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By Julian Linden BANGKOK (Reuters) - Asia's top Olympic official has ruled out the possibility of the 2022 Winter Olympics being shifted from its traditional February time-slot to avoid clashing with the World Cup, saying FIFA needed to sort out its own problems. Soccer's world governing body is currently considering whether to move the 2022 World Cup, scheduled to be played in Qatar in June and July, to a cooler time of the year to avoid the hottest months in the Middle East. ...

As the 2014 college football season begins to wind down the first annual College Football Playoff race heats up as the calendar turns to November. It has been a season full of twists and turns, but the craziest month historically is November.

The long time saying in college football has always been “the games in November are the ones you remember.” This will be even truer this season with this new four team playoff.

Conference races across the country shift into high gear and the race to make the final four of college football is on the mind of more than a dozen teams.

The SEC West has been the top division in all of college football this season and as the season winds down the Western division of the SEC is still the best. The teams in the SEC West have begun beating up on each other now that the schedule has gotten tougher and these teams have started to face each other.

One of the top contenders in the SEC West has been the Alabama Crimson Tide and now that November has arrived their schedule hits the home stretch. The Crimson Tide suffered a loss the first week in October when the Ole Miss Rebels beat them in a game for the ages.

The Tide have been anything but dominant this season, but I am going to make the argument that the Crimson Tide will not lose another regular season game this year. The Tide are hitting their stride at the right time and it will pay big dividends now that we have hit November.

I feel the Tide will finish November unbeaten and represent the SEC West in the SEC title game in Atlanta come December. There is one huge reason I believe Alabama will finish the regular season 11-1 and have a perfect 4-0 finish to the season.

That huge reason I believe Alabama will finish November unbeaten is the schedule. The biggest reason I came to the conclusion Alabama would finish the 2014 season at 11-1 is the way their schedule shapes up in November.

The Crimson Tide start their November schedule this coming Saturday in Death Valley against LSU. The Tigers have been the biggest challenge to the Crimson Tide in their past run of success. The LSU Tigers currently sit at 7-2 and one of the hottest teams in all of college football.

I believe this game on Saturday will be the biggest challenge to Alabama and if they manage to get by this game, which I believe they will, they will no doubt represent the SEC West in the SEC Championship Game in December.

The following Saturday, on November 15, the Tide host the number one team in the nation Mississippi State. I know most people will feel this will be the toughest game in November for Alabama, but the fact this game is in Alabama will be the difference.

The Bulldogs of Mississippi State are not used to this type of pressure being number one so late in the season and it will eventually get to them.

Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott admitted last weekend, following their narrow victory over Arkansas, that he pressed and tried to force the action. This is a scary thing to hear from Prescott if you are a Mississippi State fan and I believe against Alabama their magical run will end.

The Crimson Tide then face Western Carolina in what amounts to another scrimmage game to get prepared for Auburn in the Iron Bowl. A game like this in November is what makes people upset at the SEC and their weak scheduling habits.

It’s November, the stretch run of the season, and Alabama and other SEC teams are playing teams like Western Carolina while other power five conferences are playing tough conference rivals. It’s a joke for the SEC, but they get a pass for it just because it’s the SEC.

Last, but not least the Alabama Crimson Tide finish the 2014 season and November off with the Iron Bowl as they do every year. Auburn beat Alabama last year in a game for the ages and prevented Alabama from a possible three peat.

This year Auburn has to travel to Tuscaloosa and I believe this will be the difference. I am a huge believer in home field being the deciding factor in college football more than any other sport in the world. This has been the case for years and only the elite of the elite seem to win on the road in marquee college football games.

I believe Auburn can be one of those elite teams to win a tough game on the road, but this year I feel Alabama will find a way to win. It will be a close battle that comes down to the wire like last year, but the Crimson Tide will have the home field behind them unlike last year in Auburn.

So, I feel the fact their schedule ends favorably, in terms of home and away games, will be the reason Alabama finishes 2014 at 11-1. This will get them in the SEC title game where they will face an inferior SEC East opponent.

Alabama will be huge favorites in the SEC title game, no matter which SEC East team they face, and they will then be one of the four playoff teams. This would come just months after people said the Alabama dynasty is over and Nick Saban has lost his edge.

It will be a strong finish for Alabama and the rest of the country and SEC will be its main witness. The Tide is back and for opponents that is a scary thought. Saban has not lost his edge and the Crimson Tide are primed to make yet another national title run in 2014.

By Julian Linden BANGKOK (Reuters) - Asia's top Olympic official has ruled out the possibility of the 2022 Winter Olympics being shifted from its traditional February time-slot to avoid clashing with the World Cup, saying FIFA needed to sort out its own problems. Soccer's world governing body is currently considering whether to move the 2022 World Cup, scheduled to be played in Qatar in June and July, to a cooler time of the year to avoid the hottest months in the Middle East. ...

As the 2014 college football season begins to wind down the first annual College Football Playoff race heats up as the calendar turns to November. It has been a season full of twists and turns, but the craziest month historically is November.

The long time saying in college football has always been “the games in November are the ones you remember.” This will be even truer this season with this new four team playoff.

Conference races across the country shift into high gear and the race to make the final four of college football is on the mind of more than a dozen teams.

The SEC West has been the top division in all of college football this season and as the season winds down the Western division of the SEC is still the best. The teams in the SEC West have begun beating up on each other now that the schedule has gotten tougher and these teams have started to face each other.

One of the top contenders in the SEC West has been the Alabama Crimson Tide and now that November has arrived their schedule hits the home stretch. The Crimson Tide suffered a loss the first week in October when the Ole Miss Rebels beat them in a game for the ages.

The Tide have been anything but dominant this season, but I am going to make the argument that the Crimson Tide will not lose another regular season game this year. The Tide are hitting their stride at the right time and it will pay big dividends now that we have hit November.

