Did Rich Rodriguez Have a Teachable Moment in the Big 10?
February 27, 2010
This is an opinion article. Everything in this article is based solely on the observations and feeling of the author. As such, it can be taken for what it is worth.
There is a missing element in the media bombardment of the University of Michigan football program.
While there is no doubt that this is one of the most respected and accomplished college football programs of all time, there is another element that lurks below the surface.
When Rich Rodriguez moved from West Virginia to Michigan, he brought a recipe for a winning program with him.
There is no doubt he was one of the best and brightest football coaches in the nation. He had been pursued by some of the most accomplished football programs in the nation. What happened?
One thing the press has covered very well is the time necessary to adapt to the spread offense. It takes some teams longer than others. While some point to Auburn doing it in one year, is this true?
First, Auburn had a failed attempt to move to the spread in 2008. Then there was a mostly successful attempt in 2009. Auburn expects to be fully operational in 2010. This leaves two complete seasons where some variation of the spread offense was recruited for at Auburn.
There were still parts of the Auburn offense that needed improvement in 2009. While it was the 12th most productive offense in the nation, the lack of sustained drives and ultra fast scoring left the thin defense on the field far too long.
While this is certainly one element, it is not the element this article is about. There is still another missing link here. Everyone knows the 2009 Michigan football season statistics were bad.
http://web1.ncaa.org/football/exec/rankingSummary?year=2009&org=418
Is there something to be learned in these statistics? Maybe not if one simply looks at this one team’s statistics. What if they were compared to another team going through a similar transition?
http://web1.ncaa.org/football/exec/rankingSummary?year=2009&org=37
There are some remarkably similar trends. The defenses of both teams suffered in similar ways. If one thinks, there are other similarities. It does seem the press has found one element that is constant. There is a transitional period for the spread, or at least the rushing-based spread.
When making these comparisons, keep in mind that Auburn was already a team based on speed. The rushing-based spread offenses of Rich Rodriguez and Gus Malzhan are both speed-based. Michigan was not a speed-based team when the transition started. It would seem to me this would indicate a little longer transition would be necessary.
This brings this article to the actual point. Michigan was forced into a huge change of players’ physical skills quickly. This lead to many younger players having to hit the field early before proper strength and conditioning could be achieved. The injury toll was devastating as the season rolled on.
This is another element of converting so completely in a physical conference. The intensity of the physicality of play simply took its toll on young offensive players. This led to the defense being exposed to higher doses of the same physical pressure of the Big 10 season.
The combined effect of these two factors left Michigan with the results of the 2009 season. If this transition had been occurring in the Big East where the schedule has bye weeks and lesser competition mixed in with the better teams, the results would have been better.
Remember, Auburn lost five of the last eight games in 2009. Again, this is another remarkable similarity. Auburn had three of the games in that stretch that were decided by one score, does this look familiar to Michigan fans?
This is simply a part of the process to be expected when transitioning in a physical conference. I think most would agree the SEC and Big 10 are physical conferences.
I am not a Michigan fan. When Auburn started this process, I looked at Michigan and thought that the year two Michigan team would be similar to what I could expect at Auburn in year one of Gus Malzhan.
At this point looking at 2010, I think Auburn might have been a little closer with personnel. I think Michigan fans can expect similar results to the 2009 Auburn Tigers, or maybe a little better.
If Michigan does not get similar results in 2010, then I would say point fingers and panic at will. Until then, sit back and look forward to a very exciting brand of football in 2010 with some positive results.
Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com
What Impact Would a Big Ten Expansion Have on Michigan State?
February 27, 2010
As the Big Ten looks to add another team to its ranks and become the….Big Ten, with twelve teams…the impact of such an expansion must be investigated by each team.
Michigan State has been in the Big Ten since the 1950 season, and they have fit comfortably into that role with their style of play, which is an offense that can air it out but also enjoys running the football with physical backs.
The rest of the Big Ten also tends to follow this mold, with the exception of those guys in maize and blue, which makes the addition of any team that plays a different style of offense something new, something dangerous.
