Bowl Watch: Les Miles wins Cotton Bowl, tells team he's staying at LSU
Another major bowl game ended with rumors swirling that the winning coach may be coming to Ann Arbor.
Those rumors proved false after Jim Harbaugh's Stanford team won the Orange Bowl on Monday. Hours before Friday's Cotton Bowl, the San Francisco 49ers hired Harbaugh as their new head coach, signing him to a 5-year $25 million deal.
That left LSU coach Les Miles in the spotlight after his team beat Texas A&M 41-24 to finish 11-2.
The Associated Press reported that Miles sang the LSU fight song loud and proud in the postgame celebration. When asked after that if he'd back next season, there was a pause before Miles responded, "It's a wonderful place. I love it here."
Not long after, the former Michigan player and assistant coach quelled the rumors. The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported that Miles told his players he hasn't talked to Michigan and he's staying at LSU.
"He told us this is his football team and this is where he's going to be," said running back Stevan Ridley, who rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown. "We respect our coach and this is our coach for right now and we're going to enjoy him as long as we can. Coach Miles is a Tiger. This is his group of guys and he's proud of us. I think this is where he will be next year."
LSU senior receiver Terrence Toliver, who entered the 75th Cotton Bowl with two touchdown catches this season, had three scores by early in the second half as the Tigers rallied from an early 10-0 deficit.
Friday's result
Cotton Bowl LSU 41, Texas A&M 24 Boxscore | Wrap Local coverage: New Orleans Times-Picayune | Houston Chronicle
Saturday's game
BBVA Compass Bowl Pittsburgh (7-5) vs. Kentucky (6-6) Noon (ESPN) Matchup | Preview
Sunday's game
Fight Hunger Bowl Boston College (7-5) vs. Nevada (12-1) 9 p.m. (ESPN) Matchup | Preview
Monday's game
BCS National Championship Auburn (13-0) vs. Oregon (12-0) 8:30 p.m. (ESPN) Matchup | Preview
PAST RESULTS
New Mexico Bowl BYU 52, UTEP 24 Boxscore | Wrap
Humanitarian Bowl Northern Illinois 40, Fresno State 17 Boxscore | Wrap
New Orleans Bowl Troy 48, Ohio 21 Boxscore | Wrap
Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl Louisville 31, Southern Mississippi 28 Boxscore | Wrap
MAACO Bowl Boise State 26, Utah 3 Boxscore | Wrap
Poinsettia Bowl San Diego State 35, Navy 14 Boxscore | Wrap
Hawaii Bowl Tulsa 62, Hawaii 35 Boxscore | Wrap
Little Caesars Pizza Bowl Florida International 34, Toledo 32 Boxscore | Wrap
New Mexico Bowl BYU 52, UTEP 24 Boxscore | Wrap
Humanitarian Bowl Northern Illinois 40, Fresno State 17 Boxscore | Wrap
New Orleans Bowl Troy 48, Ohio 21 Boxscore | Wrap
Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl Louisville 31, Southern Mississippi 28 Boxscore | Wrap
MAACO Bowl Boise State 26, Utah 3 Boxscore | Wrap
Poinsettia Bowl San Diego State 35, Navy 14 Boxscore | Wrap
Hawaii Bowl Tulsa 62, Hawaii 35 Boxscore | Wrap
Independence Bowl Air Force 14, Georgia Tech 7 Box score | Wrap
Champs Sports Bowl N.C. State 23, West Virginia 7 Boxscore I Wrap
Insight Bowl Iowa 27, Missouri 24 Boxscore I Wrap
Military Bowl Maryland 51, East Carolina 20 Box Score I Wrap
Texas Bowl Illinois 38, Baylor 14 Box Score I Wrap
Alamo Bowl Oklahoma State 36, Arizona 10 Box Score I Wrap
