2023 College football thread - That's A Wrap (8 Viewers)

[Desert_Power]

I just wanted to say f#ck ESPN.......they are a big reason why Oregon State has no home next season..... and now OSU has proven they belong by on-field results, and eye balls on tv.....so what does ESPN do? They take GameDay to frickin Harrisburg for JMU vs App st. instead of a top ten matchup in Corvallis that has major implications for the conference and the football playoff.

ESPN is bunch of cowards. They did not want to answer questions about the elephant in the room, by taking gameday to Corvallis.

At least its looking like OSU and Wazzu will control the Pac 12 (2) assets and the backstabbing defectors will get nothing.......I mean what a joke! These ******** took away USC/UCLA/Colorado's board seats when they announced they were leaving, but then when they decided to jump ship suddenly they should get a seat on the board, and get to split up the assets?! **** the defectors! Yea I'm salty AF!! Buncha schools making impulsive decisions for perceived self preservation, and then not wanting to live with the consequences.......these network TV deals have completely ****ed college football.

Edit to add: no disrespect to James Madison. They are having a great season, and it's a great story.......but there's no way gameday should be there this weekend.

I get the anger toward the networks and other greedy actors but the fans are as much to blame as anyone. College football fans and supporters demanded the game emulate a professional football league and this is what they got. My entire life the Rose Bowl was the biggest college football game of the year because it was the Big 10 v PAC 10 champion, until the BCS came along. Everyone wanted it, other than a few of us miserable souls, in pursuit of the mythical national championship. It was only a few years later we had teams like Miami, Texas and Oklahoma playing their bowl game in Pasadena. The PAC falling apart is the natural consequence of the decisions made 25 years ago and most fans not only supported those moves but demanded even more. It won't be long until we have a 32 team NCAA football league of fully paid professional student-athletes divided into two conferences with 4 divisions each, leading to a College Superbowl.

I know there is a clamor by some to return to the halcyon days of yore where traditional Bowl games were the end all to be all but does anybody really want to go back to a system where a National Champion is crowned by a vote and where we can have co-champions at the end? Not crowning a champion on the field is asinine and I can't believe it lasted as long as it did.

The Southwest Conference was once a mighty king of college football. It devolved like 25 years ago and every single school with the exception of Rice and maybe SMU has tasted success in their new homes. Hell, even Houston was a thing for a minute.

I hate that the Pac12 is gone but the schools will be fine. Oregon State and WSU will find a home. The Beavers have a chance to play the greatest spoiler ever the next 3 weeks. Keep the phone lines open in Corvallis.

I know we'll never return to it, but yes, I would love it. I loved the national champion arguments every year on January 2 - that was part of the charm that separated it from professional football and fit with my view of amateur athletics. There will never be a system in college football where the champion is crowned "on the field" as it is in pro football because there are over 100 teams involved and the college playoff participants are still chosen by a vote. There are legit arguments every single year about who should get in and who is left out and always will be. Make it a 16 team bracket or 32 (which will happen) and this only gets worse and less and less about what I liked about college football. I know I'm an outlier on this but I didn't need college football to try to become the NFL. I don't think that's possible or desirable.

We've lost the great traditions of the big conferences and January 1 bowl games - its all mostly meaningless to me now and I hardly even have interest most years to watch the college superbowl on a Tuesday night in mid-January. Kids in California and Oregon are going to be traveling to New Jersey and Maryland to play conference sports next year, which is awful. Young fans these days don't have any inkling of what it means when Nebraska plays Oklahoma. Keith Jackson is dead. The biggest game of the year for me as a kid - the Rose Bowl - has lost all meaning to us now. I think it sucks but I understand most don't agree.

As a general college football fan but not a fan of any particular team in the big conferences, the Rose Bowl was always pretty much meaningless to me unless it involved a team that had a chance to be voted #1 afterwards. I mean, it was a nice story and all but that's about it. It feels like there are so many more meaningful games to me now with the playoff system in place, both regular season and bowl season.

Rose Bowl in the LA Coliseum on New Years Day. Doesn't get better than that.

It's a shame the current establishment cannot figure out how to integrate these classic bowls into a modern championship framework. As always, money talks.

 

[AAABatteries]

But on the other, college football was an outlier in determining a champion. HS football and Pro football alike crown a champion on a field. College basketball, baseball, etc did the same. I found it maddening that the champion was determined by a vote - two different votes, leading to a split sometimes. Nuts to that.

I’m with CM on this - I loved the way it was. Who cares if their champion was “controversial” - it driven the sport to the absurd, IMO:

• Georgia or Alabama will most likely win again this year. There’s realistically only 3-5 teams in a given year who can win
• The playoffs frequently have horrible games (although some good ones too, to be fair)
• Since 2006 (if we ignore the OSU championship) the only area of the country that matters is the southeast.
• Cal in the freaking ACC
• It used to be an accomplishment to make a bowl game - now almost all the lower tier bowls are a punchline and nobody watches
• NYE and New Years Day were can’t miss events in the sport - now, relatively nobody cares
• Coaches can win at incredible clips and do a good job and will still get fired because fan bases have become insane.
• Texas A&M paid some ungodly amount of money to have a coach leave
• Dabo won 2 national championships at Clemson and some of the fans want him out after a couple down years
• Oklahoma and Oklahoma State aren’t going to play each other any more

I’m perfectly fine if others don’t see it this way and if the above is just me being a GET OFF MY LAWN old man, I’m willing to accept that. But I like to think I’m being objective. They are slowly ruining the sport and the traditions/rivalries.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Who woulda thought a stodgy old program like Michigan would be the one bringing the NCAA into the 21st century? Headsets for everybody in this years bowl games.

 

[The Commish]

But on the other, college football was an outlier in determining a champion. HS football and Pro football alike crown a champion on a field. College basketball, baseball, etc did the same. I found it maddening that the champion was determined by a vote - two different votes, leading to a split sometimes. Nuts to that.

I’m with CM on this - I loved the way it was. Who cares if their champion was “controversial” - it driven the sport to the absurd, IMO:

• Georgia or Alabama will most likely win again this year. There’s realistically only 3-5 teams in a given year who can win
• The playoffs frequently have horrible games (although some good ones too, to be fair)
• Since 2006 (if we ignore the OSU championship) the only area of the country that matters is the southeast.
• Cal in the freaking ACC
• It used to be an accomplishment to make a bowl game - now almost all the lower tier bowls are a punchline and nobody watches
• NYE and New Years Day were can’t miss events in the sport - now, relatively nobody cares
• Coaches can win at incredible clips and do a good job and will still get fired because fan bases have become insane.
• Texas A&M paid some ungodly amount of money to have a coach leave
• Dabo won 2 national championships at Clemson and some of the fans want him out after a couple down years
• Oklahoma and Oklahoma State aren’t going to play each other any more

I’m perfectly fine if others don’t see it this way and if the above is just me being a GET OFF MY LAWN old man, I’m willing to accept that. But I like to think I’m being objective. They are slowly ruining the sport and the traditions/rivalries.

I'm fine with the old way too. What I didn't know is that high school has a tournament and crowns the teams. I've been relatively obsessed with HS football since moving to Florida and have never heard of that. I thought it was an appointed honor just like CFB used to be. Learn something new every day.

