The Three Commisioners of College Football

In 2010, three college commissions met in a secret underground bunker to discuss the future of the game.  This is their story.

Commissioners:
Dan Beebe – Big 12
Mike Slive – SEC
JIm Delany – Big Ten
Larry Scott – Pac 10

Delany and Slive at the same time: I’d like to thank you both for coming to the nation’s capital to meet with me.

Scott: *Shakes his head at the other two*  Look guys, if this is going to work, we have to work together.  The Mountain West and the WAC are stirring the pot and Congress may force us to have a true college playoff on our hands if we don’t do something.

Delany and Slive nod their heads and answer together:  Yeah, no one wants that.

Scott: Exactly, that would cut into our profits.  The Big East is taking too much already and we can get it all back but we have a small window and need to act fast.  My conference is in 4 states on the west coast, Jim, you are in 8, and Mike you are in 9.  That’s only 21 total states and while we dominate our respective areas, the politicians are going to kill us in congress if we don’t take drastic action. Jim, you started the ball rolling with your statement that you are ‘looking to add a team’.  What’s your plan.”

Delany: We are doing a thorough investigation and….

Slive:  Cut the bullshit Jim.  Who do you want?

Delany: Texas and Notre Dame.

Slive and Scott:  Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! *catches breath*

Delany: The metrics make……..

Slive and Scott: Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!  *eventually they stop laughing*

Scott: Notre Dame hates you and Texas isn’t going anywhere without Oklahoma.

Delany: We are the Big Ten!

*An awkward silence fills the for a few seconds*

Slive:  You can have Nebraska and Missouri.

Delany: Nebraska and Notre Dame?

Scott: If you can convince them.  The state of Texas is mine.

Slive: Not so fast.  I want A&M.

Delany: I want Texas.

Scott: It’s not going to happen Jim but do your best.  Let’s get Beebe in here.  I need to tell him.

Beebe: Hey guys!  For some reason the door was locked.

*The others smile*

Scott: Sorry about that Dan.  I just wanted you to know I’ve sent an offer to Texas that I’d take them, Colorado and 4 others of their choosing to join the Pac 10.

**Delany, Slive, and Beebe look shocked**

Beebe: Aren’t we supposed to these these things in advance?

Scott: That’s what we are doing right now.  I need you to get Texas to agree to my deal and you can be my special asst commissioner in Austin.

Beebe:  *gulp*  Um sure Larry.

Scott: I hear the pizza guy outside.  Can you go get it?

Beebe:  Sure Larry.  *Beebe leaves and Scott locks the door behind him.*

*Slive and Delany look angry*

Scott: I want Texas.

Delany and Slive: Obviously.

Slive: Texas won’t come.

Scott: If you want someone take A&M.  I don’t need them.  Jim you take Nebraska.

Slive: Who’s taking Missouri?

Delany smiles: You are.

Slive looks angry:  You win this round Jim but you should remember that I have a long memory.

--------------------------------------

In 2012,  they reconvene.

Slive starts the conversation by asking Scott:  How’d Texas work out for you?

Scott: Fuck off.  We did get Utah.

**Delany and Slive snicker while Scott glares at them both**

Scott:  Look you assholes.  This isn’t about getting the best football teams or creating good matchups.  We are getting votes.  The congressmen in Utah were talking too much and I took care of it.  Have you heard a peep from them since?

**Delany and Slive nod and answer in unison** Thanks Larry.

Scott:  With Colorado and Utah, I’m up to 6 states in the west and most of the votes west of the Rockies.  There isn’t much else I can do so the ball’s in your court.

Delany: What about BYU and Boise State?

Scott: The hippies in Berkley won’t let the former happen and do we really want to share our money with a bunch of potato farmers?  It’s not many votes.  You guys have better options.

Delany:  I added Nebraska and Mike added Texas A&M and Missouri.  That gives us 26 states though I’d say our hold on Texas, Georgia and Florida is tenuous.

Scott turns to Slive: Can you make A&M look good this year?  Whatever we can do to make the Longhorns look bad should help us get them in line.

Slive:  I see you still hold a bit of a grudge but it’s doable.  Saban owes me big time but we still need more votes. *He looks at Delany and smiles* You get Rutgers.

Delany: Fuck that!  I crawled out of that hell hole as a boy and said I was never going back.

Slive:  Do you remember remember Missouri?  *Slive laughs* I can sweeten the deal to give you your alma mater North Carolina too.

