Jon Joseph

As a Ducks fan, I share many of the below thoughts including, from the other side of the coin, 'Thank Goodness Puddles Is B1G!" SEC, Big 10 Team Up to Examine CFB Issues; What it Means for Texas A&M Football GIGEMGAZETTE.COM The two most powerful conferences in the sport, one of which includes Texas A&M football, are teaming up; is the NCAA in their crosshairs?

I think we will ultimately (sooner rather than later) see a 32-team Super Conference, each team sponsored by an NFL team, private equity firm, a shoe company, whatever. 4 4-team divisions in each conference. And an NFL-like playoff. The Power 2 is the powerhouse. I see no impetus for these 2 to do anything that will make the PO come 2026 more inclusive. Except, I can see going to 16 teams but this would only add the opportunity for P2 teams to be in the field. 16 teams in 2023/24 and Missouri, LSU, and Oklahoma would have been in the field. I can also see the P2 holding a B1G vs. SEC postseason event. Like what we see today in many postseason games but with games played in LA, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, and Detroit and not just in Dixie.

Good call. Step carefully when it comes to anti-trust issues but IMO this was needed to try to give some direction to Moneyball CFB, and to agree upon a joint 'recommendation' regarding the 2026 and thereafter playoff format so the playoff platform can be put out to bid in 2025. Some of 'this' was caused by events like the Washington State prex, representing the Pac-12, dragging his feet on approving a 5-7 and not a 6-6 playoff model. This guy holds up the 5-7 change and I'll be even more disappointed with Mullens canceling a P4 opponent to play a half-pregnant G5 team on the road. There are zero financial reasons for the P2 not to hold sway when it comes to issues critical to big-time college sports. Liberty should not have the same voting power as Oregon. But 'shape in their image?' More like cutting some of today's players which cannot carry the financial weight. Along the lines of what NCAA President Baker has proposed. IMO, it's far better for the B1G and SEC to be sitting at the same table instead of throwing rocks at each other. Throw rocks on the field of play but not in the boardroom. And these two collectively probably have the juice to take back some of the control media companies have today.

Granda, good take but IMO, G5 and P4 CFB have already lost to market forces, especially the media. Other than eligibility issues where it has lost control and coloring within the lines oversight, where it lost credibility years ago, the NCAA has little or nothing to do with big-time football. It was over for the NCAA control-wise in 1984 when the NCAA lost its college football broadcast monopoly. NCAA President Charlie Baker 'gets it', so he recommended a separate division for G5 and P4 football. Baker's recommendation included a 'buy-in' that would leave several programs out of the mix. Other than for Charlie's suggestion,the NCAA and Congress are not coming to the rescue. Size goes to size in business. Always has and always will. Frankly, I'm happy that the Power 2 conferences are stepping up to collectively try to get some control over the chaos that is today's CFB. A cogent, manageable, transparent, player remuneration system must be created. Also agreed-upon (players union for Moneyball sports is likely) restrictions on roster management so management has a reasonable chance to put together rosters. The 'little guys' D2 and D3 were long ago left behind. Why, because programs like Michigan, Ohio State, and Alabama, had the money and the fan support to invest in facilities such as 100K seat stadiums. Northwestern is in the B1G, and Vandy is in the SEC due to tradition and little else. Northwestern is remodeling Ryan Field by reducing seating by 12,000 seats. It's the norm for opposing teams at Vandy football games to have more fans than Vandy fans in attendance. With today's transfer portal 'rules. the G5 has become a feeder system for the P4 taking the place in part, of junior colleges. We have a Power 2 consisting of 34 teams. The 'every conference member gets an equal share' is antiquated. One impetus behind the FSU litigation is to achieve an ROI consistent with its investment and on-field success. There will be additional fallout. IMO, the Power 2 should try to bring some stability to the chaos that is today's CFB. There will be fallout because not every school will be able to handle the financial weight of playing in the big-boy sandbox. I think Charlie Baker, Chip Kelly (with too many teams in Chip's mix), and others are correct. CFB should have a Super Conference with all other sports played in existing conferences and Super Conference members sharing some of the wealth with conference members. However, I think what we will see is NFL-Lite with third parties (the NFL, media companies, shoe companies, and private equity firms?) taking over CFB and CFB remaining as such only because of university assignors assigning the school name trademark along with other football indicia to the third party(ies.) 1984 was a headshot to amateur-athletic CFB. Agreeing to the BCS in 1983 so CFB could have one national champion was the kill shot. However, Go Ducks! Vandalize the Vandals! The AFL-NFL merger IMO improved the NFL. A CFB Super League with 28 to 40 teams means impactful CFN games and no more games versus Citadel and Portland State. Tough on the Citadel and Portland State of the world but, whether I like it or not, thus be it always.

