Health Issues a Big Question for Urban Meyer

Courtesy of ESPN, Urban Meyer is taking a leave of absence from the University of Florida. Health reasons and spending more time with his family rank at the top of the list including re-prioritizing his life. The head coach mentioned that he'd been battling chest pains all season.

Kickoff for Florida's Sugar Bowl appearance against Cincinnati Bearcats is 8 PM New Year's Day. Currently a ton of questions loom as to why, who will replace him, and what will ultimately happen with Urban and his family's relationship with the University of Florida.


(Photo courtesy of ESPN)

These are extremely interesting developments as the University of Florida was in the driver's seat the majority of the 2009 College Football season. The timing of the announcement for one is extremely odd. Could he not have waited until the end of the season? Then Urban Meyer back tracks and says he's not going to step down just step back during the off season, as reports hit the internet and TV in full force.

I am curious if Florida had beaten Alabama in Atlanta back on December 5th in the SEC Championship game, if Coach Meyer would have handled this situation the same.

If the Coach felt strongly enough to take a break from the game he loves for health reasons, it is my humble opinion, that he should stick with that initial inclination. Personal health is of the utmost importance and outside of his family and his employer (Florida), he does not have to explain himself to anyone.

Get well, Coach.

UTAH Battles Back Against Cal in the Ponsiettia Bowl

The game opened up last night with California (minus Javid Best, who is still recovering from season related injuries) jumping out to an early lead 14-0. All looked lost early on for Utah, but the Utes stook to their gameplan and hung in their. Relying on execution and a stout Defense, Utah battled back.

Led by some early hard hits from the senior safety, Robert Johnson, the message was sent that if you come across the middle, then you are going to get hit.

As the game wore on, it was apparent that Utah was executing and scoring and overall this was an overmatched Cal defense. Cal appeared to be on its heels. This could just as much a tribute to Utah offensive scheme and playcalling last night. They were moving the sticks at will some times. The first half was capped by a dagger of a touchdown which came with 43 seconds left in the half. This late score put the Utes up by 10 points going into halftime.

In the end, the Robert Johnson led defense was too much for Cal. A late tipped ball Johnson led to an interception and a score. On the next drive Johnson interecepted a deep pass down the sideline and the game was all but over at this point. The Mountain West proved once again it can play with a "bigger" conference.

MARK INGRAM WINS THE HEISMAN TROPHY

Last night Mark Ingram, a 212 lb sophomore from Flint Michigan, won the Heisman Trophy. After the work he put in all year, he capped it off with a stellar performance against the Florida Gators last Saturday in Atlanta on his team's way to another SEC Championship title.

For the year he currently has the following rushing stats:
Attempts - 249
Average Yards/Carry - 6.2
Total Yards - 1542
Touchdowns - 15

He's had a wonderful season, and definitely you have to tip your cap to his offensive line as they have done a wonderful job creating holes for him and allowing him to run through some great lanes.

This is Alabama's first Heisman Trophy winner.

Congratulations, Mark. Job well done. You've joined an elite group of men.

The finalist for the 2009 Heisman Trophy were:
Toby Gerhart of Stanford
Tim Tebow of Florida
Mark Ingram of Alabama
Colt McCoy of Texas
Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska



(Photo courtesy of Zimbio.com)

H.R. 390: College Football Playoff Act of 2009

A playoff in college football?

Everyone in the world except the bowl coalition cartel wants this. Everyone I have ever talked to wants this. So what has to happen. Joe Barton has to happen. Joe Barton [R-TX6] and crew have created H.R. 390: College Football Playoff Act of 2009 and this is the just the beginning. Here is the meat of the bill which hopes to let the best teams play it out on the field.

College Football Playoff Act of 2009 - Prohibits promoting, marketing, or advertising a post-season National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) game as a championship or national championship game (or any merchandise that refers to the game as a championship or national championship game) unless such game is the final game of a single elimination post-season playoff system for which all NCAA Division I FBS conferences and unaffiliated Division I FBS teams are eligible. Treats a violation as an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Makes this Act applicable to any game that occurs after January 31, 2011.

(Courtesy of govtrack.us)

I thoroughly applaud Joe Barton and company. Show your support as these gentlemen attempt to right the ship in college football and bring the sport what is has always needed - A Cinderella Story.



(Photo courtesy of http://joebarton.house.gov)

The next step in the process has the bill going to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Then, with a little luck, it will go to the full House of Representatives.

President Obama has made it clear he wants to see real change in this arena, and I agree with him. This is long overdue. The sport would benefit greatly from a playoff. It would ultimately take the debate out of the board room and let the players play and decide it out on the field.