Earlier this week, multiple media outlets reported that former Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Kain Colter announced plans to form a labor union to represent college athletes. The new organization, known as the College Athletes Players Association, has petitioned the National Labor Relations Board for recognition and the right for college athletes to collectively bargain as employees of their respective universities. Assisting Mr. Colter in his efforts to unionize players are Ramogi Huma, president of the National College Players Association, and Leo Gerard, president of United Steelworkers. According to the Chicago Tribune, Bleacher Report, and The New York Times, Colter and his associates, at this time, have no plans to promote the longstanding issue of whether or not college athletes should receive salaries. Rather, the new organization, if it receives federal recognition, plans to make the following demands:
1. Provide financial coverage for sports-related medical expenses (including after graduation)
2. Establish educational trust fund to help former players graduate
3. Make all scholarships guaranteed four-year scholarships
4. Make stipends cover full cost of attendance, regardless of school
5. More representation for major N.C.A.A. decisions
6. Placing independent concussion experts on the sidelines during games
7. "Due Process" before a coach could strip a player of his scholarship for a rules violation
Mr. Colter and the players he represents are wise to focus on issues like athletic scholarships and the mental and physical health of athletes. These are concerns that can engender broad public support for organizations like the College Athletes Players Association since recent reports have revealed that the N.C.A.A. and the N.F.L. have shown little or no concern for the safety and the economic well-being of their players. Indeed, the case of Hall of Fame player Rayfield Wright, who was the subject of an article in last Monday's New York Times because of his struggle with dementia, is one example of how the N.F.L. deliberately withheld information about the effects of concussions from their players. As for the N.C.A.A., Mr. Colter described it as a "dictatorship" that "knowingly established a pay-for-play system while using terms like 'student-athlete' and 'amateurism' to skirt labor laws." If Mr. Colter's union receives federal approval, it would only affect teams that play for private universities. State governments oversee public/state universities and are not subject to federal statutes and the National Labor Relations Board. Still, any success from Mr. Colter and his allies may enable other players to bargain collectively for greater medical and economic protections from the N.C.A.A. and the athletic departments they represent.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
R.I.P. Pete Seeger
Today's post has nothing to do with sports, but it has something to do with the ongoing struggle for civil rights. A supporter of that movement, folk singer Pete Seeger, died yesterday evening at age 94. He wrote many songs, including "Turn, Turn, Turn," "Where Have All The Flowers Gone," "If I Had a Hammer," and "We Shall Overcome," which was adapted from a gospel song. "We Shall Overcome" became an anthem for the struggle for civil rights during the 1960s. Seeger was an activist for many progressive causes during his long life. Besides civil rights, he supported the Counterculture, environmentalism, nuclear disarmament, freedom of expression, and organized labor. He served in World War II and opposed the Vietnam War. In the 1950s, he was called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee because of his membership in the Communist Party USA (His testimony can be found here). Seeger refused to name names and he was sent to jail after a jury trial found him guilty of contempt of Congress in 1961. Less than a year later, an appeals court overturned his conviction. Seeger has received multiple awards for his music and he has performed with many musicians, including Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez, Harry Belafonte, Bruce Springsteen, and Ani DiFranco. I have posted a video from Youtube of Seeger performing "This Land Is Your Land" back in 2009:
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Derek Mason's Press Conference
Earlier today Vanderbilt University formally introduced Stanford defensive coordinator Derek Mason as their new head football coach. Courtesy of YouTube, The Howell Report is pleased to present the full length of Head Coach Mason's introductory press conference. More information about Derek Mason can be found at this link from ESPN. Enjoy the evening, Everybody!
Friday, January 17, 2014
Commentary: Four New Head Coaches
This Week's News Updates:
Just In: Vanderbilt has hired Stanford Defensive Coordinator Derek Mason as the new head coach of the Commodores. Full story here.
Congratulations to Auburn Head Coach Gus Malzhan for winning the Paul "Bear" Bryant College Coach of The Year Award. Full story here.
The University of North Carolina has suspended the research efforts of Mary Willingham, the whistle-blower who informed the media about the academic deficiencies of UNC football and basketball players between 2004 and 2012. Full story here.
Bleacher Report has an interactive map available on their website revealing where the Top 200 college football recruits of 2014 came from and the schools that they plan to attend.
Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swofford would like the NCAA to grant conferences more autonomy to "determine how teams qualify for their league championship games." Full story here.
Indiana University Quarterback Cameron Coffman has announced that he will transfer. Full story here.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the days following Florida State's victory in the 2014 BCS National Championship game, there have been some head coaching changes at FBS-level programs. The four new coaches featured in today's post (in alphabetical order) are James Franklin at Penn State, Bobby Petrino at Louisville, Charlie Strong at Texas, and Mark Whipple at Massachusetts-Amherst.
1. James Franklin - Penn State Nittany Lions:
Penn State's decision to hire James Franklin, former head coach at Vanderbilt, could arguably be the best hire in 2014 (not counting the coaching changes that occurred last December) for the following reasons: First, he is a native-born Pennsylvanian from Philadelphia. At his introductory press conference, he was proud to call himself a "Pennsylvania boy with a Penn State heart." Judging by that statement, and others he made at his press conference, it seems like he will not be going to another program anytime soon.
Second, Franklin built a successful program at a school that often finished at or near the bottom in a highly competitive conference. In his three seasons at Vanderbilt, Franklin accumulated a 24-15 record and he was the only coach in Vanderbilt history to lead the program to three consecutive postseason bowl appearances (current HC bowl record is 2-1). Last season's Vanderbilt team also included victories over historic SEC power programs Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee (Vanderbilt also came to within ten points of defeating South Carolina).
Third, his coaching experience includes time on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. The 2013 Vanderbilt team had a defense that only allowed an average of 24.6 points per game while his offense has scored more than 30.0 points per game. Since Franklin's offensive strategy emphasizes the passing game (his QB Austyn Carta-Samuels threw for 2268 yards in 2013) I am optimistic that he will work well with current Penn State starting QB Christian Hackenburg, who threw for 2955 yards last season and accumulated 20 touchdowns. Given his success at Vanderbilt, Coach Franklin is in an excellent position to complete the work that Bill O'Brien began two years ago when he took over a program devastated by the fallout from the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal. The sanctions from that scandal will end in two years. It will be interesting to see where Coach Franklin has led the Nittany Lions when that time finally arrives.
2. Bobby Petrino - Louisville Cardinals
Bobby Petrino has returned to Louisville after nearly a seven-year absence. But the Louisville football program that he will lead in 2014 is a lot different than the one he coached a decade ago. Back then, the Louisville coaching position was often viewed, for lack of a better term, as "a stepping stone" on the path to coaching a more prestigious program. Indeed, the Louisville program of 2014 is a lot wealthier and in a better position to play for championships (both regional and national) once it joins the Atlantic Coast Conference in July. Even though Louisville is a much stronger (no pun intended) program than it was when Charlie Strong began his tenure there as head coach in 2009, my question here is how long Petrino will stay at this job. No one doubts that Coach Petrino has had a long, distinguished, and controversial career as a football coach. Rather, if one looks at his resume, he is someone who does not appear to stay, whether voluntary or involuntary (as with the case at Arkansas), at one place for too long. With Louisville's move to the ACC this year, maybe things will be different for both Bobby Petrino and his second term as Cardinals head coach.