CBS Sports take on B1G transfers who will have an impact. Big Ten football transfer portal additions: One newcomer for each team ready to make impact in 2024 season - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM This crop of incoming transfers hope to make an impact in 2024 as the Big Ten invites four new members

College football 2024 - Questions about the expanded playoff - ESPN WWW.ESPN.COM We're cautiously excited to see how the expanded postseason will change college football. And we're ready to make some guesses about who might be in it.

How two commissioners thawed the SEC-Big Ten cold war THEATHLETIC.COM The SEC and Big Ten commissioners have met privately one-on-one and with their peers at meetings in recent months, texting regularly. 'We made it to the airport, caught the last plane out' to B1G Country. Thank Goodness.

This article by Nicole Auerbach was prescient. Will the Power 5 soon become the Power 2? Unpacking new TV revenue projections for a 12-team CFP world THEATHLETIC.COM Updated projections indicate the SEC and the Big Ten stand to make nearly twice as much as the Big 12, Pac-12 and ACC by 2026.

Micro, I hear that an Usher is doing the halftime show. Did the NFL run out of $? I couldn't distinguish between the Usher and the Taylor. However, I don't think that 77-year-olds are the targeted demographic.

Who knew? That's my girlfriend in the No. 87 jersey! Don't leave me hangin' Honey! I want a ticket to the Super Bowl in Vegas! Taylor after a show in Japan is flying to Vegas arriving at 5 PM on Saturday, the day of her departure from Japan. Devoted to You.

And likely agreeing on the Power 2's preferred football playoff format come 2026. If Clemson, FSU, UNC, and others can escape the ACC, Notre Dame is forced into a conference for football, and the big ACC brands join the Power 2, why do you need a playoff any different than the NFL's American and National Conference playoff? The B1G/SEC Playoff could keep all the money with the Power 2. It would not need the bowls. And it would not need a Bill Hancock administrative layer. You might face antitrust issues but just hand some money to the G5 and p2 and let them hold their playoff. As CFB continues to consolidate, teams in addition to Wazzu and Oregon State will be left behind. How long will the 'money schools' agree to an equal split with teams that operate in the red?

I say Go For It and plant the Oregon flag in Atlanta, Birmingham, and Miami.

Now rumored that former UW and Bama OC Ryan Grubb will be leaving Bama to be the Seahawks OC. This move would not surprise me. With the chaos in CFB today it was not surprising to see the BC head coach leave for the pros. Roster management in CFB today is coach crazy-making. And not everyone is like Dan, Kirby Smart, and other great recruiters who go at it 24/7 every day of the year.

Every NFL team has a Salary Cap expert. A person(s) who knows exactly how much room the team has in cap space. Don't need a collective as the team is the employer. I don't think multi-billionaire NFL owners need help coming up with the money. This is true even for publically owned Green Bay.

My bad. Punic and a Freudian slip on my part. 😒

Yet, in one season Sanders took a moribund CU to one of the most watched CFB teams. At Nebraska will be a B1G game to see if the Buffs team can beat the Cornhuskers back-to-back. CU plays Baylor, K State, Cincinnati, OK State, and Utah in Boulder. At Arizona will be an interesting game. Ditto at UCF. His kid is back at QB as is preseason AA Travis Hunter. The OL can't be worse. I think that in the B12 the Buffs could be a player for a conference title.

