Jon Joseph

College Football Playoff negotiations move to more at-large teams amid outcry over Big Ten, SEC automatic byes - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM The Big Ten and SEC had asked to be guaranteed first-round byes under an expanded 14-team format

B1G indeed. And by going B1G the money will come in to further support the brand. Fantastic marketing to have the Oregon brand this well-known and among the top brands in college athletics. So happy that Puddles caught the last B1G flight out.

For this post, I am referring to the Saturday Blitz preseason top 25, posted on January 26, 2024, after all of the P4 coaching changes and the early portal signings. Saturday Blitz does not have a dog in the media broadcast game. College Football Rankings: Way-too-early Top 25 projections for 2024 SATURDAYBLITZ.COM Who will be on top of the college football rankings to begin 2024? The B1G/SEC playoff format proposal was not welcomed by the ACC, B12, and the G5. In particular, the B1G and SEC guaranteed four spots each in a 14-team playoff, and then three teams but with the B1G and the SEC champs having the top two seeds and a first-round playoff bye, A compromise 2-2-1-1-1 plus 7 at large (AL) model is reportedly now on the table. Two B1G teams, two SEC teams, and one ACC, B12, and G5 team with a guaranteed spot in the field. Seven teams would be chosen by the playoff committee as at-large participants. Using the Saturday Blitz ranking, it is likely that no matter the format, the Power 2 would dominate the 2026 playoff field and likely have the top 2 seeds in a 14-team tournament with a first-round bye for the B1G and the SEC champions; or, on occasion, first-round byes for two SEC or two B1G teams. 14-Team Playoff Field - No. 1. Georgia - SEC - Bye - Versus - The lowest remaining seed below would play Georgia 'Tween the Hedges in round two. (The first two rounds would be played on the fields of the higher-ranked teams with fewer NY6 bowls involved in the playoff process.) No. 4. OREGON - B1G vs. No. 13. Arizona - B12 - Autzen Stadium No. 6. Michigan - AL vs. No. 11. Missouri - AL - The Big House No. 8. Alabama - AL vs. No. 9 LSU - AL - Tuscaloosa, AL. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No. 2 Ohio State - B1G - Versus - The lowest remaining seed below would play Ohio State in the 'Shoe in round two. No. 3 Texas - AL vs. No. 14. Group of 5 No. 5 Ole Miss - AL vs. No. 12. FSU - ACC No. 7. Notre Dame - AL vs. No. 10. Penn State - AL --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The B1G and the SEC conference champions would have a first-round bye. No. 3 Texas and No. 4 Oregon would be automatically in the field and seeded as ranked above. The SEC would have six teams in the field. The B1G would have four teams in the field. This is representative of the number of teams the Power 2 placed in the decade of the 4-team playoff. Notre Dame, the power 2 (ACC + B12), and the G5 would be better off agreeing to have four B1G and SEC teams in the field, or three each with the conference champion from the B1G and the SEC the top seeds with a first round bye. The SEC's Greg Sankey? This format plays right into the SEC's wheel house. The B1G with four teams in? I think Tony Petitti would be all right with this but not happy that the SEC would receive two more playoff payouts. One team each is this hypothetical format for Independent Notre Dame, ACC FSU, B12 Arizona, and the Group of 5. "I should have taken the money?" Another hypothetical. The SEC adds Clemson and FSU and two other teams to go to twenty members. The B1G adds Notre Dame and North Carolina to reach twenty members. Who needs the power 2 and the Group of 5? Why not a College Football World Series between the B1G and the SEC? No matter the playoff format come 2026, the B1G and the SEC will receive the majority of the playoff revenue. Which is nice.

ACC, D-U-N Done by 2031 at the latest. No way, unless ESPN agrees to renegotiate the broadcast deal, that this group of 17 teams as currently structured hang on as-is through 2036. Why would ESPN renegotiate? ACC agrees to go to 9 conference games? So what? No divisions, so you cannot guarantee that FSU and Clemson will play every season, and if you tried to schedule this as an annual game, it would just further incent the two to leave. In addition to FSU and Clemson, UNC, NC State, UVA, VA Tech, and Miami have also expressed a desire to move to greener pastures. (As we see in the transfer portal, I do not see all 7 schools receiving a bid from the B1G or the SEC. Especially, as these 7 leaving would come close to forcing Notre Dame to join the B1G.) I also doubt that Cal, SMU, and Stanford if given another option would hang in with the ACC at a deep revenue discount. How many schools suing the ACC regarding the onerous exit fee will it take before the ACC gives up? Especially, if the plaintiffs withhold their share of the defendant's legal fees. Slightly OT but the announcement of a preseason CBB tournament in September 2024 with participating schools receiving NIL money that will go to players on the current rosters of participating teams is another sign that the 'current model' of the participating athletes not sharing in the revenues is on the way out. Most likely, equal revenue splits among conference members are also on life support. By 2026, the CFB playoff will be sharing revenue with the players. And most likely the same will happen with NCAA Tournament teams. The status quo will not hold for any conference through 2036.

