GatOrlando

Thank you for that explanation Jon. So private equity will own a percentage of the brands merchandising? They'll have say so over which brand plays on a certain platform or timeslots? If Ohio State is deemed more valuable than Northwestern, does that mean Ohio State will be moved into more primetime matchups while Northwestern plays a MAC school? Seems like a slippery slope. What happens if the investors start interjecting and forcing Oregon, Ohio State, and Michigan into bigger matchups while Purdue, Wisconsin, and Minnesota get easier opponents?

Is this money going to help the non revenue sports? Is it to offset the travel costs of the expanded map already in play or potentially when the league expands into the South with FSU, North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia Tech ? Why are Michigan and Ohio State potentially against this?

Lincoln Riley was great in the Big 12. He was probably the most innovative offensive play caller at the second most talented program and the kings of the conference. Oklahoma has the most conference championships of anyone with 40 plus. The Sooners made it to the four team playoff the third most behind Alabama and Clemson with five. Care to know how many they won? Care to know the average amount they lost by? It's October so maybe you do. I just think Riley made his name beating the Timmys and Moes, in the B1G or SEC if he had stayed at Oklahoma he doesn't have advantage because now there are several teams with Jimmys and Joes . You gotta out coach some guys at this level.

You are absolutely on point, I think Michigan proved you could win with a 57 percent blue chip ratio and a style that can offset the skill advantage of an Alabama or Ohio State if you can impose your style. To me that's really tough sledding though. It takes a complete buy in and keeping a core together for three years. Penn State was seen as a favorite entering the year because most thought they were copying that formula. But remember Michigan had already proven they could win big games entering the 2023 season. Penn State hadn't done that, and I'm sorry but beating SMU and Boise doesn't qualify imo.. To me that's the thing that kept me from buying them as Michigan 2023 or Ohio State 2024. What's James Franklin's five biggest wins at PSU and what year was it? 1.) Ohio State 2016 2.) Wisconsin 2016 3.) SMU 2024 4.) Boise State 2024 5.) Michigan 2019

Although I don't agree with him being elite, I do think he's very good. Very good coaches carry an ego, heck below average coaches carry an ego(see Billy Napier). They win with a style and hire coordinators that will fit that style. Nick Saban is the greatest because of his ability to adapt and allow coordinators post McCarrron and Blake to transform the Tide in an NFL QB factory. They went from having one really elite pass catcher to about three every cycle. Receivers like Cooper, Ruggs, Smith, Waddle, etc.. came because the Tide had NFL QBs like Hurts, Tua, Young, Jones etc.. Franklin likes to run the play action two receiver sets. He likes to employ athletic tight ends that have size and speed, but can also block for his more run oriented offense. Who was the last NFL WR from his tree? KJ Hamler? His last NFL QB? The most prominent guys he's put into the NFL are guys like Parsons Geisecki and Barkley. Beau Pribula is actually more in line to the QB Franklin would prefer to use imo. But he transferred out to Missouri and the offense is trying to use Allar in some RPO actions, and yes Allar isn't a statue, but he's no Josh Allen either. He's a 6"4 230 lb pro style QB with a rocket arm, but he's primarily a one read guy. I don't think a top receiver would choose Penn State over Oregon, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Washington, USC, Miami , unless the NIL was absolutely huge. They know the history, and they know if they want to get developed that Penn State doesn't prioritize them as currently ran. Franklin is a great recruiter, and they have the financial backing to enhance that. But his history tells me he will continue to run power formation with NFL RBs, TEs, and a great run blocking line. So to answer your question in a rambling fashion like I tend to do, I'd say it's possible. I just wouldn't bet on it. I think James is comfortable and he really believes he can win it all with his system. You made great points and if was an arbitor I'd say your point is better than mine because Penn State has everything to get NFL type receivers. A huge brand, history, and they are always just a player or two away from breaking through. I just think Franklin doesn't prioritize it. As a five star WR , I would need to see a change before going there. Three questions would pop into my head. 1.) How fast can I see the field? 2.) How will I be used? 3.) Will this get me into the NFL and who's throwing to me along with making me better?