I feel the Tide will finish November unbeaten and represent the SEC West in the SEC title game in Atlanta come December. There is one huge reason I believe Alabama will finish the regular season 11-1 and have a perfect 4-0 finish to the season.

That huge reason I believe Alabama will finish November unbeaten is the schedule. The biggest reason I came to the conclusion Alabama would finish the 2014 season at 11-1 is the way their schedule shapes up in November.

The Crimson Tide start their November schedule this coming Saturday in Death Valley against LSU. The Tigers have been the biggest challenge to the Crimson Tide in their past run of success. The LSU Tigers currently sit at 7-2 and one of the hottest teams in all of college football.

I believe this game on Saturday will be the biggest challenge to Alabama and if they manage to get by this game, which I believe they will, they will no doubt represent the SEC West in the SEC Championship Game in December.

The following Saturday, on November 15, the Tide host the number one team in the nation Mississippi State. I know most people will feel this will be the toughest game in November for Alabama, but the fact this game is in Alabama will be the difference.

The Bulldogs of Mississippi State are not used to this type of pressure being number one so late in the season and it will eventually get to them.

Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott admitted last weekend, following their narrow victory over Arkansas, that he pressed and tried to force the action. This is a scary thing to hear from Prescott if you are a Mississippi State fan and I believe against Alabama their magical run will end.

The Crimson Tide then face Western Carolina in what amounts to another scrimmage game to get prepared for Auburn in the Iron Bowl. A game like this in November is what makes people upset at the SEC and their weak scheduling habits.

It’s November, the stretch run of the season, and Alabama and other SEC teams are playing teams like Western Carolina while other power five conferences are playing tough conference rivals. It’s a joke for the SEC, but they get a pass for it just because it’s the SEC.

Last, but not least the Alabama Crimson Tide finish the 2014 season and November off with the Iron Bowl as they do every year. Auburn beat Alabama last year in a game for the ages and prevented Alabama from a possible three peat.

This year Auburn has to travel to Tuscaloosa and I believe this will be the difference. I am a huge believer in home field being the deciding factor in college football more than any other sport in the world. This has been the case for years and only the elite of the elite seem to win on the road in marquee college football games.

I believe Auburn can be one of those elite teams to win a tough game on the road, but this year I feel Alabama will find a way to win. It will be a close battle that comes down to the wire like last year, but the Crimson Tide will have the home field behind them unlike last year in Auburn.

So, I feel the fact their schedule ends favorably, in terms of home and away games, will be the reason Alabama finishes 2014 at 11-1. This will get them in the SEC title game where they will face an inferior SEC East opponent.

Alabama will be huge favorites in the SEC title game, no matter which SEC East team they face, and they will then be one of the four playoff teams. This would come just months after people said the Alabama dynasty is over and Nick Saban has lost his edge.

It will be a strong finish for Alabama and the rest of the country and SEC will be its main witness. The Tide is back and for opponents that is a scary thought. Saban has not lost his edge and the Crimson Tide are primed to make yet another national title run in 2014.

As the 2014 college football season begins to wind down the first annual College Football Playoff race heats up as the calendar turns to November. It has been a season full of twists and turns, but the craziest month historically is November.

The long time saying in college football has always been “the games in November are the ones you remember.” This will be even truer this season with this new four team playoff.

Conference races across the country shift into high gear and the race to make the final four of college football is on the mind of more than a dozen teams.

The SEC West has been the top division in all of college football this season and as the season winds down the Western division of the SEC is still the best. The teams in the SEC West have begun beating up on each other now that the schedule has gotten tougher and these teams have started to face each other.

One of the top contenders in the SEC West has been the Alabama Crimson Tide and now that November has arrived their schedule hits the home stretch. The Crimson Tide suffered a loss the first week in October when the Ole Miss Rebels beat them in a game for the ages.

The Tide have been anything but dominant this season, but I am going to make the argument that the Crimson Tide will not lose another regular season game this year. The Tide are hitting their stride at the right time and it will pay big dividends now that we have hit November.

I feel the Tide will finish November unbeaten and represent the SEC West in the SEC title game in Atlanta come December. There is one huge reason I believe Alabama will finish the regular season 11-1 and have a perfect 4-0 finish to the season.

That huge reason I believe Alabama will finish November unbeaten is the schedule. The biggest reason I came to the conclusion Alabama would finish the 2014 season at 11-1 is the way their schedule shapes up in November.

The Crimson Tide start their November schedule this coming Saturday in Death Valley against LSU. The Tigers have been the biggest challenge to the Crimson Tide in their past run of success. The LSU Tigers currently sit at 7-2 and one of the hottest teams in all of college football.

I believe this game on Saturday will be the biggest challenge to Alabama and if they manage to get by this game, which I believe they will, they will no doubt represent the SEC West in the SEC Championship Game in December.

The following Saturday, on November 15, the Tide host the number one team in the nation Mississippi State. I know most people will feel this will be the toughest game in November for Alabama, but the fact this game is in Alabama will be the difference.

The Bulldogs of Mississippi State are not used to this type of pressure being number one so late in the season and it will eventually get to them.

Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott admitted last weekend, following their narrow victory over Arkansas, that he pressed and tried to force the action. This is a scary thing to hear from Prescott if you are a Mississippi State fan and I believe against Alabama their magical run will end.

The Crimson Tide then face Western Carolina in what amounts to another scrimmage game to get prepared for Auburn in the Iron Bowl. A game like this in November is what makes people upset at the SEC and their weak scheduling habits.

It’s November, the stretch run of the season, and Alabama and other SEC teams are playing teams like Western Carolina while other power five conferences are playing tough conference rivals. It’s a joke for the SEC, but they get a pass for it just because it’s the SEC.

