Category: College Football (Page 104 of 296)

      Nebraska leaning towards joining the Big Ten?

      June 9, 2010 /

      As long as the conference doesn’t leave them hanging without an invitation, it appears that Nebraska could be heading to the Big Ten.

      From ESPN.com:

      The source said the school is leaning toward the Big Ten, but an invitation hadn’t yet been extended, and there was no indication when that would occur. The consensus within the athletic department is that Nebraska wouldn’t separate itself from the Big 12 without some assurance that a Big Ten invitation would come, the source said. The Big Ten has set no date for any announcement in the coming weeks, leaving open the possibility that Nebraska could be left in limbo.

      Adding another school would allow the Big Ten to implement a championship game and expand its cable television network. Adding a title game would be exciting for fans of the conference, especially considering the Big Ten usually doesn’t play past the last weekend in November. When other conferences are still getting exposure in December thanks to their title games, the Big Ten is sitting with its thumb up its ass waiting for bowl season to start. It makes sense for them to expand.

      That said, would Nebraska be a good fit? Yeah, probably. From their point of view, they get security (as everyone can see, the Big 12 is ready to fall apart at any moment, where as the Big Ten will stay intact long-term) and added revenue (Big Ten schools bring in $22 million each year thanks in large part to the Big Ten Network). A Nebraska-Iowa rivalry is also intriguing and the Huskers would no doubt bring competition to a conference that sorely lacks it.

      We’ll find out by the end of the week whether or not Nebraska is Big Ten bound or will stay in the Big 12. But as of Wednesday morning, it appears that Ohio State, Iowa and Michigan are going to get some new company.

      College Football, External Sports

      Pac-10 expansion coming soon?

      June 7, 2010 /

      The Pac-10 is now one step closer to expanding and possibly devouring the Big 12, as commissioner Larry Scott announced on the final day of the conference meetings on Sunday that university presidents and chancellors have given him the authority he needs to expand the Pac-10.

      From ESPN.com:

      “What direction that process takes still could go in different directions, everything from remaining as we are as a Pac-10 that’s got some very bright days ahead of it to a bigger conference footprint,” Scott said. “I have the authority to take it in different directions, depending on various scenarios and discussions we’re going to have.”

      Scott wouldn’t give any timeframe for expansion talks — other than to reiterate that the deadline is the end of this year — or discuss specific schools. However, it sounds as if he will aggressively court some of the biggest names in college sports, including Texas. The Big 12 is in danger of collapsing and could provide the Pac-10 with six new teams or more.

      The Big 12 reportedly gave Missouri and Nebraska an ultimatum of Friday to decide if they will remain in the Big 12. If those schools leave, the Pac-10 could be strategically situated to gobble up Big 12 teams looking for bigger opportunities, including Texas. The most widely discussed scenario has Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Colorado joining the Pac-10. There was some indication Sunday that Baylor could replace Colorado under pressure from the Texas Legislature.

      If the Big 12 largely stays intact but is under the umbrella of the Pac-10, then expansion wouldn’t be a bad thing. Because then you keep some of the key rivalries (Texas vs. Oklahoma, Texas vs. Texas A&M, Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State) in place, but introduce a broader spectrum of games (i.e. Texas vs. USC). True Big 12 fans will lose out on seeing Nebraska and Missouri play Texas and Oklahoma every year, but at least the majority of the conference wouldn’t be dismantled. (Much like if Texas goes to the SEC or Pac-10, while Texas A&M and whomever else heads to the SEC, which has already been discussed.)

      That said, if the Big 12 falls apart and most of these programs split up, then it’s hard to argue for expansion. I discussed this topic more last week, but the words “rivalries” and “tradition” will mean nothing if teams like Texas and Texas A&M head to different conferences. College football was built on rivalries and tradition and I think school presidents and athletic directors should strive to keep that in mind.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      College Football, External Sports

      At what expense will realignment come for college football?

      June 4, 2010 /

      I had a buddy in college that routinely would engage me in the debate over what was “better”: Pro or college football.

      He loved college, I loved pro. Nobody ever won the debate and nobody ever will because it’s all a matter of opinion. But there we were, often hammered after too many adult beverages arguing the same points over and over again.

