SEC commissioner hoping for a Michigan State win Saturday

As it stands, the Ohio State Buckeyes are locked into the number two ranking which means they'd be facing the Florida State Seminoles for the BCS national title, barring a massive collapse against Duke in the ACC championship game.

That would leave one loss Auburn or Missouri on the outside looking in. Also being left out would be one loss Alabama, which I don't see leapfrogging anyone right now.

SEC commissioner Mike Slive is hoping that he can still get one of his teams in the championship game. He's taken to openly rooting for Michigan State to knock off Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game so the Auburn-Missouri winner could possibly claim a spot to represent the SEC against Florida State.      

“I’m planning on wearing a green tie (to the SEC title game),” Slive told FoxSports.com writer Clay Travis. “I’ll be a Spartan for a day.”

My guess is that a one loss SEC school will most likely play for the title if the Buckeyes lose. If not, they can thank Auburn for breaking the conference stranglehold on the championship.

Tigers need some thunder on the bench

The Detroit Tigers don't need to do too much retooling of their roster to remain a contender. While the team does have holes in left field, closer, and possibly third base, they have enough to remain atop the American League Central.

The Tigers grabbed some payroll flexibility when they traded first baseman Prince Fielder to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Ian Kinsler. I'm not in the business of trying to spend someone else's money but I do have an opinion on what the Tigers should have on the bench. They do need speed, but they also need a bat or two on the bench.

When I look at the current 40 man roster I don't see anyone who isn't a regular that scares me. There isn't anyone I think that could run into one and maybe be a steady bat off the bench. Matt Tuiasosopo filled that role last season but eventually the magic ran out and he was put on waivers. They'll bring back utilityman Don Kelly and even though he's come up with some timely hits, he's not one who I would be afraid of in a clutch situation. With leftfield up for grabs either Andy Dirks or Nick Castellanos (if he's not moved to third) will be manning left. Which means one or the other will be on the bench.

I'm not calling my suggestions that I'll mention an end all, be all solution, but I do believe they could help in the short term and be cost effective.

Raul Ibanez- The ageless wonder whacked 29 homers playing on an offensive challenged team in Seattle and playing in spacious Safeco Field. You could plug Ibanez in at DH or platoon him at first with Victor Martinez if you keep Miguel Cabrera at third. His price might be too high, but at 41 you won't be tied to him too long.

Jeff Francouer- The one time hot prospect has fizzled, but two seasons ago showed some signs of life in Kansas City. He could come cheap since he was released by Kansas City. He could supply some defense with the strong arm. His drawback is that he's a free swinger and the Tigers don't need that when they need to get a run across.

Mark Reynolds and Carlos Pena- These two players are nearly identical...feast or famine. They'll get you some bombs but they'll strike out a whole lot. Both players are someone an opposing pitcher would have to be somewhat careful with.

Nate McLouth- Could be a nice, cheap bench option for a contender.

Rajai Davis- If you want a late inning defensive replacement and some speed off the bench this is your guy.

Eric Chavez- Yes he gets hurt a lot, but maybe just maybe he can hold the fort until Castellanos is ready to take over full time. At the very least keep him around to teach him a few things.

I'm not saying these are players they should be fully investing time to go after, but maybe take a flier on one of them and see can they catch lightning in a bottle and get a little thunder on the bench .  

Dave Christensen out at Wyoming

After losing to Utah State 35-7 on Saturday and finishing short of a bowl bid after a 4-2 start, Wyoming head football coach Dave Christensen has been fired.

The Cowboys finished the season 5-7, making this the second straight losing season after making a bowl in two of his first three seasons.

 “We have come to a point where our football program has not achieved at the level of success that we expect, and we know from past experience that we can be successful,” athletic director Tom Burman said in a statement released by the school. “It is with that in mind that we move forward in search of a new leader for Cowboy Football.”

The former Missouri offensive coordinator finished with a  27-34 record with the Cowboys, going 16-22 in the Mountain West Conference.

However, Christensen may not be out of work for too long as he's expected to be mentioned as a possible candidate for offensive coordinator jobs at Florida or Utah.

Urban Meyer won't suspend ejected Ohio State players involved in fight

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer says the players ejected from the Michigan game for fighting will not be suspended for the Big Ten championship game.

Running back Dontre Wilson and offensive lineman Marcus Hall were kicked out of Saturday's game when a skirmish broke out after a kickoff return in the second quarter.

Meyer said Sunday that he will meet with athletic director Gene Smith and speak with Big Ten officials about the fight.

A Big Ten spokesman said Saturday that the league would have to review video of the play before deciding if any players would be punished further.

