The saying goes, "To be the Man, You have to Beat the Man." In the BCS Era of College Football, the Southeastern Conference has definitely been the Man.

Brian Johnson

The Big 10 added the Nebraska Cornhuskers, a traditional college football power, to their conference in the off-season. They also plan to split the conference in two and having a Championship game. This will extend their season and get the conference more national exposure. So yes I think they have.

Jason Hall

Is the conference from America's West Coast or the conference from the South the better conference? SEC v PAC 10, which conference is better?

Brian Johnson

The 2011 Iron Bowl will feature a battle of the Southeastern Conference's two leading rushers, Trent Richardson for the Alabama Crimson Tide and Michael (Mike) Dyer for the Auburn Tigers. Richardson is a junior and has rushed for 1380 yards and 20 touchdowns. Dyer, on the other hand, is a sophomore and has rushed for 1194 and 10 touchdowns.

Auburn Fans

After Coach Urban Meyer abruptly retired after the 2010 college football season, the Florida Gators hired coach Will Muschamp, the defensive coordinator for the Texas Longhorns, to replace him. Muschamp hired Charlie Weis to be the offensive coordinator and bring a pro-style offense to Florida. He hired Dan Quin to be the defensive coordinator.

Brian Johnson

OMAHA, Neb. — No one argues that the Southeastern Conference is the class of college baseball this year.

Now it’s time to find out who truly is best in the league, and nation, when defending champion South Carolina and Florida meet in the College World Series finals starting Monday.

The Gamecocks (53-14) and Gators (53-17) shared the SEC Eastern Division title with a Vanderbilt team that also made it to the CWS’ final four.

Florida won the conference tournament, beating Vanderbilt, and South Carolina owns a record 14 consecutive NCAA tournament victories.

South Carolina won two of three games against Florida in the regular season, but that was all the way back in March.

Their finals matchup marks the first time since 1998 that two teams from the same conference will square off for the championship.

"We know it’s not easy. We know there’s a long way to go in this thing," Gators coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. "But you have to get there. So we’re excited for playing for the national championship but we’re going to be business as usual for the next couple days."

O’Sullivan hasn’t announced a starting pitcher for Game 1. Sophomore Hudson Randall (11-3) and freshman Karsten Whitson (8-0) are available. Randall earned the win in the Gators’ CWS opener against Texas on June 18, and Whitson (8-0) started against Vanderbilt on June 20.

Gamecocks coach Ray Tanner said he was leaning toward starting freshman Forrest Koumas (6-1), who last pitched June 5 in regionals.

South Carolina’s biggest pitching concern is the availability of closer Matt Price, who threw 90 pitches and got out of three bases-loaded situations in a season-long 5 2-3 innings in Friday’s 3-2, 13-inning win over Virginia.

"What are the chances of rain on Monday," Tanner said, laughing. "We’re certainly going to be able to use two days (off), but a third might not be bad."

The forecast calls for a 40 percent chance of scattered storms on Monday. The first CWS at TD Ameritrade Park already has had its share of weather problems, with a strong thunderstorm causing the suspension of a game last Monday and showers causing a 68-minute rain delay the next day.

"We have to try to get Matt turned around as best we can in the next few days and go from there," Tanner said. "At this point you just try to figure it out as you go and do the best you can with it."

South Carolina’s path to the finals has been much smoother this year. A year ago the Gamecocks lost their first game here before becoming the first team in CWS history to roll off six straight wins. They swept UCLA in the finals.

The Gamecocks won three straight to advance to this year’s finals, though it took until their final at-bat to win two of the games.

"I coached for a long time and was unable to get to Omaha as a head coach," Tanner said. "And then we were here a few times. It’s something you never take for granted. We played in the finals last year and we got back there again. I’m grateful."

