2015 College Football offseason (non-recruiting) thread

[Butter]

Here's a new one for you:

ACC rivals North Carolina Tar Heels, Wake Forest Demon Deacons agree to nonconference series - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/12230742/acc-rivals-north-carolina-tar-heels-wake-forest-demon-deacons-agree-nonconference-series)

[Buccaneer]

That's funny but makes sense.

[Butter]

ACC Schedule is out, typically the last piece of the puzzle. Just booked our hotel to watch Clemson @ Louisville on Thursday night, Sept. 17th.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Something going down at Mizzou. A meeting has been called for 4:00 PM.

Edit: Mike Alden is stepping down. Letter outlines his future plans.

https://ct.yimg.com/mr/uploads/898/1650031.pdf

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Interesting commentary about the Alden change. People are pointing to the Loftin/Sherman situation that happened at A&M and pointing out a lot of similarities outlined in Loftin's book. Looking like Alden was pushed out by the Chancellor due to personality conflicts. Not a terribly surprising situation, given that it's always been known that Alden was a controlling personality.

[MrBug708]

Now Missouri can take it's place in the college basketball and football elites

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Now Missouri can take it's place in the college basketball and football elites

Playing for conference championships on a yearly basis is getting rather monotonous. We really need to step it up.

[HomerSimpson98]

Interesting commentary about the Alden change. People are pointing to the Loftin/Sherman situation that happened at A&M and pointing out a lot of similarities outlined in Loftin's book. Looking like Alden was pushed out by the Chancellor due to personality conflicts. Not a terribly surprising situation, given that it's always been known that Alden was a controlling personality.

I dont know who the crap Alden is, but Bowtie Loftin and No Gameday Sherman did not have a personality conflict. Sherman couldnt coach his ass out of a paper bag. Loftin saw this and wasnt a giant bitch like our previous AD. He recognized we weren't going to do shit in the SEC with a coach like Sherman at the helm. Ours was strictly a business decision.

[Logan]

How dare you...

[CU Tiger]

ACC Schedule is out, typically the last piece of the puzzle. Just booked our hotel to watch Clemson @ Louisville on Thursday night, Sept. 17th.

Really pissed about this.
Louisville is now the final stadium in the ACC I havent been to.
Was planning on correcting that this year.

Unfortunately my Son will have either a Thursday night or Friday night game (depending on whether we go JV or Varsity) and either will preclude me from being there.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I dont know who the crap Alden is, but Bowtie Loftin and No Gameday Sherman did not have a personality conflict. Sherman couldnt coach his ass out of a paper bag. Loftin saw this and wasnt a giant bitch like our previous AD. He recognized we weren't going to do shit in the SEC with a coach like Sherman at the helm. Ours was strictly a business decision.

You obviously have not read Loftin's book.

[cartman]

Maybe the chancellor wasn't comfortable with the $60 million increase in debt for the past year for the athletic department at Missouri. I could have sworn we were told there were rich donors already lined up to cover everything.

Missouri’s athletic revenue hits $83 million in 2014, but debt, expenses rise as well | The Kansas City Star The Kansas City Star (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article8564105.html)

[Kodos]

But they're getting that big SEC money!

[panerd]

Maybe the chancellor wasn't comfortable with the $60 million increase in debt for the past year for the athletic department at Missouri. I could have sworn we were told there were rich donors already lined up to cover everything.

Missouri’s athletic revenue hits $83 million in 2014, but debt, expenses rise as well | The Kansas City Star The Kansas City Star (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article8564105.html)

"We're going to have good years again," Dodds promised. "Our bad years are not that bad. Take a school like Missouri. Our bad years are better than their good years. But we've created a standard.

Highlights: Mizzou beats Arkansas, wins SEC East Championship (http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/mizzou-football/highlights-mizzou-beats-arkansas-wins-sec-east-championship/)

Texas Blown Out By Arkansas In Texas Bowl (http://www.kwtx.com/sports/headlines/Texas-Blown-Out-By-Arkansas-In-Texas-Bowl-287160251.html)

[cartman]

There are more sports in an athletic department than just football. Compare this:

http://www.texassports.com/sports/2013/7/29/GEN_0729130655.aspx?id=328

to this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Tigers#National_Team_Championships

[JonInMiddleGA]

Maybe the chancellor wasn't comfortable with the $60 million increase in debt for the past year for the athletic department at Missouri. I could have sworn we were told there were rich donors already lined up to cover everything.

Missouri’s athletic revenue hits $83 million in 2014, but debt, expenses rise as well | The Kansas City Star The Kansas City Star (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article8564105.html)

Doesn't that headline sort of omit the most important point? A $3.5m profit

And the debt increase is in construction bonds, which is pretty normal everywhere for all types of construction. I mean, it's not like it was operating expenses losses or something.

[cartman]

Doesn't that headline sort of omit the most important point? A $3.5m profit

And the debt increase is in construction bonds, which is pretty normal everywhere for all types of construction. I mean, it's not like it was operating expenses losses or something.

But we were led to believe by a certain Mizzou fan that the tab was going to be picked up.

The big money guys aren't giving it away because of deductions. The guys we're talking about are guys who have nothing better to do with it. Mizzou has the Laurie's, the Kroenke's and four Fortune 500 execs who are making the big donations. There's nothing secret about that.

Your second point is very good and the exact reason why Mizzou is seeing a huge influx of money. Pinkel flat-out told the big money guys and the AD that they shouldn't bother going to the SEC if the big donors weren't willing to fund major renovations of the stadium and facilities to remain competitive with the other SEC schools. They said they would do so and so the move was made.

[MacroGuru]

In a turn around, the ACC is now willing to count BYU as a P5 team for their schools in non-conference play.

ACC to count games against BYU Cougars as nonleague Power 5 opponent - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/12247690/acc-count-games-byu-cougars-nonleague-power-5-opponent)

I personally feel ND had to help us along with our AD Tom Holmoe working behind the scenes.

