wanted to see all the fights," White said. "And you don't like to watch them on Facebook? Seriously, shut up."

White went on to explain that too many of the hardcore fight fans, who were loudest critics of the one-fight format, have a narrow-minded view of the sport.

"Every weirdo comes from everywhere, [talking] about how bad fighting is and joining the 'Coalition of I Have Nothing Better To Do With My Life.''" said White. "These are the stories we have to tell to mainstream America. Because most of us in this room live in this bubble called MMA. It's a world of triangle chokes and arm bars, all the [expletive] people have never heard of. They don't understand it. They don't know what it is. We have to ease people into this, so that's what we did tonight."

White said it was also important to expose the new fans to kind of fighters featured in the heavyweight title fight. Junior dos Santos grew up in a poor city in Brazil, but never turned to crime. Instead, he sold ice cream and newspapers as a kid and turned to fighting for discipline. Velasquez, a first generation American from Mexican immigrants, eventually made his way from junior college to Arizona State, where he earned a degree in education.

"We have to educate people. We had to show features about these two guys tonight. They're two great athletes. They're two great human beings," White said. "We explained what this sport is and who these people are who are involved in it. They're not what you think they are."

At the end of the press conference when White had cooled down a bit he made sure to thank the media in attendance who've covered the sport since it's infancy.

"I want to thank of all you guys, the guys who've been around for a long time. (You've been) working hard in the sport, just as hard as we have. Going to podunk here and there and on the same travel schedule we're on. I appreciate you very much."

One can assume he was also talking about the fans who helped the turned sport from an internet sensation to one that truly arrived on the U.S. sport scene on network TV on a Saturday night.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/UFC-on-Fox-postfight-White-tells-critics-to-8?urn=mma-wp9401

Yury Alexandrov Bryan Allen Karl Alzner Greg Amadio

More links! And Messi v Heskey: Who?s the best?!

All the stuff being covered outside the unfriendly confines of the award-winning Dirty Tackle...

What Emile Heskey lacks in grace, he makes up for in...other, uh, stuff. [YouTube]

Kasey Keller kid showing serious commitment to his Halloween costume here. [KCKRS]

Here's what the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A will play with when it snows. [TBG]

More on the love-hate relationship between Gremio and Ronaldinho. [IBWM]

Brek Shea to train with Arsenal. [442]

The Fortunate rise and inevitable fall of Sven-Goran Eriksson. [Backpage Football]

Football on the radio is dying, as you probably guessed. [WSC]

The complete history of Mario Balotelli's shenanigans. [Complex]

Is Adel Taarbt worth the trouble? [TFP]

Arsene Wenger isn't letting Robin van Persie go. [Studs Up]

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/More-links-And-Messi-v-Heskey-Who-s-the-best-?urn=sow-wp6326

Jonathan Sigalet Stephen Silas Karlis Skrastins Tyler Sloan

Noisemakers: Reggie Bush temporarily shelves dancing shoes

After a fright-filled Week 8, here are three unheralded medal-earners (started in less than 30-percent of Y! leagues) projected to finish in fourth place who ended up setting the fantasy pace:

Reggie Bush, Mia, RB
Y! Percent started: 29-percent

For much of his underwhelming career, Reggie Bush has resembled one of the penguins from "Happy Feet." Instead of lowering his shoulder and attacking the hole, he's danced timidly behind the line, often compiling rushing yards with Cedric Benson-like flair. Sure, when operating in space he's been effective, showcasing world-class speed and ankle-breaking cuts, but clearly he's never developed into the stud back some scouts envisioned he would become when drafted No. 2 overall in 2006.

However, over the past three weeks, particularly Sunday in New York, Bush has undergone a remarkable transformation. Netting an increased workload with Daniel Thomas ailed by a hamstring injury, he's averaged 6.2 yards per carry and totaled 216 rushing yards during the stretch, including a 103-yard performance against the Giants. The last time he eclipsed the century mark on the ground in a game (Week 16 2006), he had yet gripped the plump backside of a certain reality TV starlet. Maybe Tony Sparano's preseason quotes about Reggie being an every-down back weren't completely cuckoo after all.

Ok, maybe just a little.