Despite Petrino's shortcomings, he has had a long and distinguished career as a coach. He has been called an "offensive mastermind" because he played a role in developing what has been called the power spread, an offensive method that utilizes an NFL-style running game complemented by aggressive passing scheme. So far, at least on the college level, this offensive strategy has worked very well for Petrino. His overall college head coaching record is 83-30, with nearly half of those wins coming from his first tenure at Louisville. Petrino has had seven postseason appearances as a head coach, including berths in the 2007 Orange Bowl (Louisville) and the 2011 Sugar Bowl (Arkansas). In 2013, his first and only season as coach of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, he led that team to an 8-4 record, a season that included wins over teams like Kentucky, Navy, and Arkansas State.
Essentially, Bobby Petrino has demonstrated that he can build winning programs. Unfortunately, his transgressions at Arkansas nearly ruined his career. If he can avoid repeating any of his past mistakes, Petrino should have little trouble maintaining Louisville's newly acquired status as a premier football program.
3. Charlie Strong - Texas Longhorns
As many college football fans know, Charlie Strong was not Texas's first choice in its search for a new head coach. Since the start of the 2013 season there had been a lot of speculation surrounding Texas's pursuit of Alabama head coach Nick Saban as Mack Brown's replacement. Indeed, one can argue that Texas's decision to hire Charlie Strong ultimately came after Saban signed a contract extension with the Crimson Tide at the end of the season. In this blogger's opinion, Texas should not have wasted their time trying to pursue Nick Saban for the following reason: Saban is sixty-two years old. At that age, many people are starting to think about retirement rather than their next career move. Saban even said in an interview earlier in the season that he was "just too damn old to start all over someplace else." As a result, when Texas hired Strong (who is in his early fifties), I thought of an old Rolling Stones song that included the following phrase: "you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you'll find, you get what you need."
Like Saban, Charlie Strong was a long-time defensive assistant/coordinator before he was offered his first head coaching job. Last season, Strong's defensive squad at Louisville was second in the country in terms of points allowed per game (12.2). Unlike Saban, however, Strong has some coaching experience on the offensive side of the ball. According to his Wikipedia article, Strong served as a wide receivers coach at Southern Illinois (1986-1987) and at Ole Miss in 1990. One can argue that this experience has helped shape his offensive strategy, which relies on an aggressive passing scheme (the 2013 Louisville team was 16th overall in passing, averaging 314.0 yards per game), that has had considerable success. In fact, Louisville finished 2013 ranked 26th overall in scoring, averaging 35.2 points per game. After serving as Louisville head coach for four seasons, Charlie Strong arrives at Texas with a 37-15 overall record, a 3-1 bowl record, and a postseason BCS bowl win over Florida in the 2013 Sugar Bowl.
The former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Tony Dungy, once mentioned about Strong that "when they see what he can do, you're probably going to have a lot of people disappointed they didn't hire him sooner." Charlie Strong had to wait until he was forty-nine years old before he got offered his first head coaching job. Less than five years later, he is now head coach of the University of Texas, the most valuable college football franchise in the country. While his record on the field speaks for itself, one has to wonder how Strong's coaching philosophy will fit with the high academic standards of Texas? According to a recent article from SB Nation, Strong has given his players a list of expectations that emphasizes, among other things, class attendance, treating people with respect, living and working as a team, meeting high academic standards, doing things as opposed to just talking about them, and meeting "the expectation that Texas wins now." It seems to me that Charlie Strong is someone who will do everything he can to make sure his players meet the academic and athletic expectations of the University of Texas. I am anxious to see how the 2014 season shapes up for the Longhorns.
4. Mark Whipple - University of Massachusetts-Amherst
I am afraid that this analysis of Mark Whipple will have to be fairly brief since I have not followed the UMass Minutemen football program. Like Bobby Petrino's return to Louisville, Mark Whipple returns to Amherst lead a program that has undergone significant changes since he left for the NFL in 2003. The most important of which are the program's move from the Football Championship Subdivision to the Football Bowl Subdivision and UMass's subsequent decision to join the Mid-American Conference back in 2012. But since the Minutemen began playing at the FBS-level, their record has been 2-22.
But back when Mark Whipple led the UMass program between 1998 and 2003, it was a different situation. In his six seasons as head coach of the Minutemen, Whipple accumulated a 49-26 record that included three FCS playoff appearances and one NCAA FCS National Championship in 1998. He had two seasons with 10 wins or more (1998 - 12 wins, 2003 - 10 wins) and Wikipedia mentions that Whipple's teams set more than forty team records. The 1998 team posted records in total yards (7,074), passing yards (4,050), completions (306), and first downs (354). Rehiring Coach Whipple definitely seems like a step in the right direction for a program whose fortunes cannot get any lower.
Just In: Vanderbilt has hired Stanford Defensive Coordinator Derek Mason as the new head coach of the Commodores. Full story here.
Congratulations to Auburn Head Coach Gus Malzhan for winning the Paul "Bear" Bryant College Coach of The Year Award. Full story here.
The University of North Carolina has suspended the research efforts of Mary Willingham, the whistle-blower who informed the media about the academic deficiencies of UNC football and basketball players between 2004 and 2012. Full story here.
Bleacher Report has an interactive map available on their website revealing where the Top 200 college football recruits of 2014 came from and the schools that they plan to attend.
Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swofford would like the NCAA to grant conferences more autonomy to "determine how teams qualify for their league championship games." Full story here.
Indiana University Quarterback Cameron Coffman has announced that he will transfer. Full story here.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the days following Florida State's victory in the 2014 BCS National Championship game, there have been some head coaching changes at FBS-level programs. The four new coaches featured in today's post (in alphabetical order) are James Franklin at Penn State, Bobby Petrino at Louisville, Charlie Strong at Texas, and Mark Whipple at Massachusetts-Amherst.
1. James Franklin - Penn State Nittany Lions:
Penn State's decision to hire James Franklin, former head coach at Vanderbilt, could arguably be the best hire in 2014 (not counting the coaching changes that occurred last December) for the following reasons: First, he is a native-born Pennsylvanian from Philadelphia. At his introductory press conference, he was proud to call himself a "Pennsylvania boy with a Penn State heart." Judging by that statement, and others he made at his press conference, it seems like he will not be going to another program anytime soon.
Second, Franklin built a successful program at a school that often finished at or near the bottom in a highly competitive conference. In his three seasons at Vanderbilt, Franklin accumulated a 24-15 record and he was the only coach in Vanderbilt history to lead the program to three consecutive postseason bowl appearances (current HC bowl record is 2-1). Last season's Vanderbilt team also included victories over historic SEC power programs Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee (Vanderbilt also came to within ten points of defeating South Carolina).
Third, his coaching experience includes time on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. The 2013 Vanderbilt team had a defense that only allowed an average of 24.6 points per game while his offense has scored more than 30.0 points per game. Since Franklin's offensive strategy emphasizes the passing game (his QB Austyn Carta-Samuels threw for 2268 yards in 2013) I am optimistic that he will work well with current Penn State starting QB Christian Hackenburg, who threw for 2955 yards last season and accumulated 20 touchdowns. Given his success at Vanderbilt, Coach Franklin is in an excellent position to complete the work that Bill O'Brien began two years ago when he took over a program devastated by the fallout from the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal. The sanctions from that scandal will end in two years. It will be interesting to see where Coach Franklin has led the Nittany Lions when that time finally arrives.