 

[AAABatteries]

What I didn't know is that high school has a tournament and crowns the teams. I've been relatively obsessed with HS football since moving to Florida and have never heard of that. I thought it was an appointed honor just like CFB used to be. Learn something new every day.

In Georgia it's been tournament style as far back as I can remember. And don't get me wrong, the idea of a 16 team CFP tournament (which we'll eventually get) will be fun and I'll watch. But when Georgia plays (looks up the rankings) Iowa and beats them 50-7 in the round of 16 I'm not sure how much fun that will be.

 

[3C's]

Does anyone else find it odd that a Recruiting Analyst never turned in an expense report? Never took a trip to see a potential player in HS? Never went to a school to visit a coach? You know, things that every other person doing recruiting would do if that was there job?

Not really. (I know this was answered already but I found this blurb about one of the LSU analysts) Analysts aren't allowed to do off campus functions:

Analysts fall under a category of coach that isn't considered "countable" by the NCAA, which means that although they are prohibited from directly coaching players or going on off-campus recruiting trips, there is no limit on how many analysts a program can have on staff — a major complaint for programs with smaller budgets.

I did find though that Stalions has a potential future employer waiting. https://umterps.com/news/2015/7/17/210223791

 

[3C's]

What I didn't know is that high school has a tournament and crowns the teams. I've been relatively obsessed with HS football since moving to Florida and have never heard of that. I thought it was an appointed honor just like CFB used to be. Learn something new every day.

In Georgia it's been tournament style as far back as I can remember. And don't get me wrong, the idea of a 16 team CFP tournament (which we'll eventually get) will be fun and I'll watch. But when Georgia plays (looks up the rankings) Iowa and beats them 50-7 in the round of 16 I'm not sure how much fun that will be.

Same here in VA; elsewhere I recently "remarked" about the absurdity of the HS playoff format. A local 1 win school somehow played in a playoff game but their opponent was a powerhouse from where I used to live. It wasn't pretty, 84-0 at halftime...

 

[tri-man 47]

Looking more and more like a lone wolf.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Connor Stalions, the former Michigan staffer at the center of sign-stealing investigation by the NCAA, did not file any expense reports during the 17 months he was formally employed by the football program, according to the school.

The Associated Press filed a Freedom of Information Act request for any of Stalions’ expense reports while he was employed at U-M from May 2022 through Nov. 3, 2023. There are no responsive records, Patricia Sellinger, chief freedom of information officer at the school, replied in an email sent Wednesday.

Every piece of evidence so far points to stallions being a loon

A loon who was given access to Michigan coaches on the sidelines during games as well as a slush fund to buy tickets to other games.....

And how quietly the news was swept away about Matt Weiss and the FBI investigation into cyber crimes. Whatever happened with that?

So your theory is that they were savvy enough to set up a secret untraceable slush fund to pay for everything, and then just openly bought the tickets under stallions own name and wore their Michigan gear to the games to be as obvious as possible as to what they were doing?

Well, your statement was that Stallions was "a loon". So let's stop there so you can tell me why he was given access to the coaches on the sidelines if he is, as you said "a loon". Seems incongruous.

Then I'm just curious how a loon making what he made could afford these tickets absent any financial help. What's your theory if you think mine is dumb?

In fairness, Harbaugh himself is quite a loon (lovably or laughably so, depending on your perspective of Michigan) …but he’s on the sidelines (when not serving penalties).

 

[Da Guru]

Michigan cheated, end of story. I've already, personally, reached out to big ten commissioner Tony Petitti. Now, I reminded him that I'm a pretty big deal around here, I mean not on this message board, I mean at my home where I'm writing this. I have come up with a brilliant solution to this gigantic mess and I think you will all find that the punishment for Michigan will most certainly fit the crime. I think making James Franklin the coach of Michigan for the next 5 years, effective immediately, is proper punishment. . . you're welcome Penn State!

Anyone on paid staff has field access. Ever see these college games, there are 40 people other than players on the sidelines.

Right next to the DC calling in plays huh lol

You guys are the ultimate homers. I kind of respect it.

But on the other, college football was an outlier in determining a champion. HS football and Pro football alike crown a champion on a field. College basketball, baseball, etc did the same. I found it maddening that the champion was determined by a vote - two different votes, leading to a split sometimes. Nuts to that.

I’m with CM on this - I loved the way it was. Who cares if their champion was “controversial” - it driven the sport to the absurd, IMO:

• Georgia or Alabama will most likely win again this year. There’s realistically only 3-5 teams in a given year who can win
• The playoffs frequently have horrible games (although some good ones too, to be fair)
• Since 2006 (if we ignore the OSU championship) the only area of the country that matters is the southeast.
• Cal in the freaking ACC
• It used to be an accomplishment to make a bowl game - now almost all the lower tier bowls are a punchline and nobody watches
• NYE and New Years Day were can’t miss events in the sport - now, relatively nobody cares
• Coaches can win at incredible clips and do a good job and will still get fired because fan bases have become insane.
• Texas A&M paid some ungodly amount of money to have a coach leave
• Dabo won 2 national championships at Clemson and some of the fans want him out after a couple down years
• Oklahoma and Oklahoma State aren’t going to play each other any more

I’m perfectly fine if others don’t see it this way and if the above is just me being a GET OFF MY LAWN old man, I’m willing to accept that. But I like to think I’m being objective. They are slowly ruining the sport and the traditions/rivalries.

I'm fine with the old way too. What I didn't know is that high school has a tournament and crowns the teams. I've been relatively obsessed with HS football since moving to Florida and have never heard of that. I thought it was an appointed honor just like CFB used to be. Learn something new every day.

Problem with HA football state tourneys at least in Michigan is they don`t seed the teams. This goes for football ,volleyball, baseball. They go by districts where the #1 and #2 teams could meet in the first or second game.

When my daughters were in HS 3 of the 4 teams in her district were ranked in the top 5 in the state, only one makes it out. Then it is usually a cakewalk to the final 4 for whoever made it out.

I go to HS football games all the time. I try to find the best game of the week within 30 minutes or so from my home.

 

[Da Guru]

Even if Michigan makes it to the championship, they are going to get smoked by Georgia. Nobody cares if they are stealing the signs from such juggernauts like Rutgers and Purdue. They're on a bridge to nowhere regardless. Beyond winning the B1G, which does matter.

(the) Ohio State would get smoked too, but at least they can throw a passing game at a UGA defense that is weaker on the back-end.

Nobody seriously thinks the national championship is running through the upper midwest.

It is not running through the east, Midwest, the west or the northwest. Not going to change anytime soon. Last year Bama signed nine 5 stars player and three of the top ten. Georgia signed five 5 star, and 16 four star players. Tough to compete with that.

My pick is Bama this year, or Georgia if they beat Bama.

Both teams are loaded with 4-5 star players and have had the #1 and #2 recruiting classes for years now. If they don`t make it with all that talent it would be a Suprise.

 

[Da Guru]

Looking more and more like a lone wolf.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Connor Stalions, the former Michigan staffer at the center of sign-stealing investigation by the NCAA, did not file any expense reports during the 17 months he was formally employed by the football program, according to the school.