Delany:  Don’t you think I haven’t already tried?

Slive: How about this?  You take Rutgers and Maryland.  I’ll follow by taking NC State and Virginia Tech which will cripple the ACC.  You should then be able to easily get Virginia and your precious, North Carolina.  It even fits with your CIC BS of wanting only AAU members.

Delany brightens: That might work.  I’ll do it.

Scott pats them both on the back:  That’s great.  That will give us 30 states.  We will even be filibuster proof.

The three begin to laugh maniacally.

Delany: Then can I have Notre Dame?  I’ll take Georgia Tech too to ensure our hold on that state.

Scott and Slive at the same time: Only if I can have Texas……. 

**shouting ensues**

….. to be continued …..

Have we missed anyone in the Buckeye Ring of Honor?

Any fan of Ohio State that has been to the stadium notices the names surrounding the field below C deck.  These are the players and coaches who have been inducted into the Ring of Honor.  As of this writing they are:

Chic Harley (47)
Vic Janowicz (31)
Hopalong Cassidy (40)
Archie Griffin (45)
Les Horvath (22)
Eddie George (27)
Bill Willis (99)

To these, the names of 2 Hall of Fame coaches have been added:

Paul Brown
Woody Hayes

Last year Gene Smith announced the school would no longer retire jerseys as there are too many people that need to be honored and not enough numbers. That is a smart policy and frankly I think they should 'unretire' the above but only give out sparingly (more on the later).

This has opened the field to see if any players have been ignored as this practice started in the 1990s and memories are short. I put together a list of names I think should be considered:

Wes Fesler - 3 time All American led the powerful Ohio State teams of the late 1920s and an All-American in Basketball in the 1930-31 season. He probably won't ever be considered because the way his coaching career ended at Ohio State. He led the school to their first Rose Bowl victory after the 1949 season but left the school in ignominy after the upset at the hands of Michigan in the 1950 Snow Bowl.

Gomer Jones - The linchpin on both the offensive line and the defense at middle linebacker of teams that routinely beat that team up north in 1934-36. Twice named All American, his teams cemented Ohio's love of the Buckeyes and set the stage for college football's greatest rivalry (started as the last game in 1934). Asst Coach at both Ohio State and Oklahoma before transitioning to Athletic Director at Oklahoma.

Don Scott - He was the quarterback in the single wing for the 1939-40 teams and named All American both years. He died in a training accident in World War Two and the school named their airport after him.

**** Note - College players went both ways from 1954-1964

Jim Parker - Parker was a unanimous All America selection in 1955-56 and won the Outland Trophy in 1956. That year Parker himself finished eighth in the Heisman vote. 8 time Pro Bowler in the NFL and many consider him the best linemen ever.

Jim Houston - All American and team captain that played both ways (end/linebacker) in 1958-59 and named team MVP both years. Played for the Browns in the NFL and named to the Pro Bowl 4 times as a linebacker.

Bob Ferguson - One of the best fullbacks in Ohio State history. Led the team's rushing attack that position from 1959 to 1961 and finished with the 2nd highest rushing total to that point. He was named Team MVP in 1960-61, All American both years, and finished second in the voting to Ernie Davis in a vote that some feel was making up for Davis' snub the previous 2 years.

Jim Stillwagon - Stillwagon was a three-year starter with the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1968 - 1970. He was a consensus All-America selection as a junior and senior, and won the Outland Trophy and was the first-ever winner of the Lombardi Award. He also won the 1970 UPI Lineman of the Year.

John Hicks - During Hicks' three years, Ohio State posted a 28-3-1 record, and each year (he missed the 1971 season with a knee injury), Ohio State won the Big Ten Championship and went to the Rose Bowl, making Hicks the first person from OSU to play in three Rose Bowls. Was named All American/All Big Ten in 1972-73. Hicks won the Lombardi Award as the nation's most outstanding lineman and the Outland Trophy as the nation's best interior lineman in 1973 along with being named 2nd in Heisman voting.

Randy Gradishar - Started a trend of Linebacker U that continues to this day. Twice All American in 1972-73, Woody Hayes called him 'the best linebacker I ever coached'. Went to the NFL and was a perennial All Pro and already in the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame.

Chris Spielman - He was a two-time All-American, intercepted 11 passes, and won the Lombardi Award as the best college football lineman or linebacker in 1986. In the NFL he played for 12 seasons and still leads the Lions as in career tackles.

