It's Friday of Fourth of July weekend and I'm at the beach, but that won't stop me from bringing you the Afternoon Kickoff list for the week.

Today, it's my list of the top 10 college football stadiums I'd like to attend a game at but haven't yet. (Note: That means Penn State, Army, Navy, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin and the Rose Bowl are excluded from this list. Penn State, Army, Wisconsin and the Rose Bowl would probably all be included otherwise.)

1. Tiger Stadium - LSU (At night)
Known as Death Valley, the stadium is famous for the "Earthquake Game." The crowd reaction was so loud when LSU scored a game-winning touchdown against Auburn in 1988 that it registered on a seismograph. Penn State loves its night games at Beaver Stadium, and the other stadium most known for rocking at night is Tiger Stadium.

2. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium - Florida
One of a few on this list that I've seen in person but haven't been to a game at. The Swamp is without question one of the most intimidating environments in football, and its unique architecture makes it stand out like so many college stadiums do when compared to the cookie cutter NFL stadiums.

3. Memorial Stadium - Clemson
The Clemson campus is very similar to Penn State's: sprawling and in the middle of nowhere. The fans are passionate and the other stadium nicknamed Death Valley is always hostile no matter how strong the Tigers are. The pregame tradition of the players touching Howard's Rock and running down the hill is one of the best in football.

4. Neyland Stadium - Tennessee
If you can stand hearing "Rocky Top" after every play, then Neyland Stadium is definitely a place to visit. The stadium is located next to the Tennessee River, where fans tailgate on boats. Running through the "T" is also one of the better field entrances.

5. Ohio Stadium - Ohio State
Just like Florida, I've been there -- but for a basketball game. The Horseshoe has only gotten louder since becoming more enclosed with recent expansion, and the "Dotting of the I" is probably the most famous pregame tradition in the country.

6. Notre Dame Stadium - Notre Dame
Like the Big House, the stadium itself doesn't appear like anything too special, but it's one of the most historic stadiums in the country with Fenway, Wrigley, Lambeau, etc. From Touchdown Jesus to the "Play Like a Champion Today" sign, history is everywhere in South Bend. Now if only they could cut the grass.

7. Kyle Field - Texas A&M
Home of the 12th Man, Kyle Field hasn't exactly been home a great football team as of late. But Aggies fans are still some of the best in the country, and this is simply incredible.

8. Memorial Stadium - Nebraska
Nebraska fans have always been known as some of the classiest around, and given that the Cornhuskers football team is the only big-time team in the state, football is a huge deal in Lincoln. Plus, this is pretty cool.

9. Lane Stadium - Virginia Tech
If there's one team that Penn State should set up a home-and-home with, it's Virginia Tech. The teams are close geographically and both are top programs, so it's a series that makes sense. Expansion has helped make the stadium more enclosed to keep the noise in, and it's another place that's even more intimidating at night.

10. Folsom Field - Colorado
Probably the biggest wild card on this list, Folsom Field isn't necessarily known for its noise level. But the scenery is incredible, and what's not to love about Ralphie the Buffalo leading the team onto the field?

Also considered: Jordan-Hare Stadium (Auburn), Doak Campbell Stadium (Florida State), Bryant-Denny Stadium (Alabama), Darryl K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (Texas), Autzen Stadium (Oregon), Husky Stadium (Washington).

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Quick hits:
-ESPN's Pat Forde ranks the nation's current top 10 rivalries. A good list, and you don't see too many that are strictly current like this. Penn State-Ohio State checks in as the first under honorable mention.

-Set your DVRs, Rutgers and UCLA have set up a home-and-home series for... 2016 and 2017. Kudos to both for the unusual matchup, and it will be a big game for Greg Schiano -- will still probably be waiting for Joe Paterno to retire.

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Video of the Day:
Wisconsin didn't make the above list because I've been there, so here's a clip of their end of the third quarter "Jump Around" tradition:

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-Matt Brown

Levi Norwood is following in his brother Jordan's footsteps at Penn State. Taran Buie will be playing with brother Talor Battle at the BJC soon enough. And on the national scale, Taylor and Blake Griffin were drafted a week ago and Serena and Venus Williams will clash at the Wimbledon final on Saturday.

I don't know about you folks, but I can definitely feel the sibling love in the air. (It might also be because my youngest brother celebrates his fourth birthday Friday, but bear with me ... And Joe, if you're still around in 2023 and need a kicker, Vince Fortuna has displayed some mean upside with his right leg. My swollen shins can attest to that.)

