‘Cat Bits

Update: ESPN and the Big Ten Conference released their primetime TV schedule today and after a 2011 year that saw several home night games, the ‘Cats will host only Vanderbilt in primetime. The ‘Cats home opener will kickoff at 7pm ct on BTN while ESPN has given the primetime love to the big name brands (Nebraska 2X, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan) plus Sparty.   You can check out the dates and times here.

Rick Venturi is one of the names of the day as the fallout from the ESPN Outside the Lines report on Saints GM Mickey Loomis’ eavesdropping allegations continue to dominate the sports news world today. Venturi was the Saints DC during the alleged eavesdropping scandal and denied knowing anything about the Loomis magic ears during his time there. Venturi is a familiar name in Northwestern circles and is linked to the infamous NCAA record 34 game losing streak as he was the Wildcat head coach from 1978-1980 where he went 1-31-1 with a grand total of zero Big Ten wins. Venturi is something of a Phoenix having departed Northwestern and enjoyed a 30-year NFL career in the coaching ranks. Click here for more from his Mike & Mike segment from this am on ESPN Radio.

BCS Brewing

The BCS major players have convened in Orlando, Florida to continue the dialogue about the don’t-call-it-playoff-playoff scenarioes. This is from today’s New Orleans Times-Picayune:

 When asked to predict the outcome, Allstate Sugar Bowl CEO Paul Hoolahan said that he “would only be guessing other than that the status quo won’t remain.” Hoolahan: “This thing is like a caterpillar, it has so many legs. … The only thing I honestly believe is that business as usual is no longer an option.” BCS Exec Dir Bill Hancock: “There’s no way we’re coming out of this with everything decided” (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 4/24).

Road Trip?

The ‘Cats game at Minnesota is on my finalist list for this year’s LTP road trip. With the Minnesota legislature voting to allow alcohol sales at University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium, it might make it a higher priority on your list. I’m not sure how this jives with Big Ten policy, but I can tell you beer is not allowed at Ryan Field and candidly I wouldn’t drink if I could during a ‘Cats game.

Purdue Trouble 

Perhaps Purdue is trying to make Iowa RBs feel good. Between injuries and off the field issues, the two schools dominate the decimating of the depth chart at this coveted position. Purdue’s leading rusher last season, Ralph Bolden, was arrested for public intoxication last week after allegedly kissing a woman against her will at a bar

 Just in case…

You never know which bowl we might return to, but in case the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas ends up being our destination it is moving from an afternoon slot to prime time.

Transfer U?

Boy, that Team From South Bend sure is making daily headlines with a somewhat mass exodus. Several players have reunited with former Irish head coach Charlie Weis at Kansas. It seems like every news of a transfer gets the NU message boards speculating “why not us?”. Well, freshman All-American DE Aaron Lynch officially transfers from Notre Dame, but has chosen fellow Under Armour school, South Florida.