The Knight Commission is clamoring for there to be an academic component to the upcoming four-team college football playoff, at least in doling out the money. Not surprisingly, presidents at big-time football schools aren't buying it.
Senior Editor Phillip Marshall
The Knight Commission is a group, mostly made up of current and former university presidents, whose stated mission is to see to it that athletic programs operate within the educational mission of their colleges and universities.
Why stop with athletics? I'll pay rapt attention to the first commission member I hear say that federal funds for his or her university should be handed out based on graduation rates and grade point averages of the student body as a whole. ...
The real challenge facing everyone involved in putting together a college football playoff is how to decide who plays in it. Believe me, whatever decision they make, there will be controversy aplenty on selection day in most seasons.
I'm not a big proponent of a selection committee, but at the same time, I'm not a big proponent of polls either. And I'm sure no fan of computer rankings. What's the best way? Hey, I'm just a poor sports writer. How would I know? ...
Freshman Auburn quarterback Zeke Pike, if he didn't know before, should know now. An incident that is a seemingly minor misstep for an ordinary student makes headlines if you are an Auburn quarterback. That might not be fair, but it is reality.
Pike, who was twice suspended from games as a high school senior, did not get sent home because of an isolated arrest for public intoxication. It's safe to say Pike was on thin ice before he was taken to the Lee County lockup Saturday night.
Talented though he is, Pike better grow up in a hurry and deal with the issues in his life if he's going to become the player that talent says he should be at Auburn or anywhere else. ...
All incoming freshmen could learn from running back Carnell Williams' first interview after arriving on the Auburn campus in 2001. Williams, one of the top running back recruits in the nation, was asked if he expected to start as a freshman. He laughed.
"I haven't proved anything to anybody at this level," he said.
It wasn't long before Williams proved plenty, but never did he find it necessary to proclaim his own greatness. As much as he was respected as a great player, he was respected more as a great teammate. ...
Regardless of when Pike returns, I would be surprised if he is in the running even to be the third-team quarterback next season. What a great opportunity for incoming freshman Jonathan Wallace from Central High School in Phenix City. Wallace was on his way to Central Florida before getting a late offer from Auburn. ...
Arizona made it quite clear who was the best college baseball team in the College World Series, romping through without a loss. The Wildcats closed it out with a 4-1 win over two-time defending champion Monday night.
Said Arizona coach Andy Lopez: "My best players are my best human beings, and that is a deadly combination." That could be said of almost any sport. Lopez, by the way, was fired in 2001 as Florida head coach. ...
Until next time ...
- Phillip Marshall
- Auburn Insider - AuburnUndercover