Top 10 college telecasts: Ohio State-Michigan tops weekend
Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez
The traditional Ohio State-Michigan rivalry game tops the week, even though the Wolverines are struggling this season at 5-6 overall and 1-6 in the conference under coach Rich Rodriquez. Ohio State (9-2, 6-1) needs a victory to wrap up an outright Big Ten championship.
All games Saturday unless noted with Wednesday’s Latest Line.
1. No. 9 Ohio State at Michigan, 11 a.m., ABC (OSU by 12)
2. No. 10 LSU at Mississippi, 2:30 p.m., CBS (Miss by 3)
3. No. 13 Penn State at Michigan State, 2:30 p.m., ABC (PSU by 3)
4. Oklahoma at Texas Tech, 11:30 a.m., FSN (OU by 4)
5. No. 11 Oregon at Arizona, 7 p.m., ABC (not in Big 12 region) (Ore. by 5)
6. Colorado at No. 12 Oklahoma State, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, ESPN (OSU by 15)
7. Kansas State at Nebraska, 6:45 p.m., ESPN (Neb. By 15)
8. No. 6 Boise State at Utah State, 8:30 p.m. Friday, ESPN2 (BS by 23)
9. No. 2 Mississippi State at Arkansas, 11:20 a.m., SEC (Ark by 10)
10. Kansas at No. 3 Texas, 7 p.m., ABC (Texas by 27)
Also worth a look:
Minnesota at No. 15 Iowa, Noon, ESPN (Iowa by 9)
Kentucky at Georgia, 6:45 p.m., ESPN2 (Georgia by 7)
N.C. State at No. 16 Virginia Tech, 2:30 p.m., ESPNU (VT by 20)
Virginia at No. 18 Clemson, 2:30 p.m., ESPN (Clemson by 19)
Duke at No. 21 Miami, Noon, ESPNU (Miami by 17)
San Diego State at No. 23 Utah, 3 p.m., Versus (Utah by 17)
Vanderbilt at Tennessee, 6 p.m., ESPNU (Tenn. By 17)
Top 10 college football telecasts: Utah-TCU tops a slow week
TCU coach Gary Patterson pumps up his defense
It’s a bad week for college football as evidenced by the lopsided lines for my top 10 games. For Big 12 fans, two North Division games should be interesting: Missouri at Kansas State at 11:30 a.m. on Versus and Nebraska at Kansas at 2:30 p.m. on ABC.
Games are Saturday unless noted with Thursday’s Latest Line
1. No. 16 Utah at No. 4 TCU, 6:30 p.m., Versus (TCU by 20)
2. No. 25 Stanford at No. 11 USC, 2:30 p.m., FSN (USC by 10)
3. West Virginia at No. 5 Cincinnati, 7 p.m. Friday, ESPN (Cincy by 9).
4. No. 1 Florida at South Carolina, 2:30 p.m., KWTV-9 (Fla. by 16)
5. Texas Tech at No. 17 Oklahoma State, 7 p.m., ABC (Southwest region) (OSU by 4)
6. Missouri at Kansas State, 11:30 a.m., Versus (Mizzou by 1)
7. Nebraska at Kansas, 2:30 p.m., ABC (Neb. by 3)
8. No. 15 Iowa at No. 10 Ohio State, 2:30 p.m., ESPN (Ohio St by 16)
9. Texas A&M at Oklahoma, 6 p.m., FSN (OU by 20)
10. No. 3 Alabama at Mississippi State, 6 p.m., ESPN (Ala. by 12)
Also worth a look:
No. 2 Texas at Baylor, 11 a.m., FSN (Texas by 24)
Notre Dame at No. 8 Pittsburgh, 7 p.m., ABC (not carried in Southwest) (Pitt by 7).
10. No. 7 Georgia Tech at Duke, ESPN2 (Ga. Tech by 13)
Idaho at No. 6 Boise State, 2:30 p.m., ESPNU (BSU by 31)
Louisiana Tech at No. 9 LSU, 7 p.m., ESPNU (LSU by 24)
Arizona State at No. 14 Oregon, 9:20 p.m., ESPN (Ore. by 17)
Kentucky at Vanderbilt, 11 a.m, SEC (Ky by 3)
Northwestern at Illinois, 11 a.m., ESPN Classic (Ill. by 5)
Tennessee at Mississippi, 11:30 a.m., CBS (Ole Miss by 5)
Florida State at Wake Forest, 11 a.m, ESPNU (Wake by 5)
Top 10 college telecasts: LSU-Alabama tops week
LSU coach Les Miles
The Southeastern Conference showdown between LSU and Alabama tops the weekend of college football telecasts. LSU needs a victory to keep its SEC final’s hopes alive.
Games are Saturday unless noted with AP ranking and Thursday’s Latest Line.
