For Alabama,National Signing Day held not real surprises. In a way that is a good thing. We signed a great group of DB and that was our #1 need. I have no doubt our group is more than good enough to keep us in the hunt for a national title for the next 4 years. We should make at least one more BCSCG appearance before these guys leave and if we can avoid injuries we very well could be in 2 or 3 title games in the next 4 years. And, if we make a title game I like our odds with Saban.

But the real surprise to me for NSD is USC and Kiffin. They have just jumped Bama to #4 on Rivals, but even if they end up below us on Scout, ESPN, etc. they still have a great class. And, I can't figure out why.

First: Is the NCAA going to do anything to USC or not? I'm guessing not because I can't see them hauling in all these 5 stars if they were going to be going on probation. The lack of punishment for everything from Bush to McKnight just blows my mind.  

Second: Are these guys just crazy to think that Lane Kiffin is going to be anything more than an average coach. I mean what in his background hints that he can win a NC- nothing. And, if I were a recruit I'd be afraid that Kiffin himself would land USC on probation. But it seems Kiffin is also able to escape NCAA punishment even when there are pictures of Vol girls going to high school games out of state etc.   

Third: What made these guys stick? This class, small though it is, were really left over from Pete Carrol. True, Kiffin did get Ambles to come with him, and got this kid out of Florida who was a UGA lean and had visited UT. But the rest of these guys are west coast guys. I mean Kiffin did not recruit this class but they sure stuck with him. I just can not believe that after you were committed to PC you would stick with a clown like Kiffin. I mean can these kids not see the difference between Kiffin and Carrol?

Oh well, USC will always do well because they are in Cal. and Cal. is big and loaded. But them moving to #4 is to me a major surprise. 

I'm also a little surprised by Auburn because to me Chizik has yet to prove much.