Last, but not least the Alabama Crimson Tide finish the 2014 season and November off with the Iron Bowl as they do every year. Auburn beat Alabama last year in a game for the ages and prevented Alabama from a possible three peat.

This year Auburn has to travel to Tuscaloosa and I believe this will be the difference. I am a huge believer in home field being the deciding factor in college football more than any other sport in the world. This has been the case for years and only the elite of the elite seem to win on the road in marquee college football games.

I believe Auburn can be one of those elite teams to win a tough game on the road, but this year I feel Alabama will find a way to win. It will be a close battle that comes down to the wire like last year, but the Crimson Tide will have the home field behind them unlike last year in Auburn.

So, I feel the fact their schedule ends favorably, in terms of home and away games, will be the reason Alabama finishes 2014 at 11-1. This will get them in the SEC title game where they will face an inferior SEC East opponent.

Alabama will be huge favorites in the SEC title game, no matter which SEC East team they face, and they will then be one of the four playoff teams. This would come just months after people said the Alabama dynasty is over and Nick Saban has lost his edge.

It will be a strong finish for Alabama and the rest of the country and SEC will be its main witness. The Tide is back and for opponents that is a scary thought. Saban has not lost his edge and the Crimson Tide are primed to make yet another national title run in 2014.

As the 2014 college football season begins to wind down the first annual College Football Playoff race heats up as the calendar turns to November. It has been a season full of twists and turns, but the craziest month historically is November.

The long time saying in college football has always been “the games in November are the ones you remember.” This will be even truer this season with this new four team playoff.

Conference races across the country shift into high gear and the race to make the final four of college football is on the mind of more than a dozen teams.

The SEC West has been the top division in all of college football this season and as the season winds down the Western division of the SEC is still the best. The teams in the SEC West have begun beating up on each other now that the schedule has gotten tougher and these teams have started to face each other.

One of the top contenders in the SEC West has been the Alabama Crimson Tide and now that November has arrived their schedule hits the home stretch. The Crimson Tide suffered a loss the first week in October when the Ole Miss Rebels beat them in a game for the ages.

The Tide have been anything but dominant this season, but I am going to make the argument that the Crimson Tide will not lose another regular season game this year. The Tide are hitting their stride at the right time and it will pay big dividends now that we have hit November.

I feel the Tide will finish November unbeaten and represent the SEC West in the SEC title game in Atlanta come December. There is one huge reason I believe Alabama will finish the regular season 11-1 and have a perfect 4-0 finish to the season.

That huge reason I believe Alabama will finish November unbeaten is the schedule. The biggest reason I came to the conclusion Alabama would finish the 2014 season at 11-1 is the way their schedule shapes up in November.

The Crimson Tide start their November schedule this coming Saturday in Death Valley against LSU. The Tigers have been the biggest challenge to the Crimson Tide in their past run of success. The LSU Tigers currently sit at 7-2 and one of the hottest teams in all of college football.

I believe this game on Saturday will be the biggest challenge to Alabama and if they manage to get by this game, which I believe they will, they will no doubt represent the SEC West in the SEC Championship Game in December.

The following Saturday, on November 15, the Tide host the number one team in the nation Mississippi State. I know most people will feel this will be the toughest game in November for Alabama, but the fact this game is in Alabama will be the difference.

The Bulldogs of Mississippi State are not used to this type of pressure being number one so late in the season and it will eventually get to them.

Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott admitted last weekend, following their narrow victory over Arkansas, that he pressed and tried to force the action. This is a scary thing to hear from Prescott if you are a Mississippi State fan and I believe against Alabama their magical run will end.

The Crimson Tide then face Western Carolina in what amounts to another scrimmage game to get prepared for Auburn in the Iron Bowl. A game like this in November is what makes people upset at the SEC and their weak scheduling habits.

It’s November, the stretch run of the season, and Alabama and other SEC teams are playing teams like Western Carolina while other power five conferences are playing tough conference rivals. It’s a joke for the SEC, but they get a pass for it just because it’s the SEC.

Last, but not least the Alabama Crimson Tide finish the 2014 season and November off with the Iron Bowl as they do every year. Auburn beat Alabama last year in a game for the ages and prevented Alabama from a possible three peat.

This year Auburn has to travel to Tuscaloosa and I believe this will be the difference. I am a huge believer in home field being the deciding factor in college football more than any other sport in the world. This has been the case for years and only the elite of the elite seem to win on the road in marquee college football games.

I believe Auburn can be one of those elite teams to win a tough game on the road, but this year I feel Alabama will find a way to win. It will be a close battle that comes down to the wire like last year, but the Crimson Tide will have the home field behind them unlike last year in Auburn.

So, I feel the fact their schedule ends favorably, in terms of home and away games, will be the reason Alabama finishes 2014 at 11-1. This will get them in the SEC title game where they will face an inferior SEC East opponent.

Alabama will be huge favorites in the SEC title game, no matter which SEC East team they face, and they will then be one of the four playoff teams. This would come just months after people said the Alabama dynasty is over and Nick Saban has lost his edge.

It will be a strong finish for Alabama and the rest of the country and SEC will be its main witness. The Tide is back and for opponents that is a scary thought. Saban has not lost his edge and the Crimson Tide are primed to make yet another national title run in 2014.

The Dallas Cowboys are not for real. Don’t be fooled by their 6-1 record, fancy stadium, or the fact that half their offense could look really good in underwear commercials. This team is a fake. A fraud. A phony. Their 6-1 record is a scam. Paying attention yet?

Sure, Dallas has won their last six games. It is a strong streak. The last time the Cowboys won six in a row was 2007. They actually won 12 out of their first 13 that season, but stumbled down the stretch losing two of their last three and their only playoff game. This team seems even better.