The Associated Press filed a Freedom of Information Act request for any of Stalions’ expense reports while he was employed at U-M from May 2022 through Nov. 3, 2023. There are no responsive records, Patricia Sellinger, chief freedom of information officer at the school, replied in an email sent Wednesday.

Every piece of evidence so far points to stallions being a loon

A loon who was given access to Michigan coaches on the sidelines during games as well as a slush fund to buy tickets to other games.....

And how quietly the news was swept away about Matt Weiss and the FBI investigation into cyber crimes. Whatever happened with that?

So your theory is that they were savvy enough to set up a secret untraceable slush fund to pay for everything, and then just openly bought the tickets under stallions own name and wore their Michigan gear to the games to be as obvious as possible as to what they were doing?

Well, your statement was that Stallions was "a loon". So let's stop there so you can tell me why he was given access to the coaches on the sidelines if he is, as you said "a loon". Seems incongruous.

Then I'm just curious how a loon making what he made could afford these tickets absent any financial help. What's your theory if you think mine is dumb?

In fairness, Harbaugh himself is quite a loon (lovably or laughably so, depending on your perspective of Michigan) …but he’s on the sidelines (when not serving penalties).

I will say this. This has nothing to do with anything but...

The Harbaugh the media knows is totally different than the Harbaugh the players, staff and people around him know, and I am sure his family. And he never gets surly and snaps with the media like Saban and others, just never gives them more than he wants to. Just gives stupid answers.

My daughter works volleyball camps at Michigan in the summers. They put sport courts in the fieldhouse where the football team practices. I go to some of these camps for a day just to see my girls, hang out and watch. Been part of my life for a long time.

To see Harbaugh "away" from the camera interacting with the kids it is totally different that what you get in interviews. He bought all the food and drinks for the ex players working the camps multiple times from wherever they wanted in Ann Arbor. All catered in after they were done for the day. A few years ago my daughter introduced me to him, it was funny he was in the fieldhouse my daughter says "Hey Jim..not hey coach..this is my dad" walks right over puts his hand out and says a pleasure to me you...great kids here. Did not rush away. It was weird as he looked bigger in person than I expected. When he is walking around the fieldhouse he does not act like a prima donna or celebrity coach at all. Just acts like a regular guy watching sports.

But the best thing is when he was with the little kids, Harbaugh can still throw a football 50 yards on a rope at his age. Little kids running routes trying to catch passes was fun to watch.

 

[The Commish]

What I didn't know is that high school has a tournament and crowns the teams. I've been relatively obsessed with HS football since moving to Florida and have never heard of that. I thought it was an appointed honor just like CFB used to be. Learn something new every day.

In Georgia it's been tournament style as far back as I can remember. And don't get me wrong, the idea of a 16 team CFP tournament (which we'll eventually get) will be fun and I'll watch. But when Georgia plays (looks up the rankings) Iowa and beats them 50-7 in the round of 16 I'm not sure how much fun that will be.

yeah....the states work this way. I was unaware that the national champion was crowned this way though.

 

[3C's]

but they're not bowl eligible.

Yet.

They are not bowl eligible, yet.

(They will go to a bowl this year.)

Yeah, probably not going to be enough 6 win teams to fill all the spots.

By tonight, they may be the leader in the Clubhouse for a NY6 bowl. NCAA is supposed to rule on their latest appeal tonight. If it's denied again the AG in Virginia is expected to file lawsuit against the NCAA.

Denied. Would think the AG would have better things to do than fight a rule within the NCAA, one that every other team has had to follow when moving up.

 

[3C's]

but they're not bowl eligible.

Yet.

They are not bowl eligible, yet.

(They will go to a bowl this year.)

Yeah, probably not going to be enough 6 win teams to fill all the spots.

By tonight, they may be the leader in the Clubhouse for a NY6 bowl. NCAA is supposed to rule on their latest appeal tonight. If it's denied again the AG in Virginia is expected to file lawsuit against the NCAA.

Denied. Would think the AG would have better things to do than fight a rule within the NCAA, one that every other team has had to follow when moving up.

Oh, now I see why the AG might want to get involved. "Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a JMU grad, has threatened the NCAA with a lawsuit."

 

[gump]

My pick is Bama this year, or Georgia if they beat Bama.

Both teams are loaded with 4-5 star players and have had the #1 and #2 recruiting classes for years now. If they don`t make it with all that talent it would be a Suprise.

Ohio State's talent is at the same level...according to the 247 roster talent ranking. Then Tier 2 with TAMU, Clemson, Texas. PSU and Michigan down the list at #14 and #15.

 

[The Commish]

My pick is Bama this year, or Georgia if they beat Bama.

Both teams are loaded with 4-5 star players and have had the #1 and #2 recruiting classes for years now. If they don`t make it with all that talent it would be a Suprise.

Ohio State's talent is at the same level...according to the 247 roster talent ranking. Then Tier 2 with TAMU, Clemson, Texas. PSU and Michigan down the list at #14 and #15.

Michigan's classes have averaged around 14 since Harbaugh took over. I think they have had ONE top 5 class? Pretty impressive how many guys end up in the NFL after going through his program. They have to be behind OSU, Alabama and Georgia for sure in NFL representation during that time...not many other teams though.

 

[whoknew]

Even if Michigan makes it to the championship, they are going to get smoked by Georgia. Nobody cares if they are stealing the signs from such juggernauts like Rutgers and Purdue. They're on a bridge to nowhere regardless. Beyond winning the B1G, which does matter.

(the) Ohio State would get smoked too, but at least they can throw a passing game at a UGA defense that is weaker on the back-end.

Nobody seriously thinks the national championship is running through the upper midwest.

No doubt.

 

[Da Guru]

My pick is Bama this year, or Georgia if they beat Bama.

Both teams are loaded with 4-5 star players and have had the #1 and #2 recruiting classes for years now. If they don`t make it with all that talent it would be a Suprise.

Ohio State's talent is at the same level...according to the 247 roster talent ranking. Then Tier 2 with TAMU, Clemson, Texas. PSU and Michigan down the list at #14 and #15.

My pick is Bama this year, or Georgia if they beat Bama.

Both teams are loaded with 4-5 star players and have had the #1 and #2 recruiting classes for years now. If they don`t make it with all that talent it would be a Suprise.

Ohio State's talent is at the same level...according to the 247 roster talent ranking. Then Tier 2 with TAMU, Clemson, Texas. PSU and Michigan down the list at #14 and #15.

Michigan's classes have averaged around 14 since Harbaugh took over. I think they have had ONE top 5 class? Pretty impressive how many guys end up in the NFL after going through his program. They have to be behind OSU, Alabama and Georgia for sure in NFL representation during that time...not many other teams though.

Michigan is #5 in the number of players in the NFL. Behind Bama, Georgia, LSU and OSU.

Pretty good considering they are never in the top 5 classes like the other 4 programs so they have to develop players.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

but they're not bowl eligible.

Yet.

They are not bowl eligible, yet.

(They will go to a bowl this year.)

Yeah, probably not going to be enough 6 win teams to fill all the spots.

By tonight, they may be the leader in the Clubhouse for a NY6 bowl. NCAA is supposed to rule on their latest appeal tonight. If it's denied again the AG in Virginia is expected to file lawsuit against the NCAA.