It's a big step for BYU and our Independence (I would rather see is in the PAC or BIG 12). But with Schedules like what we have this year and next, if we accomplish 8 wins I will be shocked..Our 2015 Schedule:

<table class="cfb-sch"><tbody><tr><td class="cfb1">Saturday
Sept. 5</td> <td class="cfb2h">http://cdn.fbschedules.com/images/helmets-ncaa/n-s/nebraska1.gif (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/big-ten/2015-nebraska-cornhuskers-football-schedule.php)</td> <td class="cfb2">at Nebraska Cornhuskers (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/big-ten/2015-nebraska-cornhuskers-football-schedule.php)
Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, NE</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cfb1">Saturday
Sept. 12</td> <td class="cfb2h">http://cdn.fbschedules.com/images/helmets-ncaa/a-g/boise_st1.gif (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/mtn-west/2015-boise-state-broncos-football-schedule.php)</td> <td class="cfb2">Boise State Broncos (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/mtn-west/2015-boise-state-broncos-football-schedule.php)
LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cfb1">Saturday
Sept. 19</td> <td class="cfb2h">http://cdn.fbschedules.com/images/helmets-ncaa/t-z/ucla1.gif (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/pac-10/2015-ucla-bruins-football-schedule.php)</td> <td class="cfb2">at UCLA Bruins (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/pac-10/2015-ucla-bruins-football-schedule.php)
Rose Bowl, Los Angeles, CA</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cfb1">Saturday
Sept. 26</td> <td class="cfb2h">http://cdn.fbschedules.com/images/helmets-ncaa/h-m/michigan1.gif (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/big-ten/2015-michigan-wolverines-football-schedule.php)</td> <td class="cfb2">at Michigan Wolverines (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/big-ten/2015-michigan-wolverines-football-schedule.php)
Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cfb1">Friday
Oct. 2</td> <td class="cfb2h">http://cdn.fbschedules.com/images/helmets-ncaa/a-g/connecticut1.gif (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/aac/2015-connecticut-huskies-football-schedule.php)</td> <td class="cfb2">Connecticut Huskies (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/aac/2015-connecticut-huskies-football-schedule.php)
LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cfb1">Saturday
Oct. 10</td> <td class="cfb2h">http://cdn.fbschedules.com/images/helmets-ncaa/a-g/east_carolina1.gif (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/aac/2015-east-carolina-pirates-football-schedule.php)</td> <td class="cfb2">East Carolina Pirates (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/aac/2015-east-carolina-pirates-football-schedule.php)
LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cfb1">Saturday
Oct. 17</td> <td class="cfb2h">http://cdn.fbschedules.com/images/helmets-ncaa/a-g/cincinnati1.gif (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/aac/2015-cincinnati-bearcats-football-schedule.php)</td> <td class="cfb2">Cincinnati Bearcats (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/aac/2015-cincinnati-bearcats-football-schedule.php)
LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cfb1">Saturday
Oct. 24</td> <td class="cfb2h">http://cdn.fbschedules.com/images/helmets-ncaa/t-z/wagner1.gif</td> <td class="cfb2">Wagner Seahawks
LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cfb1">Saturday
Oct. 31</td> <td class="cfb2h">---</td> <td class="cfb2">Open Date</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cfb1">Saturday
Nov. 7</td> <td class="cfb2h">http://cdn.fbschedules.com/images/helmets-ncaa/n-s/san_jose_st1.gif (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/mtn-west/2015-san-jose-state-spartans-football-schedule.php)</td> <td class="cfb2">at San Jose State Spartans (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/mtn-west/2015-san-jose-state-spartans-football-schedule.php)
Spartan Stadium, San Jose, CA</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cfb1">Saturday
Nov. 14</td> <td class="cfb2h">http://cdn.fbschedules.com/images/helmets-ncaa/h-m/missouri1.gif (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/sec/2015-missouri-tigers-football-schedule.php)</td> <td class="cfb2">at Missouri Tigers (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/sec/2015-missouri-tigers-football-schedule.php)
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cfb1">Saturday
Nov. 21</td> <td class="cfb2h">http://cdn.fbschedules.com/images/helmets-ncaa/a-g/fresno_st1.gif (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/mtn-west/2015-fresno-state-bulldogs-football-schedule.php)</td> <td class="cfb2">Fresno State Bulldogs (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/mtn-west/2015-fresno-state-bulldogs-football-schedule.php)
LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="cfb1">Saturday
Nov. 28</td> <td class="cfb2h">http://cdn.fbschedules.com/images/helmets-ncaa/t-z/utah_st1.gif (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/mtn-west/2015-utah-state-aggies-football-schedule.php)</td> <td class="cfb2">at Utah State Aggies (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/mtn-west/2015-utah-state-aggies-football-schedule.php)
Romney Stadium, Logan, UT</td> </tr></tbody></table>
The one blip I see and don't like is the Wagner, but that was because of the change for Missouri we were forced to reschedule UNLV to a later season and we were unable to get a school to fill the spot at such a late date to come to Provo.

[cartman]

A&M's $450 million rebuild of Kyle Field is adding hardly any long term debt to their athletic department. It is being funded by a combo of their 12th Man Association, seat licenses, student fees, and some from the local government.

Frequently Asked Questions | Redevelopment of Kyle Field (http://kylefield.com/faq)

[cartman]

The one blip I see and don't like is the Wagner, but that was because of the change for Missouri we were forced to reschedule UNLV to a later season and we were unable to get a school to fill the spot at such a late date to come to Provo.

Could be worse. Could be the Seattle version of the Seahawks. :D

[dawgfan]

A&M's $450 million rebuild of Kyle Field is adding hardly any long term debt to their athletic department. It is being funded by a combo of their 12th Man Association, seat licenses, student fees, and some from the local government.

Frequently Asked Questions | Redevelopment of Kyle Field (http://kylefield.com/faq)
$450M? Yowza. Feeling pretty fortunate that Washington was able to basically rebuild Husky Stadium (all but the north upper deck) for ~$280M. Timing really helped, coming in the wake of the market crash and materials and labor costs dropping.

[JPhillips]

A&M's $450 million rebuild of Kyle Field is adding hardly any long term debt to their athletic department. It is being funded by a combo of their 12th Man Association, seat licenses, student fees, and some from the local government.

Frequently Asked Questions | Redevelopment of Kyle Field (http://kylefield.com/faq)

75 million in added tuition? When will students stop putting up with this?

