Greg Cote's Random Evidence of a Cluttered Blog

War! UM vs. NCAA. Shalala vs. Emmert. Poll. Vote!; plus Heat make trade, FAU and prisons, Dolphins, Marlins, Lena Dunham, Ron Fraser & more

[1) It is THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21. My latest guilty pleasure is the HBO series 'Girls' and its star, Lena Dunham (pictured). The show is what we used to call a chick-flick and Lena is few guys' idea of classic-sexy, but I find both very appealing. 2) Giancarlo Stanton got beaned on the helmet by a fastball yesterday at spring training and walked away as if a marshmallow had hit him. That kid might be our biggest, strongest, most imposing pro athlete after LeBron James. 3) Thanks to ESPN for having us on Outside The Lines this week to discuss the UM/NCAA developments. 4) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): "Hurricane Donna" Shalala blasts NCAA, Canes win again, Lil Wayne's war on Heat, Fixing NBA All-Star Weekend, Dolphins, yelling goats. 5) Join us on Twitter @gregcote]

My new column: NCAA buffoonery casts UM as sympathetic victim: Click on headline to access. Column is online and in Thursday's inky pulp editions.  

"HURRICANE DONNA" TAKES GLOVES OFF VS. NCAA, BUT WHO'S RIGHT?: U-Miami president Donna Shalala said, "We have suffered enough," after a 2-year NCAA investigation in the Nevin Shapiro case that led to significant self-imposed penalties such as a two-year football postseason ban. She calls for no additional penalties and I agree, factoring in not only the self-imposed sanctions but the shady reputation of the accuser and the NCAA's own well-documented and major internal wrongdoing that tainted the investigation. These are extraordinary circumstances for which there is no template. But NCAA president Mark Emmert disagreed with Shalala and pushed forward with a Notice of Allegations that likely will result in yet-unknown additional sanctions. Who's right? I hestitated with this poll because I try not to post questions for which I think I know the answer. Then again, around 50 percent of our poll votes typically come from outside Florida; it isn't as if only Canes fans will be voting. There also is a fair argument on either side and some gray area. For example, though I agree with Shalala, I could see UM getting very minor added sanctions, perhaps. Anyway, cast your vote and say why you did.

HOT HEAT MAKE MINOR DEADLINE-DAY TRADE: Heat today traded reserve/D-League center Dexter Pittman and a 2013 second-round draft pick to Memphis for rights to center Ricky Sanchez, currently playing in Argentina. It's unlike Sanchez ever will play for Miami. Deal was done to open a roster spot for Heat to add a veteran big man, possibly Kenyon Martin. Meantime, the Heat played a home game in Atlanta last night based on what it sounded like, and Miami made it a season-best eight wins in a row, staying hot as play resumed after the break. LeBron James was held to only 24 points. The bum!

OWLCATRAZ: FAU ALIGNS WITH CONTROVERSIAL PRISON COMPANY: This might have been a feel- good story: FAU selling naming rights to its Owls football stadium to GEO Group, a locally based company that privately runs prisons. It begged humor. Call the stadium Owlcatraz. Call coach-emeritus Howard Schnellenberger "The Warden." Put the cheerleaders in vertical stripes and the mascot in a county-issue orange jumpsuit. Stuff like that. The problem is GEO Group is controversial for abuses and treatment at its prisons, spawning outrage such as is reflected in the cartoon pictured. I have doubts whether this deal will stand because of the objection to it. I have doubts whether a public university should align itself with a notorious company that has the attention of human-rights and immigration-rights groups.

DOLPHINS ON FREE AGENCY, DRAFT: On free-agency: GM Jeff Ireland from the NFL Combine in Indianapolis today said re-signing DT Randy Starks was a priority, leaving the impression the franchise tag might be considered for him. He said team wants RB Reggie Bush back but at the right price. Said they want OT Jake Long back too but implied that injury concerns limit the price they'll pay. On the draft: Our fly-on-the-wall Dolphins front-office source (who will not appreciate being referred to as a fly) tells us Miami likely will not draft a receiver at No. 12 because the plan is to re-sign Brian Hartline and hard-pursue Mike Wallace in free agency. Mel Kiper and others keep pushing Tennessee WR Cordarrelle Patterson but Dolphins consider him a project and want right-now impact. Offensive line is likelier with the top pick because the draft is very deep there and because chances of retaining Long are very iffy. Pass-rush help or a trade-down also are options being mulled.

ODDSMAKERS HAVE MARLINS SKIRTING 100-LOSS SEASON: Latest World Series odds via Bovada have Blue Jays the pick at 7-1, then Tigers 8-1, Dodgers and Nationals both 17-2 and Angels 9-1. Miami is 100-1, tied for next-to-last ahead of only the 200-1 Astros. Victory over/unders have Marlins at 63.5, a nice way of saying 98.5 losses. (Odds for upcoming World Baseball Classic have USA a 5-2 favorite, followed by Dominican Republic at 13-4 and Japan 7-2).

RON FRASER CELEBRATION OF LIFE: It'll be Saturday at the Knight Sports Complex on campus marking the great life of the former UM baseball coach who died last month at 79. The event is from 4-6 p.m. and free; doors open at 3. That night's 7 p.m. home baseball game vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee also will be in Ron's honor.