Believe or Make Believe? Believe. Yes, the defeated Dolphins do emit a rather pungent smell�as Bush astutely noted last week and Thomas, when healthy, will continue to be heavily involved, but because Miami is still an effective run-blocking team, Bush will continue to be sporadically useful over the remainder of the season, especially in challenging formats. It would be smart for Sparano to utilize him more in the pass game ? he's averaged just 2.0 receptions/game since Week 2 ? but with favorable matchups against KC, Buffalo (twice), Oakland, Philadelphia and New England remaining, he could total 70-90 yards on roughly 13-17 touches per game with regularity. That may seem bland to most, but considering how mediocre the position currently is outside the top-15, he's borderline RB2 material in deeper formats.

Javon Ringer, Ten, RB
Y! Percent started: 1-percent

During the entire month of August, fantasy owners waited on pins and needles for encouraging news on Chris Johnson's contract dispute. Captain Quick, a 2,000-yard monster just two short years ago, was supposed to be one of the virtual game's sure-fire locks. When he slipped into the late-first or early-second rounds in thousands of drafts, owners who nabbed him walked away from draft day thinking they had pulled off the heist of the century.

Those same investors are now filing for fantasy bankruptcy.

Against a laughable Colts defense, one week removed from giving up 62 points in Week 7's Bloodbath on the Bayou, Johnson ran into one white wall after another. On one of his rare second-half carries, the frustrated home crowd even showered him with boos. �He finished with a miserable 51 yards on 17 touches.�Worst of all, backup Javon Ringer outplayed him in every way, shape and form, totaling 102 yards on a nearly identical workload. Mike Munchak, obviously tired of his bank-breaking star's lack of production, hurled a pointed post-game comment at his underachiever, one that immediately rocked the fantasy community:

"Johnson and Ringer will continue to split carries moving forward."

Here, CJ2Lame supporters, have some butter with that toast.

Believe or Make Believe? Believe. In terms of pure talent, Ringer pales in comparison to Johnson. But the No. 2 makes up for the gap in grit. Unlike Johnson 2011, who has constantly pussyfooted around in the backfield trying to hit a home run, Ringer has hammered the line aggressively, picking up tough yards between-the-tackles. Yes, he's a committee back in a hot-hand situation, but with terrific matchups against Carolina (Week 10), Tampa (12), Buffalo (13) and Indy (16) still on the docket, he could yield flex-worthy numbers on a occasion down the stretch. He's definitely worth an add in 12-team and deeper leagues. As for Johnson, crazily, he's a cut-candidate in shallow leagues. What a difference $53 million makes.

Michael Crabtree, SF, WR
Y! Percent Started: 19-percent

After emerging as a reliable WR3 last year, Crabtree was expected to take a sizable step forward in 2011. This season marked his third-year in the league, a time when many talented receivers experience a breakout. However, a lingering foot injury hobbled him throughout the preseason, temporarily stunting his statistical growth. Now at full-strength, it appears he's slowly starting to come out of his shell. He's run great routes of late, gaining separation from defenders with relative ease. Including Sunday's 5-54-1 performance against Joe Haden and the Cleveland Browns, he has 14 receptions for 131 yards over the past two weeks.

Sadly, the numbers could have been even better.

In several instances against the Browns, Alex Smith overthrew him, missed connections that would have greatly enhanced his already excellent fantasy totals. Still averaging a hefty 9.5 targets per game since Week 4, he's clearly Smith's preferred vertical weapon. The pair should be inseparable over the remainder of the season. Keep in mind, Crabs, who I've�affectionately�called "Mariah" a few times because of his Diva-esque attitude, definitely thrives when given proper attention.

Believe or Make Believe? Believe. Braylon Edwards' return may eat into his workload a bit, but Vernon Davis, who has registered a faint fantasy pulse over the past several weeks, doesn't appear to be a major threat to wrest away targets. The Niners are a largely conservative offense with a 51-49 run-to-pass split, but No. 15 is the club's indisputable No. 1 target. Considering he has a string of outstanding mathups left (e.g. NYG, ARI (twice), StL and Sea), Crabs is a strong buy candidate, especially in PPR leagues. It's quite possible he could deliver top-24 totals over the season's second-half. His discount price no longer applies, but he is a dependable commodity you don't have to sacrifice a kidney to acquire even in deep formats. Plaxico Burress, Pierre Thomas and Matt Hasselbeck are a few players Crabtree recently attracted in recent one-for-one industry trades. Pitch an offer.

Follow Brad on Twitter @YahooNoise.