Denied. Would think the AG would have better things to do than fight a rule within the NCAA, one that every other team has had to follow when moving up.

Yeah, they're not gonna win if they go to court. They agreed to terms when they moved up.

It sucks, though. This may be the best team in school history. JMU's just down the road from me and I enjoy watching them play. As noted, they'll probably get invited to a bowl because there won't be enough 6-win teams.

JMU's not a small school, either. I believe they have over 20k undergrads, bigger than many of the ACC schools.

 

[3C's]

but they're not bowl eligible.

Yet.

They are not bowl eligible, yet.

(They will go to a bowl this year.)

Yeah, probably not going to be enough 6 win teams to fill all the spots.

By tonight, they may be the leader in the Clubhouse for a NY6 bowl. NCAA is supposed to rule on their latest appeal tonight. If it's denied again the AG in Virginia is expected to file lawsuit against the NCAA.

Denied. Would think the AG would have better things to do than fight a rule within the NCAA, one that every other team has had to follow when moving up.

Yeah, they're not gonna win if they go to court. They agreed to terms when they moved up.

It sucks, though. This may be the best team in school history. JMU's just down the road from me and I enjoy watching them play. As noted, they'll probably get invited to a bowl because there won't be enough 6-win teams.

JMU's not a small school, either. I believe they have over 20k undergrads, bigger than many of the ACC schools.

Oh I know, they certainly had an advantage over the rest of the CAA schools (about triple the size of my local W&M) and I'm glad they're gone. That said, their 10-0 record is a little misleading IMO. They've played some weak schools, they have 0 impressive wins, and they barely beat a bad UVA team. I think their strength of schedule is somewhere around 100 out of ~125. Gotta think they'd get smoked if they actually do get a New Years bowl game.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

but they're not bowl eligible.

Yet.

They are not bowl eligible, yet.

(They will go to a bowl this year.)

Yeah, probably not going to be enough 6 win teams to fill all the spots.

By tonight, they may be the leader in the Clubhouse for a NY6 bowl. NCAA is supposed to rule on their latest appeal tonight. If it's denied again the AG in Virginia is expected to file lawsuit against the NCAA.

Denied. Would think the AG would have better things to do than fight a rule within the NCAA, one that every other team has had to follow when moving up.

Yeah, they're not gonna win if they go to court. They agreed to terms when they moved up.

It sucks, though. This may be the best team in school history. JMU's just down the road from me and I enjoy watching them play. As noted, they'll probably get invited to a bowl because there won't be enough 6-win teams.

JMU's not a small school, either. I believe they have over 20k undergrads, bigger than many of the ACC schools.

Oh I know, they certainly had an advantage over the rest of the CAA schools (about triple the size of my local W&M) and I'm glad they're gone. That said, their 10-0 record is a little misleading IMO. They've played some weak schools, they have 0 impressive wins, and they barely beat a bad UVA team. I think their strength of schedule is somewhere around 100 out of ~125. Gotta think they'd get smoked if they actually do get a New Years bowl game.

They won't get a NY6 game. They'll get paired with someone like Liberty or the MAC champion at 2:30 on Dec 18th

 

[3C's]

They won't get a NY6 game. They'll get paired with someone like Liberty or the MAC champion at 2:30 on Dec 18th

Liberty would interesting for sure. Kinda hope they get someone big and get their tails handed to them though.

 

[Tom Servo]

but they're not bowl eligible.

Yet.

They are not bowl eligible, yet.

(They will go to a bowl this year.)

Yeah, probably not going to be enough 6 win teams to fill all the spots.

By tonight, they may be the leader in the Clubhouse for a NY6 bowl. NCAA is supposed to rule on their latest appeal tonight. If it's denied again the AG in Virginia is expected to file lawsuit against the NCAA.

Denied. Would think the AG would have better things to do than fight a rule within the NCAA, one that every other team has had to follow when moving up.

Yeah, they're not gonna win if they go to court. They agreed to terms when they moved up.

It sucks, though. This may be the best team in school history. JMU's just down the road from me and I enjoy watching them play. As noted, they'll probably get invited to a bowl because there won't be enough 6-win teams.

JMU's not a small school, either. I believe they have over 20k undergrads, bigger than many of the ACC schools.

Oh I know, they certainly had an advantage over the rest of the CAA schools (about triple the size of my local W&M) and I'm glad they're gone. That said, their 10-0 record is a little misleading IMO. They've played some weak schools, they have 0 impressive wins, and they barely beat a bad UVA team. I think their strength of schedule is somewhere around 100 out of ~125. Gotta think they'd get smoked if they actually do get a New Years bowl game.

They won't get a NY6 game. They'll get paired with someone like Liberty or the MAC champion at 2:30 on Dec 18th

Yet they’re ranked 18th.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

but they're not bowl eligible.

Yet.

They are not bowl eligible, yet.

(They will go to a bowl this year.)

Yeah, probably not going to be enough 6 win teams to fill all the spots.

By tonight, they may be the leader in the Clubhouse for a NY6 bowl. NCAA is supposed to rule on their latest appeal tonight. If it's denied again the AG in Virginia is expected to file lawsuit against the NCAA.

Denied. Would think the AG would have better things to do than fight a rule within the NCAA, one that every other team has had to follow when moving up.

Yeah, they're not gonna win if they go to court. They agreed to terms when they moved up.

It sucks, though. This may be the best team in school history. JMU's just down the road from me and I enjoy watching them play. As noted, they'll probably get invited to a bowl because there won't be enough 6-win teams.

JMU's not a small school, either. I believe they have over 20k undergrads, bigger than many of the ACC schools.

Tez Walker knew the rules when he transferred a second time. He's playing football. The NCAA is so arbitrary with their own rules enforcement that I'm sure a decent AG could take them on pretty easily. In fact, the NCAA would likely just back down.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

but they're not bowl eligible.

Yet.

They are not bowl eligible, yet.

(They will go to a bowl this year.)

Yeah, probably not going to be enough 6 win teams to fill all the spots.

By tonight, they may be the leader in the Clubhouse for a NY6 bowl. NCAA is supposed to rule on their latest appeal tonight. If it's denied again the AG in Virginia is expected to file lawsuit against the NCAA.

Denied. Would think the AG would have better things to do than fight a rule within the NCAA, one that every other team has had to follow when moving up.

Yeah, they're not gonna win if they go to court. They agreed to terms when they moved up.

It sucks, though. This may be the best team in school history. JMU's just down the road from me and I enjoy watching them play. As noted, they'll probably get invited to a bowl because there won't be enough 6-win teams.

JMU's not a small school, either. I believe they have over 20k undergrads, bigger than many of the ACC schools.

Oh I know, they certainly had an advantage over the rest of the CAA schools (about triple the size of my local W&M) and I'm glad they're gone. That said, their 10-0 record is a little misleading IMO. They've played some weak schools, they have 0 impressive wins, and they barely beat a bad UVA team. I think their strength of schedule is somewhere around 100 out of ~125. Gotta think they'd get smoked if they actually do get a New Years bowl game.

They won't get a NY6 game. They'll get paired with someone like Liberty or the MAC champion at 2:30 on Dec 18th

Yet they’re ranked 18th.

