Wednesday Night One-Liners

Pat Forde of ESPN.com rips the AFCA a new one for their decision to make all ballots unavailable for public consumption, says it’s “coaches being cowards”.Andy Staples of SI.com piles on the AFCA as well, albeit with a little less vitriol.Gainesville Sun: “Despite all the money that will be coming into the league starting next year with two lucrative, new 15-year television contracts, Mike Slive says the SEC is not recession-proof.”Joe Paterno reiterates that All-Big Ten linebacker Navorro Bowman will not miss any playing time due to suspension, provided he keeps his nose clean between now and the beginning of the season.New Mexico State coach DeWayne Walker has drunk driving charge dismissed.Birmingham News: “The SEC is considering sponsoring NCAA legislation to cap football signing classes at 28 players, or unilaterally make it a conference-wide rule."The Eugene Register-Guard writes that with Darron Thomas moving up to No. 2 on Oregon’s depth chart, the chances are almost nil that the quarterback will be a redshirt this season.Florida State, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio State and USF top the list of prospective schools for highly-recruited Tampa Catholic quarterback Christian Green.The San Jose Mercury News makes the case that while Justin Roper‘s decision to transfer from Oregon may not be making headlines now, it could be big news come September or October.Speaking of Roper, the quarterback explains to The Oregonian the reasoning behind his decision to leave the school.And speaking of Oregon transfers, head coach Chip Kelly talks about enduring three high-profile players leaving his squad in less than a month.Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis gives his thought his conference’s meetings last week: “The Big Ten meetings were, for all intents and purposes, boring, with no action taken on anything."According to the Tampa Tribune, “the SEC has the top salary average for all of the 10 full-time coaching positions, with the exception of offensive coordinator."Ole Miss’ Houston Nutt gives his two copper Lincoln’s on what it takes to beat Florida.The Idaho Statesman says let the Boise State-Oregon hype begin.Seven of the twelve verbal commitments in Florida’s 2010 recruiting class are nominees for the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.A shift in philosophy has West Virginia seeking throw-first quarterbacks on the recruiting trail.Second-year coordinator John Skladany is looking forward to the challenges the Conference USA’s offenses will present to his Houston defense.The Birmingham News has an extended Q&A with new Auburn head coach Gene Chizik.Four-star tight end Alex Welch chooses Notre Dame over home state Ohio State.230-pound Maryland running back Marcus Coker commits to Minnesota.Louisville Courier-Journal: “The University of Louisville football program gained commitments from two of the state’s top-10 Class of 2010 prospects in the past five days."California high school cornerback Matt Simmons gives a verbal commitment to Washington State.Three-star cornerback Terrance Mitchell commits to Oregon.Organizers announce that the Motor City Bowl will be played on December 26 at Detroit’s Ford Field.Mark your calendars accordingly: First Annual Urban-Lane Grudge Match set for 3:30 EST on September 19.The Denver Post takes an extensive look at Colorado offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau.South Carolina’s new assistant strength & conditioning coach, Joe Connolly, had his puppy stolen during a break-in at his home last week.Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun is looking forward to his trip overseas to visit the troops.Marshall football players utilizing yoga as part of their summer conditioning program.St. Petersburg Times: “Former Florida State standout linebacker A.J. Nicholson was arrested by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday afternoon for a violation of probation in an infamous felony case from 2006."Head coach Dan Hawkins’ streak of landing the top in-state recruit could be coming to an end as quarterback Austin Hinder snubs Colorado in favor of a verbal commitment to Cal.New York high schooler Jerome Lewis chooses Virginia Tech over East Carolina, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Purdue and Syracuse.Birmingham News: “Curtis Luper says Auburn accomplished much during its recently-completed four-week recruiting tour of high school."Illinois head coach Ron Zook to throw out the first pitch at Wrig ley Field this Sunday. (Hopefully he doesn’t Baba Booey the sixty-footer.)Zook is also amazed at the longevity of Penn State head coach Joe Paterno, says he can’t imagine many, if any, current coaches reaching that level.Thanks to four decades of service to the Special Olympics of Oklahoma, former Sooners head coach Barry Switzer will receive the 2009 John F. Kennedy Community Service Award from Oklahoma Council Knights of Columbus.The father of University of Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain has passed away.