--

Image courtesy of Getty

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/blog/roto_arcade/post/Noisemakers-Reggie-Bush-temporarily-shelves-dan?urn=fantasy-wp10665

Kyle Wellwood Ryan White Todd White Trent Whitfield

Top 25: LSU puts down roots

Now in its seventh year, the College Football BlogPoll is a weekly effort of dozens of college football-centric Web sites representing a wide array of schools under the oversight of SB Nation. As always, this is an ever-evolving snapshot meant to judge teams exclusively on their existing resum�s. It pays as little regard as possible to my guess as to what's going to happen over the course of the season, or what would happen in a make-believe game "on a neutral field" or anywhere else. It's subjective, but ideally, it's not a guess: It's a judgment on the evidence that actually exists. It is not a power poll.

After a month of splitting top billing in a weekly rotation with Alabama, it's LSU's turn on top this week, this time all by itself. The Tigers' ode to the field goal in Tuscaloosa wasn't pretty, but it was effective, and it eliminated any and all doubts about No. 1 from here on out: With two elite heads on its wall from conquests of Alabama and Oregon, as long as LSU keeps winning, it keeps its crown.

? What happened back there? I spent a few minutes looking at Boise State's schedule, then at Oklahoma's, and very seriously considered jumping the Sooners into the top five. After all, how can I justify having a team that counts Tulsa as its second-best win of the season (see below) ranked in front of a team that counts Tulsa as its sixth-best win? The answer is: Because the former didn't lose to Texas Tech.

Honestly, I'm still not sure how Oklahoma lost to Texas Tech. The Red Raiders' upset in Norman is the most inexplicable of the year, coming on the heels of back-to-back Raider losses to Texas A&M and Kansas State and followed by back-to-back Raider losses to Iowa State (!) and Texas, both blowouts. At best, Tech is schizophrenic; at worst, it's just another bad team that got unfathomably lucky on the Sooners' worst day. Either way, that solitary lapse negates any claim Oklahoma has to anything until it redeems itself at Oklahoma State.

? B1G time. I'm admittedly feeling a little hostile toward the Big Ten this week, relegating a full third of the conference ? Michigan State, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Michigan, all 7-2 ? into one block from No. 18 to No. 21, because they really do belong together: All four have suffered a loss to one of the other three, and all but Michigan have beaten at least one of the three. (And the Wolverines have beaten Notre Dame outside the conference, more or less the equivalent of a solid Big Ten win that the others do not have.) The only question was where to put the block: At the front of the line of two-loss teams that dominates the middle of the poll, or at the back?

Based mainly on the mediocre strengths of schedule in the Big Ten (see below) but also on my general weariness with a conference nobody wants to win, I chose the back end. And I moved unbeaten-but-untested Houston into the middle of the two-loss of the lineup just to drive the point home: Somebody needs to take command of this league.

On the other hand, with Penn State sneaking up on the top ten and suddenly competent Ohio State slipping into the bottom of the poll for the first time, the Big Ten also has more teams in the top 25 (6) than any other conference for the second week in a row. So parity has its virtues, I guess.

? Wow, Penn State is on the verge of the top ten? After struggling to put away Temple, Indiana and Illinois with one of the most low-octane offenses in the country, I know. What can you do? It's just that kind of year.

? Proof. This week's resum� grid for public consumption:

L: Losses
PPG: Average margin of victory (points per game)
YPP: Average margin per play (yards per play)
Sked: Strength of schedule (as calculated by Jeff Sagarin)

As always, everything will be completely different next week.

- - -
Matt Hinton is on Facebook and Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.

Source: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Top-25-LSU-puts-down-roots?urn=ncaaf-wp9497

Ruslan Salei Anssi Salmela Sami Salo Bryce Salvador

Rory McIlroy parts ways with agent Chubby Chandler

A golfer leaving his agent for another sports management shop is usually the kind of news that barely registers on the golf radar during the season. But when the player jumping ship is Rory McIlroy? Well, let's just say the golf world definitely takes notice.

Following a four-year run with agent Andrew "Chubby" Chandler's International Sports Management group, McIlroy decided to split from Chandler in a shocking move.�ISM released a statement on Friday, confirming the news.

"Onward and upwards. We have had a quite brilliant year. The company is growing and adapting to ensure it stays at the forefront of golf and the business of managing players. We wish Rory every success."

McIlroy had been part of Chandler's stable of golfers since 2007, when he made his professional debut, so the two have a long history together. While these moves happen all the time in the sports world, you have to wonder what prompted the Ulsterman to leave ISM for Irish-based Horizon Sports Management (the group already represents Graeme McDowell).

On the surface, Chandler and McIlroy seemed to have a great relationship, but following the news earlier today of their break-up, Alan Shipnuck tweeted that Chandler may have been keeping McIlroy from enjoying himself on the course.

