Jeremiah Masoli: No Park And Rec For Me, I'm Going To The NFL

Photo Credit: BRUCE NEWMAN, Oxford Eagle

According to Kyle Veazey, of the Clarion-Ledger, Jeremiah Masoli is exiting stage left on his career at Ole Miss in order to devote more time to training for the NFL. And, unless you live in the land of make-believe, you are hardly surprised by his decision to do so—after all, who would turn down a shot at millions just to work as a park ranger (Masoli was pursuing a masters degree in parks and rec)?

No offense to the park rangers of the world, of course, appreciate all you do.

However, his decision will seem rather curious to the many who actually believed Masoli's transfer to Ole Miss was about "starting over". I mean, Ole Miss offered the chance for him to study something that Oregon simply did not offer. He had no choice but to request a transfer waiver so that he could do what he needed to do—academically—right? The whole playing football thing was secondary to his pursuit of academics.

Yeah. 

While that's a charming story, few actually believed that story back then, and they certainly will feel resolved in not having done so in light of his decision to bail out now. 

According to Masoli's website, he still intends to complete his studies at some point, but right now his focus is on training.

Again, no one can fault Masoli for wanting to see what the NFL has to offer, but if you truly believe that he has any intention of returning to Ole Miss to complete his studies, well, I have a sunny piece of property at the North Pole I'd like to sell you.

Looking forward to seeing how this next chapter plays out for the embattled quarterback and even more curious to see what Houston Nutt will do next season.

WATCH: Oregon Ducks "Take It All" Music Video

Is he a rapper? A singer? A producer?

Whatever he thinks he is, this video is his contribution to the 2010 Oregon Ducks and their trip to the National Championship game in January.

My advice would be for him to have a nice backup plan—just in case this whole rapper/singer/video production thing doesn't work out to his liking.

Urban Meyer Says He "Had Oregon Ranked No. 1 For Quite Some Time"

There was a collective head-scratch when people found out that Urban Meyer was the ONLY SEC head coach who did not rank the Auburn Tigers No. 1. Some perceived it as sour grapes—Meyer was just mad that Auburn was winning with his cast-off quarterback.

While others didn't feel Urban needed to make any explanation at all. He had his vote, he used it on Oregon—it is what it is.

Well, Urban Meyer finally let the world know exactly why he dismissed Auburn in favor of Oregon, here's what Meyer had to say about his decision not to vote Auburn No. 1:

"It could have been 1A, 1B,'' Meyer said. "I watched that SEC Championship game and to say they are not the best team in America would be incorrect. I have not watched Oregon as much, earlier in the year I did. I've had Oregon ranked No. 1 for quite some time now. And it's just like when we were up there in the rankings _ unless you deserve to lose that ranking _ that's no disrespect to Auburn obviously. But it's 1A, 1B in my mind. I just had Oregon No. 1 for a longer period of time.''

Okay, Urban...whatever you say, buddy.

College Football ATS Picks: Can Nevada Stop Boise State's Winning Streak?

The Lady fared a bit better last week—thank goodness—going 10-5 on the day and moving the overall record to 66-69. The drive towards a strong finish ends with this week's slate, so let's not waste any more time.

Most lines are courtesy of VegasInsider.com (the Auburn/Alabama line is from Vegas.com since VegasInsider.com had no line as of late Thursday evening) and are current as of Thanksgiving Day.

1. West Virginia at Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh (-3)

This game is hard to predict, honestly, because both teams have shown they can be either really good or dreadfully bad. That said, the home field advantage has to be the difference here.

The Lady's Pick: Pittsburgh to cover.

2. Louisville at Rutgers: Louisville (-3)

Both teams enter this game with a losing streak and only one of them will have a bowl bid to gain by winning.

The Lady's Pick: Louisville to cover.

3. Auburn at Alabama: Alabama (-4.5)

Auburn is good, there is no way around that fact, and no team has had an answer for Cam Newton this season. As good as the Alabama defense has shown it can be this year, it seems unlikely that they have enough left in the tank to face another team coming off a bye week with a ton of momentum and an eye towards the brass ring.