1. No. 9 LSU at No. 3 Alabama, 2:30 p.m., CBS (Ala. by 9)
2. No. 15 Ohio State at No. 11 Penn State, 2:30 p.m., ESPN2 (PSU by 3)
3. No. 20 Oklahoma at Nebraska, 7 p.m., ABC (OU by 6).
4. No. 18 Oklahoma State at Iowa State, 2:30 p.m., ABC (OSU by 7)
5. Kansas at Kansas State, 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Versus (KU by 3).
6. Navy at No. 19 Notre Dame, 1:30 p.m., NBC (ND by 11)
7. Vanderbilt at No. 1 Florida, 6:15 p.m., ESPN2 (Fla. by 33)
8. UCF at No. 2 Texas, 11 a.m., FSOK (Texas by 36)
9. Florida State at Clemson, 6:45 p.m., ESPN (Clemson by 
10. Fresno State at Idaho, 9 p.m., ESPNU (FS by 7).
Also worth a look:
No. 5 Boise State at Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m. Friday, ESPN2 (BS by 21)
No. 6 TCU at San Diego State, 3 p.m., Versus (TCU by 25)
Northwestern at No. 8 Iowa, 11 a.m., ESPN (Iowa by 18)
Syracuse at No. 14 Pittsburgh, Noon, ESPNU (Pitt by 21)
South Carolina at Arkansas, 11 a.m., SEC (KSBI-52) (Ark. by 5)
Memphis at Tennessee, 6 p.m., ESPNU (Tenn. by 26).
Divorce proves costly for CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz
CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz
CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz must pay $916,000 yearly in alimony and child support to his ex-wife and give up their Connecticut home under terms of a newly issued divorce decree.
Court documents from the divorce trial cited Nantz’s $3.2 million salary from CBS and other assets, including millions in other income, shared investment accounts, real estate and other property.
The ruling, made Monday in Bridgeport, Conn., Superior Court, dissolves the 26-year marriage of Nantz and Ann-Lorraine “Lorrie” Carlsen Nantz. It comes after both testified about the breakdown of their marriage; Judge Howard Owens concluded neither was at fault.
Nantz, CBS’ silky smooth lead play-by-play announcer, wasn’t so successful with his personal life. He filed for divorce last year from his wife after years of marriage counseling.
Although Nantz, 50, acknowledged he started dating a 29-year-old woman before the divorce was final, the judge concluded the marriage deteriorated years earlier and “this remote event in no way contributed to the breakdown of the marriage.”
In his ruling, Owens noted that the couple didn’t share the same interests in Nantz’s television career, which required frequent travel as the network’s primary commentator for college football, golf and basketball, as well as appearances at charity events.
Under the ruling, Nantz must pay $72,000 in alimony monthly until he dies or his ex-wife remarries, and another $1,000 weekly in child support for the next two years.
Lorrie Nantz will get their home and a separate condominium in Westport, while Jim Nantz will get their home in Houston and a luxury condominium in the Deer Valley ski resort in Park City, Utah. They were awarded joint custody of Caroline, 15.
He also must pay Caroline’s college expenses until she reaches 23 years old and has to split various joint accounts with Lorrie Nantz, including the current value of his pension through the Screen Actors Guild.
He also must keep his ex-wife listed as beneficiary of a $3 million life insurance policy while he’s still paying alimony and/or child support, and pay $70,000 so she can join any country club of her choice.
She had been seeking more than $1.5 million in yearly alimony and child support.
Top 10 college football telecasts: TCU-BYU tops week
It’s a slow week for college football. The best game is in Provo, Utah, where BYU hosts TCU in a Mountain West showdown and ESPN’s “College GameDay” will be there.
With Thursday’s Latest Line.
1. No. 10 TCU at No. 16 BYU, 6:30 p.m., Versus (TCU by 2).
2. No. 25 Oklahoma at No. 24 Kansas, 2:30 p.m., KOCO-5 (OU by 7).
3. Auburn at No. 9 LSU, 6:30 p.m., ESPN2 (LSU by
4. Tennessee at No. 1 Alabama, 2:30 p.m., KWTV-9 (Tenn. by 15)
5. No. 14 Oklahoma State at Baylor, 11:30 p.m., Versus (OSU by 9).
6. No. 3 Texas at Missouri, 7 p.m., KOCO-5 (Texas by 13).
7. No. 2 Florida at Mississippi State, 6:30 p.m., ESPN (Fla. by 23).
8. No. 13 Penn State at Michigan, 2:30 p.m., ESPN (Penn St. by 4).
9. Arkansas at Mississippi, 11 a.m., SEC (KSBI-52) (Miss. By 6).
10. Connecticut at No. 22 West Virginia, 11 a.m., ESPNU. (W.Va. by 7)
Also worth a look:
Minnesota at No. 18 Ohio State, 11 a.m., ESPN (Ohio St. by 18)
Air Force at No. 19 Utah, 3 p.m., Versus (Utah by 9).
