2010 NCAA Football Thread

[Lights Out]

But, again, independent status has it's pros

Unless you're Notre Dame, no it doesn't.

[footballfiji]

Just out of curiosity, if Auburn thought they had enough evidence to rule him ineligible, then why did they even claim for reinstatement (and get it)? If they thought he was ineligible, why are they asking for him to be eligible?

Auburn was just following procedure. Before the NCAA can come out and say he's reinstated, the school must first say he's ineligible based on the NCAA ruling that a violation occurred.

This isn't my explanation, it's from an Auburn Scout Writer:

It started on Monday as the NCAA concluded that a violation of amateurism rules occurred and that set the ball in motion for his reinstatement.

When a school finds out that a violation has occurred it’s standard procedure to declare a player ineligible. That happened on Tuesday when Auburn declared Newton ineligible. The school then requests that the student-athlete’s eligibility be reinstated. That was the case on Wednesday as Newton was reinstated without any conditions meaning he’s eligible to play immediately in this weekend’s game against South Carolina.

That has caused disappointment by some national media personalities, and I use that term “media” loosely, who say that it opens a Pandora’s Box of problems and who apparently have a rooting interest in seeing Newton slandered.

What they don’t understand is that the example has already been set and it was set in this very state. I’ve got two words for you, Albert Means.

Signing with and playing for Alabama, the NCAA later ruled that Means had been shopped by high school coaches and those coaches were provided extra benefits by an Alabama booster to choose the Crimson Tide. That made the big defensive tackle ineligible, at Alabama. Not at Memphis though, which is where he transferred.

You see Memphis wasn’t involved in any illegal recruiting of Means and he nor his family got any extra benefits. Therefore he was able to play for the Tigers after sitting out a year because of the transfer. Even though money exchanged hands in the Means case, he was still able to play at Memphis.

In the Newton situation nobody has proven that money exchanged hands. On the contrary everyone involved from the MSU side of things is vehement that it never got past the talking stage.

Looking back some very poetic words by Auburn coach Gene Chizik stand out even more on this cold December day. On Nov. 4 while on his weekly radio show Tiger Talk, Chizik had the following to say. “I’ll say this very loud and very clear,” he said. “Cameron Newton is eligible at Auburn University. Period. End of story.”

I think those words ring very loud and very clear today. -Jason Caldwell

[knnhrvy16]

But, again, independent status has it's pros

Unless you're Notre Dame, no it doesn't.

For a team as prestigious as BYU (I can't believe I just said that...bleehh!!), they can make it work. I call an independent contract with ESPN a pro, as well as the ability to schedule teams they couldn't before. They have alot more breathing room now, and as much as I hate that bunch of holier-than-thou house cats, I've always thought that it'd be a matter of time before they made a big run for the title game. They have the coach and the young players to do it in a few years, and don't forget that unlike alot of other mid-majors, BYU does have a national title in thier history to point to when recruiting. It pains me to say so, but they'll be just fine.

[Kevin W.]

But, again, independent status has it's pros

Unless you're Notre Dame, no it doesn't.

Even then it doesn't work too well for Notre Dame.

For a team as prestigious as BYU (I can't believe I just said that...bleehh!!), they can make it work. I call an independent contract with ESPN a pro, as well as the ability to schedule teams they couldn't before. They have alot more breathing room now, and as much as I hate that bunch of holier-than-thou house cats, I've always thought that it'd be a matter of time before they made a big run for the title game. They have the coach and the young players to do it in a few years, and don't forget that unlike alot of other mid-majors, BYU does have a national title in thier history to point to when recruiting. It pains me to say so, but they'll be just fine.

It won't work for BYU. The thing is that Notre Dame, despite their recent troubles, has a national fanbase to fall back on and a lot more history than BYU. BYU doesn't have nearly the same fanbase that ND does and they don't have the same national appeal. They'll be back with a conference within five years.

[knnhrvy16]

But, again, independent status has it's pros

Unless you're Notre Dame, no it doesn't.

Even then it doesn't work too well for Notre Dame.

For a team as prestigious as BYU (I can't believe I just said that...bleehh!!), they can make it work. I call an independent contract with ESPN a pro, as well as the ability to schedule teams they couldn't before. They have alot more breathing room now, and as much as I hate that bunch of holier-than-thou house cats, I've always thought that it'd be a matter of time before they made a big run for the title game. They have the coach and the young players to do it in a few years, and don't forget that unlike alot of other mid-majors, BYU does have a national title in thier history to point to when recruiting. It pains me to say so, but they'll be just fine.

It won't work for BYU. The thing is that Notre Dame, despite their recent troubles, has a national fanbase to fall back on and a lot more history than BYU. BYU doesn't have nearly the same fanbase that ND does and they don't have the same national appeal. They'll be back with a conference within five years.

I want to be on your side here - I'm a Utah fan and despise everything BYU - but I have a feeling BYU will suprise alot of people. Of course they aren't a Notre Dame, not by any stretch of the imagination and they never will be. But they're still a pretty respected football institution, and a team on the rise. They have a young core that will definetely turn alot of heads in the next few years. I'm not saying they'll win a national title or anything, but they'll certainly have a team set within a few years that will potentially make a run for it. They'll get good exposure with the ESPN contract, too. So no, they'll never be a Notre Dame, but they won't be a Florida Atlantic or Western Kentucky either.

I also think they'll be independent for a while because, frankly, I don't think another conference will take them. That, or they'll decline an invitation, depending on the conference. BYU didn't want to go back to the WAC now, and as bad as it is going to be in the next while, they'll never want to join. I can't see them ever accepting an invitation to C-USA, The Mountain West won't take them back, and that leaves the Pac-12 and Big XII out west. The Pac-12 is probably done expanding for a bit, and I doubt the Big XII will ever invite them. I remember at least two times when BYU was talked about joining them, but it never got off the ground. I don't think the third time is a charm for them.

