Jon Joseph

A good breakdown of possible playoff formats come 2026 and the teams that would be in the playoff fields based on a 2024 preseason ranking. 2 comments. 1. Who cares how Notre Dame is accommodated? Get into a conference or get lost. And if you do not join a conference, play 13 regular season games with 10 vs the P4. 2. Tony Petitti best get on Greg Sankey's booty over playing 9 and not 8 conference games. Playing 8 conference games in a 16-team conference guarantees one or two overrated teams. 9 in an 18-team conference isn't much better. IMO, both Power 2 conferences should play 10 conference games. How latest 14-team College Football playoff format could look in 2026 FANSIDED.COM Just when you though College Football Playoff expansion was over with and done, think again, bud... While the CFP is going from four teams to 12 this season, th

Collective bargaining? Here's the rub. First, who or what constitutes 'Management?' 2nd, who or what union members will Management be negotiating with? Who or what makes up a CFB players' Union? The Dartmouth basketball players voted to join an existing union with no ties to college athletics. The Power 2 powers-that-be will agree to negotiate with the Service Employees International Union regarding restraints on the Transfer Portal. I don't think so. I don't player agents and the players that they represent are going to want union officials who have nothing to do with college sports sitting at the negotiating table. The lower-level folks in the NLRB who found non-scholarship athletes to be employees IMO had a screw or two loose. Good luck figuring THIS out.

Emerson: What Nick Saban is wrong, and right, about in NIL debate THEATHLETIC.COM Saban spoke at a Congressional hearing on Tuesday regarding NIL and expressed deep worries about the current system.

Thanks, Charles. When it comes to the CFB playoffs, Heather Dinich is usually spot on. I love Notre Dame receiving a percentage-wise far lesser share than the Power 2. Next? Why should ND have a PO vote? The Conference of the Domers? OSU and WSU 'stole' enough money to believe that they would construct a conference that would be considered a Power conference. Good luck. Yuck, yuck. The Pac-2's decision-making at the top rivals that of the Pac-12. The Pac-2 gets some love and sympathy from certain quarters in the NW; the rest of the nation? Two nonentities that never played in an NY6 bowl or came close to a PO bid. The PO extension is for 6 seasons, 2026 through 2031. What conference's media rights come up for bid in 2031? The B1G's media rights. The SEC's media deal with ESPN runs through 2036, ditto the ACC. The PO format from 2026 - 2031 is only a placeholder for what a PO will look like after the ACC disappears and the B1G and the SEC expand. And the PO revenue for the Power 2 will grow and then some.

I've got nothin' better than Charles's post. But I didn't want to leave Bo stuck on comment No. 13.

Michigan, Michelle? Oh well. This take does not ring the bell. Michigan did steal along with signals, Ohio State's RB coach but I believe this guy is out of eligibility. He replaces Michigan man RB coach Mike Hart (who famously called out MI ST as 'little brother' before MSU often kicked Wolverines booty under coach Dantonio who was not happy with not getting the top job over a guy who went to JC and Oklahoma. (Perhaps the RB coach left because he does not want to work with Chip?) A complete rebuild on offense and close to the same on D for a Michigan team that was 54% Blue Chip in 2023, didn't finish at or close to the top of 2024 recruiting, and has not done much out of the portal. And the loss of Jim Harbaugh is a B1G loss. Michigan could be the 2023 TCU team redux.

This is ESPN's Mark Schlbach's best guess. I agree with you, some of these rankings, Utah at No. 10 and AZ at No. 11 I just do not understand. I think he has too many B12 teams ranked and the ACC champ, FSU or Clemson ranked too low. Oklahoma with Frosh at QB and with its brutal schedule is, IMO, ranked too high. IMO USC notwithstanding a very difficult schedule made harder by playing LSU and Notre Dame should be ranked. I see SC being the 5th best team in the B1G, at least, next season. SC misses both OREGON and Ohio State and plays Penn State in LA. SC will arrive in Ann Arbor with a more talented roster than Michigan, a new and upgraded staff of D coaches, and a decent haul so far from the portal. If Moss can play close to how he played in the Holiday Bowl I think SC has a shot of playing in the B1G champ game. Great take.