In the AP poll. The CFP folks can't rank them.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

but they're not bowl eligible.

Yet.

They are not bowl eligible, yet.

(They will go to a bowl this year.)

Yeah, probably not going to be enough 6 win teams to fill all the spots.

By tonight, they may be the leader in the Clubhouse for a NY6 bowl. NCAA is supposed to rule on their latest appeal tonight. If it's denied again the AG in Virginia is expected to file lawsuit against the NCAA.

Denied. Would think the AG would have better things to do than fight a rule within the NCAA, one that every other team has had to follow when moving up.

Yeah, they're not gonna win if they go to court. They agreed to terms when they moved up.

It sucks, though. This may be the best team in school history. JMU's just down the road from me and I enjoy watching them play. As noted, they'll probably get invited to a bowl because there won't be enough 6-win teams.

JMU's not a small school, either. I believe they have over 20k undergrads, bigger than many of the ACC schools.

Tez Walker knew the rules when he transferred a second time. He's playing football. The NCAA is so arbitrary with their own rules enforcement that I'm sure a decent AG could take them on pretty easily. In fact, the NCAA would likely just back down.

The NCAA drew a line in the sand on this one. The NCAA sucks, but I don't know that JMU can beat them.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

but they're not bowl eligible.

Yet.

They are not bowl eligible, yet.

(They will go to a bowl this year.)

Yeah, probably not going to be enough 6 win teams to fill all the spots.

By tonight, they may be the leader in the Clubhouse for a NY6 bowl. NCAA is supposed to rule on their latest appeal tonight. If it's denied again the AG in Virginia is expected to file lawsuit against the NCAA.

Denied. Would think the AG would have better things to do than fight a rule within the NCAA, one that every other team has had to follow when moving up.

Yeah, they're not gonna win if they go to court. They agreed to terms when they moved up.

It sucks, though. This may be the best team in school history. JMU's just down the road from me and I enjoy watching them play. As noted, they'll probably get invited to a bowl because there won't be enough 6-win teams.

JMU's not a small school, either. I believe they have over 20k undergrads, bigger than many of the ACC schools.

Tez Walker knew the rules when he transferred a second time. He's playing football. The NCAA is so arbitrary with their own rules enforcement that I'm sure a decent AG could take them on pretty easily. In fact, the NCAA would likely just back down.

The NCAA drew a line in the sand on this one. The NCAA sucks, but I don't know that JMU can beat them.

They had drawn a line in the sand on Walker until the North Carolina AG got involved. I agree the NCAA sucks.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

but they're not bowl eligible.

Yet.

They are not bowl eligible, yet.

(They will go to a bowl this year.)

Yeah, probably not going to be enough 6 win teams to fill all the spots.

By tonight, they may be the leader in the Clubhouse for a NY6 bowl. NCAA is supposed to rule on their latest appeal tonight. If it's denied again the AG in Virginia is expected to file lawsuit against the NCAA.

Denied. Would think the AG would have better things to do than fight a rule within the NCAA, one that every other team has had to follow when moving up.

Yeah, they're not gonna win if they go to court. They agreed to terms when they moved up.

It sucks, though. This may be the best team in school history. JMU's just down the road from me and I enjoy watching them play. As noted, they'll probably get invited to a bowl because there won't be enough 6-win teams.

JMU's not a small school, either. I believe they have over 20k undergrads, bigger than many of the ACC schools.

Oh I know, they certainly had an advantage over the rest of the CAA schools (about triple the size of my local W&M) and I'm glad they're gone. That said, their 10-0 record is a little misleading IMO. They've played some weak schools, they have 0 impressive wins, and they barely beat a bad UVA team. I think their strength of schedule is somewhere around 100 out of ~125. Gotta think they'd get smoked if they actually do get a New Years bowl game.

I don't want to get in the middle of your slapfight against JMU but I know they won at UVA, beat Virginia Tech the last time they played them, almost beat NC State a few years ago, the basketball team just won at Michigan State and the girls softball team almost won a Natty a few years ago too. Sounds like a pretty damn good athletic department to me.

Comparing anyone in the G5 to the best of the P5 is going to look weak. Liberty is 10-0 and their best win is probably ODU or Bowling Green. Tulane's best win is Memphis and last year was barely beating Cincinnati. Then they took out USC in a bowl game.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

They had drawn a line in the sand on Walker until the North Carolina AG got involved. I agree the NCAA sucks.

I think they'd lose this fight but I'm a dope, so what do I know?

 

[rockaction]

but I'm a dope

You're not a dope. You might have smoked dope, but you're no dope. Dummy.

Just ordered and am listening Marvin's 50th anniversary of What's Going On. Remastered from the originals by Kevin Gray at Cohearant Audio (AAA analog stuff). Now that sounds dope.

 

[3C's]

I don't want to get in the middle of your slapfight against JMU but I know they won at UVA, beat Virginia Tech the last time they played them, almost beat NC State a few years ago, the basketball team just won at Michigan State and the girls softball team almost won a Natty a few years ago too. Sounds like a pretty damn good athletic department to me.

Comparing anyone in the G5 to the best of the P5 is going to look weak. Liberty is 10-0 and their best win is probably ODU or Bowling Green. Tulane's best win is Memphis and last year was barely beating Cincinnati. Then they took out USC in a bowl game.

No slapfight, I just like "hating" on JMU as a former rival. I don't actually hate them though, they're a good middle of the pack school.

They did beat UVA, a very bad UVA (much worse then than they are now) but needed a last minute TD to do so. That's no more a quality win than ODU or BG. VPI hasn't been good for several years so not really impressed there either. As far as basketball/softball/other "smaller" sports, it's not really hard for teams to be competitive, especially one who has an enrollment as large or larger than many of the "big" schools. But speaking of softball, following their Cinderella season their softball went .500 and last year wasn't much better.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

You might have smoked dope,

Oh, there's no "might" there Been a few decades, though.

 

[TennesseeJed]

They did beat UVA, a very bad UVA

JMU went on the road to do it - also went on the road to Utah State this season.

They are a good, well-coached team. Would they compete in the ACC? You would have to define compete. They obviously would not win it, but I think they could become bowl eligible.

I am not sure the rationale behind the 2 year ban on bowl games. But JMU has been well-positioned financially to make the jump, and they have had success at the FCS level for many years in football. So, I think if a school can demonstrate that it has the facilities, infrastructure, and financial backing to compete in football at the FBS level - there is no reason to keep them out of bowl games. JMU has traveled well to the national championship games it has played, and I suspect they would travel well to any bowl game - certainly for the first one.


(Side note, and probably not a hot topic in the story, but JMU did lose their top defensive player, and national sack leader, a couple of weeks ago, so they may have been pushing hard to get the sanctions removed while they are still undefeated).

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

I don't want to get in the middle of your slapfight against JMU but I know they won at UVA, beat Virginia Tech the last time they played them, almost beat NC State a few years ago, the basketball team just won at Michigan State and the girls softball team almost won a Natty a few years ago too. Sounds like a pretty damn good athletic department to me.

Comparing anyone in the G5 to the best of the P5 is going to look weak. Liberty is 10-0 and their best win is probably ODU or Bowling Green. Tulane's best win is Memphis and last year was barely beating Cincinnati. Then they took out USC in a bowl game.