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G11: Hurricanes 40, USF 9 (Final): UM earns bowl-eligibility as Morris passes for 413 yards; plus FIU wins Shula Bowl, Noles 'n Gators roll & more

[It is SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18. Welcome to the Collball Week 12 post. 2) Want to rent Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill for a golf outing or bar mitzvah? Details in blogpost directly below this latest one. 3) Visit our video channel at YouTube/TheGregCote (under construction; new vids soon) and join us on Twitter @gregcote]

Canesfan Satisfaction Meter: Voting now underway!: Vote in the latest edition of the CSM in a separate post directly above this one.

G11: SOUTH FLORIDA @ HURRICANES: Final: Very, very impressive show by UM today on Senior Day. Now what? ..... Second half: It's 37-3 on Morris' 65-yard scoring pass to Clive Walford. Game over. ... UM now up 30-3 on Stephen Morris 87-yard TD pass to Herb Waters. ... Duke Johnson 8-yard TD run has UM in control, 22-3. ..... First half: Nervous lead for UM. Great opportunity for a late 23-0 lead was squandered. ..... Original post: The Canes are square at 5-5 following last week's 41-40 heartbreak loss in the final seconds at Virginia, and still seeking to become bowl-eligible today for a bowl game they may or may not play in. UM improbably still has a chance to play into the ACC championship game, too, although a self-imposed postseason ban could erase that as well. We'll see, and likely soon, if a win today forces UM president Donna Shalala to make a decision. Meantime Al Golden tries to keep the blinders on his team and the distractions off. Today's visitor: the inaptly named South Florida Bulls. (Dear Opponent: You're from Tampa. That is in the middle of the state toward the west side. You are in South Florida about like the Napa Valley is in Southern California. I'm guessing USF does not offer a degree in geography). The Bulls have disappointed at 3-6, and their offense suffered a huge loss with season-ending injury to QB B.J. Daniels. Also, their defense has allowed 30 or more points in five games. Do not expect a replay of last year's puntfest in Tampa, won by UM, 6-3. Should be an emotional, high-scoring and victorious Senior Day in UM's home finale. Hope a nice crowd shows, although that's always dicey. Either way: Canes bowl-eligibility, step right in! My pick was: Miami, 34-23.

U thiefs! That's Bull!: Notice that USF's logo is a stylized green bull inthe distinct shape of a 'U.' Also note that USF has had an ad campaign around the theme, "Can U feel it?" Hmm. Doesn't 'The U' reside in Coral Gables? Will the real U please stand up, please stand up...

Ban, not bowl: In a previous blogpost we asked if Miami should self-impose a postseason ban or not related to the ongoing NCAA investigation. Self-impose a ban had 54.9 percent, compared to 36.7% who want to play and 8.4% who are undecided.

Other Week 12 featured state FBS games (all Saturday except where noted):

FIU 34, FAU 24: Kleenex, please. Emotion getting me. It was the final Shula Bowl on Friday night up in Boca Right-on. These not-so-old rivals are soon to be ex-rivals as FIU prepares to leave the Sun Belt. Weird game featuring a long lightning delay left both squads with three wins. I expected better, Owls. My pick was: FAU, 27-23.

No. 10 FSU 41, Maryland 14: Jimbo's Noles were steaming to a spot in the ACC championship game and sure as heck weren't to be derailed here, against a Terrapins team down to its fifth quarterback, a converted linebacker. My pick was: FSU 42-7.

No. 6 Florida 23, Jacksonville State 0: Jax State (the other Gamecocks) were pretty good for their size but unable to run with (or pass with, or defend) the Gators. My pick was: Florida 38-0.

My record: This week, 3-1. Season, 39-14.

Other state FBS game: Tulsa d. UCF, 23-21.

National Game of Week: No. 13 Stanford d. No. 2 Oregon, 17-14. No. 1 Kansas State also lost meaning the inside track to the BCS Championship game now belongs to Notre Dame and -- oh no! -- Nick Saban's Alabama.

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Would you like to rent Ryan Tannehill for dinner or a bar mitzvah? Details here; plus NFL predix, FIU-FAU, anti-Marlins landslide, Heat Big 5@10 & more

[1) It is SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17. Find results of the latest Dolfan Satisfaction Meter -- a season low -- in blogpost directly below this latest one. 2) Visit our video channel at YouTube/TheGregCote (under construction; new vids coming soon) and join us on Twitter @gregcote]

RYAN TANNEHILL FOR RENT. NO, SERIOUSLY: Tiki Barber has founded a company called Thuzio, a forum through which fans can rent the time of athletes. Most are retired, many are obscure. But some are not. One name that jumped out at me was our boy Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins rookie starting quarterback. Mets ace R.A. Dickey might have been the only other current athlete as prominent. The cost is not cheap, fans. It will cost you $5,000 to enjoy a private lunch or dinner with Tannehill, for example, and 5K for him to attend your fantasy draft. The same amount gets you personalized instruction on how to be a pro QB (although I doubt that includes "how to not get passes tipped"). Bump it up to $7,500 and you get a round of golf with Ryan, or have him attend your kid's bar mitzvah. Mazel tov! Personally I think I'd prefer to rent some time with Ryan's wife, Lauren, but I'd never say that because it could be misconstrued. (This whole thing has shades of The Sage Rosenfels Experience, if anybody recalls that -- not that I'm saying Tiki stole an idea!) Click on Thuzio to explore this on your own. Woody Bennett will have dinner with you for only 250 bucks! This whole thing strikes me as sad, but I'm not sure which is sadder: That a Woody Bennett might need the extra cash ... or that a rookie QB who signed a multimillionaire contract might be involved. Tannehill also offers a "Custom Request." OK, then. How much do you figure we'd have to pay Ryan to quit throwing so many interceptions!?