2. Bobby Petrino - Louisville Cardinals
Bobby Petrino has returned to Louisville after nearly a seven-year absence. But the Louisville football program that he will lead in 2014 is a lot different than the one he coached a decade ago. Back then, the Louisville coaching position was often viewed, for lack of a better term, as "a stepping stone" on the path to coaching a more prestigious program. Indeed, the Louisville program of 2014 is a lot wealthier and in a better position to play for championships (both regional and national) once it joins the Atlantic Coast Conference in July. Even though Louisville is a much stronger (no pun intended) program than it was when Charlie Strong began his tenure there as head coach in 2009, my question here is how long Petrino will stay at this job. No one doubts that Coach Petrino has had a long, distinguished, and controversial career as a football coach. Rather, if one looks at his resume, he is someone who does not appear to stay, whether voluntary or involuntary (as with the case at Arkansas), at one place for too long. With Louisville's move to the ACC this year, maybe things will be different for both Bobby Petrino and his second term as Cardinals head coach.
Despite Petrino's shortcomings, he has had a long and distinguished career as a coach. He has been called an "offensive mastermind" because he played a role in developing what has been called the power spread, an offensive method that utilizes an NFL-style running game complemented by aggressive passing scheme. So far, at least on the college level, this offensive strategy has worked very well for Petrino. His overall college head coaching record is 83-30, with nearly half of those wins coming from his first tenure at Louisville. Petrino has had seven postseason appearances as a head coach, including berths in the 2007 Orange Bowl (Louisville) and the 2011 Sugar Bowl (Arkansas). In 2013, his first and only season as coach of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, he led that team to an 8-4 record, a season that included wins over teams like Kentucky, Navy, and Arkansas State.
Essentially, Bobby Petrino has demonstrated that he can build winning programs. Unfortunately, his transgressions at Arkansas nearly ruined his career. If he can avoid repeating any of his past mistakes, Petrino should have little trouble maintaining Louisville's newly acquired status as a premier football program.
3. Charlie Strong - Texas Longhorns
As many college football fans know, Charlie Strong was not Texas's first choice in its search for a new head coach. Since the start of the 2013 season there had been a lot of speculation surrounding Texas's pursuit of Alabama head coach Nick Saban as Mack Brown's replacement. Indeed, one can argue that Texas's decision to hire Charlie Strong ultimately came after Saban signed a contract extension with the Crimson Tide at the end of the season. In this blogger's opinion, Texas should not have wasted their time trying to pursue Nick Saban for the following reason: Saban is sixty-two years old. At that age, many people are starting to think about retirement rather than their next career move. Saban even said in an interview earlier in the season that he was "just too damn old to start all over someplace else." As a result, when Texas hired Strong (who is in his early fifties), I thought of an old Rolling Stones song that included the following phrase: "you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you'll find, you get what you need."
Like Saban, Charlie Strong was a long-time defensive assistant/coordinator before he was offered his first head coaching job. Last season, Strong's defensive squad at Louisville was second in the country in terms of points allowed per game (12.2). Unlike Saban, however, Strong has some coaching experience on the offensive side of the ball. According to his Wikipedia article, Strong served as a wide receivers coach at Southern Illinois (1986-1987) and at Ole Miss in 1990. One can argue that this experience has helped shape his offensive strategy, which relies on an aggressive passing scheme (the 2013 Louisville team was 16th overall in passing, averaging 314.0 yards per game), that has had considerable success. In fact, Louisville finished 2013 ranked 26th overall in scoring, averaging 35.2 points per game. After serving as Louisville head coach for four seasons, Charlie Strong arrives at Texas with a 37-15 overall record, a 3-1 bowl record, and a postseason BCS bowl win over Florida in the 2013 Sugar Bowl.
The former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Tony Dungy, once mentioned about Strong that "when they see what he can do, you're probably going to have a lot of people disappointed they didn't hire him sooner." Charlie Strong had to wait until he was forty-nine years old before he got offered his first head coaching job. Less than five years later, he is now head coach of the University of Texas, the most valuable college football franchise in the country. While his record on the field speaks for itself, one has to wonder how Strong's coaching philosophy will fit with the high academic standards of Texas? According to a recent article from SB Nation, Strong has given his players a list of expectations that emphasizes, among other things, class attendance, treating people with respect, living and working as a team, meeting high academic standards, doing things as opposed to just talking about them, and meeting "the expectation that Texas wins now." It seems to me that Charlie Strong is someone who will do everything he can to make sure his players meet the academic and athletic expectations of the University of Texas. I am anxious to see how the 2014 season shapes up for the Longhorns.
4. Mark Whipple - University of Massachusetts-Amherst
I am afraid that this analysis of Mark Whipple will have to be fairly brief since I have not followed the UMass Minutemen football program. Like Bobby Petrino's return to Louisville, Mark Whipple returns to Amherst lead a program that has undergone significant changes since he left for the NFL in 2003. The most important of which are the program's move from the Football Championship Subdivision to the Football Bowl Subdivision and UMass's subsequent decision to join the Mid-American Conference back in 2012. But since the Minutemen began playing at the FBS-level, their record has been 2-22.
But back when Mark Whipple led the UMass program between 1998 and 2003, it was a different situation. In his six seasons as head coach of the Minutemen, Whipple accumulated a 49-26 record that included three FCS playoff appearances and one NCAA FCS National Championship in 1998. He had two seasons with 10 wins or more (1998 - 12 wins, 2003 - 10 wins) and Wikipedia mentions that Whipple's teams set more than forty team records. The 1998 team posted records in total yards (7,074), passing yards (4,050), completions (306), and first downs (354). Rehiring Coach Whipple definitely seems like a step in the right direction for a program whose fortunes cannot get any lower.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
James Franklin's Press Conference
I am happy to say that I am feeling much better. As I mentioned in yesterday's message, my next post will be a commentary about the recent coaching changes at places like Michigan, Penn State, Texas, Louisville, and Alabama. I will be working on that post during the week. As for today, courtesy of YouTube, the Howell Report is happy to present the full press conference introducing James Franklin as the new head football coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions. Comments are welcome. Enjoy the evening, everybody!
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Lack of Updates
To My Readers:
I apologize for the lack of news updates. A couple of days after the airing of the BCS National Championship game, I have been fighting a nasty case of a flu-like illness. I may be in a position to post a special commentary about the recent coaching changes over the next couple of days. For now, I have been trying to get as much rest as possible. Thank you for your patience and I apologize again for the absence of updates.
Dennis H.
I apologize for the lack of news updates. A couple of days after the airing of the BCS National Championship game, I have been fighting a nasty case of a flu-like illness. I may be in a position to post a special commentary about the recent coaching changes over the next couple of days. For now, I have been trying to get as much rest as possible. Thank you for your patience and I apologize again for the absence of updates.
Dennis H.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Postseason Non-BCS Rankings
The Associated Press Top 25 and the USA Today Coaches Poll rankings for the end of the season were released earlier today. Obviously, Florida State retains the #1 position after defeating Auburn in last night's BCS National Championship game in Pasadena. Congratulations to the Seminoles and head coach Jimbo Fisher on their achievement. Though Auburn lost, both the AP Top 25 and the Coaches Poll decided to leave the Tigers at the number #2 spot. As a college football fan and a blogger, I am very disappointed in this development. The decision to rank a two-loss Auburn team higher than a one-loss Michigan State team (ranked #3 in both polls) that won its postseason bowl championship only raises questions of whether or not ranking agencies like the AP and Coaches Poll favor one conference at the expense of the others. The rest of the top ten in both polls were presented as follows: South Carolina finished at #4 in both polls after their win over Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl. Missouri jumped four places to finish at #5 in both polls after it beat Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl. Oklahoma rose five places in the AP (four in the Coaches Poll) to finish at #6 after it upset Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Alabama finished at #7 in the AP (#8 in the Coaches Poll) and Orange Bowl champion Clemson took the #8 spot in the AP (#7 in the Coaches Poll). Oregon's win over Texas in the Alamo Bowl put them at the #9 position in both polls. Finally, the #10 place belongs to three different teams. The Associated Press gave its #10 position to Fiesta Bowl champion Central Florida. The Coaches Poll however, split its #10 spot between Ohio State and Stanford. It will be interesting to see how these final polls will compare to the 2014 preseason rankings once they are released next summer. Enjoy the evening, everybody! Stay warm.
