This is your daily link roundup of our favorite sports posts on the web for November 9.
• Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times believes Lane Kiffin is on the hot seat at USC [13] after its latest incident and loss.
• ESPN SEC blogger Edward Aschoff looks at Alabama’s emotional ride [14] from winning at LSU last week to facing “Johnny Football” and Texas A&M this Saturday.
• There is a debate going on in Dallas about the revealing nature of the “uniforms” worn by Mavericks dancers [15]. No one here has found a problem yet, but we’ll do more research on the subject.
• The NFL weekend does not appear to offer many compelling matchups, but the Texans-Bears game [16] will be must-see TV.
• It should be a fun opening night of college basketball [17].
• An exclusive peek into Tim Tebow’s email [18]?
• The Jaguars remained winless at home last night against the Colts [19], and Mike Mularkey’s club looks like the worst team in the NFL.
• Is Auburn preparing to fire Gene Chizik [20]?
• Ken Davidoff of the New York Post ranks his top ten general managers [21] in baseball.
• The Jon Gruden rumors [22] have started in Philadelphia as the Eagles continue to struggle.
• This nation has become obsessed with bad singing, so look for Dallas Mavericks’ star Dirk Nowitzki to be a judge on The Voice, American Idol or X Factor after this performance.
--- Email us with any compelling sports-related links at links@athlonsports.com
---By Patrick Snow (@AthlonSnowman [23])
November 8
• SB Nation’s Bill Connelly details why unbeatens Oregon and Kansas State are on upset alert [24] this weekend.
• Falcons wide receiver Roddy White believes his team has everything it takes [25] to finish the season undefeated.
• The borders of Colorado [26] after Election Day?
• Many around college football assumed the Heisman Trophy was Collin Klein’s to lose, but Oregon’s Kenjon Barner is closing in [27]. Dave Miller of the National Football Post looks at the top candidates to win the award.
• To honor legendary coach Darrell K. Royal after his passing this week, Texas will wear a DKR decal and start the game in the wishbone formation [28] against Iowa State. Great tribute Longhorns.
• The Lakers shot 28 more free throws than the Jazz [29] last night, but Utah won 95-86 and sent Los Angeles to 1-4 on the season.
• The Colts will look to continue their 2012 magic [30] in Jacksonville tonight.
• The nation’s top football prospects, defensive end Robert Nkemdiche of Georgia, has decommitted from Clemson [31]. Many believe he will soon verbally commit to Ole Miss, where his brother plays.
• Embattled Eagles quarterback Michael Vick had to shut down his brother’s ‘tweeting’ [32] after another Philly loss.
• The Rockies named former big league infielder Walt Weiss [33] as their new manager.
• Awwww…look at singer Rod Stewart crying after his favorite soccer team, Celtic, beat Barcelona. No word yet if the pop star’s favorite football player is Alabama’s A.J. McCarron.
--- Email us with any compelling sports-related links at links@athlonsports.com
---By Patrick Snow (@AthlonSnowman [23])
November 7
• There is sad news from Texas today, as legendary Longhorns coach Darrell Royal has passed away [34] at the age of 88. Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman details Royal’s amazing accomplishments, colorful nature and sound character.
• Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has reportedly shaved his head [35] in support of coach Chuck Pagano, who is battling leukemia.
• Could Texas A&M’s up-tempo offense [36] give Alabama trouble? Brent Zwerneman has the latest on “Johnny Football” and the Aggies.
• Thank you to Mandatory.com for making a positive out of Election Day coverage [37], or non-coverage.
• Will the Reds move their talented closer, Aroldis Chapman [38], to the rotation next season?
• Blake Griffin should start tonight for the Clippers, but coach Vinny Del Negro says the injured elbow of his star forward [39] is a concern.
• The Falcons are 8-0, and many writers are giving quarterback Matt Ryan [40] the lead in the NFL MVP race.
• Can the West Virginia offense regain its mojo [41]?
• Rangers starter Yu Darvish will not pitch in next spring’s World Baseball Classic [42], a tournament where he previously was a star.
• Two Indiana basketball players, Peter Jurkin and Hanner Mosquera-Perea [43], have been suspended for nine games each by the NCAA in an unusual case.
• Wishful thinking from Clippers forward Lamar Odom?
--- Email us with any compelling sports-related links at links@athlonsports.com
---By Patrick Snow (@AthlonSnowman [23])
November 6
• On this Election Day, we look back at probably the best athlete to become President of the United States [44]. Gerald Ford was a center on Michigan’s 1932 and 1933 undefeated national title teams, and he had his jersey retired by the Wolverines.
• Would Alabama actually want the high-octane Oregon Ducks [45] as its BCS Championship Game opponent? Bleacher Report’s Barrett Sallee says yes.
• Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News looks at the free-falling Eagles [46], who have lost four in a row and have issues all over the field.
• Here’s an interesting political candidate [47] who could transform the election.
• Red Sox slugger David Ortiz responded strongly [48] to last month’s claim by former Boston manager Bobby Valentine that Ortiz quit on the team this season.
• The 3-0 Knicks are off to their best start in 13 years [49].
• Tired of politics? You can always check out some “MACtion” tonight [50], when 8-1 Toledo meets 6-3 Ball State.
• A write-in Presidential ballot with Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide golf coach [51]? Yep, it is Alabama.
• Check out these GIFs of nutty people in infomercials [52].
• College basketball starts in a few days, and here are CBS’ top 25 games before Christmas [53].
• The most talked-about play in last night Saints’ win over the Eagles was Philadelphia’s attempt at the ole Titans “Music City Miracle.” Philly took it a step further by having Riley Cooper lay flat in the end zone to disguise him, but much like the rest of the Eagles season it failed because of bad execution on a forward pass.
--- Email us with any compelling sports-related links at links@athlonsports.com
---By Patrick Snow (@AthlonSnowman [23])
November 5
• Most LSU fans were livid with the wild gambles of coach Les Miles for giving away the Alabama game, but Gannett’s Glenn Guilbeau says defensive coordinator John Chavis deserves much of the blame [54] as well.
• Bleacher Report’s Michael Felder looks at the Heisman candidacy of Oregon’s Kenjon Barner [55], who rushed for 321 yards and five touchdowns in the Ducks’ 62-51 win over USC.
• The sports and broadcasting world is mourning the loss of ESPN radio’s lead NBA voice, Jim Durham, who passed away at age 65 [56].
• Titans owner Bud Adams sounds ready to make some changes [57] after their 51-20 home loss to the Bears.
• Ouch, that shark bite is going to leave a mark [58].
• Does it make sense for the NFL to void the contract extension of suspended Saints coach Sean Payton [59]?
• Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III get much of the NFL rookie attention (and deservedly so), but Buccaneers running back Doug Martin is quickly becoming a star [60] in Tampa Bay.
• Is there a possibility that Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein would miss the TCU game [61] this Saturday?
• After spending big money last offseason (and not making the postseason), the Angels have let veterans Dan Haren and Torii Hunter go [62].
• Can Missouri win an SEC basketball title [63] in its debut season?
• The Colts moved to 5-3 on the season with a 23-20 win over the Dolphins, and quarterback Andrew Luck set an NFL rookie record with 433 passing yards. But the best moment of the day was when Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano, who is battling leukemia, was able to attend the game and give this inspiring post-game speech.
--- Email us with any compelling sports-related links at links@athlonsports.com
---By Patrick Snow (@AthlonSnowman [23])
