The NCAA is like the IRS

My on-going policy is that I wouldn't turn in my worst enemy to the IRS because sooner or later they start coming for you. Same thing, I believe, with the NCAA and the infractions committee. SEC teams that continue to turn in each other to the NCAA are only making the NCAA more interested in the competition going on in the Southeastern Conference. We saw what cheating accusations/penalities did to the Southwest Conference. Oops, you never heard of them? Well, they were in the league of the SEC, PAC 10, Big 8 and Big 10 back then. It got so bad that half the teams were on probation and they disolved the league and joined the Big 8 to start over. While I don't expect the same fate to fall the SEC, I see it severly hurting the prominence the SEC has in college football at a time when it is at the top without question. The latest CBS/ESPN TV deal is the seal of approval that the best football is played down south. However, the continued probation, penalties, and cheating allegations will tarnish the national image of the conference and the programs. These issues, if true, should be handled at the league office and not make its way to the NCAA. Even the most rabid Auburn fan shouldn't want to turn in Alabama because then the NCAA starts looking at exactly what Auburn is doing too.

As for the recent penalty handled down by the NCAA in the textbook case, my opinion is that it was too harsh. Alabama should appeal to return the so-called "vacated wins" and a reduction in the probation from three years to two. Alabama should do better monitoring athletes but there should be a major benefit in turning yourself in and cleaning up your own mess.

NOW PLAYING TODAY at the Bryant Museum live stream:

Alabama v. Georgia 1985 seasoner opener in Athens. Bama wins on last minute Shula to Bell pass.