The Lady's Pick: Auburn to cover.

4. UCLA at Arizona State: Arizona State (-12.5)

UCLA has not played well on the road and Arizona State seems to play at another level inside Sun Devil Stadium—remember how tight they played Oregon?

The Lady's Pick: Arizona State to cover.

5. Colorado at Nebraska: Nebraska (-16.5)

Sure, the Buffaloes manhandled Iowa State last week but, let's face it, Iowa State isn't nearly as good as advertised and Colorado is really this bad. With or without Taylor Martinez leading the charge, the Cornhuskers should have no problem controlling the tempo or the end zone in this one.

The Lady's Pick: Nebraska to cover.

6. Arizona at Oregon: Oregon (-19)

Oregon plays lights out at home. This week will not be any different.

The Lady's Pick: Oregon to cover.

7. Boise State at Nevada: Boise State (-14)

This game will actually be the biggest test Boise has faced, in-conference, all season as Nevada resembles something closer to a Division-I football team—much unlike the patsies the Broncos have come up against all year. That said, it will still be a bit surprising if the Wolfpack pulls out the win (especially given the overall dominance Boise has in this series).


The Lady's Pick: Nevada to cover.

8. Michigan at Ohio State: Ohio State (-17)

If Michigan had anything that closely resembled a defense, this game might actually be a bit closer—particularly if you could have any faith that Denard Robinson would both play and finish the game. However, given the fact that neither the latter or the former has been likely over the last few weeks, it's hard not to see Ohio State and Terrelle Pryor dominating this game.

The Lady's Pick: Ohio State to cover.


9. Indiana at Purdue: Purdue (-3)

Purdue showed some signs of life last week against a stout Michigan State team and this has to be one of those games where the bragging rights could give the Boilermakers just enough motivation to, finally, get another win.

The Lady's Pick: Purdue


10. Kentucky at Tennessee: Tennessee (-3)

Tennessee seems to have found the right guy to lead their offense in Tyler Bray, and if their defense can find a way to play hard, in an SEC contest, for the full 60 minutes, they should have no problem getting win number six on Saturday.

The Lady's Pick: Tennessee

The Lady's SUPERSIZED Luck Picks (time to go all-in to get above .500)


11. Clemson (+2.5) vs. South Carolina


12. Connecticut (-1) vs. Cincinnati

13. Wisconsin (+23) vs. Northwestern


14. Vanderbilt (-5.5) vs. Wake Forest


15. Iowa (-15.5) at Minnesota


16. Virginia Tech (+23) vs. Virginia


17. Utah (-9) vs. BYU


18. Stanford (-13.5) vs. Oregon State


19. Arkansas (-3.5) vs. LSU


20. Penn State (+1.5) vs. Michigan State

College Football: Honestly, The Odds Are Against TCU and Boise State Playing for a Title

If both Auburn and Oregon lose, would TCU and Boise State move into the two top spots?

It's a legitimate question to ask. After all, both Auburn and Oregon are playing legitimate teams this weekend while TCU and Boise State are playing...wait, who are they playing again? Oh yeah, TCU is playing 1-10 New Mexico while Boise gets challenged by 10-1 Nevada.

Listen, there is no need to debate the merits of how worthy either TCU or Boise are where being granted a BCS National Championship berth is concerned because, well, neither of them deserve a shot at the title based on the schedules they've played—specifically when placed up against that of either Oregon or Auburn.

That said, the BCS isn't about strength of schedule—that makes only a small difference where their overall ranking is concerned—so, if Auburn and Oregon both lose, while TCU and Boise State both win out, they should, hypothetically, get the nod—right?

Well, that isn't likely going to happen and you don't have to agree with the math or pour over stats and historical precedent to see the writing on the wall as to why. Just look at the landscape of college football this season, and note the conversations—the BCS big boys never counted on either TCU or Boise State still being undefeated by this point.

Can we be honest about that much?

