The Wiz of Odds

Tennessee's Hostesses Focus of NCAA Investigation

The NCAA is investigating Tennessee's recruiting practices, with a significant part of the probe centering on the use of recruiting hostesses, according to the New York Times.

Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton confirmed an investigation was under way. He declined to elaborate. "Typically, we do not comment on inquires that are in progress," he told the newspaper.

Although Lane Kiffin's program has been cited for at least six secondary violations, the school's use of student hostesses could result in serious violations.

Hostesses are considered representatives of the university, which would mean they could not recruit players off campus. But in one case, hostesses traveled nearly 200 miles to attend a high school game in South Carolina that featured three Tennessee recruits. According to Marcus Lattimore, a running back at James F. Byrnes High in Duncan, S.C., the hostesses brought signs. One read, "Come to Tennessee."

Attempted Robbery Victim: Let Players Stay on Team

One of the men police said was a victim of an attempted armed robbery by three Tennessee players Thursday morning thinks the players should stay on the team.

"I think they should still be able to play football, regardless. Tennessee is my place. It's my football team," Corey B. Zickefoose, 20, told WATE-TV in Knoxville.

"Even after they put a gun in your face, you say let them play football?" reporter Harlow Sumerford asked.

"Yeah, it's Tennessee. That's the way it is sometimes," Zickefoose said.

Defensive back Janzen Jackson, 19, receiver Nu'Keese Richardson, 19, and defensive back Michael Edwards, 18, were arrested and are being charged with attempted armed robbery. Marie Montmarquet, 21, was also charged with attempted armed robbery, as well as some drug-related offenses.

Zickefoose said he was sitting in the driver's seat of a 1998 Hyundai Elantra when one of the players opened the door, pointed a gun at him and demanded money.

Tennessee Fan Reacts to Alabama Blocking Field Goal

First off, this comes with a strong language warning. Not safe for work, and if you sit in the first pew on Sunday, don't even think about watching this video.

A Tennessee fan reacts to Terrence Cody's block of Daniel Lincoln's 44-yard field goal attempt to secure the Alabama's 12-10 victory over the Volunteers.

Kiffin, Fearful of Penalty, Didn't Run Another Play

How distrustful are Southeastern Conference coaches of league officials? At the moment, it's off the chart.

Tennessee's Lane Kiffin acknowledged that he decided against running another play before his team set up for a field goal that would have beaten Alabama because he was fearful officials would have found another way to penalize his team.

Tennessee was one of the nation's least-penalized teams entering Saturday's game, but was flagged eight times for 68 yards. Alabama, which had been flagged 10 times for 113 yards the previous Saturday against South Carolina, was penalized only once for 10 yards.

"You run another play and you throw an interception or they throw another flag on us — I wasn't going to let the refs lose the game for us there and some magical flag appear," Kiffin said.

Tennessee

Meet Lane Kiffin, the new Mouth of the South. Kid Rocky Top arrived on the scene in December and wasted little time ticking off other members of the coaching fraternity, beginning with Urban Meyer, who he accused of cheating. Kiffin reportedly told South Carolina recruit Alshon Jeffrey that Gamecock graduates are only qualified to pump gas, and he ran off Mark Smith months after hiring Smith as strength and conditioning coach. There was a spat with Pahokee High in Florida over recruiting and a story Kiffin later acknowledged was bogus about running off a number of athletic department holdovers from the Phil Fulmer regime. Kiffin personally kept the college football blogosphere buzzing in the offseason, and we thank him. . . . The Volunteers return 12 starters, including safety Eric Berry, who gets featured play on the poster. Thanks to Doug!

Why, I Think That's a Football Coach in the Corner

The Tennessee site Losers With Socks has posted a grainy image likely taken with a cell phone camera of what appears to be a Southeastern Conference coach enjoying himself while out on the town.

One person commenting on LWS writes: "Little Laney out drankin' with young co-eds while his Wifey is at home taking care of his infant Son. Terrible."

Update: We've heard from several people who wish to remain anonymous that Lane Kiffin is the man in question in the photo and that the blond sitting across from him happens to be Kiffin's wife, Layla. According to Rocky Top Talk, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is to the left of Kiffin. He was in Knoxville for a coaches clinic.