2014 NCAA Football Thread

[dfwabel]

So, your 2014 Sun Belt Champions are the Georgia Southern Eagles!

IMHO, the NCAA should grant any team that wins their conference championship a waiver from that silly technicality they have...it appears they've denied it, but GSU is appealing. #FreeGeorgiaSouthern is a trending topic...

denied!

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sunbelt/2014/12/02/georgia-southern-football-appeal-denied-no-bowl/19794485/

[CLEstones]

Just trying to be realistic, but I do not see Ohio State beating Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship. Ohio State is on their 3rd string QB and his strengths are not the strengths that Miller and Barrett were. Braxton and JT were more athletic. Jones is more of a passer than anything.

The Ohio State front 7 is not very deep, at least not this year (next year should be a different story). Their defensive line is basically the same 4 linemen. Early in the year, they looked unstoppable... but as the year has worn on, they have lost a step from all the time on the field (Buckeye offense scores quick, very quick). Having a shallow front 7, this late in the season, against Melvin Gordon doesn't look too good for the Buckeyes.

I am glad to see they are back in the discussion though. I don't care what conference you are in, if you lose 2 Heisman Candidate QBs and 4 of 5 your offensive lineman are first year starters... that means you are a great TEAM... not just 4 or 5 great players.

[BBTV]

Florida has reached out to Chip Kelly.

But Florida AD is in Ft. Collins tonight meeting with CSU coach Jim McElwain and negotiating a reduced buyout with the CSU President.

http://www.coloradoan.com/story/sports/csu/football/2014/12/02/report-florida-ad-flies-meet-mcelwain/19795525/

Plus, Chip's Show-cause is still active this month (ends on Xmas Day) and reportedly the NCAA violations regarding practice which RichRod earned at Michigan was the reason he was not a serious candidate for Florida.

Kelly is denying that UF contacted him. Eagles GM did not deny it (nor did he confirm it).

Kelly said it's silly and he has no interest. I don't know what the "show cause" is, but Eagles GM said that his contract is written that any college would have to buy out the remainder (which is a ton) to get him to leave. I've never heard of a clause like that, that essentially requires an employee to pay an employer future unearned wages. Doesn't sound quite right.

[pianoknight]

Freeze apparently signed an extension, so scratch him off the lists for Nebraska/Michigan/Florida.

-edit- my browser refreshed AFTER I posted this, so someone might have already commented on it.

[pianoknight]

Florida has reached out to Chip Kelly.

But Florida AD is in Ft. Collins tonight meeting with CSU coach Jim McElwain and negotiating a reduced buyout with the CSU President.

http://www.coloradoan.com/story/sports/csu/football/2014/12/02/report-florida-ad-flies-meet-mcelwain/19795525/

Plus, Chip's Show-cause is still active this month (ends on Xmas Day) and reportedly the NCAA violations regarding practice which RichRod earned at Michigan was the reason he was not a serious candidate for Florida.

Kelly is denying that UF contacted him. Eagles GM did not deny it (nor did he confirm it).

Kelly said it's silly and he has no interest. I don't know what the "show cause" is, but Eagles GM said that his contract is written that any college would have to buy out the remainder (which is a ton) to get him to leave. I've never heard of a clause like that, that essentially requires an employee to pay an employer future unearned wages. Doesn't sound quite right.

Maybe they gave him some sort of signing bonus? I know when Lane Muffin left USC, he had to sell off his house that was partially funded by USC relocation money for taking the job.

Also, my phone autocorrected Kiffin to Muffin. I'm going to call him Lane Muffin from now on.

[See Red]

The Coloradoan is calling McElwain to Florida a done deal pending both schools negotiating the buyout.

The University of Florida is in the final stages of securing Jim McElwain as its next football coach.

A source told the Coloradoan Wednesday morning that Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley is "negotiating the buyout, but it's a done deal," adding that McElwain, the coach at CSU, will be heading to Florida, provided the buyout can be negotiated down.

The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Florida is trying to reduce the $7.5 million buyout in McElwain's contract to $3 million. There is a clause in the contract that states the Colorado State University president can, but is not obligated to, renegotiate the buyout for an extenuating case or event.

A reduced buyout could also include future games played between CSU and Florida with one being held in Fort Collins or Denver.

[OnWis97]

Just trying to be realistic, but I do not see Ohio State beating Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship. Ohio State is on their 3rd string QB and his strengths are not the strengths that Miller and Barrett were. Braxton and JT were more athletic. Jones is more of a passer than anything.

The Ohio State front 7 is not very deep, at least not this year (next year should be a different story). Their defensive line is basically the same 4 linemen. Early in the year, they looked unstoppable... but as the year has worn on, they have lost a step from all the time on the field (Buckeye offense scores quick, very quick). Having a shallow front 7, this late in the season, against Melvin Gordon doesn't look too good for the Buckeyes.

I am glad to see they are back in the discussion though. I don't care what conference you are in, if you lose 2 Heisman Candidate QBs and 4 of 5 your offensive lineman are first year starters... that means you are a great TEAM... not just 4 or 5 great players.

I don't know anything about this QB (even his name) but I think he almost beat Barrett for the job, right? If he can throw, they have a good chance; see the second half of Wisconsin at Iowa; their pass D was exposed. Wisconsin is about a four-point favorite, I think. If I were neutral and a bettin' man (I am neither), I'd take the Bucks and the points.

Remember, Urban Meyer is something like 20-1 vs. the Big Ten.

[CLEstones]

Just trying to be realistic, but I do not see Ohio State beating Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship. Ohio State is on their 3rd string QB and his strengths are not the strengths that Miller and Barrett were. Braxton and JT were more athletic. Jones is more of a passer than anything.