Seriously, Boise was "supposed" to lose to Virginia Tech to start the year. They were not supposed to win that game, playing in hostile territory, on a national stage, against a Frank Beamer-coached team—no way, no how. They caused a collective jaw-drop when they walked off Fed-Ex field victorious because the naysayers knew the consequence of such an act was another run for Boise State in 2010.

It wasn't a hard record to predict because, to be honest, watching Boise play any team in the WAC is a lot like watching a friend play NCAA 2011 on rookie mode—boring and unimpressive. They are, literally, the best team on the field every week because there isn't one team in the WAC that can hold their water bottles.

As for TCU, they kept defying the odds, too.

Some felt Oregon State might have beaten them, but the Beavers didn't seem to feel that way and, as usual, they proved to be ineffective in a big game—outside of the state of Oregon.

Then there was the game against Utah. "Oh my, TCU has NEVER won in Salt Lake City and the Utes are a very good football team". Yeah, and the powers that be were so solid in their conviction of that game that they left it off the national schedule—it wasn't even offered to 70 percent of the college football viewing public.

Honestly, it seems like the big boys aren't all that interested in letting the non-BCS schools come sit next to them at the dinner table. They want them to be content to catch whatever scraps they drop from their meal so, if either Oregon or Auburn lose their games, there is little likelihood that either TCU or Boise will have enough points to jump over them—"no one wants to see that game, so let's keep it from happening".

Of course, most of this sounds like a conspiracy theory, and there is no way to prove that any of this will actually come to fruition unless the Top 2 teams in the nation actually lose. However, consider this, Boise State opened the year ranked 3rd in the nation, yet they've never managed to get higher than that—despite annihilating every team they've played.

Even TCU has jumped them...despite the fact that the Horned Frogs barely beat San Diego State last weekend.

Is it fair? You be the judge, but it's becoming more and more obvious that there is definitely no balance and, in truth, there doesn't seem to be many people who care if it ever actually is.

College Football Betting Odds: Will Les Miles Get Lucky Against The Alabama Crimson Tide?

It was a tough road again last week and the season total now stands at 40-50 on the year with only a few more weeks left to get back to the .500 mark.

At this point in the season, teams are getting tired and those without much depth are likely feeling the pinch—even against the lower quality teams—and that makes some match-ups a bit harder to predict.

However, let's stick with 15 again this week as desperate times call for desperate measures.

The picks made, for clarification, are both ATS (against the spread) and straight-up but, for the purpose of the running season tally, the only picks that count are the ATS ones. 

All lines are available through VegasInsider.com—as usual.

1. LSU vs Alabama: Alabama (-6.5)

Here's the problem with LSU—it's the same problem they've had all season long—they don't have consistently good quarterback play. The fact that they only have one loss this season is as much a testament to Les Miles' gunslinger coaching as it is to the talent on the field.

Alabama is coming into this one blindly as LSU has also had two weeks to prepare. However, that said, Saban has to take a little pleasure in sticking it to the Bayou faithful—many of whom never forgave him for ditching them for an NFL job.

It's a tough one to call, but, if Ingram and Richardson can find some room against that tough LSU defense and McElroy can keep from holding the ball so long that Bear Bryant comes back to smack his helmet off, Alabama should be able to win this one.

The Lady's ATS Pick: LSU to cover (Alabama to win).

2. Memphis vs Tennessee: Tennessee (-20)

Memphis is terrible. I don't care where this game is being played nor how tired and beat up this Volunteers team is, this game will be the one where Tyler Bray finds his footing, Tauren Poole goes for nearly 200, and the wide receivers have a field goal.

This is a 'get-well' game for Dooley's crew.

The Lady's ATS Pick: Tennessee to cover. 

3. Texas Tech vs. Missouri: Missouri (-4)

Both teams are coming off losses but, at this point, Missouri still has more to play for and that may be enough to motivate them going into hostile territory.

The Lady's ATS Pick: Missouri to cover. 

4. UCLA vs Oregon State: Oregon State (-5)

This game is in Los Angeles and the Beavers haven't been as convincing on the road as they have at home. That said, this is a UCLA team that has struggled against better Pac-10 opposition all season and that is not a trend that I expect to see change on Saturday.