NFL PREDIX: SORRY FOR BEING RIGHT ON DOLPHINS-BILLS: Yeah I hit the Thursday game. Sorry. Click on Week 11 Gems for all of my other latest NFL predictions, and Jets' Extreme Turbulence for my Friday Page NFL column on the season's silver lining for Dolfans verklempt over a three-game losing streak.

FIU VS. FAU FOR THE SHULA TROPHY: [Update: FIU wins, 34-24] Tonight FAU hosts FIU in the continuation of each team's disappointing seasons; they are 5-15 combined. They call this the Shula Bowl, although these Sun Belt teams' short-lived rivalry sort of dies out tonight considering FIU is leaving the Belt. I'd say a tradition was ending, if ever this had risen to the level of tradition. The least-disappointing of the two disappointing teams shall prevail. My pick: FAU, 27-23.

Poll result: Landslide negativity for Marlins' big trade: We asked in a previous blogpost if you supported or disapproved of the Marlins' big salary-dump trade, and disapproval was 82.6 percent.

HEAT BIG 5 @ 10: The blog loves bells 'n whistles especially of the nerdy-stat variety and so this season we started this new one we'll be running throughout Heat season at five-game intervals. It's a top-five cumulative ranking of the players having the biggest overall impact this season based on eight statistical categories. We continue with The Big 5 @ 10 Games (7-3):

Rank (@5)   Player   Total

1 (1)   LeBron James   362.9

2 (3)   Chris Bosh   259.2

3 (2)   Dwyane Wade   196.6

4 (5)   Ray Allen   179.9

5 (4)   Mario Chalmers   159.7

Bubble: Shane Battier, 118.2.

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G10: Virginia 41, Hurricanes 40 (Final): Last-second heartbreak for UM!; plus Gators, Owls, 'Bama loses & more

[It is SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11. Welcome to the Collball Week 11 post. 2) Visit our video channel at YouTube/TheGregCote (on hiatus; new vids soon) and join us on Twitter @gregcote]

Canesfan Satisfaction Meter: New poll today at 4:30 p.m.: Find the latest edition of the CSM in a separate post beginning today at 4:30 p.m. sharp!

G10: HURRICANES @ VIRGINIA: Final: UM falls to 5-5, is denied bowl-eligibility (for now) and sees its chances of reaching the ACC title game take a hit in a 41-40 heartbreak loss at Virginia. Stephen Morris with 3 touchdown passes, Duke Johnson with 150 yards rushing and a 95-yard kick-return score and Phillip Dorsett with 103 yards receiving -- and it still isn't enough. Canes pass defense scorched all day. The decision whether to self-impose another postseason ban still looms for UM, but it won't be relevant until Miami wins that sixth game. Bowl status and the ACC title game both remain in play for the Canes. ..... 2H: Canes give up fall-behind TD pass with six seconds left, lose 41-40. ... UM up 40-35 on safety after Virginia QB called for intentional grounding from end zone. ... Cavaliers within 38-35 with 5:33 to play. Oy! ... Stephen Morris to Phillip Dorsett TD for a 38-28 lead has UM on brink of bowl-eligibility. Very efficient day for Morris. ..... 1H: Duke Johnson has thrown an 8-yard touchdown pass, had a 52-yard run to set up another score, and returned a kickoff 95 yards for a TD to lead Miami's 24-21 lead. True freshman of the year in college football. ... Credit to Al Golden for suspending receiver Rashawn Scott and linebacker Eddie Johnson for violating team rules. That's a coach with backbone. ..... Original post: Virginia, despite a far inferior record, is a 1-point favorite at home today as the Canes try to become bowl-eligible ... and then hope the university allows them to participate in the postseason at all. Strange days. UM is angling to win the ACC Coastal Division for the first time and get into the conference championship game with no clue whether they'll be allowed to related to the NCAA investigation and the notion the school might self-impose a ban. All Al Golden's guys can do is win, and control what they can control. Like the Canes today. Cavaliers don't have an offense that scares you, and their D has given up 42-plus points in three losses. And UM has more at stake. My pick was: Miami, 24-20.

Poll result: Self-imposed postseason ban right choice for UM: I'm rarely surprised by results of any of or blog polls, but this susprised me. The vote for another self-imposed postseason ban  won with 54.9 percent, compared to 36.7% who want to play and 8.4% who are undecided.

Other Week 11 featured state FBS games (all Saturday):

No. 9 Florida State 28, Virginia Tech 22: Noles rallied Thursday night to escape with a win and keep alive strong chances of reaching the ACC title game. My pick was: FSU (via Pigskin Challenge).

No. 7 Florida 27, Louisiana-Lafayette 20: La-La is pretty good (for a Sun Belt team) but I gave them no shot in The Swamp. Well, Florida needed to score the final 14 points to escape. My pick was: Florida, 37-10.

