No SEC Network

It’s a little off topic, but this story is one that every fan of a BE team should be paying attention to.

CBS SPORTS AND SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE AGREE TO BLOCKBUSTER

15 YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION

Deal Includes Broadcast, Digital, Internet, Wireless, Video-on-Demand and

Enhanced Highlight Rights Across all CBS Sports Properties

The Big East too chose to partner with ESPN and Comcast over going it alone (technically, with Fox) as the Big Ten did. Of course, our neighbors to the South are likely receiving far more scratch than we could ever dream of.

Pay attention, because the conference may start thinking about expansion next year (as will others). The bowl deals have two years left, and there are plenty of other dominoes out there, just waiting for a butterfly in Malaysia  (actually, isn’t it Chicago?) to flap its wings and set off a tornado that will knock them all down.

2008 Season Preview: Wide Receivers

Projected depth chart:

Flanker: Kenny Britt (JR 6′4, 215 lbs), Keith Stroud (FR 6′3, 200 lbs)
Split end: Tiquan Underwood (SR 6′2, 185 lbs), Julian Hayes (RS-SO 6′1, 215 lbs)
Slot: Timmy Brown (JR 5′8, 165 lbs), Dennis Campbell (RS-JR 5′9, 180 lbs)

Finally, some answers

We knew that Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood would be good at receiver, but if there were any lingering doubts about Mike Teel, there shouldn’t be.

“It’s tough, because Teel is basically the offensive coordinator playing quarterback,” said nose tackle Pete Tverdov. “You’re not going to trick him. When you combine that with two great wide receivers, it makes it extremely difficult to stop them.”

That was the case early on when the starters from both sides squared off at Rutgers Stadium during the Scarlet Knights’ three-hour scrimmage in the sweltering heat (it measured 98 degrees on the FieldTurf), even though Teel didn’t have any semblance of a running game to keep the defense honest.

Still, he was 5-for-6 for 84 yards on the first series against the starting defense, capping the drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Britt. He was then 4-for-4 for 39 yards on the second series, which wound up as a 70-yard touchdown drive.

Running backs? Still shakier than I’d like.

Neither Kordell Young nor Jourdan Brooks stood out and Mason Robinson – who broke a Zaire Kitchen tackle, scored a touchdown and did – bruised his hip and will likely be out a couple days.

Doubly so, because the offensive line appears to have pass protection down, but is struggling to open running lanes.

The offensive line appears to be solid.

Okay, let’s qualify that: In pass protection it does. As a run blocking unit, it remains to be seen how good this group will be. Teel was pleased with the pass protection he had in the scrimmage, saying the line “picked up all the stunts and blitzes and everything they threw at them.” What has to be determined is how much the ineffectiveness of the running game so far is due to the line or inexperienced backs.

By the way, LT Anthony Davis is becoming scary good. At a svelte 316 pounds, his athleticism is really beginning to show now.

I visualize Luicci panting every time he writes about Davis.

8/14 Around the Big East

Can Tony Pike emerge as Cincinnati’s starting QB?

Tyler Lorenzen will likely be starting at QB. Will speedy freshman Jordan Todman receive significant playing time?

Louisville is trying to remain confident in the face of adversity.

Pitt’s vaunted defensive line depth has taken a hit with the news that Doug Fulmer will be out for the season following a knee injury.

TampaBay.com is doing a solid job keeping tabs on USF camp.

If Syracuse is going to improve this year, they’re going to need major improvement from their offensive line.

West Virginia has added a late addition for 2008 – Junior College CB Chaz Russell.