Tulane Football: "From Worst to First"

[kswgrad2012]

Re: Tulane Football: "From Worst to First"

NBC Rips Up Notre Dame Contract

It appears negotiations between NBC and Notre Dame have worsened. Reports surfaced today that NBC has prepared to legally breach its contract with the University of Notre Dame football program, after both sides were unable to negotiate a contract extension. Notre Dame's current deal expires in 2019, and many around college football feel a new wave of realignment is coming. Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick was in New York City meeting with NBC Sports president Jon Miller about the deal, and apparently it didn't go well.


In cooperation with TMZ, ESPN obtained a recorded transcript of the meeting.

Jon Miller: "Well it appears we're still 100 mil apart in negotiations. Now how about we propose a deal that allows you to keep playing Michigan, go out west to California every year, and still play teams like the Navy every year."

Jack Swarbrick: "20 million a year?"

Miller: "Now I don't know about that. Like we've said, viewership has dwindled in recent years. We have to protect our interests."

Swarbrick: "But we know we're worth 20 mil a year. Look how much the Michigan game garnered last year."

Miller: "That was one game. The Navy game garnered half that much."

Swarbrick: "Alright. How about we drop Purdue and Syracuse? Not like anyone cares about those teams anyway."

Miller: "Will you pick up an SEC team? Alabama could use a road opponent."

Swarbrick: "No! We want nothing to do with the SEC."

Miller: "How about dropping the Navy game? Or some weak team like BC?"

Swarbrick: "We will not drop Navy! We've been playing them for nearly 80 years now. And Boston College is a rivalry game. Mutual respect on both sides."

Miller: "Well then you're screwed. Because we're not taking this schedule at 20 million a year. We can gon up to 15 a year but that's it."


*silence*


Swarbrick: "Fine then. There's always CBS Sports. Or even better...ESPN.


*more silence*


Miller: "Get the hell out of my office."

It appears NBC and Notre Dame have effectively ended contract negotiations. Which means Notre Dame will be without a network deal after 2019. Since the release of the news both ESPN & CBS Sports have reached out to the university, and Fox Sports is considering reaching out as well. The one person who's probably happiest about the news is ACC Commissioner John Swofford, who has reportedly been looking for a means to get Notre Dame to join the conference full-time. With the release of today's news, he may have just found a way.

[RoundingThird]

Re: Tulane Football: "From Worst to First"

Yes! Why can't this happen in reality? It's the best thing that's ever happened to college football!

[kswgrad2012]

Re: Tulane Football: "From Worst to First"

Yes! Why can't this happen in reality? It's the best thing that's ever happened to college football!

Well if you believe in Nostradamus, he predicts "Notre Dame, ACC, 2020." Hmmm...

[kswgrad2012]

Re: Tulane Football: "From Worst to First"

Tulane Signs Four More Recruits

While on the recruiting trail Coach Willingham was able to land three more recruits for this year's class. Tulane was granted the services of 3-star TE Derek Scott (Springhill, LA), 3-star SS Cameron Anderson (Homer, LA) and 3-star ATH Christian Larsen (Wiggins, MS). Scott has decent receiving skills but projects as a good blocker. A bit smaller at 6'2" 220lbs, the coaches think Derek can develop into a good player. Anderson has the potential to be great. He has great tackling skills for a freshman and decent coverage skills. He will have to work on his speed & body strength though. Larsen is truly a wildcard. With 85 Speed, 94 Acceleration & 87 Jumping, you'd think the guy could play WR. But he's 6'2" 220 lbs and doesn't have great hands. He can tackle well and has good running ability. So he could either be a bruising RB, ball-skills FB, or an incredibly fast LB. The coaches will find out in camp.

After returning from his trip, Coach found out he received another commitment from 3-star OLB A.J. Wilcox (Canton, OH). Wilcox has great potential for a linebacker. Great speed & acceleration, good tackling and decent coverage skills. There may be some linebacking spots fought for in camp, and A.J. will have the chance to earn one of those spots.