      Two of the things he used to argue in favor of college football were rivalries and tradition. He used to shove those two points so far down my throat that he often had to perform the Heimlich Maneuver just so I could start breathing again.

      I read today in the Houston Chronicle that Texas and Texas A&M might not play each other on an annual basis anymore if the Longhorns bolt the Big 12 for either the Pac-10 or Big Ten, and if the Aggies leave for the SEC.

      So much for rivalries and tradition.

      Texas belongs in the Big Ten like mayo belongs on an American hamburger. While it would be fun and exciting to watch the Longhorns play on a cold December day in Columbus, college football was built on its traditions. UT is supposed to play A&M and Oklahoma every year, just like Ohio State is supposed to play Michigan, Alabama is supposed to play Auburn, and Army is supposed to play Navy. Those rivalries and traditions are what make college football, college football.

      The novelty of realignment may be fun, but in the end it’s just that: a novelty. Here’s hoping the Big 12 doesn’t fall apart like a deck of cards over the next couple of months.

      Novelties wear off. Rivalries and tradition last forever.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      College Football, External Sports

      USC may have to forfeit wins; Bush could be stripped of Heisman

      May 31, 2010 /

      According to ESPN.com, the NCAA committee on infractions will release its findings regarding the USC football and basketball programs on Friday.

      ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” reported in May of 2008 that former basketball player O.J. Mayo accepted cash and gifts — extra benefits — from Rodney Guillory, who was connected to Bill Duffy Associates Sports Management. Moreover, Floyd was alleged to have provided a $1,000 cash payment to help steer Mayo to USC, according to a Yahoo! Sports report.

      USC already admitted wrongdoing with the basketball program and sanctioned itself, including a ban on postseason participation, a reduction of scholarships and vacating all of its wins from 2007-08.

      But though USC chose to contest the allegation against the football program, its ultimate goal is to overcome the perception of a lack of institutional control, which could result in significant sanctions, including scholarship reductions, TV and postseason bans, recruiting restrictions and probation.

      If USC is found guilty of major violations, the NCAA also could rule that the Trojans are “repeat violators.” Per NCAA rules, “An institution shall be considered a ‘repeat’ violator if the Committee on Infractions finds that a major violation has occurred within five years of the starting date of a major penalty.”

      As the article notes, the football program was sanctioned back in 2001 so if allegations concerning Reggie Bush are found to be major violations, USC could be forced to forfeit victories during the running back’s time in the program. That would be a massive blow considering the Trojans won a national championship and lost in the BCS title game during that span.

      Bush should be concerned, too. If he is found retroactively ineligible, then he could lose his 2005 Heisman Trophy award.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      College Basketball, College Football, External Sports

      Michigan punishes itself for football infractions

      May 25, 2010 /

      The University of Michigan has decided to punish itself following an investigation into the football program revealed that multiple violations had occurred, including problems relating to length of practice time and activities of graduate assistants.

      Here’s a list of Michigan’s self-imposed penalties, via ESPN.com:

      Penalties self-imposed by the Michigan football program Tuesday:

      • Cut back practice and training time by 130 hours over the next two years, starting this summer.

      • Cut number of assistants from five to three and banned them from practices, games or coaching meetings for the rest of 2010.

      • Recommendation for two years of probation. The school said it should not be tagged as a repeat offender despite a 2003 scandal in the basketball program.

      • Letters of reprimand issued to seven people — including head coach Rich Rodriguez.

      • Acknowledged for first time that staffer Alex Herron was fired after his claim of not being present during some activities was discredited by players.

      This is all well and good, but as Michigan AD David Brandon noted, the NCAA will ultimately determine what the appropriate punishment is. And it make take months before the NCAA comes to a conclusion about what kind of penalties Michigan should suffer.

      That said, it’s noble of the program to take action instead of waiting to hear its fate. In essence, its taking responsibility for what happened and is obviously taking the matter very serious. It’s a shame that such a storied program would have to punish itself because of something like this, but it’s nice to see a University be proactive for once.

      Nevertheless, this is just another reminder of the embarrassment that Rich Rodriguez has brought to Ann Arbor. Nothing short of a bowl win this year will save his job.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      College Football, External Sports

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