Rumors abound on which team may join the Big Ten ranks, such schools as Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, Missouri, and Texas. It seems as though the Big Ten has its heart set on raiding the Big East or Big 12.
First things first: Texas has already shot this rumor down, and if you think about it, travel time just doesn’t allow for Texas to be a viable choice as an addition. As tempting as the Longhorns would be, it wouldn’t be fair to anyone. Texas has also commented that it is considering becoming an independent, like Notre Dame.
Missouri is closer to the teams of the Big Ten, but they seem to be quite content in the Big 12 conference and convincing them to change to a new division might just prove to be too much. Mizzou is a great team in the Big 12 and is a perennial contender, but the allure of significantly more income per game may be enough to sway them. But again, public statement from the university is that they are staying in the Big 12.
Syracuse is a newcomer to the candidates, and it doesn’t look to be tempting enough for the Big Ten to bite on however. The Orangemen do have the advantage of being closer to the majority of the current Big Ten teams. On the other hand Syracuse doesn’t have the fan base that the Big Ten would like in an expansion team. They will remain in the Big East.
Rutgers is the birthplace of college football; the first ever intercollegiate football game was played at Rutgers in 1869. The Scarlet Knights would be a good addition to the Big Ten, as they have a excellent fan base and are near the largest media market in the world, New York City. Rutgers football has had some tough times recently but is on the up and up in the last few years. And the increase in revenue by joining the Big Ten could be quite tempting for the Scarlet Knights. However, they may choose to stay in the Big East where they have a better chance at competing for a conference championship.
The odds on favorite and best choice to become part of the Big Ten is Pittsburgh. Pitt has played many of the Big Ten teams in recent years and has been a formidable opponent for many of their combatants. Their style of play is similar to that of the teams in the Big Ten, and they are the closest team rumored to be in the running.
The Panthers always find a way to compete for the top of the Big East conference and would be an excellent addition to the Big Ten. They would be able to challenge the current teams and would bring in another large media market into the Big Ten.
With Pitt looking to be the best fit into the Big Ten, Michigan State should look to see how their addition will affect them. The Spartans have faced the Panthers six times in total and have a record of 5-0-1 against them.
Michigan State having never lost to Pittsburgh should be both a good thing and a bad.
It’s a good thing because Michigan State has the mental advantage over Pittsburgh; it may not be something measurable, but it does exist and it does affect games. Teams who are down in a series tend to get stressed out more in these games and make mistakes at a higher frequency than their opponent.
And with Michigan State having this advantage along with the advantage of video of successful play calls, they look to have the advantage overall against the Panthers.
However, as all Spartan fans know what the team should do and what they actually do tend to differ greatly. Pitt is a tough team and by no means will Michigan State run this series; instead, they will be tested hard and often. Given the Spartans woes on defense lately, a game against a healthy Pittsburgh may be too much to handle.
Michigan State should be excited about the possible expansion of the Big Ten, because it is a net gain for both them and the conference. With the expansion of the Big Ten, the conference gains more national attention, and with it so do the teams in it. And with another team to the conference, the possibility of a conference championship game grows significantly.
The Spartans should look forward to an increase in national attention with the bigger conference, and a larger conference would allow for a larger Big Ten network and more national coverage of games. And with Michigan State changing its color scheme and uniforms in search of a more national identity, the possible expansion of the Big Ten is nothing but good news.
Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com
The Top SEC Drumlines: Going to Battle with the Bands
February 27, 2010
While my friends were busying themselves with other sorts of pre-game festivities, I had something else in mind.
At the time, I felt a slight sense of the college football geek-dom I’d eventually settle into creeping in.
But that would only last until I got to the Florida Book Store on the University of Florida campus.
I can remember vividly, making my way there hours before kickoff, just to get close to the Gator Marching band, The Pride of the Sunshine, as they lined up to march to Florida Field.
It’s no wonder that for centuries, bands have inspired warriors going into battle.
While the wars of football don’t compare with the real thing (thankfully!), hearing your team’s band perform, really does get the excitement going.
Because, you see, there’s nothing like SEC football. And I’m not simply talking about all the talking.
