Jon Joseph

It will be interesting to see if Nix with a new OC avoids a 'sophomore slump.' The competition in the final season of the Pac-12 as currently constituted is going to be fierce.

Tech Fan, thanks for being here, and best of luck to the Red Raiders, except in week 2, in 2024. I would have added 8 teams to assure the B12 did not carry on as a Power 5 conference. Baylor, Houston (outlier but a tier 1 research school that brings in a huge market,) Iowa State (AAU member school,) Kansas (AAU member school,) Kansas State, OK State, TCU, and Texas Tech. I agree with you as to the media deal. This would have had Fox as well as ESPN bidding for media rights. And had the Pac returned to unequal distributions the conference perhaps, could have kept USC on board. UCLA is not going anywhere unless SC moves to the B1G. Just another terrible business decision by the leaders of the Pac who had to rub it in the face of B12 schools with the elitist 'Elite Club' comment. This was wholly uncalled for and reeked of academic snobbery. You reap what you sow; or, in this case, what you don't sow.

Great take ND but even Clemson and FSU do not historically draw the viewer numbers that you see (sorry) watching the top to mid-level B1G and SEC teams. But no doubt, a win over Clemson or FSU would resonate nationally. With OK and TX off to the SEC next season I just do not see games vs B12 teams moving the needle. Perhaps one of the games will be played in Mexico City? Looks like the B12 will be playing a number of football and basketball games in Mexico. I think the new B12 commissioner has a lot of PT Barnum in him but he is aggressive in promoting the B12 and finding new ways for the conference to make money. Meanwhile, back at the Pac-12 ranch? Nada.

The Buckeyes continue as college football's Wide Receiver U but also have 3 big boys in this much too early projected 2024 NFL draft. 5 players chosen from the Buckeyes in the 1st round would be SEC-like and put Ohio State ahead of Alabama and Georgia, both projected to have 3 1st round picks. The way-too-early 2024 NFL mock draft WWW.YARDBARKER.COM The 2023 NFL draft is in the books, and NFL front offices are already looking forward to 2024. Here's a look at our way-too-early NFL mock draft as of May 1, 2023. The Pac-12 would produce twice as many 1st rounders in the mock, with 6 players chosen as it did in 2023. 4 QBs - SC's Williams goes #1, UW's Penix, Oregon's Bo Nix, 16 to the Vikings, and CU's Sanders, to the Denver Broncos. UW produces 2 picks, QB Penix and DE Trice. QBs, Ewers, Jefferson, and Rattler, based on the 2023 play, are IMO all overrated in this mock draft. This is the first I've seen of Prime Time's son going in the 1st round in any 2024 mock draft. Georgia's Brock Bowers the perfect TE for today's game drops to 14. I don't see it. For Justin Herbert's sake, I hope the Chargers do not pick RB, Ohio State's Henderson in the 1st round. I wonder if Clemson, FSU, and Miami out of the ACC will all have 2 1st round picks. The Pac-12 was dinged in 2023 for 'soft' play. I'm sorry but I don't see the physicality of the ACC being more ferocious than the play in the Pac-12. This is wayyyyy too early but it is a looooong off-season.

He signed with SC shortly after SC signed UGA DL guy Bear Alexander.

Great points but it is a big game for Texas Tech that generally, except for 1 season under Mike Leach (RIP) when it tied with TX and OK for the conference championship flies under the national and the B12 radar. Texas Tech handily defeated Ole Miss in last season's bowl game. TT could have named the score versus a decent SEC team. TT also defeated Texas in Lubbock last season. Always a huge win for the program The fans for the most part are Texas football zealots and the stadium does get loud. And the Pac-12 did give Tech an in-your-face not so long ago when the conference excluded the Red Raiders from 'the elite club.' An entirely unnecessary shot at the then-B12 orphans. When it comes to this game this hubris troubles me. Same with the series coming up against OK State and Baylor. I lived for a time in Texas. Texans do not forget stuff like this. And the B12 and Pac-12 are the race with the ACC for the P5 3 spot. Tough game for the Ducks in that Oregon will be expected to win. Will not move up that much in the polls with a win and will drop in the AP and in the Playoff Committee's POV if Oregon does not secure the win.

Just like the Cali kids playing in the SEC are SEC guys. With CFB now having a Power 2 it will be tough to keep these kids at home.

