Contradiction: Victims Lawyer Says Jameis Winston's Lawyer Offered to Pay Them Off

((ht: orlandosentinel.com))

Quickly on the heels of a statement released by the lawyer for Florida State University QB Jameis Winston, saying the woman accusing Winston of sexual assault wanted to be bought off, comes a direct contradiction.

John Clunie responded to a report on TMZ.com that said Winston's lawyer David Cornwell was saying Clunie's client was looking for $7 million to go away and never be heard from again.

Read the TMZ report RIGHT HERE

Clunie said it was actually Cornwell who reached out to the woman's original lawyer, Patricia Carroll with intent to by the accuser off. And that after being rejected on the phone, Cornwell showed up at Carroll's office in Tampa to negotiate in person.

Clunie added during that meeting; "Settlement discussions were immediately unproductive as Cornwell was crude and insulting going as far to say 'your client likes to @#$! football players'"

He added that Cornwell accused the woman of waiting to file a complaint until 2-years later when in fact she came forward after FSU approached her in October of 2013 investigating Winston for allegations of a second report of misconduct against another woman.

Read the entire story from the Orlando Sentinel RIGHT HERE

All this legal "He said, she said" adds yet another layer to a very bizarre investigation that stemmed from an incident in 2012. The D.A in Leon County declined to move forward with charges and FSU is alleged to have barely investigated the incident in which neither party denied there was a sexual incident of some sorts.

The stories are a bit different and the summary investigations, or lack thereof has FSU the target of a Title IX investigation by Federal Investigators.

Winston, according to his lawyer is said to be cooperating in that investigation, which would be a contradiction of all the others, which he didn't.

It will be interesting to see what happens when the latest investigation closes in the next few weeks.

The Dirty Dozen and The Bottom of the Barrel: Jameis Winston is an Idiot

With all the problems going on in the NFL, the disciplinary issues of the NCAA often take a back seat.

Take for example defending Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston and Florida State.

It's not so much that he did something stupid, jumping up in the middle of the Student Union and yelled an obscenity. And it's not that he leisurely strolled out of a Publix this summer with a bunch of Crab Legs.

And it's not even that he walked away from a questionable sexual encounter with another student in late 2012 that somehow got him a mere slap on the wrist.



It's the combination of all these things that make him the NCAA's chief idiot. And he gets to sit out for a half in a fairly big game for his Seminoles. A game he shouldn't get to play in at all. Then he MIGHT learn a lesson. But we doubt it.

Okay, we're done with the righteous ranting....

It was an interesting college football week last week. A few surprises and a few disappointments. And no clear cut team jumping out from the pack....which we like. It makes things much more fun for us.



So another 12 win week for us, 12-2 to be exact, which raises the 2 week total to 24-3. Which folks ain't bad. We may not always get the score or spread right, but more often than not, we'll tell you who wins.

But enough gloating, it's time to quote the legend Casey Kasem and get "On With the Countdown"


THE DIRTY DOZEN:

1) Oregon 3-0. Welcome to the top spot Duckies. We don't think you'll be here at the end, but enjoy the ride. The conference schedule now begins and it will be time to ride the Marcus Mariota train. Which actually may get you pretty far. (This Week: at Wash. St. Our Pick: Oregon 49, Wash St. 31)

2) FSU 2-0. You get demoted because your star QB is a moron who thinks he's above everyday life. He's not. In the long run, with him, yeah, you have the best team in the country. But all things considered, will you have him for the long run. We'd like to pick you to lose this week, you might, it would be justice...sort of. (This Week: vs. Clemson. Our Pick: FSU 23, Clemson 21)

3) Auburn 2-0. Last years runner up is still pretty good. They sort of had a week off after a cupcake game and they go on the road this week. Sometimes the spotlight games (ESPN Thu. night) can be a curse, but K-State isn't enough to bite back. (This Week: at Kansas St. Our Pick: Auburn 50, K-State 30)