FAU 37, Western Kentucky 28: Very nice road win for Owls, a 16 1/2-point underdog. That's three wins. Decent first season so far for new coach Carl Pelini. My pick was: WKU, 31-17.

My record: This week, 2-2. Season, 36-13.

Other state FBS games: UCF @ Texas-El Paso, 7 p.m. FIU and South Florida have byes.

National Game of Week: No. 15 Texas A&M d. No. 1-Alabama, 29-24. Turmoil in the BCS! 

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G9: Hurricanes 30, Virginia Tech 12: Big home win has UM in command to reach ACC title game; plus FIU, Gators & more [updated]

[1) It is THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1. Welcome to the Collball Week 10 post. 2) You may still vote in our Heat confidence poll or comment on new Marlins manager Mike Redmond in blogpost directly below this new one. 3) Visit our video channel at YouTube/TheGregCote (on hiatus; new vids soon) and join us on Twitter @gregcote]

Canesfan Satisfaction Meter: Voting now underway! Find the latest edition of the CSM in a separate post directly above this one and vote now.

G9: VIRGINIA TECH @ HURRICANES: [Click on Big Milepost On The Road To 'Back' for my column from last night's UM game]. Final: Big home win puts Miami in command to reach ACC title game. ..... 4Q: Miami up 30-12 and sealing it with 37-yard FG with three minutes left. ... UM with a now-safe 27-12 lead on Duke Johnson's 7-yard run set up by Phillip Dorsett's 20-yard halfback pass to QB Morris. ..... 3Q: Hokies miss 47-yard FG try. ... Luther Robinson fumble recovery for Miami inside Canes 5 saves team from potential tying score by Tech. Notably, Robinson was the player whose dad went on local radio to complain about his kid not playing enough. ..... 2Q: up 20-12 at halftime after 20-yard Va-Tech FG on last play of half. ... Miami now ahead 20-9 on 31-yard Wieclaw FG ... UM up 17-9 on 22-yard Jake Wieclaw FG set up by 65-yard run from Duke Johnson. ... Canes up 14-9 after 73-yard scoring run by Hokies QB Logan Thomas followed by missed kick. ..... 1Q: UM up 14-3 after Morris 19-yard TD pass to  Mike James set up by 81-yard kickoff return by Duke Johnson. ... UM lead now 7-3 after 22-yard Hokies FG. ... UM 7-0 on Stephen Morris to Allen Hurns 16-yard pass after blocked punt by Eddie Johnson. ..... Original post: I'll be down in prestigious Miami Gardens tonight columnizing off this, and, as a glass-half-full guy, I must say this is about as big and exciting as a game between two 4-4 teams can get. I'm serious. Va-Tech probably is UM's biggest ACC rival after Florida State, and the Canes improbably still steer their own destiny in terms of reaching the conference championship game. I say improbably because UM has lost three in a row, and slumping .500 teams don't generally enter November thinking any sort of championship game. I feel like Tech might be a slightly better team, although it too has stumbled after a 3-1 start. I also am not sure if the Canes enjoy any home-field boost to speak of. But I just have a feeling that Al Golden will have his guys fired up for a national prime-time stage. College football tips on emotion far more than the Sunday game, and this is a night where that comes into play. My pick was: Miami, 27-24.

Other Week 10 featured state FBS games (all Saturday):

No. 7 Florida 14, Missouri 7: UF dreams took a gut-punch in that Cocktail Party loss to Georgia, now the Gator boys were back in The Swamp to take out a little frustration. They barely did in a result that won't impress any poll voters outside of those from Missouri. My pick was: Florida 45-14.

FIU 28, South Alabama 20: Was this to be the day? Could it really happen? Might The Int'l finally claim that elusive second victory to slightly lift the face of a frowning season? I had little faith in the Mario Brothers but they sowed me something. My pick was: South Alabama, 24-20.

Navy 24, FAU 17: Spinning it positively, I did give the Owls a better chnace to win than if the city of Boca Raton was sending its best fleet up against the U.S. Navy. My pick was: Navy, 31-16.

Florida State has a bye.

My record: This week, 3-1. Season, 34-11.

Other state FBS games: South Florida d. Connecticut, 13-6; and UCF d. Southern Methodist, 42-17.

National Game of Week: No. 1-Alabama d. No. 5-LSU, 21-17. 

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Marlins add amateur nudist Redmond to manager merry-go-round; plus Heat confidence poll, my Halloween video, Tannehill, SOPY rank & more

[1) It is THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1. Did you have a happy Halloween? We're a mid-traffic neighborhood. Probably candied about 30 kids. 2) Enough with the Dwayne Bowe-to-Dolphins speculation and rumors! (Please?) 3) Visit our video channel atYouTube/TheGregCote (on hiatus; new vids coming soon) and join us on Twitter @gregcote]

Halloween video from me to you: Click HERE to watch. It stars me, new Heater Ray Allen, defrocked Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen, Dolphins coach Joe Philbin, and the sublime Lauren Tannehill. Enjoy!