Vanderbilt at No. 23 South Carolina, 6 p.m., ESPNU (SC by 12).
Iowa State at Nebraska, 11:30 a.m., FSN. (Neb. By 18)
Top 10 college football telecasts: OU-Texas tops week
Lee Corso of ESPN's "College GameDay" will be in Dallas on Saturday to preview the OU-Texas game.
The nationally televised OU-Texas game tops a strong week for college football. ESPN’s “College GameDay” will be in Dallas to preview the matchup.
1. No. 3 Texas vs. No. 20 Oklahoma, 11 a.m., ABC (Texas by 3).
2. No. 4 Virginia Tech at No. 19 Georgia Tech, 5 p.m., ESPN2 (Va. Tech by 3).
3. No. 6 Southern Cal at No. 25 Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m., NBC (USC by 11).
4. No. 8 Cincinnati at No. 21 South Florida, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, ESPN (Cincy by 3).
5. No. 22 South Carolina at No. 2 Alabama, 6:45 p.m., ESPN (Alabama by 17).
6. Missouri at No. 16 Oklahoma State, 8:15 p.m., ESPN2 (OSU by 7).
7. Texas Tech at No. 15 Nebraska, 2:30 p.m., ABC (Neb. by 10).
8. No. 17 Kansas at Colorado, 6 p.m., FSN (KU by 10).
9. Arkansas at No. 1 Florida, 2:30 p.m., CBS (Fla. by 24).
10. No. 11 Iowa at Wisconsin, 11 a.m., ESPN (Wisconin by 1).
Also worth a look:
Minnesota at No. 14 Penn State, 2:30 p.m., ESPN (Penn St. by 16).
Virginia at Maryland, 3 p.m., ESPNU (Va. by 4).
Pittsburgh at Rutgers, 7 p.m. Friday, ESPN (Pitt by 3).
Georgia at Vanderbilt, 11:30 a.m., SEC (KSBI-52) (Georgia by 7).
Colorado State at TCU, 3 p.m., Versus (TCU by 21).
Kentucky at Auburn, 6:30 p.m., ESPNU (Auburn by 13).
Stanford at Arizona, 6:30 p.m., Versus (Arizona by 6).
Washington at Arizona State, 9:15 p.m., FSN (ASU by 5).
Ex-Southwestern player Rex Ryan profiled on ESPN magazine E:60
Rex Ryan
New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, who was born in Ardmore and played defensive end at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, will be featured on the next edition of the ESPN newsmagazine “E:60” at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Here is ESPN’s synopsis of the story:
Rex Ryan, son of legendary NFL coach Buddy Ryan, has hit the ground running in his first head coaching job. Both on the field and off… Off the field, his brazen personality and forthright way of speaking have come across as a breath of fresh air to some (the media, many fans) and contentious to others (the Patriots & Dolphins organizations and fan bases). He stated that he’s “not here to kiss Bill Belichick’s (Patriots head coach) rings” and engaged in a war of words with Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder.
On the field, Ryan’s team has been emboldened by his tactics and approach, winning the first three games of the season.
And while Ryan is recognized as a creative and skilled coach, he had to fight a little harder to get there…as he suffers from dyslexia…a learning disorder characterized by difficulties with spelling and reading. Rachel Nichols reports.
Top 10 college football telecasts: Florida-LSU showdown tops week
Florida quarterback Tim Tebow
The Florida-LSU showdown in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday night on CBS tops the week. LSU represents one of the biggest obstacles for defending national champion Florida in its goal of an unbeaten season. Gators quarterback Tim Tebow, recovering from a concussion, is questionable for the game.
(With Tuesday’s Latest Line)
1. No. 1 Florida at No. 4 LSU, 7 p.m., CBS (Fla. by 9).
2. No. 21 Nebraska at No. 24 Missouri, 8 p.m., Thursday, ESPN (Neb. by 2)
3. No. 3 Alabama at No. 20 Mississippi, 2:30 p.m., CBS (Ala. by 7)
4. No. 15 Oklahoma State at Texas A&M, 11:30 p.m., FSN (OSU by 7).
5. Baylor at No. 19 Oklahoma, 2:30 p.m., ABC (OU by 23).
6. No. 17 Auburn at Arkansas, 11 a.m., ESPN. (Auburn by 2).
7. Georgia at Tennessee, 11:15 a.m., SEC (Tenn. by 1)
8. Michigan at No. 12 Iowa, 7 p.m., ABC (Iowa by 7).
9. Colorado at No. 2 Texas, 6:15 p.m., ESPN (Texas by 32).
10. Wisconsin at No. 9 Ohio State, 2:30 p.m., ESPN (Ohio St. by 14).
Also worth a look:
Iowa State at No. 16 Kansas, 11:30 a.m., Versus (KU by 19).
