Each week I talk about the world of sports:
• Look for drama galore when Alabama meets the Gators in the SEC Championship game. Nick Saban vs. Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram (if he can go despite a hip injury) vs. Tim Tebow! My pick is: Gators 24, Bama 21! Tebow will not be denied as he will lead the Gators to the SEC and national titles. Mark it down, it will be three times in four years -- WOW! If you would like an interesting debate, think about this: Who is the greatest coach in Gator history, Steve Spurrier or Meyer?
• Congrats to Roy Williams on his 600th win -- he has No. 1 winning percentage in college basketball. That 600th did not come easily as the Tar Heels got past a tough Nevada team, 80-73.
• Also earning congrats is Connecticut women's coach Geno Auriemma on his 700th career win (it came when his team beat Hofstra). Auriemma has proven himself as one of the premier coaches in the sport of women's basketball. His team is a power with Maya Moore and Tina Charles leading the way. He has meant so much to women's hoops and he will lead the USA team in the next Olympics. He has made Connecticut a power in women's college hoops. I am looking forward to calling their game against Notre Dame in January.
• Notre Dame's Charlie Weis's career ends on a sad note -- a 6-6 record with offensive stars Jimmy Clausen, Golden Tate and Michael Floyd. The problem was zero DEFENSE! It hurts watching a coach like Weis going down. I know as I received the ziggy when I was coaching the Detroit Pistons. It is a miserable feeling! The most likely choice for the next Irish coach is Brian Kelly of Cincinnati, though the school would hit a home run if it signed Bill Cowher.
• Stanford running back Toby Gerhart of Stanford must be one of the five finalists for the Heisman; if not, there should be n investigation! He was so impressive in rushing for 205 yards in a win over Notre Dame. Gerhart even threw a touchdown pass in the victory, showing his versatility.
• What an incredible turnaround for Vince Young and the Tennessee Titans. After an 0-6 start, Jeff Fisher's team has won five straight games. Young has been one key reason for the about face as he threw for 387 yards, including the game-winning score against Arizona on Sunday. At this rate, the Titans could push for a playoff berth.
• Sorry to see Lawrence Frank get the ziggy as Nets coach. Come on, did he really have a chance to win this season? This is a franchise looking ahead to next season, trying to make room for potential free agents. I feel bad for Frank, who had success earlier in his coaching career with the team; he had no shot to succeed this season. You could put the best coaches of all-time there and they could not win with that roster!
• Lon Kruger keeps rolling at UNLV as they stopped Rick Pitino's Louisville Cards. Kruger has revitalized hoops on the Strip. The Runnin' Rebels will be making noise in the Mountain West. By the way, great story Great story as Pitino shocked Cards media boss with a new Lexus 4 his 50th birthday! Wow, how generous as Santa came early!
• I spoke to Connecticut athletic director Jeff Hathaway and coach Jim Calhoun. Both dispelled rumors of any contract issues and the school is very close to signing Calhoun to a long term deal! Don't be surprised if there is announcement before Christmas. Calhoun has been a Frank Lloyd Wright, building the Huskies into a champion.
• I will be at the Dean Dome on Tuesday for Michigan State-North Carolina and Saturday at Cameron for improved St. John's at Duke. My friends, it doesn't get better than that!