Jeff Evans

11) VCU vs (8) Butler will be the first time two teams seeded 8 or higher will play each other in the 2011 Final Four. This match-up guarantees a team from a mid-major conference will be in the National Championship Game for the second year in a row in College Basketball. Both of the so called "little guys" slew through the their bracket against the "Big ol' Boys from the Big Conferences" they supposedly "can't hang with." Virginia Commonwealth University Rams Road to the Final Four VCU began it's tournament in the 1st Round on March 16 defeating the (11) USC Trojans of the Pac 12 Conference 59 to 46. Two days later, they blew out the (6) Georgetown Hoyas from the Big East 74 to 56. In the 3rd round, they stomped the (3) Purdue Boilermakers from the Big 10 Conference 94 to 76. It wasn't until the Sweet Sixteen against the ACC's (10) Florida State Seminoles that the Rams would be challenged. Yet, once again they were able to triumph over one of the "Big Boys" 72 to 71. In the Elite 8, they defeated the #1 Seed Kansas Jayhawks from the Big 12 Conference by ten points, 71 to 61. This means the 11th seeded VCU Rams had to play the 11, 10, 6, 3, and #1 seeded teams from the Southwest Bracket. Butler University Bulldogs Road to the Final Four Unlike the VCU Rams, Butler did not have to play in the first round and began their tournament defeating the (9) ODU Monarchs 60 to 58 on March 17. They next defeated the #1 Pittsburgh Panthers from the Big East 70 to 71 in the 3rd Round. Next, the Rams beat the Big 10's (4) Wisconsin Badgers 61 to 54 in the Sweet Sixteen. In their last game, Butler was able to beat the SEC's highest seeded team, the (2) Florida Gators, in the Elite 8 by three points, 74 to 71. The Bulldogs Road to the Final Four included wins over teams seeded 9, 4, 2, and 1 from the Southeast Bracket. There is no doubt these two teams have already been thoroughly tested in the NCAA Tournament, and now they both stand one game away from an opportunity of playing for a National Championship Trophy. Simply put, Virginia Commonwealth University Rams vs Butler University Bulldogs, Who Makes it to the National Championship Game?

adam adaszewski

Since going 13-1 and winning the Sugar Bowl in 2009, the Florida Gators have fallen off the national radar in college football. In 2010, the Gators were 8-5 under Coach Urban Meyer. Coach Meyer retired in the off-season and Florida hired Will Muschamp to replace him.

Brian Johnson

Honoring the Little Sisters of the Poor Sacred Heart Home in Toledo on its 125th anniversary just wouldn't seem right without ... E. Gordon Gee?

Seven months after the Ohio State University president admittedly stuck his foot in his mouth by using a "Little Sisters of the Poor" reference to dismiss some small-conference football programs, Gee smiled today as he stood beside Mother Cecilia Mary Sartorius in the Ohio House chamber.

"I had no idea the Little Sisters didn't have a football team," Gee joked. "I do now, as a matter of fact, as the single-largest fundraiser for the Little Sisters of the Poor since my comment."

Gee attracted a swarm of national criticism in November when he responded to a question about whether schools such as Texas Christian or Boise State should play in the national-championship game if they were undefeated.

After first saying he didn't "know enough about the X's and O's of college football," he went on to say that teams in the Southeastern Conference or Big Ten play a "murderers' row" of opponents, and that "we do not play the Little Sisters of the Poor."

Rep. Matt Szollosi, D-Oregon, who presented Sartorius with a resolution honoring 125 years of service to the elderly poor, said, "I sent President Gee a note that I actually agreed with him on the scheduling, but certainly let him know that Mother Cecilia, who is here with us today, is a pretty intense competitor herself."

More than a week after his "Little Sisters" comment, Gee backtracked and admitted, "I need to keep my mouth closed."

"What do I know about college football? I look like Orville Redenbacher. I have no business talking about college football," he said at the time.

Today, Gee said he has come to understand the work of the Little Sisters and values it deeply. On Aug. 17, he is to visit the Little Sisters house "on a work-release program." Ohio State also will hold a fundraising day for the Little Sisters on Sept.10 when the Buckeyes play Toledo.

"We won't work him too hard when he comes to the home," Mother Cecilia said.

As they left the dais, Speaker William G. Batchelder joked: "I think I can see a new hymn coming: What a friend we have in Gordon."

jsiegel@dispatch.com

Jeff Evans

Honoring the Little Sisters of the Poor Sacred Heart Home in Toledo on its 125th anniversary just wouldn't seem right without ... E. Gordon Gee?

Seven months after the Ohio State University president admittedly stuck his foot in his mouth by using a "Little Sisters of the Poor" reference to dismiss some small-conference football programs, Gee smiled yesterday as he stood beside Mother Cecilia Mary Sartorius in the Ohio House chamber.

"I had no idea the Little Sisters didn't have a football team," Gee joked. "I do now, as a matter of fact, as the single-largest fundraiser for the Little Sisters of the Poor since my comment."

