Jon Joseph

Where to start? 9. Purdue - T-R-A-P! This game back East falls on the Saturday after Oregon plays back-to-back home games vs. Michigan State and more importantly for trap purposes, Ohio State. Purdue is a place where Ohio State's playoff hopes under Urban Meyer have gone to die. Both Purdue and Illinois between Ohio State and the Michigan games will be 'want to' tests for the Ducks. 7. Boise State - HUH? Forget about the aberrational 0-3. Boise was 8-6 in 2023. Had a nice lead against a UCLA team playing without many opt-outs and was worn down and blown out in the 2nd half. The RB mentioned in the article is legit. Nelson? Was the 3rd string QB at SC. IMO. this game should be somewhere around 9. 8. Maryland - Without the B1G's all-time leading passer, Taulia Tags, in the bowl game the Terps easily beat down an Auburn team that gave Bama all it could handle. No way IMO this game should be ranked as being less difficult than the game Vs. a G5 opponent. Check NFL rosters and you will find a lot of Terps. In fairness to the author, this take was composed before - Ohio State hired Bill O'Brien, found out that all draft-eligible juniors other than Harrison were coming back, and plucked the portal for the 2nd team All B12 QB, an SEC RB Frosh of the Year in Judkins, an SEC Newcomer of the Year and 2nd team AA safety Caleb Downs, and 2024's #1 QB recruit. Among an excellent recruiting class, Ohio State is bringing in 2024's #1 recruit, WR Jeremiah Smith. This was also composed before DeBoer left Seattle and left a denuded Huskies roster. Before Harbaugh decided to take the Chargers job and bring his DC along with him. And what will the roster fallout be from Jim heading West? Ohio State, visiting Eugene on 10/12/24, will bring with it by far the best roster Oregon will face in 2024. The roster will have @15 players that will go in the top 3 rounds of the NFL draft somewhere down the road. All of the returning draft-eligible juniors had no lower than a 3rd round grade. Georgia is the preseason #1 'IT' team. But looking at Georgia's and Ohio State's schedule and with the turmoil at Michigan, I think tOSU should come into 2024 as the No. 1 preseason ranked team. 3. Wisconsin - Because of the late date, the location, and the game coming as the 8th game in a row after playing at Michigan and home vs. Maryland, I do not disagree with this ranking. Depending on the roster fallout as a result of Harbaugh leaving Michigan, if Fickell gets it going in year 2, this team could contend for a spot in the B1G champ game. The team gave LSU all it could handle in its bowl game. No Daniels for LSU but Nussmeier who will start for LSU in 2024 is a capable QB. Will Mari(o)'s 'friend' QB Tyler Van Dyck play at Wisconsin like he did at Miami before Christobal? 4. UW and 5. UCLA - With what's happening in Seattle and with what's not happening on the recruiting front in Westwood, it's hard to slot these games. Yes, UCLA is a road game but Oregon will be coming off an Idle Week while UCLA will be coming off of a game at LSU. Love the post. Let's see what the 'experts' come up with after spring practice and the 2nd portal opening.

Michigan coaching candidates: Sherrone Moore, Brian Kelly among top options with Jim Harbaugh leaving for NFL - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM With Harbaugh on his way to coach the NFL's Chargers, Michigan may not have to look too far for his replacement

Chargers hire Jim Harbaugh: Why head coach's history of winning could make 'Chargering' extinct - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM The franchise's new head coach can help overcome its history of losing

A winner at U of San Diego, Stanford, the Pros, and Michigan. I see this as great news for Justin. It may also be good for MI NCAA-wise with the head man at the time of infractions leaving Ann Arbor. Now, pick Bowers, LSU WR Nabers, UW WR Odunze (I think Franklin will be off the board but if not?), or go with the D side of the ball. Slater is solid at LT. Another guy to look at could be ND's Joe Alt to play RT. Will Sherrone Moore move up to HC? Will Harbaugh's move have returning MI players thinking about the portal? Did Michigan's tough 2024 schedule just get tougher?

