Now that the games have come and gone, the big national story is Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy going off on local columnist Jenni Carlson for a critical piece about quarterback Bobby Reid.

Gundy’s sin was losing his composure. By doing so, he becomes the story in a clownish sort of way that’s up there with John L. Smith losing it last year or Jim Mora’s famous "PLAYOFFS!?!?!" meltdown. That’s too bad because he has a valid point, and it will likely never resonate because of his histrionics.

The issue isn’t a coach trying to stamp out dissent or criticism, though some would have you believe that every time a coach questions a reporter he’s trying to control the press. There’s nothing wrong with critical opinions, and I think that there were more than a few critical pieces after Oklahoma State’s 1-2 start and the loss at Troy.

The problem here is the journalism. Carlson, in her response, states that her goal was to tackle the question "why have the Cowboys, who so adamantly backed Reid, suddenly switched course, benched the biggest recruit to ever sign with the program and jumped full speed ahead with Zac Robinson?" That’s a clear and reasonable focus; Reid was considered a key element of the Cowboy offense, and his benching raises some questions (and eyebrows). So how should one approach getting the answer?

Let’s think this through. There are a handful of people with some very good insight into the attitude of the quarterback. The first is the quarterback himself. Who better to respond directly to questions about his state of mind? The head coach might be a good person to talk to. The decision of the starting quarterback ultimately rests with him, and he can also evaluate how Reid has played through injuries before. Offensive coordinator Larry Fedora might also get a phone call. He is the mastermind of this high-powered offense, so he might be able to provide some technical analysis of Reid’s struggles as well as a comparison of Robinson and Reid. Of course teammates and other coaches could help, but they are secondary sources in this story.

Isn’t it a little strange that of those three only Reid is quoted in her original piece? And those Reid quotes were taken from other reporters in different contexts. Carlson doesn’t offer a single sourced quote in response to a question that she asked. Unnamed sources and Carlson’s personal observations are of course appropriate and can be sprinkled into the story, but are they really the substantial stuff around which to build a column that reaches such a harsh, personal, and definitive conclusion?

A few weeks ago, Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz penned a controversial column suggesting that Mark Richt needed to show a little more toughness and fire. Many, including myself, disagreed strongly with Schultz’s position. Others found it spot on. My biggest problem was a distortion of the historical record. But as much as I disagreed with Schultz’s conclusions, he at least got Richt on the record about the subject. He asked Richt on-point questions at the weekly press conference, and he based his column in large part on his evaluation of Richt’s responses. Even though I found fault with Schultz’s reasoning, Richt’s comments on the topic were right there for evaluation.

Carlson claims that she stands by her sources and observations. But she is about as forthcoming with additional information as Gundy seems to be about specific disagreements. Is "trust me" really what journalism is all about now? In both her original piece and her response, Carlson never claims to have asked Gundy or Reid for comment before the original piece ran. Her "show me what was wrong" sideshow is the kind of journalistic legwork she should have done through Reid, Gundy, and other primary sources before the fact.

After a column full of whispers and rumors, she opened the final paragraph of her orignial column by asking "Who knows?" Ms. Carlson, you’re the journalist with the press pass. You have access to these people. Throwing rumors out there to see what will stick and extrapolating from watching the guy eat chicken is amateurish message board territory. Columnists often rely on speculation and opinion, but they are usually backed up by something much less flimsy.

Now let’s look at a few responses from the community of sportswriters:

Football Writers Association of America president Mike Griffith issued a statement about the incident on Monday. "I consider Coach Gundy’s behavior completely inappropriate. It shows a lack of respect for the media and doesn’t speak well for the university and the fans that he represents. Coach Gundy’s actions have brought national attention and further scrutiny to the situation that could have been handled in a more private and appropriate matter."

Association for Women in Sports Media: "The Association for Women in Sports Media (AWSM) is alarmed at the unprofessional manner in which Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy chose to take exception with a column written by AWSM member Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman. Gundy has the right to express his opinion, just as Carlson has the right to express hers. But his decision to air his objections in the form of a personal attack shows a lack of respect for all journalists."

It seems to me that the expectation of respect is one-way here. The two statements didn’t have much to say about the appropriateness, professionalism, or respect demonstrated by a piece that all but called Reid a mama’s boy.