Athlon Sports - Oregon is one of the seven off-season winners. And so is Ohio State. Get ready for a Battle of the Os. https://athlonsports.com/college-football/7-teams-winning-college-footballs-offseason-for-2024

A federal court judge in Tennessee has neutered the NCAA's regulation of NIL. The Supreme Court in the Alston decision warned the NCAA that its 'student-athlete' business model is not viable. But these decisions are not the biggest financial threat that the NCAA, and its member institutions including OBD, are facing today. Any of the cases mentioned in Dennis Dodd's article go against the NCAA and it looks like BK for the NCAA. Will a 'charitable organization' be allowed to restructure; or, would the NCAA have to liquidate? I practiced BK law and I am not certain as to how the NCAA would be viewed by a bankruptcy court. But I am certain that if the NCAA files BK many of its members, especially the Power 2, will leave the NCAA behind and govern itself. The evolution (devolution for some) of college sports continues at a breakneck pace. It's so nice to have Puddles in a B1G nest; wherever the college sports migration is headed Puddles will not be left behind. College sports further dividing among haves, have-nots may be spurred by huge financial hits from court cases - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM The NCAA is facing legal battles on multiple fronts, and all come with financial risks that could doom the association and some of its member institutions

And, ESPN has the Ducks ranked No. 3 in 2024 preseason rankings. Breakout players from the top 25 teams to watch in 2024 - ESPN WWW.ESPN.COM Who could be breakout stars from the top 25 teams this upcoming season? We break down who you should be watching out for.

'Crab legs.' Sweet!

There are always unintended consequences when any breakthrough legislation is passed. I understand Nick Saban's angst. On the other hand, how often during the 4-team PO did we have 5, and with Georgia, six legitimate contenders for four spots? I believe much of what we are seeing in CFB with more parity is due to NIL and the portal. Yes, the teams with the most resources will still separate themselves from the pack, as always, but no longer are players capable of starting elsewhere stuck, or at least delayed for a season, in starting for another team. I think it is easier for a young coach like Dan Lanning to deal with the current situation than it is for a 72-year-old man. What's new? Miss Terry asked the question that ended the Nick Saban Era BAMAHAMMER.COM Make no mistake - Terry Saban asked the correct question. She cannot be faulted because the answer ended the Nick Saban Era. In testimony to the U.S. Senate on

QB No. 6? Development candidate? Did these folks watch the abysmal QB play in the NFL last season? Purdy who was pretty bad in the Super Bowl has it all over Nix, right? The Pats, Jets, Giants, Bears, etc. QB play was mediocre at best. A 38-year-old Cousins coming off a torn Achilles just got, for some unknown reason, a huge payday from the Falcons. The scouts stare long enough and convince themselves that an orange is a grapefruit and vice versa. If Bo drops to the 2nd round it's a steal for the team that drafts him.

More from Nick on the state of the game. https://sports.yahoo.com/nick-saban-the-way-alabama-players-reacted-after-rose-bowl-loss-contributed-to-decision-to-retire-

On Capitol Hill today, Nick Saban said that he is fine with sharing revenue with the players but is opposed to how boosters and their collectives have misused NIL to turn CFB (and Men's CBB) into a pay-for-play enterprise. Nick believes that Congress needs to pass federal legislation that will take precedence over conflicting state laws and give relief from players being employees. Looking at you NLRB and state legislative bodies. Nick Saban wants players to be able to get paid, but 'I don’t want them to be employees' SPORTS.YAHOO.COM Saban may be retired but he had a thundering message to the college sports world on Capitol Hill on Tuesday: Pay the players — but with limitations.

Good On You Saint Nick. Nick Saban is fine with NIL but does not want players to be employees. Nick Saban wants players to be able to get paid, but 'I don’t want them to be employees' SPORTS.YAHOO.COM Saban may be retired but he had a thundering message to the college sports world on Capitol Hill Tuesday: Pay the players — but with limitations.