A view from the basement. New coach Cignetti bringing in 20+ players including 10 from his former school, James Madison. How Indiana Hoosiers football can get back on track in 2024 SATURDAYBLITZ.COM Indiana Hoosiers football has been down on its luck as of late. Luckily, this upcoming season can save the program from complete derailment.

Dillon Gabriel, Evan Stewart, and Jabbar Muhammad are on PFF's 1st team. Also, Gabriel throwing to Tez Johnson and Stewart is one of PFF's 2024 predicted top receiver duo. 2024 PFF All-Transfer Portal Team: Caleb Downs, Dillon Gabriel and more WWW.PFF.COM Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel headline PFF's 2024 All-Transfer Portal team.

Yes, in 2024, not 2025. Michigan and Ohio State are both on the 2024 schedule. Neither one is on the 2025 schedule.

No matter the format, the playoff $ will be B1G. With College Football Playoff format and future revenue in flux, here's what's on the table SPORTS.YAHOO.COM The CFP is barreling toward a new format and revenue model that skews toward the new Power Two, creating a more formal divide in the top tier of college athletics.

As high on the Ducks title chances as OBD members are for 2024, next season Oregon does not play Michigan and does not play Ohio State in the regular season. All of the 3 OOC games will be played in Autzen including the OK State and OR State games. In 2025, Oregon will play 7 home games. In 2025, Ohio State's opening game is vs. Texas in Columbus. Michigan's 2nd week game is against Oklahoma in Norman. 2025 road games against Iowa, Penn State (White Out!), and UW look to be the most difficult. Oregon will also play NW and Rutgers on the road. Oregon will play Indiana and Minnesota at home, as well as the two most difficult home games vs. USC and Wisconsin. Dates for the conference games have not been finalized. Hopefully, Oregon will trip to New Jersey and Pennsylvania before late November when games can be played in Mother Nature's White Out. In 2025, there will not be a stretch of 8 games in a row without an off week. In terms of a playoff-friendly schedule, 2025 is far more accommodating than 2024. The next season that Oregon will miss both Michigan and Ohio State will be in 2028. As to the top 25 coaches. It's 2 guy's opinions. A more meaningful poll would be one voted on by the coaches. How many coaches today want to play Oregon with Lanning at the helm? Darn few. However, in 2023/24 Oregon defeated two, and only two of the Committee's ultimate ranked top 25 teams, Oregon State and Liberty. That's it. So the record at 12-2 was great, the resume not so much. Dan's cream will rise to the top, and soon.

PO horse-trading over the 2026 format continues. College Football Playoff negotiations move to more at-large teams amid outcry over Big Ten, SEC automatic byes - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM The Big Ten and SEC had asked to be guaranteed first-round byes under an expanded 14-team format

Dear Josh, Have you been asleep with Rip Van Winkle? It is the year 2024 and not 1984. What possible incentive would the B1G and the SEC have for adopting your 'perfect' model? How about none? Which media entities will come with the money and agree to fund all of your suggested conferences on an equal per-conference pro-rata basis? Give all the same amount of money per team so that they can equally compete. Ab equal share notwithstanding that the games of some conferences, probably two, will have more viewers than the games played in other conferences. Is this Russia, Danny? Er, Josh? This isn't Russia, is it? Sorry, Josh, but your ball landed right in the lumber yard. All the best, your friends Beaver and Cougar. This just in. The market will define future conference growth and not a whimsical clawback to yesterday. And if a new member is not immediately accretive, why would the B1G and the SEC expand? If the Power 2 conferences do not bring all of the current members into a football super league, I believe the conferences will remain as is for all other sports. I like Josh. It's is a long off-season.

As I was saying ... ESPN picks USC as ‘season-defining game’ for LSU in 2024. The Tigers know otherwise from experience WWW.SATURDAYDOWNSOUTH.COM LSU's Week 1 game against USC will be season-defining, according to ESPN.

