Dirtiest Program In College Football?

[AUChizad]

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1214532

Olin Buchanan
Rivals.com College Football Senior Writer

SMU once violated rules with such frequency and nonchalance that the NCAA gave the Mustangs the "death penalty" in 1987.
Since then, the Mustangs have remained relatively clean. Oh, there was a misstep regarding extra benefits and academic fraud in 2000 that resulted in two years' probation, but SMU has been otherwise obedient.   


Nick Saban and Alabama claimed the 2009 BCS title, but the program was also put on probation that year.

So, if SMU no longer is the most frequent violator of NCAA rules, what program is? That's the question to be answered in this week's mailbag.

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Let's check it out
Probably as a result of so many programs getting in trouble this year, many fans have been online making allegations on which football program is the "dirtiest in the nation" by equating dirty to the teams that have had the most violations in recent history. Which programs have had the most infractions during the past 20 years?
David in Salem, Ore.

Mudslinging seemingly has become the second favorite offseason activity for college football. It appears to rank just behind recruiting, but it's gaining fast.

The primary targets this year have been Auburn, Ohio State and Oregon, though sights always are set on USC and Alabama, too.

Frankly, I try to avoid the mudslinging and withhold opinion. In fact, that's what I'm going to do here because every argument always has a counterpoint.

That doesn't mean I won't answer the question. But rather than offer an opinion, I'd rather deal with documented facts to determine which football programs most often have been cited for major rules violations over the past 20 years.

On the NCAA Web site under "Legislation and Major Infractions Cases," I found that since Jan. 1, 1991, there have been 47 schools guilty of what the NCAA called major violations.

Eight programs were listed more than once, with Alabama leading the way with three.

Alabama's issues:

 In 2009: "Impermissible benefits obtained by student-athletes through misuse of the institution's textbook distribution program." That resulted in three years' probation.

 In 2002: "Athletics representatives engaged in violations of recruiting and extra-benefit legislation with prospective student-athletes and provided impermissible recruiting inducements through high school coaches. Numerous secondary violations." That resulted in a two-year postseason ban and five years' probation.

 In 1995: "Extra benefits: $24,000 in impermissible banks loans made to a student-athlete; institution did not obtain appropriate records. Lack of institutional control in the investigation into and report of information regarding the amateur status of student-athletes." That resulted in a one-year postseason ban and two years' probation.

The programs listed twice were Colorado, Florida International, Florida State, Mississippi State, Texas Tech, USC and Washington.

The other programs that have been found guilty of one major violation since Jan. 1, 1991: Arizona State, Arkansas, Arkansas State, Auburn, Ball State, Baylor, California, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisiana-Lafayette, Marshall, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ole Miss, New Mexico, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, San Diego State, South Carolina, SMU, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M, UCF, UTEP, Virginia, Washington State and Wisconsin.

                                                                               

[dallaswareagle]

Do they claim only one more or three more Natunial champunships?

[Townhallsavoy]

Allow me to put on my BamaPerry:

"Well this proves it!  They know what's about to hit Alabama, and the journalists are trying to jump on it before it happens.  Olin obviously knows the NCAA is about to hit Alabama in the mouth with the death penalty thanks to Brent Calloway and his Uncle Darren "I buy you car, now?" Woodruff."

[JR4AU]

That is the reason the bammer nation continuously screams about "Auburn's sordid history of continuous NCAA violations".  Because THEY are the new "dirtiest program in football". 

[GH2001]

That is the reason the bammer nation continuously screams about "Auburn's sordid history of continuous NCAA violations".  Because THEY are the new "dirtiest program in football".

Even Brooks said that Bama has reicieved more LOI's and sanctions in the last 30 years than any other program. Imagine if the NCAA had been THAT keen to watching over programs back when Bear was coaching. Their major infractions would be in the teens.

[JR4AU]

Even Brooks said that Bama has reicieved more LOI's and sanctions in the last 30 years than any other program. Imagine if the NCAA had been THAT keen to watching over programs back when Bear was coaching. Their major infractions would be in the teens.

They do got 13 nashinul champyunchips, and that's all that matters. 

[jmar]

They do got 13 nashinul champyunchips, and that's all that matters.

Nicks been a studyin this thing all year long. If theyll just pay attention to what he sez we got a nuthern on the way.

[djsimp]

Nicks been a studyin this thing all year long. If theyll just pay attention to what he sez we got a nuthern on the way.

Its all about the process.

[The Prowler]

17 years...and counting.  LMAO, they can't help themselves, cheating is all they know.

[jmar]

17 years...and counting.  LMAO, they can't help themselves, cheating is all they know.

Bammer wrote the book. Some say it's locked inside the vault at Denny Chimes...you know, that bell tower.

[Buzz Killington]

I want a koozie that reads "1 < 3" just for fun at work.

[No Huddle]

If you ain't cheatin' you ain't tryin'. Haters gonna hate 

[GH2001]

If you ain't cheatin' you ain't tryin'. Haters gonna hate 

Unless its dem Awbrens, den we gotsta catch em. Day cant be havin no nashunal champeenchips.

[No Huddle]

Unless its dem Awbrens, den we gotsta catch em. Day cant be havin no nashunal champeenchips.

Gots to git dem.