Without further ado, I bring to you the Top 5 active brothers (and sisters) in the world of sports.

5. Taylor and Blake Griffin, NBA
It was a happy night for the Griffin family last Thursday at the NBA Draft. Before Taylor was taken at No. 48 by the Suns, Blake became the second No. 1 pick in the family, as he was chosen to save that other LA franchise (bless his heart). The first? Taylor actually had his name called three days earlier as the No. 1 pick of the lovable Harlem Globetrotters. Something tells me these two will move up this list in the near future.

4. Brook and Robin Lopez, NBA
These twins were picked at No. 10 and No. 15, respectively, during last year's NBA Draft after stellar two-year careers at Stanford, which included a run to the Sweet 16 in 2008. Brook had the better rookie year, averaging 13 points and 8.1 rebounds per game for the Nets, but Phoenix's Robin wins the ever important category of best hair.

3. Bengie, Jose and Yadier Molina, MLB
There's something to be said for one family sending three kids to the Show. Not only that, the trio can collectively call themselves World Series champions. San Francisco's Bengie has had the most decorated career of the three, carrying a lifetime .276 average to go with his back-to-back Gold Gloves in 2002 and 2003. He and Jose won the 2002 World Series with the Anah...er, L.A. Angels (of Anaheim). Yadier may very well be the most promising of all, hitting .279 in his sixth season with the Cardinals. His two-run, ninth-inning homer against the Mets in Game 7 of the 2006 ALCS sent St. Louis to the World Series, where they topped Detroit in five.

2. Peyton and Eli Manning, NFL
When all is said and done, Peyton will likely be atop all the major NFL passing records. (Assuming, of course, that Brett Favre officially retires someday.) The reigning MVP is a three-time winner of the league's highest individual honor, and he cemented his legacy by being named the MVP of the Colts' Super Bowl XLI triumph over the Bears. One year later, baby bro Eli led the Giants to a last-second upset over the previously undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Manning the younger also collected the game's MVP award. What are the odds of brothers winning back-to-back Super Bowl MVP awards?

1. Venus and Serena Williams, tennis
... probably similar to the the odds of sisters winning 17 majors in tennis. Come Independence Day, these two will have combined for 18 Grand Slam titles. Eighteen! Not only that, they will have met eight times in a Grand Slam final. Venus will look to cut into lil sis' 10-7 lead in major titles Saturday.

-Fortuna

Enjoying my lunch at work, I reached the last item in my lunchbox: Cream-filled chocolate cupcakes from TastyKake. The ones with white icing drooping off the sides with a chocolate stripe down the center.

Naturally, Penn State's non-conference schedule came to mind. But instead of beating a dead horse criticizing the soft home dates in September (and October) I decided to mix it up a bit and tell ya'll why you should bother showing up for these noon kickoffs.

Here's some of the better talent Akron, Syracuse, Temple, and yes, Eastern Illinois will throw out to bang helmets with the Nittany Lions in the fall.

WR Deryn Bowser, Akron
Penn State's re-tooled secondary won't have to wait long to be tested. Pass-happy Akron has always been known the throw the pigskin around the yard, and Bowser will likely be on the receiving end of most of those this fall. At 6-foot-2, Bowser has size, and he's bringing 64 catches and 785 yards of experience with him from last year.

FS Mike Holmes, Syracuse
Remember when Daryll Clark fumbled on Penn State's opening drive in the Carrier Dome a year ago? That was all Mr. Holmes. He also returns kicks, leading Syracuse with more than 900 yards and more than 23 yards per return in '08, including a TD.

DE Andre Neblett, Temple
Neblett recorded 7.5 sacks and forced two fumbles for the Owls last season. Penn State is busting out three new offensive linemen in '09, including a brand new left tackle having to deal with Neblett.

K Austin Signor, Eastern Illinois
Laugh all you want, but this guy can kick the football, and at 6-foot-4, probably your butt too. Signor ranked third in the country last year with 19 kickoffs going for touchbacks, and he averaged about 67 yards per kickoff. Signor likely will be the team's place kicker as well, and watch out Lion fans, he's a former Iowa Hawkeye.

-Mink

Well, we've heard one side of the BCS vs. playoff debate. So why shouldn't there be a playoff? New chairman of the BCS Presidential Oversight Committee Harvey Perlman has the answers.

Perlman, the chancellor at Nebraska, addressed all of the latest issues in an interview with Nebraska StatePaper published yesterday. You can read entire interview by click that link, but here are some highlights:

"We rejected the Mountain West proposal unanimously, which included the representative of the five conferences who are not automatic qualifiers.

