Jon Joseph

In 1898, the Michigan Wolverines won the Thanksgiving Day annual game vs. the University of Chicago Phoenix to capture its first Western Conference championship and become the Champions of the West. The U Chicago mascot name, 'Phoenix', came about as the result of the city's dramatic recovery from The Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Along with Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Purdue, and Northwestern, Michigan and Chicago formed The Western Conference in 1895. Iowa and Indiana joined in 1899. Ohio State came aboard in 1912 at which time the Western Conference became the Big Ten Conference. In 1939, U Chicago dropped football because the sport was becoming too 'professional' in nature. The Phoenix was ahead of the curve. In 1949, Michigan State joined the conference to return the B1g Ten to 10 teams. Hopefully, on 11/2/24, the Ducks will win the day in Ann Arbor and square the series at 3 apiece versus the Victors.

'On Wisconsin', Ohio State's 'Cross the Field' and 'Buckeye Battle Cry,' Fight, Fight, Fight for Iowa' are all great, but "Hail to the Victors' is iconic and probably a close second to 'Cheer, Cheer for Old Notre Dame.' 'Fight On?' I think the needle got stuck. 'The Victors' celebrates Michigan winning a big game and being anointed 'Champions of the West.' What team did Michigan defeat to become 'The Champion of the West?' Try to answer without getting Webby. I imagine several OBD members, at least, know the answer. If not revealed, I'll post the answer soon. Ohio State is playing its Spring Game as I type, broadcast on Fox. (Revealed today that Chip is being paid $2M a year. Equates to $4M a year in LA.) Becoming a part of great traditions is B1G.

Sparty, J Smith, and QB Chiles paying a visit on 10/5. Hopefully, the MSU game will not find Oregon looking ahead to next week's game vs. Ohio State. https://athlonsports.com/college/michigan-state-spartans/spartan-nation/football/michigan-state-spartans-football-quarterback-aidan-chiles-impresses-teammates-msu-scrimmage-041324

"Eat what you kill." Already the model in the ACC but not good enough to incent Clemson and FSU to hang in through 2036. Nebraska AD foresees performance-based revenue distribution model - ESPN WWW.ESPN.COM New Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen told ESPN he expects revenue distribution in college sports to become more performance-based over time, resulting in an "eat what you kill"...

Tyler Van Dyke at 11 again shows how myopic B1G fans are. Chiles was a good pick-up for Sparty but isn't close to Van Dyke's starting QB experience. Dylan Riola has yet to take a CFB snap. The Michigan QB did not attempt a pass last season. Dillon at No.1 is righteous. MSU QB Aidan Chiles ranked among best in Big Ten SPARTANSWIRE.USATODAY.COM New Spartans starting quarterback Aidan Chiles is considered one of the best in the Big Ten

Oregon State will be an Independent in baseball in 2025. Rob Mullens will probably schedule a home-and-home series with the Beavers.

He would have had superb coverage on the Clueless Watchers and Pac (It Up) Networks. Martinez will likely double his money. Miami is desperate for an RB to pair up with another Pac-2 departee, Cam Ward.

On the NFL site, draft guru Chad Reuter goes 5-deep. New B1G - 47 total picks. New SEC - 53 total picks. Ducks - Bo Nix - 23 Vikings JPJ - 51 - Steelers Troy Franklin - 67 Commanders Brandon Dorlus - 88 Packers K Jackson - 97 Bengals Bucky Irving - 169 - Packers Five-round 2024 NFL mock draft: Saints load up with four picks in Round 5 WWW.NFL.COM In his third mock of the 2024 NFL Draft -- a five-rounder! -- Chad Reuter projects the Saints to select quartet of players in the fifth round, including one playmaker for their backfield.

Will Sherrone Moore keep the good times rolling in Ann Arbor? Fact or Fiction: Time to panic about Michigan recruiting SPORTS.YAHOO.COM Michigan, with just three commits, ranks No. 35 in the 2025 Rivals.com Team Recruiting Rankings.

QB battle at Ohio State? Ryan Day has Julian Sayin in the mix to be QB1. What does that mean for Ohio State’s offense? SATURDAYTRADITION.COM Ryan Day has Julian Sayin as a player in the mix to be Ohio State's starting quarterback as a true freshman.

