SI.COM'S STEWART MANDEL THINKS NOTRE DAME IS GOING TO BE GOOD...WAIT...AM I DRUNK, DID I READ THIS RIGHT?

Sports Illustrated's lead college football writer Stewart Mandel has never been a big fan of Notre Dame. Generally when he gets the chance to throw a couple of jabs at the program he will take off the gloves and wail away. But today he posted an article that actually praises the direction the program is headed with head coach Brian Kelly and the recruiting efforts. Color me smitten!

The words have been uttered countless times over the past two decades, and each time they've proven premature. They elicit hope from a fan base desperate to reclaim its now-distant glory and groans from every other fan base in the country.

So brace yourself, because you're going to be hearing them again and again over the next 12 months.

Notre Dame is coming back.

Really.

He points out the resurgence was led by a Notre Dame defense that only gave up four offensive touchdowns in the final 5 games and the scoring defense improved from 63rd in 2009 to top 25 in 2010 (23rd) despite playing the second hardest schedule in the nation. With five star elite defensive recruits such as Aaron Lynch, Ishaq Williams, and Stephon Tuitt along with a bevy of other talented recruits on the defensive side of the ball coming to South Bend this year it looks like the Fighting Irish will actually have a top 10 defense. Notre Dame has 9 defensive starters back but players with the skill and speed of Lynch, Ishaq, and Tuitt will make instant impacts their freshmen season.

What Notre Dame accomplished at the end of the season was nothing short of remarkable. After starting off the season losing nail biters to Michigan and Michigan State and then getting completely blown out by Stanford and Navy followed by another questionable loss to Tulsa (Kelly's biggest snafu so far as a coach not kicking the field goal) and with season ending injuries to the starting QB, tailback, tight end, and defensive tackle a lot of teams especially Notre Dame in the past would have cowered and run home with their tails tucked between their legs. A Charlie Weis led team certainly would have. But Kelly's Notre Dame didn't. They came back and they actually lived up to the "fighting" in their name. They beat the piss out of top 15 Utah at home. They crushed Army in Yankee Stadium. They finally got the USC monkey off their back and won for the first time in the storied rivalry since Bob Davie was roaming the sidelines. And then to finish it all off they beat the living shit out of Da U Miami in El Paso. All of this with a true freshman QB in Tommy Rees.

Notre Dame is going in the right direction no doubt. While I don't need Mandel's praise to make it feel legit I can say it's nice to get something positive written about the program for a change from a national media member. The "Fighting" Irish are back. It's going to be fun to listen to all the haters come out now. The program has followed the lead of Kelly and the staff. They won't take no for an answer on the recruiting front and they most certainly won't back down on the football field. Let's just say Notre Dame is ready to get back to where they should have never left: a college football powerhouse.

MARK RICHT NEEDS TO CUT WASHAUN EALEY

We all know that SEC football is minor league football and with the exception of Vanderbilt going to classes is generally frowned upon if you play big boy football. With that being said it's time for Georgia head coach Mark Richt to stop with the nice guy routine and also stop hiding behind the Christian values umbrella he has surrounded himself with and flat out cut Washaun Ealey.

Right now Ealey is only suspended without pay.

ATHENS — Tailback Washaun Ealey’s future in the Georgia football program appears uncertain.

UGA said today that Ealey remains on the team but would not address accounts that he has been suspended indefinitely from the Bulldogs’ off-season activities.

“I can confirm that Washaun Ealey is still here and still on the team,” Georgia senior associate athletic director Claude Felton said in an e-mail. “That’s all the details I can provide.”


Ealey’s suspension is believed to stem from failing to show up for a disciplinary run last week.

Even before this issue, Georgia coach Mark Richt had raised the possibility of Isaiah Crowell — the prized running back signed last week — starting the season opener against Boise State in the Georgia Dome. Richt also has said that Ken Malcome, who was redshirted as a freshman last season, will contend for playing time at tailback.

There have been intermittent rumors since December that Ealey would consider transferring; he has previously denied that.