ASSOCIATED PRESS TOP 25
USA TODAY COACHES POLL
Numbers in parentheses represent amount of first-place votes.
ASSOCIATED PRESS TOP 25
| RK | TEAM | RECORD | CONFERENCE |
| 1 | Florida State (60) | 14-0 | ACC |
| 2 | Auburn | 12-2 | SEC |
| 3 | Michigan State | 13-1 | Big Ten |
| 4 | South Carolina | 11-2 | SEC |
| 5 | Missouri | 12-2 | SEC |
| 6 | Oklahoma | 11-2 | BIG XII |
| 7 | Alabama | 11-2 | SEC |
| 8 | Clemson | 11-2 | ACC |
| 9 | Oregon | 11-2 | PAC-12 |
| 10 | UCF | 12-1 | AAC |
| 11 | Stanford | 11-3 | PAC-12 |
| 12 | Ohio State | 12-2 | Big Ten |
| 13 | Baylor | 11-2 | BIG XII |
| 14 | LSU | 10-3 | SEC |
| 15 | Louisville | 12-1 | AAC |
| 16 | UCLA | 10-3 | PAC-12 |
| 17 | Oklahoma State | 10-3 | BIG XII |
| 18 | Texas A&M | 9-4 | SEC |
| 19 | USC | 10-4 | PAC-12 |
| 20 | Notre Dame | 9-4 | Independent |
| 21 | Arizona State | 10-4 | PAC-12 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | 9-4 | Big Ten |
| 23 | Duke | 10-4 | ACC |
| 24 | Vanderbilt | 9-4 | SEC |
| 25 | Washington | 9-4 | PAC-12 |
USA TODAY COACHES POLL
| RK | TEAM | RECORD | PTS |
| 1 | Florida State (59) | 14-0 | 1475 |
| 2 | Auburn | 12-2 | 1388 |
| 3 | Michigan State | 13-1 | 1375 |
| 4 | South Carolina | 11-2 | 1219 |
| 5 | Missouri | 12-2 | 1200 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | 11-2 | 1189 |
| 7 | Clemson | 11-2 | 1091 |
| 8 | Alabama | 11-2 | 1086 |
| 9 | Oregon | 11-2 | 975 |
| 10 | Ohio State | 12-2 | 872 |
| 10 | Stanford | 11-3 | 872 |
| 12 | UCF | 12-1 | 865 |
| 13 | Baylor | 11-2 | 796 |
| 14 | LSU | 10-3 | 719 |
| 15 | Louisville | 12-1 | 703 |
| 16 | UCLA | 10-3 | 597 |
| 17 | Oklahoma State | 10-3 | 587 |
| 18 | Texas A&M | 9-4 | 443 |
| 19 | USC | 10-4 | 313 |
| 20 | Arizona State | 10-4 | 302 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | 9-4 | 266 |
| 22 | Duke | 10-4 | 202 |
| 23 | Vanderbilt | 9-4 | 180 |
| 24 | Notre Dame | 9-4 | 125 |
| 25 | Nebraska | 9-4 | 123 |
Numbers in parentheses represent amount of first-place votes.
Monday, January 6, 2014
BCS National Championship
It has been a month since the end of the college football regular season. After weeks of waiting, the #1 Florida State Seminoles from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the #2 Auburn Tigers from the Southeastern Conference will meet in Pasadena's Rose Bowl Stadium for the VIZIO BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. ESPN's coverage of tonight's game will start 8:30 PM Eastern but because of the pregame festivities, I am not sure when the game will actually start. One thing is certain, though. Every second that ticks off the game clock puts the college football world closer to the end of the much-maligned Bowl Championship Series. Next season, the BCS system will be replaced with the four-team College Football Playoff to determine a national champion. I plan to discuss this development at a future date. For now, let us focus on tonight's game.
Florida State, the champion of the Atlantic Coast Conference, comes into tonight's game as the country's last undefeated team. The Seminoles defeated four ranked opponents: #25 Maryland on October 5th, #3 Clemson on October 19th, #7 Miami on November 7th, and #20 Duke in the ACC Championship, and they are the highest ranked team in the country in terms of points scored (53.0 ppg) and points allowed (10.7 ppg). Their quarterback is current Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, and the Seminoles have won every game except one by a margin of at least 27 points. Florida State will be playing for its first BCS title since 1999, the season they beat Virginia Tech (then a member of the Big East) in the Sugar Bowl.
The Auburn Tigers, the champion of the Southeastern Conference, enters the Rose Bowl Stadium as what many are calling "The Team of Destiny." I am not sure if any team is really "destined" to win a National Championship. However, given the ways in which Auburn won its last two regular season games against Georgia and Alabama, one could argue that fortune, luck, or some deity was smiling on the Tigers. After all, first-year head coach Gus Malzhan turned around a program that went 3-9 in the 2012 season. Now, Auburn is playing in its second BCS National Championship game in four seasons. What Auburn brings to Pasadena, besides its War Eagle, is the nation's best offensive line in rushing (335.7 yards per game). The Tigers are 9th in the country in scoring (40.2 ppg) and they have beaten five ranked opponents: #24 Ole Miss on October 5th, #7 Texas A&M on October 19th, #25 Georgia on November 16th, #1 Alabama on November 30th, and #5 Missouri in the SEC Championship. A loss to then #6 Louisiana State on September 21st was what prevented the Tigers from having an undefeated season. The one problem that Auburn may have going into this game is the fact that its defense has allowed 24.0 points per game. How they will fare against a Florida State offense that has averaged more than fifty points per game remains to be seen.
Both teams have had a month-long layoff since their respective conference championship games and that development could help or hinder either team. ESPN's Mark Schlabach gives Florida State an eleven-point advantage (projected final score: 34-23) but I think the game will be a little closer. I don't really like to guess but since this is the last BCS National Championship I will make an exception: I pick Florida State to win by eight.
Enjoy tonight's game, everybody!!
Florida State, the champion of the Atlantic Coast Conference, comes into tonight's game as the country's last undefeated team. The Seminoles defeated four ranked opponents: #25 Maryland on October 5th, #3 Clemson on October 19th, #7 Miami on November 7th, and #20 Duke in the ACC Championship, and they are the highest ranked team in the country in terms of points scored (53.0 ppg) and points allowed (10.7 ppg). Their quarterback is current Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, and the Seminoles have won every game except one by a margin of at least 27 points. Florida State will be playing for its first BCS title since 1999, the season they beat Virginia Tech (then a member of the Big East) in the Sugar Bowl.