No slapfight, I just like "hating" on JMU as a former rival. I don't actually hate them though, they're a good middle of the pack school.

They did beat UVA, a very bad UVA (much worse then than they are now) but needed a last minute TD to do so. That's no more a quality win than ODU or BG. VPI hasn't been good for several years so not really impressed there either. As far as basketball/softball/other "smaller" sports, it's not really hard for teams to be competitive, especially one who has an enrollment as large or larger than many of the "big" schools. But speaking of softball, following their Cinderella season their softball went .500 and last year wasn't much better.

Would love to see a list of all the schools including the P5 schools that have had the same athletic success at JMU.

If it's so easy to go into the Breslin Center and win, how come JMU was the first team to do it in November since Izzo was hired?

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

They did beat UVA, a very bad UVA

JMU went on the road to do it - also went on the road to Utah State this season.

They are a good, well-coached team. Would they compete in the ACC? You would have to define compete. They obviously would not win it, but I think they could become bowl eligible.

I am not sure the rationale behind the 2 year ban on bowl games. But JMU has been well-positioned financially to make the jump, and they have had success at the FCS level for many years in football. So, I think if a school can demonstrate that it has the facilities, infrastructure, and financial backing to compete in football at the FBS level - there is no reason to keep them out of bowl games. JMU has traveled well to the national championship games it has played, and I suspect they would travel well to any bowl game - certainly for the first one.


(Side note, and probably not a hot topic in the story, but JMU did lose their top defensive player, and national sack leader, a couple of weeks ago, so they may have been pushing hard to get the sanctions removed while they are still undefeated).

I don't think he's leading the nation in sacks because the NCAA doesn't recognize JMU's stats

 

[TennesseeJed]

They did beat UVA, a very bad UVA

JMU went on the road to do it - also went on the road to Utah State this season.

They are a good, well-coached team. Would they compete in the ACC? You would have to define compete. They obviously would not win it, but I think they could become bowl eligible.

I am not sure the rationale behind the 2 year ban on bowl games. But JMU has been well-positioned financially to make the jump, and they have had success at the FCS level for many years in football. So, I think if a school can demonstrate that it has the facilities, infrastructure, and financial backing to compete in football at the FBS level - there is no reason to keep them out of bowl games. JMU has traveled well to the national championship games it has played, and I suspect they would travel well to any bowl game - certainly for the first one.


(Side note, and probably not a hot topic in the story, but JMU did lose their top defensive player, and national sack leader, a couple of weeks ago, so they may have been pushing hard to get the sanctions removed while they are still undefeated).

I don't think he's leading the nation in sacks because the NCAA doesn't recognize JMU's stats

Ah - kind of like the "vacated wins" penalty.

 

[3C's]

I don't want to get in the middle of your slapfight against JMU but I know they won at UVA, beat Virginia Tech the last time they played them, almost beat NC State a few years ago, the basketball team just won at Michigan State and the girls softball team almost won a Natty a few years ago too. Sounds like a pretty damn good athletic department to me.

Comparing anyone in the G5 to the best of the P5 is going to look weak. Liberty is 10-0 and their best win is probably ODU or Bowling Green. Tulane's best win is Memphis and last year was barely beating Cincinnati. Then they took out USC in a bowl game.

No slapfight, I just like "hating" on JMU as a former rival. I don't actually hate them though, they're a good middle of the pack school.

They did beat UVA, a very bad UVA (much worse then than they are now) but needed a last minute TD to do so. That's no more a quality win than ODU or BG. VPI hasn't been good for several years so not really impressed there either. As far as basketball/softball/other "smaller" sports, it's not really hard for teams to be competitive, especially one who has an enrollment as large or larger than many of the "big" schools. But speaking of softball, following their Cinderella season their softball went .500 and last year wasn't much better.

Would love to see a list of all the schools including the P5 schools that have had the same athletic success at JMU.

If it's so easy to go into the Breslin Center and win, how come JMU was the first team to do it in November since Izzo was hired?

This is diverting into something never intended, but I would have to say "what success?" They won a couple of FCS national championships and that's great, but NDSU has won 9. What other success are we talking about here? I don't recall them winning much else, other than dominating in the CAA against much smaller schools.

And not once did I say it was easy to go to MSU and win. I said it's easier to be competitive in basketball. That's why you have teams like Butler and Gonzaga competing with the big schools. JMU basketball has been competitive for a while. They were good back in the 80s when I used to drop in there for parties and games, had some down years, but definitely good now (see UVA score a few years ago).

 

[3C's]

I am not sure the rationale behind the 2 year ban on bowl games. But JMU has been well-positioned financially to make the jump, and they have had success at the FCS level for many years in football. So, I think if a school can demonstrate that it has the facilities, infrastructure, and financial backing to compete in football at the FBS level - there is no reason to keep them out of bowl games. JMU has traveled well to the national championship games it has played, and I suspect they would travel well to any bowl game - certainly for the first one.

No idea on the rationale. Maybe they're trying to avoid some rich booster using their money to buy them into bowl games. Think I heard that as a reason. JMU certainly has money but I'm not sure about some super rich booster(s) driving things. Liberty might though. And they've certainly shown they can compete at the FBS level...even when they were still FCS. 2016 (I think it was then) I was like "these guys need to move up already!"

 

[Peak]

Read in an article by Chris Balas (UoM Insider, Reporter) that the MI may pull the TRO. He hinted at new information being found following staff and player interviews held by the NCAA early this week at UoM. His words - "This is not a positive development" stating that one of Harbaugh's assistant coaches was implicated during these interviews. Internet sleuths speculate it was the CO-DC & DB coach - Clinkscale. He was active on social media, and his X/Twitter account was recently deleted.

Can't link to the article as it's behind a pay wall, but here are screenshots captured regarding the conversation that Balas posted, replies, and confirmation of the coach's account deletion from today.

Additional link on conversation

Article found on Michigan's ON3 site - author Chris Balas (FYI - He does tend to flip flop from the sky is falling to everything is sunshine and lollipops constantly. But I have noticed that the bad news tends to be more spot on than the good news - so take it with a grain of salt)

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

I don't want to get in the middle of your slapfight against JMU but I know they won at UVA, beat Virginia Tech the last time they played them, almost beat NC State a few years ago, the basketball team just won at Michigan State and the girls softball team almost won a Natty a few years ago too. Sounds like a pretty damn good athletic department to me.

Comparing anyone in the G5 to the best of the P5 is going to look weak. Liberty is 10-0 and their best win is probably ODU or Bowling Green. Tulane's best win is Memphis and last year was barely beating Cincinnati. Then they took out USC in a bowl game.

No slapfight, I just like "hating" on JMU as a former rival. I don't actually hate them though, they're a good middle of the pack school.

They did beat UVA, a very bad UVA (much worse then than they are now) but needed a last minute TD to do so. That's no more a quality win than ODU or BG. VPI hasn't been good for several years so not really impressed there either. As far as basketball/softball/other "smaller" sports, it's not really hard for teams to be competitive, especially one who has an enrollment as large or larger than many of the "big" schools. But speaking of softball, following their Cinderella season their softball went .500 and last year wasn't much better.