This is not Ealey’s first brush with trouble on the Georgia team. He was suspended from last season’s opening game because of an arrest for hit-and-run of a parked vehicle and driving with a suspended license. Richt was particularly upset about that incident because Ealey had assured coaches he would not drive while his license was suspended.

The Georgia football program and coach Richt are on a short leash. UGA football has been subpar the past two seasons and numerous players have either been arrested or suspended. Now it's time for Richt to send a clear message to the rest of the team and kick Ealey out of school. Ealey has clearly broken team and school rules multiple times. He has been given numerous chances to make up for mistakes. College kids will fuck up every once in a while but when you keep giving them second, third, fourth and fifth chances they don't necessarily learn from those mistakes. It has become a habit in Athens for players like Ealey to bend the rules or ignore them all together. The fact that he didn't even bother showing up for a mandatory disciplinary run last week means he doesn't want to follow the rules of Richt and has little to zero respect for the head coach. This has to change immediately.

Cut Ealey. Take his car back and all the cash and women you provided and get his ass out of Athens before he fucks up the program even further.

Signed,

Bulldawg Nation

DESEAN JACKSON IS A GOOD GUY

I got a little dust in my eye watching this. Just like when Ray played catch with his dad in "Field of Dreams" I could have sworn someone was cutting onions in the room because my eyes got a little irritated. It's great to see a star football player like DeSean Jackson making a difference in the community and showing a little heart. In case you were wondering his teammate Michael Vick couldn't make it. Apparently he had money on the bullies.

Things are getting "Friend"ly at UGA

UGA officially hired Offensive Line Coach Will Friend from UAB. Can't say it much better than Watts Dantzler on Twitter, "Talked with new OL coach tonight! Great guy. Knew Richt would have a great hire! Can't wait till June 6! #godawgs #WD".

For more info on the "Friend"ly hire, check out the info from Seth Emerson's Bulldogs Blog below.

It's official: Will Friend has replaced Stacy Searels as Georgia's offensive line coach.

Here's a statement from head coach Mark Richt:

"Will has played and coached under some outstanding, nationally-recognized offensive coaches. He comes with a formidable resume of offensive football knowledge and experience. I got to see first hand his work ethic when he was a graduate assistant on our staff and since that time he's developed into a seasoned, top notch offensive line coach."

And here's a statement from Friend (whom you can read about in the previous blog post):

"I'm extremely excited about the opportunity to be the offensive line coach at Georgia. To have the chance to work with one of the top football programs in the country and with Coach Richt and the staff there is a tremendous opportunity for me. When I worked with Coach Richt and the staff as a grad assistant, I had a great experience and I always wondered if I might have the opportunity to come back to Athens. I am looking forward to getting to work."

UGA says Friend's title is just offensive line coach, so he apparently will not have the title of running game coordinator, as Searels did.

Further, check out the following stats regarding UAB's offensive line under Will Friend as quoted from Tim Tucker's UGA Sports Blog on the AJC.

Of the 120 FBS (formerly Division I-A) teams, UAB last season ranked 15th in fewest sacks allowed (12), 30th in total offense (423 yards per game), 24th in passing offense (267 yards per game) and 59th in rushing offense (156 yards per game).

Don't forget you can follow me @twitter.com/mcpeterj for all the latest info I have... that I'm allowed to share of course!

TONIGHT'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL PICKS

PItt(Pick Em) over West Virginia
The Panthers bring a 9-1 Big East record into Morgantown against their arch rivals. They call this backyard brawl. I just think it will be a good Big East game that will come down to the wire. I like Pitt here. They have a legitimate shot of winning the Big East and should come in focused tonight. I see Ashton Gibbs putting up 25 tonight.

Mizzou at Kansas (-11)
Pretty simple here. Kansas is the superior team. They are at home and this is suppose to be a rivalry game. Last year KU blew out Mizzou twice by double digits. I think Kansas is an even better all around team this season. The Morris twins will dominate in the paint and Kansas will cover the 11.

FOR THE HELL OF IT: BROOKLYN DECKER

JACKIE CHILES KNOWS TIGER WOODS

Jackie Chiles Knows Tiger Woods from Jackie Chiles

"If the glove don't fit you must acquit!"