The refrain that the response "could have been handled in a more private and appropriate matter" has popped up in a couple of places since Gundy’s outburst. Writers can splash their columns in front of tens or hundreds of thousands of readers, but objections and responses should be handled out of the public view through the back channels. This kind of column needed and deserved a public response if only to illustrate the lack of professionalism and respect that the FWAA and AWSM demand from the people they cover but not from their own.

Remember that Carlson states that her subject was the question "why have the Cowboys, who so adamantly backed Reid, suddenly switched course, benched the biggest recruit to ever sign with the program and jumped full speed ahead with Zac Robinson?" Did her column do a good job of attempting to answer that question?

Alabama coach Nick Saban had a few admonishments Monday for the same fans who waved palm branches upon his entrance to the stadium on Saturday.

“I don’t think it’s classy to throw something on somebody else,” Saban said. “I don’t think it’s classy to call somebody’s house at night and complain about something. I don’t think any of that’s classy.”

“If anybody out there that’s our fans and our supporters don’t think all the coaches here … work hard and want to win as bad as anybody, as well as the players, trust and believe in that. Trust and believe in doing it right. If you want to do something, do something positive to support the program or don’t do anything at all.”

Are you kidding? Phone calls in the night are play bites. We just hope that the brick-proof windows have been installed. For all the fun Bama fans had with Auburn during Gameday, part of me wants to see the Tigers extend the streak just to see the resulting trainwreck in Tuscaloosa.

A Huntsville writer asks if Bama fans need such “guidelines and instructions” about how to conduct their business with class. When showing up sober to greet the new coach is a problem, I’d have to say, yeah, a nice glossy brochure is probably in order.

2008 opponent Arizona State has moved into the top 25 under first-year coach Dennis Erickson., The Sun Devils are the fourth program that Erickson has coached into the national rankings. Junior quarterback Rudy Carpenter already had 11 touchdowns and a 64% completion rate.

A trip to Tempe is scheduled next season, and the Dawgs have additional games against LSU, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, and South Carolina. Call me crazy, but I don’t mind if Georgia fills its remaining 2008 schedule slot with Athens Academy.

A pretty generous assessment of a trip to see Georgia Tech play…Samford.

A sure sign of lowered expectations – when running into these guys is a highlight of the experience:

No one likes dropped passes. They’re missed opportunities, and one expects a guy playing at the Division 1 level to at the very least catch the freaking football.

Fans of most schools have a tendency to over-exaggerate their own shortcomings and lack perspective and context because they just don’t follow what is going on with other teams. Watch me prove that statement by suggesting that Georgia fans are among the worst out there at agonizing over every dropped pass. Other schools, successful ones too, are dealing with the same issues.

Plus, as well as Ryan has played, things should be even better. BC coaches have counted more than 10 drops from receivers this season, including three in last week’s win over Georgia Tech — when Ryan played flawlessly against Tech coordinator Jon Tenuta’s aggressive, unorthodox blitzing schemes.

That fact doesn’t make me feel any better about losing the South Carolina game, but I’m just about tired of the woe-is-us stuff from Georgia fans since that loss. Does George Gibson’s sell red sackcloth?

Cats Gone Wild

Kentucky’s in high cotton, and they’re making the most of it. After being denied prime goalpost-crashing opportunities in 2002 by Georgia and in 2003 by LSU, the Wildcat fans have now stormed the field in 2 of Kentucky’s last 6 games at Commonwealth Stadium. The first celebration was last November in a game we won’t speak of. The second was after Saturday’s upset of Louisville.

The SEC enacted a policy in 2004 that "access to competition areas shall be limited to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel and properly credentialed individuals at all times." Kentucky was nailed as a first offender last November for tearing down the goalposts, and this second "offense" will cost Kentucky $25,000. A third time would cost $50,000. I believe a fourth offense would involve a firing squad.

At least Kentucky fans tore down the goalposts after a home game.

The answer: Thomas, Ramarcus, and the grass

The question: name three things in Sanford Stadium that will be Brown in a few weeks.

Athens-Clarke County recently tightened watering restrictions to completely ban outdoor watering, and Sanford Stadium isn’t exempt. Trucking in water and digging wells aren’t practical solutions, so things will remain parched Between the Hedges. One saving grace is that the cooler fall temperatures won’t be as harsh on the turf as the 100+ degree temperatures of August.