When we take a closer look at the Cowboys though, there are four glaring flaws. Four things that are going to prove their weakness and that will cause their ultimate downfall.

4. Schedule: The Cowboys have won six games against teams that are a combined 15-24. Big freaking deal! Their BIG win at Seattle seems less and less impressive as the Seahawks implode. They don’t have a SINGLE win against a team with a winning record. And three of their wins have been by a score or less including a win in overtime at “home” against the Texans.

Looking ahead, the Cowboys face some actual challenges. Their remaining slate includes two games against the Eagles, games at home against the Cardinals and Colts, and a road game at the Bears. All five of these games will present very strong challenges, and games at Washington and the Giants always end up being close because of a great division match-up. Don’t be surprised if the Boys limp in to the playoffs as a wildcard at 10-6.

3. Demarco Murray: WHAT?! Isn’t he the top option for league MVP right now? Isn’t he the reason the Cowboys are 6-1? Yes and yes. And he will also lead to their downfall. Murray is touching the ball at an incredible pace. He is on pace to have 478 touches on the year. This is the same Demarco Murray that has missed multiple games every year of his career. I just don’t believe that he will survive much longer. And when that happens, inconsistent Tony Romo has to take the reins. The Cowboys become one dimensional and teams find the much easier to stop.

2. Run defense: Sure, their run defense and defense in general looks a lot better than it did last year, at least on the stat sheet. But when we look closer there are two things that stick out. First is that the Cowboys are still giving up nearly 5.0 yards per carry to opposing teams. They have had their mix of very good (Lynch, Gore, Foster) backs to play against and very bad (Sankey, Stacy, Williams) backs. But if a team can average half of a first down every time they run the ball, that isn’t good.

Second, because teams often played from behind they had to abandon the run. The Titans and Saints only carried the ball 13 times; the Seahawks, who dominate the run game, only rushed 18 times. Teams who actually run the ball have found success doing so.

1.Time of possession: Let’s tie this one to Demarco Murray. One of the only reasons that the Cowboys are doing well is because they allow Murray to control the clock. Over the 360 minutes they have played in six winning contests, they controlled the ball for a ridiculous 211 minutes! That is nearly 18% more time than their opponents. Once Murray goes down, it all changes.

Think that I should have written an article praising Demarco Murray? Maybe you’re right. I do tie their downfall to an event that may never happen (and the fact they haven’t beaten anyone of substance). Tell me about it in the comments below.

The Dallas Cowboys are not for real. Don’t be fooled by their 6-1 record, fancy stadium, or the fact that half their offense could look really good in underwear commercials. This team is a fake. A fraud. A phony. Their 6-1 record is a scam. Paying attention yet?

Sure, Dallas has won their last six games. It is a strong streak. The last time the Cowboys won six in a row was 2007. They actually won 12 out of their first 13 that season, but stumbled down the stretch losing two of their last three and their only playoff game. This team seems even better.

When we take a closer look at the Cowboys though, there are four glaring flaws. Four things that are going to prove their weakness and that will cause their ultimate downfall.

4. Schedule: The Cowboys have won six games against teams that are a combined 15-24. Big freaking deal! Their BIG win at Seattle seems less and less impressive as the Seahawks implode. They don’t have a SINGLE win against a team with a winning record. And three of their wins have been by a score or less including a win in overtime at “home” against the Texans.

Looking ahead, the Cowboys face some actual challenges. Their remaining slate includes two games against the Eagles, games at home against the Cardinals and Colts, and a road game at the Bears. All five of these games will present very strong challenges, and games at Washington and the Giants always end up being close because of a great division match-up. Don’t be surprised if the Boys limp in to the playoffs as a wildcard at 10-6.

3. Demarco Murray: WHAT?! Isn’t he the top option for league MVP right now? Isn’t he the reason the Cowboys are 6-1? Yes and yes. And he will also lead to their downfall. Murray is touching the ball at an incredible pace. He is on pace to have 478 touches on the year. This is the same Demarco Murray that has missed multiple games every year of his career. I just don’t believe that he will survive much longer. And when that happens, inconsistent Tony Romo has to take the reins. The Cowboys become one dimensional and teams find the much easier to stop.

2. Run defense: Sure, their run defense and defense in general looks a lot better than it did last year, at least on the stat sheet. But when we look closer there are two things that stick out. First is that the Cowboys are still giving up nearly 5.0 yards per carry to opposing teams. They have had their mix of very good (Lynch, Gore, Foster) backs to play against and very bad (Sankey, Stacy, Williams) backs. But if a team can average half of a first down every time they run the ball, that isn’t good.

Second, because teams often played from behind they had to abandon the run. The Titans and Saints only carried the ball 13 times; the Seahawks, who dominate the run game, only rushed 18 times. Teams who actually run the ball have found success doing so.

1.Time of possession: Let’s tie this one to Demarco Murray. One of the only reasons that the Cowboys are doing well is because they allow Murray to control the clock. Over the 360 minutes they have played in six winning contests, they controlled the ball for a ridiculous 211 minutes! That is nearly 18% more time than their opponents. Once Murray goes down, it all changes.

Think that I should have written an article praising Demarco Murray? Maybe you’re right. I do tie their downfall to an event that may never happen (and the fact they haven’t beaten anyone of substance). Tell me about it in the comments below.

They are already talking about it all over the airwaves in Florida. Dan Mullen needs to replace Will Muschamp in Gainesville.

While the Gator faithful may put on a full court press to secure the offensive mind to come back the school that he helped win two national titles in the last eight seasons, the move may not be the best for the head man in Starkville. It looks like he and his Mississippi State Bulldogs are having too much fun being the best team in college football right now.

So why leave?