Tyler is still in Lubbock for his last go-round. TT is 8-0 when Shough starts and finishes the game. Shough has frequently missed games with injury. The change in clock rules could hurt the TT O. TT ran the most plays from scrimmage in 2022. HUNH to the extreme. It does help Oregon's cause that TT's all american D end was drafted early on by the Raiders. Still, TT will be jacked up for this game and the stadium will be sold out and loud. I am most happy that Oregon has a warm-up game before tripping to Lubbock. TT opens the season on the road at Wyoming. A game TT should win but not an easy place to travel to.

Below are our buddy CBS Dennis Dodd's revised rankings. Top 10 and Pac-12. DD has 6 Pac-12 teams ranked. Who knew? 1. Georgia - Largest annual recruiting budget in the nation, $4.5M per year, pays off in titles and draft picks. 2. Michigan 3. Ohio State 4. Penn State - A whole lot of love for the B1G East 5. Washington - Bow Up? 6. Alabama 7. FSU - another prognosticator buying the preseason Seminole hype. 8. LSU 9. Notre Dame 10. Clemson 11. Oregon - ESPN's Mark Schlabach, Go To Your Room! 13. USC - lots of questions regarding the SC defense. 14. Utah 15. Oregon State 21. UCLA - with its relatively easy schedule this probably makes sense. No Texas Tech.

ESPN has posted its revised top 25 for 2023. Mark Schlabach at ESPN is in charge of ESPN's human and not algorithm-driven top 25. Below are the top 10 and the other ranked Pac-12 teams in addition to USC at #4. And for what it is worth (not all that much) my take on the revised rankings. 1. Georgia - No surprise here as Georgia goes for a 3-Pete. An easy out-of-conference schedule will help the Dawgs in their quest to make modern-day history. 2. Michigan - Cupcake out-of-conference (OOC) schedule and a 2-game, at Penn State and versus Ohio State conference schedule helps the Wolverines in pursuit of a spot in the final, Final 4. How much will automatic FG kicker Moody be missed? 3. FSU - Huh? I think the Seminoles drop the first game vs LSU in Orlando. 4. USC - Maybe? Getting Utah and UW in LA helps the SC's cause. And playing at ESPN #13, Notre Dame, gives the OOC schedule a boost. But will the portal additions on defense be integrated and coached up for a team last seen losing to Tulane? 5. Ohio State - The Buckeyes also play at #13 Notre Dame. New QB will have stud WR Marvin Harrison and others to throw the ball to. I would have had Ohio State in the 4 spot. 6. Alabama - Diss Saint Nick at your peril; especially, if Notre Dame transfer Buckner is the answer at QB. Bama's 2 conference losses came on the road last season versus Tennessee and LSU by 4 points. This season the Vols and LSU Tigers (too many Tigers out there) play in Tuscaloosa. I expect the change in the clock rules to shorten the game so that Bama, under new OC Tommy Rees, will be more run-oriented and more physical in 2023. 7. LSU - Best QB in the conference, Jayden Daniels returns to play a second season under excellent coach Brian Kelly. A tricky opening game versus FSU in Orlando that I think LSU wins. I expect the game in Tuscaloosa versus Bama will be a 4 quarter slugfest. I will not be surprised if LSU wins back-to-back SEC West titles in the last season of divisions in the SEC. 8. Penn State - The Nittany Lions easily handled Utah in the Rose Bowl for its first win in 2023. The pieces are in place but will PSU white out Michigan and win at Ohio State? PSU is one of the teams that will most likely benefit when the playoff goes to 12 teams in 2024. 9. Clemson - Too low in my opinion. The offense stuttered under first-year OC Garret Riley (Lincoln's brother) in the spring game but lots of key components did not suit up for the Tigers' (SIGH - very few Tigers roaming around Clemson, South Carolina) spring game. I think Clemson again wins the ACC. Especially, with Notre Dame coming to Clemson. Add in the game at South Carolina and Clemson plays a very good OOC slate. 10. Texas - I've seen this movie before. I do not expect Texas to win in Tuscaloosa and I do expect it to continue losing close games. 12. Washington - If UW can successfully replace 2 starting guards and its starting center the offense should be lights out. Will the defense improve? Two of the same questions that are being asked in Eugene. Games at USC and Oregon State will be challenging and I'm looking for a 15-round fight when the Ducks' trip to Seattle. 14. Utah - I kind of get this but will Rising be able to return at full speed from a bad knee injury? Will Clark Phillips be replaced in the secondary? The trip to Salt Lake City looks like another 15-rounder for Puddles. 15. Oregon - 4 new OL starters. A new OC. A defense that has to improve (18 sacks in 13 games in the Pac-12 is not good) and a witch of a schedule. At #20 Texas Tech OOC. And at #12 UW, at #14 Utah, and home versus #4 USC and # 17 Oregon State. Wow! Nix plays as well under Stein as he did under Dilly and all questions are answered favorably, 11 regular season wins are doable. But it's a big ask in Dan Lanning's 2nd season. 17. Oregon State - 105th in passing yardage in 2022. Will DJU or another Beavers QB fix this? The defense should again be salty. It helps that Oregon State misses USC and plays UCLA, Utah, and UW in Corvallis. NOTE - Yes, USC has to play at Oregon but playing Utah and UW in LA is a parting gift from Merton Hanks. (Does Mullens ever beef about stuff like this?) My Power 5 conference sleeper picks. ACC - Louisville - Favorite son Jeff Brohm returns and the Cardinals have the easiest conference schedule in the ACC missing both Clemson and FSU B1G - #25 Wisconsin - New coach Fickell is updating the O, and brought in a very good QB transfer from SMU. The D will continue to play solid ball. B12 - Oklahoma - I see a rebound happening in Norman if QB Dillon Gabriel can stay upright. Outstanding pick-ups from the portal. Pac-12 - Oregon State. But DJU or someone else has to improve the passing game. SEC - #7 LSU will be behind Georgia and perhaps Alabama at the close of SEC media days but Daniels is back and Kelly is one heck of a coach. I'm off to take a long summer's nap before the start of fall practice. GO DUCKS!