MARLINS HIRE MIKE REDMOND AS MANAGER: Marlins interviewed three others including the ghost of Larry Bowa, who last managed in 2004 and turns 67 in December, but the clear frontrunner all along was Redmond, the former Marlins catcher. He has only Single-A experience as a manager but is praised as ready by those who know him. I like the hire. Redmond is perhaps best remembered during his Marlins years for once entering the batting cage nude -- wearing only spikes and batting gloves -- to help break a losing streak. That isn't legend; he admits it. And it worked. The season was 2003. The Marlins won the World Series.

OPENING NIGHT: RINGS ON, BANNER UP, HEAT BEATS CELTICS: [Update: Heat beat Celtics, 120-107, behind 29 from D-Wade, 26 from LeBron and 19 apiece from Ray Allen and Chris Bosh. Click on The Routine Of Excellence for my column from the game]. And the curtain lifts on Year 3 of the Big 3. The Heat NBA championship that was won in June and celebrated with a parade is celebrated anew onight as the 2012-13 season commences. A ring ceremony and lifting of the championship banner will precede a game against the Boston Celtics, who most experts expect will meet Miami in the Eastern Conference finals. Ray Allen switching sides only enlivens an already heated rivalry. Boston is counting on Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett (pictured with LeBron) to once again play younger than they are. The Celtics lead the Heat's East roadblock alsong with Indiana and perhaps Chicago. Waiting in the NBA Finals, should Miami returns, figures to be the fortified L.A. Lakers, Oklahoma City again, or perhaps San Antonio. I know Heat fans are confident; the question is how confident? Vote now.

Poll result: Sorry LeBron, but it's still D-Wade: We asked in a recent blog poll who your favorite Heat player is, and Dwyane Wade had 60.1 percent to LeBron James' 34.2. The other 5.7% chose "someone else."

NFL PIX 'N FANTASY: OK on one, not so much on the other... NFL predix: Had a decent Week 8 on my Friday pix page, going 10-4 overall and 7-6-1 vs. the betting line. Nailed two outright upsets with Falcs over Eagles and Raiders over Chiefs, but, oh, missing that Miami game hurt. What was I thinking! Greg's Lobos: My fantasy team sucks, or I do running it. Fell to 2-6 with a 124-87 loss. Had nobody over 17 points. Not giving up on a playoff spot but the 'Bos need to pick it up. Let's go!  

TANNEHILL INJURY ONLY A BRUISE: MRI results on Ryan Tannehill's injured left leg showed no structural damage to the knee or quad, only a deep bruise. His status for Sunday's game at Indianapolis is a legitimate questionable. "What he can or can't do Wednesdday and Thursday will deteremine his availability," a club spokesman told us. Meanwhile Matt Moore's status rises as one of NFL's better backup QBs.

McKinnie and strip clubs: Hey here's an only-in-Miami story for you. Bryant McKinnie is being sued in Miami-Dade Circuit Court by the father of rap star Trick Daddy. The allegation: That McKinnie, Ravens offensive tackle and former Miami Hurricane, ran up $375,000 in bills at South Florida strip clubs -- money borrowed from the dad of Daddy. McKinnie told the Baltimore Sun the suit us "bogus."

Marlins 40-1 odds for next World Series: Bovada has new odds out already for 2013 World Series and leaders are Tigers 6-1, Yankees 7-1 and Giants 10-1. Miami is a respectable 40-1 but unfortunately that's fourth in the NL East after the 12-1 Nationals and 14-1 Braves and Phillies.  

PANDA TIME! FITNESS IS OVERRATED: Moms, give your child that extra Twinkie. Dads, let that gym membership lapse. Kids, fat is the new thin! The Giants' Pablo "Panda" Sandoval is the World Series MVP -- the man sitting atop all of baseball -- following his team's sweep of the Tigers. Sandoval in the postseason led the Giants in home runs, RBIs and carbs. Here he is. Mr. America!

SOPY RANKINGS (WEEK 9): ALPHABET SOUP: E.J. LEADS B.J.: This college football season marks the blog debut of our weekly State Offensive Player of the Year (SOPY) rankings, which I like to call the "Sunshine State Heisman." Our chart encompasses the most productive seasons of any quarterback, running back or receiver from the state's seven FBS teams: Miami, Florida and FSU, FIU and FAU, and South Florida and UCF. (Note: Rankings consider only passing, rushing and receiving, not returns). Our formula awards one point per offensive yard gained running or receiving and a half-point per yard passing, plus six bonus points for touchdowns thrown or scored. Because our rankings are cumulative, players on a bye week take a temporary hit that evens out over course of season. After Week 9 it's Florida State's E.J. Manuel leading for a third straight week, but narrowly over South Florida counterpart B.J. Daniels. The SOPY Top 10 entering Week 10:

Rank (LW)     Player, Team-pos.     SOPY Pts. Week=Year

1 (1)     E.J. Manuel, FSU-qb     157 = 1,483.5

2 (3)     B.J. Daniels, South Florida-qb     231.5 = 1,457

3 (2)     Stephen Morris, Miami-qb     BYE = 1,241   

4 (4)     Jake Medlock, FIU-qb     110.5 = 1,112

5 (6)     Blake Bortles, UCF-qb     173.5 = 1,099.5

6 (5)     Chris Thompson, FSU-rb     DNP = 965

7 (7)     Jeff Driskel, Florida-qb     88.5 = 946

8 (8)     Graham Wilbert, FAU-qb     165.5 = 941

9 (9)     Mike Gillislee, Florida-rb     117 = 834

10 (--)     Latavius Murray, UCF-rb     218 = 700

Bubble: Duke Johnson, Miami-rb, 692.