[kswgrad2012]

Re: Tulane Football: "From Worst to First"

BYU Monitoring Notre Dame Situation

With the recent news that NBC Sports & Notre Dame Football are preparing to part ways after the 2019 season, many around college football are wondering if being independent is surely worth it in today's game. Schools like Notre Dame have fed off of years of their brand name carrying weight. But with the shift to large-scale conference affiliations, many current indies are considering their options.

None other may be doing so than Notre Dame's rival to the West, BYU. BYU has been a football independent since 2011, and while they have had success on the gridiron (including an appearance in this year's Fiesta Bowl), their own network viewership has not extended far out of the Mountain region. BYU has its own television network (BYUtv) in addition to a deal with ESPN, but currently things haven't been what they were expected to be. Being tied to specific bowl games rather than conference affiliation has also been tough on the Cougars. This year's Fiesta Bowl appearance was after an 11-1 season that saw them vault to the Top 10 of the BCS Poll. But many felt their strength of schedule was not worthy of such respect. When not selected to the BCS BYU has the options of the Armed Forces Bowl, Independence Bowl or Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. With that in mind it is rumored that Brigham Young is considering ending its independence and joining a conference. While there aren't many options available to them, a few come to mind.

Will the Cougars join a conference soon? The Big 12 & Mountain West may have a say about that.

The Big 12 and Mountain West conferences are probably BYU's best options. The Pac-12 for years has refused the Cougars due to their religious affiliation and unwillingness to compete on Sundays. The Big 12 is reportedly considering expanding back to 12 teams and may consider the Utah school as a prime target. BYU does bring a sizeable following to the Big 12, but their location may isolate them a bit. The conference already has West Virginia situated on an island to the east and may not want another hassle to deal with in BYU. And if BYU does join, who's the 12th team? Cincinnati? Central Florida? These things will have to be worked out if BYU is to become a Big 12 member. The Mountain West is also intriguing as BYU was a founding member of the conference. Though many of the conference's former power players have left (Utah, TCU), a conference with always-strong Boise State in the fold in addition to the Nevada & California schools would be a good fit for BYU. It would help in recruiting and strengthen the conference's brand as a whole.

It all waits to be seen whether or not BYU does indeed join a conference. But if the situation at Notre Dame is any indication, the Cougars may have to act fast to solidify themselves.

[kswgrad2012]

Re: Tulane Football: "From Worst to First"

Notable Coaching Changes


NCAA

Duke: Mark Dantonio new HC

Wake Forest: Gus Malzahn new HC

Arkansas State: Danny Hope new HC

Arkansas: Bryan Stinespring new HC

Hawaii: Ken Niumatalolo out, Ivin Jasper in

Illinois: Tim Beckman out, Shawn Watson in; Pat Narduzzi new DC

Colorado: Mike Leach out, Doc Holliday in

Michigan: Josh Huepel out, Clay Hendrix in

Northern Illinois: Troy Calhoun new HC

Texas Tech: Paul Johnson new HC

Western Kentucky: Kevin Sumlin new HC

Louisville: Ken Niumatalolo new OC

Michigan State: Josh Huepel new OC, Mike Locksley new DC

Pittsburgh: Jimbo Fisher new OC

Tennessee: Steve Addazio new OC

Marshall: Ruffin McNeill new DC

Kentucky: Tim Beckman new DC

Miami (FL): Charley Molnar new OC


AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

Tulane: Jerry McMannus new OC, Rocky Long new DC

East Carolina: Ruffin McNeill out, Lionel Washington in

Temple: Steve Addazio out, Dave Huxtable in

UCF: Larry Coker new HC

UConn: Mike Stoops new DC

[thesportsguru11]

Re: Tulane Football: "From Worst to First"

The option guru, Paul Johnson, at Texas Tech absolutely destroys all logic.

Anyway, Rocky Long should be a good DC for you. He always seems to do well in my dynasties.

