Today's Topics: Tiger, 'Canes, Penn State

One of the world's best golfers having an exceptional Major tournament, only to be outdone by a player performing at a higher level.


The current British Open scenario isn't foreign to Tiger Woods -- although in the past, he often was the one running away and intimidating the field. 


Now Woods gets to experience what many of his peers felt when Tiger was chewing up and spitting out opponents and Major courses.


Woods has played the first three rounds at the 2012 British Open in 6-under par -- a score that puts him in fourth place heading into Sunday's final round.


Adam Scott, ranked No. 13 in the world rankings, sits atop the leaderboard at 11-under. (Click here for official Open Championship site.)


Is Scott's lead insurmountable? Absolutely not, especially with a blustery forecast for Sunday. Any player can have a bad round -- and a total collapse in a Major's final round would not be unheard of. 


Players such as Woods (world No. 4), Graeme McDowell (7-under, world No. 12) and Brandt Snedeker (7-under, world No. 29) certainly have the talent and moxie to make a run.


Naturally, a good night's sleep tonight would help. I just wonder how Tiger sleeps on fourth place?


NCAA Death penalty and Miami, Penn State


What's worse, repeated offenses by an institution or a horrific controversy and cover-up by a university's leaders?


Certainly recruiting violations, illegal payouts, etc., pale in comparison to sexual abuse of children and an ensuing cover-up.


But in the NCAA's world, serious violations of all kinds need to be dealt with.


Yahoo Sports reported new allegations that Miami's coaching staff used a booster's associate in possible recruiting violations.


And we all know about Penn State and last week's Freeh Report.


The best way for the NCAA to enforce rules and send a message to potential violators would be to hand down the Death Penalty --  a year without competing -- and allow all scholarship players to transfer and be immediately eligible.


Individual coaches and administrators who committed wrongdoings also should be held responsible with a probationary period that would prevent them from working at any school in an equal or higher position.


If such penalties result in schools threatening to break away from the NCAA, so be it. That would be the best way to end the hypocrisy and treat D-I football and basketball as the professional sports they are.


Unfortunately, money talks -- and with the NCAA, all it needs to do is whisper.