Maybe it comes to this: Chubby, for all his mirth, is a sabre-rattling obstructionist. Rory just wants to play golf/have fun�w/less static.

Who knows if that's really the case, but it's clear there's clearly something going on within Chubby's stable of golfers. Ernie Els departed ISM last month for ProsInc, and with McIlroy walking away, the group has now lost two of its biggest names.

McIlroy has yet to release his own statement, but with Graeme McDowell already over at Horizon, maybe the decision to leave was simply so he could join the same management group as one of his best friends. Or maybe the decision to leave ISM had nothing to do with Chandler at all.

Don't forget, McIlroy and current ISM'er Lee Westwood had a dustup on Twitter earlier this year, after McIlroy decided to pass on playing for the Great Britain & Ireland team in the Seve Trophy, before telling Westwood in an exchange: "at least I'm not English."�Maybe the move was his way of distancing himself from Westwood.

We'll have to wait and see what McIlroy says in his official statement, but with two big names leaving the group in the last couple of months, it would appear there's something going on behind the scenes at ISM.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/blog/golf_experts/post/Rory-McIlroy-parts-ways-with-agent-Chubby-Chandl?urn=golf-wp6484

Johnny Boychuk Dan Boyle Daryl Boyle Nick Boynton

The Devil Ball Q&A: Lexi Thompson

Without a doubt, one of the biggest stories in women's golf these days is the rise of 16-year-old Lexi Thompson, a prodigy/phenom/teen sensation in every sense of those overused terms. She qualified for the U.S. Women's Open at age 12, and has been impressing ever since, right up to this year when she won the Navistar Classic at age 16. She'll be turning pro next year, and we spoke with her for a few minutes ... while she's still taking our calls.

It's been a fantastic 2011 for you. What goals have you set for 2012?

It's probably a little too early to do that. I go to every event just wanting to do my best. I want to win, yeah, but more importantly I want to do my best.

You've been painted as everything from a teen phenom to the savior of the LPGA. How do you anticipate dealing with the amount of pressure that's being placed on you?

I'm not really paying attention to that. I don't mind the attention. I'm just doing what I love.

When did you know that golf was the sport for you?

I played every sport, so I'd say when I quit all the other sports and focused just on golf. I was around 10 years old.

Was there a moment when you knew, "OK, I could make a go of this golf thing."?

I don't really remember, but I'd say being at the [U.S. Women's] Open [in 2007] at 12 years old was a news flash to me, wanting to be out there again.

Without naming the Navistar, what's the second-best tournament you've ever played?

The Open and the [2011] Evian Masters [where she finished T2]. The way I played at those definitely helped, but it was a great experience to go through that so early in my pro career.

What's the round you'd like to have back?

Probably the last round at the Avnet. [Thompson entered the final round tied with the lead, but shot a 78 to tie for 19^th]. I'd say I'd like to take it back, but I learned so much from that. If I hadn't played like that, I wouldn't have played like I did in the Navistar. It was a fast round, that's for sure. I don't remember much except for two shots I hit in the water on the back nine. I was really uptight [at the Avnet], so the last day at the Navistar I just relaxed and slowed down.

You dominated everyone you played in junior golf. What's been the biggest transition in playing the professional game?

It's different competition. You're playing the best golf courses than the world. But I'm not playing any different game.

You come from a very active golf family. How competitive are your family games?

They're really competitive. When we're home we play for money every day, money or chores. We play $10 nines or $5 nines. It's intense. Usually one person walks off the course because they're getting beat or frustrated. You've got to be mentally strong to last in our group.

Anybody ever throw a club?

[Laughs] There's definitely been a few club throws.

You're still finishing up high school, but is college in the equation for you?

I haven't thought about it all, really. I'm focusing on golf now, so I'm pretty busy these next few years. College is always going to be there.

There's sadly a long list of phenoms who start fast but burn out before they turn 20. How are you going to avoid that kind of burnout?

I love what I do. I'm not feeling pressured to do anything. I have such a great support system with my family and my sponsors that if I stay humble around them and my fans, it'll be fine.

What are your long-term dreams? Playing in the Masters? Winning every major?

Definitely not playing The Masters! But I definitely want a major. As for a long-term goal? I want to be in the Hall of Fame, and hopefully No. 1 in the world. But as long as I'm playing good golf, I'll be happy.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/blog/golf_experts/post/The-Devil-Ball-Q-A-Lexi-Thompson?urn=golf-wp6432

Maxime Fortunus Kurtis Foster Cam Fowler Cody Franson

Video: Minnesota security guard takes out frustration on Gopher fans

It's been the week to beat on the defenseless.

