The decision is set for 2:30 this afternoon. Right at the end of school, just before winter break begins. That’s good planning.

The choice will be Pitt or Alabama.

The recruiting experts seem to think the lean is to Pitt.

I’m just hoping he doesn’t do the whole hat thing. Just about every variation of that has been played out. I’d rather just see him rip open his shirt and show a Pitt jersey underneath. But, that’s just me.

I know some people are turned off by the whole announcement thing. I don’t have a problem with it. These kids are pursued to ridiculous ends. Filled with such levels of crap about how much teams and coaches need them, want them, how they are the piece they need.

It all ends once they sign their NLI and scholarship papers. They lose all leverage. All their choices, all their control is out the window. They belong to the school and coach after that.

Let them have a little bit of fun and extra attention.

UPDATE: As everyone probably knows, Robert Foster picked Alabama. Ah, well. Guess we can at least hope that Saban gets lured to the Browns.

Okay, just some link clearance.

Anyone know the status of Cam Saddler at this point? He was suspended for the final game (didn’t even travel with the team), and whatever it was, it pissed off Coach Chryst enough that he still hasn’t said anything about his status for the BBVA Bowl.

Speaking of the BBVA Bowl, they will never want anyone but Ole Miss coming back at this rate.

Ole Miss has sold 21,470 tickets for the BBVA Compass Bowl, scheduled for Jan. 5 in Birmingham. That’s believed to be the most in the SEC.

“It’s the first time that has ever happened with these type of ticket sales,” BBVA Compass Bowl executive director Mark Meadows said. “We’ve had some good ticket sales here, when South Carolina was here (in 2010). But this, it’s kinda unprecedented.”

What’s happening is a confluence of factors — an unexpected bowl trip after two dismal seasons, winning the Egg Bowl, and a bowl game that happens to sit in the middle of Ole Miss’ alumni network.

So, at least the stands won’t look deserted. One of the things about the SEC (at least before adding Mizzou and Texas A&M) is the geographic compactness that makes road trips a lot more viable. The trip to Birmingham from Oxford is only 3 hours. And so this is an easy drive from most places. It’s a Saturday game. Come in that morning. Go right back if you want.

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