The Ohio State front 7 is not very deep, at least not this year (next year should be a different story). Their defensive line is basically the same 4 linemen. Early in the year, they looked unstoppable... but as the year has worn on, they have lost a step from all the time on the field (Buckeye offense scores quick, very quick). Having a shallow front 7, this late in the season, against Melvin Gordon doesn't look too good for the Buckeyes.

I am glad to see they are back in the discussion though. I don't care what conference you are in, if you lose 2 Heisman Candidate QBs and 4 of 5 your offensive lineman are first year starters... that means you are a great TEAM... not just 4 or 5 great players.

I don't know anything about this QB (even his name) but I think he almost beat Barrett for the job, right? If he can throw, they have a good chance; see the second half of Wisconsin at Iowa; their pass D was exposed. Wisconsin is about a four-point favorite, I think. If I were neutral and a bettin' man (I am neither), I'd take the Bucks and the points.

Remember, Urban Meyer is something like 20-1 vs. the Big Ten.

His only loss is against Michigan State in last years Big Ten Title Game. I believe the Buckeyes were 4 or 4.5 point favorites before the the injury and now are 3 or 3.5 point 'dogs.

Cardnale Jones is a big, big man. He is athletic, but not nearly as mobile. I think the reason why Barrett was chosen over Jones was because JT is a lot more similar to Braxton Miller... not as good of a runner, but a much better passer. I am anticipating a lot of direct snaps to Ezekiel Elliot and Jalin Marshal.

[pianoknight]

In quasi-football news, Penn State accidentally sent a season ticket renewal form to Jerry Sandusky.

http://www.sportressofblogitude.com/2014/12/03/penn-state-football-jerry-sandusky-letter/

[pianoknight]

And.... Nebraska takes Mike Riley from Oregon State.

http://www.ketv.com/sports/huskers-extended-coverage/nebraska-announces-head-coach-pick/30057630

[Burkell007]

And.... Nebraska takes Mike Riley from Oregon State.

http://www.ketv.com/sports/huskers-extended-coverage/nebraska-announces-head-coach-pick/30057630

Hahahaha, that's not a improvement just about the same move, I still don't see them cracking 9 wins.

[pianoknight]

And.... Nebraska takes Mike Riley from Oregon State.

http://www.ketv.com/sports/huskers-extended-coverage/nebraska-announces-head-coach-pick/30057630

Hahahaha, that's not a improvement just about the same move, I still don't see them cracking 9 wins.

I can only hope that Riley's level of success/underachievement at OSU hinged more on Oregon State's investment in football, facilities, etc. I'm biased, but I think most people would agree that Nebraska is an upgrade in terms of appeal for recruits, so hopefully Riley can capitalize on that.

[OnWis97]

I'd probably be less than excited if I was a Husker fan. But these things sometimes surprise. Sometimes big names flop and sometimes the AD makes a great hire despite the perception.

[pianoknight]

I'd probably be less than excited if I was a Husker fan. But these things sometimes surprise. Sometimes big names flop and sometimes the AD makes a great hire despite the perception.

Nebraska's AD made a fantastic hire with Tim Miles for the basketball program. After decades of irrelevance, we scooped up a semi-unknown Miles and now NU hoops is a Top 25 team, made March Madness last year, has the leading scorer in the B1G (Petteway) returning and by all accounts appears to be on the rise.

Who knows? I can't speak for all fans, but I'm willing to give Riley a shot. At a football-crazy place like Nebraska, most coaches should be able to stumble into 7-win seasons anyway based on talent and facilities alone, so perhaps Riley will surprise people.

[Still MIGHTY]

I think all Pac-12 fans can say thanks to Nebraska to take Riley out of Oregon State. Speaking from experience of Arizona State this year and many years before watching USC, Corvallis was a consistent stumbling block for many teams. Hopefully, this makes that trip a little easier.

[pianoknight]

I think all Pac-12 fans can say thanks to Nebraska to take Riley out of Oregon State. Speaking from experience of Arizona State this year and many years before watching USC, Corvallis was a consistent stumbling block for many teams. Hopefully, this makes that trip a little easier.

As a native midwesterner and current West Coaster, I compare Riley a bit to Bill Snyder. He didn't always have the best talent in Corvallis, but he managed to knock off a couple big teams each year. Similar to how Snyder always seemed to deal an upset to Oklahoma, Nebraska or Texas.

[dbadefense1990]

In quasi-football news, Penn State accidentally sent a season ticket renewal form to Jerry Sandusky.

http://www.sportressofblogitude.com/2014/12/03/penn-state-football-jerry-sandusky-letter/

Why not? It's time for Penn State to celebrate the NCAA lifting their sanctions!

"Everybody happy in Happy Valley!!!"

[DS729]

I always felt like Mike Riley was always an underrated coach, he's really done a good job with making Oregon State (not really a football or recruiting powerhouse) into a solid program. Not a bad hire for Nebraska at all, big names can flop, and under-the-radar hires like this one could work.

[Raysfan12]

I think Nebraska made a great choice in Mike Riley because he's a proven winner. And let's not forget before he got here, Oregon State had only 4 winning seasons in 30 years and he turned them into a solid program. For Michigan, I believe they will hire Kyle Whittingham from Utah.

[FiddySicks]

Hmm. I'm actually kind of impressed with that hire. OSU hasn't ever really been a powerhouse, but that has more to do with the dreadful state of the Oregon State athletic department. I've seen them play the role of David more than once, and Riley has a great eye for hidden talent.

And yeah, good riddance, difficult trip to Corvalis. I sure as hell won't miss watching those pesky teams ruin a team's season.