The Lady's ATS Pick: Oregon State to cover. 

5. Utah vs TCU: TCU (-4.5)

I know TCU hammered the Utes last season (55-28), but this isn't that Utah team. This game will be closer than many think and the outcome may settle TCU's fate once and for all.

The Lady's ATS Pick: Utah to cover (Utah to win).

6.  Louisiana Tech vs. Fresno State: Fresno State (-1)

This game is usually pretty close—despite the talent level that separates the two teams. However, Fresno State should be able to find plenty of passing lanes to throw into against a soft Bulldogs secondary and that will be the difference.

The Lady's Pick: Fresno State to cover. 

7. Stanford vs. Arizona: Stanford (-9.5)

Arizona has a tough defense and the Cardinal may be still flying a bit high after blanking the Washington Huskies last weekend. It's possible the Wildcats can come in and catch Stanford napping.

The Lady's ATS Pick: Arizona to cover. 

8. Iowa State vs. Nebraska: Nebraska (-19)

The Cornhuskers usually play the Cyclones closer in Lincoln than they do in Ames. If that holds true on Saturday, then 19 points may be too much.

The Lady's ATS Pick: Iowa State. 

9.  Oregon vs. Washington: Oregon (-28.5)

Washington isn't good but Oregon is feeling cocky after taking the top spot. Will they suffer a minor lapse in concentration this weekend? It seems likely that they might take their foot off the point-accelarator a little bit this week—not enough to lose, but enough to see the Huskies cover.

Then again, Eugene (Oregon) is Eugene, and that is one tough place to play.

The Lady's ATS Pick: Oregon to cover. 

10. Boise State vs. Hawaii: Boise State (-21) 

Some team has to be able to upset the Broncos at some point...why not Hawaii.

The Lady's ATS Pick: Hawaii

The Lady's Luck Picks...who else will cover?


11. Kansas (-10) vs Colorado

12. Florida (-14) at Vanderbilt


13. Florida State (-7) vs North Carolina


14. Michigan State (-24) vs Minnesota

15. Oklahoma (-3.5) at Texas A&M

College Football Betting Odds: Will The Auburn Tigers Be The Next No. 1 To Fall?

The Lady got back to being average last week, finishing the weekend slate with a 5-5 record. The challenge for this site has become to complete the season ABOVE .500 and, sitting at 34-41 on the year, there is still plenty of work left to do before that goal is accomplished.

So, this week, the usual ten picks will be upped to fifteen—just for kicks. To keep it interesting, there will be no "cupcakes"—all Division-I. The Lady will either sink or swim with her choices but, there again, she always does.

The time stamp offered by this posting may not reflect the lines as you may find them to be as of Thursday morning, but as of 8:33 Wednesday night, these were the lines offered by VegasInsider.com.

Let's get it going, shall we:

1. Ole Miss vs. Auburn: Auburn (-7)

The Tigers are really feeling like winners right now, aren't they? They're the No. 1 team in the nation, undefeated in the SEC, sporting a Heisman contender (likely the Heisman winner) at quarterback...things are looking sweet on The Plains right now.

Well, here's the thing about that, Auburn has looked lights out all season EXCEPT on the road where they've struggled against both Kentucky and Mississippi State. Ole Miss has one of the most mobile quarterbacks the Tigers have faced all season and Masoli is coming off one of his best games of the season.

Don't sleep on the Rebels.

The Lady's Pick: Ole Miss

2. Southern Cal vs. Oregon: Oregon (-7)

Oregon is mad as hell, and they aren't gonna take it any more!

If you're Chip Kelly's bunch, you have to be wondering what on earth you have to do in order to see some BCS respect—a little No. 1 love? Well, the best way to get that is to go to L.A. and stomp the living crap out of Lane Kiffin's boys.

If they can do that, they might be able to get enough of a boost to pull those Auburn Tigers right off their mantle.

The Lady's Pick:  Oregon

3. Connecticut vs. West Virginia: (-6.5)

Connecticut has to break in another quarterback this week and, although, they are playing at home, they have looked another shade of awful over the last two weeks—against both Rutgers and Louisville.

