Tyranny may have come to the state of Mississippi. Not in the form of the U.S. Government, but in the form of the government that watches over college athletics. If you guessed that I’m talking about the NCAA, you guessed right. The situation that Mario Austin is in with the NCAA defies explanation. It’s sickening, maddening and, most of all, wrong. Let me get this straight–the name of a class on Austin’s high school transcript was changed by his principal, Austin was cleared by the NCAA to play basketball before coming to MSU, and then two years later he was told by the same NCAA that cleared him before that the credit given to him was in error? I didn’t know stupidity like that existed in an organization so big. Well, OK, I forgot about WorldCom.
So the investigation continues, and Austin sits. The NCAA has done everything to make him sit out without actually telling him to sit out. I guarantee you that there isn’t a person in the English-speaking world (outside of Tuscaloosa and Oxford) that believes that what is being done to Austin is right. To make it worse, Austin has even met or exceeded requirements to remain eligble by the SEC and the NCAA. Yet, Austin sits.
This is the same NCAA that suspended Syracuse guard Billy Edelin for 12 games. His violation: playing in a 4-on-4 charity event during the summer. Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim was not aware of the rule and neither were the majority of NCAA coaches.
It seems now that the NCAA is abusing its power and suspending people simply because they know they can. For an organization that preaches fairness and growth of student-athletes on and off the court, they’re failing miserably.
No one knows who asked to reopen the case on Austin. Rumors have flown for weeks. Logical ideas have been formed. Was it Chancellor Robert Khayat and Mississippi? Maybe. Could it have been Alabama? That’s possible, considering Austin was almost a lock for UA, and he is from York, Ala. No one knows for sure, and probably, no one will ever know. That could be a good thing, though. It might just be better that no one knows, because if that information were released, the man in maroon and white wearing No. 33 just might play with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder.
But then again, when this is all over, he just might anyway.
Why?
I have one question for the morons who booed Dontae Walker during the senior day festivities: Why?
Sure, he hasn’t played to his potential the last couple of seasons, but that is no reason to boo the man. He has, after all, played here four years, beaten Mississippi twice, won two bowl games (one almost single-handedly) and racked up a BUNCH of yards and touchdowns. But more importantly, he’s worked for four years to represent you.
Some of you are reading this and wondering how I can stand up for him when just a month ago I was taking shots at him in print. There is a difference, people. I was simply talking about the fact that he is not playing like he can. He’s lost a step or two, gained too much weight and was partly responsible for State’s anemic running game, but I didn’t ‘boo’ him when they announced him for the last time. I still appreciate what he and every other senior on this football team has done for Mississippi State over the past four years, regardless of what I said in the past and regardless of wins or losses. You people should appreciate it, too.
Free Mario
More information is expected to be released early this week on the situation with Austin. Whether it will put an end to the case remains to be seen, but at least we know they’re making some kind of progress.
Crowning a Champion
Congratulations to Ross Dellenger who won The Reflector Weekly Football Forecast with a record of 53-25. Dellenger went 4-2 in the final week, while runner-up Jon Hillard stumbled with a record of 2-4. Dellenger will now take his title into basketball season, when we resume predictions.
BCS Banter
With Wazzu falling this weekend and Ohio State beating Michigan, things are starting to make more sense. Since the Buckeyes won, they have clinched a spot in the Fiesta Bowl, meaning Co-Big 10 Champion Iowa will head to the Rose Bowl to face either Washington State or USC. Miami stayed unbeaten with a 7-point victory over Pitt on Thursday, so they will stay at No. 2, and Oklahoma, who clinched the Big 12 South title, has a rematch with Colorado in the Big 12 title game and will now move to No. 3 in the BCS standings in front of Georgia and Notre Dame. If Miami wins out, the ‘Canes will get to defend their title against Ohio State. If the ‘Canes lose, Oklahoma will take over No. 2 assuming they take care of business against Oklahoma State and Colorado. Georgia and Notre Dame need help–and lots of it.
Larry Johnson is back?
Remember Larry Johnson? LJ played forward for the Charlotte Hornets and the New York Knicks in the 90s and early 2000s. You know, Larry Johnson, who dressed up like a grandmother and still looked like he could kick anyone’s butt. Well, this Larry Johnson is kicking butt on the gridiron, but this LJ plays for Penn State. Johnson ran up 279 yards in the FIRST HALF Saturday against Michigan State. He finished with the same total, because at halftime, PSU led 41-0. Johnson eclipsed the 2,000 yard mark this season, becoming only the ninth player in history to do so. Can you say Heisman candidate?
Mizzou Man-child
Missouri freshman quarterback Brad Smith became only the second man in NCAA history to throw for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in the same season. Like I said, he’s just a freshman. Too bad, though, the Tigers lost 38-0 to Kansas State on Saturday. Don’t worry, Mizzou fans, there’s always next year.
We got your egg right here
Records don’t matter–they never have. Even though we’re 3-8, we still own the Egg. UM, at 5-6, needs this win just to become bowl-eligible. Chances are, it’s not going to be as easy for the Rebs as it looks on paper.