[kswgrad2012]

Re: Tulane Football: "From Worst to First"

Michael Strong, Chris Davis Highlight Signing Class

Signing Day has come, as two surprising recruits landed late on Tulane's 2017 board. 4-star HB Michael Strong (Shoreview, MN) and 4-star WR Chris Davis (Willimantic, CT) signed on to play Green Wave football, after a bit of Coach Kaelyn Willingham's charm won them over. Strong was weighing his options carefully as he wanted much playing time his freshman year. He may not get that Year 1 at Tulane, as the RB corps is stacked, but he will try to impress the coaches no less. A power back with only 82 speed, he could make a good FB if he learns how to block. Chris Davis really liked what Tulane offered him in terms of football & academics, but he wasn't sure about leaving small-town Connecticut. Coach Willingham promised him a game in his home state (@ UConn) at some point in his career, and that put Davis' feelings at ease. A great ball-skills receiver with good running ability, Davis could earn a starting spot this fall, with the ability to take jet sweeps & option pitches in addition to catching.

This year's recruiting class ranked 5th in the nation, the first under Coach Kaelyn Willingham & the first time Tulane has ever had a Top 5 class. Tulane's rival LSU brought home the #1 recruiting class this year.

Stats:
Class Rank: #5
Average GPA: 3.199
Average SAT score:1260-1270 (out of 1600)
Average ACT score: 27-28 (out of 36)

Tulane Green Wave Recruiting - 2017
NAME	POS	CLASS	HOMETOWN	HT	WT	CALIBER
Ron Carlson	QB	HS	Sandy, UT	6'2"	224
Michael Strong	HB	HS	Shoreview, MN	5'11"	216
Chris Davis	WR	HS	Willimantic, CT	5'10"	179
LaShawn Anderson	TE	HS	El Toro, CA	6'5"	271
Derek Scott	TE	HS	Springhill, LA	6'2"	220
Julius Lowe	T	HS	Morgan City, LA	6'8"	298
Marquis Mack	T	HS	Bryant, AR	6'2"	308
Geoff Gallagher	C	HS	St. Petersburg, FL	6'3"	300
Mike Jackson	C	JUCO Jr	Richfield, MN	6'0"	282
Marque Dawson	DE	HS	Claiborne, LA	6'3"	252
Blake Wright	OLB	HS	Duncanville, TX	6'5"	233
A.J. Wilcox	OLB	HS	Canton, OH	6'0"	228
Kevin Gilliam	S	HS	Hurst, TX	6'3"	196
Cameron Anderson	S	HS	Homer, LA	5'10"	182
Jeff Rodgers	ATH	HS	Mobile, AL	6'0"	164
Christian Larsen	ATH	HS	Wiggins, MS	6'2"	220
Joe Fernandez	ATH	HS	Massapequa, NY	6'2"	193

[kswgrad2012]

Re: Tulane Football: "From Worst to First"

The option guru, Paul Johnson, at Texas Tech absolutely destroys all logic.

Anyway, Rocky Long should be a good DC for you. He always seems to do well in my dynasties.

The "CPJ" hire at Texas Tech was a head-scratcher for me too. But the Red Raiders have fallen on hard times (went 5-19 the past 2 seasons). Perhaps a change in offensive philosophy is in order.

I too liked the Rocky Long hire. SDSU usually has stingy defenses so hopefully he brings some of that to NOLA.

[RoundingThird]

Re: Tulane Football: "From Worst to First"

I have a feeling I will grow to like Chris Davis. I live about 20 minutes away from Willimantic. It's not a small town, btw. It's one of the biggest in its surrounding area.

[kswgrad2012]

Re: Tulane Football: "From Worst to First"

OTHER TEAM NEWS


OLB Cedric Young and SS Devin Haynes have decided to leave the program, after failing to secure adequate playing time over the past few seasons. Young was buried on the depth chart in the linebacking corps and may not have gotten an opportunity anytime soon. He will head to FCS Jackson State, where he will be eligible for three years. Haynes was red-shirted last season after playing sparingly in 2015, and was falling deeper on the depth chart with the recent additions in recruiting. When the head coach at FCS McNeese State came calling, he heeded the opportunity. Going closer to home he'll play out his remaining two years on an FCS-champion defense.