State of the State rankings: 1. Florida (7-1); 2. FSU (8-1); 3. UCF (6-2); 4. Miami (4-4); 5. South Florida (2-6); 6. FAU (2-6); 7. FIU (1-8).

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G8: Florida State 33, Hurricanes 20; plus Gators, FIU & more

[1) It is SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21. Ding dong, Heath Bell is gone! 2) Welcome to the weekly Collball post! 3) You may still vote in our A-Rod/Marlins poll in post directly below this new one. 4) Visit our video channel at YouTube/TheGregCote and join us on Twitter @gregcote]

Canesfan Satisfaction Meter: Voting underway! Voting underway in latest edition of the CSM in a separate blogpost just above this oner.

G8: NO. 14 FLORIDA STATE 33, HURRICANES 20: Canes hung with the Noles into the third quarter before faltering. Stephen Morris played but not particularly well, and UM could not muster a running game. Original post: Coach Al Golden was saying it could be a game-time decision whether his starting quarterback will be Stephen Morris, who is nursing a tender ankle, or inexperienced Ryan Williams, but by Friday it was clear Morris was doubtful and therefore Williams likely. FSU is heavily favored either way although, with Morris, I'd have given Miami a great chance to beat the spread on a near-three-touchdown betting line. That's a huge head start to give a talented Canes squad at home in a rivalry game. Overall though it's very hard to imagine red-hot E.J. Manuel won't lead the Noles to the top of the scoreboard. Manuel has a fair shot at the Heisman Trophy now that WVU's Geno Smith has stumbled, and could really feather his chances in this ABC telecast. My pick was: FSU, 31-23.

Other Collball Week 8 featured state FBS games, in order:

Troy 38, FIU 37: FIU, preseason Sun Belt favorite, cascades to a 1-7 record with another heartbreak loss on a Troy rally. The Int't had a pretty decent upset shot against Troy's mediocre Trojans in a conference game. What happened to Mario Cristobal's mojo? Where da magic at!? My pickwas: Troy, 31-27.

No. 2 Florida 44, No. 7 South Carolina 11: Stomp! The Ol' Ball Coach Steve Spurrier ambling back into The Swamp always feels special, this time augmented as a marquee top-10 matchup and the collball Game of the Week nationally. Gamecocks had won past two vs. Gators but I liked Florida at home to stay unbeaten and protect the catbird seat of that No. 2 BCS ranking. Gators were healthier than they've been, especially on the O-line. My pick was: Florida, 24-20.

South Alabama 37, FAU 34: Owls on hunt for that elusive second victory and had a fair shot in this Sun Belt game at S-Bama, which had allowed 30-plus points in all five losses. My pick was: South Alabama, 27-21.

My record: This week, 4-0. Season, 29-8.

Other state FBS games: No. 16 Louisville d. South Florida, 27-25; and UCF d. Memphis, 35-17.

National Game of the Week: Gators hosting Gamecocks (see above).

Note: We're on holiday this weekend so updates here will be done with less alacrity than usual.

G7: North Carolina 18, Hurricanes 14 (Final): Two-point try that wasn't haunts UM in first ACC loss, and QB Morris hurt; plus Gators, Noles, FIU & more

[1) It is SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13. Welcome to the weekly Collball post! 2) You can still vote in our Jeff Ireland poll in blogpost directly below this new one. 3) Visit our video channel at YouTube/TheGregCote and join us on Twitter @gregcote]

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G7: NORTH CAROLINA @ HURRICANES: Final: It now appears Morris might miss next week's big visit by Florida State. ..... UM's previous two losses were to ranked opponents on the road. Though very lopsided, those defeats at least could be rationalized. In some ways this loss was worse because, although close, it was at home to an ACC rival with the same record. ..... Stephen Morris departed in fourth quarter with an ankle injury but he'd been struggling. What ended up really hurting UM was a planned two-point conversion try that ended up being an extra-point kick because of a five-yard penalty. UM would have been in position for an attempted tying field goal late in game had that two-point try been attempted and converted. In the end, UM's deefnse contained UNC's high-powered offense pretty well. It was the Heels' defense that proved better than expected, and too much for Miami. Canes now 4-3 overall, 3-1 in the conference. Halftime: question going in was whether Miami's struggling defense could limit UNC's high-powered offense. The bigger question at the half is whether UM's offense, especially the passing game, can generate enough against the Heels' D. ..... Original post: This ACC Coastal Division game reiterates how Miami is held in such little regard. Both the Canes and North Carolina are 4-2. UM is 3-0 in the conference to the Heels' 1-1. Yet the visiting team is a 7 1/2-point favorite. I think it's UNC's three-game winning streak during which a very impressive offense has scored 141 points -- juxtaposed against a Miami defense that has been pretty awful. Also, it's not as if the Canes enjoy much of a home-field advantage at Dolphins stadium, where I'd anticipate another half-full gate. The onus is on embattled UM defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio (pictured left) to get his unit turned around now. Some Canes fans derisively refer to D'Onofrio as Onofrio -- as in, no D. I might also suggest "D'Oh-no-frio." Not sure there's a miracle cure for this young defense. Nevertheless, UM has the offense (despite last week's implosion vs. Notre Dame) to hang with UNC in a shootout. And I like coach Al Golden having his guys mentally ready for a big bounceback showing. Last week hurt, but an ACC championship game appearance is still very much in play, ever more so with a win here. Upset! My pick was: Miami, 34-28.

