Tigers honored: Senior offensive lineman Ciron Black was the lone LSU player chosen to the Associated Press All-SEC first team, which was released today. Senior wide receiver Brandon LaFell, sophomore cornerback Patrick Peterson and junior Chad Jones were picked to the second team, and senior all-purpose player Trindon Holliday was selected honorable mention. Top-ranked Alabama claimed the three top individual awards. Running back Mark Ingram was named offensive player of the year, linebacker Rolando McClain the top defensive player and Nick Saban picked up his second straight coach of the year award. Vanderbilt running back and return specialist Warren Norman was named freshman of the year. The Crimson Tide landed seven players on the first team, more than any other school. Florida was next with six first-teamers, including quarterback Tim Tebow.
Grandchildren get their wish: The only politicking that Penn State Coach Joe Paterno had been aware of in recent weeks regarding a bowl destination came from most of his 17 grandchildren, who told the Nittany Lions’ 82-year-old coach they wanted to go back to Orlando, Fla. “When everybody was speculating about the bowl game, I talked it over with the team. I said, ‘the best matchup for us would be if we could get LSU,’” Paterno said. “We’re excited.” The teams will meet at noon on New Year’s Day in the Capital One Bowl in Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. The game, to be played at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, will be televised by ABC. It has a payout of $4.325 million, which is split among the SEC’s 12 schools. “It’s absolutely going to be one of the top two or three bowl games in the country, bar none,” Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan said. To read the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article, click here.
Are you ready for some football? It’s a most wonderful time of the year. Sixty-eight teams. Thirty-four bowl games. Eighteen days. One national champion. So what’s the most attractive matchup of college football’s postseason? What’s the least attractive matchup? And where does the New Year’s Day matchup between LSU and Penn State in the Capital One Bowl rank? For your viewing pleasure, Rivals.com College Football Editor Mike Huguenin provides his annual rundown of the attractiveness of each game, from No. 34 to No. 1. To read Huguenin’s bowl rankings, click here.