[panerd]

There are more sports in an athletic department than just football. Compare this:

http://www.texassports.com/sports/2013/7/29/GEN_0729130655.aspx?id=328

to this:

Missouri Tigers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Tigers#National_Team_Championships)

He was clearly talking about football. Hence the "We are going to have good years again." Your other sports haven't been down like football so its disingenuous to act like he meant the entire athletic program and not football. I'm not even arguing the history of both programs either, I just think its hilarious that his potshot of "our bad is still better than their good" has produced this the past 5 seasons...

11-3/12-2/5-7/8-5/10-3

vs.

6-7/8-5/9-4/8-5/5-7

[Buccaneer]

JPhillips, now you are upsetting the sacred cow. Don't you realize how important this is, even at the expense of academics and student financials?

[britrock88]

Really pissed about this.
Louisville is now the final stadium in the ACC I havent been to.
Was planning on correcting that this year.

Unfortunately my Son will have either a Thursday night or Friday night game (depending on whether we go JV or Varsity) and either will preclude me from being there.

Eh, same division means you get another chance in 2 years.

[CU Tiger]

Eh, same division means you get another chance in 2 years.

Probably not.
We will certainy be in Varsity games by then which means I wont get there for 6 years :(

[Butter]

Probably not.
We will certainy be in Varsity games by then which means I wont get there for 6 years :(

How tall is he now, like 7'9"?

[cartman]

This raised a few eyebrows.

Arian Foster says UT boosters gave him '40, 50 grand,' then backtracks | FOX Sports (http://www.foxsports.com/buzzer/story/arian-foster-university-of-tennssee-boosters-gave-him-40-to-50-thousand-dollars-013015)

[Wolfpack]

Really pissed about this.
Louisville is now the final stadium in the ACC I havent been to.
Was planning on correcting that this year.

Unfortunately my Son will have either a Thursday night or Friday night game (depending on whether we go JV or Varsity) and either will preclude me from being there.

Could be worse. If Louisville were in the Coastal, you'd have been screwed pretty good. As it is, you got two years until the next chance if it's needed.

[CU Tiger]

How tall is he now, like 7'9"?

6'4"
255
Size 16 foot.

Turned 14 Nov 29

[tarcone]

Holy smokes.
And I thought my 5'10" 120 lb 13 year old daughter was big. Jeez. Clemson has an O lineman coming, eh?

[cartman]

Rece Davis is taking over for Chris Fowler on College Gameday. Fowler had been the host for 25 years. Didn't realize it had been that long.

Rece Davis to replace Chris Fowler on College GameDay | For The Win (http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/02/rece-davis-chris-fowler-college-gameday)

[Atocep]

If WVU gets 2 years probation and the loss of a scholarship for text messages UNC had better get the death penalty.

[Atocep]

This is a breakdown of what landed WVU on probation. I'm damn near 100% certain that if this is all it takes to be on probation every D1 school in the country should be on probation.

Charleston Daily Mail | WVU ATHLETICS: Secondary violations extremely common with thorough NCAA rules (http://www.charlestondailymail.com/article/20140729/DM03/140729181)


MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — On July 25, 2013, Lacey Gibson, West Virginia University’s associate athletic director for compliance, had a meeting with Tomi Oliverio, the director of operations for the women’s basketball team. Together they’d review the recruiting materials the Mountaineers were using and sending to prospective student-athletes.

This is normal inside the WVU Coliseum and around the athletic department, and this time it produced an abnormality. Gibson recognized that a previously approved envelope used for mailings was 10 inches wide and 13 inches tall. That’s a secondary violation of an NCAA rule that allows schools to use envelopes that are 9 inches wide and 12 inches tall. The margin of error between good and bad is literally that small, though WVU does not accept such mistakes and actually has procedures in place to prevent one like that.

Recruiting materials are regularly reviewed, and in its self-report to the NCAA last July, WVU said the “impermissible envelope had been reviewed previously by the compliance office but the contents were through email and therefore the size was not evident through the initial review.”

It was one of 24 violations WVU addressed across 11 sports from Jan. 1, 2013 to March 21, 2014. Records were obtained by the Charleston Daily Mail through a Freedom of Information Act request.

The NCAA defines a secondary violation to be something “isolated or inadvertant (sic) in nature, (that) provides or is intended to provide only a minimal recruiting, competitive or other advantage and does not include any significant recruiting inducement or extra benefit.”

Upwards of 4,000 violations are self-reported to the NCAA every year, and there are occasions when the NCAA will consider the commission of multiple secondary violations to be a major violation. Two dozen errors might seem like a lot, especially at a school that’s been on probation twice in recent years for major NCAA violations, and that’s fine with WVU athletic director Oliver Luck.

He recalled a meeting shortly after he was hired in 2010 with an outside consultant who had helped WVU with NCAA governance issues in the past. Luck was trying to gain a better understanding of compliance operations and oversight and set aside a few hours to that one particular conversation.

“The most interesting thing I learned, which was completely counterintuitive to me at least, was that you’re expected to file a lot of secondary violations,” he said. “If you file none, that puts up a red flag for the NCAA. They know you can’t be perfect.

“It was difficult for me to understand that concept. I said to the consultant, ‘Really?’ He said, ‘Oh yes, every school needs to be turning in these secondary violations.’”

WVU’s compliance recordkeeping attributed most of the violations to innocent mistakes by coaches, student-athletes, recruits, a recruit’s family member or even a member of the athletic department. With only a few exceptions, the offender couldn’t have known a violation was being committed.

The women’s cross country team, for example, let a runner practice 10 times last fall before she’d been cleared by the NCAA’s Eligibility Center. The runner previously attended a compliance meeting designed to complete the review of her eligibility. The compliance office didn’t know about the meeting, so when the runner left, there was no way for compliance to know she had an unresolved eligibility issue.

The runner was forced to sit out 19 practices, and WVU instituted a more thorough way to track eligibility proceedings.

Almost all issues are cured by rules education, a necessary evil because there are so many rules to observe and so many ways to innocently step out of bounds. The meetings, whether proactive or punitive, are valuable to help WVU police itself, sometimes after the fact. Women’s soccer coach Nikki Izzo-Brown realized during routine rules awareness meetings in March 2013 that she’d committed a secondary violation a month earlier.

