The Wiz of Odds

Perhaps This Is How It All Came Down at Auburn

Although we may never know the real story behind Tommy Tuberville's resignation and the curious hiring of Gene Chizik at Auburn, there are several theories making their way around cyberspace. Larry Burton of Bleacher Report has a grasp of the issue and it centers around — you guessed it — agent Jimmy Sexton, who happens to represent Tuberville, Chizik and Mississippi's Houston Nutt.

All four cashed in on the deal, with Auburn taking the biggest hit. Not only did it have to pay Tuberville $5.1 million, it had to hire Chizik at a reported $2 million a year. Nutt got a hefty raise at Ole Miss and Sexton walks away with $1 million in commissions. Not bad for 10 days work.

Turner Gill Not Interested in Iowa State

Turner Gill, thought to be Iowa State's No. 1 candidate for its coaching opening, has told the Cyclones he's not interested in the position.

Steve Mooney, Gill's agent, was interviewed Tuesday on the Marty and Miller Show on Des Moines station KXNO. Mooney said his client was not going to be Iowa State's coach and would remain at Buffalo. You can listen to the interview by clicking here.

Gill, 46, has since agreed to a contract extension with Buffalo through 2013.

Gill was a finalist at Auburn but the Tigers decided to hire Gene Chizik, which created the opening at Iowa State. The hiring of Chizik, who left Iowa State with a 10-game losing streak, has been universally criticized by Auburn fans.

ESPN's Mark Schlabach said two other Southeastern Conference coaches told him that Gill would never get the Auburn job because he's married to a white woman. Charles Barkley eariler ripped Auburn's hiring of Chizik over Gill.

Chizik's Departure Could Clear Way for Gill

One has to wonder how long it will be before the power brokers at Auburn go behind Gene Chizik's back and how long it will take for Iowa State to hire Turner Gill.

First Auburn, which got itself into a pickle by losing Tommy Tuberville.

This mess started a couple of weeks back when Auburn officials contacted Arkansas' Bobby Petrino and Texas Tech's Mike Leach to gauge their interest in the job if the school decided to fire Tuberville. This was the second time Auburn had pulled such shenanigans on Tuberville, who likely never forgot that incident in 2003 when Auburn officials flew to Louisville to talk with Petrino.

Iowa State's Season Going Up in Smoke

Iowa State would appear to be overdoing it with the smoke for the team's entrance at Jack Trice Stadium. Note the player running into the goalpost while entering the field for Saturday's game against Nebraska. Thanks to Tony.

Iowa State

Not much is expected of Iowa State, but that might be a mistake given the Cyclones' cushy schedule. Iowa State opens Thursday against South Dakota State, then plays host to Kent State before road games at Iowa and Nevada Las Vegas. The Cyclones could be 3-1 or even 4-0 when they opens Big 12 play against Kansas in Ames. Thanks to Steve.