HDuck

The "draft" is often misunderstood by some fans. It is really driven by a team's individual needs. Do they need an O-lineman more than a QB? If so, that is how they will draft even if the QB taken one or two picks in order later is "ranked" higher. Likewise, QB to QB. Penix could be taken higher than Nix, or Nix higher than Penix. Does that mean one is demonstrably better than the other? Not really - it just means the current roster of the team has an existing QB pool that one of those two guys was deemed a better fit into the mix. When a QB slides like Brett Favre, Drew Brees, Derek Carr, Boomer Esiason and so on it doesn't mean their potential was unrecognized. That draft, many teams had position needs that were a higher priority. So, the 1-2-3-4-etc. draft order doesn't really mean they are the 1-2-3-4 "best" players.

"It's really about doing every little thing right to get some incremental gains that only help against athletes who have similar raw ability. " That's it in a nutshell. Incremental gain for incremental advantage. From understanding, training and repetition.

As Jon's post points out, the S. Carolina depth this season has been a key factor in the second half of games. No surprise. It impacts football, men's basketball, almost all sports to a degree. Up to this game, Iowa had been able to "run the floor" and wear down opponents. S. Carolina was able to substitute fresh legs in and out, so it was Iowa who ran out of gas late.

Speed training has been more common in soccer. A lot of it has to do with body posture. Does the training have impact? Think about two evenly matched players - one a wide receiver and one a DB - what if the WR's speed training allows him to have a shoulder in front of the DB as an incoming pass arrives? Or, zig zag speed training to quickly change direction? A lot of it is improving on natural speed with agility speed. Though, posture such as leaning forward rather than running upright can improve "speed." As can higher knee action. Arm action can improve speed. How much of the surface of the foot touches can change speed. Aerobic training. Muscle relaxation. Repeating drills enough that it becomes more natural. I presume body posture can also impact the speed with which a linebacker pursues? Can a ball carrier hit a hole faster based on width of steps? And, so on. A lot of this stuff is in very short time increments, but like the micro-speed to get shoulder position vs a DB, it can be impactful.

Softball coach Mike White was happy until he wasn't. The Texas money offer brought out the unhappiness. Just say'in....

On a "positive note" for Beavis, Vegas currently has The Great Rueck as no better than No. 6 in the odds as replacement for Tennessee women's coach.

There is no plan. Beavis just keeps looking for ways to feel sorry for itself, and reinforcement of that by local media. https://archive.ph/XNT6J

My opinion....I do think any of these realignment scenarios ....Stanford to ACC, Washington to B1G, etc....that happened at a "discount" should have some incentive clauses just as in coaches contracts. For example, if any of them play in a conference title game during the "discount period" maybe they should be allocated a "full share" for that season. Or, the reduction period shaved off by one year. The TV ratings would be more subjective, but for example, if a Penix led season created media for the B1G, then adjust for that. I recognize the "discount" only applies to the regular media share, and doesn't apply to CFP shares, NCAA Tournament shares, but a six-year period seems too long. I understand the B1G had precedent with Nebraska, Maryland and Rutgers but they chose to ignore it for UCLA.

Meant to add, though lengthy and potentially cumbersome, the Big12 approach is preferable to some beauty contest with AP or Coaches or CFP Committee's early rankings being the deciding factor.

I don't believe the B1G has announced their tie-breaker rules yet. Jon, based on Big12 rules, in your scenario the two teams tied at 8-1 would be compared. If they did not play each other, then their W-L record against the 4th place team is compared if the 4th place team was a common opponent, and then the 5th place common team, and then....until a W-L difference is evident. In your scenario, if Michigan was the fourth place team, then Oregon would get the nod. There are additional rules if that first step doesn't result in a decision. For the Big12, open this link and scroll down. Latest Big 12 standings with tiebreaker rules, remaining schedule, more DKNETWORK.DRAFTKINGS.COM Here’s how the Big 12 looks as of now, and which games will matter to determine the conference champion in Arlington, TX.

April 2: Arizona President Bobby Robbins announces he’ll step down effective at the end of his contract. He was at forefront of the Pac-12’s survival attempts and spearheaded the recent hiring of AD Desiree Reed-Francois from Missouri. Me...other "sources" indicate that OSU/WSU contend the Announcement means Robbins must now immediately refrain from any formal role at Arizona and will no longer be able to vote regarding the lunch venue for Pac12 meetings. That his salary will cease immediately, and any contracted income must be sent to Corvallis and Pullman. The two are seeking an expedited court decision in the appropriate venue Colfax, Washington, where apparently Robbins bought fuel once while traveling to a game in Pullman. University of Arizona President Robbins announces his current contract will be his last at UArizona | Arizona Board of Regents WWW.AZREGENTS.EDU University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins informed the Arizona Board of Regents today that he will step down at the end of his current contract, or before, when his successor is ready to lead.

In its most simple terms it is this, Oregon State and Washington State claim the actions of the Pac-12 and Commissioner George Kliavkoff in response to members announcing their intent to leave the conference in 2024 show those departing schools relinquished their rights to decide the long-term future of the league and forfeit the “goodies.” And, would no longer have voting rights. All ten of the escapees announced they would leave August 1, 2024 at the end of many current Pac12 agreements. The receiving conferences all announced the new members would join August 2, 2024. The “court” felt the parties indicating their effective date was irrelevant. That, the action was triggered on the date it was announced. Period, end of sentence. As Charles says, this flies in the face of the programs continuing to operate in the Pac12 and provide conference championship activities in which OSU and WSU participated and acknowledged those other programs were 2024 champions. In retrospect, the escapees should have all been bastards and announced their departures August 1, 2024. Rumors would have proliferated. Columnists would have run out of ink. OSU and WSU partisans would have stomped and cried over the obvious mean spiritedness. So, in effect for giving notice, OSU/WSU have become the Pig-2 in Charles terms, and he is correct.

