Why Sumlin utilizes practice music: 'We never play in a sterile environment'

Playing on the road in the SEC means traveling to some of the loudest places and playing in some of the most rabid fan bases in the country.

While Kevin Sumlin admitted that he started using music during practice while he was at Houston, he noted the noise's added importance since arriving at Texas A&M and playing in the SEC.

"We don't play in a sterile environment ever." Sumlin said on the SEC teleconference earlier today.

"The more critical the play, the louder the stadium is. It helps us from an energy standpoint with our kids, and it forces our guys to have to communicate and focus, in an environment where you can't hear as well. There are a lot of pluses to it." Sumlin noted that he went out and visited with Steve Sarkisian a few years ago and really liked the way that he utilized it and built off of that.

Sumlin added that he used to be in charge of the playlist when he was at Houston, but now their audio / visual guys handle that on the practice field, though he still does hold the veto power. All he has to do is give a signal and the man in charge will move it on to the next song.

That brought up a question in our mind; What FBS head coach would you want controlling your music during practice? Frank Beamer? Willie Taggart? Lane Kiffin? Mike Leach?

Take your pick....we're curious.

Video: Bill Cubit mic'd up at Illinois

Bill Cubit spent eight seasons roaming the sidelines in Kalamazoo as the head coach at Western Michigan before being let go and eventually joining the Illinois staff as offensive coordinator.

This clip is a great illustration of why Cubit is well respected offensive mind. Cubit's attention to detail is second to none, and his knowledge of the game naturally demands the respect of his players.

Davie: 'The contract extension won't change how I approach the job'

Yesterday, Bob Davie and New Mexico agreed to a two year contract extension taking him through the 2019 season.

However, as Davie humbly explains, the new deal won't change his day to day approach on the job.

"Short term or long term, I'm really not sure what any of it means. Quite honestly, on a day to day basis, it really doesn't change anything."

"It's not like all of a sudden 'There's this contract extension and we have this many more years to get this program turned around.' It doesn't really change one thing, other than human nature, when people step up and extend a contract or tell you that you're wanted, it's a pretty good feeling...and I appreciate it."

"There are a lot of other things that led to this extension other than me." Davie humbly explained, noting the close bond that the Lobo administration and his staff share.

"You and I both know that contract extensions, when all the dust settles, sometimes mean a lot and sometimes they don't mean anything." Davie then goes on to share a story about the five-year contract extension he received after the 2000 season at Notre Dame. The Irish went on to lost their bowl game and, as Davie explains, "three games into the next season I knew I was gone."

The College Football Playoff official video

It's official. The college football playoff, beginning in 2014, will be known as..."The College Football Playoff". 

Well, no confusion there.

Yesterday it was announced that the semifinal games (the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl) will be played on January 1, 2015 and the title game will be played on the 12th at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

The official video introducing the playoff is below, and the official website of the new playoff allows you to vote for four different logos until next Monday. Click here to place your vote.

Photo: Miami and Minnesota have uniforms leaked

From the looks of this picture, Jacksonville wasn't the only NFL team to finish off their new look recently.

This photo is an apparent leak of the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings uniforms for 2013. Also, in the background of the first pic looks to be the Jags alternate teal uniforms, and their helmets seem to fade from the front to back (black to gold).

Video: The entire UNC team pranks the QB

Pretty funny prank here from the guys at North Carolina, who somehow got 21 guys involved in a prank without tipping their hand to the quarterback. 

...and if the prank alone didn't make you smile, the inspiration behind it (explained at the end of the clip) likely will.

Jaguars get new unis...and they're sharp

The Jacksonville Jaguars unveiled their new look today, and it's a far cry from the traditional look they unveiled when the franchise opened as an expansion team back in 1995.

Along with a completely different uniform design (including the number and letter font), notice the new logo on the helmet and the shield being used on the jersey. Nike describes the design as "everything an athlete needs and nothing he doesn’t while pushing the limits on creativity and design."

Initial reaction from Twitter and the Jacksonville fan base is overwhelming positive so far, and it's easy to see why. These are a far cry from the teal ones that they've worn for years, but word is that they will have a special teal alternate that they'll bring out on occasion.

This picture, an apparent leak from the Dolphins and Vikings uniform unveiling shows the helmets which look to fade from black (at the front of the helmet) to gold (at the back), as well as a peek at the teal alternates.

New Mexico reveals their captains with this video

Normally teams have a rather low key announcement in the spring or early during fall camp to name their captains.

New Mexico decided to take a different approach. The Lobos decided to name their captains through the release of this video. This is another solid idea that programs at all levels could use.