First we had Arkansas' Marquel Wade's hit on Vanderbilt's Jonathan Krause (which Wade and his mom both apologized for) then it was Northern Illinois linebacker Jamaal Bass and his assault on a Toledo band member. Now, we have footage of a TCF Bank Stadium security guard leveling Minnesota fans as they tried to rush the field after last week's 22-21 upset win over Iowa.

According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, security guards were instructed not to stop fans from coming onto the field if the Gophers won, but to protect the goal posts from being uprooted and carried off. Apparently, this particular security guard, dressed in a bright pink jacket, didn't get the memo as he lowered his shoulder and started picking off unsuspecting field rushers. A couple fell to the ground while others shook off the blows and continued to run toward the middle of the field. Minnesota athletic department spokesman Garry Bowman told the paper that the guard was hit in the head "and got angry about it and then started pushing fans down as they ran by him."

Minnesota fans haven't had a lot to celebrate this season, so why this security guard wanted to be a Bitter Betty killjoy is beyond comprehension, even if he was hit in the head.

Of course, hitting defenseless folks does come at a price. Wade was suspended a game by the SEC. Bass was suspended a game by NIU coach Dave Doeren. And our punchy security guard? Well, he was fired.

- - -
Graham Watson is on Facebook and Twitter: Follow her @Yahoo_Graham.

Source: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Video-Minnesota-security-guard-takes-out-frustr?urn=ncaaf-wp9230

Jordan Leopold Sami Lepisto Kris Letang Austin Levi

Georgia still has a game Saturday, but no more running backs to play in it

For a brief moment this summer, on the heels of premature departures by veterans Washaun Ealey and Caleb King, it looked like Georgia was willing to go into the season with as few viable running backs on the roster as possible. This Saturday, it's going to take the experiment to its logical extreme:

Georgia coach Mark Richt dropped a bombshell Tuesday afternoon when he announced that running backs Isaiah Crowell, Carlton Thomas and Ken Malcome are being suspended for Saturday's game against New Mexico State.

Richt did not provide details, only saying in a statement that the suspensions were for a "violation of team rules."

However, two independent sources tell UGASports that the trio allegedly failed a random drug test administered last week before the team traveled to the game in Jacksonville against Florida. ESPN also cited a source alleging the positive tests.

With that, the Bulldogs go into the weekend without their best back (Crowell, easily leading the team as a true freshman with 93 total yards per game) and their most experienced back, Thomas, who's earned significant time each of the last two years. Coincidentally, the suspensions come just one day after season-ending ankle surgery for the Bulldogs' second-leading rusher, Richard Samuel, who made a late conversion from linebacker before the season to provide depth after King and Ealey washed out.

To recap: The top three rushers through the first eight games of 2011 will all be on the bench Saturday, on the heels of the premature exits of the top two rushers in 2009 and 2010. Which leaves? who, exactly?

Surprisingly, there are two other backs on the current roster who have carried the ball this year: Sophomore Brandon Harton (11 carries for 33 yards vs. Coastal Carolina) and senior Wes Van Dyk (one carry for 1 yard vs. Coastal Carolina), both former walk-ons who were awarded scholarships thanks to low roster numbers before the season. There are two other walk-ons, sophomore Alex Parsons (a transfer from BYU) and true freshman Kyle Karempelis, neither of whom has seen the field.

And? that's it. Barring another position switch ?�there are half-a-dozen fullbacks available, who have combined for zero carries on the season ?�quarterback Aaron Murray will spend his afternoon handing off to a stable of walk-ons, behind an offensive line that's already lost three regulars to season-ending injuries.

On the bright side, at least the suspensions come after last week's crucial rivalry date with Florida ? in which Crowell and Samuel combined for a 147 yards and a touchdown in a must-have SEC East win ? and should make no discernible difference in the Bulldogs' ability to handle a 34-point underdog with the worst run defense in the WAC. What a lucky coincidence, huh? Just imagine the odds.

- - -
Matt Hinton is on Facebook and Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.

Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
? Latest Rivals 120 college football rankings
? Video: Quarterbacks key for LSU, Alabama
? Video: Michigan could be in trouble against Iowa

Source: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Georgia-still-has-a-game-Saturday-but-no-more-r?urn=ncaaf-wp9103

Yann Sauve David Savard Luca Sbisa Marco Scandella