I’m talking about how it got into my soul as a young man; grabbing hold of me with a grip that refuses to let go to this day.
And the music of the band played an integral part of that upbringing.
Being from New Jersey, I grew up with the New York Yankees in my blood.
But something happened along the way too.
As I’ve noted in other pieces I’ve written, fate intervened and launched me into a lifelong love affair with the Florida Gators.
Please don’t misunderstand this latest effort: it’s not Gator tribute piece.
My intention is for this to be for all fans of college football, especially those of us who claim an SEC school as one of our own.
I’ve included some clips of SEC bands in an attempt to capture the feeling that goes along with the games.
And I’ve purposely avoided using edited clips in this slide show, opting instead for those videos made by fans just like you and me.
Thanks to all of you for checking this out. I hope you enjoy it.
Gives me chills to this day.
If Big Ten Expands, Wisconsin’s Alvarez Won’t Head Welcome Committee
February 27, 2010
Since the Big Ten Conference disclosed they were exploring future expansion, a hearty debate of expansion’s pros and cons has been ongoing.
Wisconsin Athletic Director Barry Alvarez, who also served as the school’s head football coach from 1990-2005, has made it clear that he doesn’t want to part with any of million his school gets from the Big Ten each year.
According to CBS Sports, Alvarez put it this way: “You just don’t jump into a league and get a full share of what everyone else in this league has established over time.”
He reminds one of former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, who told reporters he wasn’t in favor of revenue sharing because it took years for the Dodgers to get to where they were.
But Alvarez isn’t the only Big Ten exec who feels this way. Michigan’s Athletic Director Bill Martin said, “I cannot see our 11 institutions simply saying we’re going to divide our pie up into more pieces.”
In an effort to satisfy Joe Paterno, who suggested Big Ten teams have trouble competing in bowl games because their season ends two or three weeks sooner than other conferences, Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany okay-ed the exploration of a possible expansion.
An expansion to 12 teams would meet NCAA requirements, and the Big Ten could stage their own conference championship game—enabling the conference to play well into December.
But since the Big Ten decided to do a fact-finding search of teams considered as possible candidates, it’s become obvious that any move in the direction of expansion would be predicated by finances and not about a conference championship game.
ALVAREZ NEEDS TO BE MORE RECEPTIVE TO EXPANSION
When Alvarez talks about the potential loss of revenue that expansion could create, he makes a good point. Most likely, he reflects the feelings of all the Big Ten athletic directors, who have to deal with budgetary issues in a flattening economy.
But Alvarez seems to be forgetting how good the Big Ten has been to Wisconsin and who is really putting the bread on the Big Ten’s table—it certainly isn’t the Badgers.
Wisconsin plays good football, 80,000 fans squeeze into Camp Randall Stadium for every home game, and the Badgers have won three Rose Bowls and three Big Ten Championships during Alvarez’s coaching regime.
But Wisconsin, with a population of slightly over 5 million, is one of smaller states in the family of states that make up the Big Ten Conference. Iowa, with under 3 million residents is the smallest, Minnesota has approximately 5 million people, and Indiana has slightly over 6 million.
The heavily populated states of Illinois (12 mil), Pennsylvania (12 mil), Ohio (11 mil), and Michigan (10 mil) are the ones that make the conference as financially successful as it is—and it is successful.
More viewers means more television money. More fans means more folks are ordering the Big Ten Network as part of their television package.
Wisconsin is getting the same million that all the Big Ten teams received last year, but they’re not earning it. The Big boys—Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State—are earning it.
Alvarez needs to remember what a privilege it is to be a member of the Big Ten, and when he talks about not awarding new member full shares, he needs to remember what a deal Wisconsin is getting.
DOES ALVAREZ NEED TO CLARIFY HIS POSITION?
No one can have it both ways. When the Wisconsin AD talks about not wanting to share revenue with new members, it seems to conflict with a comment he made in the same CBS Sports wire story. Alvarez was reported as saying, “You take a look at championship week in December, and we’re non-players. We’re irrelevant.”