She’d emailed a soccer club head coach and extended a scholarship offer to a player on Feb. 25, 2013. A bylaw prohibits a written offer before Aug. 1 of a prospect’s senior year. Brown knew the player was a sophomore but, according to a letter to the NCAA, “wasn’t aware of the rule until the rules education meeting.”

Schools are allowed to verbally extend a scholarship offer before that Aug. 1 date.

“The key question is, ‘Is all of it necessary?’” Luck said “Are we wasting time and resources because of a tweet or a phone call on the wrong day or a meal that was provided inappropriately? That’s really a legitimate question. With all the resources we have, does it make sense to spend all that energy and money doing all of that oversight stuff?”

Sometimes rules and violations seem silly, but adhering to procedures across the board does matter. The volleyball program used the same illegal — though previously approved — envelopes and was thus guilty of a secondary violation. Those were the only violations committed by women’s basketball and volleyball during the 15-month period. Some sports were more active while men’s basketball, men’s soccer, wrestling, women’s track and women’s tennis committed none.

Though the violations were minor and resulted in no substantial punishments for the teams or the university, WVU prohibited coaches from commenting for this story. Keli Cunningham, the executive senior athletic director in charge of governance and compliance, declined comment, though she and her staff are widely credited for running what’s considered by Luck to be a successful operation.

“Keli and her staff have done an amazing job since they all got here,” Luck said of the Petersburg native who was his first athletic department hire in August 2010.

“She’s very talented, and we’ve emphasized it. We’ve talked to the coaches and the staffs about, ‘Hey, we’ve got to follow all the rules.’ Some may be silly and some may make sense, but we’ve emphasized it to make sure we walk the straight and narrow pay. By and large, I think our coaches have done that. Maybe they’ve made a couple mistakes, but very often it’s ignorance and just making an honest mistake.”


Football is perhaps the most prone to secondary violations because of all the potential faults in the activities of up to 105 players, the visibility and potential manipulation of star players and the breadth of recruiting activities and legislation. WVU’s football program was guilty of four secondary violations that involved seven active student-athletes and one prospective student-athlete who later joined the program.

The misgivings were minimal. One player had to pay restitution to a charity after accepting $42 for selling back a textbook he received as part of his scholarship after dropping a class. WVU educated the bookstore staff and issued handouts to serve as reminders.

In 2011 and 2012, WVU approved the use of images of football players for schedule advertisements in a local newspaper. When the school and the newspaper worked on the 2013 edition, WVU discovered the poster contained two commercial advertisements.

It reviewed the prior two posters and saw both used commercial advertisements, which is a violation. WVU previously believed the posters contained WVU advertisements, which is permissible. The 2013 version was nixed, but WVU educated the newspaper and its marketing staff on rules for the improper use of a player’s name or image.

On Sept. 10, a student-athlete who was at a different college before enrolling Aug. 1 was being interviewed during the weekly media appointment and unknowingly admitted to violating the NCAA bylaw for advertisements and promotions after becoming a student-athlete. The description of the undisclosed action was noticed by an assistant sports information director, who reported it to Gibson. WVU performed rules education a day later, ruled the player ineligible and requested the NCAA expedite a ruling. The outcome is not included in WVU’s paperwork.

Most egregious was the product of Twitter. On Dec. 9, 2013, running back Rushel Shell, a transfer from Pitt who sat out last season, used his account to encourage fans to follow and congratulate Dravon Henry, who committed to WVU earlier that day.

Shell promised his “lil bro/new teammate” would “make big plays” starting in 2014. Both are from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, so it wasn’t odd to see Shell excited about another Pittsburgh product joining the Mountaineers. It was forbidden, though, by a NCAA bylaw that prohibits coaches and players from commenting on unsigned recruits.

WVU, which redacted names in the self-report, but confirmed at the time it was reporting the action, said in its self-report that the unnamed offender “incorrectly believed that the parameters of Bylaw 13.10.2.1 would not apply due to a pre-existing relationship.”


Baseball was also active in violations, but once again never maliciously and sometimes imperceptibly. Included was one of the more meaningful mistakes WVU committed, but one the Mountaineers didn’t know about before an anonymous tip.

On May 22, 2013, the eve of the Big 12 tournament, someone called a “local media outlet” and suggested coach Randy Mazey’s first team scheduled more regular-season games than the NCAA allowed. The news outlet contacted WVU and the compliance staff decided the Mountaineers scheduled 57 games, one more than the maximum allowed. The compliance office previously approved a 56-game schedule Mazey built and submitted on Oct. 5, 2013.

The difference came from a game played Oct. 21 against Potomac State College, one the baseball program considered to be an exhibition. PSC, though, is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association, meaning the game counted toward the 56 allowed. The compliance office reported it had “no knowledge of the competition” because it was not listed on the schedule Mazey submitted. “As a result,” WVU wrote to the NCAA, “the need to cancel a game was not identified.”

WVU followed the general two-for-one principle for self-imposed penalties for secondary violations and allowed Mazey to schedule 54 games for the 2014 season. WVU ended up playing 51 because of cancellations as a result of inclement weather. The Mountaineers narrowly missed their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1996.

While that mistake was about one game, the baseball program committed another secondary violation because it missed a deadline by one day. On June 29, 2012, three weeks after Mazey was hired, the school’s financial aid office sent a player with two seasons of eligibility remaining a letter telling him his scholarship would be renewed. The player was supposed to receive a letter informing him the scholarship would not be renewed.

Mazey called the player July 1 to clarify the error, and the financial aid office sent the proper letter a day later. A NCAA bylaw says players have to receive the definitive letter by July 1. WVU didn’t discover the violation until March 22, 2013, when the player, who transferred, appealed for a waiver to be immediately eligible at his new school and detailed what happened at WVU.

The player made sure to note, though, that Mazey offered the player a chance to sign the initial renewal letter, if he chose.

In all, the baseball program was the subject of eight secondary violations, which is not to say it was guilty of eight.