Mike Vrabel - Two Time Defensive Lineman of the year in the Big Ten and All American in 1995-96. Followed that with a productive NFL career and now is an assistant coach at Ohio State.

Orlando Pace - Two time Outland Trophy winner in 1995 and the best linemen I've ever seen in person.

Antoine Winfield - A homer pick on my part but I love this guy. Two time All American in 1997-98 and still making hits in the NFL after a dozen years in the league.

Mike Doss - Three time All American and an all time hero to Buckeye Nation when we returned for his senior season to lead the team to a national championship in 2002.

AJ Hawk - Twice All American at Middle Linebacker in 2004-05. Now in the NFL for the Packers.

James Laurenitis - Three time All American at Middle Linebacker from 2006-08 and Pro Bowler in the NFL.

Troy Smith - Won the Heisman in 2006 and almost led the Buckeyes to a national championship. There are rumors there are rifts between Smith and the school which need healing before this will ever happen.

Jim Tressel - It will take a few years but he belongs up there with the other two coaches that won national titles. I hope it happens before 2020 but I know some still hold a grudge.

People left off the list - Cris Carter, Art Schlitchter for off the field reasons. I'd love to include both but they had incidents after their OSU careers ended that make it impossible for them to be put in the highest honor at the school. I'd be ok with Carter getting in. As much as I loved Art as a kid there's no way it will ever happen.

Post note - I'd love for certain numbers to be permanently retired as a nod to the past and given to deserving players in their junior/senior years.  Only the best would get them after proving their worth.

Quarterback - 10 for the last two National championships - Rex Kern and Troy Smith
Running back - 27 / 45 / 31 / 22 / 47 - Already retired and used on a rotating basis
Wide Receiver - open
Lineman - 75 - Orlando Pace's number
Defensive Line - 99 - Already retired for Willis
Linebacker - 36 for Spielman among others
Corner - 11 for Winfield though there are others like Springs, Gamble, Jenkins, that would work.
Safety - 2 for Doss

This would replace the retirement process and allow older numbers to be reserved/honored.

Great recruiting class–What’s next

It’s always great to finish off a recruiting class strong and the next question the coaches need to figure out is what do we need next year.  I’d bet they already know this but I thought I’d give it a quick shot.  Here’s our current list of scholarships:

Current Roster (Already Enrolled) – 63 (5 Early Enrolled)

QB (4) – B.Miller (Jr.), K.Guiton (Sr.), C.Jones (rFr.), J.Barrett (Fr.)
RB (5) – C.Hyde (Sr.), J.Hall (rSr.), R.Smith (rJr.), B.Dunn (So.), W.Ball (rFr.)
FB (0)
WR (6) – C.Brown (Sr.), D. Smith (Jr.), E.Spencer (Jr.), M.Thomas (So.), C.Fields (Sr.), F.Epitropolous (rFr.)
TE (3) – J.Heuerman (Jr.), N.Vannett (rSo.), B.Thomas (rFr.)
OL (12) –J.Mewhort (rSr.), A.Norwell (Sr.), C.Linsley (rSr.), M.Hall (rSr.), T.Decker (So.), K.Dodson (rFr.), A.Underwood (Jr.), J.Boren (So.), C.Farris (rSo.), D.Baldwin (rJr.), P.Elflein (rFr.), T. Brown (rSo.)
LEO (3) – N.Spence (So.), S.Miller (Jr.), T.Lewis (Fr.)
DT (4) – M.Bennett (Jr.), J.Hale (Jr.), T.Schutt (So.), C.Carter (rSo.)
SSE (4)- A.Washington (So.), J.Moore (rJr.), S.Pittman (rFr.), T.Sprinkle (Fr.)
LB (7) – R.Shazier (Jr.), J.Perry (So.), C.Williams (So.), D.Perkins (So.), J.Marcus (So.), C.Grant (Jr.), L.Roberts (rFr.)
CB (7) – B.Roby (rJr.), D.Grant (Jr.), A.Griffin (rJr.), A.Reeves (So.), N.Murray (So.), E.Apple (Fr.), C.Burrows (Fr.)
S (6) – C.Barnett (Sr.), C.Bryant (Sr.), C.Brown (Sr.), D.Bogard (So.), R.Tanner (rSo.), T.Powell (So.)

K (1) – D.Basil (Sr.)
P (0)
LS (1) –  B.Haynes (rSo.)