The Auburn Tigers, the champion of the Southeastern Conference, enters the Rose Bowl Stadium as what many are calling "The Team of Destiny." I am not sure if any team is really "destined" to win a National Championship. However, given the ways in which Auburn won its last two regular season games against Georgia and Alabama, one could argue that fortune, luck, or some deity was smiling on the Tigers. After all, first-year head coach Gus Malzhan turned around a program that went 3-9 in the 2012 season. Now, Auburn is playing in its second BCS National Championship game in four seasons. What Auburn brings to Pasadena, besides its War Eagle, is the nation's best offensive line in rushing (335.7 yards per game). The Tigers are 9th in the country in scoring (40.2 ppg) and they have beaten five ranked opponents: #24 Ole Miss on October 5th, #7 Texas A&M on October 19th, #25 Georgia on November 16th, #1 Alabama on November 30th, and #5 Missouri in the SEC Championship. A loss to then #6 Louisiana State on September 21st was what prevented the Tigers from having an undefeated season. The one problem that Auburn may have going into this game is the fact that its defense has allowed 24.0 points per game. How they will fare against a Florida State offense that has averaged more than fifty points per game remains to be seen.
Both teams have had a month-long layoff since their respective conference championship games and that development could help or hinder either team. ESPN's Mark Schlabach gives Florida State an eleven-point advantage (projected final score: 34-23) but I think the game will be a little closer. I don't really like to guess but since this is the last BCS National Championship I will make an exception: I pick Florida State to win by eight.
Enjoy tonight's game, everybody!!
Saturday, January 4, 2014
The Last Weekend
Well, we have reached the last weekend of the 2013-14 college football season and we have two more bowl games before the BCS National Championship between Florida State and Auburn. Today's game is the BBVA COMPASS BOWL at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, and it features Vanderbilt (SEC) versus Houston (AAC) at 1:00 PM Eastern on ESPN. Legion Field was the annual site of the Iron Bowl between 1948 and 1988, and it currently serves as the home field of the UAB Blazers of Conference USA. As for today's game, both teams entered the post-season with 8-4 records, though Houston has a 5-3 conference record as opposed to Vanderbilt's 4-4 standing. But the Commodores, for the first time in the history of their football program, defeated Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee in the same season. The Commodores' head coach, James Franklin, currently a candidate for the head coaching vacancy at Penn State, is hoping to lead his team to its second-straight 9-win season. The question is how well the Commodores offensive line can perform without their starting quarterback, Austyn Carta-Samuels, who recently underwent knee surgery for a torn ACL. Franklin will instead start Patton Robinette, who has already played quarterback in two games. Fortunately, Robinette can still rely on the Commodores' star wide receiver, Jordan Matthews, the SEC's leader in receptions and yards.
As for the Houston Cougars, this season represented a major improvement over last year. In Tony Levine's second season as head coach, the Cougars finished 8-4 after going 5-7 in 2012. Houston comes into today's game with a defensive line that has only given up an average of 20.2 points per game (12th best in the country) as well as an offensive squad that has averaged 422.5 total yards per game. The Cougars' offensive line, led by freshman quarterback John O'Korn (26 TD, eight interceptions) and wide receiver Deontay Greenbury (caught 76 passes, accumulated 1,016 yards, scored ten touchdowns) has also averaged roughly 34 points per game. Though Houston lost three out their four last games, two of those losses were by narrow margins against teams like Fiesta Bowl champion Central Florida (final score: 19-14) and Louisville (final score: 20-13). Houston ended its season with a morale-boosting 34-0 shutout of in-state conference rival Southern Methodist. ESPN's Mark Schlabach predicts a close game with Houston having a 3-point advantage. Projected final score: 27-24.
Sunday's game is the GoDADDY BOWL between Arkansas State (Sun Belt) and Ball State (MAC). Kickoff is at 9:00PM on ESPN. Arkansas State earned a 7-5 record under head coach Brian Harsin, but since he left to become the new head coach at Boise State, interim head coach John Thompson will lead the team for the second consecutive postseason interval. In last year's GoDaddy Bowl, Thompson led the Red Wolves to a 17-13 victory over Kent State. But, win or lose, Thompson will only coach the team during this one game. In replacing coach Harsin, Arkansas State hired North Carolina offensive coordinator Blake Anderson. One can only hope Arkansas State will be able to retain him after one season. Since 2011, Arkansas State has had three "one-and-done" head coaches. I cannot recall any other FBS-level football program having this kind of turnover in such a short period of time. But this situation does remind me of a certain Defense Against the Dark Arts position at a notable wizarding school.
As for the game itself, Ball State's offensive line is 9th in the country in passing, with an average of 333 yards per game. The Cardinals quarterback Keith Wenning has completed 65.2% of his passes with 34 touchdowns and six interceptions. The question here is whether or not Arkansas State's defensive line, which currently allows an average of 26.7 points per game, can overcome Ball State's passing game. Though Ball State's defense is little better in terms of points allowed (24.8), they will still have to face a balanced Red Wolf offensive line that rushes the ball as much as it passes it (passing: 208.2 yards per game, rushing: 206.0 ypg). Mark Schlabach gives Ball State a fourteen point advantage. Projected final score: 34-20.
As for the Houston Cougars, this season represented a major improvement over last year. In Tony Levine's second season as head coach, the Cougars finished 8-4 after going 5-7 in 2012. Houston comes into today's game with a defensive line that has only given up an average of 20.2 points per game (12th best in the country) as well as an offensive squad that has averaged 422.5 total yards per game. The Cougars' offensive line, led by freshman quarterback John O'Korn (26 TD, eight interceptions) and wide receiver Deontay Greenbury (caught 76 passes, accumulated 1,016 yards, scored ten touchdowns) has also averaged roughly 34 points per game. Though Houston lost three out their four last games, two of those losses were by narrow margins against teams like Fiesta Bowl champion Central Florida (final score: 19-14) and Louisville (final score: 20-13). Houston ended its season with a morale-boosting 34-0 shutout of in-state conference rival Southern Methodist. ESPN's Mark Schlabach predicts a close game with Houston having a 3-point advantage. Projected final score: 27-24.
Sunday's game is the GoDADDY BOWL between Arkansas State (Sun Belt) and Ball State (MAC). Kickoff is at 9:00PM on ESPN. Arkansas State earned a 7-5 record under head coach Brian Harsin, but since he left to become the new head coach at Boise State, interim head coach John Thompson will lead the team for the second consecutive postseason interval. In last year's GoDaddy Bowl, Thompson led the Red Wolves to a 17-13 victory over Kent State. But, win or lose, Thompson will only coach the team during this one game. In replacing coach Harsin, Arkansas State hired North Carolina offensive coordinator Blake Anderson. One can only hope Arkansas State will be able to retain him after one season. Since 2011, Arkansas State has had three "one-and-done" head coaches. I cannot recall any other FBS-level football program having this kind of turnover in such a short period of time. But this situation does remind me of a certain Defense Against the Dark Arts position at a notable wizarding school.
As for the game itself, Ball State's offensive line is 9th in the country in passing, with an average of 333 yards per game. The Cardinals quarterback Keith Wenning has completed 65.2% of his passes with 34 touchdowns and six interceptions. The question here is whether or not Arkansas State's defensive line, which currently allows an average of 26.7 points per game, can overcome Ball State's passing game. Though Ball State's defense is little better in terms of points allowed (24.8), they will still have to face a balanced Red Wolf offensive line that rushes the ball as much as it passes it (passing: 208.2 yards per game, rushing: 206.0 ypg). Mark Schlabach gives Ball State a fourteen point advantage. Projected final score: 34-20.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Charlie Strong to Coach Texas Longhorns
ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and other media outlets are reporting that the Texas Longhorns have made an offer to hire Charlie Strong as their new head coach. According to the Associated Press and ESPN's Brett McMurphy, Mr. Strong, currently the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals, is expected to accept the offer of a five-year contract that would pay him $5 million annually. More details as this story develops.