THE WORST SUPER BOWL COMMERCIAL: CHICK-FIL-GAY

Chick-Fil-Gay - watch more funny videos

It's awful enough that Chick-Fil-A isn't open on Sundays because of some Christian value but now they are running commercials saying happy people are gross? I love happy people and also find the Spicy Chicken Sandwich delicious. Can't we all just get along?

WEATHERMAN LIKES TO GRAB HOT COCK

I think he is a Glee fan.

EGYPT HAS FRIENDLY DRIVERS

Brings back memories of driving down in Miami. I guess as long as you honk your horn you can pretty much drive over anybody you choose. In Egypt the police vans act like it's Tokyo Drift and just run over pro-democracy protesters. Just watching this video makes me appreciate living here and not there.

BEN ROETHLISBERGER COMIC

Click on the comic image to enlarge.

Image via Ebaum's World

THIS SKETCHERS KIM KARDASHIAN COMMERCIAL WAS CONSIDERED CONTROVERSIAL?

I thought overall the Super Bowl commercials were lame. Some of the beer ones were good and I like the Volkswagon one with the kid playing Darth Vader but the other car commercials were terrible. Please stop with the Detroit made, you gotta buy American blah blah propaganda bull shit. Build something nice, affordable, and doesn't break down at 100,000 miles and I will start buying it. Honestly I have no right to knock American cars since I drive a Dodge Durango and before that I was a Jeep guy. I guess I'm a sucker when it comes to American built. On to the original subject at hand and that is Kim Kardashian's ass. Ok her Sketchers commercial. This was suppose to be controversial? So what if the guy is trying to pile drive her. Who wouldn't? Have we swung into the dark ages where you can't show some skin without people flipping out? Are we going to start cutting off cocks and sewing together 'ginas all because there might be a little sex involved with selling a product? Sex sells! Personally I was hoping to see the Kim K-Ray Jay video and then at the very end they could have superimposed some Sketchers on his cock or something. Now that would have been controversial.

PACKERS WIN SUPER BOWL XLV

Congratulations go out to Cheesehead Nation with the Green Bay Packers winning their 4th Super Bowl. I got my preseason prediction right with the Packers winning (got 8-to-1 odds at the time) so I won a little money. Unfortunately yesterday I picked the Steelers to win so I lost some money too. I should have stuck with the hot team. Oh well. You live and learn. I think a solid argument can be made for Aaron Rodgers being the best NFL quarterback in the game. I know Tom Brady swept the MVP votes by garnering all 50 and Peyton Manning and Drew Brees are great quarterbacks in their own right but if I had to pick one to be the face and leader of my franchise I would have to go with Rodgers.

Now with the NFL over hopefully they can get this collective bargaining agreement hammered out. No 18 game schedule owners. It's fucking dumb and irresponsible. No rookie salary cap either. The owners already make a shitload of money so stop being greedy and pay the players what they deserve. Usually I don't side with the player's union but in this case I'm all in for them.

SUPER BOWL PREDICTION

The long wait is finally over. You got Black n Yellow vs. Green n Yellow. Big Ben vs. Aaron Rodgers. Two storied franchises battling it out for NFL supremacy. Pittsburgh vs. Green Bay in the comfortable confines of the Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

I've been going back and forth on this game. Both of these teams are evenly matched so it's hard to pick a definitive winner. I like the Packers offense with Rodgers running the show but I also love the Steelers defense with Troy knocking out receivers. In a close game I got to favor the better defense. Rapelisberger always comes through in big games like this. I'm taking Pittsburgh with a last minute drive.


Line: Green Bay (-2.5)
Prediction: Pittsburgh 24 Green Bay 21
MVP: Roethlisberger

John Jenkins picks between UF and UGA

Check out the live streaming press conference of John Jenkins picking between the Gaytors and UGA here @ Scout.com.

UPDATE: The massive defensive tackle has picked UGA. He will start immediately at nose tackle in Georgia's base 3-4 defense. Jenkins is the most important recruit for Mark Richt and his staff and his impact will be tremendous.

