Jon Joseph

Michigan is a B1G favorite over USC and UW but a home under-wolverine to Texas, and OREGON, and on the road at Ohio State. I think 9-3 is a good call on Michigan in 2024. It could be worse if one of the QBs on the roster, no QB transfers in, does not step up. Michigan Football Favored in 2 Marquee Matchups; Underdogs at Ohio State WWW.MAIZENBREW.COM The Wolverines will have to defy the odds in pursuit of a repeat national championship.

Thanks, NJ. You don't need a weatherman to know which way Bo goes. (Sorry, Bob.)

Thanks, NJ. This is not all that will change if the House case is settled under the terms discussed on CFB sites. College rosters could fall below the number in the article once players become employees. One reason why? Football scholarships count in 'Title IX scholarships' being equitable with men's scholarships. Division 1 NCAA members are required to sponsor a minimum of 16 teams. This could also change. Jon Sousa posted a terrific comment. But walk-ons in all sports could be eliminated. A walk-on subject to the training rigors as a scholarship player will elect not to be paid. This, from a plaintiff's POV, would be a slippery slope. Direct payment to athletes, via revenue sharing and otherwise, will not limit NIL. The NFL has a salary cap negotiated with the players' union but no limit on what a player may earn from his NIL. G5 programs are D1 members. Not all will be able to come up with $20M, or more, per annum to pay athletes on the swim team? House was a swimmer at Arizona State. Settling House and attendant litigation makes sense but without some protection from Congress, relief from state legislatures, regulators, and lawyers will not go away.

LOF-TEE!

Seeding should be obvious. I agree. When the 12-team playoff was designed to include 5 P5 conference champs and Notre Dame, and unanimity was required for a format change before 2026-27, giving the Pac-12, B12, and ACC champs preferred seeds made political sense. Today, this makes no sense. But it is what it is for the next two seasons.

Thanks, HDuck. I considered using 'friend of the B1G'' Klatt's top 25 but it presents a worse playoff case for Oregon than Dennis Dodd's projection. Dodd would have 5-seed Oregon playing a G5 team in Eugene. Klatt has Oregon in the 1st-round playing against an SEC opponent. It would be nice to play Utah in the Fiesta Bowl instead of Clemson in the Peach Bowl but I would not trade the opener against a G5 team for a game vs. the SEC. Certainly not with the playoff grind of games following a season and conference champ game grind. Klatt like Dodd has the SEC receiving a 1st round bye and hosting 3 of the 4 1st-round games, Perfect for the SEC and horse bleep for the B1G which plays 9 conference games instead of the 8 played by the SEC. If SEC teams ipso facto receive higher playoff seeds simply because they play in the SEC then let's call the whole thing off. Add UNC and Notre Dame to the B1G, and Clemson and FSU to the SEC, and play a World Series post-season with the same number of SEC and B1G teams. Playing eight instead of nine conference games and playing three cupcakes, at least, Mizzou and Ole Miss play 4 in 2024, OOC gives the SEC a playoff millions of dollars leg up every season. Then factor in the SEC advantage in Klatt's scenario, of three playoff games in 2024-25 being played in the West, the Rose and Fiesta Bowls, and Mizzou at Oregon. Eight playoff games would be played in Dixie including three SEC home games and the title game in Atlanta. I do not want to see 'Sucker-Dumb' carry over from the Pac to the B1G. If Tony Petitti cannot see that the SEC has playoff structural advantages something is rotten at B1G headquarters. BTW, the SEC commissioner was one of the architects of the 12-team structure. Now modified for seven instead of six at large teams to participate and from what I've seen preseason, the 7th team is always an SEC team.

Interesting within the B1G transfer. Northwestern QB Sullivan, the starter in the bowl win over Utah, is transferring to Iowa. Brendan Sullivan announces his transfer from Northwestern to Iowa. Hawkeyes’ QB situation dire after spring SPORTS.YAHOO.COM Brendan Sullivan started four games and appeared in six for the Wildcats last season.

