GatOrlando

I don't know how many on here follow the NFL whatsoever, but this past weekend we saw the Arizona Cardinals coach get hit with a 100,000 dollar fine for physically shaking one of his players. Why would he do that you may ask. Well the player had a game sealing score against the dreadful Tennessee Titans except he dropped the ball before he crossed the goal line. The Titans got the ball back and scored the game winning field goal as time expired. I believe there was an Oregon player who did this against Boise last year. Luckily it didn't cost the Ducks the game, but this idiotic showcase has happened multiple times a year now for over a decade. What in the world is going on, and how did this become a thing? I'd rather see the guy get a flag for spiking it than doing this nonsense. Coaches need to start stressing this, just hand the ball to the referee and do your celebration for goodness sake. Can anybody think of a worse lapse of judgement in today's game?

Oregon is a great university, it just so happens the conference you joined has some of the best institutions in the country. Top to bottom, it's great schools. But if you want to be higher than you are, just let West Virginia and Utah in and you'll be up on three schools. West Virgina Mountaineers On SIWhy the Big Ten Isn't as Realistic for WVU as the ACCWest Virginia may have a difficult landing in a Power Five conference if the ACC doesn't show any interest.

One of these days I'm going to have the nerve to put some money down on -24 point home underdog and hopefully cash out big time. I was told gambling is a vice, but in small amounts it's pretty fun. I don't know how to play many of the tables in Vegas so betting on football is about as close to living on that edge as I'll ever get😂. I wonder if Penn State will have the money to do a fifty five million buyout for Franklin and his three million dollar coordinators.

As long as he recovers can I ask if this is his second most embarrassing moment after the ummmmm.....??

Oregon has looked and played like an elite team. Penn State has looked and played like a mediocre team outside of about ten minutes. It's time to call out the facts. Penn States best win has been over Nevada. They now have lost to UCLA. They should not be ranked anywhere. Oregon should still be ranked top 3, they shouldn't be punished.

Is it wrong that I'm feeling two ways about a win by the team I want nothing but success? Short term I'm elated to see a top 10 win and love it for the current guys who've stayed through the turmoil and worked their butts off. I've seen this script before though. Last year with LSU, Ole Miss, FSU and the bowl game. It's why Billy was retained and Lagway was a Heisman candidate. But the season started and before we even got to October it was done. There isn't a snowballs chance at a conference or playoff. At Florida that isn't good enough. Napier is now 22-22 in his fourth year, he isn't the answer. My fear is they beat enough decent teams that the leadership gets fooled again. It's never going to happen and the sooner everyone knows that the better. Best case scenario is Billy has been told quietly this is it and he goes out on a high. He is a good man and I hope he gets another shot and succeeds.

I got you Jon. Ididn't see it like that, I was hung up on the language. I was just questioning what these private investors are going to want or are getting promised to invest in these brands. I know private donors get things named after them, and the larger ones get some voice in the room. I know these are going to be very small percentile in comparison to what the B1G has already, but they will want something. I hope we don't get patches on the uniforms or fields. That's my only hope.

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.

Remember when this was seen as impossible this Summer? There's just no way these leagues could put their millionaire coaches through the stress of one additional conference game.

Will Muschanp was seen as a successor to Mack Brown at Texas before Urban retired for a second time before 2011. He was seen as a defensive guru that could recruit. He is a Georgia native and never understood the Florida way. He couldn't build an offense to save his life. Jim McElwain was the head coach at Colorado State. He was with Alabama as their offensive coordinator when Saban won his first title there. He actually led Florida to a couple of SEC East division titles, but they got blown out both times by Alabama. He didn't understand the culture and severed ties to a lot of Florida high school coaches. Dan Mullen was the best coach Mississippi State in their history. He led them to a number one rating for one week and beat Nick Saban. He was the offensive coordinator under Urban for those two title winning squads. He understood the culture and developed Kyle Trask into a Heisman finalist in 2020. He won a couple NY6 bowls to go with ten wins. But he hated recruiting, choosing to get guys he could develop instead. The problem is that was never going to be good enough to beat Georgia, Alabama or LSU. Whoever the next coach is will need to be an offensive mind, he'll need to recruit and develop bonds with the high school coaches in the state. Billy Napier has actually rebuilt those ties, but his stubbornness in not hiring an OC is what is causing his downfall. He fired his defensive coordinator before last year and you see the results. But for some reason he thinks he is the man to call plays and it's just awful. Urban and Steve knew they needed a dynamic offensive coordinator that understood the offenses, but also could throw in a few new wrinkles. It's quite ironic that Billy can't see that as he said at his introductory press conference that he came to Florida because the program gave him the resources to have one of the largest staffs in college football. Jedd Fisch and Lane Kiffin are likely the two leading candidates. Of the two I would prefer Fisch. He is a Florida guy, I just don't know if he has the big profile the fanbase is clamoring for. The Texas connection to Will Stein is interesting. I don't see one of the big Texas programs needing a coach. But maybe a Washington if Fisch leaves. Maybe Wisconsin even? What if Iowa comes open? You can't get much more security than Iowa.

Very good points. I guess for a guy raising a family he must look at everything included. Guaranteed salary, resources, recruiting capabilities, how much freedom to build and retain staff. One of the reasons I didn't put Oklahoma State on this list is due to many of those issues. Luke Fickell had it made at Cincy, he was able to use his Ohio roots to bring in kids. He is on the hot seat at Wisconsin because he has been trying to be what Wisconsin wants him to be. It's just not a fit imo. Same thing with Scott Frost at Nebraska. He said he felt pressured to go there and tried to please everyone. Mark Helfrich tried to do things and match what Chip Kelly did. The pressure to keep Oregon at that level ultimately was too much. There are places you can win National Titles at. If you have a coach that you know can't do that , it's obvious he's not going to succeed. At Kentucky you can win right games and be great, that gets you fired at Florida. Lane Kiffin knows the ceiling is higher at Florida than Ole Miss. The leash is also much shorter, but he wants the prestige. What is the happy medium at Arkansas? Houston Nutt had some fun teams. Bobby Petrino got them to a Sugar Bowl. Can you win a title at Arkansas?