This week, inside great nicknames in the SEC…

Meet Alabama’s 6-1, 246-pound running back, Jalston Fowler.  You can call him “Nudie”.  He’s used to it.

“When I was a baby, my dad said he used to walk around and say, ‘This my Nudie baby. Can’t nobody have him. This my Nudie baby,’” Fowler said. “He’d say that all the time. Everybody asks me about that and I tell them the same story.”

It’s better than having your dad call you “Sue”, I suppose.

I wonder if Saban ever calls him Nudie baby.

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Sunday morning buffet

A few things to nibble on before settling down with The Masters this afternoon:

• Some notes from Georgia’s second spring scrimmage here.
• Will the last Dawg standing for G-Day turn out the lights after the game’s over?
• The ACC lets its member schools conduct spring practices off campus.  The SEC doesn’t.  Could that become a problem?
• Here’s a more fleshed out comparison of Mike Dubose and Bobby Petrino.
• Looking at Georgia’s next generation of defensive players:  “We’re learning now. Most of us on the second team, some of us rotating with the first team, we all know (the defense) the same. And when we know it perfect like they know it, it’s gonna be the same thing.”
• Time to let it go, LSU.
• I don’t think John Infante’s next big idea is going to fly.
• If this kind of thing interests you, Aaron Murray is at the top of HP’s list of SEC Heisman candidates.
• It’s not football related, but I can hardly be expected to let this news pass.

It’s the best name for a school ever, PAWWWWWWWL.

Montgomery Public Schools consider and reject Nick Saban High as the name for a new school.  (h/t Matt Hinton)

At least somebody’s got a sense of humor about it, though.

Salter playfully declined comment when asked to speculate why there were no submission for Auburn University football coach Gene Chizik.

It’s a conspiracy, PAWLLL.

The last (allegedly) smoking guns in the Newton saga are acquitted on all counts related to bribery charges in connection with gambling legislation in Alabama.

Hey, it did take the jury seven days to return its verdict.  Keep hope alive, folks.

Tuesday morning buffet

Time to grab a bite.

• Gordon Gee continues to say the darnedest things.
• Mike Bianchi doubles down on the Urban Meyer bashing.
• With the new kickoff rules, the NCAA intends to monitor directional kicking.
• Wishful thinking:  “Every day Craig shares his message with voters, he gathers more support,” said Meredith Turney, a spokeswoman for James.
• Harvey Updyke’s lawyer:  Wess has argued previously that the trees, which are the focal point of post-game celebrations, are not venerated objects because they are “routinely rolled with toilet paper.”  It’s gonna be a fun trial.
• Jordan Jenkins has the lowdown on some position moves on Georgia’s defense.
• SEC coaches were wrong about the effects of an expanded conference schedule the last time it happened.
• The Red and Black gets its groove back:  writer admits she doesn’t know the facts behind the Commings suspension as well as Richt, but still finds the coach to have been too lenient in his treatment of the player.

First, we’ll hang him… then we’ll give him a fair trial.

I don’t have a dog in the Harvey Updyke saga, so for me, it’s just fun to sit back and watch both sides screw with each other.  Of course, given that the crime took place on Auburn’s turf, it’s that side that has most of the leverage, as the terms of this plea offer indicate:

Harvey Updyke, the Alabama fan who is accused of poisoning the famous oak trees at Toomer’s Corner at Auburn University, turned down a plea offer from prosecutors that would have required him to spend 13 years in prison and never attend a Crimson Tide sporting event for the rest of his life, a source close to the case told ESPN.com on Friday.

Thirteen years for poisoning trees is a tad overmuch, but it’s the lifetime ban from ‘Bama games that’s the great touch.

Of course, Updyke’s still trying to land a punch or two of his own.

Wess also asked for a change of venue to move Updyke’s trial out of Auburn, Ala., and also asked Walker to recuse himself from the case because he shares in an Auburn football season ticket pool.

Is there a neutral judge in the entire state of Alabama?

I guess this guy’s lucky nobody filmed his schlong in Auburn.

“Nice hat.”

Les Miles, livin’ large at the Heisman ceremonies:

Friday morning buffet

Tasty morsels from around the world of college football:

• This was awkward.
• From the Department of Interesting Priorities:  Todd Grantham went on a recruiting visit to see Damian Swann before moving into his house.  That made an impression.
• John Jenkins could have had A.J. Green’s jersey number, but turned it down.
• It’s the end of an era, as Howard Schnellenberger announces his retirement at season’s end.
• For those of you hoping the Milton McGregor trial was going to produce a smoking gun pointed in the direction of Auburn, sorry to disappoint you.
• Stewart Mandel lives down to Michael Elkon’s expectations.
• John Infante says one problem with NCAA reform is that it’s a part-time job for the reformers.
• They don’t have time to talk about football playoffs, either.
• The Drew abides.

Monday morning buffet

Line up and grab a plate.

• Steele’s optimism watch continues:  “Like last year’s Virginia Tech game, national title hopes are on the line for the Broncos and this could be the only game all season that UGA is an underdog.”  [Emphasis added.]
• If you’ve followed the Milton McGregor trial in Alabama in hopes of seeing a smoking gun turn up about the Newtons, I can’t help you with that – but there’s plenty of other strange stuff popping up in connection with that mess.
• Nevada’s Chris Ault goes 13-1… and takes a pay cut.
• Brian Grummell suggests a way around Title IX.
• Auburn players get their championship rings.
• Meanwhile, an Alabama player has apparently sold his.
• Tweeter sarcasm, ftw.

Wake up!

Sorry, couldn’t help myself.