The fire marshal might start to sweat a little when he sees Knowshon Moreno entering the game.

Yeah, but how’s his pass protection?

The Crimson Tide have added an expansion to the north side of their stadium since we last visited in 2002, and the seating arrangements have changed as a result.

Most Bryant-Denny seating charts don’t tell you much, but this one from the Tide Pride booster program tells you everything.

Georgia’s sections will be:

• Lower level: partial sections LL, MM, NN in the northeast corner
• East upper deck (U4): complete sections AA, BB, PP, QQ, RR
• North upper deck: Sections 418-429

With the exceptions of those in upper AA and BB, all visitor tickets are on the north / northeast sides of the stadium.

If you get a chance, come in from the north side of the stadium. Part of their expansion project was a very impressive entryway and plaza leading from the Denny Chimes area of campus. It’s really well done. From the 1980s when Bama didn’t even play many of their home games in Tuscaloosa, the stadium has come an awful long way. When you see the improvements, there’s no question that they’ve taken the lead in the in-state stadium arms race.

Taking timeout from my usual provincial focus for a quick word about the USC-Nebraska game this weekend:

1. Southern Cal shows up for big games. Your best chance against them seems to have them sleepwalk into a game. Build it up into a really meaningful game, and they’re usually up to the challenge. Few teams seem to relish the spotlight consistently like the Trojans. Nebraska can’t help placing a lot of "we’re back" emphasis on this game, but that’s really not the game you want to play with SoCal.
2. LSU (and to some extent Oklahoma) used a high-profile opportunity last weekend to make some noise early in the season. LSU moved into a near dead-heat with SoCal in the AP Poll after whipping Virginia Tech, and Oklahoma jumped to #3 after destroying Miami. With Notre Dame becoming more and more of a non-factor, this Nebraska game is pretty much SoCal’s last chance for a significant nonconference win this year.

With that in mind, I see Southern Cal laying it on the Cornhuskers this weekend. It’s their chance to reclaim some of the spotlight – they are #1 after all – and they have to have noticed the impressive wins by LSU and Oklahoma last week. Getting a nice, big, high-profile win on the road this weekend would do a lot to remind people who still controls the national title discussion.

I do agree that it does seem like 2003 again when LSU, Oklahoma, and Southern Cal seem to be making claims as the top teams (agreeing also with CFR’s observations about the subtle differences between the two seasons). But the season is young, and other teams like Florida and West Virginia will still have plenty to say along the way.

Does bouncing back against Oregon really prepare Michigan players to have their wives run off with drummers in 20 years?

Most decent Georgia fans would try to convert the poor, lost souls of Iowa instead of the other way around. (h/t CFR)

A Georgia Tech fan in Iowa named Rex is looking to become a true Iowan in choosing to become a fan of either Iowa State or Iowa. To determine which school, he’s having a charity auction. Whatever fan base earns the most bids ($) wins his support. All donations go for funds for a community outreach event for Iowa kids.

Visit here for more details and to drop in a few bucks.

Sounds like a good cause to me. I don’t blame the guy for wanting to shun his current allegiance, but do the fans of the Hawkeyes and/or Cyclones really want damaged goods?

Some familiar names are popping up in some strange places during the Tournament of the Americas Olympic qualifier currently underway in Las Vegas.

The United States national basketball team easily dispatched the Virgin Islands 123-59 yesterday. The interesting thing about this lopsided win was the heavy Georgia flavor of the Virgin Islands coaching staff. The head coach of the squad is Tevester Anderson, a well-respected former Bulldog assistant who has coached at Murray State and Jackson State. Anderson coached at Georgia from 1987-1995 and has coached the Virgin Islands team since 1983.

One of the newest additions to Anderson’s Virgin Islands staff is our favorite pariah, Jim Harrick.

The trip down memory lane continues. Mexico’s coach is none other than former Arkansas head coach Nolan Richardson. Other than a short stint with the Panama team, the Mexican job is his first step back into the spotlight since leaving Arkansas in 2002. He’s bringing "Cuarenta minutos de infierno" (40 minutes of hell) with him.