[rams80]

And yes, I realize this is essentially, "The Shaggy Defense" from Auburn. Saying: "We didn't know. We didn't give any money. Neither did Cam. So why punish us."

Because NCAA Precedent indicates that a booster's actions are considered University sanctioned even if they aren't. In other words, "We didn't know" can quickly become "Lack of Institutional Control".

[footballfiji]

And yes, I realize this is essentially, "The Shaggy Defense" from Auburn. Saying: "We didn't know. We didn't give any money. Neither did Cam. So why punish us."

Because NCAA Precedent indicates that a booster's actions are considered University sanctioned even if they aren't. In other words, "We didn't know" can quickly become "Lack of Institutional Control".

A Booster for which school? Bill Bell, John Bond, and Kenny Rogers are all Mississippi State Boosters and not Auburn boosters. Maybe "Lack of Institutional Control" but that lack of control would be at MSU and not Auburn.

[infrared41]

UM-anOSU is in the past. You already had your rivalry fun. Let us have ours.

Our OSU - UM "fun" lasted two posts. Yours is going on what, 5 pages now?

Cry me a river.

Better yet, how about I tell you to go yourself? Just a thought.

[rams80]

And yes, I realize this is essentially, "The Shaggy Defense" from Auburn. Saying: "We didn't know. We didn't give any money. Neither did Cam. So why punish us."

Because NCAA Precedent indicates that a booster's actions are considered University sanctioned even if they aren't. In other words, "We didn't know" can quickly become "Lack of Institutional Control".

A Booster for which school? Bill Bell, John Bond, and Kenny Rogers are all Mississippi State Boosters and not Auburn boosters. Maybe "Lack of Institutional Control" but that lack of control would be at MSU and not Auburn.

That we know of at this point. Are all of Auburn's boosters accounted for?

[dfwabel]

Mack is making changes. Report: OC Greg Davis fired.

[Cujo]

CU offers head coach job to Redskins tight ends coach John Embree.

WHAT THE F*** IS THAT!! BETTER YET, WHO THE F*** IS THAT?? THIS ISNT INTRAMURAL FOOTBALL!!!!!!

Embree better be a f***ing badass, or it's gonna be: Move over Washington State! The Buffs are coming over to take over the motherf***in Pac-10 cellar!!!!

/tnak

[CDixonDesign]

Between Auburn haters, AnybodyButCarolina supporters and just idiot sports fans, If I hear the term "Lack of Institutional Control" hurled around again, I think my head is going to explode...the only institution that has seemed to lacked control in the whole thing, seems to be the NCAA....

[Lights Out]

And the BCS, for tacitly encouraging this corruption by favoring the big schools that pay for players over the mid-majors that can't afford to.

[bigmike]

Wilbon was talking about Cam on PTI yesterday, he was saying that the NCAA doesn't want to suspend Cam now because they want Auburn in the NC over TCU. I don't know if I really believe that but it wouldn't surprise me, I just hope Auburn gets beat this weekend so TCU can possibly jump them anyways, hell I rather see Boise State in over Auburn.

[Still MIGHTY]

All of the talk is over, and it's time to play the game.

The Duel in the Desert for the Territorial Cup.

GO DEVILS! FORK THE WILDCATS! BOW DOWN ARIZONA!

[dfwabel]

All of the talk is over, and it's time to play the game.

The Duel in the Desert for the Territorial Cup.

GO DEVILS! FORK THE WILDCATS! BOW DOWN ARIZONA!

Thank goodness, especially since there is an NFL game and the NBA on to take me away from watching.

[Viper]

Anyway, in non-homer news, I can't help but feel like the Cam Newton scandal isn't truly over. There's too much smoke around Cam Newton right now for there to be no fire. If he wins the Heisman, I wouldn't be surprised if he has to give it back in a couple years.

If all this had happened five years ago I would have said Newton should not win the Heisman with these allegations still swirling around him. Yes, that means he would have gotten screwed out of the award if he turned out to be innocent. Tough hop. The Heisman Trophy is, or rather was, bigger than any one athlete, and so the award's integrity trumps any one athlete's "right" to win it.

Like I said, that was five years ago, before the "integrity" ship sailed far, far away from the Heisman, under the helm of one Capt. Reggie Bush. Now I don't really give a rat's @$$ if Cam Newton wins it or not. Actually I take that back. I want him to win it. He, his father, the Heisman and the FBS richly deserve each other. the lot of them. No, wait; I take that back too. They may deserve each other, but they don't deserve any sexual favors from any of us.

[Lights Out]

I still think they shouldn't and probably won't give Cam the Heisman. Why even risk the award's integrity on him?

Even if I wasn't a Boise State fan, I would vote for Kellen Moore. Most efficient quarterback in the country, one of the reasons Boise competes in the national limelight every year, sound leader with no known character flaws, he's been neck-and-neck with Cam Newton on everyone's Heisman Watch lists all year, and giving the award to a non-AQ player would be a nice story. Also, since he goes to a non-AQ school, the chances of his taking money are slim-to-none.

[HedleyLamarr]

And the BCS, for tacitly encouraging this corruption by favoring the big schools that pay for players over the mid-majors that can't afford to.

Seeing as how the NCAA has no real stake in the BCS polls or procedings, what exactly does the NCAA gain by clearing Cam Newton?

[Lights Out]

Auburn wouldn't have paid Scam Newton a dime if they didn't think he would have helped them get into the BCS National Championship. So yes, the BCS does play a small role.