I posted this article on the B1G comment site that NJ Duck set up and he does a great job keeping OBD fans up to date on the B1G, but I believe this article by Mandel deserves a separate post. The majority of off-season prognosticators project the 2024 B1G Championship to come down to a Battle of the Os; Oregon vs. Ohio State. Ohio State has a far easier schedule than OBD in 2024, in and out of conference, but Oregon gets Ohio State at home on October 12th. This game should feature two undefeated teams and could be the marquee game on a weekend of great games: Texas vs. Oklahoma; Ole Miss at LSU; and Penn State at USC. A clarification: Will Howard was the All-B12 QB in 2022. Dillon Gabriel was the All-B12 QB in 2023 with Howard finishing 2nd. Ohio State was a B1G time recruiting machine before it moved its NIL game up to the level of Division Street. Will the Ducks be able to wrest conference supremacy from Brutus? I know Michigan has had Ohio State's number for the last three seasons but I think Ohio State will turn the tables in 2024, and defeat the Wolverines in Columbus. The Battle of the Os could turn into one of college football's B1Ggest rivalries. After an embarrassing Cotton Bowl loss, Ohio State donors went on a spending spree THEATHLETIC.COM Ending the Michigan drought will be a baseline expectation for an Ohio State team stacked with talent and experience.

Show Brutus the $! After an embarrassing Cotton Bowl loss, Ohio State donors went on a spending spree THEATHLETIC.COM Ending the Michigan drought will be a baseline expectation for an Ohio State team stacked with talent and experience.

Oregon plays Northwestern on the road in 2025 on a TBD date. Hopefully, the game will be played before November. Come November, Lake Michigan, at least on the shoreline, can be covered with ice. https://athlonsports.com/college/northwestern-wildcats/northwestern-wildcats-temporary-college-football-field-three-reason-fans-i-will-love

Oregon plays Northwestern on the road in 2025 on a TBD date. Hopefully, the game will be played before November. Come November, Lake Michigan, at least on the shoreline, can be covered with ice. https://athlonsports.com/college/northwestern-wildcats/northwestern-wildcats-temporary-college-football-field-three-reason-fans-i-will-love

I thought that baseball was going to try to play as an Independent. Did Oregon State baseball go in this direction? I think it would be hard to fill out a schedule.

The guy left for $300K+. A huge pay bump while working in a city that has a cost of living 25% lower than that of Eugene. He was leaving even if Danno called him Vince, Knute, or Saint Nick. "You can call me Ray JJ. Or, you can call me RJJ Jr., but you doesn't hasta call me Johnson."

See you in 2025. Likely in White Out conditions.

Cristobal needs an RB or 2 and I am certain that he is whispering in the young man's ear that he will have the chance to start as a true frosh.

Enjoy 2024 opponent Ohio State's Spring game with a cup of coffee on the Left Coast. Noon Eastern start on Fox; 9 AM out West. Is Will Howard an upgrade at QB for Ohio State? Star transfer gets first chance to prove worth in spring game - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM Ryan Day and the Buckeyes are hoping Howard can lead them to a national title after a blockbuster offseason

Most pressure in 2024, Ohio State or Georgia? Kirby has 2 Natty's; Ryan Day has ZIP. And yes, Kirby now that Saint Nick is gone has to start routinely defeating Bama, Ryan Day is in a 'must-win' situation vs. Michigan. Does Ohio State or Georgia face more pressure in 2024 season after falling short of expectations? - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM The Buckeyes and Bulldogs will give fans a first look at reconstructed teams during their spring games

Big Ten Football: Way-too-early 2024 record predictions for every team BADGERSWIRE.USATODAY.COM Way-too-early record predictions for every Big Ten football team in 2024 … things look a lot different:

Send in the Saint Bernard's! As 'avalanche' hits NCAA and paying players debate continues, change is coming THEATHLETIC.COM With players allowed to generate income off their NIL, employment is the last step in the blurry barrier between amateur and pro sports. Linfield, Bowdoin, and Pittsburgh State have an NCAA vote. Linfield College does not have the same issues as Oregon, a school offering athletic scholarships and watched by millions worldwide. The Power 4 has to be able to regulate without needing the approval of D3 and G5 programs. I disagree with the author. The NCAA goes away and big-time college football will contract and not expand. The Super League will be the Power 2 bankrolled by Fox and Friends and ESPN.

11 NFL Draft QBs, ranked by where they should be selected in 2024 WWW.SBNATION.COM Our experts ranked the top quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft, and this is how it played out.

If Stubby goes after Avila it appears that Schertz will be his Arch enemy, no? Will Schertz lead Saint Louie to Arch madness?

Not so fast when it comes to the Bear. USC DT Bear Alexander denies report of transfer portal entry with social media message - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM Multiple outlets reported the Trojans defensive lineman planned to the transfer portal when it opens