The Wiz of Odds

Big Hits

Three big hits from Saturday, starting with Virginia's Chase Minnifield getting decked by Georgia Tech's Malcolm Munroe. Minnifield was not hurt.

The New Thug U? It's Florida

Miami long ago earned a reputation as Thug U, a tag the Hurricanes might never shake. But Sun Sentinel columnist Dave Hyde says Urban Meyer's Florida Gators are the real outlaw team in the Sunshine State these days.

In the past two seasons since Randy Shannon has become coach, only one Hurricane player has been arrested. That was freshman Robert Marve for breaking a car mirror. Amd Marve is no longer with the team, having transferred to Purdue.

Florida's arrest total is 15. Hyde writes: "Florida players have punched women, stolen property and been involved with guns and drugs. Yet nobody on ESPN is so much as reporting this. Nobody at Sports Illustrated is saying the Florida team picture should be taken from the front and the side.

The Controversy Surrounding Marve's Transfer

Pull up a chair and read this if you're thinking of sending your son to Miami to play football. You might want to consider your options.

Earlier this week, quarterback Robert Marve announced his intention to transfer from Miami. Hurricane coach Randy Shannon granted the request, but with restrictions. According to Eugene Marve — the player's father — his son would not be allowed to transfer to another team in Florida or teams from the Southeastern or Atlantic Coast conferences. That's 27 teams.

Eugene wants his son to stay near the family's home in Tampa because he has prostate cancer.

Shannon has since softened the restrictions and will allow Marve to transfer to any SEC team other than Florida, Louisiana State and Tennessee. Miami alleges those teams were tampering with the quarterback, an allegation that Eugene says is not true. The in-state and ACC ban remains.

Shannon's stance is not only vindictive, but hypocritical. As John Romano of the St. Petersburg Times points out, a year ago an offensive lineman at Florida International decided to transfer to Miami. Because he had redshirted one season and was a three-year starter, he had only one season of eligibility remaining. That meant he had to receive a special waiver from the NCAA to be able to play for the Hurricanes 2008. The player got the waiver and finished his college career as Miami's starting center.

That player was Xavier Shannon. His father is Randy Shannon.