Tuesday, January 7th:
Charlie Strong's Press Conference is now available for viewing:
Monday, January 6th:
Charlie Strong has accepted the Texas head coaching job and he will be formally introduced at a press conference later today. ESPN's Brett McMurphy has more information on this story:
Tuesday, January 7th:
Charlie Strong's Press Conference is now available for viewing:
Monday, January 6th:
Charlie Strong has accepted the Texas head coaching job and he will be formally introduced at a press conference later today. ESPN's Brett McMurphy has more information on this story:
Cotton Bowl and Orange Bowl
Because of my long workday, this update about tonight's upcoming bowls will have to be fairly brief. So, we will start with tonight's first game, the AT&T COTTON BOWL, which kicks off at 7:30 PM Eastern on FOX. The game may be in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area, but it is taking place at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, rather than at the bowl game's namesake stadium. By the way, excluding standing room and temporary seating, AT&T Stadium actually seats less people (80,000) than the post-renovation Cotton Bowl Stadium (92,100). This year's game pits two schools that had legitimate opportunities for a berth in either the National Championship or in a BCS-level bowl game. #13 Oklahoma State (BIG XII) was on its way to a berth in the Fiesta Bowl until its loss to Oklahoma in the Bedlam Series. The Cowboys will play the #8 Missouri Tigers (SEC). In only its second year as a member of the SEC, Missouri clinched the conference's East division title, and with it, came a potential berth in the final BCS National Championship game until they lost to Auburn. Tonight's game is, more or less, a reunion of two former BIG XII rivals. I am not sure when these two teams will play each other again, but it should be a very competitive game. ESPN's Mark Schlabach gives Missouri a one-point advantage. Projected final score: 31-30.
Tonight's second game, the DISCOVER ORANGE BOWL, is the last of the four BCS-level bowls before the National Championship game. This year's game features two teams that have only met once before: #12 Clemson (ACC) vs. #7 Ohio State (Big Ten). Tonight's edition of the Orange Bowl may be a game between standout quarterbacks: Clemson's Tajh Boyd threw for 3,473 yards with twenty-nine touchdowns and nine interceptions, while Ohio State's Braxton Miller threw for 1,860 yards with twenty-two touchdowns and five interceptions. Despite the substantial difference between the two players in passing yards, Ohio State's offense has emphasized the rushing game: the Buckeyes are third in the country in rushing with an average of 317.5 yards per game. Ohio State's star running back, Carlos Hyde, has had 183 carries with 1408 yards and fourteen touchdowns. As for defense, both teams have averaged roughly twenty-one points per game. If the game does turn into a shootout, the Buckeyes may have the advantage: their offensive line is the ranked 3rd overall in scoring with 46.3 points per game (Clemson has averaged 40.2). But, if the Buckeyes defense falters like it did in the Big Ten Championship against Michigan State, then Clemson could get the win. Mark Schlabach gives the Tigers a 3-point advantage over the Buckeyes. Projected Final Score: 27-24. As for me, I agree that this Orange Bowl is anybody's game. For Clemson's sake, one has to wonder if they will avoid a repeat of the last time they went to the Orange Bowl, which was a 70-33 rout courtesy of the West Virginia Mountaineers back in 2012. Enjoy tonight's games, Everybody!
Tonight's second game, the DISCOVER ORANGE BOWL, is the last of the four BCS-level bowls before the National Championship game. This year's game features two teams that have only met once before: #12 Clemson (ACC) vs. #7 Ohio State (Big Ten). Tonight's edition of the Orange Bowl may be a game between standout quarterbacks: Clemson's Tajh Boyd threw for 3,473 yards with twenty-nine touchdowns and nine interceptions, while Ohio State's Braxton Miller threw for 1,860 yards with twenty-two touchdowns and five interceptions. Despite the substantial difference between the two players in passing yards, Ohio State's offense has emphasized the rushing game: the Buckeyes are third in the country in rushing with an average of 317.5 yards per game. Ohio State's star running back, Carlos Hyde, has had 183 carries with 1408 yards and fourteen touchdowns. As for defense, both teams have averaged roughly twenty-one points per game. If the game does turn into a shootout, the Buckeyes may have the advantage: their offensive line is the ranked 3rd overall in scoring with 46.3 points per game (Clemson has averaged 40.2). But, if the Buckeyes defense falters like it did in the Big Ten Championship against Michigan State, then Clemson could get the win. Mark Schlabach gives the Tigers a 3-point advantage over the Buckeyes. Projected Final Score: 27-24. As for me, I agree that this Orange Bowl is anybody's game. For Clemson's sake, one has to wonder if they will avoid a repeat of the last time they went to the Orange Bowl, which was a 70-33 rout courtesy of the West Virginia Mountaineers back in 2012. Enjoy tonight's games, Everybody!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
The New Sugar Bowl Arrives a Year Early
Today's News Links:
In the wake of Bill O'Brien's departure from Penn State to the Houston Texans, Penn State Athletic Director Dave Joyner, according to CBS Sports, has said that "a number of prominent head coaches" have inquired about the head coaching vacancy. Full story here.
Both Penn State Wide Receiver Allen Robinson and Texas A&M Wide Receiver Mike Evans have declared for the 2014 NFL Draft.
The University of Central Florida's Diversity and Ethics in Sport released a study showing that the top leadership positions at all 125 FBS-level schools and conferences are predominately filled by white men. This lack of diversity is unacceptable. Full story here.
Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio has agreed to a new contract, as well as a raise.
Full story here.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today's bowl schedule only features one game, but it should be an exciting match-up nonetheless. The 2014 edition of the ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL features #11 Oklahoma (BIG XII) versus #3 Alabama (SEC), two teams that have played in multiple BCS-level bowls and appeared in at least one BCS National Championship game since 2000. While Alabama's Nick Saban has won three National Championships in a span of four years (2009, 2011, and 2012), Oklahoma's Bob Stoops has received the nickname "Mr. BCS" because this year's Sugar Bowl will be his ninth BCS bowl appearance in fifteen years. Indeed, a National Championship is not on the line in tonight's game, which begins at 8:30 PM on ESPN at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Rather, what Coach Saban and Coach Stoops are playing for tonight is arguably the success of the future post-season partnership between the SEC and The BIG XII. Starting on January 1st, 2015, the new Sugar Bowl will feature the champions of both conferences, unless one or both qualify for the inaugural four-team College Football Playoff. The new game will be known as the "Champions Bowl," and it seems appropriate that tonight's Sugar Bowl, which will lay the foundations for the new BIG XII-SEC partnership, features coaches and programs that have fielded championship teams.
As for the game itself the main concern, if you are a Crimson Tide fan, is whether Alabama is motivated enough to win. The Sugar Bowl is more or less a consolation prize for a program accustomed to playing in the National Championship. Despite their loss to Auburn in the Iron Bowl, I am sure Saban has found a way to keep his players focused on the task ahead of them. After all, the last time Alabama played in a Sugar Bowl was the 31-17 loss to Utah back in 2009. This time, the Crimson tide will face an Oklahoma team that won their last three games. Two were wins in which the Sooners scored more than forty points, and the third one was the memorable upset over then-ranked #6 Oklahoma State (at Stillwater) in the Bedlam Series. Both Alabama and Oklahoma have stout defenses. Oklahoma has only allowed 187 passing yards per game and 15 touchdown passes in 12 games while Alabama's defensive line is second in the country in terms of points allowed per game, which is 11.3. How the Sooners will overcome this perceived Crimson Tide roadblock depends on how well they run the football. The Sooners offense is 17th in the country in rushing yards with 235.8 yards per game while their passing yardage only averages 186.7 yards (99th in the country). As for Alabama's offense, tonight's game is the last one for their star quarterback A.J. McCarron. ESPN's Mark Schlabach gives Alabama a 17-point advantage over Oklahoma with a final score of 38-21. Enjoy tonight's game, Everybody!