Is he proposing the Big Ten somehow extends their season by scheduling bye weeks for its teams, or is he advocating an expansion of at least one new team?
You can’t have it both ways!
WILL NEW MEMBERS HAVE TO SIGN PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENTS?
What happens if the Big Ten decides to increase its membership and invites a school like Pittsburgh, Missouri, Rutgers, or Syracuse?
The Big Ten pays their schools twice as much money as the SEC, the second wealthiest conference. Are they just going to cut one of these schools an equal share?
Are they going to ask the new member, or members, to sign a prenuptial agreement?
After all, a merger is similar to a marriage. Are they going to make the new member agree to accept a smaller yearly payout until they show high ratings in their region, or until they win a Big Ten championship?
It seems that prenuptial agreements are becoming more accepted each year. When building a relationship between a school and a conference, it might not be in the best interest of both parties.
FINANCIAL CONCERNS LIKELY TO OVERRIDE THE DESIRE TO EXPAND
As more and more is learned about the wealth of the Big Ten, through their television contract and the Big Ten Network, one can immediately see the this conference is doing something right.
Since the Big Ten pays its members million a year, which is twice as much as the SEC, and three or four times more than the Big East, it appears that adding a team from a conference like the Big East would cause tremendous financial concerns.
Taking a gamble that Rutgers would bring enough viewers with them—and could potentially excel in the New York metropolitan market—would simply be a gamble.
As Big Ten athletic directors are presented with the realities of losing any of their yearly revenues, the thought of hosting a Big Ten championship game is likely to become an after thought—a luxury that doesn’t make sense at this time.
Unless Notre Dame or Texas are going to be one of the teams to be added, Big Ten expansion seems destined to remain in the exploratory stages for a good while longer.
Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com
2010 NFL Draft: Buffalo Bills Mock Draft
February 26, 2010
Buffalo Bills fans have been waiting for the stud franchise quarterback to take them to the Super Bowl since Jim Kelly left. But is it worth drafting a Jimmy Clausen or Sam Bradford with their No. 9 overall pick (See JP Losman).
With the recent retirement of Brad Butler, the Bills are in even more of a quandary than they were to begin this questionable offseason.
Featured in this slide show is a full Mock Draft for each of the eight picks Buffalo has this year.
2010 Michigan Wolverines Football Schedule and Predictions
February 26, 2010
After two bowless, losing seasons, 2010 is a key year for Michigan. After two years of recruiting, Rich Rodriguez has experienced players able to play his spread offense. And with the Practice Gate scandal, Rodriguez needs to do well to keep his job, and to have Michigan keep it’s reputation. With the 2010 schedule release, it’s time to look at what 2010 holds for the Wolverines.
Could Texas Declare Its Independence?
February 26, 2010
The argument for the University of Texas dropping the Big 12 in favor of either the Big 10 or Pac 10 loses more of its flavor each time it gets cooked. Of all the reasons originally given, a gain of approximately million dollars is really the only one left standing.
If that amount of extra cash is enough to give the university something to think about, how long before someone down in Austin starts checking into the monies gained by Texas forsaking all conferences and becoming an independent program?
The only thing better than a really good revenue sharing program is not having to share at all.
Officially, Texas is not interested in leaving the Big 12. That said, what keeps one of the school’s many prominent boosters or alumni from unofficially acting on its behalf? If the school—even surreptitiously—is considering a breakup, would it not make sense for the school to consider going it alone?
The Pros
A Lone Star Shines Brightest
Austin is not just one of the coolest cities on the planet, it is centrally located near three of the larger television markets in the country: Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. When combined with Austin’s own market, the group represents over 5 percent of all television households.
Only the New York City market is bigger.
The university’s development of its own sporting network is grounded in the access to those markets. Having the rights to broadcast games—and the revenues involved in doing so, with primary ownership of advertising and sponsorship streams—could yield a boon to the program.
I say could because, as those who study such things know, the size of the pie for television money in college football does not change that much, just the size of the slices.
Even with that qualifier, the fact that the Longhorns would be sharing the revenue with only the team they are playing, and not the conference they belong to, would produce a higher margin of return on an investment they are already making.
