Jon Joseph

Thanks, Mike. Great take. The so-called Playoff has been flawed from the beginning. A 4-team invitational as determined by 13 humans is not a 'PLAYOFF.' And 4 spots for 5 P5 champs would have engendered the type of outrage we have seen this season if the Pac-12 played 8 and not 9 conference games and a 1-loss Pac-12 champion was more often in contention. ESPN makes money off of the interim PO Ct. rankings before the final reveal. But this simply opens up the process and the committee to additional criticism. If there was a single ranking, Bama after defeating UGA would be 4. and not moving from 8 to 4. If Bama's in, B12 champ Texas is in without moving up from out of the top 4. Also, if the committee would adopt and use a standard measure of SOS, much of the heat would be off. After the conference champ games, champions Michigan, Washington, Texas, and Bama all had SOS superior to FSU. The committee's #1 assignment is to place the Best 4 Teams in the PO field and not the 4 teams with the best records. If records were all that mattered then the 2024 PO field would be Michigan, Washington, FSU, and Liberty. It's hard to argue that the committee muffed the top 4, especially after Bama beat UGA. Rose Bowl - The Bluest of Blue Bloods - Michigan with the most wins in CFB history and Bama with the 2nd most wins is hard to top. Add the spice of P2 B1G member Michigan vs. P2 SEC member Bama. Sugar Bowl. UW went 13-0 in one of if not the deepest P5 conferences in 2024. And UW led CFB in passing offense. 12-1 Texas lost 1 game by 3 points to a top 25 team. This is another very attractive B1G vs. SEC matchup. FSU has a beef but its best win came against No. 13 LSU. All of the 2024 Final 4 teams had better wins. There is a reason why professional sports playoffs are determined by order of finish in a given season and not by a committee. Next season, teams that miss because B12 champ Arizona would be seeded 4 with a 1st round bye and Liberty would take the 12 spot, what would be Oklahoma's slot at 10-2 including a win over Texas. 'What team did 10-2 Penn State, 10-2 Missouri, and 10-2 Ole Miss beat to get in and not us!' will ring from Norman. And, 'How can a team, Liberty, that is 133 in SOS and did not play a P5 opponent qualify for the Playoff!' So long as the selection process is subjective and secret, there will be outrage. Even in the NFL there is beefing when a division winner with fewer wins than several other teams makes the post-season. But, do you want to turn it over to computers? The 2001 Ducks say, 'HECK NO!' Thanks again.

What's wrong with Shreveport in December? I think Joey Harrington has a condo there.

With Riley after K State transfer QB Will Howard, Nelson's transfer came as no surprise to SC. If he had the goods to be The Guy, Riley would have told him so and he would not be leaving Troy. 3rd string QB, Moss, will be starting the bowl game vs. Louisville.

Early signing day like Christmas, is coming soon. Players will officially commit (at least for one year) to the program of their choice on Wednesday, December 20. The B1G money is there for the B1G schools to compete with the other Power 2 CFB conference, the SEC. B1G revenues exceed, slightly, SEC revenues. But in on-field results and CFB recruiting results, the B1G trails the SEC and when you trail in recruiting, it is no surprise that you also trail in CFB trophies. Below are the latest ESPN Top-50 recruiting rankings, posted 2 days before signing day. B1G - 14 of the 18 B1G member schools are in the Top 50. 2 teams ranked in the Top 10 - 2. Ohio State and 4. OREGON. 4 more B1G teams are ranked in the Top 25 for 6 total. 11. Penn State, 16. Michigan, 18. USC, and 23. Nebraska. (If the Huskers flip QB Raiola from UGA they will move up.) Other B1G-ranked teams: 28. Wisconsin; 30. Purdue; 34. Iowa; 36. Rutgers; 37. Minnesota; 40. Maryland; 43. Washington; and 47. Illinois. Not ranked - Indiana, Michigan State, Northwestern, and UCLA (Shameful!) 14 of 18 teams ranked is pretty darn good except when looking at Dixie. The SEC Conference has 16 of 16 teams ranked in the Top 50. 6 - 1. Georgia, 3. Bama, 6. Florida, 7. Texas. 8. Oklahoma, and 10. Auburn ranked in the Top 10. 5x more than the B1G. 12 SEC teams are ranked in the Top 25 - the above Top 10 plus 13. TENN, 14. LSU, 17. SO. CAR., 19. Ole Miss, 20. A+M, and 22. Kentucky. Twice as many as the B1G. Also ranked - 26. Arkansas, 31. Miss State, 33. Missouri, and 45. Vanderbilt (Vandy ranked but not UCLA!) The SEC does sit in recruiting happy hunting ground helped by bringing in Texas but bringing in the 2 LA schools should, in theory, help the B1G close the gap. But the B1G being ahead in revenue does not matter unless B1G programs from the top administrators down have the same desire as SEC poobahs to succeed in CFB and CBB. A commitment that SEC Powers-That-Be made decades ago. Do the scholars in the B1G have the desire to get down in the dirt and wrestle with the SEC? If not, the B1G money will spend, but don't bother to use some of the dough to build Bigger trophy cases. Meanwhile, OREGON is already flexing its P2 recruiting muscles. The only B1G team with a superior roster ranking in 2024 is Ohio State, paying a visit to Autzen on 10/12/24. Extinguish The Flames!

