5-at-10: Friday mailbag on Todd Gurley, Butch Jones and Rushmores

photo Georgia running back Todd Gurley (3) breaks free for a first down as Vanderbilt defensive back Taurean Ferguson (3) defends in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Athens, Ga.

From Carter on Twitter

What do you think about Todd Gurley being suspended? Wow.

- and -

From Eric on Twitter

Has Auburn called Gurley yet? Too soon?

Gang -

OK, we feel relatively certain that the topic of Todd Gurley will come up today on Press Row.

First it's hard to come up with worse timing for Georgia. We said earlier this week in the SEC East, this is the biggest game remaining on the schedule and will decide a clear front-runner.

And without Gurley, the Georgia offense falls to Hutson Mason against a Missouri defensive front that creates a ton of pressure and thrives getting after the quarterback - especially one with limited mobility like Mason.

My thought on the actual suspension is that Todd Gurley should be smarter than this and certainly less selfish. He knew it was wrong - this is not like it is subtle 2.05(f) of the appendix H in the addendum added last March. This is as basic as the toss sweep and as commonly recognized the G on his helmet.

And while you can debate the "Full cost of attendance" debate or whether players should get paid - we think they already get paid for what it's worth (scholarships are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars) but that's a separate discussion - there's no way every player in major college sports does not know this against the rules.

Hate the rule. Discuss the rule. Change the rule. OK, but while it's a rule, if you break the rule, you pay the price.

As for Auburn, well, considering the success the Tigers have had with SEC transfers, well, if we didn't think Gurley was headed to the NFL next spring, maybe AU would give him a shout.

---

From UGA fan

I just heard about Todd Gurley. I'm sick.

I want to get your opinion in the Mailbag about this. Who do you blame? How soon will this be changed? How much does this hurt my Dawgs? Is there something to the "TFP centerpiece jinx" since Paschall just wrote the Heisman story on Gurley? Is there anyway the Dawgs go to Missouri and win now?

Thanks... and I meant to tell you sooner that Press Row is great.

UGA fan -

You blame Gurley, but you also should have blame for the merchandise broker.

Heck, we hold drug dealers accountable for some of this, and while this is not a crime and it's no where as serious as drugs and those aftershocks.

In fact, maybe the NCAA can rework their licensing rules to the point that anyone who pays college athletes for merchandise or signatures or what have you forfeits the right to sell those products.

The NCAA's decision to allow the Big 5 more ability to govern and legislate themeselves will mean "full cost of attendance" (i.e. - a stipend) for the athletes. That will not open up the spigot for athletes to get money from boosters or merchandise guys. Will it still happen? Oh yes, no matter how much the schools give the athletes there will still be fringe people looking to give the players money because either a) they think they are helping the program or b) they are trying to exploit the athletes.

That's one of the biggest problems we have with the whole "Paying players" argument. For those that are for the paying of college players, the argument generally starts with fairness and the issue that schools and TV networks and merchandise companies and everyone else other than the players are making coin. OK, the athletes get a chance at a college education (well into six figures at most places) and for the guys like Gurley, you get the premium platform to refine your craft and show your skills for an NFL job interview that could mean an eight-figure payday.

Still, if fairness is what you are after, which is more fair, paying the athletes nothing across the board or paying the athletes at the Big 5 schools what would equate to maybe $3 an hour when you break it down.

As for the TFP jinx, well, we had not thought of that but we'll track it for the rest of the month.

And Georgia is going to have to play so far above its head Mike Bobo's nose will bleed for a week to win Saturday. (Although Vegas still has the line at Georgia minis-3... hurry call your entertainment broker.)

---

From Jomo

photo Tennessee head coach Butch Jones

Jay- question for Friday mailbag. Unless you are a UTK fan living in denial ( and no, not a river in the mid-east ) there is no question that Butch Jones name will come up for the much anticipated vacancy at Michigan. Being a Michigan native and Michigan probably being Butchy's dream job. What would be the ramifications for the Vols if this happens ? Michigan fan blog mgoblog.com already has a full page pro/con on Jones and lists him as a top 5 candidate for the job. Considering that the Harbaughs will stay in the NFL, it is very likely that Jones will be contacted and he will at least listen. Also knowing Dave Hart and the way he operates, he will not get in a bidding war. And Michigan has more money than anybody other than Texas. Who would the Vols go after to replace Jones ? and if Jones flirts with the job, what would happen to some of these early commitments in the 2015 class ?

Jomo -

We could see Butch's name being tossed around when the Michigan job comes open. And we said when not if.

We think Jim Harbaugh could be in play, but we agree that both the Harbaughs will likely stay in the NFL.

That said, we don't think Butch would a big enough name for Dave Brandon - who also has a hot seat in his office - considering that the Michigan job will likely be open in the month or so, and which time there's a real chance Jones will be 3-5 going into November.

We do agree that Tennessee is not in a position to get into a bidding war with Michigan right now.

We think Butch's role in the Michigan soap opera will be minor, and when he has the press conference to say that he has the dream job he wants, and the other stuff, well, that will be enough for the star-studded 2015 class.

As for candidates, well, we have zero idea, but that's about 12 steps beyond where we are in my mind.

---

From Mrs. B

Jay, I appreciate how you and David are polite to all the callers on your radio show. I listen everyday and enjoy your humor. I was curious about where all your 'Rushmore' ideas come from?

Thanks and I'll be listening. Do you think UTC will be able to keep it close on Saturday?

Mrs. B -

Thanks for the kind words and for listening/reading.

The Rushmore idea started here on the 5-at-10 and more times than not on the radio, they kind of spring up organically about a wide range of weird things.

We're glad you asked, because we need to do a better job of wrapping up the week of Rushmores.

---

Upcoming Events