It's not B1G, but the B12 will have at least one team in the playoff and the B12 champ will be a top 4 playoff seed. Based on the schedules, Utah at No. 1 makes sense. Utah plays OK State in Stillwater but does not play No. 2 K State and No.3 Kansas in the regular season. Utah plays Arizona in SLC. Big 12 post-spring power rankings: Utah edges Kansas State for No. 1, West Virginia leads dark horse group - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM The Big 12 is poised to be one of the most balanced leagues in college football in the 2024 season UW legacy QB Sam Huard has transferred to Utah and will be the backup to Rising. Another ranking by Athlon still has Utah on top. https://athlonsports.com/college-football/big-12-football-post-spring-2024-power-rankings

From the comments I have read on OBD, there is confusion regarding the structure of the 2024 Playoff. The confusion is not surprising considering the format will seed lesser-ranked teams in the top four seeds, with a first-round bye, and knock out teams that finish in the Playoff Committee's top twelve with on-field results that should lead to a spot in the Playoffs. CBS Sports has an article up today, that uses Dennis Dodd's post-spring top 25 rankings to project the Playoff field, seeding, game locations, and projected game results leading to Ohio State playing Georgia for the championship on January 20, 2025, in Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Georgia would have the benefit of playing a 'home-field' game like Arizona basketball would have had in The Tournament if it had made the Final 4 in Glendale, Arizona. CBS's projection has Oregon ranked No. 3, and seeded No. 5 in the Playoff. Projected College Football Playoff bracket: How the 2025 field would look based on post-spring top 25 rankings - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM In this bracket, the No. 3 team in the country will enter as the No. 5 seed. The No. 14 team jumps up to the No. 4 seed. That's how the new system works Ohio State is ranked No. 2 and would be seeded the same in the Playoff. For the Committee to rank Oregon No. 3 at season's end, Oregon would most likely have to rematch against Ohio State in the B1G Football Championship game to be played in Indianapolis on December 2, 2024, the day before the Committee releases its final ranking of the 2024 season. The champion game in Indianapolis would be Oregon's 13th game of the season. Instead of a Georgia/Ohio State final, if Oregon was one of the two finalists, the championship game would be the Ducks 17th game of the season, the equivalent of an NFL regular season. Ohio State would have a first-round bye as would No. 1 Georgia, No.3 seed 12th-ranked Utah, and No. 4 seed 14th-ranked Clemson. The championship game for any of these four would be the 16th game of the season. Oregon's first-round game would be contested in Autzen Stadium versus the 12th-seed Group of 5 representative. The other three on-campus 1st-round games would be played at the homes of SEC teams. Oregon's G5 matchup in 2023-24 in the Fiesta Bowl did not go well for Liberty. Oregon would win this game against the G5 rep and advance to play No. 4 seed Clemson. This is where the Playoff format becomes even more questionable. Clemson 14th ranked by the Committee, but as the Playoff's 3-seed, would have the choice of game venue. Ohio State would play a quarter-final game in the Rose Bowl, Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, Utah in the Fiesta Bowl, and Oregon would play Clemson in the Peach Bowl, played at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Clemson fans would have a two-and-a-half hour drive to Atlanta, all on Interstate 85 South. Oregon fans would have a thirty-nine-hour drive, with twists and turns before finishing the drive on Interstate 80 East. Oregon defeats Clemson. Next up comes No. 1 seed Georgia. The semifinal games will be played in the Orange Bowl in Miami and the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Understandably, Georgia opts for the nearer-by Orange Bowl. Ducks fans have more miles to travel for the semi-final game than the quarter-final game. Win this game and Puddles will be back in Atlanta for the 17th game of the season. And the CBS projections have Ohio State playing its semifinal game against Texas in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. In 2025, the Peach and the Fiesta Bowls will be the semi-final sites so Puddles could have a semi-final flight closer to home. The champ game will be played in the Orange Bowl in Miami. Are you getting the drift? In 2024-25 and 2025-26, ten of the 14 playoff games contested off-campus will be played in Dixie. According to this CBS projection, three of the four first-round on-campus games in 2024-25 would be hosted by SEC teams that played eight and not nine conference games. I reiterate that it is perfectly understandable for fans to be confused by the Playoff format in 2024-25 and 2025-26. Hopefully, B1G commissioner Tony Petitti will not only push for a format change in 2026-27 but also argue for more on-campus Playoff games, and if bowls continue to be used for the quarter-finals and games after that, for LA's Sofi Stadium, the Raiders Stadium in Las Vegas, and enclosed stadiums in Minneapolis, Indianapolis, and Detroit to be included in the Playoffs sites rota. 17 games after a stretch of eight in a row without a break during the regular season. Possible travel to Indianapolis, then home, and then to Atlanta, Miami, and Atlanta again. WOW!

