Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, December 20, 2013
Wow. Make that: Double wow. How is that for a Friday? A "double wow." Pretty cool, huh? The cause of my double-wow: There is a 2014 Top 25 already out. And, here it is. The highest ranked Big Ten team? Do you have to ask-or click on the link? C?mon. But it is kinda cool to see Minnesota at No. 24. But, there are only three Big Ten teams in this way, way, way too early Top 25 from NationalChamps.net.
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Bob Flounders of Pennlive.com takes an unofficial look at Penn State?s scholarship 2014 count.
The scholarship sanctions have been relaxed for Bill O'Brien's football team. Penn State can welcome in 20 scholarship recruits in the 2014 class and the Lions are permitted to have 75 scholarship players on their roster next season. How good is this team gonna be in a year or so? Exactly.
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Before playing Clemson in the Orange Bowl, Ohio State needs to find some answers on defense. Yep. That?s right. But, I doubt it happens between now and then. Because, you know, OSU can?t add any new personnel.
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Todd McShay of ESPN likes Darqueze Dennard and Taylor Lewan, projecting each as a first-round pick. Big shocker, huh?
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Brady Hoke says Michigan is still gonna rely on Devin Gardner in the bowl game, but Shane Morris is taking the majority of snaps in pre-bowl practices. Well, OK. I guess bowls are about preparing for the future. But no way would a team have its backup take the majority of snaps the week before a regular-season game. I thought bowls were important. Shouldn?t starters get prepped? Oh, well.
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Jeremy Fowler of CBSSports.com takes a look behind the curtain of the Big Ten bowl selection process. Here is all you need to know about the process from Big Ten senior associate commissioner Mark Rudner: ?It?s all politics.? Doesn?t that make you feel better? Why be bothered with won-loss records, quality wins, things of that nature? Ah, the bowl season ?
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What had been speculated for months is now a reality: The Purdue-Notre Dame series no longer will be an annual affair after 2014, when the schools will meet in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The schools have played every season since 1946, but the Big Ten moving to a nine-game conference schedule in 2016 and Notre Dame?s commitment to play five Atlantic Coast Conference games made it nearly impossible for the series to continue annually. The schools have agreed to play at Purdue (2020 and 2024) and at Notre Dame (2021 and 2025). The 2026 game will be held at a neutral location and is considered an Irish home game.
If America can live without Michigan-Notre Dame playing each year, I think it will be OK without Purdue-ND meeting annually.
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Mike Hlas looks at the LSU-Iowa Outback Bowl, as only he can.
If money matters, Iowa is in trouble. You see, LSU has the highest-paid coaching staff in the nation. LSU assistant coaches? salary packages will total approximately $4.6 million for the fiscal year of July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014. Tigers defensive coordinator John Chavis earned $1.1 million in 2013. Meanwhile, Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker?s was paid $306,223 for the year that ended June 30. Looks like he?ll have to keep ordering off the Extra Value Menu. Poor guy.
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Great to see Minnesota DT Ra?Shede Hageman earn his degree this week. Amazing story.
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Penn State?s Christian Hackenberg and Ohio State?s Joey Bose were monster true freshmen in the Big Ten this fall. But Wisconsin?s Sojourn Shelton was arguably the third-best true freshman in the league in 2013. Bet you didn?t know that. Well, it?s just my opinion.
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TWEETS THAT MATTER
Ohio State co-DC Everett Withers to FCS James Madison as head coach in negotiation stage, I'm told, including salary upgrade on JMU end.
— Tim May (@TIM_MAYsports) December 19, 2013
My take: Good for Withers, who at one time was interim head coach at North Carolina.
One thing about OSU defense under Fickell/Withers is that it became very reactionary. React to offense rather than force offense to react.
— Brandon Castel (@BCastOhio) December 19, 2013
My take: I guess you do what your personnel dictates, right?
Army should look at OSU o-line coach/coordinator Ed Warinner to be head coach. Great line coach, option background, academy background.
— Jim Comparoni (@JimComparoni) December 20, 2013
My take: Yes, yes and yes.
MSU defensive backs coach Harlon Barnett says Darian Hicks and Arjen Colquhoun are early leaders in race to replace Dennard.
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) December 20, 2013
My take: Good luck with that.
Dennard allowed an average of 0.8198 yards per pass attempt, lowest recorded since NFL Draft Report started doing this in 1968 — wow.
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) December 19, 2013
My take: I never have heard of this stat in my life. Wow.
In two seasons, Tim Beckman has picked up 11 JUCO players. In seven seasons, Ron Zook had eight JUCO players
— Matt Daniels (@mdaniels_NG) December 20, 2013
My take: So there is that.
Pelini said he still expects Ameer Abdullah to return for his senior year. #Huskers
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) December 19, 2013
My take: Well, this is outstanding news.
how bad was it for @BoilerFootball? Purdue held a lead for just 6 minutes and 39 seconds of Big Ten play
— Hammer and Rails (@HammerAndRails) December 19, 2013
My take: This is amazing.
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| About Tom Dienhart | BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section. |
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