Tulane also landed two walk-ons this offseason, as both OLB James Robinson and FS Matt Heffner committed to the program. Robinson comes from in-state Louisiana, as a player with great potential. Good speed & acceleration coupled with great tackling ability make him a viable option for the defense in the future. He may red-shirt. Heffner is a relative of Playboy headman Hugh Heffner, and it's likely his moxie will guide him to great things in New Orleans. Hope he stays out of trouble.

[kswgrad2012]

Re: Tulane Football: "From Worst to First"

It's no surprise that Matt Heffner chose 69 as his jersey number . I wonder who influenced that decision...

[kswgrad2012]

Re: Tulane Football: "From Worst to First"

2018 Schedule Released

Though official times haven't been released yet, Tulane's 2018 schedule has been released. And there are a few marquee teams on it.

Tulane's national title defense begins at home with rival LSU coming to town, in the 102nd renewal of the Battle for the Rag. That game is expected to be a nationally-televised game, and it won't be easy. They then open American Athletic Conference play with Memphis before hitting the road to South Beach to take on the Miami Hurricanes (another ACC out-of-conference game). Northwestern pays a visit for the 2nd annual Honor Roll Game, and then conference play gets fully underway. Conference home dates include Temple, South Florida and Cincinnati, with road dates @ Houston, @ UConn, @ SMU, @ Central Florida, and @ East Carolina.

There will be no Pay-It-Forward Game in 2018. Series expected to resume in 2019.

Week 1: vs. LSU Tigers ("Battle for the Rag")

Week 2: vs. Memphis Tigers

Week 3: @ Miami (FL) Hurricanes




Week 4: BYE


Week 5: vs. Northwestern Wildcats ("Honor Roll Game")




Week 6: BYE



Week 7: @ Houston Cougars




Week 8: BYE




Week 9: vs. Temple Owls (Homecoming)

Week 10: vs. South Florida Bulls

Week 11: @ UConn Huskies

Week 12: vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (Senior Day)

Week 13: @ SMU Mustangs

Week 14: @ Central Florida Knights

Week 15: @ East Carolina Pirates

[redsrulenc]

Re: Tulane Football: "From Worst to First"

2018 Schedule Released

Though official times haven't been released yet, Tulane's 2018 schedule has been released. And there are a few marquee teams on it.

Tulane's national title defense begins at home with rival LSU coming to town, in the 102nd renewal of the Battle for the Rag. That game is expected to be a nationally-televised game, and it won't be easy. They then open American Athletic Conference play with Memphis before hitting the road to South Beach to take on the Miami Hurricanes (another ACC out-of-conference game). Northwestern pays a visit for the 2nd annual Honor Roll Game, and then conference play gets fully underway. Conference home dates include Temple, South Florida and Cincinnati, with road dates @ Houston, @ UConn, @ SMU, @ Central Florida, and @ East Carolina.

There will be no Pay-It-Forward Game in 2018. Series expected to resume in 2019.

Week 1: vs. LSU Tigers ("Battle for the Rag")

Week 2: vs. Memphis Tigers

Week 3: @ Miami (FL) Hurricanes




Week 4: BYE


Week 5: vs. Northwestern Wildcats ("Honor Roll Game")




Week 6: BYE



Week 7: @ Houston Cougars




Week 8: BYE




Week 9: vs. Temple Owls (Homecoming)

Week 10: vs. South Florida Bulls

Week 11: @ UConn Huskies

Week 12: vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (Senior Day)

Week 13: @ SMU Mustangs

Week 14: @ Central Florida Knights

Week 15: @ East Carolina Pirates

GO CINCY

[RoundingThird]

Re: Tulane Football: "From Worst to First"

What he said, but with UConn. You can't win at the Rent, home to the world's longest walk into the stadium after parking.