In the wake of Bill O'Brien's departure from Penn State to the Houston Texans, Penn State Athletic Director Dave Joyner, according to CBS Sports, has said that "a number of prominent head coaches" have inquired about the head coaching vacancy. Full story here.
Both Penn State Wide Receiver Allen Robinson and Texas A&M Wide Receiver Mike Evans have declared for the 2014 NFL Draft.
The University of Central Florida's Diversity and Ethics in Sport released a study showing that the top leadership positions at all 125 FBS-level schools and conferences are predominately filled by white men. This lack of diversity is unacceptable. Full story here.
Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio has agreed to a new contract, as well as a raise.
Full story here.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today's bowl schedule only features one game, but it should be an exciting match-up nonetheless. The 2014 edition of the ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL features #11 Oklahoma (BIG XII) versus #3 Alabama (SEC), two teams that have played in multiple BCS-level bowls and appeared in at least one BCS National Championship game since 2000. While Alabama's Nick Saban has won three National Championships in a span of four years (2009, 2011, and 2012), Oklahoma's Bob Stoops has received the nickname "Mr. BCS" because this year's Sugar Bowl will be his ninth BCS bowl appearance in fifteen years. Indeed, a National Championship is not on the line in tonight's game, which begins at 8:30 PM on ESPN at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Rather, what Coach Saban and Coach Stoops are playing for tonight is arguably the success of the future post-season partnership between the SEC and The BIG XII. Starting on January 1st, 2015, the new Sugar Bowl will feature the champions of both conferences, unless one or both qualify for the inaugural four-team College Football Playoff. The new game will be known as the "Champions Bowl," and it seems appropriate that tonight's Sugar Bowl, which will lay the foundations for the new BIG XII-SEC partnership, features coaches and programs that have fielded championship teams.
As for the game itself the main concern, if you are a Crimson Tide fan, is whether Alabama is motivated enough to win. The Sugar Bowl is more or less a consolation prize for a program accustomed to playing in the National Championship. Despite their loss to Auburn in the Iron Bowl, I am sure Saban has found a way to keep his players focused on the task ahead of them. After all, the last time Alabama played in a Sugar Bowl was the 31-17 loss to Utah back in 2009. This time, the Crimson tide will face an Oklahoma team that won their last three games. Two were wins in which the Sooners scored more than forty points, and the third one was the memorable upset over then-ranked #6 Oklahoma State (at Stillwater) in the Bedlam Series. Both Alabama and Oklahoma have stout defenses. Oklahoma has only allowed 187 passing yards per game and 15 touchdown passes in 12 games while Alabama's defensive line is second in the country in terms of points allowed per game, which is 11.3. How the Sooners will overcome this perceived Crimson Tide roadblock depends on how well they run the football. The Sooners offense is 17th in the country in rushing yards with 235.8 yards per game while their passing yardage only averages 186.7 yards (99th in the country). As for Alabama's offense, tonight's game is the last one for their star quarterback A.J. McCarron. ESPN's Mark Schlabach gives Alabama a 17-point advantage over Oklahoma with a final score of 38-21. Enjoy tonight's game, Everybody!
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Happy New Year! Now Let's Enjoy the Roses and the Fiesta!
Today's News Links:
ESPN reports that Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien will become head coach of the Houston Texans. Full story here.
Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher has signed a five-year contract extension. Fisher's new contract is worth $21 million and it lasts until 2018. However, the contract does not prevent Fisher from seeking other head coaching opportunities at this point in time. Full story here.
Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin has declined all requests to interview for an NFL head coaching position. Sources say that he plans to honor the six-year contract extension he signed with Texas A&M a few weeks earlier. Full story here.
I don't normally report on rumors, but CBS Sports has mentioned that Texas has apparently vetted four candidates to replace Mack Brown. The four mentioned are Louisville's Charlie Strong, Baylor's Art Briles, Florida State's Jimbo Fisher, and Vanderbilt's James Franklin. Full story here.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 1st, 2014, has finally arrived, and with it comes six highly anticipated bowl games. Four of them feature teams from the Big Ten Conference.
Today's first game is the TAXSLAYER.COM GATOR BOWL, which kicks off a Noon Eastern on ESPN2 from Jacksonville, Florida's, Everbank Field. This year's edition of the Gator Bowl features a postseason rematch between Nebraska (Big Ten) and Georgia (SEC). Though Georgia is favored, both teams will be playing without their starting quarterbacks because of injuries. Since both teams have had their share of injuries this year, it seems to me that this is anybody's game. Still, it should be very competitive. ESPN's Mark Schlabach picks Georgia to win by one touchdown. Projected final score: 38-31.
At the same time, ESPNU will be airing the HEART OF DALLAS BOWL from Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas. This year's match-up features Nevada-Las Vegas (MWC) versus North Texas (C-USA). Last year, both teams had a combined six wins. This year marks the first time UNLV has played in a bowl since 2000, and North Texas has not played in the postseason since 2004. Indeed, UNLV is 3-0 in the postseason but they will be playing in what will likely be a home game for the North Texas Mean Green. Dallas is within an hour's drive from the North Texas campus in Denton so the Runnin' Rebels should expect a sizable Mean Green fan contingent. Mark Schlabach picks North Texas to win by a touchdown. Projected final score: 31-23.
At 1:00 PM Eastern on ABC, The CAPITAL ONE BOWL (formerly the Florida Citrus Bowl and The Tangerine Bowl) features #19 Wisconsin (Big Ten) versus #9 South Carolina (SEC). At one point in the season, both teams were viewed as at-large picks for BCS-level bowls. However, Wisconsin's late-season loss to Penn State in Madison and South Carolina's setbacks against Georgia and Tennessee relegated both teams to a non-BCS bowl. Both teams went 6-2 in conference play and their offensive squads have both averaged at least 450 total yards per game. The question here is whether or not South Carolina's defense (which has allowed only 20.0 points per game), led by Jadeveon Clowney, can stop Wisconsin's rushing offense (283.0 yards per game), the eighth-best in the country. Mark Schlabach gives the Gamecocks a four-point advantage in what he believes will be a low-scoring game. Projected final score: 21-17.
Today's OUTBACK BOWL from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, will also be televised at 1:00 PM Eastern, except ESPN will carry the game. This year's edition of what used to be the Hall of Fame Bowl features two teams that have only met once before: Iowa (Big Ten) and Louisiana State (SEC). The last time they met was in the 2005 Capital One Bowl, where Iowa won 30-25. It was that Hawkeye victory which spoiled Nick Saban's last game as LSU's head coach. The Tigers will be starting freshman Quarterback Anthony Jennings after their star QB Zach Mettenberger tore the ACL in his left knee during the Arkansas game. How Jennings will fare against Iowa's formidable defense, led by James Morris, Anthony Hitchens, and Christian Kirksey. This trio of linebackers have combined for 298 tackles, 32.5 stops behind the line, six interceptions, 9.5 sacks, 13 Quarterback hurries, six forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. Mark Schlabach gives Iowa a three-point advantage. Projected final score: 24-21.