Would love to see a list of all the schools including the P5 schools that have had the same athletic success at JMU.

If it's so easy to go into the Breslin Center and win, how come JMU was the first team to do it in November since Izzo was hired?

This is diverting into something never intended, but I would have to say "what success?" They won a couple of FCS national championships and that's great, but NDSU has won 9. What other success are we talking about here? I don't recall them winning much else, other than dominating in the CAA against much smaller schools.

And not once did I say it was easy to go to MSU and win. I said it's easier to be competitive in basketball. That's why you have teams like Butler and Gonzaga competing with the big schools. JMU basketball has been competitive for a while. They were good back in the 80s when I used to drop in there for parties and games, had some down years, but definitely good now (see UVA score a few years ago).

My last post on this because I don't give a **** nearly as much as it seems but I would consider JMU's football team to have been really successful over the last decade or so, the basketball team less so but currently looking good, and the Olympic sports seem to do well. You can twist and turn it and compare it to Alabama football and UNC basketball and it won't look very good. No one will though.

 

[3C's]

They did beat UVA, a very bad UVA

JMU went on the road to do it - also went on the road to Utah State this season.

They are a good, well-coached team. Would they compete in the ACC? You would have to define compete. They obviously would not win it, but I think they could become bowl eligible.

I am not sure the rationale behind the 2 year ban on bowl games. But JMU has been well-positioned financially to make the jump, and they have had success at the FCS level for many years in football. So, I think if a school can demonstrate that it has the facilities, infrastructure, and financial backing to compete in football at the FBS level - there is no reason to keep them out of bowl games. JMU has traveled well to the national championship games it has played, and I suspect they would travel well to any bowl game - certainly for the first one.


(Side note, and probably not a hot topic in the story, but JMU did lose their top defensive player, and national sack leader, a couple of weeks ago, so they may have been pushing hard to get the sanctions removed while they are still undefeated).

Looking through several rankings for all 133 FBS teams, it looks like Troy would be their most impressive win. UVA, Utah State, BG, ODU, etc are all ranked 85 or worse. Like I said, and this was all it was meant to be about, they haven't played or beaten anyone impressive, their schedule is weak. Not really their fault, it's a product of the conference they're in and out of conference is typically scheduled years in advance. They are a good team, they are well coached, they will continue to progress and improve, but being 10-0 isn't overly impressive when you have one of the easiest schedules in the country. I hope they get into a bowl game, and it looks likely that they will via loophole. And if I'm being honest, I hope they win (even if I like to poke at the Dukes). Good for the school, good for the state, and all that.

 

[General Malaise]

No, not really. Mark Richt had 15 seasons there before Smart arrived. He won 10 games or more 9 times. He finished six seasons in the top 10. .739 winning %

Sumlin lasted 6 years. Won 10 or more games once. 1 top 10 finish. Won 66% of his games.
Fisher also lasted 6 years. Never won 10 games. Had a top 10 finish once during 2020 Covid year. Won 64% of his games.

You don't want me to go back any further. Sherman and Franchione were disasters.

Comparing Georgia to A&M is like comparing a mountain in the Rockies to a mountain in the Himalayas.

It's not the worst example. Georgia had a title in the 80s and a handful of conference titles in the interim to their recent run. If the goalpost move is winning % now I guess ok. Georgia before smart was unable to win the big games in the modern SEC. It's not completely unreasonable with Saudi money to push TAMU up to pre-Smart Georgia levels. With the 24 team playoff or whatever it is now they'll get a chance.

We will agree to disagree on the comparison of pre-Smart Georgia to whatever it is Texas A&M thinks it is right now. I'm of a mind that Georgia was a much better football team that was closer to elite under Mark Richt than A&M was at any point during the same time period. I didn't move any goal posts, I went through and posted facts. If I asked my 4 year old niece what's more impressive, "Nine seasons where a team won at least 10 games or one season where a team won at least 10 games" she'd be able to answer. This isn't hard. This isn't moving goal posts. It's showing you numbers.

 

[culdeus]

No, not really. Mark Richt had 15 seasons there before Smart arrived. He won 10 games or more 9 times. He finished six seasons in the top 10. .739 winning %

Sumlin lasted 6 years. Won 10 or more games once. 1 top 10 finish. Won 66% of his games.
Fisher also lasted 6 years. Never won 10 games. Had a top 10 finish once during 2020 Covid year. Won 64% of his games.

You don't want me to go back any further. Sherman and Franchione were disasters.

Comparing Georgia to A&M is like comparing a mountain in the Rockies to a mountain in the Himalayas.

It's not the worst example. Georgia had a title in the 80s and a handful of conference titles in the interim to their recent run. If the goalpost move is winning % now I guess ok. Georgia before smart was unable to win the big games in the modern SEC. It's not completely unreasonable with Saudi money to push TAMU up to pre-Smart Georgia levels. With the 24 team playoff or whatever it is now they'll get a chance.

We will agree to disagree on the comparison of pre-Smart Georgia to whatever it is Texas A&M thinks it is right now. I'm of a mind that Georgia was a much better football team that was closer to elite under Mark Richt than A&M was at any point during the same time period. I didn't move any goal posts, I went through and posted facts. If I asked my 4 year old niece what's more impressive, "Nine seasons where a team won at least 10 games or one season where a team won at least 10 games" she'd be able to answer. This isn't hard. This isn't moving goal posts. It's showing you numbers.

That's not where TAMU thinks they are now. Georgia went thru a down cycle, took a small step up with Richt but was not seriously competitive for a title, then made another big step up. There was alot of doubt whether they were a "good job" at the time and whether they could get thru Alabama or even the East.

The thought that TAMU couldn't get to the Richt level with the current NIL, playoff, and other factors is just bias. Can the next step be the Smart era? Doubtful, but with the huge playoff they can get a seat and make a run with the right QB and execution. It's much easier to get a title now than it was 5-10 years ago from a non blue-blood position and with the portal and NIL you can turn around a team instantly. SEC should get 2+ teams in yearly. Richt would have gotten in nearly every year. Might have stuck around longer.

 

[Peak]

Chris Halas Update as of 1:30pm:

THURSDAY UPDATE, Big Ten vs. Michigan, more on the P.I. firms (from chat and beyond — the talking points)

Today at 1:39 PM

Add bookmark
#1

yes, the NCAA has continued its investigation and interviewed some players ("they seemed to know who they wanted to talk to" - that goes back to the potential whistleblower, it seems). We know at least one, personally. So ... that's a fact. We don't know what was said, or who said what, and they are going to protect the players, who nobody is blaming for any of this.

But we received a call this morning from a source involved about "further known involvement" that Michigan was made aware of. Until then, there was talk and hope of a settlement (Jim Harbaugh out for Maryland, back for Ohio State — but Harbaugh would have to agree to it, of course, which wasn't a given). There was hope his contract extension would be announced next week, too. We don't know the status of that — or tomorrow's hearing. But if it doesn't go to court, it's not likely that it's because the Big Ten and Michigan have reached an agreement allowing Jim to coach Maryland and come back for OSU.