Great take ND. I think a 12-team PO for At Large spots and seeding reasons will increase OOC competition. The SEC is really upping its OOC game; Florida at Utah is a perfect example. I think it is very important for the ACC, B12, and Pac-10 to play a Power 2 team OOC. Even with the beat down 'at' UGA last season if Oregon had not lost late leads in the 4th quarter against UW and Oregon State and made the champ game Oregon, with a win over SEC would have been in the playoff. Games against Nebraska, Iowa, and Wisconsin would have more viewers than games versus B12 opponents. Ditto games vs Auburn, Florida, and even Mississippi State that CAL, Utah, and Arizona have scheduled in 2023. And if the powers-that-be do not require Notre Dame to play 13 games, as all P5 and G5 champs will play, it will be more bending over for the Domers. Is the SEC going to 9? It should and big boys in the SEC all want this. This will preserve not only Oklahoma vs Texas and Bama vs Auburn but also A+M vs Texas and Bama vs Tennessee. But schools like Kentucky want to stay at 8 to have an extra home cupcake game and make it easier to go bowling when non-playoff bowl games will be further marginalized by the expanded playoff and many of the best players will skip these meaningless games. I hope the SEC will not allow the tail to wag the dog (Dawg?) when it comes to 8 or 9 games. Georgia's 2023 OOC slate is simply bad but this is due to the conference calling off the scheduled game between UGA and Oklahoma. Yet, Texas is playing a return game at Bama. All to best to UGA in 2023 in its attempt to 3-pe3-Petete.

CU not only opened the wallet for Coach Prime, but it also relaxed what credits would be acceptable for players transferring to CU. Positive or negative people are once again talking about CU football. CU sold out its spring game at $10 a ticket and has sold out its 2023 season tickets. Last season CU had an average attendance of 17,200. CU is already seeing a positive Prime Time ROI. He doesn't come with controversy but it is so good to see a school stepping up after 20 years in the doldrums. And CU's 1st conference game in 2023 is at Oregon. The Ducks will be double-digit favorites and best defeat CU. I think Deion will turn CU around but it will be tough in 2023 with the nation's 3rd most difficult SOS. CU's opening game is at TCU and CU also has Nebraska coming to Boulder for an out-of-conference game.

Annie, Bowdoin sports. If a tree falls in the forest ...

I don't know. But I do know that the state of Arizona produces many the top recruit who for the most part do not stay in Arizona.

Where's Bowdoin College? (Other than in Maine.) So it's drink, drink Clink, clink, clink Smash the glass to splinters when you're done! When you're doooooo-ne Bowdoin beata, our dear alma mater There is no fairer mother neath the Sun. [1st campus the Sun shines on when it shines, in the USA. And no worries regarding a media deal, new or old.]

He looked great in HS but did not play at the top level in Arizona. Looks like one of the talented HS guys who cannot make the big step up from HS ball.