Friend, Duckley. Michigan has a rebuild on O, not so much on D. Michigan in 2024 will, perhaps barely, be a Blue Chip Roster Team. UW will not. Rebuilding Washington? See Carthage post-Rome Or, perhaps Chapter 1 of Genesis with 'days' turned into 'years?' 10/5/24 - the proof will be in the pudding when the Wolverines trip to Seattle. Early LIne? Give me 5! Michigan -5. O/U 55.5.

One thing for certain is that I refuse to recognize the JCC, John Canzano Conference (a/k/a The Pac-2) as being a Power Conference. To my knowledge, the only 2 'football guys' who recognize the JCC, P-4 or not, are the Oregon and UW athletic directors.

ESPN+ - Paywall - No. 2 - OREGON - The Ducks made the Biggest move going from a No. 9 ranking to being ranked 2nd and just above Ohio State. The battle of the O's is on! 1. Ole Miss - Strong additions on the D-side of the ball where the Rebels (52 points surrendered to UGA in 2023) needed the help. 3. Ohio State - Few additions but all are likely to have an immediate impact but for 5* QB Justin Sayin. 4. A+M - Unlike Jimbo, will new HC Mike Elko be able to coach up a talented Aggies roster. The opening game vs. Notre Dame will be interesting. 5. Florida State - A good haul but lots of losses from the 2023 undefeated team. OOC vs. Florida and Notre Dame in South Bend could be tough. Clemson trips to FSU. 6. Louisville - Tyler Shough is a nice pickup at QB but will he stay upright? 6 home games in 2024 instead of last season's 8 and Notre Dame will be looking for revenge in South Bend. 7. Colorado - Will moving to an easier conference help? Bringing in a lot of OL guys but will they work together and block? 8. NC State - Signing QB Grayson McCall from Coastal Carolins makes the Wolfpack a contender for the ACC title. Versus Stanford and Cal in Berkeley. Very strange. 9. Texas - Silas Bolden from the Beavers is one of the great WR transfer gets. 2023 PO No. 3 at PO No. 1 Michigan opening week, Heck Yes! 10. Missouri - SEC SOS is ranked the easiest; 16 out of 16. 8 home games. 4 OOC cupcakes, especially with the BC coach leaving for the pros. At Bama and A+M but no Ole Miss, no UGA, and OK in CoMo. HMMMMM? Go Ducks! Vandalize the Vandals!