4) Alabama 3-0. Team Saban/Kiffykin moves on. After 3 cupcakes. Ok, maybe W.Va isn't a cupcake, the meat of the schedule kicks in. The Tide have been good, not great. There are still questions. But not enough to slow them down this week. (This Week: vs. Florida Our Pick: Bama 34, Gators 17)

5) Oklahoma 3-0. No, the Sooners haven't been pushed yet either. While they do seem to be the class of the Big 9, we have questions about how they'll play against the SEC. Oh, wait, the rolled Tennessee last week. Yes, good for you. (This Week: at W.Va. Our Pick: Oklahoma 48, W.Va 34)

6) Texas A&M 3-0. Still don't get the whole "Trill" Hill thing, though we give Aggie QB Kenny credit for stepping in and performing very, very well. But our hat tip goes to Kevin Sumlin who may be doing his best coaching job ever this season. (This Week: at SMU (yikes). Our Pick: Aggies 126, SMU 3)

7) LSU 3-0. Eh...not sure the Tigers will be worthy of this ranking when the dust clears, but right now, hey why not? The meat of the schedule begins now and trips to A&M and Auburn are on the horizon. (This Week: vs. Miss St. Our Pick: LSU 24, Miss St. 14)

8) Baylor 3-0. Ok, everyone still loves the Bears and hey, who wouldn't, they are averaging nearly 60 points a game. But they've also fattened up on 3 straight cupcakes, so don't use this as a guide. The Big 9 schedule starts this week, let's see what happens. (This Week: at Iowa St. Our Pick: Baylor 40, Iowa St. 27) 

9) Ole Miss 3-0. Is this team a mirage or are they living up to their potential? Hard to tell, they too have fattened up on cupcakes. That will eventually change, but not this week. (This Week: vs. Memphis. Our Pick: Ole Miss 34, Memphis 21)

10) UCLA 3-0. They've underachieved, but persevered. An injury to Brett Hundley meant Rick Neuhiesel's kid Jerry had to step up. He did, leading the Bruins to a win at Texas. Which still isn't easy to do. Test time's a comin' though. (This Week: OFF)

11) Notre Dame 3-0. So, the Irish are off to a good start, but again haven't been challenged. But they are Notre Dame, so if they're 3-0, they're in the Top 10 in the polls. We question if they'll stay, but all games but maybe 1 are winnable for them. (This Week: OFF)

12) Arizona St. 3-0. Yes, another Pac 12 team. If you are undefeated, you too have a shot at making our list over a team with a loss. That's the way we roll. (This Week: OFF)

THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL:



5) New Mexico 0-2. Yes, the song above is for you Lobo fans and you Bob Davie. Former long time resident comes home. The Lobos were here through the entire Mike Locksley era and have returned. You must earn your way back out. That is all. (This week: at NM State. Our Pick: NM State 25, NM 10)

4) SMU 0-2. Oh boy, it doesn't get any easier. Lose your head coach, check. Score 6 points on the season, check. Travel to the Trill show this week, check. (This Week: vs. Texas A&M. Our Pick--see #6 above)

3) UMass 0-3. Way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory Minutemen. You had Vandy down and on the ropes, yet you let them wiggle free. That's why you are here and probably won't leave. (This Week: at Penn St. Our Pick: PSU 31, UMass 12)

2) Troy 0-3. Oh boy. My how Larry Blakeny's boys have fallen. This was once the crown jewel of the Sun Belt. Not any more. And it won't get better. (This Week: at UGA Our Pick: UGA 51, Troy 13)



1) Miami OH 0-3. No, you don't get to leave the bottom here Redhawks. You still aren't good, you haven't won in over 2 seasons. You can't leave. Nor will you anytime soon. (This Week: at Cincinnati. Our Pick: Cinci 48, Miami OH 13) 

ICYMI: Florida vs. Idaho PPD Because of Weather

((ht: cbssports.com))

You don't often see or hear about a college football game being rained out.