The spring update on ESPN today predicts that Moore will be the starter for UCLA. No UCLA spring game but apparently Moore has looked great in practice and possesses dual-threat abilities the Chipper loves. Dilly may have been a big loss but losing Moore because Dilly moved on was tough. Yes, water over the dam but losing his commitment is a large hole in the dam.

As Charles has oft-noted, show early or you won't show. Unfortunately. this young man has yet to show. A 5* recruit should be right on Nix's heels; or, Nix would not have to be in Eugene, to begin with. With Butterfield gone I agree with the posters above, grab another QB out of the portal.

I just want to say how much I appreciate a truly objective look at the spring game. Thank you, Charles. Lots to be enthused about and lot's to be concerned about. This season's schedule is a witch and it whips me off that UW and Utah visit SC and that SC has a second idle week the week before the champ game while Oregon has to trip to both Utah and UW. And Oregon has to play Oregon State the week before the champ game while SC takes a nap. I guess this is on Merton Hanks? Why not send SC off with a handshake and give UCLA one of the conference's weaker schedules? This is the kind of stuff that makes the Pac-12/10 disrespected nationwide. Yes, USC has to trip to Oregon but other than that? SC is playing the once-upon-a-time south division schedule and getting UW at home and 'south division' Utah at home. Why for goodness sake give SC and UCLA a kiss on the way out the door? OT regarding the spring game but material as to the conference's decade + modus operandi, see foot, shoot same; and why do Hanks and ref-man Campbell still have jobs?

Great take. The problem I see is that the young man was way overrated having played against lesser competition in HS in Arizona. The level at which you play matters. I think his 5* rating was a muff as is often the case when ranking players out of HS. I love it that he has stuck it out but in this day and age of the portal if he was all that he already would have been poached. Your backup QB needs to be pushing the starter or you do not have a quality backup.

Michigan State starting QB Thorne is in the portal. Might be a good fit. But I would guess he wants to go to a place where he will have the chance to start.

Cry havoc! And let slip the dogs of war!

Glad is on the roster depth wise but IMO he would be better off transferring to a G5 team. I do give him credit for staying and competing but this could be due to not having much interest from other programs.

Great take but I need to see the OL in real games and not a scrimmage. Two sides of a coin. Yes, the D shut down the run game but the mix-and-match OLs were not opening holes. And while I am very happy about how the edge rushers locked; again, this causes me concern regarding the OL. At least regarding depth. I do think the D will be improved but improved enough with 5 preseason top-25 teams on the roster; with road games against 3 of the 5. The O is going to have to play a whole better than it showed on Saturday. And with the change in timing rules, it will have to play better while running fewer plays. Sorry, but I did not like seeing Nix throw a number of 'wounded ducks.' His velocity did not seem as good as last season. I hope his leg injury is not lingering. A number of times he threw the ball without setting his feet. Will he miss Dilly's coaching? His play at Auburn dropped off after Dilly left. I like the receivers. I think Dez was a great pickup and as Charles noted, will likely replace Cota but with more RAC ability. The frosh drops? I'll blame it on 'first game' jitters and hope I am right. Fun day. Great to see the Ducks out on the field. One of the most improved players I saw was Patrick Herbert. A needed showing at a lack-of-depth TE position. Fun and entertaining game Great for the fans and the recruits but as a barometer for the regular season?

Enjoyed the comment. I can see why a team would schedule down OOC but I think the opposite is happening if you look out at OOC schedules over the next decade. This is the case even in the SEC. (On the other hand, Ohio State just paid half a million dollars to Washington to get out of a 2024/25 scheduled home + home series. Why, because Ohio State does want to take the chance of having to play twice on the West Coast; to play a team in addition to UCLA/USC. Just another intended consequence of the LA schools going B1G. Will Ohio State beg off of its in-the-future game at Oregon?) I expect the SEC will go to 9 conference games once OK/TX arrives in 2024. This will leave the ACC as the Power 5 outlier staying with 8 conference games. 'Justified,' in the ACC commissioner's POV, with Clemson, FSU, Georgia Tech, and Louisville playing an SEC opponent every season and the scheduling agreement with Notre Dame. I think this is chicken spit and will, hopefully, ding the ACC down the road. As to no conference champ game? This game is a money maker and with divisions gone or about to be gone in the case of the B1G, gives two P5 teams a more than likely top-25 game to cap off the regular season and improve the strength of the schedule. I think this will actually give the loser of the champ game a better shot at being an at-large seed.