Drive Time: Auburn at the White House, CFL Eyes Pryor, Texas State’s Slate
By Kyle Kensing
He may not be a fan of the system, but nonetheless President Obama honored the BCS champion Auburn Tigers today at the White House (screencap from the WH.gov live video feed above). Highlights included the President giving a shoutout to former Press Secretary Robert Gibbs’ Aubie doll, a warning to No. 1 NFL draft pick Cam Newton that former teammate Nick Fairley would be hunting him down on Sundays, and wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor giving Obama a chest-bump.
Fittingly, a White House visit headlines a day of news that includes some foreign affairs and 2012 preparations from a university famous for graduating a POTUS, continued after the jump.
O Canada
Not surprisingly, Terrelle Pryor’s sudden departure from Ohio State is an intriguing prospect for the GMs of Canadian Football League franchises. The Saskatchewan Roughriders made the first move, gaining Pryor’s negotiating rights per the Associated Press. The Roughriders have been a CFL forerunner in recent seasons, playing for three of the last four Grey Cups.
Saskatchewan has four quarterbacks currently on its roster. Included in that group, interestingly enough, is 2007 BCS Championship Offensive MVP and former Florida Gator Chris Leak. What makes the Riders’ pursuit of Pryor somewhat surprising is that North Carolina alumnus Darian Durant has quarterbacked Saskatchewan to the Grey Cup championship the last two seasons, and in 2010 threw a league-leading 5,512 yards. Durant did also throw 22 interceptions, though, and frankly Pryor is a tough talent on whom to pass.
Pryor’s style translates well to the CFL wide-open, spread-friendly play. Furthermore, his presence would add intrigue south of the (Canadian) border sure to bring new eyes to the product. NFL Network and ESPN3.com both broadcast the league stateside.
The NFL is ultimately Pryor’s goal though, and NFLMocks.com breaks down his NFL options. The CFL would be a great stop-gap with the NFL currently locked out.
Texas State’s FBS Schedule Revealed
TXStateBobcats.com unveiled new Bowl Subdivision and Western Athletic Conference member Texas State’s 2012 schedule today. The Bobcats are one of two newcomers to the FBS ranks replacing Fresno State, Hawaii, Nevada and Boise State in the WAC. UT San Antonio does not currently play but will join alongside Texas State.
The Bobcats play a very respectable slate, drawing in-state foes Houston and Texas Tech, Navy, and Nevada in the non-conference. TSU will also travel to New Mexico, and host current Southland Conference member Stephen F. Austin.
TSU’s head coach is Dennis Franchione, one of two well-known names coming to the new WAC. Miami’s 2001 national championship winning coach Larry Coker is the man leading UTSA’s football resurrection. The Bobcats last reached the FCS Playoffs in 2008. In 2005, the team reached the national semifinals before dropping a 40-37 decision to eventual runner-up Northern Iowa. Its membership will also give the WAC an institution that produced a United States president — Lyndon Baines Johnson attended the school when it was known as Southwest Texas State.