WVU’s compliance office contested half of the eight violations in questions. It self-reported the scheduling mistake, the missed deadline and a separate financial aid error, plus one secondary violation for summer athletic activities. That was one of three alleged errors about practicing in the summer. WVU combatted two of the three and also fought a pair of alleged observation violations.

The NCAA’s enforcement staff initially inquired about three practices during the summer and prior to Sept. 1, 2012, as well as a pair of “assessment activities” at a local high school and on campus. WVU was able to confirm one summer activity in July 2012 with Mazey, his two assistants and seven pitchers “to discuss arm care and to demonstrate various training techniques to support injury prevention,” according to a letter to the NCAA.

The meeting lasted 25 minutes and WVU stressed that at “no point during the demonstration were the student-athletes instructed to pitch or engage in activities at the observation of the coaching staff.” Mazey and his assistants each wrote letters saying it was not a practice — most pitchers didn’t even bring a glove — and was intended to help pitchers take care of their arms during a time the team was without trainers and strength and conditioning staff to help the team.

WVU nevertheless said that “although the activity was not intended to be a typical practice, the action by the coaching staff to assemble the student-athletes” was contrary to a pair of bylaws.

WVU also contested the claim the staff separately had a player on campus and a prospective student-athlete at his high school perform physical activities to prove their ability. Assistant coach Derek Matlock said he and Mazey did observe for 15 minutes during that summer a pitcher recovering from injury to see if he was on schedule with a throwing and recovery program. Mazey said they were watching a previously planned bullpen session and their presence was again meant to ensure his pitchers were healthy without supervision.

Mazey also denied engaging a prospect on a high school campus, saying he didn’t know who the player in question was and stating at the time he had “never set foot on a high school campus in the state of West Virginia.”


The majority of secondary violations across the country occur in recruiting. Eleven of WVU’s secondary violations, including the big envelopes, Shell’s tweet, Izzo-Brown’s written offer and the alleged baseball interaction at a high school, were considered to happen in recruiting. Included was another of the most flagrant overall offenses the Mountaineers committed.

In March 2012, WVU discovered a violation from two years earlier. On Feb. 20, 2011, a rifle recruit was unable to make a flight home because of inclement weather. Coach Jon Hammond received approval from the compliance office to extend the official visit two days. Harley King, the compliance director, “failed to file the report with the conference office,” WVU wrote in a self-report. The Mountaineers were guilty of violating the bylaw for exceptions to the 48-hour period for extenuating circumstances on official visits. King was issued a letter of admonishment.

On May 29, 2013 assistant gymnastics coach Travis Doak received an email from a prospect who said she was interested in WVU. Doak replied, according to WVU, “because he mistakenly believed she was a high school junior.” The NCAA has dates for permissible contact for various sports based on junior years. Doak realized he’d made a mistake two days later and reported his error.

WVU defended him and wrote “Doak didn’t send an email out of interest” and instead responded to her initial message. Further, the Mountaineers said they weren’t recruiting the prospect and had no plans to do so, but agreed to refrain from communicating with her until Sept. 13 if they changed their minds.

Last September, assistant rowing coach Stacy VanOrder reported she had emailed back and forth with an international prospect before Sept. 1 of the prospect’s junior year. However, a glitch in software the team uses to assist international recruiting didn’t list the prospects graduation date. VanOrder “inadvertently assumed” the prospect was a junior, but turned herself in when the exchanged with the prospect revealed she was a sophomore.

WVU administered more rules education and decided to keep the rowing staff from communicating with the prospect for two weeks after the permissible date the following year.

Later that month, the women’s swim team played host to a prospect on an official visit over a 48-hour period from Sept. 27-29. On Sept. 26, the prospect’s father had a meal and the $34.02 charge was put on the bill for the hotel stay. WVU paid the bill as part of the recruiting visit, even though the prospect wasn’t considered to be visiting on the day of the meal. WVU said its staff knew it was impermissible and that the “isolated issue that resulted from an error” wasn’t due to a lack of understanding of the rules.

This past January, a men’s swim team recruit took an unofficial visit. The men’s basketball team played host to Oklahoma State and assistant coach Damion Dennis gave the prospect, who was accompanied by his parents and brother, four free tickets to the game. The NCAA bylaw for official visits allows a school to hand out three free tickets. The mistake, discovered in an audit two weeks later, saw the prospect ruled ineligible and made to pay $32 to a charity. On Feb. 8, he made a $60 donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities.

[CU Tiger]

There are several things in that article that just jump out as lazy on the part of the AD, that sure others kind of do.

For example, coaches cant teach arm care clinics. But S&C staff or other AD non coach personnel can. Why do so many schools employ past players in unusual titled roles? Now you know.

The swim team meal. You can not pay for parents food. But if the hotel includes free meals for all guests, even at an elevated rate there is no violation. Someone should have had a conversation on the front end with that hotel manager.

Furthermore why are coaches emailing prospects. Thats why you ahve support staff. And there is no rule against support staff. Or even 5 degrees. Supports staff's wife's brother.

Come on WVU, get you shat together...
Besides UNC screwed up you knew SOMEONE was getting smacked for it.

[Logan]

Starting that article with the story about the "slightly oversized and therefore illegal envelope" and then listing a bunch of shit that are much more legitimate secondary violations is kind of funny.

[MrBug708]

Speaking of WVU, UCLA is vetting former PSU DC and current WVU AHC, Bill Bradley, for it's DC position

[Dr. Sak]

Speaking of WVU, UCLA is vetting former PSU DC and current WVU AHC, Bill Bradley, for it's DC position

Tom Bradley

[Atocep]

There are several things in that article that just jump out as lazy on the part of the AD, that sure others kind of do.

For example, coaches cant teach arm care clinics. But S&C staff or other AD non coach personnel can. Why do so many schools employ past players in unusual titled roles? Now you know.

The swim team meal. You can not pay for parents food. But if the hotel includes free meals for all guests, even at an elevated rate there is no violation. Someone should have had a conversation on the front end with that hotel manager.

Furthermore why are coaches emailing prospects. Thats why you ahve support staff. And there is no rule against support staff. Or even 5 degrees. Supports staff's wife's brother.