As Texas is the star power—sorry OU Fans—in any packaging deals the Big 12 makes with networks and distributors currently, there is little fear that similar partnerships cannot be reached by the Longhorns’ themselves.
In fact, cable distributors like Time Warner and Comcast benefit from actually paying a premium for the rights to the broadcast in their being unburdened by obligations to carry other teams.
Let’s give a collective Yahoo! for never having to watch Iowa State versus Baylor on Saturday night again.
Even when it has had down years—the David McWilliams Era comes to mind—the University of Texas has always been the premier program in a state where coaches are deified or burned every day of the calendar.
That history and cultural relevance makes UT one of the few schools that could actually pull an idea like this off.
The Fan Base is Growing
You do not have to have a doctorate in demographics to realize that dynamic changes to the national population are taking place.
Documenting immigration studies has become a moot point in modern society. The discussion concerning the issue has reached a level of national consciousness; it fills our political spectrum on topics from housing to health care.
This year’s national census will tell us little that our eyes have not already witnessed; the Hispanic immigration community is growing, and doing so faster than any other group of people.
Politicians, media execs and academics are but a few of those trying to discern what effect such a large population migration has on a host country. As sports fans, our concerns are less fiery, and seldom extend beyond the teams that anyone—including immigrants—choose to cheer for.
But know you this: tapping into the economic power of the growing Hispanic community is something that every school in the country is trying to figure out. Why would they not? Every business from appliances to soft drinks is doing the same.
The pursuit for those dollars and the impact they will have is one of the great questions for this century. It will change many things in our lives and it will change college football, too.
Look at how the Dallas Cowboys have marketed themselves throughout Central America, and start thinking the same thing for the college game.
Fresno State head coach Pat Hill has openly theorized about his program becoming to the Hispanic population what Notre Dame is to Catholics. He went so far as to pine about the possibility of striking a television deal with Telemundo or Univision to carry games south of the border.
If it makes sense to him, would it make a lot for sense for Longhorns?
Imagine the slogan—The University of Texas Longhorns: Mexico’s Team.
Better Football
A move to Independence would not jeopardize the loss of rivalries like a move to another conference would.
Texas would need to play a tougher schedule than it currently does in order to make BCS bowls. I do assume that such a move would come with the same kind of deal that the BCS struck with Notre Dame.
It would need the Red River against Oklahoma. It would need the game against Texas A&M too. What it would not need and could not have is three or four games against directional schools or lower tier programs. Texas would need to play a better schedule against more national programs to get into the big bowl picture.
The Longhorns could still play regionally as they do now in conference. A Texas-TCU matchup at Jerry World would be a huge draw. SMU and Houston could be added so in-state games do not feel like a rehash of former conference ones.
Texas has a deal in place to play Ole Miss down the road, so stepping into the SEC is not a new idea. What about a home-and-home series with LSU? Think people would watch that?
The risk is the same one Notre Dame took and is now suffering from—in order to be invited to the big parties you have to beat enough good teams. If you are not very good, your schedule will prove it.
The Cons (The first one is the only one needed)
Even in Texas, They Play Sports Other than Football
Ultimately, even with the benefits to the football program, what keeps Texas in a conference are the sports not currently coached by Mack Brown.
The basketball, baseball, golf, swimming, etc. teams need conference affiliation in order to succeed. You see, most of them have a playoff system that relies on conference championships to produce national champions. There are exemptions, but not many.
Conferences are an easy way to design play for universities. They keep budgets stable and allow athletes time to develop both on the field and in the classroom. The consistency of conference scheduling serves a systemic function for sports programs by allowing coaches to plan things like training programs and recruiting schedules.
Conferences promote rivalries at multiple times during the year, generating interest and revenue opportunities for alumni and fans.
Opportunities for the greatest number of students to compete for their school come from playing sports other than football. Schools with conference affiliations have more sports to play; that is well documented. Also well documented is the fact that Independents rarely succeed in more than one or two sports.
For that reason alone—giving more kids more opportunities to succeed—the Longhorns will stay in a conference.