Looks like Tennessee is in for a lesson in big-time football:

As if they needed any more reason to make noise, Cal will be passing out 50,000 mini-megaphones before the season opener against Tennessee at Memorial Stadium. "It’s going to be loud," said Jackson. "Everyone’s been waiting to play Tennessee. Just like Tupac said, it’s going to be ‘all eyes on me.’ "

If only Tennessee had experience playing in front of large, loud crowds in meaningful games.

Since this is Cal-Berkeley we’re talking about, Phil Fulmer will eschew the usual tactic of blaring loud music at practice to simulate crowd noise. He will, however, invite 500 anti-war protesters and Karl Rove to practice.

We’ll wait to see if we can record the mini-megaphones alongside other notorious crowd disasters.

(h/t CFR)

I know that the comical launch of the Big 10/1 Network is usually Sen. Blutarsky’s specialty, but it’s interesting to watch the Big 10 attempt to mirror the strategies of some other specialty sports networks like the NFL Network. The NFL Network doesn’t come cheap, $100 million dollars in the case of Time Warner cable, so cable operators are considering adding the network to their premium "Sports Tier" packages where customers who want the NFL Network will pay for it. The NFL naturally wants cable operators to place the network on basic cable where it would reach the most eyeballs.

The standoff is to the point where cable operators have begun arming their CSRs with responses when customers call in to complain. An NFL spokesperson responds,

"Time Warner wants the network on a sports tier — where fans would have to pay extra," he said. "That’s not something we’re willing to do — have our fans exploited for Time Warner’s profits."

That’s right…Time Warner can’t exploit our fans for profits. Only we can exploit our fans for profits! Does this sound familiar? The Big 10 seems to think that they too belong next to CNN (h/t of course to Get the Picture):

“When the cable company decides to send 70 channels – the food channel, and the dog channel and the bike channel and the jewelry channel – into your home, (we believe) that the Big Ten Network deserves to be in that grouping,” Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany said. “Everything else is pretty negotiable.”

If the NFL Network, an existing channel with some actual live professional football games, is struggling with cable providers over its placement in the cable lineups, what chance does Iowa volleyball have?

You saw them all over the news: a destitute people barely able to go on from one day to the next, ravaged by one of the worst disasters to hit the area in recorded history, and wondering just when they’d begin to see a glimmer of hope at the end of their long nightmares.

But enough about the Mike Shula era.

Surprisingly, tsunami aid has dried up in Tuscaloosa

Real estate investment money is flowing into Tuscaloosa, and it’s because of tax breaks intended to help recovery in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Though 200 miles from the coast, Tuscaloosa was included in the "GO Zone", an area designated along the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama coasts offering special incentives for redevelopment of these areas most affected by Katrina. Most importantly, the GO Zone "also allows real estate investors who buy condos or other properties in the GO Zone to take accelerated depreciation on their purchases when they file their taxes."

What’s the big deal about tax breaks on condos? If you’ve been in any major football town in the South lately, you’ve seen an explosion of condo development – mostly targeted at the wealthy alumni looking for a second home around the corner from the old alma mater. Athens itself has several, and the market is competitive enough to pull out big guns like Herschel Walker for endorsements. But the condos are also potential investments for real estate groups who can turn around and rent the units.

Since the tax break is not available to people who would buy the units for their own use, the condos are much more attractive to investors. For investors with large portfolios, the tax savings in Tuscaloosa could be used to offset higher taxes in other investments. As a result, the Tuscaloosa market is supporting ten such condo projects right now. Local experts estimate that the tax break is responsible for "10 percent of all recent condo sales in the city." With the breaks due to expire next year in Alabama, investors are getting into the markets while they still can.

Why was Tuscaloosa, several hundred miles inland, included in the recovery area?

Locals say Tuscaloosa was included in the GO Zone through the efforts of Republican Sen. Richard Shelby, who is from Tuscaloosa, graduated from Alabama and sits on the powerful Appropriations Committee. But Shelby aides said Tuscaloosa made the cut because it was classified as a disaster area by the government after Katrina, not because of the senator’s influence.

Riiiiiight. Meanwhile, as Tuscaloosa gameday condo developers and investors put the horror of Katrina behind them in Sen. Shelby’s hometown, the areas without football teams where redevelopment is most needed haven’t quite seen the same impact.

State reports reviewed by the AP and interviews show that the most ballyhooed part of the GO Zone bill — $15 billion in tax-exempt bonds — has had relatively little effect so far.