Thanks for the post but this guy's take has to be preseason and not his thoughts, I hope, on what a Final 12 will look like. FWIW, very little, when I dabble at this I try to project playoff teams. Take a look at all of the SEC teams Neel has in his top 10. All of his SEC-ranked teams to an extent, play one another in 2025. 2 loss teams will finish in the top 11 (12 is likely to be the G5 team) but a 3 loss team? Maybe one 3L team if that will get in. Also, the ACC champion will finish in the top 11. No. 24 is kind of a throwaway but CU from 5-7 to No. 24? Kentucky, No. 25? In 2024 KY plays UGA, at Ole Miss, at Florida, Auburn, at Tennessee, and at Texas. And South Carolina is not a walk-over for these Wildcats. LSU and not Oklahoma should be in the top 11. And Tennessee IMO is more deserving of being in the top 11 than Notre Dame although ND does have a far easier schedule. I'm waiting until the 2nd signing day, the second portal opening, and the final portal signings before coming up with (again FWIW) my take on what the Committee will determine in December of 2024. And this will include a deep dive into 2024 schedules. Thanks for the take.

Dave, I appreciate your thoughts as I am clueless as to how 'this' will work. I do see a day coming when holographic broadcasts will allow you entry into the stadium to sit wherever you like, move around during the broadcast, and allow for as much sense of smell as you can handle.

Far out! Awesome! Sweet! But no 'Cool?' That's chili!

Good call on ND. Instead of ND, Michigan plays TX in Ann Arbor in 2024 and plays Oklahoma in Norman in 2025. Ohio State's future marquee OOC games: 2025 Texas; 2026 at Texas; 2027 Alabama; 2028 at Alabama. WOW! So, which way do you go scheduling-wise? I think it will be wise for Oregon to observe how much weight the Playoff Committee beginning in 2024, will give to schedule strength compared to simply wins vs. losses. To date, it's been all about the W+Ls. But as noted, this has not stopped Ohio State, Michigan, Texas, and Alabama and others, from scheduling up OOC, including Bama playing at Wisconsin this season. And something will have to separate the seeding for teams 5 - 11 (figuring the G5 for No. 12) and where losses are even, SOS should, and hopefully will, make the difference in seeding where you seed 2 loss LSU vs. 2 loss Penn State. For many SEC teams, the OOC cupcake fest appears to be coming to a close. See above for Texas and Alabama. Georgia plays P4 opponent Georgia Tech every season. GT appears to be on the rise. So, that's 1 P4 opponent every season with the game played at Georgia Tech every other season. In 2024, Georgia also plays Clemson; in 2025 UGA also plays at UCLA; in 2026, UGA also plays UCLA, and at Louisville, for a total of 3 P4 opponents OOC; in 2027, Georgia will again play 3 P4 opponents OOC, Georgia Tech, at FSU, and Louisville. This season, LSU plays USC and UCLA. Texas A+M opens the season against Notre Dame. Is this the way to schedule in the future? These games will draw millions of viewers but under existing media and conference agreements, eyes on the prize do not bring in more money than will this season's game when Ole Miss travels to Wake Forest to play its only P4 OOC game. In 2024, Oregon does not play a P4 opponent. Ditto Ohio State. The Ducks play OR ST on the road instead of TX Tech in Autzen. In 2025, Oregon will play OK St. and Oregon State at home instead of playing at Boise. In 2026, Oregon plays at OK St. Oregon also has a home game scheduled with Portland State. Will this be bumped for a game vs. Oregon State? In 2027 Oregon has a game in Waco vs. Baylor. In 2027, Baylor trips to Autzen. Compared to some of the games shown above, this is 'manageable' OOC scheduling. Will it make sense down the road to play a Power 2 opponent from the SEC OOC? Or, stick with a B12 opponent such as Cal or Stanford? If you play a 9-game B1G schedule, and a 10th B1G playoff game, you can play the junk OOC that Michigan played this season and end up with the playoff No. 1 seed. Another consideration? Expand Autzen and the top SEC teams may be more willing to schedule a H+H series with the Ducks. With extra seats to fill, will a marquee OOC opponent make more sense than it does today?