Gee attracted a swarm of national criticism in November when he responded to a question about whether schools such as Texas Christian or Boise State should play in the national-championship game if they were undefeated.

After first saying he didn't "know enough about the X's and O's of college football," he went on to say that teams in the Southeastern Conference or Big Ten play a "murderers' row" of opponents, and that "we do not play the Little Sisters of the Poor."

Rep. Matt Szollosi, D-Oregon, who presented Sartorius with a resolution honoring 125 years of service to the elderly poor, said, "I sent President Gee a note that I actually agreed with him on the scheduling, but certainly let him know that Mother Cecilia, who is here with us today, is a pretty intense competitor herself."

More than a week after his "Little Sisters" comment, Gee backtracked and admitted, "I need to keep my mouth closed."

"What do I know about college football? I look like Orville Redenbacher. I have no business talking about college football," he said at the time.

Yesterday, Gee said he has come to understand the work of the Little Sisters and values it deeply. On Aug. 17, he is to visit the Little Sisters house "on a work-release program." Ohio State also will hold a fundraising day for the Little Sisters on Sept.10 when the Buckeyes play Toledo.

"We won't work him too hard when he comes to the home," Mother Cecilia said.

As they left the dais, Speaker William G. Batchelder joked: "I think I can see a new hymn coming: What a friend we have in Gordon."

jsiegel@dispatch.com

Jeff Evans

Steve Sarkisian's University of Washington Huskies football program is about to take off. Although the Huskies record has only been 5-7 in 2009 and then 7-6 in 2010, Sarkisian has been putting in place a successful program for years to come.

According to Rivals.com, the Washington Huskies had the 28th-best recruiting class in the country in 2010, Sarkisian's first year as a head coach, and this past offseason the 23rd-best recruits in the nation.

With the continued success of recruiting, the Huskies will eventually start to compete for a national championship. However, winning your conference does not guarantee you an opportunity to play for the national title.

Playing tough non-conference games and winning them is required if you expect to be considered one of the best two schools in the country and then be selected to play in the BCS National Championship Game.

Here are some non-conference schools that the Washington Huskies would benefit from playing.

Begin Slideshow

Jeff Evans

June 27, 2011

ATHENS, Ga. --- The University of Georgia Athletic Association is aware of the recent matters involving Bulldog football player Jarvis Jones and basketball signee Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, according to Director of Athletics Greg McGarity.

McGarity said his staff has contacted both the Southeastern Conference and the NCAA. The UGAAA and the student-athletes will work cooperatively with both entities as the process continues.

No further comments will be available until the matter is resolved.

Jeff Evans

Since Lebron James made his announcement to play for the Miami Heat, that is all the press covered. "The Big Three", James, Bosh, and Wade. Some said the Eastern Conference would now belong to the Miami Heat and not The returning Eastern Conference Champions, the Boston Celtics.

However, through 9 games, the Celtics are 7-2 and the Heat are 5-4. Twice they have faced, and both times the Celtics beat the Heat.

Those that jumped to conclusion that an unproven team like the Heat would control the Eastern Conference were wrong. You have to dethrone the Champ before you become the team to beat.

The Eastern Conference still runs through Boston! Am I right? If you disagree tell me what team and why they're the team to beat in the Eastern Conference?

Stephen James

Last December, Urban Meyer resigned from Florida, this time for good, the victim of apparent burnout.

On Memorial Day, the Ohio State scandal finally pierced Jim Tressel. He was forced to resign.

All national championship coaches. All seemingly made men. Yet uneasy lie the heads who have worn the crown.

“I think the business of college sports has been tough for a long time,” said Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione.

Joe C. is lucky. No, not lucky. Castiglione made his own luck. He hired Bob Stoops in December 1998. Castiglione still has his football coach. Still has his national-title winning coach.

Only six coaches remain at schools where they have won titles: Stoops, Texas' Mack Brown, Penn State's ageless Joe Paterno and three Southeastern Conference coaches who have won in the last four years: Auburn's Gene Chizik, Alabama's Nick Saban and LSU's Les Miles.

Only seven current major-college coaches were hired for their post in the 1900s: Stoops, Brown, Iowa's Kirk Ferentz (1999), Fresno State's Pat Hill (1997), Troy's Larry Blakeney (1991), Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer (1987) and Paterno (1966).

College football coaching provides power, fame and untold riches. It also will spit you up and chew you out.