While dumping on the B12. https://athlonsports.com/college-football/greg-mcelroy-rips-big-12-week-1-college-football-schedule

Greg bad-mouthed the Ducks last season so this is good to see from the Bama graduate. https://athlonsports.com/college-football/greg-mcelroy-has-oregon-ducks-in-top-three-of-2024-college-football-rankings

Thanks, NJ for the above post. A few thoughts. No. 10. LSU - with its tougher conference games in Baton Rouge, the Tigers are a threat to win the SEC. However, unlike 2023, in 2024 LSU will not have the best O in the nation. No. 10 feels like the right spot. No. 9. Oklahoma - Arnold threw for 361 yards against Arizona. He also threw 3 picks. The schedule is brutal. No. 8. Miami - Only if Mari(o) does not screw Cam Ward up. That's a big IF. No. 7. Georgia - Underrated IMO; especially with Etienne running the ball behind a solid O line. No. 6. Memphis. SMU is off to the ACC. Tulane has a new coach and a new QB, Ty Thompson. The only 'unwinnable game' is on the road at FSU. No. 5 - Texas - Top 2 RBs are gone. All of the quality WRs from 2023 are gone. Bond from Bama? The winning Iron Bowl catch was great, but Bond had 661 receiving yards in 2023, good but not great. I think Texas is overrated here and also in the 2024 preseason polls. No. 4 Liberty - Give me death over 13-0 Liberty playing in a crummy conference without a P4 opponent in back-to-back seasons, making the playoff as the G5 representative. We saw this horror movie in 2023. No. 3 Ole Miss - With a soft schedule, the toughest game at LSU, with UGA, and OK traveling to Oxford, and Dart back at QB, this could be too low. No. 2. Oregon - Oregon "lucked out" getting Stewart. Come On Man! How about some credit for Dan the Man and Division Street? Luck had nothing to do with Stewart coming to Eugene. TE Fergie is flying under the radar. No. 1 Ohio State - If the starting QB is better than McCord. If the O line improves. If everything meshes for Chip. A lightweight schedule provides an opportunity for tOSU to be No. 1; I see improvement but not this much improvement. Fun read. Thanks again.

Thank you, Alex. I think that Bo at No. 12 to Denver might be a reach. The consensus top 4 are Williams, Daniels, Maye, and JJ McCarthy. Charles's two posts nail the concerns regarding Bo's play. McCarthy moved up after his Combine showing. Bo was good, but not great at the Combine. Oregon's Pro Day will be important for Bo. McCarthy may be available at No. 12 but if not, I can see Denver trading down and taking a QB later in the 1st round or in the 2nd round. Penix is also in play. On the other hand Chris Simms and several NFL draft gurus have Bo ranked as the 3rd best QB in this draft. Going at No. 12 to Denver would mean a more lucrative rookie contract for Bo than going later in the 1st round or in the 2nd round. I hope Bo scores a big-time payday. Denver has a lot of needs and is $24M over the cap. I'd love to see Bo be drafted by 'my' Patriots and play under the new Pats coaching staff. Denver Broncos: 10 positions of need to address in 2024 BRONCOSWIRE.USATODAY.COM Here is our list of 10 positions the Broncos should address this offseason.

B1G Tradition - Matt Hayes's weekly look at B1G football. Lots of good stuff here; Hayes's key to Oregon going over 10.5, defeating at least one of Michigan and Ohio State. The B1G 10: If all goes well, you won’t recognize Penn State’s offense next year SATURDAYTRADITION.COM James Franklin hired Andy Kotelnicki to fix Penn State's woeful passing attack. Why it could work. Plus: B1G power rankings, Nebraska's QB battle and more.

Athlon's questions for B1G teams' spring practices. https://athlonsports.com/college-football/big-ten-football-the-biggest-spring-question-facing-every-team-2024

If a tree falls on the hardwood ...? The B1G Network would be all over this. The Pac-12 Network?

It's frustrating to see the CBB committee use agreed-upon measures of SOS and for the CFB committee to be wholly ad hoc when it comes to SOS. CFB does not parse wins between Quad 1 and Quad 4 wins as does the CBB committee; play junk and it doesn't matter. Just the Ws and Ls matter. (This and your starting QB being injured late in the season.) If this does not change as CFB moves to a 12-team playoff field, the Power 2's proposed format for 2026 will IMO, be justified.

Talking about proof in the pudding around Irish Guys is dangerous. 😁