Yet that is exactly what happened Saturday night in Gainesville, Florida.

The Florida Gators season opener vs. Idaho was delayed for 3-plus hours Saturday night before officials and the teams decided to cancel it. The Gainesville area was pummeled with heavy rain, lightning and thunder most of the evening Saturday. The Gators had requested the later kickoff to try and avoid the heat, instead, they had to deal with the late afternoon and evening thunderstorms that always crop up in the Sunshine State.

Mind you they did TRY to play, at one point the did the opening kickoff, but more lightning and rain chased the teams and fans out of the stadium.

Good shot of why all delays...RT @Andy_Staples: Whoa. RT @OurTwoBits: Yikes! (H/T @pbpsports) pic.twitter.com/HhEYKTLoPf
— Scott Carter (@GatorZoneScott) August 31, 2014

No word yet on when...or if the game will be rescheduled, apparently both teams have Oct. 25th as an open date, the question is, does either team want to play.

Our guess is they will have to play that day. Ultimately, they'll need to have that 12th game to make everything official with the NCAA. Rather than being snarky and saying it won't matter or UF may need it to be bowl eligible, we'll just have to wait and see what they decide to do after a good nights sleep.

Worst Entrance Idea Ever: Eastern Michigan vs. The Concrete Wall

((ht: cbssports.com))

We have no idea who thought knocking down a concrete wall with a sledgehammer to initiate the team running out on the field would be cool.

Because all it did was make Eastern Michigan University the butt of an endless parade of jokes.

Check out what happens when the Eagles try to "Break Down the Wall" and run out onto the field.

Sure, they eventually did it...sort of. But in that time, the student section had pizza delivered, the alumni drove home and came back and the guys broadcasting the game did their halftime report early (ok, so maybe that's not so funny, it's early on a Sunday morning)....

We should add maybe it worked, albeit unintentionally since the Eagles beat Morgan State 31-28.

Anyway, here's your video which unfortunately has the god-awful ESPN like music on it. We'd really like to hear the nat sound or broadcast version instead...

Remember The Name Brandon Doughty

((HT: WBKO-TV))

All he did last night for Western Kentucky was break records all night long in their game against Bowling Green...

Doughty threw for a school-record 569 yards and six TD's as the Hilltoppers beat Bowling Green State 59-31 in the head coaching debuts of Jeff Brohm and Dino Babers.

Brohm's Hilltoppers had a school-record 702 total yards against the defending MAC champions.

Here's the wrap on all the records...

More Fun With USC: Anthony Brown Quits, Calls Sark "Racist"

((HT: ESPN))

Not that Southern Cal football needed any more fuel in the papers this week, but running back Anthony Brown has quit the program characterizing head coach Steve Sarkisian as "racist."

Brown Tweeted the opinion on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter before removing it:

"Sark treated me like a slave in his Office...Can't play for a racist MAN!!!!! #Fighton"

FOSG Chris Cotter explains with Brian Griese and Mark May what this all may or may not mean


Sark was less than pleased and gave very little credence to it in his press conference Thursday:

"As far as what [Brown] said on Twitter, I think it's ridiculous," Sarkisian told the Orange County Register. "Any of you guys that know me and if you ask anybody in our building, any of our players -- feel free to -- that's about the furthest thing from the truth. Quite honestly, I'm shocked."

"I had encouraged him to play. I thought he could play. I didn't want him to quit."

Not the kind of pee-ahr you need before your season opener... and a host of (now) former teammates disagreed with Brown's characterization of the nead coach.

Ruh Roh: Notre Dame Football Players Being Investigated for Academic Fraud (UPDATED With Dismissals And Vacated Wins...???)

((ht: yahoo.com/forde))

T-Minus two weeks to the kickoff of this years college football season and it's beginning to look like Notre Dame may be without 4 key players.

