Yep he's out for at least the first few games. Dislocated collarbone apparently. Not good for Alabama as we are low on experience already at running back.
If Indiana plays as well as they did last year, which will be a big ask as they played very well last year, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see them to make it again. I saw then several times and they were a very good football team. After finishing last year at #7 FEI they're pre-season #15 which is above Oklahoma, Miami and South Carolina and right there with USC, TX A&M and Clemson. They don't play us or M but they've got Oregon, Penn State and Iowa on the road and what will be a tough one with Illinois at home. If they can win 2 of those and don't stub their toe on any lesser teams - which is often the downfall of other teams that complain about IU's inclusion - they'll certainly be in the discussion. It's not only who you beat, but who you lose to counts as well..... looking at you Lane Kiffin
Their schedule certainly looks tougher than last year. The only thing they proved to me last year was they could beat up on a crappy Purdue team 66-0.
They beat up on a bunch of teams last year, incl bowl winner Nebraska 56-7 and bowl winner M. I know you remember our games with those 2. They were 2-0 with combined scores of 76-22 -v- ours 1-1 and 31-30. The only games they lost were to the CFP finalists and won convincingly in all others . At least in my view, often wrong but never in doubt as it is, you can't have results like that along with upper-tier metrics/analytics without having a very good and well-coached football team. I don't like the guy even a little bit, but his results everywhere he's been suggests to me at least he's a damn good coach
I'm guessing that IU's schedule last year re: combined SOS probably was the weakest among the playoff teams. However, echoing BT's comments (and applying my own spin), they beat every team they were supposed to beat by a whole lot, which is all they could have done. I'm sure the playoff committee recognized that.
I've noticed that programs all over the country are offering fans who want to pay a chance to get closer to the program. Oklahoma just announced they will allow a fan and his/her guest into the live post-game press conference for around 500$, a bit more for big games and a bit more for FCS opponent. Notre Dame has a thing they call "Experiences" and it involves getting to slap the Play like a Champion sign (cost $20) and the Tunnel Experience which costs $10. Seems reasonable, certainly not a money maker and I might do that next trip. But no way would I pay $500 to sit in on the press conference when I can watch it for free. It's not like I'll be able to ask questions, they certainly don't want some fan doing that it could be a disaster. I think Ohio State is offering a fan experience also for $$, not sure what they are offering and what the cost is to the fan(s)
NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma is offering fans a chance to attend postgame news conferences, but it won't be cheap. It's one of the "Sooner Magic Memories" offerings the program has created to give fans greater access this season. The cost for two people to sit in on the media session after the Oklahoma-Michigan nonconference showdown on Sept. 6 is $692.11. For the SEC home opener Sept. 20 against Auburn, it's $576.86. Sooners selling news conference access to fans
Don, the major programs' interest in the "average fan" is a thing of the past. It started with market-based ticket pricing and, with the onset of NIL, has evolved into programs similar to those described in the most recent posts. The exception, IMO is the ND "Experiences" program, which is cleverly structured and reasonably priced. It should result in long lines and substantial revenue on the Fridays of home game weekends. Like Terry, I'd pay in a heartbeat. In fact, because I live less than 3 hours from campus, I may consider driving up on a Friday just for the "experiences". P.S. As hilariously funny (IMO) as the fictional Rosterflex commercial is, it's not that unreasonable, assuming the stick-ons were adherent enough to withstand laundering.
P.S. As hilariously funny (IMO) as the fictional Rosterflex commercial is, it's not that unreasonable, assuming the stick-ons were adherent enough to withstand laundering. [/QUOTE] Sid I read you loud and clear, anymore I tend to feel the world has passed me by.
From an email I get from The Athletic. Is there any team more intriguing than Penn State this year? Much like the Ravens, the Nittany Lions have been among college football’s best over the last three years — averaging exactly 11.3 wins a year in that span, too, which includes last year’s Playoff run. Yes, but: Penn State also plays in arguably the hardest conference in football, particularly as the Big Ten has expanded. The Nittany Lions get Oregon and Ohio State this year, too. And yet PSU received three of 28 votes to win the national championship in our massive college football preview, published yesterday. Here’s Chris Vannini on the Nittany spin: “Penn State looks so much like Michigan and Ohio State of the past two years, with a team full of NFL players who came back another year to try to win it all. It’s not a flawless team — pass-catching weapons need to step up — but it’s a good mix of talent and experience. Yes, James Franklin is 1-15 against top-five teams at Penn State, but he rarely had the better team in those matchups. This year, he does. And in a 12-team CFP, you can lose a game or two and still win. Penn State gets over the hump and wins it all.” Convincing, really. The Franklin note is stirring, too, because the man — despite being a great recruiter and motivator — has a rep for fizzling in big games. Ralph Russo wondered if he’s overrated or underappreciated. I think this year will go a long way toward deciding that.