Armed Forces Bowl Army 16, SMU 14 Boxscore I Wrap Pinstripe Bowl Syracuse 36, Kansas State 34 Boxscore I Wrap Music City Bowl North Carolina 30, Tennessee 27 Boxscore I Wrap Holiday Bowl Washington 19, Nebraska 7 Boxscore I Wrap
Meineke Car Care Bowl South Florida 31, Clemson 26 Boxscore | Wrap
Sun Bowl Notre Dame 33, Miami 17 Boxscore | Wrap
Liberty Bowl UCF 10, Georgia 7 Boxscore | Wrap
Chick-fil-A Bowl Florida State 26, South Carolina 17 Boxscore | Wrap
TicketCity Bowl Texas Tech 45, Northwestern 38 Boxscore | Wrap
Capital One Bowl Alabama 49, Michigan State 7 Boxscore | Wrap MLive.com coverage
Outback Bowl Florida 37, Penn State 24 Boxscore | Wrap
Gator Bowl Mississippi State 52, Michigan 14 Boxscore | Wrap AnnArbor.com mega guide
Rose Bowl TCU 21, Wisconsin 19 Boxscore | Wrap
Fiesta Bowl Oklahoma 48, Connecticut 20 Boxscore | Wrap
Orange Bowl Stanford 40, Virginia Tech 12 Boxscore | Wrap
Sugar Bowl Ohio State 31, Arkansas 26 Boxscore | Wrap
GoDaddy.com Bowl Miami (Ohio) 35, Middle Tennessee 21 Boxscore | Wrap
Comments
Enforcer
Sun, Jan 9, 2011 : 12:07 a.m.
Les is coming. Here is my understanding of what is happening. Brandon spoke with Miles (agent/rep), and basically said (IMO)he will not officially request an interview unless Les says that he will come if the job is offered. Les indicates that he will come to Michigan, and the details of his salary, buyout are worked out before the interview. By then, they already have an 'understanding' and that the interview is just a formality. Les will be announced as Michigan's coach by Monday.
D21
Sat, Jan 8, 2011 : 6:18 p.m.
OSU fans, Good win but it is a HOLLOW win at best as everyone knows it. Tressel wimped out big time and he should have said so what to the totally hypocritical NCAA and suspended his players. I even have more respect for RR than Tressel and hope UM will destroy OSU to teach them a lesson.
D21
Sat, Jan 8, 2011 : 6:10 p.m.
RudeJude, No, that was RR hijacking the plane with the help of Theo212, Tater and a few others to prepare for the Mardi Gras. Hoke is it.
RudeJude
Sat, Jan 8, 2011 : 5:29 p.m.
I guess Les Miles is going to stay as on as the LSU coach, but check this article out with picture titled, "Mystery U of Michigan Plane in Baton Rouge?" http://www.wwl.com/pages/8937122.php?contentType=4&contentId=7450370 A plane with the Michigan logo arriving in Baton Rouge this morning would make for a crazy coincidence. Go Blue
PortageLkBlu
Sat, Jan 8, 2011 : 12:58 p.m.
Dan, the jury is still out on him. I would lay odds in his favor.
Dan Blair
Sat, Jan 8, 2011 : 12:45 p.m.
"It's a wonderful place. I love it here." Does that sound like Les Miles' denials three years ago? Regardless, besides his own ego and coming "home" to revive the program that he chose as a player - along wth Brandon! - he's at at a time in life and in a place he can retire if he wanted to. We should be so lucky that Les Miles is still interested! Are you taking that down Dave? You have only 48 hours left before Hoke re-signs, Miles take a final stance, and more recruits decommit! You're out of time Dave - this is not corporate America with search teams and had hunters. These are different dinamics that require quick and firm decisions. Bill Martin will go down in history as the ignorant AD who ruined Michigan football fro only God knows how long. How will you be remembered Dave?
Blu-n-Tpa
Sat, Jan 8, 2011 : 7:08 a.m.