THE NFL AND DALLAS COWBOYS STADIUM CRITICALLY INJURE A FAN

The NFL is a cold, heartless bitch who will not even let you mention the words "Super" and "Bowl" together without throwing a lawsuit your way. It should come as no surprise that today a fan was seriously injured from falling ice from the Dallas Cowboys Stadium. And Commissioner Roger Goodell insists on Atlanta getting a new stadium before it will ever get another Super Bowl. At least we don't critically injure people with ice in Atlanta. Sure we may rob you and not sell you alcohol on Sunday but we will never try to kill you.

ARLINGTON, Texas — A Super Bowl safety committee official says five people have been injured by falling ice at Cowboys Stadium.

Valdez says one person has been critically injured and taken to the hospital. He didn't immediately know about the others.

He says he could not say why those injured were at the stadium.

Goodell and the NFL owners insisted the fan get up and pay for the ice before going to the hospital. It was licensed ice.

CHEERLEADER TRUST FAIL

What could possibly go wrong with two flamboyant boys with lisps catching a cheerleader from the second floor?

Twitter

What's up CrackHeadz? Follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/mcpeterj for the latest... just sayin...

MY EARLY PRESEASON COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP 10

With signing day over and with just a few remaining top prospects still yet to announce (Clowney in particular) I figured I would give you a top 10 preseason/post National Signing day poll.

Here is my early list. Expect a lot to change from now and August when injuries, transfers, coaching changes, arrests, prostitution, and grand theft all could throw a monkey wrench into the order. But enough about USC football, let's take a look at the rest of the nation.

1. LSU TIGERS-Yes I know they got one of the biggest dipshits for a head coach but they also have the most talent of any team in the nation. When the Tigers are dominating the rest of the SEC it is because they have the best, most physical linemen on both sides of the ball. I see them running the ball at will and stopping the run despite the loss of some key players such as DT Drake Nevis and CB Patrick Peterson. They open the season with Oregon at Cowboys Stadium. Whoever wins the game will be in the BCS Title game.

2. Oklahoma Sooners-The Sooners return QB Landry Jones, WR Ryan Broyles, and 29 other players who have at least started one game while in Norman. This will probably be Bob Stoops best team at least on paper. The only team I see knocking them off in conference play is Okie State and they do play the Semenholes in Tallahassee on Sept. 17th. Win those two games and I think they go undefeated.

3. Oregon Ducks-The Ducks will benefit from playing in a rather weak conference. The Pac-12 isn't the same when USC is obviously down and UCLA blows. Even their homestate rival Beavers are nothing to shout about. The Ducks have QB Darron Thomas and LaMichael James back on offense so they will put up a ton of points. Lookout for freshman DeAnthony Thomas too. He looks like a special player and they got him out of the Trojan's backyard. The key for the Ducks is to keep the momentum from last season and replace three starters on the offensive line. If they can plug in guys and beat LSU to open the season then they have a solid shot of playing for another BCS Championship.

4. Boise State Broncos-The Smurfs should have been undefeated last season if they didn't have Finkle as a kicker. This team is legit so please stop arguing with me. They can beat the big boys and with QB and leading Heisman contender Kellen Moore back they will probably lay a hurting on Georgia in Atlanta to start off the season. They joined the Mountain West Conference so they will be hosting TCU this season. If they can beat the Horned Frogs they have a great shot of going undefeated. Deal with it BCS dickheads.

5. Stanford Cardinal-They have the best QB in the nation in Andrew Luck back. They have key starters back on defense even with having to replace 7 of them. The problem is they have no Jim Harbaugh who is now with the 49ers. Can they keep the momentum from a 12-1 season with a new coach? Honestly I'm not sure. But with Luck I think anything is possible and former offensive coordinator David Shaw is the new head coach so I don't think they have a huge adjustment going on in Palo Alto with philosophies. Stanford also plays their two toughest games at home with Oregon and Notre Dame both visiting.