Athlon's take on the 2024 top SEC games. https://athlonsports.com/college-football/sec-football-15-must-see-games-in-2024

Love the take. Whatever happened to USC baseball? Used to be the kings of the diamond.

ESPN (paywall, at least for me) has an article forecasting each top 25 team's (top 25 according to ESPN's Mark Schlabach) 'Season Defining Game.' I disagree not only with several of Schlbach's rankings but also in several instances with this list, as so noted below. I am not going 25 teams deep. I think 25 is archaic in this 12-team playoff 'era.' Florida State is No. 15 in Shlabach's ranking. So I'll dive this deep. No. 1 - Georgia - At Texas on October 19, 2024. This will be the Dawgs's first game vs. Texas since a 1958 Sugar Bowl loss, 28-21, to the Horns. The SEC scheduled this game the same weekend that the Grand Prix is in Austin. Three-star hotel rooms are going for $14,000 a night. The Four Seasons, $20,000 + a night. I have no quibble with Georgia being ranked No. 1. But the game of more importance to Georgia fans and the nation will be on September 26, 2024, when Georgia plays Alabama in Tuscaloosa. (Hotel rooms are cheap; going from $10K to $12K.) Athlon Sports agrees with me. Athlon has the UGA/Bama game ranked No. 1 in the SEC in 2024. Kirby Smart is 1 - 5 vs Alabama (vs Saint Nick) and this game Just Means More to Georgia fans. (Nevada Dawg, am I correct?) No. 2 - Ohio State - November 30, 2024, vs. That Team Up North. The game at Oregon is impactful for the Buckeyes, see below, but this is The Game that Just Means More to Buckeyes fans. Based on Georgia having the more difficult strength of schedule in 2024, at Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas, an argument for Ohio State being No. 1 can be made but I agree that Georgia should start the season No.1 if for no other reason than Georgia is coming into the season with Carson Beck as a proven starting QB for Georgia. No. 3 - OREGON - October 12, 2024, the first B1G Battle of the Os in what could be three games between OREGON and Ohio State in 2024/25. One record that I believe will be broken is the secondary ticket price for this game. UW is the Ducks's permanent B1G opponent and the hate factor is higher than for Ohio State, but this game on October 12th could determine whether OREGON plays in the B1G champ game. Ohio State will come into Autzen with a far better roster than UW will bring. No. 4 - Texas - The Red River Rivalry on October 12th, 2024. Many great CFB games will be played on 10/12. UT fans would Sooner forget Dillon Gabriel leading Oklahoma to a last possession-winning touchdown in the 2023 game. I think Texas is overrated at No. 4. I also think that Texas fans are torn between this game and the game at Texas A+M, as being the most impactful on the Longhorns's schedule. A schedule that overall is not that strong even with Georgia and Oklahoma on the schedule. No. 5 - Notre Dame - November 9, 2024 vs Florida State. The first six of Notre Dame's eight opponents play the Irish in South Bend and finished 6-6 or worse in 2023. In addition to Navy, the Irish also play Army in 2024. And, of course, without a conference champ game play only 12 games. I have a feeling that the November 30, 2024 game in LA vs. USC could have a major impact on both teams. Even with a light schedule, I think ND is overrated. With four G5 teams on the schedule, Notre Dame's opening game at Texas A+M with QB Riley Leonard going against his coach at Duke, Mike Elko now at A+M, should be very interesting and important for playoff seeding. No. 6 - Ole Miss - October 12th, 2024 (that date again) vs LSU in Baton Rogue. This is a big game for both teams no doubt but the game vs. Georgia in Oxford is also a very big game. No. 7 - Missouri - In 2024, Missouri as a member of the SEC will play only two teams ranked in the top 25 with the Oklahoma game being played in CoMo. In 2024, Mizzou has the easiest strength of schedule in the SEC. Accordingly, it is logical for the Tigers's game at Alabama to top this list. The intra-conference differences in 2024 strength of schedule in the SEC vary significantly and will impact the 12-team playoff field. No. 8 - Penn State - West Virginia in Morgantown is a tricky opener but the November 2nd game vs Ohio State in Happy Valley is the biggest game for a Penn State team that will miss Michigan. PSU has not defeated Ohio State since 2016. The October 12th (that date again) game in LA vs. USC will probably be PSU's 2nd toughest test. PSU travels to LA the Saturday after playing UCLA at home. No. 9 - Alabama - September 28th vs Georgia. A No.9 ranking for Bama would mean a first-round playoff away game if Bama made the playoff field as the No. 9 seed. A first-round playoff road game would have the Tide fans upset with Kalen DeBoer. Missing the 12-team field? No. 10. Utah - No. 10? In a conference where no team has a Blue Chip Roster and every game, especially the game at Oklahoma State on September 21st the week before playing No. 11. Arizona, coming off an idle week, in SLC, will be competitive. No. 11 - Arizona - ESPN picks the Arizona game vs. Kansas State in the Little Apple on September 14, 2024, as being the most significant. I do not see the B12 champion being ranked as high as No. 10 in the playoff committee's final ranking. No. 12 - LSU - vs. USC in Las Vegas on September 1, 2024. Horse Hockey! The game on November 9th vs. Alabama is the game that Bayou Bengal fans are looking forward to and it being a conference game, will have more of an impact on LSU's season than an opening out-of-conference game. IMO, LSU is underratted. LSU does not play Georgia and Texas and plays Alabama and Ole Miss in Baton Rouge. No. 15. FSU - Schlabach has both FSU and No. 19, Clemson ranked too low IMO. I think the champion of the ACC will have two or fewer losses and be one of these two teams. Clemson vs. Georgia in the opening game is a huge out-of-conference game but Clemson playing FSU in Tallahassee on October 5th is the conference rubber-meets-the-road game. Come on August 31, 2024, and Vandalize the Vandals!