"I think this is where he will be here next year." from a player on LSU. This is a wonderful place. I love it here!" from LM after winning the Cotton bowl. That's doens't sound like "I'm testing the waters, and let's see how things work out," now does it? On a positive note, although I've been asleep while it was still early in California, BH may have been talked into checking out JH's old Stanford office. It's about 1700 miles closer to San Diego than Bo Hall and they might be acting like they want him. Like maybe as one of their top two choices. So, now the clock is ticking on the one remaining college coaches with HC experience and a Michigan connection. Anybody's palms getting sweaty? DB is in Day 3 of his HC search. Heck, I'm known girlfriends who took longer deciding what shoes to wear to a New Years party, so show some patience. A lot of you wanted to give RR a fourth year, so how about giving DB a fourth day.
Ron Granger
Thu, Jan 6, 2011 : 3:22 p.m.
@The OSU: "If you want to debate "integrity" lets talk about UM. You were corrupt in stealing RR from WVU and now you're in a media circus trying to fire him while stealing a coach from another school." -- Don't confuse this with taking Slim Jims from a Columbus mini-mart. "Stealing" implies ownership. WVU did not "own" RR. Professionals negotiate contracts that have provisions for termination. Such was the case with RR at WVU, and at UM. Some universities even have law schools where they teach those concepts.
The OSU
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 11:56 a.m.
Blue Fans & 2A.com Writers: Don't try to spoil the fun! We won our bowl game, beat the hated SEC and defended the Big Ten after a New Year's Day disaster (including UM). You can slam tOSU in the article's title and make evil posts, but remember, WE WON! Those that are questioning "The Vest's" integrity had better beware! Yes, several players behaved poorly and are being punished by the NCAA. But stop implying our entire program is corrupt. If you want to debate "integrity" lets talk about UM. You were corrupt in stealing RR from WVU and now you're in a media circus trying to fire him while stealing a coach from another school.
TripleVSix
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 11:21 a.m.
"Stealing and hiring a coach who lies (?)" And cries.
PortageLkBlu
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 11:10 a.m.
Ya, we all thought the rules broken at Michigan were stupid rules to. Spin it anyway ya want but as an Ohio State friend said to me,"man up, Michigan broke the rules, don't try to spin it".
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 10:55 a.m.
Regarding the suspensions - first the rules they broke were rather stupid rules - selling memorabilia? (memorabilia that happens to be private property once given to the players) And for how much? maybe a grand? Discounts on tattoos (saved $30?) And the NCAA suspends you for 5 games? Does not sound reasonable. Why not the death penalty. These kids are broke - flat broke. Lastly, those students and the school have appealed the case - so the whole issue not fully closed at this time. Even if fully admission of guilt was made - the case is still pending!
WVU & OSU
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 10:54 a.m.
Don't be haters - OSU winning is good for the conference - Michigan hasn't exactly been the purist of programs lately, themselves - And with that said, I would rather be winning than be where UM is, being in the same light...... NCAA probation (?) Stealing and hiring a coach who lies (?)
J. Dean
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 10:28 a.m.
Fox Sports had a good take on this. http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/Sugar-Bowl-Ohio-State-players-analysis-010411
truebluefan
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 10:26 a.m.
Fitting that a guy that shouldn't have been playing in the game is the one that seals it with an INT. The only thing that keeps the NCAA off OSU's back is Jim Tressel's gentleman facade.
Ron Granger
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 10:06 a.m.
Great game. Ohio State played well, but it was mostly a story of Arkansas blowing it. So many dropped passes, turnovers.. And then not scoring on that blocked punt. So close, so many blown chances to win. Of course the Ohio State Five should not have been in the game. And the program should be sanctioned for allowing it to happen.
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 9:21 a.m.
This Buckeye win is very good News for the Big 10. Had the Bucks lost, more and more players in high school would opt away from the Big Ten, knowing that more NFL scouts give the SEC more respect. It especially helps with certain super star recruits down south - who have to consider coming up to the Mid West to play their college ball. The best High School players can go anywhere - this win helps keep Big Ten teams in the mix. As much as the local rivalries are great to have - Big Ten Coaches need to start targeting/scouting the SEC throughout the year. Target their speed - talent - play calling. Our teams have to play at that SEC level to be not the the best in the Big Ten - but in the Nation.
PortageLkBlu
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 9:19 a.m.
