SI.com - SI On Campus - The Vent: 05/13/2007

5/17/2007 12:32:00 PM

College Football -- Conference Rankings

Darren McFadden is one of the reasons why the SEC is the nation's top conference.

Clay Carson/WireImage

In his latest mailbag, SI.com's Stewart Mandel ranked all 11 Division I-A conferences. Here is the order:

1. SEC
2. Pac-10
3. Big Ten
4. Big East
5. Big 12
6. ACC
7. Mountain West
8. WAC
9. Conference USA
10. MAC
11. Sun Belt

Do you agree with Mandel's pecking order?

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5/15/2007 10:56:00 AM

Graduation Speakers Wish List

We'd love to hear Kim Kardashian give the commencement address at our graduation. Who would you like to hear at yours?

Photo by AP

Graduation season is upon us, and over the next few weeks, hundreds of thousands of students, parents, friends and relatives will be listen to some painful commencement addresses. That's not to say that all speeches are bad – Vince McMahon apparently gave a killer speech at Sacred Heart University – but most are long-winded and full of abstract life lessons that most people could care less about. But have no fear, we're here to save you. Imagine you had access to anyone in the entire world … who would you invite to speak at your graduation?

If we happened to attend USC, we'd snag Kim Kardashian to headline the festivities. With Paris Hilton heading to the slammer, Kardashian looks ready to assume the role of celebrity queen who is famous simply for being famous. Plus, she's now dating USC God Reggie Bush, so there's a connection (all the connection we need).

For schools that teach the art of acting (UCLA, Cal), we recommend Jeremy Piven (aka Ari Gold on Entourage). On a show that has progressively gotten worse since its first season, Piven shines. Plus, he was one of the greatest college students in the history of film when he took on the role of Drawz in PCU (not to mention the evil Dean Pritchard in Old School).

Of course, we'd recommend Halle Barry for any school. After all, who wouldn't want to listen to her?

Those are our top three choices. Who are yours?

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5/14/2007 11:24:00 AM

Who should be a two-sport college athlete?

Minnesota's Cole Konrad may be lining up as a lineman for the Jets next season. Which other college athletes should take up another sport?

Leon Halip/WireImage

Wrestler Cole Konrad spent four years at the University of Minnesota dominating the nation's top grapplers, compiling a 154-13 record, including a 76-match victory streak to close out his career. But he's not trying out for the WWE. Instead, he's giving professional football a shot as one of 51 players participating in the New York Jets rookie camp. Konrad, along with former Ohio State wrestler and current Buckeyes assistant wrestling coach Tommy Rowlands are trying to transition into professional football players. The road is not a new one – former Cal State-Bakersfield wrestler Stephen Neal is currently a lineman for the New England Patriots – but it's a challenge.

Today we want to know what other college athletes -- past and present -- should follow in Konrad's footsteps and take up a different sport. We’ve been saying for more than a year that Glen "Big Baby" Davis' future should be in football as a tight end or defensive lineman. Arizona's Chase Budinger could’ve played volleyball at any number of schools and experts have said he has Olympic potential, but he chose U of A to focus on hoops. At 6-foot-5, former Georgia Tech (and current Detroit Lion) wide receiver Calvin Johnson looks like he could play small forward for any number of NBA Teams.

Now we want to hear from you. What college athletes do you think would thrive in another sport?

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