Yahoo Sports reporter Pat Forde says that the four are being investigated in a probe looking for academic fraud.

Wide Receiver DaVaris Daniels, DB KeiVarae Russell, DL Ishaq Williams and LB Kendall Moore are all being checked out for what Forde terms an "Honor Code Violation".

Read Forde's full story on Yahoo.com RIGHT HERE

No word yet from Coach Brian Kelly on where things go from here but how they progress will be interesting to see. Daniels is one of the teams primary receivers and Russell a starting cornerback, the other two players have a chance at starting, but nothing guaranteed.

The Irish this year get back 2012 Quarterback Everett Golson who sat out 2013 due to an academic issue as well.

UPDATE: Fox Sports is reporting that the four players have been dismissed

The South Bend Tribune is reporting that the scale of the alleged fraud is comparable to the current investigation at the University of North Carolina.

Eric Hansen's piece also says that a former player or players may even be involved.

1630 UPDATE: Campus Insiders' Ray Crawford has a breaker on just how bad this could get...


And here's 120Sports Dylan McGorty with what they know

Post by 120 Sports.

Report: O'Leary May Step Down from UCF, He Denies It

((ht: foxsports.com))

Hmmm, interesting. And a strange bit of timing.

A report by Fox Sports college football writer Bruce Feldman says he is being told that 68-year old UCF football coach George O'Leary is seriously thinking about retiring sometime during this football season.

Feldman elaborates by saying it could come after the Knights play Penn State in Ireland on August 30th. And if it were to happen, that O'Leary's chosen successor would be Assistant Head Coach Brent Key.

You can read Feldman's report RIGHT HERE

For his part O'Leary steadfastly denies the report and says he has no idea where it would come from. He told the Orlando Sentinel that "I've never spoken to Fox or anybody, I don't have any idea what that's about".

The Sentinel's follow up story is RIGHT HERE

We should add that O'Leary in May agreed to a contract extension that would run through the 2017 season and pay him $2 million a year. Short of health problems, we don't know why he'd want to walk away from that.

O'Leary took over at UCF in 2004 and has taken the Orlando area school to unprecedented levels of success. The Knights beat Baylor in the Fiesta Bowl this past year, their 1st ever BCS level bowl game victory.

Here's O'Leary and a handful of players talking about the upcoming season...

The Power 5 Are Off And Running

((HT: ESPN))

The top five college athletics conferences are one step closer to having their own autonomous behavior when it comes to what it would take to run their athletic programs.

By a near-unanimous vote, the Board of Directors has approved the idea to allow themselves to decide on how much money they want to give above and beyond their scholarship dollars as "cost-of-attendance stipends," as well as increased insurance benefits for players, staff sizes for sports on campus, loosening recruiting rules and determining just how much hours can be spent on individual sports- considered practice time- which they're looking to expand and monitor internally.

Here's Joe Schad discussing with David Lloyd


The "no" vote would have to carry more than 75 schools, but the schools in the Power 5 could vote to secede from the NCAA on their own if a vote like that was to pass.

So, the haves will have more control over themselves and the have nots will be left to fight for themselves.

Again...

NCAA Drops 10-Second Rule Proposal--For Now

((ht: usatoday.com))

So the Rich Rodriguez/Arizona/Speed video from Monday was for naught?



Damn!

The NCAA Football rules committee decided today (Thursday) they will not present a rules proposal to slow down the growing "Hurry-Up" offenses currently en vogue.

For those unaware of what we are talking about--said rule would require a minimum 10-seconds after a ball is placed down before it could be snapped.

And based on the vociferous reaction from an awful lot of coaches, the idea was not a good one. Not to say there weren't supporters, the biggest being Alabama head coach Nick Saban who's vaunted defenses have struggled against hurry-up teams.