And in fact, we had a report from the commissioner of each of the Division I conferences and none of them were prepared to adopt the Mountain West Conference proposal now because we just signed an agreement for four years. And everybody believes it's our obligation to comply with our agreements."

Who wants to bet that in another four years, we'll hear the same thing?

"Now, coaches and players will always want to play as many games as possible. And I respect them for that, but I don't think any of us are prepared to adopt a playoff system that interferes with exams in the fall semester, that extends into the spring semester any more than we have to."

Because you know, the other three levels of NCAA football don't have playoffs and a month of March Madness doesn't affect classes at all...

"What I think most people don't understand is that the alternative to the current system is not a playoff. The alternative to the BCS is going back to our traditional relationship with our bowl partners."

If the goal of everybody is to make the Rose Bowl happy, then this sounds like a fine plan.

It would diminish the bowl structure and it would reduce the number of opportunities for student-athletes to play in the postseason and that's not a good thing.

Who says you can't keep bowl games if there is a playoff?

If you look at college football now, it's the greatest sporting event spread over September, October, November, December and a little bit of January that the country has. A playoff would seriously diminish the regular season, as it has in college basketball.

I agree 100 percent.

I'll admit, I've never been as adamant about a playoff system as the rest of the nation. Some people want a 16-team playoff, and that would be the biggest mistake the sport has ever made.

I still think the best solution might be the plus-one format, matching No. 1 vs. No.4 and No. 2 and No.3 in two BCS bowls and having the winners advance to the title game -- or something similar.

But the Mountain West's plan for an eight-team playoff? Yeah, that would work too. Six major conference winners, the top smaller conference team and one wild card. First two rounds at neutral sites so the fans don't have to travel every week. If that was the system, the regular season would not be diminished because only conference winners (with one exception) would get playoff bids. Sounds good to me.

Oh wait, let's get one more statement from Chancellor Perlman:

"It's hard to see why a playoff is a good idea."

Jim Mora, your thoughts?

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Quick hits:
-Yesterday, The Michigan Daily posted a rumor that a Michigan-Georgia home-and-home could happen in 2010 and 2011. The Atlanta Journal Constitution thinks otherwise.

-The NCAA's decision to reduce Alabama State's probation from five years to three could have an impact on the ongoing Florida State case.

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Link/Video of the Day:
A memorable day for Chancellor Perlman's school: 1997 vs. Missouri, on their way to a split national title:

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Seriously.

We'd love to hear your thoughts.

-Matt Brown

Penn State's Class of 2010 continues to fill-up quickly, as Levi Norwood, the younger brother of former receiver Jordan and former George Mason basketball player Gabe, gave his verbal pledge to the Nittany Lions after receiving a scholarship offer at camp last weekend.

Norwood is also the son of former Penn State safeties coach Brian Norwood, who took over as Baylor's defensive coordinator last season. Upon moving from State College to Waco, Texas, Norwood did not suit up for Midway High's football team last year but will play as a senior this season.

Like Jordan, Levi has not been heavily recruited, but obviously, things worked out for Jordan. Levi also plays wide receiver but has a few inches on his brother at 6-foot-2.

Penn State's current class of 2010, according to Scout.com:
-Levi Norwood, WR, Waco (Texas) - Rating N/A
-DaQuan Jones, DT, Johnson City (N.Y.) - 4 stars
-Evan Hailes, DT, Chesapeake (Va.) - 4 stars
-Kyle Baublitz, DE, York (Pa.) - 3 stars
-Tom Ricketts, OT, Wexford (Pa.) - 4 stars
-Miles Dieffenbach, C, Pittsburgh (Pa.) - 4 stars
-Luke Graham, G, Harrison City (Pa.) - 3 stars
-Silas Redd, RB, Stamford (Conn.) - 4 stars
-Adrian Coxson, WR, Baltimore (Md.) - 5 stars
-Paul Jones, QB, McKees Rocks (Pa.) - 5 stars
-Mike Hull, MLB, Canonsburg (Pa.) - 4 stars

-Matt Brown

Back in 2001, when Zack Mills took over the reigns as Penn State quarterback, I remember being shocked when the offense occasionally broke the huddle and Mills stopped a few yards behind center. What? The shotgun at Penn State?

It was if the shotgun was some revolutionary concept -- and at Penn State, where the I-formation was standard for decades, it did seem like something out of the future.

Of course, the shotgun is just a standard part of Penn State offense now, which under Jay Paterno and Galen Hall has evolved into the "Spread HD."