Ravens. I'm not going against that defense and I believe Taylor and her Swifties will be on the road and not in the City of Edgar Allan Poe to rejuvenate the Kelce who keeps his shirt on; at least, in public. Hey Bro, pass me a beer! Also, I'm looking at Sherman Tank in a uniform, Penei Sewell, and a legion of long-lost Lions to win in Santa Clara. It won't be Purdy but By-Goff if Jared doesn't return to his college stomping grounds for a win and a trip not to Disney World; but, instead to the Adult Disney World, Las Vegas.

NBC to broadcast select B1G football games in ‘shared reality’ SATURDAYTRADITION.COM NBC has partnered with Cosm to give fans a unique viewing experience for select college football games.

The 4 ways that Ohio State’s season on the brink could impact the SEC SATURDAYTRADITION.COM All eyes should be on the events that unfold in Columbus in 2024.

4 Ls in a row to Michigan and I think that Day can say, 'Good Night, Columbus.'

Way-Too-Early college football All-America team for 2024 - ESPN WWW.ESPN.COM Who will be the players to watch next season in college football? We take an early look at the best of the best. QB Dillion and OT Cornelius make the second team. Oregon will play against Ohio State RBs Henderson and Judkins; Guard Jackson; DT Williams; CB Burke; and Safety Downs. Oregon will play against Michigan TE Loveland; DT Grahm; CB Johnson; and Safety Moore. Boise's All Purpose Anton Jeanty will also face the Ducks.

The Kiffer, notwithstanding the surprising loss of RB Judkins to Ohio State, should be smiling over the impact players, especially on D, that he has picked from the portal. Plus, no Bama, Mizzou, and Texas in 2024. Oklahoma and Georgia trip to Oxford. The toughest road game on paper is at LSU, a team Ole Miss defeated in a shootout last season. This is a season where Ole Miss should make the 12-team PO field. Ohio State is lighting it up with the hire of Bill O'Brien (if O'Brien and Day can stay out of one another's way) and Will Howard, Downs, Sayin, and other quality players from the portal. However, while the Buckeyes D was great last season the O did not play up to tOSU and Day's standards. QB McCord was called out but IMO, the weakest link on the Buckeyes O last season was the OL. A position group that has declined since the departure of Urban Meyer. Kiff goin' to be Kiff.

Good call. 8 games in a row beginning Week 5, 9/28 at UCLA, with game 6 in the gauntlet being played in Ann Arbor on 11/2, shuffling back to Eugene to play a Maryland team that without its starting QB and all-time B1G passing leader, Taulia Tag, defeated Auburn in its 2023 bowl game, for game 7 in a row, before heading East again to play Wisconsin in game 8 in Madison on 11/16/24. Forget about 8 games in a row, Ohio State does not have 3 games in a row as difficult as Oregon's games Nos. 6, 7, and 8. However, with the way the weather has been lately in Eugene?