One of the reasons the B1G and the SEC formed a Joint Advisory Group (JAG) was to get in front of litigation that the NCAA was not willing or able to resolve before going to court where the NCAA has an abysmal track record. JAG is the leader in finding a creative solution(s) to settle House and other cases pending against the NCAA. It will take revenue sharing with the players to resolve House et al; money that the vast amjority of the NCAA;s 1,000+ members do not have. How college sports leaders have come to grips with talk of a historic settlement THEATHLETIC.COM College sports leaders have made a key shift in heir mindset: accepting the new normal and seeking actual, realistic (if costly) solutions.

NJ, thanks for the Saturday Tradition link. Saturday Tradition is now Oregon's 'Saturday site' as Saturday Out West, like the Pac-12 (sorry, Canzano) has disappeared. The odds on the Ohio State at Oregon game have flipped from Oregon -1.5 to Ohio State -1.5. So, if Oregon is receiving the 3-point home game bump, Ohio State can be viewed as a -4.5 favorite. Lots of stud players return for the Buckeyes and several very good portal pickups. But will Will Howard be a step up from McCord last season at QB? Dillon Gabriel was the B12 QB of the year in 2023. Howard finished behind Gabriel and if he had stayed at K State, Howard was not a lock to be the Wildcats starter at QB in 2024. Harmon and Caldwell in the middle of the DL could go a long way to frustrate the Ohio State run game. The Buckeyes OL in 2023 was not all that. Will it improve in 2024? I believe the Ducks D that was solid in 2023 will be improved in 2024. Ducks fans, it will be tempting to score B1G $ in the ticket aftermarket, but please show up for the game and do not sell your tickets. Puddles will need all hands on deck.

No comprende. Orgon QB room No. 3, Texas No. 1 and Ohio State No. 2. The All-B12 QB in 2023 was some guy named Dillon Gabriel, not Quinn Ewers, and not Will Howard. Dante Moore has experience as a starter in the Power 4. Archie Manning had a good spring game. Ohio State stud QB transfer from Bama, Julian Sayin, looked lost in the spring game and threw multiple interceptions. It will take a National Championship for Oregon to be appreciated as a Blue Blood program. 2024 Quarterback Unit Rankings: With Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning, Texas leads Top 10 - On3 WWW.ON3.COM Texas, with Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning, has the best quarterback room in the country in 2024, with Ohio State and Oregon close behind.

Hats Off to the Oregon Golfing Gals who are on their way to the NCAA finals being played closer to home in Carlsbad, CA after playing in the qualifying round in Auburn, Alabama. Oregon Ducks women’s golf advances to NCAA Championships DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM Another trip to the NCAA Championships for the Oregon Ducks’ women’s golf team.

Even the top 4 seeds with a 1st round bye will play two games before making it to the champ game. The title game would be the third game. The champ game for the 2024-25 season will be played in Atlanta on January 20, 2025. For the teams seeded five through twelve, the champ game would be the 4th playoff game. For a team seeded 5 through 12 which played a conference champ game and lost, the game for the championship would be the 17th game of the season.

Big Ten post-spring power rankings: Ohio State over Oregon for No. 1, USC lands in top five - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM Here's how teams in the Big Ten stack up now that spring practice is in the rearview mirror We are Avis. We try harder. No surprise to see the Oregon O behind the Ohio State O. This is the case in every ranking I have seen to date. Puddles will have a 'Show Me' chance on October 12, 2024. SC at No. 5 is my dark horse B1G champion contender and this ranking does not surprise me. With Penn State playing SC in LA and the turnover on offense at Michigan, I think SC could have been No. 3 on the list. I know that many OBD members understandably, disagree with my opinion of SC.

Will the Oregon pass D improve and other questions for the ESPN Top 25. Lingering questions following spring football from each Way-Too-Early Top 25 team - ESPN WWW.ESPN.COM From QB transfers to position replacements, our reporters let you know any lingering questions following spring football.

4 CFB teams did not sign an incoming transfer in 2023/24 - Air Force, Army, Navy, and Clemson. However, I would not count these Tigers out of the 2024-25 playoff. The opening game vs. Georgia in Atlanta (been there, done that, happy to get out alive) is as tough as it gets. But there is no Notre Dame on the schedule, and the games vs. NC State, Louisville, and South Carolina will be played in Clemson's version of Death Valley. (Strangely, Stanford will visit Clemson to play a conference game.) There is no per the pundits improved U on the schedule. The game at Florida State on 10/5/24 will be Clemson's on paper, toughest conference game of the season. FSU QB DGU is well known to Dabo and his assistant coaches. FSU has done well in the portal, but many of the guys on the team that went 13-1 in 2023 are gone. Clemson's D will again be salty. Will Lincoln Riley's younger brother help the offense improve in 2024 after being points-deficient under Riley in 2023? In its bowl game, Clemson put up 38 points in its comeback win against Kentucky. But the O still looked rocky in the Clemson spring game. I think Clemson has a decent chance to win the ACC in 2024. If Clemson finishes 10-2/10-3 it will be in the playoff hunt. Two games vs the SEC and going a likely 1-1, should give Clemson a scheduling bump. (If the committee cares or notices.) Dabo will leave Clemson on his terms. I do not see this happening any time soon.

