“Evolve or perish,” goes the Darwinian maxim. In the college football world, evolution has taken the form of expansion. But it’s been a few years since the mass realignment and expansion led by Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Utah, Louisville, Syracuse, Maryland, Rutgers, Pitt and TCU. Are we in line for a second wave of expansion in the Power 5 …
College Football Is Around the Corner. Wanna Bet?
(From the movie Stripes.) Cruiser: Maybe I should fold. Ox: Let me see, Cruise. Let me look first. (Looks at Cruiser’s hand.) Fold? Not with a hand like that! Come on, dare me. Bluff me! Cruiser: How much should I bet? Ox: If it was me, I’d bet everything. But I’m Mr. Las Vegas. Come on, go for it. (Cruise …
Is Oregon Ready for a Lone Star Rumble?
(To the tune of ‘The Yellow Rose of Texas”) She’s the sweetest little rose (bowl) bud that Texas ever knew, From Eugene to Dallas, few Ducks have ever flew. You can talk about your Clemsontine and sing of Coach Swinney, But that Duck named Puddles is the only one for me. Gus, he was the OC when Tigers ate Duck …
The Pac-12 Can’t Recruit … Here’s the Fix!
“Son, this is your fifth season at State and you haven’t come close to living up to your five-star rating. I don’t get it, son. Are you simply lacking in IQ, or are you just absolutely apathetic? What in the hay do you have to say for yourself, son?” “Coach, I don’t know and I don’t care.” With the way …
Who’s Going Dancing in 2019?
The 2019 college football season kicks off on August 24, 2019. One of the so-called “Week Zero” games will feature the Florida Gators attempting to chomp the Miami Hurricanes. (I’m not sure what the odds are for the game getting washed out by one of Mother Nature’s hurricanes…) Although hope springs eternal this time of the year, let’s be realistic. …
Pac-12 … Show us the MONEY!
When it comes to all things capitalism, even avowed socialists should listen when the Wall Street Journal speaks. Below are the WSJ’s 25 most valuable college football programs. All forms of revenue, including media distributions, are taken into account. 1. Texas 2. Ohio State 3. Alabama 4. Michigan 5. Notre Dame 6. Georgia 7. Oklahoma 8. Auburn 9. LSU 10. …
College Sports and the Olympic Model: The Times They Are A-Changin’
(To the tune of Maggie’s Farm by Bob Dylan) I ain’t goin’ to work on Emmert’s farm no more. No, I ain’t goin’ to work on Emmert’s farm no more. He hands you a nickel! He hands you a dime! Coach is makin’ millions, From my body on the line. The fans, it’s me they adore. No, I ain’t goin’ to …
Calling 9-1-1: A Quack For Help in the Pac-12
“What’s that you say? ‘Jackie Robinson, Johnny Wooden and McKay have gone away’? Hey, hey, hey!” B-r-r-r-ing! “9-1-1.” “Quaaaaaack!” It’s Poor Puddles calling to report animal abuse. Our fine-feathered friend has been whipped, spurred and ridden so hard by Trojans, Cougars, Huskies, Sun Devils, Beavers, Wildcats, Utes, Bears (both Golden and Bruin), and even two-ton Ralphie, that he is starting …
Lawsuit Against NCAA Opens the Floodgates to Pay Players
Amateur athletes aren’t getting paid yet, but things are heading in that direction. The subject of compensation for student athletes has dominated the college football and basketball landscapes for years now. From Ed O’Bannon’s groundbreaking lawsuit to a handful of Northwestern football players attempting to unionize, it seems that the NCAA’s current structure is inching closer to a total facelift. …
Ducks Football 2019: Best of Times or Worst of Times?
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, …
“Welcome to My Parlor,” Said the Tiger to the Duck
It’s time to check in on our friends from the South. Surely, the SEC hasn’t been dominating your news feeds or been fawned over by ESPN enough this offseason, right? So, I thought it fitting to put together a little something to give some much needed love and attention to the most underappreciated conference in the land. The following is …
Preseason Predictions Are Futile … So Here Are Mine!
Let’s pause a moment to consider the irrelevant, shall we? Among things that are not in the least bit relevant: the price of pet rocks up for re-sale on eBay, being accepted for admission at USC, the backup QB battle at Oregon State, Steve Spurrier’s coaching record in the AAF (RIP), the doings of the “Kardashian Krew,” “Chip Kelly’s Guide …