What I Learned At College

Texas Tech's Tommy Tuberville may be smiling during
the Big 12 media days, but my guess is he'll quickly lose
that smile after Dan Beebe reprimands him for his sarcastic
remarks about the league's staying power.

While the NFL players are signing contracts and trying to get ready for the season in half the time they normally take, not all eyes are on the big boys. Some are carefully watching the college game and ignoring all the legal mumbo-jumbo that's going on at the professional ranks.

From Ohio quarterback Gunner Kiel's shocking verbal commitment to Indiana to the zoo that is media days, college football is certainly on the forefront of most fans' minds. For those that went to college, this final week in July signifies hope that our alma mater will once again make us proud on the field in the fall.

It is also a time most journalists – like myself – salivate for the quotes bound to come out of players' and coaches' mouths. I'm not sure whether its the heat, the two-a-days or just the fact that everybody's so enthralled about getting ready for the season, but every year there seems to be at least one coach or player who spouts off at the mouth and says something he immediately regrets.

Last year, Texas Tech's Tommy Tuberville criticized the Big 12 and said the league wouldn't last without Nebraska or Colorado. Dan Beebe, the Big 12 commissioner, didn't enjoy Tuberville's lack of enthusiasm and reprimanded the coach.

This year, Tuberville didn't spout off at the Big 12 media day, per se. Instead he showed his support for the league by saying it will last. But before his time at the podium ended, Tuberville followed that answer up by asking the media if that was what he was supposed to say – taking one final dig at Beebe. One can only imagine the punishment that is bound to occur this time.

However, Tuberville is not the only one who will be in hot water before the start of the season. Southern Cal running back Marc Tyler may also end up in coach Lane Kiffin's doghouse after a night out in Hollywood.

Tyler – knowing full well that USC is currently under the close watch of the NCAA – told TMZ that the reason the Trojans are able to land such prized recruits is because at "USC, they breaking bread." Now I'm a little behind on my hip-hop lingo, but I can't help but wonder if USC players are making more than the NFL players. After all, what kind of college kid has enough dough to hit up a Hollywood club? Who knows, maybe Kim Kardashian has gone back to her old roots of chasing down USC running backs.

Either way, these are just two examples of what is sure to be a colorful week of college football. The games are always fun to watch, but if this is just a taste of what's to come this year – well, you better fasten your seatbelt and get ready for a wild ride.