Other Collball Week 7 featured state FBS games, in order:

No. 12 FSU 51, Boston College 7: How would Noles rebound from their national-title-hope ruining loss at N.C. State? By taking out all that frustration on poor B.C., I thought. And was right. My pick was: FSU, 45-14.

No. 4 Florida 31, Vanderbilt 17: Vandy was bad but not awful; they played South Carolina to a 17-13 loss. And Gators were coming off that big emotional triumph over LSU. So this was a letdown game. Thought UF wouldn't blow its ranking but expected a close game. My pick was: Florida, 27-19.

Middle Tennessee 34, FIU 30: I understood FIU being a home 'dog. Mid-Tenn was better overall, and what passed for a Panthers defense was allowing an outrageous 37.8 points per game. The Int'l was due something to go right, though, an encouraging game. And the return from injury of QB Jake Medlock would be a huge boost. Alas, FIU feel inches short in the final seconds, continuing a snake-bit season now 1-6. My pick was: FIU, 30-27.

Louisiana-Monroe 35, FAU 14: This was a La-Mo team that opened season with a 34-31 OT loss to then No. 8 Arkansas. They averaged 39.6 points. Pray for the Owls. My pick was: La-Monroe, 41-16.

My record: This week, 3-2. Season, 25-8.

Other state FBS games: UCF def. Southern Miss, 38-31. South Florida had a bye.

National Game of the Week: No. 9 LSU def. No. 3 South Carolina, 23-21. Steve Spurrier's 'Cocks needed a big road to feather chances of sneaking up into the BCS National Championship game, but fell short.

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G5: Hurricanes 44, N.C. State 37: Morris passes for UM-record 566 yards; Canes headed for Top 25 with Irish next; plus Noles, FIU & more

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G5: HURRICANES 44, NORTH CAROLINA STATE 37: IT'S A STEPHEN MORRIS AIR RAID!: Oh my. What a no-defense, air-raid thriller. Stephen Morris passes for a UM and ACC-record 566 yards and five TDs to lift Miami to a 44-37 home triumph over North Carolina State -- the winning points on a 62-yard scoring strike to Phillip Dorsett with 19 seconds left. If UM isn't headed for a Top 25 ranking now it'll be a shock. When your resume shows 4-1, including 3-0 in a major conference, and your only loss is at Kansas State, you have earned a ranking. What a setup for next week's game vs. Notre Dame at Soldier Field! UM continues to have real problems defensively, but this isn't the time for negatives. Not after Morris has just had an historic day that rewrote the records books. Original post: Emotion is a big part of college football from week to week, and UM spent a lot of it last week in that thrilling 42-36 overtime upset at Georgia Tech. Sustaining emotion isn't always easy, and so I see a danger game and a possible letdown for Miami, a slight favorite over North Carolina State in today's nooner matching ACC squads of equal 3-1 records. I also think there is a look-ahead factor facing Miami, with that huge Notre Dame game on deck. Also a concern: The Hurricanes won't have much home-field advantage if the crowd is the stadium-two-thirds-empty, 25K or so I'd expect. I see coach Al Golden with a challenge on his hands, as much with his own team's mental state as with the opponent. I also think UM's secondary, not a team strength, could have its hands full with a capable Wolfpack QB in Mike Glennon. (Bonus observation: Notice that both characters in the team logos pictured are wearing Popeye-era sailor hats). My pick was: Miami, 28-24.

Other Collball Week 5 featured state FBS games, in order:

North Texas 20, FAU 14: Well, after playing at No. 1 Alabama last week (a surprisingly credible 40-7 loss), the Owls were back against someone their own size as manageable home underdogs. My pick was: North Texas, 24-17.

No. 4 FSU 30, South Florida 17: I saw this as a letdown game for highly ranked Florida State after facing top-10 Clemson last week, vs. a pumped-up USF. Sure enough, game was close early 'til Noles pulled away. My pick was: FSU, 31-20.

Louisiana-Lafayette 48, FIU 20: This would have been a nice road upset for a Panthers in their Sun Belt but QB Jake Medlock's injury-absence and bad defense hurt. A rough 1-4 start for The Int'l. My pick was: La-Lafayette, 34-16.

My record this week, 4-0. Season, 21-3.

Other state FBS games: Missouri def. UCF, 21-16. Florida had a bye.

National Game of the Week: No. 14 Ohio State def. No. 20 Michigan, 17-16.

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G1: Hurricanes 41, Boston College 32: Morris, The Duke, UM offense overcome defensive lapses for big opening win!; plus FIU disappoints; Noles, Gators & more

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UPSET BIRD COUNTDOWN: 6 DAYS: The Upset Bird and I kick off our season of Friday NFL prediction pages Sept. 7, and began a 21-day countdown that each day is honoring notable birds. Following Winnie the Pooh's neighbor Owl, today we welome the 1974 Carly Simon/James Taylor song, "Mockingbird."