Ohio State beat a good Razorback team barely. I ask you do any of you think Ohio State could have beaten Alabama, South Carolina, TCU, Oregon, Auburn, Stanford, Boise or say Wisconsin? The big 10 was a bust this year and Ohio State won with players playing that are ineligible nest year, what's up with that? Mich. needs to get back in the winners circle so the big 10 as a whole can hold their heads up. Don't you think its a strange coincidence that Mich. flops and the big 10 all of a sudden can't beat anyone. If Bo was still the head coach at Mich. I'd bet even odds that Tressell would not have played those clowns.
PortageLkBlu
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 9:07 a.m.
A lot of OSU fans thumbed their noses at Mich. problem with RR. I have learned one thing about Jim Tressell, he stinks to, same odor, different color but Tress is a winner and with the obsessed fans win at all cost I guess Tress is the new trend. God Bless his little heart Tress won at all cost even the integrity of his players and a valuable lesson was learned by Jim Tressells players and hey, lets face it he stuck by his family and isn't that why Mr Boren plays there? I would say to Ohio State fans we Mich. fans are envious of you and your win loss record under Tress but I wonder, everyone talks about the integrity of RR I ask you, would Woody Hayes have handled those player the same way and if you say yes then you must be very young.
J. Dean
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 7:59 a.m.
Pryor and the other four in violation of the NCAA should not have been permitted to play that game. It's disgusting the way NCAA officials bend the rules and give "wrist-slap" consequences for things like this and Cam Newton. It's a joke.
rockettrg
Wed, Jan 5, 2011 : 4:12 a.m.
Get a broader perspective, boys. Any win for a Big 10 team is good for the conference even if it is Ohio State. 0 for 5 on New Years Day was embarrassing. When UM gets right they will want the Big 10 conference winning bowl games as it will only help the perception of UM. The Big 10 doesn't have to wait to hit rock bottom. They have essentially made poor showings for the past 5 years with the exception that they did ok in bowl games last year. The SEC is clearly the top conference with the Big 12, Pac 10/12, and the Big 10(really12) jawing about who is 2nd best. It's fine to hate OSU but their winning helps the conference image and indirectly helps UM. It's like some of the OSU players have said the last one or two years. Ideally, Michigan and Ohio State would go into their showdown with both teams being undefeated, like in 2006. Then they go and win their bowl games along with some other Big 10 bowl teams. Buckeyes were lucky to win. Poor Mallett had so many passes dropped and the Hogs could have run the blocked punt into the end zone easily. The Buckeyes didn't know how to step on the Hogs throat when they had them down. Stick a knife in the Hogs and gut them. Mallett and team made a good comeback, just fell a bit short. If the Tattoo Five would not have played the Razorbacks would have won by 28.
The OSU
Tue, Jan 4, 2011 : 3:04 p.m.
"Our honor defend......we will fight to the end, for O - HI - O!!!" (Buckeye Battle Cry)
J. Dean
Tue, Jan 4, 2011 : 2:23 p.m.
Ohio State will be demolished. They were a big fish in a small pond. Time to play big boy football, Buckeyes.
Ben
Tue, Jan 4, 2011 : 11:04 a.m.
OSU will be shredded just like VT was shredded last night. No contest. Go Razorbacks!
RudeJude
Tue, Jan 4, 2011 : 8:26 a.m.
Whether Ohio State wins matters little to how the Big Ten will be received by the media and the nation. If they win, they are the lone quality team in an otherwise overrated conference. If they lose, the conference is an all-out bust. No one comes away from the Sugar Bowl saying, "Gee, that Big Ten conference sure is above average!" I hope Ohio State loses, because they are Ohio State and because maybe the Big Ten needs to hit rock-bottom before it can become an elite conference.
NoBowl4Blue
Tue, Jan 4, 2011 : 4:20 a.m.
tater tater OSU hater oh how we all wished U of M football was even close to what they are. What's it been 8 years? They have 22 Academic Big Ten players and we have 7. Gotta love your man Rich Rod aka cry baby. He raises us up.