The Wiz of Odds

Media Approval Ratings: Ron Franklin

Franklin, 68, works ABC or ESPN Saturday afternoon telecasts with analyst Ed Cunningham. Franklin, a graduate of Mississippi, joined ESPN in 1987 and built a strong following as play-by-play man on the network's College Football Primetime Saturday telecasts, a role he held through the 2005 season.

In 2007, Richard Deitsch of SI wrote of Franklin: "With his deep Mississippi pipes that scream Southern football, Franklin is a favorite of some bloggers. No argument here. The guy is as solid as oak."

Franklin told the Oklahoman last year that he was "98.5% sure" that he would retire when his contract expired in 2010. But he agreed to a two-year deal this past summer that reduced his number of assignments to 35 a year. He had been doing as many as 60.

"When the money came forward, I realized I couldn't do better initially with my freelance work than what they were going to pay me," he told the newspaper.

Franklin's career has not been without controversy. The veteran announcer was working a Notre Dame-Purdue game in 2005 when sideline reporter Holly Rowe lauded Boilermaker defensive coordinator Brock Spack for using three timeouts despite trailing by four touchdowns late in the game.

"If the coaches are giving up, what does that say to the players?" Rowe asked. Franklin responded: "Holly, it's not giving up. It's 49-21, sweetheart."

ESPN ombudsman George Solomon wrote: "Franklin's comment, and demeaning tone, in response to Rowe's legitimate observation was disrespectful to the audience and to a colleague."

Senior coordinating producer for college football Mo Davenport said: "It was an inappropriate comment and we've communicated that to Ron. There's never a reason to say something so mean-spirited. Ron apologized. We dealt with it internally."

Do you like Ron Franklin? Do you not like Ron Franklin? Let it rip!

Crystal Ball

A look at how prognosticators from around the country view the Week 9 games.

Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Hlastradamus has been distracted in recent weeks because he has been working on political campaigns. He told one candidate for the U.S. Senate that saying "I am not a witch" has always proved to be a poor choice for a campaign slogan. It didn't work in Salem, and it won't work now.

John Tamanaha, NBC Sports: The Friday Night Special. Connecticut struggled last week against Louisville, and now comes angry West Virginia, which was stunned at home by Syracuse. Take the Mountaineers and lay the points.

Double D, Boston Herald: Dion Lewis, who closed 2009 with eight consecutive 100-yard games, failed to reach the century mark in his first five games this season. Not coincidentally, Pittsburgh staggered to a 2-3 start. But Lewis appears to have found his footing and it's time to lay the points and take the Panthers against visiting Louisville.

Lenn Robbins, New York Post: Coach Butch Jones' Cincinnati squad will cover as 3-point favorites over Syracuse, and could win by a lot if quarterback Zach Collaros can play.

The 2010 Coaches' Halloween Party

The brillant M Zone is back with exclusive images from the 2010 Coaches' Halloween Party. Clockwise, from top left: Lane Kiffin, Jim Harbaugh, Bret Bielema and Les Miles. Check out all the images by clicking here.

Media Approval Ratings: Desmond Howard

Howard, 40, began his ESPN career as an in-studio analyst before joining College GameDay in 2005. Although his role on GameDay telecasts is muted compared to host Chris Fowler and analysts Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit, Howard clearly enjoys the rockstar status afforded to all members of the GameDay crew.

Howard's on-air persona — he's always smiling and chatty — is a refreshing departure from the serious tone presented by many of ESPN's personalities. But the former Heisman winner has had some embarrassing mistakes.

In 2006 during a bowl preview show, he said California's opponent in the Holiday Bowl was Texas, then proceeded to break down the Longhorns. One problem: Cal's opponent was Texas A&M.

That earned Howard a trip to the Budweiser Hot Seat the next day. "I misspoke when I said Cal vs. Texas as opposed to Cal vs. Texas A&M," he said. "So I apologize to the Longhorns and Aggies fans. But I know you don't need me to tell you who you're playing against in the bowl. But whether it's Texas with an A&M or without an A&M, I'm still picking Cal to win the Pacific Holiday Bowl."

In previewing the 2008 Sugar Bowl, Howard was asked how much pressure Georgia would get on Hawaii's Colt Brennan. "I'm afraid they won't get enough pressure on this kid," he said. Georgia sacked Brennan eight times and forced the quarterback into three interceptions and two fumbles, one of which was recovered for a Bulldog touchdown.

OK, maybe we're a tad harsh on Howard, but what do you think? Do you like Desmond Howard? Do you not like Desmond Howard?

A Death That Could Have Been Prevented

A Notre Dame student was killed Wednesday when the hydraulic scissorlift from which he was filming Fighting Irish practice was apparently toppled by winds gusting to 60 mph.

Declan Sullivan, a 20-year-old junior, sent messages to Twitter from the top of the tower before the accident.

In his first message, Sullivan wrote, "Gust of wind up to 60mph well today will be fun at work... I guess I've lived long enough :-/."

About 40 minutes later, he wrote, "Holy f-ck holy f-ck this is terrifying."

Less than an hour later, the tower was toppled. Sullivan died a short time later at South Bend Memorial Hospital.

Reporters Notebooks

Matt Charboneau, Detroit News: Las Vegas Hilton oddsmaker Jay Kornegay on Michigan State: "I'm not saying it, but in a lot of peoples' eyes out here, Michigan State is fool's gold. When you go on the road and win, that means a lot. They did go on the road but were fortunate to win. They got really lucky to beat a mediocre Northwestern team."

Brent Schroetenboer, San Diego Union-Tribune: Three prominent San Diego State boosters have asked the president of Brigham Young to direct his staff to "stop the stonewalling" and find out what happened in the Replaygate game between the teams on Oct. 9. Thanks to Mike.

John Ourand and Michael Smith, SportsBusiness Journal: ESPN has countered a bid by Fox Sports to operate a University of Texas channel and is viewed by industry insiders as a legitimate competitor to partner with the school. Thanks to Ben Maller.

CNN: A convicted killer's last words: "Boomer Sooner."

Mike McCall, Miami Herald: Florida fans are upset. One recently offered offensive coordinator Steve Addazio's job on Craigslist. There is also a Fire Steve Addazio site.

Brett Vito, Denton Record-Chronicle: They never learn. All signs point to Chuck Neinas being hired as a consultant for North Texas' coaching search. A look at the Neinas file.

Woody Paige, Denver Post: Colorado's Dan Hawkins needs to do the right thing and resign.

Desmond Conner, Hartford Courant: Connecticut's Randy Edsall addresses criticism from the fan base. Plus, Edsall said somebody has been spying on his team's practices.