Incoming Freshmen (Not Enrolled) – 19

QB (0)
RB (1) – E.Elliott
FB (0)
WR (4) – J.Marshall, C. Smith, J. Clark, D. Wilson
TE (1) – M.Baugh
OL (2) – E.Lisle, T.Gardner
LEO (0) –
DT (3) – M.Hill, B.Price, D.Munger
SSE (1) – J.Bosa
LB (2) – M.Mitchell, T.Johnson
CB (1) – G.Conley
S (3) – J.Thompson, D.Lee, C.Worley, V. Bell
K (0)
P (0)
LS (0)

P (1) – J Townsend (one player currently enrolled will drop out to make room for him)

Here’s what I expect to lose by position:

QB (1)
RB (2)
WR (2)
TE (0)
OL (4)
LEO (0)
DT (0)
SSE (0)
LB (1)
CB (1)
S (3)
K (1)
P (0)
LS (0)

That’s 15 recruits and that’s assuming both Roby and Shazier leave early.   That’s means they will need to be very picky this year.  I’d expect a recruiting class of about 20 as some kids will leave school to various issues including playing time.  This is what I’d expect next year:

QB (1)
RB (1)
WR (2)
TE (1)
OL (4)
LEO (1)
DT (1)
SSE (1)
LB (1)
CB (2)
S (2)
K (1)
P (0)
LS (0)

That’s 18 with the extras mostly on the defensive line as we have no seniors.  I could see them take a few less defensive backs but they are important on special teams.  After that it is just a matter of what players are making progress letting the coaches focus on other positions for 2014 when the sanctions come off and which players leave the school.

One other thing that is obvious is the 2014 team is going to be stacked if the younger players step up on the offensive line and at running back.  If Roby and Shazier come back the defensive will be nasty.

College football alignment–2 years from now

 

Something I spoke about back in 2010 was a fair solution to college football.  I split the country into 5 quadrants and created 12 team leagues with another 12 teams set up as the lower division.  The thought was to create a ‘socialist’ version of college football where everyone is included but the best teams would play one another.

This will never happen because there is no reason the have’s need to share with the ‘have-nots’.  What has happened since then has proven this thought as the Big 5 have fleeced the other conferences for their best teams.  Trying to predict how college football will look in 5 years is still a fun exercise and I thought I’d take a look at something similar using the changes from the last year.

Current members are in black, teams leaving are in red, and teams joining are in blue.

If there is one guarantee it is the above will not happen exactly as I have it.  It is not out of the realm of possibility that something like this will occur.  The reason is the Big Ten’s drive to add additional markets and the SEC moves to block.  It is also in the Big 12’s interest to expand by at least two teams so they can have a championship game.  Here’s how I see something like the above happening.

The B1G added two teams in the ACC – Virginia and Georgia Tech.  That move encourages the Big 12 to move on Clemson and Florida State who they’ve coveted since last summer.  The SEC moves into the ACC and grabs a North Carolina team along with Virginia Tech expanding their footprint (I used NC St as I think NC would prefer the B1G if they have to join another conference).  When one of the North Carolina schools leaves the ACC it will be the death knell of the conference and all schools will be looking for options.  The Big Ten will pick up North Carolina and Notre Dame will finally join the league (though the B12 is a option as many of their fans do not want to join the B1G).  The Big 12 has a few options and can remain at 12 teams or add markets like BYU, Miami, Wake Forest, and Louisville (if I had to guess I ‘d say yes to the first two and no to the last two).  The SEC can stand pat or go pick up the remaining worthwhile teams in the East of Syracuse and Pitt (which I doubt).

I have looked at the numbers in the past and most of these moves don’t makes sense, especially for big schools like Ohio State.  The issue is Delany is looking 40 years down the line and I’m sure his numbers take many things into account I haven’t considered.  Like 2010, the Big Ten will be the catalyst for further change in there bid for growing markets.  It is possble the Big 12 will move first as they do need to get to 12 teams but Florida State is waiting to see how the Maryland exit fee works before they do anything.  It is possible that Georgia Tech and Virginia are waiting on the same thing so once that ruling happens things may move fast..

It should be interesting…..

** – If you are wondering how the B1G will be able to compete with an 18 team conference it will be pretty simple.The teams are separated into East and West and there will be no conference games played between the divisions.  Teams like Michigan are able to schedule games with teams like Notre Dame but it will be the same as a non-conference game.  I like this solution as with 9 teams it allows an 8 game division schedule and great flexibility for the other 4 games.