Read the full story from USA Today RIGHT HERE

Note that the rule won't be formally presented THIS YEAR. There are a small percentage of coaches saying the hurry-up causes more injuries. There's been no legitimate proof of that. The majority seem to think it's the regular pace teams trying to get control of the game's pacing. And yes, the rule was designed for "No-Huddle" too.

We think you haven't heard the end of this debate, if for no other reason than that Saban is a primary proponent of it. Yes, Bret Bielema of Arkansas has gone on record--albeit awkwardly--to back up Saban, and that will be enough to keep it out there. Our guess is next year or when the "Power Schools" breakaway from the NCAA is the time you'll see this rule become the norm.

Rich Rodriguez's 10-Second Rule Speed Parody--Hilarious

((ht: cbssports.com))

Oh, this is priceless.

The creative sorts at the University of Arizona came up with a way to have their head football coach, Rich Rodriguez, voice is dislike of the proposed "10-second" rule in quite possibly the best way possible.

They dubbed over some lines and inserted Rich Rod into various scenes from the Movie speed.

For those of you unfamiliar with the 10-second rule, it's a proposal by College Football administrators to require at least 10-seconds between plays during the regular flow of a football game. Proponents argue it's to reduce injuries and allow defenses to substitute. Those who disagree, say the hurry-up is now part of the game, it doesn't change anything and allows offenses to stay ahead.

Either way, major props to Arizona for the video:

UGA Season Wrap-Up Video: Nicely Done

((ht: coachingsearch.com))

Okay, as a long time Videographer, Editor, Writer and Producer, I can appreciate great work. And quite honestly, this is damn impressive.

The guys on the University of Georgia Video Team put together a season ending video called "One Dream", and it's about as pitch perfect as one of these things could be.

There are several messages in here, and quite honestly, for even the most cynical of college football fans, they are the good messages, the one's the game is supposed to be about.

So for our friends in Athens, we post this for you. Your football team may not have achieved all the goals it set out for, but the video guys, well, it would be hard pressed to find better.

Well done. Very well done.

Georgia Southern Goes Retro

((HT: WTOC-TV))

A lot of schools are always looking for that marketing opportunity that others can't have...

Showing off an old look to salute the past and make a killing off the nostalgia...

Brother Phil's alma, Georgia Southern, is no different...

Georgia Teacher's College wore the style that GSU is breaking out for senior day from 1924-1941

Here's the sweet-looking throwbacks...
WTOC-TV: Savannah, Beaufort, SC, News, Weather

And, the HQ is sure, that Brother Phil will be buying his old-school threads...
As will the HQ...

College Football at Bristol Speedway: Yes Please

((ht: cbssports.com))

Do you think going to Neyland Stadium with 106,000 or so is crowded? Or going to Lane Stadium with 80,000 or so of your closest friends is a handful?

Well, what if we told you that Tennessee and Virginia Tech were going to play football in 2016.

At the Bristol Motor Speedway

In front of roughly 150-160,000....

CBSSports.com writer Bruce Feldman tweeted Wednesday afternoon the two schools, separated by just a few hours on I-81 will square off on the infield of the famed track.

We're guessing there will be tickets for everyone too...

It could potentially be a tailgaters dream.

For those of you unfamiliar with the track:

Georgia Sports Agent Indicted in North Carolina

((ht: newsobserver.com))

And you ask; "Why is it a big deal an agent is indicted?"

The answer is this: Because Terry Watson (the agent) is being indicted in the University of North Carolina football scandal and the charges stem from a state law governing activities related to college athletes.

Watson, according to NewsObserver.com is facing 13 charges of "Athlete-agent inducement". Included are his dealings with former Tar Heel players Greg Little, Marvin Austin and Robert Quinn among others.

The state claims, among other things, Watson helped get Little at least $18,000 in extra benefits back in 2010.

And note--The state requires all agents to register with the state, something Watson may or may not have done as he lists his homebase as Marietta, Georgia.