Jeb Williamson covers Ole Miss Football as a Featured Columnist for the Bleacher Report. He welcomes and appreciates all comments. Click here to view his other articles.
Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com
Could Texas Declare Its Independence from the Big 12?
February 26, 2010
The argument for the University of Texas dropping the Big 12 in favor of either the Big 10 or Pac 10 loses more of its flavor each time it gets cooked. Of all the reasons originally given, a gain of approximately million dollars is really the only one left standing.
If that amount of extra cash is enough to give the university something to think about, how long before someone down in Austin starts checking into the monies gained by Texas forsaking all conferences and becoming an independent program?
The only thing better than a really good revenue sharing program is not having to share at all.
Officially, Texas is not interested in leaving the Big 12. That said, what keeps one of the school’s many prominent boosters or alumni from unofficially acting on its behalf? If the school—even surreptitiously—is considering a breakup, would it not make sense for the school to consider going it alone?
The Pros
A Lone Star Shines Brightest
Austin is not just one of the coolest cities on the planet, it is centrally located near three of the larger television markets in the country: Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. When combined with Austin’s own market, the group represents over 5 percent of all television households.
Only the New York City market is bigger.
The university’s development of its own sporting network is grounded in the access to those markets. Having the rights to broadcast games—and the revenues involved in doing so, with primary ownership of advertising and sponsorship streams—could yield a boon to the program.
I say could because, as those who study such things know, the size of the pie for television money in college football does not change that much, just the size of the slices.
Even with that qualifier, the fact that the Longhorns would be sharing the revenue with only the team they are playing, and not the conference they belong to, would produce a higher margin of return on an investment they are already making.
As Texas is the star power—sorry OU Fans—in any packaging deals the Big 12 makes with networks and distributors currently, there is little fear that similar partnerships cannot be reached by the Longhorns’ themselves.
In fact, cable distributors like Time Warner and Comcast benefit from actually paying a premium for the rights to the broadcast in their being unburdened by obligations to carry other teams.
Let’s give a collective Yahoo! for never having to watch Iowa State versus Baylor on Saturday night again.
Even when it has had down years—the David McWilliams Era comes to mind—the University of Texas has always been the premier program in a state where coaches are deified or burned every day of the calendar.
That history and cultural relevance makes UT one of the few schools that could actually pull an idea like this off.
The Fan Base is Growing
You do not have to have a doctorate in demographics to realize that dynamic changes to the national population are taking place.
Documenting immigration studies has become a moot point in modern society. The discussion concerning the issue has reached a level of national consciousness; it fills our political spectrum on topics from housing to health care.
This year’s national census will tell us little that our eyes have not already witnessed; the Hispanic immigration community is growing, and doing so faster than any other group of people.
Politicians, media execs and academics are but a few of those trying to discern what effect such a large population migration has on a host country. As sports fans, our concerns are less fiery, and seldom extend beyond the teams that anyone—including immigrants—choose to cheer for.
But know you this: tapping into the economic power of the growing Hispanic community is something that every school in the country is trying to figure out. Why would they not? Every business from appliances to soft drinks is doing the same.
The pursuit for those dollars and the impact they will have is one of the great questions for this century. It will change many things in our lives and it will change college football, too.
Look at how the Dallas Cowboys have marketed themselves throughout Central America, and start thinking the same thing for the college game.
Fresno State head coach Pat Hill has openly theorized about his program becoming to the Hispanic population what Notre Dame is to Catholics. He went so far as to pine about the possibility of striking a television deal with Telemundo or Univision to carry games south of the border.
If it makes sense to him, would it make a lot for sense for Longhorns?
Imagine the slogan—The University of Texas Longhorns: Mexico’s Team.
Better Football
A move to Independence would not jeopardize the loss of rivalries like a move to another conference would.
Texas would need to play a tougher schedule than it currently does in order to make BCS bowls. I do assume that such a move would come with the same kind of deal that the BCS struck with Notre Dame.
It would need the Red River against Oklahoma. It would need the game against Texas A&M too. What it would not need and could not have is three or four games against directional schools or lower tier programs. Texas would need to play a better schedule against more national programs to get into the big bowl picture.