Another of the new developments at Penn State during the Rashard Casey/Zack Mills era and into 2005 with Michael Robinson was the option. Not that PSU should go back to anything from the first half of the decade, but given the personnel available, option packages would suit the offense well.

When Penn State fully transitioned to the spread in 2005 with Robinson at quarterback and the Butler/Norwood/Williams group at receiver, the Texas-like spread option proved to be a viable threat when used. And Robinson also frequently ran zone option plays from under center (you may remember his touchdown in the second quarter against Ohio State at the goal line).

The option largely disappeared in the Anthony Morelli era of 2006-07, and understandably so. With more of a traditional pocket passer, the offense moved toward a pro-style spread system.

Last season, the Spread HD came into effect, trying to get players into space, spreading the ball around and offering a wide variety of formations. And with one year of the offense under the team's belt, it's time to incorporate some more option plays into the system.

Given that the receivers are unproven, mixing in more option looks than in 2008 would allow Penn State to take advantage of the wealth of talent in the backfield between Clark, Evan Royster, Stephfon Green, Brandon Beachum and in a Derrick Williams-like role, Chaz Powell.

I'm not saying that the Nittany Lions should switch to a Paul Johnson flexbone offense (which is broken down quite well by Smart Football). But adding some more option looks seems like a natural progression of the Spread HD.

It allows different playmakers to get their hands on the ball. It can confuse defenses. And it takes advantage of the different types of athletes available in the backfield. For example, Clark running the option out of the shotgun flanked by Royster and Green presents a matchup problem for just about any defense.

Sure, it's a risk given how important Clark's health is to the team's success this season. But Penn State must capitalize on Clark's versatility at quarterback, and incorporating more option into the offense is a way to do so.

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Quick hits:
-Our counterparts at The Daily Evergreen at Washington State are getting tired of writing about Cougars players getting arrested.

-Sen. Orrin Hatch wrote an editorial in this week's edition of Sports Illustrated about why Congress should get involved in the BCS. A Senate hearing is coming next week.

-Florida State is in no hurry to stop appealing its NCAA sanctions.

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Link/Video of the Day:
Georgia Tech running the option to perfection last season against Miami:

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-Matt Brown

I caught up with former Penn State safety Anthony Scirrotto late this afternoon. He was out on the sea crabbing, so I didn't bug him. Twenty-five crabs later, I get a call back and we had a nice chat about him getting drafted by the Kansas City Royals as well as his plans this summer trying to latch on with the Carolina Panthers.

Scirrotto signed a 3-year deal worth more than $1 million plus a signing bonus with Carolina and will compare whatever deal the Royals throw him to make sure there are no conflicts with the one from the Panthers.

Talking with Anthony, he made it clear the Royals respect his decision to pursue football and understand he won't be trading in his cleats for spikes unless the football gig doesn't pan out.

Scirrotto finished up with OTAs last Friday and has some nice vacation time until training camp in late July, hence the crabbing.

He said those crabs have reservations with the grill in the next day or so.

Lucky man.

-Mink

Last week, the BCS shocked the world by rejecting the Mountain West's plan for an eight-team playoff to decide the national champion. You know, the simple, logical solution to the complaints of the entire nation.

Well, Air Force coach Troy Calhoun wasn't too happy about it::

"We basically have a system for college football that too closely resembles the old Soviet Presidium," Calhoun said, referring to the policymaking and governing body of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. "You have a seven-member politburo that's decided if you aren't one of those party members, then you're unable to participate."

For those that don't know what he's talking about.

... OK, now that we have a Wikipedia history lesson, Calhoun continues:

"You think back to the old Soviet Presidium, and what happened was you told every person, 'Hey, you aren't going to be able to grow a whole lot. We're going to tell you all you can earn.' That was the approach. ... There's a very, very strong resemblance that unfortunately is a part of college football."

And Calhoun isn't the only one tired of the BCS leaders telling him how much corn and wheat he can grow.

Sen. Orrin Hatch from nearby Utah is continuing his efforts to change the system.

But as important as I may think football is at times, Oregon president David Frohnmayer has the right idea when he says:

"Tinkering legislatively with a football playoff system as a national priority is a huge waste of my taxpayer dollars," said University of Oregon president David Frohnmayer, the chairman of the BCS Presidential Oversight Committee. "I think taxpayers would look at it in real anger. To tinker around because you don't like the outcome of a football season is a classic misuse of priorities."

Everyone may hate the BCS, but we don't need to waste time having congressional hearings on the matter. Sports hearings have sure worked well in the past.