6. Arkansas Razorbacks-Call me crazy but I think Arkansas could be a sleeper SEC Championship team next year. They play in the toughest division in the SEC West and they must replace Ryan Mallett but I think Tyler Wilson has the ability to step in and replace him. I'm a big fan of their running game with Knile Davis and their defense should be a lot better than last season. People tend to forget they went to the Sugar Bowl and not Bama or LSU or Florida. Bobby the Snake will have this team playing incredible football.

7. Oklahoma State Cowboys-I'm still in shock WR Justin Blackmon came back. With Blackmon and QB Brandon Weeden returning the Cowboys just need to find a replacement for Kendall Hunter and they shouldn't have a problem scoring. Incoming freshman Herschel Sims could be that guy and look for him to make an immediate impact at the tailback position. They get the Sooners at home but make no mistake they are going to have to put up 40 points minimum a game to stay in the top 10 next year. Their defense is suspect.

8. Ohio State Buckeyes-The Buckeyes are without a doubt the best team in the Big Ten in 2011. Wisconsin and Michigan State should take steps back and even with the 5 starters suspended for the first 5 games including QB Terrelle Pryor they should be able to weather a weak front end schedule. The key for the Buckeyes is finding replacements for all their linebackers who are gone and Cameron Heyward on the d-line. I think incoming freshman Curtis Grant could make a huge impact at ILB. Just stay away from the tattoo parlors kid.

9. Alabama Crimson Tide-I still don't know how in the hell they lost 3 games last season with the talent they had coming back. They completely blew the Auburn game. But that was last year and you know Nick Saban will have them hungry come fall. They gotta find a QB to replace Greg McElroy. McElroy wasn't the greatest but he was efficient and wouldn't lose the game for Bama. Either Phillip Sims or AJ McCarron will be the starter. You lose Mark Ingram and Julio Jones but I think Bama has the depth to not lose much with Trent Richardson due for a breakout season at tailback and Julio in my mind was always overrated. The Bama defense will be one of the best in the nation with All-American LB Dont'a Hightower back along with safety Mark Barron. I will probably move up Bama before my final preseason poll comes out but right now they sit 3rd in the SEC West. Amazing.

10. TCU Horned Frogs-TCU will be playing their last season in the Mountain West before leaving to the Big East in 2012. The defending Rose Bowl Champs have to replace QB Andy Dalton but it won't matter since it has always been their perennial top 5 defense that wins them games. If they can beat Boise State on the Smurf Turf then we might see coach Gary Patterson's Horned Frogs back in another BCS game trying to finish yet another undefeated season.

Just missed the cut:

Florida State Seminoles-The ACC blows so it wouldn't be a shock to see them win it in 2011. If they beat Oklahoma (a big if) at home then they will shoot up to top 5 in the rankings.

South Carolina Gamecocks-They looked like shit at the end the season vs. Auburn and FSU but they got everybody coming back including star RB Marcus Lattimore and WR Alshon Jeffery.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish-Virtually every starter comes back for a team who might have been the hottest the last third of the season. They got to settle on a QB (Dayne Crist back from another major knee injury) and find ways to get the ball into their playmakers hands (Michael Floyd, Theo Riddick, and Cierre Wood) but what will make them a legit top 10 team and BCS contender is their defense. Don't be surprised if ND has a top 10 defense next year with LB Manti Te'o leading the charge.

Auburn Tigers-The defending BCS Champs lost the two best players at their respective positions in the nation in Heisman winner Cam Newton and DT Nick Fairley. Those guys can't simply be replaced and expect the same results for Auburn next season. Auburn does have a top 5 class coming in and expect big things from them in 2012. Not so much in 2011 though.

My UGA Sleeper Recruit: Isaiah Crowell...

Just kidding...
In case you do want to see this kid's highlights on you tube though...


In all honestly, Nick Marshall has to be the most underrated player UGA signed this year. The kid threw for 2,791 yards, 41 touchdowns, 15 interceptions and ran for another 684 yards and 9 touchdowns and the kid signed as a DB. He also runs a legit 4.46 40. To top that off, he is a highly rated point guard who will also play basketball for the Dawgs. Check out the Nick Marshall recruiting video as provided by ESPN here.