Holy Toledo! Rockets QB Finn has transferred to Baylor, a team on OR's future schedules unless Rob drops the Bears for 2 games in Pullman.

AMEN! What a crock of spit and I so stated in my comment to this way-off-base take by Canzano. Please don't try and tell me that the Pac-2 was screwed. The two teams have been sucking off better Pacific conference teams for decades and the marketplace has spoken. You, Sirs, are big-time unworthy. Thieves using a loophole is all that these 2 are. Seth Pecksniff is the Dickensian character who best exemplifies these money-grubbing unctuous thieves. But you have to be educated to relate to this reference that is flying over thieving heads in Corvallis and Pullman. And Mullens dropped a P4 home game to play OSU on the road? Rob, you are right up there with Dicken's Dumb Dora. Sorry, but I am in a Scrooge-like spirit.

You play the best guy on your roster at their given position. So long as the Ducks put a winning QB on the field I don't care if the player comes in as a transfer, a recruit, or off the bus as a walk-on. You must put the best players on the field no matter where they come from if you are going to be among the Playoff Delightful Dozen. No one is taking away LSU's title because Joe Burrow transferred in. Picking the portal properly today is a roster must. Ty is one of many highly touted guys to not make the transition from HS to big-time CFB. I appreciate the fine article but I am certain that the Oregon coaches did all they could to develop Ty. QB is the most important position in football at any level and the hardest position to recruit to. Dilly did a great job with Nix when he was a true frosh at Auburn, Nix was the SEC frosh player of the year and defeated Oregon in his first game. Stein did the same with homegrown talent at UTSA. We're fighting for wins and not QB recruiting clicks. How can you bring in a better QB than the guy who transferred from UCF to Oklahoma and was the B12 top QB in 2023, beating out another great transfer, Quinn Ewers who transferred in from Ohio State? You adapt or you disappear.

Expanded Playoff = Far better PO access goosed by going to the Power 2 B1G. But to win, you will need both talent and depth. Something that DL is assiduously working at. To win the PO in 2024, the Ducks must be the B1G champ or one of the 6/7 at-large teams. 13 regular season games. With no first-round bye as the conference champ, the Ducks would play 16 games to reach the tile game where it would play its 17th game. The Ducks in 2024 have nine (9) games scheduled against 2023 bowl teams. With a B1G champ game and a 1st round bye in 2024, Oregon would still play 17 games, 13 games no doubt vs. 2023 bowl teams. Whew! That's a big ask for any team, B1G or not.

Is Clemson safety Mukuba still in play?

You only need 1 team to fall in love with you and I think he will only improve his stock at the Combine. How many NFL teams have a need at WR? I don't know but this will also have an impact on where Troy goes. Thanks, Alex.

Too late to fix STUPID! Now, the Pac-10 needs to file suit in California or Federal Court.

Great take. But no one revolutionized CFB O like Chip and no one stepped into a quality group of assistant coaches as did the Chipper. The man's record since his Oregon days is not all that great. .500 at UCLA in the LA recruiting market is not good. He didn't make it in the NFL, once he became the HC and GM and he isn't making it in CFB where one has to recruit 24/7 and not simply pick the portal. He was perfect for CFB and Oregon at the time, cashed in, but once the shine wore off of the HUNH offense he became an average coach. As much as Chip deserves credit for lifting Oregon, Nick Aliotti also deserves credit. No coach shut down the Heisman winning $cam Newton more than did Nick.

Log, my friend, I get it. But nothing makes for a better fan experience than winning games. To do that today you have to be a terrific recruiter and a terrific portal picker. Managing an NFL roster today pales in comparison to managing a big-time CFB roster. For the most part, 3* QBs who step up from G5 and lower-level P4 programs will make their bones in the lesser programs and get paid when they move up. Like moving up from baseball AAA to the Bigs. Do I like this? No. But this is the big-time CFB world in which we live.

In today's CFB, HS QBs are warming up in the 'minor leagues' to get paid in the big league. If you can bring in a P4 all-conference QB then HS recruits are passe. Bo came to Eugene with an Oregon pelt in hand but with mixed results at Auburn. Under Dilly, during his frosh season, he played great but did not up his game before playing under Dilly and then Stein in Eugene. Oregon with Division Street, has the money and Oregon has the OC chops to bring in a quality, experienced QB every year. With a season of coaching at Oregon I think that Moore will be terrific.

Sans the Pirate his stats dropped a bit but he still threw for a ton of yards at lower SEC-level Mississippi State. This is a very good pick-up by DeBoer and shows that UW is willing to open the NIL wallet. I think that Gabriel if healthy will match or exceed Bo's total O put up in 2023 before the bowl game. If, Stein allows him to use his wheels. Oregon is swapping a great QB for an all-P4 QB. And Dillon will have 4 'warm-up' games before Ohio State visits Autzen.

Sorry, Norman. But when you live in Norman? Have to expect people with talent to bail.

