Bruce Pearl was recruiting in Memphis yesterday

Sept. 24, after all, was not picked out of thin air. If Tennessee really wanted to show seriousness about its penalty, it would have pulled the coaches off the road immediately after receiving the letter of inquiry. Instead, athletic director Mike Hamilton gave his coaches two weeks to save their 2011 recruiting efforts and lay the groundwork for 2012 prospects.

"I don't think (the off-campus recruiting ban) will hurt them," Johnson said.

You have to wonder if Tennessee's transparent attempt at penalty convenience will sit well with the NCAA, especially given Pearl's performance in front of investigators earlier this year.

Dan Wolken