One question CFB fans are waiting to be answered come the final PO Committee ranking on December 8, 2024, is whether strength of schedule (SOS) will matter. Or, will PO rankings continue to be a simple matter of wins and losses regardless of the quality of the teams your team played? In his latest Athletic Mailbag, Stewart Mandel provided the following example using his preseason top-25 and noting that with conference's growing in size, schedules within the conferences will have a significant difference in difficulty. SP+ has ranked Florida's 2024 schedule the toughest in the land. Utah's schedule is not as yet ranked by SP+ but is outside of the top 15. Florida Scheule - No. 1 Georgia, No. 3 Texas, No. 5 Ole Miss, No. 14 FSU, No. 17 Tennessee, No. 20 LSU, No. 21 TX A+M, and No. 25 Miami. Eight games vs Stewart's top-25. Six games versus the top 20. (Oregon plays 2 such games, Michigan and Ohio State.) Utah Schedule - No. 10 Oklahoma State, No. 13 Arizona, and No. 24 Iowa State. Three games in Stewart's top 25, two games versus the top 20. Florida finishes 9-3. Utah plays for but does not win the B12 title and finishes 11-2. There's one PO opening left, Which team do you put into the PO assuming that the Committee's final ranking matches Stewart's preseason rankings (which, of course, it will not.) W/Ls only? Slam dunk for the Utes. But if the difficulty of your schedule matters, the Gators would have a heck of an argument. In 2024 and 2025, before the PO is likely restructured comes 2026, you can bet the B1G Commissioner Tony Petitti and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey will be paying close attention to how the Committee answers the SOS question. ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... OBD - Behind the 8 Ball in 2024. It has already been noted that Oregon is the only Power 4 team in 2024 that will play eight games in a row vs. Power 4 opponents (all B1G teams) without an idle week. 9/21 - In addition to the time off, Oregon should benefit from its first Off Week falling on Week 4, the week before Oregon opens B1G play in LA vs. UCLA. Why? Because in Week 4 the Bruins will be battling the LSU Bayou Bengals in Baton Rogue. Tough trip before drawing the Ducks. In 29 days in 2024, Oregon will travel a total of 13,444 miles, including the return trips, to W. Lafayette, Indiana to play Purdue, Ann Arbor, Michigan to play Michigan, and Madison, Wisconsin, to play the Wisconsin Badgers. 10/19 - At Purdue - This game that has 'Trap' written all over it. Why? Because it's the game after Oregon plays Ohio State in Autzen. The week before this game find the Boilermakers playing the nearby Illinois Illini. OK, this is just the 'rub of the green.' 11/2 - At Michigan - Game No. 6 in the 8-game gauntlet finds Oregon coming off a home game vs. Illinois with Michigan playing Michigan State in Ann Arbor. Nothing amiss here, Michigan will be up to play Oregon after any game except perhaps, vs. Ohio State. 11/9 - Maryland - Game No. 7 in the 8-game gauntlet. Puddles gets to fly home which is nice. The rub? Maryland has the week off before playing an Oregon team that may find it difficult to focus on Maryland after playing Michigan in the B1G House in one of the biggest games of the season. 11/16 - At Wisconsin - Game No. 8 in the 8-game gauntlet finds Oregon turning around and heading back East for a game on what is likely to be a cold day in Madison vs. the Badgers. Fine, eh? This is what Oregon signed up for. However, like opponent Maryland, Wisconsin has the Week Off before playing the Ducks. Two opponents in a row napping the week before they play Oregon? One might think that Oregon is The New Kid on the Block trying to make it with the In Crowd. Right? Behind the 8-Ball 2? Oregon will play seven home games in 2024. Chief rivals for the B1G Prize, Michigan, and Ohio State, play eight home games. Thank you B1G Powers-That-Be for an Off Week the penultimate week of the regular season. Ditto for UW before the rivalry game. Bring It On!

No one should be writing off Kirby and his Dawgs in 2024. Not only does Georgia have many great players back, UGA finished #1 in recruiting in 2024, and filled the very few holes it did have from the portal. Tough road games but Georgia put up 52 points on Ole Miss in 2023 and surrendered 17 points. Tailgating in The Grove in Oxford is going to change this? Saint Nick has left the building. Texas lost last season to OK and UW and a lot of quality players have gone pro. I'll take Carson Beck over Ewers. UGA will be preseason AP Poll ranked #1 and for good reason.

Some needed clarification on the AGs vs NCAA lawsuits. These folks want wide-open 'free agency' in CFB. And they have a point. If there is no union to bargain with than any restriction on a player's ability to transfer can be viewed as a restraint on trade. BRUTAL! NCAA sued over NIL rules after Tennessee football investigation - ESPN WWW.ESPN.COM The attorneys general of Tennessee and Virginia filed a lawsuit against the NCAA over NIL-related recruiting rules.

Mandel: NCAA takes on Tennessee, but it's likely a case of too little, too late THEATHLETIC.COM Much more so than the Florida State or Florida cases, this Tennessee case feels like a bigger-picture referendum on NIL collectives. What a Mess! And no one is around to clean IT up.

Oregon adds quality QBs, Arizona keeps dynamic duo: West Coast winners, losers in the portal THEATHLETIC.COM Washington suffers heavy losses after a coaching change. Cal keeps its most important weapon. USC bolsters back seven.

Please, keep bits of tid like the above coming!