Bringing in Gabriel and Moore? WOW! The young man was mismanaged by Chip last season. UCLA did have a terrific D (UCLA DC has 'transferred' to USC) but in 2023 the Bruins had an O devoid of quality receivers and an average-at-best OL. .............................................................................................................................................................. OT - The Volleyball Championship game will be played Monday night in Tampa. Hats off to Oregon for making the Elie 8. It will be B1G Nebraska vs. 'SEC' Texas.

An anecdote that I shared with Charles earlier today. I was shopping at Krogers in Aiken, SC, wearing UO gear. (I shop, and cook, spouse cleans up which is nice because I am a kitchen slob.) I was tapped on the shoulder and turned around to see a guy wearing Buckeyes gear, "Man," he said, with a grin on his face, "we are excited about playing in Eugene next season and paying you back for the last visit to Columbus. Pumped up to have you coming into the Big 10." "Looking at the two 2024 schedules, both teams should be undefeated when we tee it up in Autzen. I'm a mega Buckeyes fan and will be there. My buddies and I are already set up to play the Eugene CC course on Friday before the game." I thanked him. Walking away, I thought about how great it will be when Puddles flies into B1G territory in 2024.

This breaks my heart. SOB! Bill Connelly with Oklahoma playing

WOW! Hats Off to Bucky. A most pleasant surprise considering Bucky was dinged up during the season. Bucky and his agent must be hoping that Bucky balls out in a draft preview. I expect Stein will get Bucky a bunch of touches in this game.

Without a lawsuit quid pro quo, I agree Charles that this scheduling of non-P4 OR ST makes no sense. Playing 13 games means that 8 home games should have happened. I hope that no P4 opponent OOC will not bite Oregon in the butt. I was not thrilled about playing B12 Texas Tech OOC but it would be favorable to playing no P4 team OOC in 2024. Somewhat OT. The B1G Network will cover all 18 B1G members recruiting results on Wednesday, 12/20.

8 games in 2024 made sense because Oregon plays 13 regular season games. No P4 opponent OOC in 2024. Ohio State also has no P4 OOC opponent in 2024. Will this matter to the Committee down the line? Clemson plays Georgia. Alabama plays at Wisconsin. Texas plays at Michigan. Notre Dame plays at TX A+M. Which type of schedule will be better come 2024, scheduling for certain wins or an impressive SOS? Losing the trip to Boise was a no-brainer. Now do the same with the trip scheduled to Logan, Utah. Please. Rob, when I find someone breaking into my house I do not ask the thief to stay for dinner. There is no value added to the schedule by playing Oregon State, especially in Corvallis. OSU does not have a media deal!

Mike, a great and detailed post. Thanks. Oregon plays 13 regular season games in 2024. With the OOC slate in 2024, 4 games, none against P4 opponents (OSU, and WSU, are not P5 schools and the Pac-2 is not a power conference) the Ducks should come out of the OOC games at 4-0. 9/28 - at UCLA - W 10/5 - Michigan State - W 10/12 - Ohio State - Toss Up 10/19 - At Purdue - W 10/26 - Illinois - W 10/2 - at Michigan - Toss Up 11/9 - Maryland -W 11/16 - at Wisconsin - W 11/30 - UW -Toss Up I see 10-3 or better If the young DL plays well. 11-2 may provide a shot at a 14th game in the B1G champ game. I do think that 1 or more Power 2 teams will get in the 12-team field in 2024 with 2 and possibly 3 losses. Ohio State plays no P4 team OOC in 2024. OH St. plays at Oregon, Penn St, and plays Michigan in Columbus. Ohio State has an easier '24 schedule than any other top team competing for a spot in the B1G champ game. Schedules elsewhere will also impact the PO Ct. 1st rankings release in 2024 and thereafter. Week 1 Notre Dame visits A+M and new coach Elko behind the QB who started for Elko last season at Duke. LSU plays USC in Las Vegas. Georgia opens with Clemson in Atlanta and plays at Alabama on 9/28 and at Texas on 10/19. Michigan plays Texas in Ann Arbor in Week 2 and at UW, Ohio State, and home vs. Oregon and USC. Alabama shares an opponent with Oregon. Bama trips to Wisconsin in Week 3 and plays UGA, and MO. in Tuscaloosa and TN., LSU and OK on the road. It's a new Playoff world in 2023. And realignment will make Power 2 schedules more difficult as will getting rid of divisions in the B1G and the SEC. An 11-2 Oregon is likely in the B1G champ game with a chance of finishing the regular season as conference champ at 12-2. And the B1G runner-up at 11-3 will still have a shot at the 2024 Playoff.

Spartan, Oregon is moving to a conference with better finances but a conference that is behind the SEC in Football and baseball, golf, tennis, and perhaps, basketball. Lots of B1G teams make the tourney and then flame out. Volleyball. Spot On. 2 B1G teams in the Final 4 along with Pitt and SEC engaged Texas.

Far better defenses? That's because the offenses stink. The 3rd best B1G team, Penn State, had no aerial attack when it played Ohio State and Michigan. 2022 SEC West champ Purdue lost its bowl game to LSU 63-14. That's some great D from a Division champ.