I think Ohio State will get the benefit of the doubt until they take a loss for two reasons. First is because they scheduled Texas who just so happened to be number one. How good Texas will be is kind of irrelevant because of the brand, much like Penn State. Notre Dame will make the playoffs if they win out, that likely means they won't have a top 25 win. But they scheduled games against two top twenty teams. Plus they are Notre Dame and they proved themselves last year in the playoff which gave them credibility. Speaking of credibility built over past years, Ohio State cruised to a title. People remember the Rose Bowl pasting over Oregon more than the October matchup which Oregon won in an instant classic. The same thing applied to Alabama vs LSU in 2011. LSU actually won the regular season matchup 9-6, but got crushed in the BCS Title Game rematch. Should the past have any bearing on the future? I'd say no, but as long as we have preseason rankings it matters. In what world should Penn State, Texas, Notre Dame, or Georgia be ranked ahead of undefeated Vanderbilt, Missouri, or one loss Mississippi State? Look at the wins those lesser thought brands have had and how much better they've looked than the four established brands. The Ducks should win out imo. They'll get their shot to earn the only number one ranking that matters if they do that. That of course being the final poll.

Very interesting and well written article sir. The topic of rivalries , both new and old is a great topic to explore. Penn State is like the third wheel in most of it's B1G matchups. Oregon came in with Washington, but there's always room for more.

Oregon is a tier above Penn State. The game shouldn't have gone to overtime really. Missed field goal and some crazy things from Allar at the end kept this from being a double digit win. Penn State hasn't beaten a top ten team in nine years! They've come close, but until they actually win one of these games I can't call Franklin anywhere close to elite. Franklin himself said after a close loss to Ohio State in 2017 that Penn State was good, but to be great they needed to reach another gear. That was eight years ago and they've lost one score games every year to Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, and now Oregon. Even in that magical 2016 season where they beat Ohio State and won the B1G, they lost a close game to Clay Helton and the Trojans in the Rose Bowl. James Franklin beats everyone he's supposed to. He's 2-15 against teams where he needs to out coach somebody with an equal or maybe greater talent level. That's not elite.

It's time for Duck Duck Goose Egg to be retired...

The Indiana game is much bigger than any of us probably imagined. Mendoza has looked great this far, although the Iowa defense held him to just over two hundred yards and under sixty percent passing. Oregon has a far better secondary and better line than Iowa. So that and the fact it's in Autzen leads me to believe Oregon should take care of business. The game at Iowa could be interesting, but it's nothing compared to what the Ducks just went through. I see another undefeated regular season and a chance at revenge in the B1G Title game vs Ohio State. Personally I think Oregon wants that rubber match more than any other potential opponent. Ohio State most likely wants it as well. They can't stand the fact that Michigan has won three conference titles and newcomer Oregon has won one since their last title game appearance and win. Old school B1G programs thought all the West Coast schools were too soft to compete in the old school conference. Well Michigan, Ohio State, and now Penn State twice have found out the Ducks have bite. Oregon is a tier one B1G program.

I'll let them know that the future is great with your version of Steve Spurrier. Lanning isn't leaving Eugene, and he's going to win a championship. Glory days are ahead and it's great to see great fans celebrate the first one. Trust me, it's the best. Thanks Charles. One day I'll have to take a trip up to Eugene. Hopefully the Gators and Ducks will play in what could be an annual B1G/SEC challenge.

He's an alum. I would love to see Williams running and throwing in a Gators uniform. Unfortunately I think Billy has ruined Lagway in a Florida uniform.

You can have multiple neck surgeries but only one back surgery in your life. That should tell us how complicated and serious back injuries can be. I've seen older guys that have such a bad back that they are permanently hunched over. It's painful to watch them walk. Take care of yourself Charles. Go to the game in 2028. Sure you might miss the first win during the Whiteout this year, but you'll get to see the second.

This is the year!! With the Gators being eliminated I'm jumping on the bandwagon if that's allowed. I don't want to see Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, LSU, Tennessee, FSU, or Penn State win it. I'm a Quacker for the rest of this year.

He's a man!!!! He's stepped down!!!!! Mike Gundy is gone at Oklahoma State. Not surprising, maybe the timing. Another sign that college football is becoming more like the NFL.