I am pretty sure at the end of the season, there will be more than just the Gator Nation who will want Mullen’s services, but I am also betting he stays put.

Here are a few reasons why.

THE RIVALRY

Steve Spurrier had Bobby Bowden. Pat Dye had Vince Dooley. Bo had Woody and right now, Gus Malzahn has Nick Saban. College football is all about the rivalries and personalities that make up great traditions. This year, no greater game to be played is the Egg Bowl. And Mullen and Hugh Freeze are the two hottest coaches in the country.

EASIER RECRUITING

If Mullen moves on to another school, he will have to gain some more momentum in the recruiting battles that lie ahead. Right now, his team is the best in the nation, which is appealing. Plus his time at Florida affords him a chance to go into the state and recruit players based on his reputation. Also – should he move on to a bigger school, he competes with larger quantities of programs. Basically, The Bulldogs and the Rebels are the only game in two for big time college football.

A BIG FISH IN A LITTLE POND

Someone asked my yesterday why not go to Florida and build the school up. EXACTLY! Why leave a school where you are a huge fish in a small pond where winning has not been as successful as you would like in the past? It took Mullen a few years to get here. Remember 8-4 was the accepted norm in Starkville. Now, with this season, 10 wins will be expected and a goal this team with restocking of players can be achieved with his leadership.

IT’S THE SEC

That is the biggest reason of all. Florida may be in the SEC and other schools may come calling like Miami, possible North Carolina, and Michigan. But playing in the SEC West, which proved to be the better division this year in SEC play, is what coaches dream of doing.

If Mullen were to leave for another program, Mississippi State may take a few steps back (like Vanderbilt with James Franklin). The alumni and the athletic department will do whatever it has to so Mullen remains on campus for a while.

FLORIDA DOES NOT OFFER HIM A BETTER CHANCE FOR SUCCESS

Why does everyone think that Florida can offer Mullen the best chance to be the best? The Florida program right now is in a state of Emergency. The offense needs help. Kurt Roper cannot fix it. That affects recruiting. While there are many people who want to see Mullen in orange and blue, there are some who are cognizant of the fact Mullen worked under Urban Meyer. Association may backfire.

While Mullen knows the spread offense, making it a staple in Gainesville again may not be the best idea.

DAK PRESCOTT

There are moments when players come along and wow a program and put it on the map. Dak Prescott was an afterthought amongst All-American picks. At the beginning of the season, he was third or fourth in comparison to other passers in the SEC – a conference that lost more pure talent behind center in 2014 than it had lost in the past decade.

Prescott is now the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy over Marcus Mariota, Todd Gurley who is not playing, Melvin Gordon and Amari Cooper. He has proven to be better than Auburn’s Nick Marshall as well. And chances are, he stays to play next season.

They are already talking about it all over the airwaves in Florida. Dan Mullen needs to replace Will Muschamp in Gainesville.

While the Gator faithful may put on a full court press to secure the offensive mind to come back the school that he helped win two national titles in the last eight seasons, the move may not be the best for the head man in Starkville. It looks like he and his Mississippi State Bulldogs are having too much fun being the best team in college football right now.

So why leave?

I am pretty sure at the end of the season, there will be more than just the Gator Nation who will want Mullen’s services, but I am also betting he stays put.

Here are a few reasons why.

THE RIVALRY

Steve Spurrier had Bobby Bowden. Pat Dye had Vince Dooley. Bo had Woody and right now, Gus Malzahn has Nick Saban. College football is all about the rivalries and personalities that make up great traditions. This year, no greater game to be played is the Egg Bowl. And Mullen and Hugh Freeze are the two hottest coaches in the country.

EASIER RECRUITING

If Mullen moves on to another school, he will have to gain some more momentum in the recruiting battles that lie ahead. Right now, his team is the best in the nation, which is appealing. Plus his time at Florida affords him a chance to go into the state and recruit players based on his reputation. Also – should he move on to a bigger school, he competes with larger quantities of programs. Basically, The Bulldogs and the Rebels are the only game in two for big time college football.

A BIG FISH IN A LITTLE POND

Someone asked my yesterday why not go to Florida and build the school up. EXACTLY! Why leave a school where you are a huge fish in a small pond where winning has not been as successful as you would like in the past? It took Mullen a few years to get here. Remember 8-4 was the accepted norm in Starkville. Now, with this season, 10 wins will be expected and a goal this team with restocking of players can be achieved with his leadership.

IT’S THE SEC

That is the biggest reason of all. Florida may be in the SEC and other schools may come calling like Miami, possible North Carolina, and Michigan. But playing in the SEC West, which proved to be the better division this year in SEC play, is what coaches dream of doing.

If Mullen were to leave for another program, Mississippi State may take a few steps back (like Vanderbilt with James Franklin). The alumni and the athletic department will do whatever it has to so Mullen remains on campus for a while.

FLORIDA DOES NOT OFFER HIM A BETTER CHANCE FOR SUCCESS

Why does everyone think that Florida can offer Mullen the best chance to be the best? The Florida program right now is in a state of Emergency. The offense needs help. Kurt Roper cannot fix it. That affects recruiting. While there are many people who want to see Mullen in orange and blue, there are some who are cognizant of the fact Mullen worked under Urban Meyer. Association may backfire.

While Mullen knows the spread offense, making it a staple in Gainesville again may not be the best idea.

DAK PRESCOTT

There are moments when players come along and wow a program and put it on the map. Dak Prescott was an afterthought amongst All-American picks. At the beginning of the season, he was third or fourth in comparison to other passers in the SEC – a conference that lost more pure talent behind center in 2014 than it had lost in the past decade.

Prescott is now the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy over Marcus Mariota, Todd Gurley who is not playing, Melvin Gordon and Amari Cooper. He has proven to be better than Auburn’s Nick Marshall as well. And chances are, he stays to play next season.