Thanks, NJ. I am pleased that the Civil War game will be broadcast on Fox, and not on the C(lown) W(here the Hell is It?) channel.

A great post, Thank you, Charles. Us fans hit the Jackpot and Rob Mullens hit the Powerball with an 'all else is forgiven' hire. And a timely pay increase to boot.

Over five years in the B1G, through 2028, all B1G teams will face one another at least three times. The scheduling in the B1G was well thought out. Including teams that travel east-west and vice versa having a home game or an idle week the weekend after traveling a long way. The SEC punted with its 2025 schedule. The SEC will stay with eight conference games with the same teams that met in 2024 meeting again in 2025 with the venues being flipped. Texas and Ole Miss will not play Bama in the next two seasons and Missouri's easiest schedule in the SEC will likely be duplicated in 2025. Compared to Texas in 2024, Oklahoma has a brutal schedule that will be repeated in 2025. The SEC will not move to nine conference games before seeing how the PO Committee treats schedule strength over the next two seasons. All B1G and SEC teams will miss playing seven conference members every season. I would like to see both conferences playing ten conference games, with one of the two out-of-conference games featuring B1G vs SEC and the elimination, as you suggested sometime back David, of conference champ games. Teams that tie at the top for a B1G or SEC shared title will all make the 12-team playoff which is likely to go to 14 to 16 teams in 2026. Depending on additional conference realignment, the Playoff might morph into a Power 2 'World Series.' No other sport in the world has a post-season where the participants have such a difference in their strength of schedule. Will the PO Committee take notice?

He can recruit high schools and he can recruit the portal. How about this list? The team's needs are fulfilled. Oregon Football's Impressive 14 Transfer Portal Commits: Comprehensive List WWW.SI.COM Oregon football is embracing the transfer portal. Oregon coach Dan Lanning and the Ducks have landed some of the top talent from the best programs in the country

Always Be Sellin'! Ducks coaches head to Dixie to visit big-time, who hopefully become B1G Ducks recruits. Oregon Football Coaches Fly South as Summer Recruiting Heats Up WWW.YARDBARKER.COM Much of college football recruiting has become about the n ame, image, and likeness game but there’s still a place for good old-fashioned face-to-face visits as Oregon transitions to the Big Ten... This is part of the relentless recruiting effort DM described.

Maize and Blue, a Michigan website takes a look at SC's 2024-25 CBB team with evaluations of the other B1G newbies to follow. Big Ten hoops additions: What we should expect from USC WWW.MAIZENBREW.COM The Trojans are in a state of flux entering the conference. And a take on what the Michigan football D will look like this season. Some very talented players returning but will Michigan have enough depth on D? What kind of depth does Michigan need on defense to win in 2024? WWW.MAIZENBREW.COM The depth Michigan had on its roster during its Championship season doesn’t seem replicable, so what does the team need to win this season?

No Bama, no Texas so no game vs Sark in 2024 and 2025 unless the two meet in the SEC champ game. Ole Miss plays Oklahoma and UGA in Oxford and has one of the easier in-conference schedules. Ole Miss's P4 OOC opponent is Wake Forest. The most difficult road game on paper is at LSU. If Ole Miss does not finish 10-2 or better Ole Miss fans will not be happy. Reverse the schedule home and away for 2025 and Ole Miss will be on the road against Georgia and Oklahoma. The 2025 season opener for Ole Miss is versus USC in LA.

DM, good call on Bama and where to rank the Tide post-Nick. DeBoer brought Penix to UW and convinced many draft-eligible players to return, but it was Chris Peterson and not DeBoer who did the heavy recruiting lifting. Bama will not admit it but Dan's recruiting chops is why Dan had to turn the job down before DeBoer was offered. The same with Mike Elko at A+M. This helps to cement your case for Dan being the Recruiting Man.