Come on WVU, get you shat together...
Besides UNC screwed up you knew SOMEONE was getting smacked for it.

The problem I have with it is the NCAA specifically told Oliver Luck to make sure all secondary violations are reported. It's a red flag if you're not reporting them. OSU reported over 300 secondary violations by the football staff alone under Tressel that never resulted in OSU getting in trouble.

As I said above, if this gets you 2 years probation and the loss of a scholarship for football then UNC should be looking at the death penalty.

Speaking of WVU, UCLA is vetting former PSU DC and current WVU AHC, Tom Bradley, for it's DC position


It will be interesting to see how he handles the spread offenses of the PAC12. WVU's defense improved a great deal last year, but it's difficult to give Bradley much credit as he really didn't have much responsibility. He was basically only coaching nose tackles. He was initially brought in to mentor Tony Gibson, but didn't agree with some of the scheme things Gibson was doing (mainly the blitzing) and his input was reduced as the season progressed.

[Logan]

The problem I have with it is the NCAA specifically told Oliver Luck to make sure all secondary violations are reported. It's a red flag if you're not reporting them. OSU reported over 300 secondary violations by the football staff alone under Tressel that never resulted in OSU getting in trouble.

He recalled a meeting shortly after he was hired in 2010 with an outside consultant who had helped WVU with NCAA governance issues in the past. Luck was trying to gain a better understanding of compliance operations and oversight and set aside a few hours to that one particular conversation.

“The most interesting thing I learned, which was completely counterintuitive to me at least, was that you’re expected to file a lot of secondary violations,” he said. “If you file none, that puts up a red flag for the NCAA. They know you can’t be perfect.

“It was difficult for me to understand that concept. I said to the consultant, ‘Really?’ He said, ‘Oh yes, every school needs to be turning in these secondary violations.’

Not the NCAA, unless you're referring to something else.

[CU Tiger]

UNC should be looking at the death penalty.




Where do I sign up.
The death penalty is too good for the blue belly bastards and I hope the ACC "adds a year on for being for conduct unbecoming of an ACC team" just for payback.

[Chief Rum]

As noted, Bradley wasn't really utilized at WVU much. I'm interested to hear what Dr. Sak thinks of him, though, given all his years in Happy Valley.

[CU Tiger]

Dammit, Bartow! Now you done got mentioned in a major NCAA investigation.

NCAA chooses not to penalize Florida for recruiting contact violation - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/jon-solomon/25075238/ncaa-chooses-not-to-penalize-florida-for-recruiting-contact-violation)

[CU Tiger]

A former close friend...now a coke head.

[Chief Rum]

A former close friend...now a coke head.

Is Bartow in the full report or in that video? He wasn't mentioned in the article.

[CU Tiger]

His name is redacted but the "recruiting reporter" was him.

He actually sent texts to a bunch of folks "bragging" about being part of an NCAA investigation.

[tarcone]

Iowa's starting QB last season, Jake Ruddock, is transferring. There is a lot of speculation. Michigan is on the list. So is a number of ACC/SEC teams and then the mid majors.
He is a pre-med major. So I imagine the best med school Its not out of the possibilty that our other QB, CJ Beathard, will transfer. Which would be a scorched earth type move.

[Dr. Sak]

As noted, Bradley wasn't really utilized at WVU much. I'm interested to hear what Dr. Sak thinks of him, though, given all his years in Happy Valley.

I am really happy for him, and am glad that he's been given another opportunity. Even during the early 2000s where Penn State wasn't going to bowl games, it wasn't the issue of the defense.

He did recieve grief for his unwillingness to plan man to man in certain situations, but I'm not sure that was totally his decision. Either way I think you are getting a great defensive coordinator. He's one heck of a recruiter too.

[cartman]

Not sure if this is the whole story, but the NCAA declared a Baylor walk-on ineligible for taking up a family friend's offer of a place to stay to get off the streets and stop being homeless.

Silas Nacita, Baylor Bears walk-on RB, says NCAA declared him ineligible for accepting impermissible benefits while he was homeless - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/12381079/silas-nacita-baylor-bears-walk-rb-says-ncaa-declared-ineligible-accepting-impermissible-benefits-was-homeless)

[HomerSimpson98]

Not sure if this is the whole story, but the NCAA declared a Baylor walk-on ineligible for taking up a family friend's offer of a place to stay to get off the streets and stop being homeless.

Silas Nacita, Baylor Bears walk-on RB, says NCAA declared him ineligible for accepting impermissible benefits while he was homeless - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/12381079/silas-nacita-baylor-bears-walk-rb-says-ncaa-declared-ineligible-accepting-impermissible-benefits-was-homeless)

Just read that piece myself. I am calling some serious BS on that whole article. Nothing about it sounds right to me. I'm all for eliminating stupid and meaningless NCAA rules, but not like this. Got no money and got no job? Then dont go to the most expensive f'ng school in Texas, dumbass.

[Logan]

I think there's some info missing as well. Baylor's AD issued a statement basically saying "he broke the rules, case closed". It would be an easy fight for them to undertake if it was that simple at face value. And (edited to add as I saw this mentioned on Twitter) their playoff exclusion shows that Baylor is no stranger to raising a fucking stink when they feel like they've been wronged.

[Logan]

This probably fits under "info missing":

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The NCAA did not declare Silas Nacita ineligible and Baylor has not requested a waiver for him.</p>&mdash; NCAA (@NCAA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NCAA/status/570666155297382400">February 25, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Klinglerware]

The wording of the Baylor AD's statement seems rather tortured and vague (and doesn't really say anything about whose rules were being violated): "Silas Nacita will not be a part of the football program moving forward due to rules violations that impact his eligibility"

Yeah, something is missing here, but it sounds more like Baylor is trying to drop the kid in a way that leaves him with some measure of dignity.

[Klinglerware]

And for the three of you who care about Ivy League football:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/24/sports/ncaafootball/columbia-hires-ex-penn-coach-al-bagnoli-surprising-its-ivy-peers.html

In a bit of a shocker, perrenial bottom-feeder Columbia manages to coax Penn coaching legend Al Bagnoli out of retirement. Bagnoli only "retired" from coaching a couple of months ago.