They are already talking about it all over the airwaves in Florida. Dan Mullen needs to replace Will Muschamp in Gainesville.

While the Gator faithful may put on a full court press to secure the offensive mind to come back the school that he helped win two national titles in the last eight seasons, the move may not be the best for the head man in Starkville. It looks like he and his Mississippi State Bulldogs are having too much fun being the best team in college football right now.

So why leave?

I am pretty sure at the end of the season, there will be more than just the Gator Nation who will want Mullen’s services, but I am also betting he stays put.

Here are a few reasons why.

THE RIVALRY

Steve Spurrier had Bobby Bowden. Pat Dye had Vince Dooley. Bo had Woody and right now, Gus Malzahn has Nick Saban. College football is all about the rivalries and personalities that make up great traditions. This year, no greater game to be played is the Egg Bowl. And Mullen and Hugh Freeze are the two hottest coaches in the country.

EASIER RECRUITING

If Mullen moves on to another school, he will have to gain some more momentum in the recruiting battles that lie ahead. Right now, his team is the best in the nation, which is appealing. Plus his time at Florida affords him a chance to go into the state and recruit players based on his reputation. Also – should he move on to a bigger school, he competes with larger quantities of programs. Basically, The Bulldogs and the Rebels are the only game in two for big time college football.

A BIG FISH IN A LITTLE POND

Someone asked my yesterday why not go to Florida and build the school up. EXACTLY! Why leave a school where you are a huge fish in a small pond where winning has not been as successful as you would like in the past? It took Mullen a few years to get here. Remember 8-4 was the accepted norm in Starkville. Now, with this season, 10 wins will be expected and a goal this team with restocking of players can be achieved with his leadership.

IT’S THE SEC

That is the biggest reason of all. Florida may be in the SEC and other schools may come calling like Miami, possible North Carolina, and Michigan. But playing in the SEC West, which proved to be the better division this year in SEC play, is what coaches dream of doing.

If Mullen were to leave for another program, Mississippi State may take a few steps back (like Vanderbilt with James Franklin). The alumni and the athletic department will do whatever it has to so Mullen remains on campus for a while.

FLORIDA DOES NOT OFFER HIM A BETTER CHANCE FOR SUCCESS

Why does everyone think that Florida can offer Mullen the best chance to be the best? The Florida program right now is in a state of Emergency. The offense needs help. Kurt Roper cannot fix it. That affects recruiting. While there are many people who want to see Mullen in orange and blue, there are some who are cognizant of the fact Mullen worked under Urban Meyer. Association may backfire.

While Mullen knows the spread offense, making it a staple in Gainesville again may not be the best idea.

DAK PRESCOTT

There are moments when players come along and wow a program and put it on the map. Dak Prescott was an afterthought amongst All-American picks. At the beginning of the season, he was third or fourth in comparison to other passers in the SEC – a conference that lost more pure talent behind center in 2014 than it had lost in the past decade.

Prescott is now the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy over Marcus Mariota, Todd Gurley who is not playing, Melvin Gordon and Amari Cooper. He has proven to be better than Auburn’s Nick Marshall as well. And chances are, he stays to play next season.

They are already talking about it all over the airwaves in Florida. Dan Mullen needs to replace Will Muschamp in Gainesville.

While the Gator faithful may put on a full court press to secure the offensive mind to come back the school that he helped win two national titles in the last eight seasons, the move may not be the best for the head man in Starkville. It looks like he and his Mississippi State Bulldogs are having too much fun being the best team in college football right now.

So why leave?

I am pretty sure at the end of the season, there will be more than just the Gator Nation who will want Mullen’s services, but I am also betting he stays put.

Here are a few reasons why.

THE RIVALRY

Steve Spurrier had Bobby Bowden. Pat Dye had Vince Dooley. Bo had Woody and right now, Gus Malzahn has Nick Saban. College football is all about the rivalries and personalities that make up great traditions. This year, no greater game to be played is the Egg Bowl. And Mullen and Hugh Freeze are the two hottest coaches in the country.

EASIER RECRUITING

If Mullen moves on to another school, he will have to gain some more momentum in the recruiting battles that lie ahead. Right now, his team is the best in the nation, which is appealing. Plus his time at Florida affords him a chance to go into the state and recruit players based on his reputation. Also – should he move on to a bigger school, he competes with larger quantities of programs. Basically, The Bulldogs and the Rebels are the only game in two for big time college football.

A BIG FISH IN A LITTLE POND

Someone asked my yesterday why not go to Florida and build the school up. EXACTLY! Why leave a school where you are a huge fish in a small pond where winning has not been as successful as you would like in the past? It took Mullen a few years to get here. Remember 8-4 was the accepted norm in Starkville. Now, with this season, 10 wins will be expected and a goal this team with restocking of players can be achieved with his leadership.

IT’S THE SEC

That is the biggest reason of all. Florida may be in the SEC and other schools may come calling like Miami, possible North Carolina, and Michigan. But playing in the SEC West, which proved to be the better division this year in SEC play, is what coaches dream of doing.

If Mullen were to leave for another program, Mississippi State may take a few steps back (like Vanderbilt with James Franklin). The alumni and the athletic department will do whatever it has to so Mullen remains on campus for a while.

FLORIDA DOES NOT OFFER HIM A BETTER CHANCE FOR SUCCESS

Why does everyone think that Florida can offer Mullen the best chance to be the best? The Florida program right now is in a state of Emergency. The offense needs help. Kurt Roper cannot fix it. That affects recruiting. While there are many people who want to see Mullen in orange and blue, there are some who are cognizant of the fact Mullen worked under Urban Meyer. Association may backfire.