Canesfan Satisfaction Meter: It's baa-aack!: Our blog's Canesfan Satisfaction Meter is back for a fourth season. A new CSM poll will appear right after every Miami Hurricanes game inviting you to express your overall level of satisfaction with the team and season. Look for the first 2012 poll following Saturday's opener at Boston College. Estimated posttime: 7:30 to 7:45 p.m. 

G1: HURRICANES 41, BOSTON COLLEGE 32: Final: UM 41-32 after Miami takes intentional safety in closing seconds. A wild, ultimately impressive season-opening win by the Canes. The pass defense was close to horrible, but the UM offense -- led by quarterback Stephen Morris and freshman runner Duke Johnson -- was enogh to overcome. 4Q: Miami defensive goalline stand with 2:17 to play denies a QB-sneak score and seals it, the call upheld on review. ..... BC 30-41. Birds draw closer with 17-yard scoring pass with 6:43 to play. ..... UM 41-23. The game is won. Stephen Morris' 18-yard TD pass to Malcolm Lewis assures that. ..... UM 34-23: Defensive fumble recovery sets up short FG. ..... 3Q: UM 31-23. Duuuuuuuuuuke! Duke again. This time a swiveling 56-yard scoring run. Amazing talent. ..... UM 24-23. We got us a thriller up here, folks. The U back up on a 22-yard FG. ..... BC 23-21. Birds regain lead on 30-yard FG. ..... Half: Early read on this UM team and season: Stephen Morris and Duke Johnson are going to make this offense exciting. But 231 first-half passing yards allowed speak ill of the defense. ..... 2Q: 20-21. Eagles add 37-yard FG. ..... UM 21-17. Miami first lead of game (and season) on nice 54-yard run by freshman RB Duuuuuuuuuuke Johnson. ..... BC 17-14. Eagles with a 26-yard chipshot FG. ..... 1Q: UM 14-14. Just like that! Denzel Perryman 41-yard TD return on interception knots the game as quarter expires. ..... UM 7-14. Canes alive! Eduardo Clements 1-yard TD run caps 83-yard drive late in quarter. .....  Stephen Morris intercepted. Nightmare start for Canes. ..... BC 14-0. Jake Sinkovec 15-yard TD pass. UM's defense is making QB Chase Rettig look like Andrew Luck. ... BC 7-0. Lousy start for Canes D. Allowed a 36-yard pass on opening series and didn't seem set/ready on Andre Williams' 4-yard scoring run. ..... Original post: Miami is very young and a scant favorite (2 points) in a near-pick 'em game, which is sort of sad because Boston College is struggling enough that its coach might be on the ACC's hottest seat entering the season. The betting line verifies that not much is expected of the Canes this season as Al Golden 2.0 commences and the stewardship of junior QB Stephen Morris (pictured) begins. I think the Canes are being underestimated, perhaps because of the still-hovering NCAA issues. I also think Golden is the right man for this job; click on Digging In for my special-section column on Golden and his commitment to UM. I see Miami improving upon last year's 6-6 but might have to revisit that claim with a loss here. Canes, if you don't beat BC, even in Chestnut Hill, you could be in for a long season, especially with the Eagles' defense sorely depleted by the departure of tackler-savant Luke Kuechly. A challenging, stage-setting game right out the gate, but the Canes' superior speed decides it. Pick: Miami, 27-16.

DUKE 46, FIU PANTHERS 26: The Devil Azur won at FIU last season so you know Mario Cristobal's troops were out to return the favor. And with Duke injury-depleted, they had a chance. Not enough defense, though, especially in that nightmarish 30-point second quarter. The good news: Jake Medlock looks like the real deal at QB. My pick was: Duke, 28-27.

FAU 7, WAGNER 3: Pretty unimpressive debut for new coach Carl Pelini last night as the ghost of retired Howard Schnellenberger haunted the stadium. Not sure who Wagner is or where he's from -- actually it's a very small 1-AA school from Staten Island -- but this would've been a new low if Owls didn't win this one. My pick was: FAU, 30-13.

NO. 23 FLORIDA 27, BOWLING GREEN 14: The Swamp got a soft opening and should have rolled close to a perfect game against Bowling Green. (Sorry). Gators can't seem to pick a starting QB but thought they'd hardly need one here. Instead, it was a result that won't impress the pollsters in the least. My pick was: Florida, 41-10.

NO. 7 FLORIDA STATE 69, MURRAY STATE 3: Speaking of soft openings, thought the top-10 Noles wold name their score, and they did. My pick was: FSU, 58-6.

Week's other state FBS games: Central Florida d. Akron 56-14 on Thursday; South Florida d. Chattanooga 34-13 on Saturday.

National game of week: No. 2 Alabama d. No. 8 Michigan 41-14.

SOPY Rankings: New college football blog gimmick!: The past few years we've had our own Cote's Top 30 or whatever we called it. Tired of it. Done. Our new gimmick: The weekly, cumulative State Offensive Player of the Year (SOPY) Rankings, a continually updated top-10 of the most productive quarterbacks, runners and receivers from our state's seven FBS teams. I suppose FSU QB E.J. Manuel might be the favorite going in but you never know 'til you know. We'll debut the rankings and explain our formula following the Week 1 games. Watch for it.

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