Kansas State at Texas Tech, 6 p.m., FSN (Tech by 17).
Houston at Mississippi State, 11:30 a.m., ESPNU (Hou. by 3)
Wisconsin at No. 9 Ohio State, 2:30 p.m., ESPN (Ohio St. by 14).
Southern Mississippi at Louisville, 6:30 P.M., ESPNU (So. Miss by 3).
No. 22 Georgia Tech at Florida State, 7 p.m., ESPN2 (FSU by 3).
Top 10 college football telecasts: OU-Miami tops weekend
Miami quarterback Jacory Harris
The OU-Miami game tops the weekend. ABC will carry the 7 p.m. game to 81 percent of the nation. Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit and Lisa Salters will be the announcers.
Games are Saturday unless noted with Wednesday’s Latest Line:
1. No. 8 Oklahoma at No. 17 Miami, 7 p.m., ABC (OU by 7)
2. No. 4 LSU at No. 18 Georgia, 2:30 p.m., CBS (Georgia by 2)
3. Auburn at Tennessee, 6:45 p.m., ESPN. (Tenn. by 2)
4. Texas A&M vs. Arkansas from Cowboys Stadium, 6:30 p.m., ESPN2 (Ark. by 1)
5. Pittsburgh at Louisville, 7 p.m. Friday, ESPN. (Pitt by 6)
6. No. 3 Alabama at Kentucky, 11:21 a.m., SEC (KSBI-52.) (Ala. By 17)
7. Florida State at Boston College, 2:30 p.m., ESPN. (FSU by 5).
8. No. 15 Penn State at Illinois, 2:30 p.m., ABC. (Penn St. by 6)
9. Colorado at West Virginia, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, ESPN. (W.Va. by 17)
10. No. 21 Mississippi at Vanderbilt, 6 p.m., ESPNU (Ole Miss by 9)
Also worth a look:
Washington at Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m., NBC (N.D. by 13)
New Mexico at Texas Tech, 2:30 p.m., FSOK (Tech by 36).
Clemson at Maryland, 11 a.m., ESPNU (Clemson by 13)
N.C. State at Wake Forest, 2:30 p.m., ESPNU (NCS by 1)
CBS analyst Danielson brags about SEC quarterbacks
Gary Danielson
CBS college football analyst Gary Danielson, who has turned into one of the SEC’s most-outspoken cheerleaders, now is bragging about the conference’s quarterbacks. He will be in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday to broadcast the Arkansas-Alabama game at 2:30 p.m.
In a press release from CBS, Danielson said, “When I came to this conference there was a lack of quarterbacks. The Big 12 gets a lot of notoriety for their quarterbacks because of their stats. I am going to make a prediction that the three quarterbacks in the SEC, Tim Tebow, Jevon Snead and now (Ryan) Mallett eventually will be drafted higher than any three quarterbacks now playing in any other conference. Snead may go No. 1 in the draft this year if the team drafting needs a quarterback. He will be the first quarterback taken in the draft and Tebow will go in the first round. Mallet next year, or the year after, will be the first quarterback taken.”
On other topics:
On Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett: Mallett who has transferred from Michigan, has gone from the Bluest of Blue to the Reddest of Red. He is one of the cockiest people I have come around in my 15 years of doing this. And I love him for it. He is really going to be an interesting player for us to watch in the conference.
On Arkansas-Alabama: This game really crystallizes why this conference has exploded and gotten tougher and tougher every year that I have been covering the SEC. Now with the league has another coach, Bobby Petrino, who is a national expert in the passing game. If you talk to anyone in the country about who knows how to throw the ball, if you are going to name two guys, he’s one of the two. He is going to go against the No. 1 guy in defending the pass in Nick Saban. Again, this game crystallizes why this conference has become must see TV. It’s become almost a mini NFL. Arkansas is not as good, but they are so good at what they do.
On Tennessee winning in loss to Florida: I don’t know if I have ever seen a team lose a game and gain more out of it than Tennessee’s program did. Lane Kiffin, in one game, has gained the respect of his players, the fans and the coaches around this conference that he is the guy that will turn Tennessee around. That team was almost down on themselves. They now look at themselves in the mirror and actually see something good. Tennessee was really down on themselves last year and the same goes for Tennessee fans.
On Florida coach Urban Meyer gaining the attention of his players: Urban Meyer got something out of the win that he needed. That team was flying so high, no one was saying anything bad about his team. It was almost as if they were unbeatable. He now has something to sell to his team, that they are not all that everybody has been telling them. So he got a win out of it, but he also got something he can grind his team with. It almost took losing to Mississippi last year before he gained their attention. He gets to gain their attention with a win.