While Mullen knows the spread offense, making it a staple in Gainesville again may not be the best idea.

DAK PRESCOTT

There are moments when players come along and wow a program and put it on the map. Dak Prescott was an afterthought amongst All-American picks. At the beginning of the season, he was third or fourth in comparison to other passers in the SEC – a conference that lost more pure talent behind center in 2014 than it had lost in the past decade.

Prescott is now the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy over Marcus Mariota, Todd Gurley who is not playing, Melvin Gordon and Amari Cooper. He has proven to be better than Auburn’s Nick Marshall as well. And chances are, he stays to play next season.

By Erik Kirschbaum NEWPORT BEACH Calif. (Reuters) - United States coach Juergen Klinsmann said on Thursday that he was not criticizing or disparaging Major League Soccer by expressing regret that key players Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley had switched to the MLS from two of Europe's top clubs. Saying he welcomed a growing culture of impassioned debate over soccer issues in the United States such as the one that erupted this week over his comments, Klinsmann added the MLS had improved a lot in recent years and was clearly on the rise. ...

By Erik Kirschbaum NEWPORT BEACH Calif. (Reuters) - United States coach Juergen Klinsmann said on Thursday that he was not criticizing or disparaging Major League Soccer by expressing regret that key players Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley had switched to the MLS from two of Europe's top clubs. Saying he welcomed a growing culture of impassioned debate over soccer issues in the United States such as the one that erupted this week over his comments, Klinsmann added the MLS had improved a lot in recent years and was clearly on the rise. ...

By Erik Kirschbaum NEWPORT BEACH Calif. (Reuters) - United States coach Juergen Klinsmann said on Thursday that he was not criticizing or disparaging Major League Soccer by expressing regret that key players Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley had switched to the MLS from two of Europe's top clubs. Saying he welcomed a growing culture of impassioned debate over soccer issues in the United States such as the one that erupted this week over his comments, Klinsmann added the MLS had improved a lot in recent years and was clearly on the rise. ...

By Erik Kirschbaum NEWPORT BEACH Calif. (Reuters) - United States coach Juergen Klinsmann said on Thursday that he was not criticizing or disparaging Major League Soccer by expressing regret that key players Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley had switched to the MLS from two of Europe's top clubs. Saying he welcomed a growing culture of impassioned debate over soccer issues in the United States such as the one that erupted this week over his comments, Klinsmann added the MLS had improved a lot in recent years and was clearly on the rise. ...

By Erik Kirschbaum NEWPORT BEACH Calif. (Reuters) - United States coach Juergen Klinsmann said on Thursday that he was not criticizing or disparaging Major League Soccer by expressing regret that key players Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley had switched to the MLS from two of Europe's top clubs. Saying he welcomed a growing culture of impassioned debate over soccer issues in the United States such as the one that erupted this week over his comments, Klinsmann added the MLS had improved a lot in recent years and was clearly on the rise. ...

When your head coach is 0-6 for the second time in two years, there should be a cautionary red light that goes off in the franchise’s front office and with the media and fan base.

The red light has been bright in the media and the fan base has more than voiced its opinion – both good and bad in recent weeks, but if you ask Jaguars’ general manager Dave Caldwell about the team and job being done to promote a winner, he will tell you the job coach Gus Bradley is doing is right in line with what he expected this season.

“Yes, absolutely I do,” Caldwell told the Florida Times-Union Wednesday morning at EverBank Field. “I think our coaching staff is doing a great job of developing our young players, I think our young players are doing a great job of accepting the coaching and we’ve got veterans like Paul Posluszny, Sen’Derrick Marks, Roy Miller and Alan Ball doing some things.

“We’re close to being where we thought we would be."

Not even a little bit behind considering the free agent additions (left guard Zane Beadles and defensive ends Chris Clemons and Red Bryant) and another draft class (headlined by quarterback Blake Bortles)? The Jaguars didn’t envision losing by four games by at least 17 points, right?

“Obviously if you win a game or two, you would feel better about it,” Caldwell said. “But I felt going into this year, [the first half] would be a lot like last year but we would be more competitive in those games — and we’ve done that in four of the six games — and then we would have a better second half of the season. So far, that’s held true. Now we just have to learn how to close those games out.”

Gus Bradley is the kind of coach everyone wants to play for. That is one of the reasons players who were released from the Seattle Seahawks, his old stomping ground where he served as defensive coordinator, wanted to come across the country to play in north Florida.

The schedule the Jaguars have is not the easiest of schedules and admittedly, they may have allowed the last two games – Pittsburgh and Tennessee – slip away from them. The running game is nonexistent, the offensive line still gelling and the receiving unit just recovering from injuries. Even in the two losses by a total of 10 points, there are signs of life in this roster.

The Times-Union article touched on several issues that make this staff and team one that can still be effective this season.