Bagnoli seems a bit long in the tooth, but still has tremendous credibility in the league. It could be the case that if Bagnoli doesn't do well there, Columbia's football problems really are structural (i.e., admissions standards too high to attract enough talent, crappy facilities that are away from campus, New York City and the mixed feelings it engenders, etc.)

[Dr. Sak]

Columbia's field was by far the worst turf field I have ever worked on, that's High School and college. It rained all of pregame and most of the morning and the field was underwater. Water flowed down the steps of the stands like a waterfall onto the field.

[dawgfan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>UCLA suspends assistant coach Adrian Klemm. <a href="http://t.co/23gK1piiXt">pic.twitter.com/23gK1piiXt</a></p>&mdash; Kevin Gemmell (@Kevin_Gemmell) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kevin_Gemmell/status/577508716901068802">March 16, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Chief Rum]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>UCLA suspends assistant coach Adrian Klemm. <a href="http://t.co/23gK1piiXt">pic.twitter.com/23gK1piiXt</a></p>&mdash; Kevin Gemmell (@Kevin_Gemmell) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kevin_Gemmell/status/577508716901068802">March 16, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Yup. No word on what's behind it just yet. UCLA is investigating and Klemm is suspended with pay until they conclude the investigation.

[Eaglesfan27]

Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick sees NCAA split coming | CollegeFootballTalk (http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/18/notre-dame-ad-jack-swarbrick-sees-ncaa-split-coming/)

[Eaglesfan27]

NCAA documents unsealed today:

NCAA overstepped in USC case, unsealed documents seem to show - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/dennis-dodd/25121727/ncaa-overstepped-in-usc-case-unsealed-documents-seem-to-show)

NCAA releases hundreds of documents related to Todd McNair lawsuit - LA Times (http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-ncaa-todd-mcnair-documents-released-20150324-story.html)

[Chief Rum]

Goes to show, judging from Auburn and Ohio State and Penn State punishments, if you want an easy sentence from the NCAA, don't hire an arrogant asshole as your AD.

[MrBug708]

Yup. I'm thinking the USC fans probably expected more resulting from this

[bob]

Everett Golson announced he's leaving Notre Dame. My guess is, despite the undefeated season (nod to Tommy Rees), most ND fans are ok with this.

Wonder where he ends up... any guesses?


Starting with Zack Kustok in 1997, 20 scholarship quarterbacks have matriculated to Notre Dame since the end of the Lou Holtz Era who have no remaining college eligibility. Of those 20, one left school early (Jimmy Clausen) and 17 others either switched positions, transferred or both. Brady Quinn, Evan Sharpley and Tommy Rees are the three exceptions.

[MrBug708]

I bet Texas or LSU

[cartman]

If he does come to Texas, that makes the Week 1 game at South Bend all the more interesting.

[dawgfan]

Nice pick-up today for Washington as 4-star RB Sean McGrew from St. John Bosco announces for the Huskies. He had been a big UCLA fan and they were considered a heavy favorite early in the process, but visits to ASU and UW, combined with finding out UCLA doesn't have a Business program shifted his thinking.

[bob]

In case anyone missed, Golson to FSU

[Easy Mac]

Nice pick-up today for Washington as 4-star RB Sean McGrew from St. John Bosco announces for the Huskies. He had been a big UCLA fan and they were considered a heavy favorite early in the process, but visits to ASU and UW, combined with finding out UCLA doesn't have a Business program shifted his thinking.

Did TCY come to life?

[dawgfan]

Did TCY come to life?
Heh, sort of. Hard to know exactly how much of a factor the lack of an undergrad business school was (though I can imagine that may have been significant if he's set on that as his major) - he also cited how Chris Petersen recruited him personally (the only head coach to do so) and how much he liked Seattle on his visit and clicked with the staff and liked their approach.

And to be fair, it's possible UCLA had other guys higher on their priority list and weren't pushing as hard for him. He said Washington was the school recruiting him the hardest.

[cartman]

UAB decided to bring back football.

UAB Blazers football to return (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/12991674/uab-blazers-football-return)

[bhlloy]

Fucking brilliant now they don't have a team and didn't bring in a recruiting class (and presumably are behind the 8 ball for the next couple of years as well)

[miami_fan]

Seems like a transparent way of killing the program to me.

[Atocep]

So UConn's coach decides to create a rivalry with UCF. He has a countdown clock for the game created along with a trophy and names the rivaly "The Civil Conflict".

The problem? No one mentioned anything to UCF and they have no interest in playing for the trophy.

Coach creates worst rivalry in sports history | New York Post (http://nypost.com/2015/06/08/coach-creates-worst-rivalry-in-sports-history/)

[Chief Rum]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>UCLA suspends assistant coach Adrian Klemm. <a href="http://t.co/23gK1piiXt">pic.twitter.com/23gK1piiXt</a></p>&mdash; Kevin Gemmell (@Kevin_Gemmell) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kevin_Gemmell/status/577508716901068802">March 16, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

And he's back!

Pac 12, hide yer early commits!

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Good thoughts sent for Harold Brantley. Still in hospital.

Harold Brantley of Missouri Tigers seriously hurt in car crash (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/13126843/harold-brantley-missouri-tigers-seriously-hurt-car-crash)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Oooofffff. Shot across the bow by the Texas A&M Chancellor.

Gabe Bock @GabeBock

A&M chancellor Sharp on alcohol at events: "Our athletic program has not reached the point where we require the numbing effects of alcohol."

[CU Tiger]

Just put that in the pocket for when they (inevitably) follow suit.

Alcohol will be sold in every stadium in the country within a decade. I would almost hedge and say private religious institutions being the exception, but Wake Forest has already fired that shot.

[BishopMVP]

Just put that in the pocket for when they (inevitably) follow suit.

Alcohol will be sold in every stadium in the country within a decade. I would almost hedge and say private religious institutions being the exception, but Wake Forest has already fired that shot.I wish, but UMass doesn't on campus (does sell during football games at Gillette). I believe it's a town ordinance that prohibits them from doing so.

[CU Tiger]

Is anyone paying attention what DUKE is doing on the trail. Cut is putting in work.

How he hasnt garnered National Coach of the Year consideration is beyond me. He will build a program there if he survives long enough.