At 5:00 PM Eastern, ESPN will present #5 Stanford (PAC-12) vs. #4 Michigan State (Big Ten) in THE ROSE BOWL GAME from Pasadena, California. Stanford is the defending champion while Michigan State has not been to a Rose Bowl game in twenty-six years. In fact, had Michigan State won their game against Notre Dame, it is likely that the Spartans would be playing Florida State for the BCS National Championship instead of Auburn. Instead, Michigan State's top-ranked defense will play against a Stanford offensive squad that averages 413.1 total yards per game. Though Michigan State's offensive line has not put up as many yards (384.6 yards per game), their Quarterback Connor Cook has completed 58.4% of his passes, accumulated 2423 yards, scored 20 touchdowns, and has only five interceptions. By contrast, Stanford's QB has scored the same amount of touchdowns, completed 61.4 % of his passes, accumulated 2487 yards, yet has had nine interceptions. I give the advantage to Michigan State and their defense. Mark Schlabach gives the Spartans a four-point advantage in a low scoring game. Projected final score: 17-13.
Finally, at 8:00 PM Eastern, ESPN will present the TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL from University of Phoenix Stadium at Glendale, Arizona. #15 Central Florida (AAC) will take on #6 Baylor (Big XII) in a game between conference champions. Baylor boasts an offensive line that has scored an average of 53.3 points per game while averaging an incredible 624.5 total yards per game! Indeed, Central Florida's offensive line is not as strong as Baylor's (432.0 Total Yards per game and averaging 33.2 points per game). However, the Knights boast the 12th best defensive squad in the country in terms of points allowed (19.6 points per game). I do not think Central Florida can beat Baylor if the game turns into a shootout. The Knights' defense may have to play their best game of the season if they are going to contain the Bears' offense. Mark Schlabach picks Baylor to win by at least two touchdowns. Projected final score: 41-27.
ESPN reports that Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien will become head coach of the Houston Texans. Full story here.
Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher has signed a five-year contract extension. Fisher's new contract is worth $21 million and it lasts until 2018. However, the contract does not prevent Fisher from seeking other head coaching opportunities at this point in time. Full story here.
Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin has declined all requests to interview for an NFL head coaching position. Sources say that he plans to honor the six-year contract extension he signed with Texas A&M a few weeks earlier. Full story here.
I don't normally report on rumors, but CBS Sports has mentioned that Texas has apparently vetted four candidates to replace Mack Brown. The four mentioned are Louisville's Charlie Strong, Baylor's Art Briles, Florida State's Jimbo Fisher, and Vanderbilt's James Franklin. Full story here.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 1st, 2014, has finally arrived, and with it comes six highly anticipated bowl games. Four of them feature teams from the Big Ten Conference.
Today's first game is the TAXSLAYER.COM GATOR BOWL, which kicks off a Noon Eastern on ESPN2 from Jacksonville, Florida's, Everbank Field. This year's edition of the Gator Bowl features a postseason rematch between Nebraska (Big Ten) and Georgia (SEC). Though Georgia is favored, both teams will be playing without their starting quarterbacks because of injuries. Since both teams have had their share of injuries this year, it seems to me that this is anybody's game. Still, it should be very competitive. ESPN's Mark Schlabach picks Georgia to win by one touchdown. Projected final score: 38-31.
At the same time, ESPNU will be airing the HEART OF DALLAS BOWL from Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas. This year's match-up features Nevada-Las Vegas (MWC) versus North Texas (C-USA). Last year, both teams had a combined six wins. This year marks the first time UNLV has played in a bowl since 2000, and North Texas has not played in the postseason since 2004. Indeed, UNLV is 3-0 in the postseason but they will be playing in what will likely be a home game for the North Texas Mean Green. Dallas is within an hour's drive from the North Texas campus in Denton so the Runnin' Rebels should expect a sizable Mean Green fan contingent. Mark Schlabach picks North Texas to win by a touchdown. Projected final score: 31-23.
At 1:00 PM Eastern on ABC, The CAPITAL ONE BOWL (formerly the Florida Citrus Bowl and The Tangerine Bowl) features #19 Wisconsin (Big Ten) versus #9 South Carolina (SEC). At one point in the season, both teams were viewed as at-large picks for BCS-level bowls. However, Wisconsin's late-season loss to Penn State in Madison and South Carolina's setbacks against Georgia and Tennessee relegated both teams to a non-BCS bowl. Both teams went 6-2 in conference play and their offensive squads have both averaged at least 450 total yards per game. The question here is whether or not South Carolina's defense (which has allowed only 20.0 points per game), led by Jadeveon Clowney, can stop Wisconsin's rushing offense (283.0 yards per game), the eighth-best in the country. Mark Schlabach gives the Gamecocks a four-point advantage in what he believes will be a low-scoring game. Projected final score: 21-17.
Today's OUTBACK BOWL from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, will also be televised at 1:00 PM Eastern, except ESPN will carry the game. This year's edition of what used to be the Hall of Fame Bowl features two teams that have only met once before: Iowa (Big Ten) and Louisiana State (SEC). The last time they met was in the 2005 Capital One Bowl, where Iowa won 30-25. It was that Hawkeye victory which spoiled Nick Saban's last game as LSU's head coach. The Tigers will be starting freshman Quarterback Anthony Jennings after their star QB Zach Mettenberger tore the ACL in his left knee during the Arkansas game. How Jennings will fare against Iowa's formidable defense, led by James Morris, Anthony Hitchens, and Christian Kirksey. This trio of linebackers have combined for 298 tackles, 32.5 stops behind the line, six interceptions, 9.5 sacks, 13 Quarterback hurries, six forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. Mark Schlabach gives Iowa a three-point advantage. Projected final score: 24-21.
At 5:00 PM Eastern, ESPN will present #5 Stanford (PAC-12) vs. #4 Michigan State (Big Ten) in THE ROSE BOWL GAME from Pasadena, California. Stanford is the defending champion while Michigan State has not been to a Rose Bowl game in twenty-six years. In fact, had Michigan State won their game against Notre Dame, it is likely that the Spartans would be playing Florida State for the BCS National Championship instead of Auburn. Instead, Michigan State's top-ranked defense will play against a Stanford offensive squad that averages 413.1 total yards per game. Though Michigan State's offensive line has not put up as many yards (384.6 yards per game), their Quarterback Connor Cook has completed 58.4% of his passes, accumulated 2423 yards, scored 20 touchdowns, and has only five interceptions. By contrast, Stanford's QB has scored the same amount of touchdowns, completed 61.4 % of his passes, accumulated 2487 yards, yet has had nine interceptions. I give the advantage to Michigan State and their defense. Mark Schlabach gives the Spartans a four-point advantage in a low scoring game. Projected final score: 17-13.
Finally, at 8:00 PM Eastern, ESPN will present the TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL from University of Phoenix Stadium at Glendale, Arizona. #15 Central Florida (AAC) will take on #6 Baylor (Big XII) in a game between conference champions. Baylor boasts an offensive line that has scored an average of 53.3 points per game while averaging an incredible 624.5 total yards per game! Indeed, Central Florida's offensive line is not as strong as Baylor's (432.0 Total Yards per game and averaging 33.2 points per game). However, the Knights boast the 12th best defensive squad in the country in terms of points allowed (19.6 points per game). I do not think Central Florida can beat Baylor if the game turns into a shootout. The Knights' defense may have to play their best game of the season if they are going to contain the Bears' offense. Mark Schlabach picks Baylor to win by at least two touchdowns. Projected final score: 41-27.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)