"Another OD...Seems to be a lot of names floating around this one..." Well, how many of those names float if the salary is similar to the $400K that Oregon just signed Locklyn? That didn't last long. If Oregon is willing to pay up, it should have been thinking about it in February when they signed Locklyn to an extension.

Can you win with transfers? Yes, or no? Here are the men's Final Four teams, with their top 5 average scorers this season, and where they came from: Purdue: 4 of 5 started careers at Purdue U Conn: 3 of 5 started careers at UConn Alabama: 1 of 5 started career at Alabama NC State: 0 of 5 started career at NC State Every NC State top 5 scorer is a transfer from somewhere else. Of Alabama's 4 from elsewhere, Aaron Estrada went from St. Peters to Oregon to Hofstra to Alabama.

Apparently Big 12 commissioner Brent Yormark will celebrate his "conference is the best in college basketball" by having a retreat for all the teams in Cancun?

Well, I would just like to see both of them use the available funds to pay off debt very very quickly. Future budgets depend not only upon revenue, but minimizing expenses. They should not want to carry annual debt service, such as for the stadium remodel, into a future with more limited revenue. In OSU's case, I would like to see them repay the $10M they requested from the Legislature. If they need to put some money into coach/staff retention, that also seems operationally wise in a 5-year planning horizon. Likewise, paying the visitor fees for any Power 4 opponents they can attract to Corvallis or Pullman to help keep the fans engaged. If either have niche sports such as OSU baseball, lay some money there. That would be good for both fan retention, and some polish on an overall dimming resume. Obviously need to keep a chunk of funds in reserve. In the State of Oregon, OSU athletics requested way more funding support from the State than did Oregon. There were operational reasons and OSU limitations that required that, so why not have a reserve to cover that going forward?

His new salary at Oregon for 2024 and 2025 is $400K. If he voluntarily left before April 1, 2024 his buyout would be $800K. If he leaves after April 1, 2024, his buyout drops to $400K. Yes, April 1, 2024, not 2025. OSU was paying the guy that just left $775K. Don't expect any news before April 1.

Pac-12 survival: Tallying the cash available to Washington State and Oregon State for rebuilding the conference SPORTS360AZ.COM <p> The process required eight months, a lawsuit, a negotiated settlement, clarity from the College Football Playoff, readings and re-readings of the Rose Bowl contract, an entire basketball...

2024 - Florida vs Miami and Florida State; Bama on the road vs Wisconsin; Texas on the road vs. Michigan; Georgia vs Clemson and an improving Georgia Tech; Mississippi State at ASU; LSU vs USC and UCLA; and A+M vs Notre Dame. Texas plays Ohio State in 2025 and 2026. Bama plays Ohio State in 2027 and 2028. Oklahoma plays Michigan in 2025 and 2026 before Michigan plays the return game in 2027 vs. Texas. Most of those are in the same Time Zone which seems to be a big factor for the top SEC teams. LSU at USC, MSU at ASU are not same time zone. Kudos to Miss State - it's not the first time they've gone on the road. LSU has played Oregon 4 times: 2--1 at home, 1-0 neutral. All in the same Time Zone.

Thom...it's not like Mullens needs suggestions. Schools in the SEC at the top of their pyramid do not want to travel that many time zones. It's why they would rather have a one-off "neutral site" game in Atlanta or New Orleans. Maybe, perhaps, possibly if Oregon became the consistently top team in the B1G you might pry them out and into a home-and-home, but otherwise the two-to-tango dance won't include the SEC.

As I recall, Bronny's "final 3" were USC, Ohio State and Oregon. He would be well advised to take at least one more year in college. Wonder what he'll do? USC: new coach undetermined OSU: Jake Diebler, a 2024 promoted assistant after Chris Holtmann fired

Pac12 coaching turnover Washington – fires Mike Hopkins , hires Danny Sprinkle Stanford – fires Jerod Haase, hires Kyle Smith WSU – Smith resigns, heads to Stanford USC – Andy Enfield leaves for SMU Enfield third longest tenured coach behind Boyle and Altman.

In addition to 9 B1G games, USC is currently scheduled to play: 2025: Ole Miss, Georgia Southern, at Notre Dame 2026: Fresno St, at Ole Miss, Notre Dame Ole Miss 2026: at Charlotte, USC, Georgia State, Eastern Kentucky - and 8 SEC teams Ole Miss 2027: Oregon State Ole Miss 2030: at Oregon State - anybody think that won't become a buyout?

Thanks for all the comments. As I said, I think both Oregon and Os have more to gain by playing non-conference teams from Utah, Arizona, Texas going forward than they do from playing each other. It would help both in recruiting because an intra-state game in Oregon which has low, and diminishing, numbers of Div I athletes wouldn't help much. I think it will continue to be very difficult to get SEC teams to travel (which might enhance recruiting in Florida or Georgia.) So, to paraphrase Willie Sutton, go where the "money" is, which would be Big12 non-conference opponents in Texas, Arizona, Utah.