The Longhorns could still play regionally as they do now in conference. A Texas-TCU matchup at Jerry World would be a huge draw. SMU and Houston could be added so in-state games do not feel like a rehash of former conference ones.
Texas has a deal in place to play Ole Miss down the road, so stepping into the SEC is not a new idea. What about a home-and-home series with LSU? Think people would watch that?
The risk is the same one Notre Dame took and is now suffering from—in order to be invited to the big parties you have to beat enough good teams. If you are not very good, your schedule will prove it.
The Cons (The first one is the only one needed)
Even in Texas, They Play Sports Other than Football
Ultimately, even with the benefits to the football program, what keeps Texas in a conference are the sports not currently coached by Mack Brown.
The basketball, baseball, golf, swimming, etc. teams need conference affiliation in order to succeed. You see, most of them have a playoff system that relies on conference championships to produce national champions. There are exemptions, but not many.
Conferences are an easy way to design play for universities. They keep budgets stable and allow athletes time to develop both on the field and in the classroom. The consistency of conference scheduling serves a systemic function for sports programs by allowing coaches to plan things like training programs and recruiting schedules.
Conferences promote rivalries at multiple times during the year, generating interest and revenue opportunities for alumni and fans.
Opportunities for the greatest number of students to compete for their school come from playing sports other than football. Schools with conference affiliations have more sports to play; that is well documented. Also well documented is the fact that Independents rarely succeed in more than one or two sports.
For that reason alone—giving more kids more opportunities to succeed—the Longhorns will stay in a conference.
Jeb Williamson covers Ole Miss Football as a Featured Columnist for the Bleacher Report. He welcomes and appreciates all comments. Click here to view his other articles.
Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com
Ten Teams That May Surprise in the 2010 College Football Season
February 26, 2010
The 2009 college football season had it’s share of surprises and upsets. This season won’t be any different than the last.
Though we all know about the defending champion Alabama Crimson Tide, about schools like USC, Oregon, Oklahoma, Ohio State and a cast of others that will do exactly what we expect them to do.
But who will those surprise teams be in 2010? Who are those teams that will step up into the lime light and do what no one expected?
The following list is my top ten teams that will surprise, shock and do the unexpected during the 2010 college football season.
2010 NFL Combine: Gerald McCoy is More Than Just a Football Player
February 26, 2010
Gerald McCoy begins his NFL Combine experience today and for the most part, it should simply be a formality.
McCoy has been rated in the top five of every single draft board that has popped up in the past couple of months with some of the boards, including SI.com’s Don Banks’ , picking the former Sooner to go to the St. Louis Rams as the first overall selection.
McCoy and Ndamukong Suh, almost everyone else’s pick for No. 1, are cut from almost the identical mold. Both are big, fast, and extremely athletic for their size. I believe that Suh has more of the big play ability, but if the Rams decide to take one of the two with the first pick, they can’t go wrong.
McCoy arrives in Indianapolis today and will go through the basic drills and also have a couple of interviews as well.
Knowing Gerald personally, I think it is these interviews that really show NFL executives and coaches that there is so much more to him than just a big bundle of pure athletic ability.
In his time at Oklahoma, Gerald epitomized what it truly meant to be a student athlete. I remember standing right next to him at many basketball and volleyball games going crazy and cheering for a victory.
The best moment was when the men’s basketball team played Texas Tech on Valentine’s Day this past year.
I’ll just let this picture speak for itself.
Gerald is also a very devout Christian. I had the privilege of sitting down with him and talking to him about that. I’ve posted the article here so that you can look at it.
When it comes to the combine and the draft, people tend to focus way too much on the talent of a given individual and don’t give them enough credit for the upstanding person that they are.
Many of these athletes have been through a lot in their lives that has helped shape the way that they play, their work ethic, and their overall perspective on life.
No matter where Gerald McCoy gets drafted, the team that gets him will be getting an outstanding defensive tackle.
But more importantly, they’ll be getting an outstanding human being.
Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com
