College Football Nation: Bret Bielema Likes Big Butts and NCAA Decision Awaits

Jeff Hostetler FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

 

Media days are upon us. Of course, if you look at the news feed you will think that the SEC is the only conference to have one of them. Media day is the chance for coaches and players to answer a few questions and give fans something to look forward to in the fall. Sometimes you might even get a little bulletin board material after a coach or player talks. After hearing what came out of the SEC this past week, I think we could be in for a real treat as other conferences hold their media days.

Bret Bielema did not waste any time at SEC media day with his quote of the year. Apparently he has a thing for defensive linemen and big butts. He says it helps when a defensive linemen has a big butt … okay? Imagine the field day fans are going to have with making signs when they play Arkansas. Like the article says … he might make a recruiting pitch to Kim Kardashian in the near future.

On top of that, there have been rumors that Texas was going to “Roll” out the red carpet for Nick Saban. The rumor reported that Texas would have paid him $100 million for his contract and given him the State of Texas. First part is true, but I’m sure if he went to Texas and won, then the second part would be true too, as well. Crazy to think if that rumor is true. It shows how desperate Texas is to get back on track to be a national title contender. Texas probably also realized if you can’t beat Saban … hire him!

On another front, Randy Edsall is glad Maryland has made the move from the ACC to the B1G. He likes the idea of being in a football conference instead of a basketball conference. Last time I checked the “Football” National Champion Seminoles and Orange Bowl winner Clemson are in the ACC. I think he is just trying to get the media to focus on something other than his football team. Does he realize that he will have to play Michigan State (Rose Bowl Champs), Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State every year instead of some easy ACC foes? Why do you think Notre Dame made a deal with the ACC instead of the B1G?

The O’Bannon vs NCAA trial is over and we are still awaiting the decision. Very soon we’ll see the results and how college athletics will be changed forever. One analyst for the trial stated that a PAC-12 basketball player could make $1.2 million over his career if they were to get paid, while an SEC football player can make about $325,000 during his entire career. Looks like more players are gonna go play basketball in the PAC-12 than football in the SEC if schools start paying players.

Don’t pay them … just restructure the scholarship to make sure all athletes are covered so we can avoid hearing stories like this. Remember, whatever you do for men’s basketball or football, you will have to do the same for women’s soccer and golf. Did we all forget about the D-II and D-III schools? They barely make any money … will this make those sports irrelevant? We are looking at a massive change in the college model if athletes were to be paid. I hope the judge sees the down side of paying players but rules that they can compensate them in other ways rather than just in their bank accounts.

On yet another front, we might have to wait two years, but we are finally getting Alabama to take on a PAC-12 team as one of their non-conference games. Most fans want to see Alabama play Oregon — they should have met in the Sugar Bowl last year — but in 2016 USC will meet Alabama in the “Cowboys Classic.” This match-up will be a great one … maybe … it’s two years away … so who knows?! I do know one thing, college football fans can expect more games like this to be scheduled now that we have a playoff.

College football fans, enjoy your conference’s media day. It will be filled with many fun thoughts and speculations about the upcoming season. If I were you, I would spend the rest of the summer figuring out how this playoff thing works, cross your fingers that the NCAA wins the trial and hope that your favorite player stays out of trouble for at least one more month.

 

NATIONAL NEWS:

1. SEC MEDIA DAY winners

2.  Best week night games of 2014

3. Comcast and DirecTV going SEC

4. Tennessee wanted Kiffin

5. Hot seat coaches

 

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