HUH? What did any of these young men do since the end of the high school season to yo-yo like this? All-Star games have this much of an impact? Why? An exhibition game with new coaches, players, and staff. Dante Moore lit it up in his all-star appearance last season. Did this help him at UCLA where he was thrown into the fire too soon and not properly coached up? This looks to me like the folks at 247 are desperate for clicks. Where's the corollary? Rushing dropped 9 spots, what guys moved up ahead of Rushing and why? NJ Duck, I appreciate as always, this post. And Zach Neel at Ducks Wire does an OK job. And all he is doing here is reporting off of 247. But his thinking leaves, IMO, a lot to be desired. For example, here is Zack's latest attempt at projecting the 2024 Playoff field. 1. Georgia 2. Ohio State 3. Oregon 4. Texas 5. Ole Miss 6. Michigan 7. Utah 8. Alabama 9. Missouri 10. Notre Dame 11. Oklahoma 12. G5 6 SEC teams in the top 11? Zack, this just in, SEC teams do play one another. For example, Oklahoma in 2024, plays Texas, at Ole Miss, at Missouri, Alabama, at LSU, TENN., at Auburn, and Tulane and Houston OOC. I expect that two or three PO teams will have two losses. Perhaps 1 will have 3 losses? I see at least 3 if not 4+ losses for the Sooners in 2024. Especially, coming into the SEC with a rookie QB. BTW, Zach, I think the ACC champ will be ranked in the top 11, no? It's a loooooooooong offseason.

Thanks for the terrific comments. My memo writing as a (BOO!) lawyer leads me too often into using acronyms. I'll attempt to make my stuff easier to read down the road. Vandalize the Vandels! Bury Boise! Further Ostracize Oregon State! On to the B1G!

2 Ducks on the list of top players in 2024. No Dillon Gabriel? Early look at the top 20 NFL draft-eligible college football players taking the field in 2024 season - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM The college game always has plenty of stars eyeing NFL dreams, and next year's pro-ready crop is no different

Former UW WR Bernard is headed to Bama.

Kirby 'He So' Smart has won 2 titles. This is a list of guys not yet in Kirby's league. 12 team PO in 2023 and Kirby and 12-1 UGA would have been an extremely tough out.

10/5/24. J Smith on the opposite sideline? Nothing new. But Coach Martin to Sparty? No comprende.

I like No. 3! No. 1 Ohio State and Day pay a visit to Autzen. UGA visits No. 2 Sarkville. UGA's trip to Austin comes on the same weekend as the Grand Prix. Hotel rooms are going for $14,000 a night!

Ohio State lands Alabama QB signee, 5-star recruit, via transfer portal SATURDAYTRADITION.COM Ohio State with another big get from the portal, as a 5-star Alabama transfer quarterback announces he will play for the Buckeyes.

College Football News early take on the SEC in 2024. https://collegefootballnews.com/news/sec-college-football-predictions-for-every-game-early-version

Paywall. ESPN's Heather Dinich lists the 15 games in 2024 that, in Heather's opinion, will have the biggest impact on the 2024 Playoff Field. OREGON - No. 3 - Ohio State at Oregon - 10/12/24 - A B1G battle of the Os in Eugene. Wow! No. 11 - Boise State at Oregon - 9/7/24 - Chance for the potential MW champ to make a Playoff impact. Ducks are 0-3 vs. the Broncos. Other B1G Games - No. 4 - Texas at Michigan - 9/7/24 No. 6 - Michigan at Ohio State - 11/30/24 No. 9 - Michigan at UW - 10/5/24 - Will Harbaugh be on the Michigan sideline for these three games? No. 12 - LSU vs. USC - 9/1/24 - Las Vegas Other Games - No. 1 - UGA at Texas - 10/19/24 - The Grand Prix is also in Austin this weekend. Hotel rooms going for $14,000! No. 2 - UGA at Alabama - 10/12/24 - Hotel rooms going for a 'cheap' $10,000. Same weekend as tOSU at Oregon. 7. - Oklahoma vs. Texas - 10/12/24 - Dallas No. 8. - Ole Miss at LSU - 10/12/24 - Get your popcorn and IPAs ready for a quartet of impact games on October 12th. No. 10. - Arizona at Utah - TBD College Football News sees Oregon and USC both finishing 11-1 but 12-0 Ohio State with a win in Eugene plays SC for the B1G title. I see a rematch of the two Os in Indianapolis. ESPN SP+ has SC with the 2nd hardest SOS in the country in 2024. Oregon comes in at No. 13. Ohio State is not in the top 15. https://collegefootballnews.com/news/big-ten-football-predictions-for-every-game-early-version