Then again, if the Senate wants to investigate Frohnmayer's football team's uniforms, well, I think we can make an exception.

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Quick hits:
-A new rule at Arizona is forcing athletes to make their Facebook pages private.

Punishment for failing to "reflect the high standards of honor and dignity" of a UA athlete "could result in punishment, up to and including reduction or non-renewal of your athletic scholarship," according to the new rule.

-Reason No. 578 not to text while driving: you might crash into an apartment building in Austin, Texas.

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Link/video of the day:
Boise State infiltrating the Presidium:

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-Matt Brown

Eric Berry is an All-American junior safety at Tennessee.

His brothers, twins Evan and Elliot, are 13-year-old, soon-to-be high school freshmen at Creekside High School in Fairburn, Ga. (not sure how being 13 makes them freshmen, but anyway).

Well, Tennessee fans can breathe easy. Evan Berry has given his verbal commitment to Tennessee.

Wait, what?

I guess that means Tennessee currently has the nation's No. 1 recruiting class for 2013 (in the article, Newberg says Class of 2014 if you do the math... but if you actually do the math, freshmen would be graduating in 2013).

And Lane Kiffin didn't even have to commit an NCAA violation! (That we know of).

From the Yahoo! article:

"Yes, I committed to Tennessee," Evan said. "It's the only college I know right now and it seems the best for me. My dad went there and my brother is there now. I know I can do the same things there. I have a real friendly relationship with the coaches there. I know I don't know them too well but I know I will have plenty of time to get to know them.

I really wish the attribution said something like, "Evan said, his voice cracking," instead.

"Evan plays on a different level than everyone else," James said. "He's a technician with the ball in his hands. He just fits at quarterback and at safety. He's quick and fast and has a natural instinct for handling the ball."

In an audition to take over for Mel Kiper, Evan's father somehow forgot to use the words "tremendous upside."

Oh, and what about the other twin brother?

"Right now [Elliot] favors LSU. He really likes their track program."

Besides the fact that it appears they got that quote wrong (the article says Evan instead of Elliot), somewhere, Dennis Shaver may or may not be excited.

Of course, this is all four years from happening. Evan Berry says he wants to play in the secondary for new Tennessee defensive coordinator and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers DC Monte Kiffin -- who is 69 years old and may not still be coaching in four years. Not everyone is Joe Paterno.

And in four years, would it be that surprsiing to anyone if Tennessee was on the verge of the NCAA death penalty under Lane Kiffin?

But this is all just pretty absurd. Everything. That fact that there are articles about this, the fact that I'm talking about it, and most of all, the fact that James Berry is hyping his kids up this much before they've even played a down of high school football.

It's just unnecessary pressure on the kids and unnecessary ego boosts at the age of 13.

*****
Quick hits:
-Former Oregon quarterback Justin Roper is transferring to I-AA Montana. Roper took over for the injured Nate Costa before the season last year and was subsequently injured in the third game of the year. Jeremiah Masoli took over and had a solid season, and since Masoli emerged from spring practice with the job, Roper decided to transfer. The amount of injured quarteracks at Oregon over the last few years is staggering (Roper, two ACLs for Costa, Dennis Dixon, Brady Leaf, Darron Thomas).

-Speaking of Lane Kiffin and Tennessee, the Vols apparently lead the SEC in secondary violations so far this recruiting season. Judging from the quotes in the story, they don't really care.

-An AP story about Dave Wannstedt's "fence" around Western Pennsylvania being torn apart by Penn State is making its rounds. Pitt currently ranks No. 20 in Scout's team recruiting rankings for 2010. Penn State is currently fifth, with an average star rating of 4.00 ranking No. 1 in the land.

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Link/Video of the Day:
To go along with the Penn State-Pitt note, here's a highlight video from the golden age of the rivalry. No. 9 Penn State 48, No. 1 Pitt 14 in 1981, after Pitt blew an early 14-0 lead.

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-Matt Brown

Penn State's Class of 2010 continues to get stronger. The Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin Web site is reporting that lineman DaQuan Jones has committed to the Nittany Lions.

The 6-foot-4, 300-pound Jones is a four-star defensive tackle and the No. 9 player at the position in the nation according to Scout.com.

That makes two commitments from four-star, 300-pounders in two days. Friday, Cheseapeake, Va., defensive lineman Evan Hailes announced his verbal commitment to the Lions.

The Class of 2010 now includes 10 players and is ranked No. 5 in the country according to Scout.

-Matt Brown