“I don't know what to say about that,” Stoops said when asked about the demise of some of his championship colleagues. “Other than I think it's fair to say, how difficult it is to manage everything that comes our way.

“To manage it the right way, to manage it successfully, to manage it whatever way you want to put it.”

Coaches have to win at a high level, or they're out the door, as elite coaches like Phil Fulmer, Larry Coker and Tommy Tuberville learned. Plus, coaches must stay one step ahead of scandal that can descend like locusts. Cast out the plague quickly, or at least don't cover it up. Such failures eventually cost Carroll and Tressel.

“It's just become more and more challenging,” Castiglione said. “The idea that this is a tough business is correct. Becoming more difficult all the time. It's a challenge for all involved. It's really tough right now.”

More parity among teams. More scrutiny, with the Internet and social networking providing a labyrinth of information that can derail a program. More outside influences as the money associated with college and pro football grows and grows.

“It's hard,” Stoops said of running a program. “And there are a lot of obstacles in your way to have success, to manage it appropriately, to keep it going.”

Stoops has kept it going. Seven Big 12 championships in 12 years. One NCAA rules skirmish, which was dealt with promptly (Rhett Bomar) and looking back was but a blip on Sooner radar.

Stoops stands now with Saban as college football's most successful coaches. Two years ago, they comprised a top five along with Tressel, Meyer and Carroll.

Now only Stoops and Saban are left.

“Any individual, each may have their own story, their own approach that leads to longevity,” Castiglione said. “I can't think of anybody I know gets caught up in assuming too much. As much as trying to have longevity, doing the right thing, we know we're in a very volatile business.”

Nothing is assured this side of Penn State's Happy Valley. Slumps and scandal can come. Coaches grow restless. Fan bases do the same. Breaking up is hard to do but not impossible.

No assurances that Stoops will be at the Sooner helm another dozen years. But he's there now, standing atop his profession.

Berry Tramel: Berry can be reached at (405) 760-8080 or at btramel@opubco.com. He can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can also view his personality page at newsok.com/berrytramel.

Jeff Evans

OMAHA, Neb. — Florida and South Carolina don’t immediately come to mind when you’re talking about Southeastern Conference rivalries - unless it’s baseball.

The Gators (53-17) and defending national champion Gamecocks (53-14) play their biggest series to date when they meet in the College World Series finals beginning Monday.

Last year, the Gators traveled to Columbia, S.C., the final weekend of the regular season and won two of three to edge out the Gamecocks for the SEC title.

“But they got the last laugh,” said Florida catcher and SEC player of the year Mike Zunino. “They got to hold the national championship trophy up.”

Three months ago, South Carolina went to Florida and won two of three, and the teams ended up in a three-way tie with Vanderbilt for the best record in the league.

Yes, anticipation for this championship series has been brewing for a while.

“You know, if all you guys went away and there were no fans and we were on the back sandlot, I’m not sure it would be any different,” Gamecocks coach Ray Tanner said Sunday. “I think they love to play. We love to play. Yeah, there’s a lot more at stake now than there ever was before. But it’s really genuine baseball. Let’s go.”

Florida will start sophomore Hudson Randall (11-3) against freshman Forrest Koumas (6-1) in Game 1. The Gators will send out freshman Karsten Whitson (8-0) for Game 2.

Tanner said he doesn’t know who will pitch the second game. It’s possible Michael Roth, who threw 90 pitches in seven innings against Virginia on Friday, will be back on three days’ rest.

“My guess is that he’ll want to pitch,” Tanner said. “If it’s a situation where we feel like Michael gives us the best opportunity, we’ll run him back out there.”

Before coach Kevin O'Sullivan’s arrival four years ago, the Gators had failed to make the NCAA tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time in 20 years.

O'Sullivan said Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley wanted a program that would be competitive year in and year out. O'Sullivan said a team has to get lots of breaks to be in position to play for a national title.

“It was all about consistency and being one of the elite programs in the country,” he said. “I’ve never put a timetable on it. This league is too difficult. I think if you get too far ahead of yourself and look too far ahead, then you’ll find yourself in some trouble.”

Zunino, Randall, shortstop Nolan Fontana and third baseman Cody Dent were among the freshmen on the 2010 team that reached the College World Series for the first time since 2005.

Preston Tucker, who has a home run and team-leading six RBI in the College World Series, said last year’s 0-2 finish in Omaha left him and his teammates hungry for more.

Story Continues →

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Jeff Evans