So the options on the table appear to be Michigan accepts the settlement as is and releases something on that, or goes to court tomorrow, anyway. Many we've spoken with don't feel strongly about their chances ... even more so, now. It's gotten tense, though, to say the least. U-M is acting on more information now, but will the Big Ten tomorrow, if it goes to court? And how does it affect Jim Harbaugh, given any potential new evidence still doesn't implicate him having "direct knowledge?" If they lose, it seems much less likely they appeal.

That's where we are as of 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

As of 3:30pm, UoM has pulled their TRO and Harbaugh has accepted his 3 game suspension; will not coach Maryland or OSU games this season

That is all the B1G pursue in regards to punishment, and will now wait for NCAA to complete their investigation.

 

[Da Guru]

Chris Halas Update as of 1:30pm:

THURSDAY UPDATE, Big Ten vs. Michigan, more on the P.I. firms (from chat and beyond — the talking points)

Today at 1:39 PM

Add bookmark
#1

yes, the NCAA has continued its investigation and interviewed some players ("they seemed to know who they wanted to talk to" - that goes back to the potential whistleblower, it seems). We know at least one, personally. So ... that's a fact. We don't know what was said, or who said what, and they are going to protect the players, who nobody is blaming for any of this.

But we received a call this morning from a source involved about "further known involvement" that Michigan was made aware of. Until then, there was talk and hope of a settlement (Jim Harbaugh out for Maryland, back for Ohio State — but Harbaugh would have to agree to it, of course, which wasn't a given). There was hope his contract extension would be announced next week, too. We don't know the status of that — or tomorrow's hearing. But if it doesn't go to court, it's not likely that it's because the Big Ten and Michigan have reached an agreement allowing Jim to coach Maryland and come back for OSU.

So the options on the table appear to be Michigan accepts the settlement as is and releases something on that, or goes to court tomorrow, anyway. Many we've spoken with don't feel strongly about their chances ... even more so, now. It's gotten tense, though, to say the least. U-M is acting on more information now, but will the Big Ten tomorrow, if it goes to court? And how does it affect Jim Harbaugh, given any potential new evidence still doesn't implicate him having "direct knowledge?" If they lose, it seems much less likely they appeal.

That's where we are as of 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

As of 3:30pm, UoM has pulled their TRO and Harbaugh has accepted his 3 game suspension; will not coach Maryland or OSU games this season

That is all the B1G pursue in regards to punishment, and will now wait for NCAA to complete their investigation.

Good move as it would just be a huge distraction. Can`t fight city hall.

 

[Peak]

Good move as it would just be a huge distraction. Can`t fight city hall.

Wasn't it just a few days ago UoM had a big PR push that they were going to fight this all the way to the courts? That they were going to stand together and stand tall for what was right?
Now they are reversing course, and because now it's a distraction? This whole thing is a distraction! If they were just going to accept the punishment to not become a distraction, then why not do that last week? Instead they prolonged it, made a big public outcry for Due Process, then they are within hours of their time to shine in court and they back down so it isn't a distraction?

 

[General Malaise]

No, not really. Mark Richt had 15 seasons there before Smart arrived. He won 10 games or more 9 times. He finished six seasons in the top 10. .739 winning %

Sumlin lasted 6 years. Won 10 or more games once. 1 top 10 finish. Won 66% of his games.
Fisher also lasted 6 years. Never won 10 games. Had a top 10 finish once during 2020 Covid year. Won 64% of his games.

You don't want me to go back any further. Sherman and Franchione were disasters.

Comparing Georgia to A&M is like comparing a mountain in the Rockies to a mountain in the Himalayas.

It's not the worst example. Georgia had a title in the 80s and a handful of conference titles in the interim to their recent run. If the goalpost move is winning % now I guess ok. Georgia before smart was unable to win the big games in the modern SEC. It's not completely unreasonable with Saudi money to push TAMU up to pre-Smart Georgia levels. With the 24 team playoff or whatever it is now they'll get a chance.

We will agree to disagree on the comparison of pre-Smart Georgia to whatever it is Texas A&M thinks it is right now. I'm of a mind that Georgia was a much better football team that was closer to elite under Mark Richt than A&M was at any point during the same time period. I didn't move any goal posts, I went through and posted facts. If I asked my 4 year old niece what's more impressive, "Nine seasons where a team won at least 10 games or one season where a team won at least 10 games" she'd be able to answer. This isn't hard. This isn't moving goal posts. It's showing you numbers.

That's not where TAMU thinks they are now. Georgia went thru a down cycle, took a small step up with Richt but was not seriously competitive for a title, then made another big step up. There was alot of doubt whether they were a "good job" at the time and whether they could get thru Alabama or even the East.

The thought that TAMU couldn't get to the Richt level with the current NIL, playoff, and other factors is just bias. Can the next step be the Smart era? Doubtful, but with the huge playoff they can get a seat and make a run with the right QB and execution. It's much easier to get a title now than it was 5-10 years ago from a non blue-blood position and with the portal and NIL you can turn around a team instantly. SEC should get 2+ teams in yearly. Richt would have gotten in nearly every year. Might have stuck around longer.

Get to an SEC conference title game, and I'll start changing my mind on them. Start winning 10 games minimum per season and I'll start buying in. Those are good goals, attainable ones. Until I start seeing that I'll consider everything else a stretch goal for the Aggies. And that's okay.

But man, there were high hopes and lofty expectations that Jimbo and his recruits and all that money was going to elevate the program and it didn't. It wasn't any better than Sumlin who at least made A&M interesting.

Crawl
Walk
Jog <-----------TAMU is here
Run
Sprint

 

[msudaisy26]

Good move as it would just be a huge distraction. Can`t fight city hall.

Wasn't it just a few days ago UoM had a big PR push that they were going to fight this all the way to the courts? That they were going to stand together and stand tall for what was right?
Now they are reversing course, and because now it's a distraction? This whole thing is a distraction! If they were just going to accept the punishment to not become a distraction, then why not do that last week? Instead they prolonged it, made a big public outcry for Due Process, then they are within hours of their time to shine in court and they back down so it isn't a distraction?

Just the new excuse of the day. In no particular order.

Everyone is doing it.
It didn't really help because beat Penn State without him.
One rogue assistant
Witch hunt to get Michigan

I am sure I am missing some.

 

[3C's]

Don't know if anyone listens to the Rich Eisen show but I'll post this just to add to the "fuel". It's almost like my cousin's brother's wife's nephew sort of stuff. He had RG3 on and Rich asked about Paul Finebaum and his change of direction on Harbaugh (he's apparently saying throw the book at him now). RG3 basically alluded to them (ESPN) having some sort of confirming info that they're keeping under wraps. Couple that with Michigan/Harbaugh accepting the penalty. Makes you wonder.

 

[Stoneworker]

Contrary to what the pitchfork mob would have us believe, the concession Michigan got for not going to court was for the B1G to close its investigation.

That is being interpreted by most reputable media sources to mean there will be no additional "pile on" punishment from the B1G (which was their right under Rule 32) once the NCAA investigation concludes.

Both sides will now live with what the NCAA determines is appropriate.

Nicole Auerbach from NBCSports is reporting more specifics on X:

Big Ten will not impose any additional penalties against Michigan unless the NCAA finds/proves that one or more of Michigan’s countable coaches were involved in the Connor Stalions scheme, a league source told me.