Outback Bowl could feature four quarterbacks

By Ben KerchevalDec 31, 2012, 2:13 PM EDT

Michigan and South Carolina will ring in the new year by doing what they did in 2012: playing more than one quarterback in a game. In Michigan’s case, perhaps at the same time.

Brady Hoke confirmed Monday what was generally expected: that Devin Gardner would start against the Gamecocks, but that Denard Robinson would see playing time.

“Devin will be the starting quarterback and Denard will play some quarterback. It’s really how we finished the year, the last four ballgames,” Hoke said.

Gardner filled in for Robinson against Nebraska when the longtime starter suffered an elbow injury. Since then, Gardner, who should be in line to receive a fifth year of eligibility, has accounted for 15 touchdowns. Robinson has played as more of a true athlete, rotating among quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions. Robinson hasn’t attempted a pass since injuring his elbow, but with the long layover, it’s more than possible Michigan could incorporate that back into its play calling.

Meanwhile, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier also confirmed that Dylan Thompson will play but that Connor Shaw will be the starter. Thompson, like Gardner with Robinson, has filled in for Shaw this year when Shaw has been banged up.

(Hat tip: Mlive.com)

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Nick Saban’s dad ‘would’ve kicked me out of the house’ if he quit team

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By John TaylorSep 30, 2016, 9:21 AM EDT

In Nick Saban‘s official response to quarterback Blake Barnett‘s abrupt departure from Alabama, the head coach described the program as “disappointed” in the impending transfer.

Unofficially? The Nicktator appears to be somewhat agitated by not only the move itself but the overall transfer climate in the sport.

Shortly after releasing the statement on Barnett, Saban appeared on his weekly radio show. While the quarterback’s name wasn’t specifically mentioned, it wasn’t hard to crack the code Saban was using in dropping pearls of wisdom from the lessons his West Virginia-born father had taught him.

From al.com‘s transcription of the interview:

It’s one of those things where I think the culture has changed a little bit,” Saban said. “I think there’s a certain pride people have in competition. There’s certain things that I was taught growing up about not quitting and seeing things through. I think if I would have come home and told my dad that I was going to quit the team, I think he would have kicked me out of the house. I don’t think I’d have a place to stay.

…

“My dad used to always say ‘The grass is always greener on top of the septic tank,'” Saban said. “So it always looks better someplace else. So you think, instead of facing your fears and really overcoming adversity and making yourself better through the competition, you go someplace else thinking it will be better there. But until you face your fears, you’re always going to have some of those issues or problems.

Exactly what Saban’s father would’ve thought of his son leaving the Miami Dolphins after just two years and his first losing season as a head coach to make the move to Alabama is unknown.

No determination yet for ‘appropriate discipline’ of arrested ‘Bama LB

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By John TaylorSep 30, 2016, 7:57 AM EDT

An off-field incident involving one of his Alabama football players has drawn a public response from Nick Saban.

Very early Thursday morning, Tim Williams was arrested university police officers and charged with carrying a pistol without a permit. Williams and another unidentified male were sitting in the linebackers’ vehicle in a Publix parking lot when an officer who approached the vehicle smelled marijuana. A search revealed said marijuana, which the other man, who was seated in the driver’s seat, claimed; a gun was also found, which Williams claimed.

However, Williams could not produce a permit, leading to the misdemeanor charge.

In a statement, Saban said that “[t]his kind of behavior is not condoned in our program.” That said, the head coach was not ready to say one way or the other what if any punitive measures the senior may face.

“This kind of behavior is not condoned in our program,” the coach’s statement began. “We are currently in the process of reviewing all of the information. Once we have a complete understanding of the situation, we will determine what we need to do in terms of the appropriate discipline.”

Entering the 2016 season, Williams was viewed by many as a potential, or even likely, first-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft. He has just 1.5 sacks in four games this season after totaling 10.5 in 15 games in 2015.