Read much, much more from the News-Observer RIGHT HERE

We believe, but aren't 100% sure Watson is one of the, if not the first agent charged with breaking the law by practicing illegal activities with college athletes.

Many states have talked about or in some cases adopted laws to protect themselves and in turn their state schools from unscrupulous agents, a problem that's gotten progressively worse as more money flows through college athletics.

And yet it keeps happening.

The hope here is North Carolina's message will be a bit of a deterrent, though really, we don't believe it. Never the less, it's a good start. We'll follow this case as it progresses and let you know what happens.

Reports: Condoleezza Rice Among Many on New CFB Playoff Committee

Interesting.

Leave it to the group formally known as the BCS to find a way to make everyone raise an eyebrow about the way a college football champ is selected.

Multiple reports say former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will join West Virginia AD Oliver Luck, Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez, USC AD Pat Haden, Clemson AD Dan Radakovich and others as the "All-Knowing" group who will decide who gets in the new College Football "Playoff" system.

That system will replace the current BCS which goes away after the 2014 season.

It appears the representatives will primarily come from the (Surprise) power conferences: ACC, Big 10, Big 12, PAC 12, and SEC along with a former NCAA vice president and a former Lt. General from the Air Force.

No really.

On one hand, it's good, no longer will the title be in the hands of a series of secret computer polls. Humans will decide.

But, with the "Power Conferences" being pretty much the only representatives, what does it say for the Mountain West and other FBS conferences like the Sun Belt, Conference USA, the AAC and a handful more, who....weren't invited.

Just wondering....

And yes, we know the answer.

Now We Know Why This Earned A Helmet Sticker, An Incredible Pick 6

((HT: Andy Stabell/Mercer Football))

The only thing the HQ can say is:

This is how you make national television... a double-deflection, running 100 yards east-west-north-south, and slipping a handful of tackles before getting into the endzone for a pick-6 of 35 yards (officially)...

Alex Avant gets the credit for all that as he gave Mercer a defensive touchdown in their 31-17 Pioneer League debut win over Drake at Henderson Field in Macon in front of 8,000 Bears fans...


Avant's pick was good for a 17-0 lead in the second quarter at the time...

"Well we did a corner blitz and the quarterback checked the pass because he saw me blitzing so I knew I had to jump right once he threw it," said Avant following the game. "So I jumped up, tipped it, it bounced off another linebacker and then the ball fell in my hands and I just tried to score. I caught it and then I went left and then remembered I was probably about to just go out of bounds and I was like I might as well go ahead and try to score. I guess somehow I ended up in the end zone."

Avant is part of a defense that ranks Number 1 in the country FCS total defense, allowing just 241.5 yards per game. The Bears are also Number 6 in the nation in rushing defense and Number 8 in first down defense.

Here's Head Coach Bobby Lamb postgame...

Atlanta Radio Station Becomes Alabama Flagship Station

((ht: ajc.com))

Hmmm....talk about think a bit outside the box. Either that or it's a desperate attempt to draw some sort of college football (SEC) audience.

Atlanta sports talk radio station 92.9 the game has taken the unusual step of being the local affiliate for the University of Alabama's football team.

Mind you Georgia Tech is based in Atlanta and the Georgia Bulldogs are a mere 70 miles away and are the assumed kings of Atlanta areas sports.

But The Game has no college teams. Both Tech and UGA are spoken for in the Atlanta market and they aren't leaving their homes. So that left 92.9 with few, if any options. They are a fledgling Sports talk station in the market (a market with 2 other sports stations--none of the 3 are very good), and want to in some way, draw a fall audience.

To their credit the station did acquire the rights to Atlanta Hawks games, not a huge get, but a franchise never the less.

More on this from the AJC.com Radio blog RIGHT HERE

No, this really doesn't mean a whole lot to anyone outside Atlanta, but then again, that is where we are based.