The early-early date that is being discussed would occur in early June.

I'm old enough to have watched this Indiana team win the B1G and play in the Rose Bowl. RIP, John. 'Punt, John, punt!' John Isenbarger died. He helped lead IU football to only Rose Bowl. SPORTS.YAHOO.COM 'Punt, John, punt!' John Isenbarger, a two-time All-American running back and star of IU's lone Rose Bowl team in 1968, died.

A Puddles B1G baseball field day? Rutgers baseball: No Big Ten baseball teams ranked in this week’s top 25 SPORTS.YAHOO.COM The Big Ten is unranked in this week's top 25.

Signing Day appears to have moved up. College football's early signing period is getting even earlier, but problems persist GARNETANDCOCKY.COM College football has a recruiting calendar problem. Not only has recruiting become an everyday part of the sport, but with NIL and the transfer portal, there is

Be prepared to tailgate on Friday night. https://athlonsports.com/college-football/fox-sports-college-football-friday-night-games-big-ten-12-mountain-west

Utah? With a small by B1G standards stadium, a decent sized but not large media market, and decent viewer numbers but nothing more. I don't see it. Adding Notre Dame is a B1G no-brainer. Same for UNC, a school with quality academics (notwithstanding a decade-plus of athletes signing up for phantom classes) and the 5th largest state population. FSU is close to AAU membership, so maybe FSU. I think Fox would love to get into the Florida market. But why go beyond 20 members? Utah would not be immediately accretive, far from it. I think Kansas would be a far better fit than Utah. An AAU member school with improving football and one of the top CBB brands in the sport. I love how 'these folks love to spend other people's money.

Great thoughts. I do not think that CFB would drop in popularity to the level of AAA baseball or anywhere close. CFB is well behind the NFL in viewership, largely because the NFL promoted the NFL as a business, a business you could wager on, and did not push a phony 'student-athlete' model. Nevertheless, CFB today is a much-watched sport and I do not believe this would change with the elimination of 'body bag games' in favor of the top programs playing one another every weekend. Agreements with a player's union will stabilize CFB rosters. Pay-for-play from a limited number of schools, 32 to 40, will likely lead to an HS draft and a reduction in CFB coaches' salaries. Alabama sponsored by the NY Giants vs Auburn sponsored by the NY Jets will sell out and be viewed by millions of fans. But, that's just my POV and your POV could be spot on.

Agents vs ADs. Not a fair fight. This high of a buyout for a non-revenue sports coach? Although, Women's CBB could be headed into the positive revenue realm. The B1G Women's CBB tournament in Minneapolis is sold out.

Every article I have read regarding spring practice in 2024 calls out Michigan's QB room. Did Harbaugh leave more on Moore's plate than he can handle? Top CFB Storylines to Watch During 2024 Spring Practices BLEACHERREPORT.COM Are your feening for more football? It's been less than a month since the Super Bowl, right at two months since the College Football Playoff National… A great take on Oregon's QB room.

Two 2024 Oregon opponents, Michigan and UW are on the list of teams that need portal help. Michigan, Alabama among college football teams with transfer portal needs entering spring practices - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM With spring practices starting, there are some areas of need for teams hoping to contend for CFP spots