[cartman]

Is anyone paying attention what DUKE is doing on the trail. Cut is putting in work.

How he hasnt garnered National Coach of the Year consideration is beyond me. He will build a program there if he survives long enough.

Uh, he won several CoY awards in 2013.

[MrBug708]

Diddy Arrested -- FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT with UCLA Football Coach | TMZ.com (http://www.tmz.com/2015/06/22/diddy-arrested-fight-ucla-football-coach-justin/)

[Chief Rum]

Diddy Arrested -- FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT with UCLA Football Coach | TMZ.com (http://www.tmz.com/2015/06/22/diddy-arrested-fight-ucla-football-coach-justin/)

Okay, something doesn't make sense here. Coaches aren't supposed to be with the players right now, right? No team practices are allowed right now.

[dzilla77]

I think strength and conditioning is allowed now.

[Chief Rum]

I think strength and conditioning is allowed now.

Yeah, that definitely is, I know that. So the guy screaming at Diddy's kid might have been a strength and conditioning coach?

I'm guessing Mora is going to can that guy, if it's not Sal Alosi himself (S&C head).

[dzilla77]

The story seemed to imply that it was a conditioning coach.

[bhlloy]

I heard it was Alosi but on the bright side - at least it's not the most embarrassing thing he's ever done on a national stage :p

[MrBug708]

Being the fall guy for Rex has benefited ucla greatly

[MrBug708]

@Ryan_Kartje: Updated charges on Sean "Diddy" Combs, from UCPD: 3 counts assault w/ a deadly weapon, 1 count making terrorist threats, 1 count battery.

[NobodyHere]

What the hell is going on at FSU?

Florida State rusher suspended, charged with punching woman (http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/florida-state-rusher-suspended-charged-with-punching-woman/ar-AAcP1vn)

[bob]

Hey Jon, excited by the GT - Tennessee game to start the 2017 season?

[HomerSimpson98]

Adidas, Nebraska reveal Cornhuskers' 2015 alternate uniforms | FOX Sports (http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/adidas-reveals-nebraska-s-2015-alternate-uniforms-072315)

Am I just getting too old?

[Thomkal]

Sun Belt interested in Coastal Carolina (and Eastern Kemtucky)

Sun Belt Conference interested in Coastal Carolina | WBTW.com (http://wbtw.com/2015/07/23/sun-belt-conference-interested-in-coastal-carolina/)


Yeah!

[Atocep]

Shit is going down at Baylor. Briles and the athletic department are going to have some serious questions to answer.

[Atocep]

Here's some of the details

Chris Petersen says he told Baylor Bears coach Art Briles about Sam Ukwuachu's violent past (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/13484043/chris-petersen-says-told-baylor-bears-coach-art-briles-sam-ukwuachu-violent-past)

I've also read that after the player was indicted he was kept on scholarship and in classes which forced his victim to change her classes around in an attempt to avoid him and she eventually lost her scholarship. If true there's going to be a huge lawsuit after this conviction.

[digamma]

So with Briles's latest statement, these two are just calling each other liars.

Fiesta Bowl?

[dawgfan]

So with Briles's latest statement, these two are just calling each other liars.

Fiesta Bowl?
Quick poll - who here thinks Chris Petersen is the liar in this situation?

[digamma]

I think I give Petersen the benefit of the doubt based on how Baylor handled this thing overall. Both guys have interesting and sympathetic backstories, but Briles also gives me a sketchy vibe, for no real reason.

[dawgfan]

Steve Sarkisian had better realize this is the wake-up call to get his life straightened out. I have no idea if the drinking was part of the cause or a symptom of his marital troubles, but he'd better get the drinking curtailed or he's going to lose his job. Probably the best thing he has going for him is Pat Haden will be loathe to change coaches again so soon, but I don't think he can survive another public embarrassment like last night. And he'd better win this year.

[PilotMan]

North Dakota State has booked Oregon in 2020. No idea what shape the team will be then, and frankly after 4 straight national championships they really don't have anything left to prove. They start No. 1 this year, but the defense is only returning 4 starters, the offense though might be the best ever.

They open the season up this weekend against another top 25 team, on the road in Montana (catch it on ESPN). At the very least this run of success and having Oregon on the schedule for 5 years from now should really help keep the recruiting at a high level.

[Atocep]

Quick poll - who here thinks Chris Petersen is the liar in this situation?

Report: Florida, Muschamp passed on taking Baylor player Sam Ukwuachu - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/25280371/report-florida-muschamp-passed-on-taking-sam-ukwuachu)

Gonna go out on a limb and say Briles isn't exactly telling the truth. Which, honestly, is a minor part of this issue compared to the other mistakes made by Baylor leadership.

[MrBug708]

Oh Steve Sarkisian. Mixing Jaeger and fireball is not "mixing prescription drugs with alcohol"

[CU Tiger]

Gulp...
Sigh.

Gonna be in the news soon. Not me specifically mind you...

[bob]

Gulp...
Sigh.

Gonna be in the news soon. Not me specifically mind you...

Anyone with any idea what he's talking about?

[CU Tiger]

Too late, too little sleep. No alcohol, though.

Trouble gurgling in Clemson it'll break within a week. Timing sucks.

[digamma]

A Clemson DT is taking time off for non-football reasons and there is more to the story.

[bronconick]

Dalvin Cook reinstated at FSU after a not guilty verdict for battery after 25 minutes of deliberation.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Excited to actually see some games soon rather than the off season banter.

[CraigSca]

Whoops.

Five Rutgers football players arrested in connection with home invasions and assault | NJ.com (http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2015/09/multiple_rutgers_football_players_arrested.html)

[bob]

Well, I guess I won't be watching the Georgia Tech game.

Cutting the cord really sucks when games aren't on ESPN.

[General Mike]

Whoops.

Five Rutgers football players arrested in connection with home invasions and assault | NJ.com (http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2015/09/multiple_rutgers_football_players_arrested.html)

I don't like the way this is trending and I think Flood's job is in jeopardy. Now I did want him fired 2 years ago, but I did think he did a nice job last year and I thought stuff was trending up, but now I'm not so sure.