Today, the good folks in Ann Arbor held a press conference to discuss the allegations and investigations into the missing practice logs and other shenanigans from the Rodriguez administration.

If you've forgotten the goodness, or if you're from that state up north and have been hiding your head in the sand, here's a recap of the situation:

The University of Michigan football team consistently has violated NCAA rules governing off-season workouts, in-season demands on players and mandatory summer activities under coach Rich Rodriguez, numerous players told the Free Press.

Players on the 2008 and 2009 teams described training and practice sessions that far exceeded limits set by the NCAA, which governs college athletics. The restrictions are designed to protect players’ well-being, ensure adequate study time and prevent schools from gaining an unfair competitive advantage.

That's right- they had an unfair competitive advantage and still manged to finish near the bottom of the Big T1e1n.

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On a relatively slow sports day, let's have some fun.

Without cheating, how fast can you name all 11 teams in the Big Ten, with mascots?

Now, let's do the same quiz, with the PAC-10.

Once more, only with the Big 12.

Enough easy stuff, BBCers - Name the winners of the Heisman Trophy since 1980.

Post your best times in the comments, if you dare.....

Early this morning, our good friends at Eleven Warriors published a story about USC's latest verbal commitment - a 13-year-old quarterback.

Let's just dip our toes into the ethical pool of this - Lane Kiffin just got a seventh-grader to verbally commit to play college football.  To be perfectly honest, that's as far as I can go before I just have to laugh it off.

You want a seventh-grader to play for your college?  OK, I can understand that.  But go send a scout to watch him play.  Make contact with the kid.  Have a recruiter mentor the kid for a while, and help him grow and develop, then sign him when he's old enough.

But don't get a commitment from a 13-year-old.  He's still AT LEAST two years from being mentally ready to commit to a girlfriend, let alone a college.

So, with that, I bring you the story of modern-day recruitment, courtesy of Kiffykins;

In a stunning yet expected move, Green Bay New York Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre retired in a tearful press conference this afternoon.  Surrounded by his family and teammates, Favre spent 47 minutes grimacing through a four-paragraph statement in which he detailed his fifth and final retirement from the NFL.

"I just want to thank all the fans of the Jets...ummm, Vikings for their weeks of dedication to my career"

- Brett Favre

Under a wave of flashes from the press, Favre then exited the building with his wife.  As he reached for his car keys, he quickly announced another press conference and energetically un-retired.

"I just want to let all the fans of the Vikings know that I want to play one more year here in....ummmm, Minnesota."

- Brett Favre

As the media surrounded him, Favre went back inside the Metrodome and demanded a meeting with General Manager Rick Spielman.  Spielman granted Favre's request, and after another 45 minutes, emerged with the news that Favre had been traded to the New Orleans Saints, retroactive to June 2009.  Favre is now claiming to be challenging Drew Brees for the starting job in Super Bowl XLIV.

"I just want to thank all the Saints fans for the hours of dedication they will give to my career in two weeks, and hope that Drew Brees finds success in whatever city he ends up."

- Brett Favre

As of press time, there was no word to the rumor that Favre was planning to retire at halftime of the Super Bowl.

More photos » Tony Dejak - AP

about 1 month ago: Cleveland Cavaliers' Shaquille O'Neal, center, scores in front of Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh, left, and Andrea Bargnani in the first quarter in an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010, in Cleveland. With the basket, O'Neal became the fifth player in NBA history to score 28,000 points. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

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Shaquille O'Neal knows how to get teammate LeBron James to compete in the All-Star Game's slam dunk contest.  And he's issuing a vocal challenge to some of the NBA's best to get it done.

Following the Cleveland Cavaliers' 108-100 win over Toronto Tuesday night, Shaq proclaimed that he would convince LeBron to compete in the slam-dunk contest under three conditions;

• Kobe Bryant competes
• Vince Carter competes
• Prize money is awarded, with half the money going to the Haiti relief fund

James had been tinkering with the idea of performing in the competition, but when the lineup was announced recently, his name wasn't on the list.  Nate Robinson (New York), Gerald Wallace (Charlotte), and Shannon Brown (Los Angeles) are the main three stars challenging for the title.

"As his manager, I will only allow 'Bron to do the dunk contest if Vince Carter comes back out," O'Neal said. "If Kobe comes back out and if another big name comes back out. If we could get a big prize and have half of the money go to the people of Haiti and the other half to the winner.

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Just ask Dwight....

Here’s your preview for the SEC’s 4^th attempt at winning the Mythical National Title in a row.  Incidentally, can you recall who won the last Mythical National Title that wasn’t in the SEC?  I’ll give you a hint - they’re involved in this one.  Yes, the last four MNCG winners are Florida, LSU, Florida and Texas.  I imagine the vast majority of people are rooting for Texas to stop the current SEC run.

No pressure Longhorns.  No pressure.

#2 Texas (13-0, 9-0 Big 12) vs. #1 Alabama (13-0, 9-0 SEC)

8 PM ET January 7th, 2010

Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

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I’m going to jam-mash these two previews together so as to not completely overload your already football soaked minds.  Today is, after all, the most wonderful day of the year!

Liberty Bowl

Arkansas (7-5, 3-5 SEC) vs. East Carolina (9-4, 7-1 CUSA)

January 2, 2010 1:00 PM ET

Liberty Bowl, Memphis, Tennessee

I honestly cannot think of a single person outside of Arkansas and the Carolinas who wants to watch this game.  East Carolina is being given no chance in this one, and given the way Arkansas has played against ranked opponents that might not be a bad viewpoint.  East Carolina has lost 4 games this season: at West Virginia (35-20), at then #24 North Carolina (31-17), at Southern Methodist (28-21) and a loss at home to then #23 Virginia Tech (16-3).  The only win of note was against #21 Houston 38-32 in the Conference USA championship game.  Given how Houston looked against Air Force, that win starts to look less valuable.

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