• Caldwell said owner Shad Khan remains “incredibly supportive” with the plan put in place to build the Jaguars. The two usually talk on Fridays and Mondays and exchange text messages throughout the week.
• Caldwell said he called Khan in the lead-up to the Week 3 game against Indianapolis about the team’s plan to possibly play Bortles if Chad Henne continued to struggle (Bortles entered at halftime). “I try to inform him of the big stuff as much as I can,” Caldwell said.
• Count Caldwell among the rest of the organization and Jaguars fans who have been encouraged with Bortles through one mop-up game and three starts. “The thing that has impressed me the most that I wasn’t 100 percent sure about was his athleticism and his ability to avoid the rush, get out of the pocket and make the off-schedule play,” Caldwell said. “I think he ran a [4.93-second 40-yard dash] at the Combine but you see him on the field, he probably moves a lot better than that.”
• The Jaguars don’t regret their decision to have Bortles watch the first 2 1/2 games. “I had a feeling it might work out this way,” Caldwell said. “But I think he needed those first couple weeks to collect his thoughts. I thought it was important for him to settle down and work on some of the things he needed to work on mechanically. “He’s just finding his way and hopefully he continues to improve.”
• Bortles has seven interceptions but is completing 67.8 percent of his passes. Do the offensive players around him need to step up their games? “What I’m seeing, they’re starting to,” Caldwell said. “Unfortunately, [right guard] Brandon Linder and [receiver] Allen Robinson didn’t get a chance to sit [like Bortles] but they’ve learned as they went along and you’ve seen continued improvement from those guys and guys like [left tackle] Luke Joeckel in his second year and Zane Beadles has started to play better the last three games. “We knew it would be a little of learn-as-you-go and a little bit of a developmental process on offense throughout the season.”
• The Jaguars’ running game appears broken (last in yards per game at 69.5 and sixth-worst with a 3.5-yard average per carry). But Caldwell and the coaching staff have seen glimmers of hope recently.

The next two games are “gettable” for this team, but a win or two will not erase the issues that are still present. That’s fine with Caldwell. As long as the team and Bradley follow the blueprint Caldwell has orchestrated things will be fine. It may take another season, but progress is on its way.

By Erik Kirschbaum NEWPORT BEACH Calif. (Reuters) - United States coach Juergen Klinsmann said on Thursday that he was not criticizing or disparaging Major League Soccer by expressing regret that key players Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley had switched to the MLS from two of Europe's top clubs. Saying he welcomed a growing culture of impassioned debate over soccer issues in the United States such as the one that erupted this week over his comments, Klinsmann added the MLS had improved a lot in recent years and was clearly on the rise. ...

When your head coach is 0-6 for the second time in two years, there should be a cautionary red light that goes off in the franchise’s front office and with the media and fan base.

The red light has been bright in the media and the fan base has more than voiced its opinion – both good and bad in recent weeks, but if you ask Jaguars’ general manager Dave Caldwell about the team and job being done to promote a winner, he will tell you the job coach Gus Bradley is doing is right in line with what he expected this season.

“Yes, absolutely I do,” Caldwell told the Florida Times-Union Wednesday morning at EverBank Field. “I think our coaching staff is doing a great job of developing our young players, I think our young players are doing a great job of accepting the coaching and we’ve got veterans like Paul Posluszny, Sen’Derrick Marks, Roy Miller and Alan Ball doing some things.

“We’re close to being where we thought we would be."

Not even a little bit behind considering the free agent additions (left guard Zane Beadles and defensive ends Chris Clemons and Red Bryant) and another draft class (headlined by quarterback Blake Bortles)? The Jaguars didn’t envision losing by four games by at least 17 points, right?

“Obviously if you win a game or two, you would feel better about it,” Caldwell said. “But I felt going into this year, [the first half] would be a lot like last year but we would be more competitive in those games — and we’ve done that in four of the six games — and then we would have a better second half of the season. So far, that’s held true. Now we just have to learn how to close those games out.”

Gus Bradley is the kind of coach everyone wants to play for. That is one of the reasons players who were released from the Seattle Seahawks, his old stomping ground where he served as defensive coordinator, wanted to come across the country to play in north Florida.

The schedule the Jaguars have is not the easiest of schedules and admittedly, they may have allowed the last two games – Pittsburgh and Tennessee – slip away from them. The running game is nonexistent, the offensive line still gelling and the receiving unit just recovering from injuries. Even in the two losses by a total of 10 points, there are signs of life in this roster.

The Times-Union article touched on several issues that make this staff and team one that can still be effective this season.

• Caldwell said owner Shad Khan remains “incredibly supportive” with the plan put in place to build the Jaguars. The two usually talk on Fridays and Mondays and exchange text messages throughout the week.
• Caldwell said he called Khan in the lead-up to the Week 3 game against Indianapolis about the team’s plan to possibly play Bortles if Chad Henne continued to struggle (Bortles entered at halftime). “I try to inform him of the big stuff as much as I can,” Caldwell said.
• Count Caldwell among the rest of the organization and Jaguars fans who have been encouraged with Bortles through one mop-up game and three starts. “The thing that has impressed me the most that I wasn’t 100 percent sure about was his athleticism and his ability to avoid the rush, get out of the pocket and make the off-schedule play,” Caldwell said. “I think he ran a [4.93-second 40-yard dash] at the Combine but you see him on the field, he probably moves a lot better than that.”
• The Jaguars don’t regret their decision to have Bortles watch the first 2 1/2 games. “I had a feeling it might work out this way,” Caldwell said. “But I think he needed those first couple weeks to collect his thoughts. I thought it was important for him to settle down and work on some of the things he needed to work on mechanically. “He’s just finding his way and hopefully he continues to improve.”
• Bortles has seven interceptions but is completing 67.8 percent of his passes. Do the offensive players around him need to step up their games? “What I’m seeing, they’re starting to,” Caldwell said. “Unfortunately, [right guard] Brandon Linder and [receiver] Allen Robinson didn’t get a chance to sit [like Bortles] but they’ve learned as they went along and you’ve seen continued improvement from those guys and guys like [left tackle] Luke Joeckel in his second year and Zane Beadles has started to play better the last three games. “We knew it would be a little of learn-as-you-go and a little bit of a developmental process on offense throughout the season.”
• The Jaguars’ running game appears broken (last in yards per game at 69.5 and sixth-worst with a 3.5-yard average per carry). But Caldwell and the coaching staff have seen glimmers of hope recently.

The next two games are “gettable” for this team, but a win or two will not erase the issues that are still present. That’s fine with Caldwell. As long as the team and Bradley follow the blueprint Caldwell has orchestrated things will be fine. It may take another season, but progress is on its way.