After Hall was ejected, he made an obscene gesture toward Michigan fans while heading to the locker room.

The second-ranked Buckeyes face No. 9 Michigan State Saturday in Indianapolis.

Report: Joe Philbin wanted to cut Richie Incognito

Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin wanted to release offensive guard Richie Incognito after he was accused of harassing a female volunteer at the team's charity golf tournament in May 2012, ESPN reported Sunday.

Philbin's request was revealed during recent interviews by independent investigator Ted Wells, who is examining the Dolphins' locker room culture stemming from the team's bullying scandal. Offensive tackle Jonathan Martin left the team Oct. 28, claiming he was harassed by Incognito and other teammates.

Philbin, who was hired in January 2012, told others in the organization after the golf outing that he wanted Incognito off the team, sources told ESPN. However, Philbin was overruled by the team's front office.

Incognito was suspended Nov. 3 for conduct detrimental to the team related to Martin's bullying allegations. Incognito's four-game suspension was to end Monday under terms of the collective bargaining agreement, but it was extended with pay and could last up to a maximum six weeks in a deal reached with the Dolphins on Nov. 21.

Martin was placed on the non-football illness list Saturday and will not return to the team this season.

Florida fires offensive coordinator Brent Pease

After enduring their first losing season since 1979, the Florida Gators had to make some changes. It wasn't head coach Will Muschamp being fired, he got the dreaded vote of confidence from athletic director Jeremy Foley.

The Gators ended up firing offensive coordinator Brent Pease and offensive line coach Tim Davis.

The Gators ended the season last in the SEC in points and yards and failed to score more than 20 points during seven straight losses to end the season. The team allowed 56 sacks under Davis.

During a season-ending 37-7 loss to Florida State, the Gators managed just three first downs during the first half and did not score until the fourth quarter as the Seminoles wore down Florida’s defense and pulled away for an easy win. A far cry from the high powered teams of Gators past.

Florida’s offensive woes led athletic director Jeremy Foley to address them prior to Saturday’s FSU game.

“I don't think it's any secret,” Foley told a media throng. “We've got to fix that side of the ball. I’m not being disrespectful to anybody, but you look at some of the games we've lost, we haven't scored many points. This year or last year or what have you, that has to get fixed.

“That's going to be Will's responsibility. I'll help him, support him, advise him, whatever have you. I will tell you if you ask him today, it's his biggest concern.”

The Gators spent most of the season without their first string quarterback Jeff Driskel, running back Matt Jones, receiver Andre Debose and three offensive tackles, Chaz Green, Tyler Moore and D.J. Humphries. Second team quarterback Tyler Murphy was also lost for the season with a sprained shoulder leaving the team with third stringer Skyler Mornhinweg.

Last week, Pease, who is under contract through the 2015 season, said he felt he deserved another chance based on the circumstances. He also sounded resigned to his fate.

Where Muschamp decides to go next for an offensive coordinator is anyone's guess. But he'll need someone that's going to devise a scheme to put points on the board and help win some games.

Jerry Glanville wants to coach Eastern Michigan

Jerry Glanville wants to be a head coach again and he's hoping that Eastern Michigan will give him another shot at coaching glory.

The former Atlanta Falcons and Houston Oilers coach told the USA Today that he has applied for the job and can be the man that turns around the perrennial Mid American conference losers.

"I love coaching football," Glanville said. "The bottom line is coaches coach, preachers preach. They do that until they put them in the box."

Glanville said he has not spoken directly to EMU about the job but has several assistants in mind for his potential staff.

“The fun of Eastern is you’re not going to walk into the living room and take a kid away from Ann Arbor,” Glanville said. “You’ve got to get the kid that, two years after you got him, Ann Arbor wishes they have.”

“I know the history. I know it’s been hard, it’s been tough,” Glanville said. “Will there be challenges? Anytime you take a head job, whether you’re with the Lions or Eastern Michigan, your job is to keep the bus going down the road, and there’s going to be flat tires. Things are going to go wrong. Well, you keep the bus going down the road, and that’s really what these jobs are all about. It doesn’t matter what level you’re at.”

Former EMU quarterback Ron Adams, ex-Michigan running back Tyrone Wheatley, now an assistant with the Buffalo Bills, former Miami (Ohio) coach Mike Haywood, and Notre Dame offensive coordinator Chuck Martin, previously with Grand Valley State are also rumored to be candidates for the job.

Glanville would be the face of the program and generate plenty of buzz, but at 72 I don't think he would be a serious candidate for the job. He's more sizzle than steak and i don't think he's someone you arm with a five year contract to rebuild your college football program.