News Flash: Heat is on Virginia's Groh
It looks more and more likely that Virginia coach Al Groh will have a difficult time keeping his job. It's probably just a matter of when – not if – a change is made.
The Cavaliers are off to a 0-2 start, falling to FCS member William & Mary and Texas Christian.
The next two games will be difficult to win: at Southern Miss on Saturday and at North Carolina on Oct. 3. It's vital for Virginia to then win the next two games, with Indiana coming to Charlottesville and the Cavaliers going to Maryland. If UVa. doesn't win one of those two, the Cavs might be hard-pressed to win a game – though Duke visits on Halloween.
Should the Virginia brass make a change during the course of the season, there are two former head coaches on the Cavs' staff who could assume command: special teams coach Ron Prince (Kansas State) and offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon (Bowling Green). But Groh likely will finish out the season, even if he does receive word midstream that he won't be back in 2010.
Buffs getting blasted
How bad have things disintegrated at Colorado, which has already lost to Colorado State and Toledo? Senior linebacker Marcus Burton got some trash talk from his geology professor last week.
"The professor's like, 'You people may think this class is boring. We're just talking about rocks. But it's no more boring than both the CU games. Marcus, you're a captain. Can you tell us about that?'" Burton recalled to the Denver Post. "He calls me out on the floor. I wanted to leave, but I didn't. I'm in the class to learn. I'm not there to talk about football."
More heat for CU coach Dan Hawkins: the Web site firehawkins.net has been launched. You knew it was coming. Colorado plays host to Wyoming on Saturday.
Cal rides the bus
Cal will bus to its game at UCLA on Oct. 17. The move is expected to save Cal around $100,000. It's a way for the Cal athletic department to show it is doing its part in these tight budget times for the state of California.
KU cashes in
Kansas continues to take steps toward becoming a preeminent Big 12 program. The Kansas Board of Regents recently approved a $34 million addition on the east side of Memorial Stadium. As part of the addition, Kansas Athletics, Inc., will pump $40 million into academic programs at Kansas. So, it's a win-win situation for the mortar boards and football helmets. All of this comes on the heels of KU opening a new football complex in 2008.
Akron bans Jacquemain
Akron's indefinite suspension of quarterback Chris Jacquemain for violating a team policy is a big blow for the Zips. There is no timetable for the return of the senior, who was one of the top QBs in the MAC and a big reason why many felt the Zips had a good chance to contend for the MAC title.
Jacquemain started the first two games this fall, completing 26 of 44 passes for 320 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. Jacquemain ranks among the top four in all the key passing categories in Akron history.
With Jacquemain out, Akron will start sophomore Matt Rodgers, who has completed 3 of 8 passes for 24 yards this season. The 1-1 Zips play host to Indiana, the first Big Ten foe ever to play at Akron.