Are they really going to improve that much between then and Friday?...Not likely.

The Lady's Pick: West Virginia

4.  Illinois vs. Purdue: Illinois (-17.5) 

What did Illinois do to deserve this much respect?

Purdue hasn't been good this year, but they've played every team they have faced in a tough fashion this season. Illinois beat the crap out of Indiana last week, and no disrespect to the Hoosiers, but that's not saying much.

The Lady's Pick: Purdue

5.  Iowa vs. Michigan State: Iowa (-6)

Michigan State averted a disaster in Illinois last week against a tough Northwestern team. That won't happen again in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes will be ready to get stop the Spartans streak in Iowa City.

The Lady's Pick: Iowa

6. South Carolina vs. Tennessee: South Carolina (-17.5)

Tennessee doesn't look good. The lack of depth, the issues on the offensive line, the quarterback spot, etc...all look completely exhausted at this point.

By stark contrast, the Gamecocks will be playing at home...with Marcus Lattimore.

The Lady's Pick: South Carolina

7. Mississippi State vs. Kentucky: Mississippi State (-6.5)

Kentucky is better than their record. Mississippi State isn't as good as theirs.

The Lady's Pick: Kentucky

8. Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State: Oklahoma State (-5.5)

Brandon Weeden just, unexpectedly, lost his No. 1 receiver. That means the Cowboys offense just got run-heavy. The Wildcats would be wise to take advantage of the Cowboys period of adjustment.

The Lady's Pick: Kansas State

9. Nebraska vs. Missouri: Missouri (-7.5)

The Cornhuskers were on the opposite side of this line two-weeks ago against the Longhorns—they blew it. Don't look for Pelini's bunch to make the same mistake twice.

The Lady's Pick: Nebraska

10. Oregon State vs. California: Oregon State (-2.5)

The Golden Bears feel pretty good about themselves after a huge win over the Sun Devils last week, but they should be careful not to bring too much of that ego into Oregon this weekend. The Beavers play well at home and the Bears have been woeful on the road.

The Lady's Pick: Oregon State

Lady's Luck Picks:

11. Washington State (+21) at Arizona State


12. Minnesota (+25.5) vs. Ohio State


13. Penn State (-3) vs. Michigan


14. Miami (-15.5) at Virginia


15. Kansas (+19) at Iowa State

Hopefully, Jeremiah Masoli Won't Be Just Another Jamar Hornsby For Ole Miss

According to ESPN's Joe Schad, the University of Mississippi has decided to allow Jeremiah Masoli to enroll in one of their graduate programs this fall. Masoli would not be granted a scholarship to the Ole Miss football team, but he would be granted access as a walk-on.

That said, there is the possibility that Masoli, who is a good student, could receive financial aid in the form of reduced tuition or grant money to assist in covering the cost of out-of-state tuition at Ole Miss. If Masoli does enroll, it would be the second time in as many seasons that coach Houston Nutt has taken a chance on a player with a history of legal troubles.

In 2009, Nutt decided to take a chance on former Florida Gator, Jamar Hornsby. Hornsby was dismissed from the Gators after the 2007 season when it was discovered he used the credit card of a deceased student—a young lady who died in a motorcycle accident—to charge items amounting to more than $3000. The student turned out to be the girlfriend of his teammate, Joe Haden.

Horsnby never played a down in Oxford. He was charged with assault and, subsequentially, released by Nutt before the start of the season.

Masoli will be Nutt's second attempt at trying on a troubled player. If it works out for him, he will be lauded for having the foresight to give a guy another chance to make good on his skills. However, if the plan backfires, Nutt could see his seat in Oxford become a lot less comfortable.

Nothing is set in stone yet, so this deal could falter and fail, but if it doesn't, the only issue Nutt will hope to face is how to fit Masoli into his pro-style offense. Masoli worked out of a spread-option system at Oregon and, at 5'11" isn't exactly the ideal height for a pro-style QB.

Either way, Nutt appears to be rolling the dice on this one. Hopefully, second times the charm.