BIG SUNDAY

The NFL hits the three-quarter pole of the 2006 season and with just a month to go there is still plenty of sorting out at the top of the 2007 draft board. Some of that sorting out will come later today when Oakland, which would have the 3rd pick overall if the draft were held today, hosts Houston, which would pick 4th. Meanwhile, Detroit and Arizona, which are in a virtual tie for the #1 pick overall will both be on the road today. Cleveland, with the 5th pick overall, on the other hand, will be home to Kansas City. There is one other game involving teams currently sitting on top 10 picks when #6 Tampa Bay travels to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers who would have the 9th pick overall if the draft were held today.....


Injured Louisville RB Michael Bush went through senior day ceremonies with his teammates yesterday prior to the Cardinals’ season-finale against UConn, but reportedly still has not decided whether seek a medical redshirt and try to return to school for another season next fall or enter this year’s NFL draft. Bush had been projected as a potential first-round pick for the 2007 draft but missed all but a few plays this fall when he suffered a broken leg in Louisville’s season opener. The big issue for Bush could be whether he will be healthy enough to participate in this February’s NFL Scouting Combine, however, Bush is still walking with a limp and reportedly won’t be fully recovered until late February or early March. Meanwhile, TV commentators for yesterday’s Louisville win over Cincinnati reported that Cardinals’ junior QB Brian Brohm was saying in pre-game interviews that he was “leaning’ toward returning for his season next fall.....

A brain tumor removed from Washington junior QB Johnny DuRocher this week was benign and he's expected to make a complete recovery. The 6-4, 215-pound DuRocher found out he had a brain tumor after he suffered a concussion early in November Durocher, who only had limited playing time with the Huskies this fall, likely will give up on football, but may try his hand at baseball.....

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier has almost a half-million more reasons to stay with the Gamecocks. The university's board of trustees on Saturday approved a reworked contract that increases Spurrier's yearly salary to $1.75 million, up from his current package of about $1.25 million. The first coach to lead South Carolina to a bowl in his first two seasons also had his contract extended through the 2012 season.....


Florida Running Back Armando Allen Commits to Notre Dame

The recruiting game is a long and arduous process, but every once in a while there, there's one day of buildup and pure excitement. Earlier this week, we were informed that Armando Allen, a speedy running back from Florida, was going to announce his college decision this Friday. Suffice to say, the message boards and recruiting websites set on fire with rumors and speculation. It appeared that Urban Meyer had the inside track on the kid for his homestate Gators, but Notre Dame had been a strong second all season long. Well, the moment of truth came on Friday morning, and Allen made it official he will be coming to the Golden Dome.....