But it speaks volume's to the reach of College Football in general and SEC football in particular. Yes, there's a significant Alabama fan base in Metro Atlanta, but no more so than the University of Florida's.

And more importantly, it gives the Crimson Tide a bigger voice in a city brimming with high school football talent. Talent that coach Nick Saban has said publicly he covets and talent that if they know where to look, will get full-on exposure to his teams games.

For you 'Bama fans out there, enjoy a fan made "Hype Video":

The NCAA Bails Out of the Jersey Selling Business: Thank Jay Bilas

Oh, this is rich.

On the heels of the Johnny Manziel pay-for-sign scandal, a strong "below-the-radar" discussion has been brewing.

That discussion: How can the NCAA which profits off the sale of jersey's with College Players names on them, penalize athletes for the sale of signed jersey's of there own.

Or to put it another way. It's been okay for the NCAA to make money at the players expense, but the players never see a penny of it.

Or yet another argument: The NCAA bowed down in a Twitter war.

The NCAA is in the midst of some serious legal challenges, primarily from a group of former and current athletes who are challenging the premise that they can't profit from anything with their likeness, but the NCAA can.

And on Thursday, the NCAA continued their acts of contrition. President Mark Emmert admitting that; "We are going to exit that kind of business immediately. I certainly understand how people can see that as hypocritical".

Ya think?  

Go to http://t.co/qpH4tNnIpH, type in "Manziel" in upper right search box, hit enter. This comes up. pic.twitter.com/N7KNvXIu24
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) August 6, 2013

This discussion got brought to the forefront, due in large part to a series of Tweets on Monday by

NCAA basketball analyst Jay Bilas.

Bilas tweeted out several images from the "ShopNCAASports.com" website, all containing jerseys with Johnny Manziel's name on them.

He also Tweeted this:

Go to http://t.co/qpH4tNnIpH and type "NCAA Executive Committee" in upper right search box, hit enter. This comes up. pic.twitter.com/7mwaNKO3TA
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) August 6, 2013

Read this SI.com article, which will explain a lot RIGHT HERE

Folks. Don't kid yourselves. There's been a lot of discussion over the past few weeks that the "Power Conferences" are going to break off and form their own group. The reason given is they want more control over the inconsistent NCAA rules enforcement. And they want to give their players a stipend, something the smaller Division I schools can't afford.

And we agree with some of that.

But. That is decidedly NOT the reason the split is likely to happen in January. No. The reason is two-fold.

(1) TV Money: The power conferences realize if they form their own league and play each other all the time, they stand to make a fortune. And not a small fortune. TV (ESPN, FOX Sports and others) will kill for those rights. And those of you who don't support a school in a power conference. Well, there's always regional sports nets.

(2) Lawsuit protection: The NCAA is petrified they are going to lose the suit brought on by former UCLA basketball player Ed O'Bannon and a slew of others. And trust us, they are going to lose. And it will cost them a LOT of money.

So don't kid yourselves, the NCAA didn't all of a sudden have this "revelation" they shouldn't be profiting off of kids who can't profit for themselves. No, they are trying to protect themselves for the soon to come end of a long, lengthy and what is likely to be costly lawsuit.

ICYMI: Jeremy Hill Returns to LSU Football

((ht: cbssports.com))

Okay then.

2012's leading rusher for the LSU Tigers was allowed to return to the practice field Monday afternoon after his probation was extended by a Baton Rouge judge.

Jeremy Hill pled guilty to charges in April that he punched a man at a local bar. Hill was already on probation after an illicit encounter with a juvenile while still in high school.

The judge decided Hill should spend 40 hours doing community service and renewed the probation restrictions already imposed on him. She also allowed him the ability to take part in team activities.

Shortly thereafter, the LSU team took a vote to allow Hill to return. Coach Les Miles said that Hill would be subject to internal punishment, but didn't elaborate on what that would be.

NOLA.com provides video of Miles talking about Hill's situation Monday morning: