Lots of MACtion in store for 2024

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Lebanon, TN – Having invested well for retirement and moving to Tennessee gives us plenty of time and puts us in proximity to seeing good MACtion clashes this season.  With games televised over November weekday evenings, we can combine multiple games within two evenings to travel and build our resume’ attending competitive games and visiting new venues – in sync with our already great adventure.  We look forward to some close, hard-fought battles.

MACtion competitively balanced?

In his College Football ’24 Preview, Phil Steele quotes Ball State HC Mike Neu. “He told me there is not so much difference from top to middle of the MAC (Mid-American Conference).” Well, we plan to find out.  It gives us first-hand looks to see some teams that will eventually be playing in early December bowls – good for evaluating teams in those bowl pools we enter after the regular season! Through MACtion in person, we hope to have our finger on the pulse of this conference.

Below, we present our slate of MACtion games in chronological order.   As a conference, with fewer games we’ve attended than most others, we will also report on our vivid memories of the Mid-Americans whose membership has basically remained intact over the years.

The Mid-American Conference remains as the conference that looms with the most stadiums left for us to visit. Last season, we visited the tribute to "The Cradle of Coaches" at Miami in Oxford, Ohio for our first week attending two MACtion games.
The Mid-American Conference remains as the conference that looms with the most stadiums left for us to visit. Last season, we visited the tribute to “The Cradle of Coaches” at Miami in Oxford, Ohio for our first week attending two MACtion games.

October 12: Ohio U at Central Michigan; Big Chippewa Tailgate Party

We begin with a Saturday game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, home of the Chippewas.  We’ll enjoy our first game there with a good friend and former work colleague Mike Meyer and his family.  Mike, his wife, Mother, kids and friends all attended CMU. Annually, they plan a big tailgate party there once every season.  Mike invited St. Laurie and I to attend this game with about 40 die-hard Chippewa fans.  We look forward to this!

Heading into the sixth game of their season following games at Illinois and home against San Diego State, we see the Chips play in their second MACtion game of the year hosting Ohio U. The Bobcats finished 10-3 a year ago. They defeated Georgia Southern in the Myrtle Beach Bowl and defeated CMU 34-20. The Chips will actually have chips on their shoulders for this one after the Bobcats upset them last season.

Central Michigan hopes to see some improvement at QB with Iowa transfer Joey Labas.  Hard to imagine a QB from Iowa over the last few years being a solid selection to turn a program around.  Soph Bert Emanuel will have to be ready to step in after two starts last season.  Maybe both will improve under HC Jim McElwain, formerly at Colorado State and Floria.  Top RBs from 2023 in Marion Lukes and Myles Bailey return. They were also among the top five receivers following Tyson Davis and Jesse Prewitt with 30 and 31 snags respectively.  The OLine brings back three starters.  The team needs to ramp up their 23.3 points per game (ppg).  Defense returns six starters from their 5–7-mark last season led by three LBs – Donte Kent, Justin Whiteside and Dokata Cochran.

Bobcat momentum?

Ohio U. HC Tim Albin rebuilds with only two returning starters on offense and four on “D.” Junior Parker Novarro probably starts at QB. He led the Bobcats to a 41-25 victory over Georgia Southern in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.  Only RB Ricky Hunt returns in the backfield, and Anthony Tyus of Northwestern transferred in.  On defense, they build around two starting safeties in Austin Brawley and Adonis Williams.  Albin has led OU to 10-win seasons the past two years after an initial record of 3-9.  This season will attest to his recruiting and developmental program with a lot of new players stepping up.

In over 45 years, we have seen both teams play only once.  We saw CMU toppled by Syracuse, 41-17, in the Carrier Dome in 1999.  In 2005, we welcomed Ohio as our 100th team with a 34-20 win over our 101st team Buffalo in Amsterdam, NY. The Bobcats played then under their first-year HC Frank Solich.

Over the years there were opportunities to see Toledo and Bowling Green play against some top-rated FBS teams. Instead. we waited to see them play one another for some great MACtion! Patience paid off with a hard-fought 32-31 win by the Toledo Rockets.
Over the years there were opportunities to see Toledo and Bowling Green play against some top-rated FBS teams. Instead, we waited to see them play one another for some great MACtion! Patience paid off with a hard-fought 32-31 win by the Toledo Rockets.

November 5 (Election Day) – Miami (O.) at Ball State kicks off our weeknight MACtion

We descend upon Ball State’s Scheumann Stadium in Muncy Indiana for the first time.  However, we’ll be seeing the Miami Redhawks, defending MAC champs, for the second year in a row. We witnessed their win over Buffalo, 23-10, on our first trip to Oxford for their ninth win last season.  They went on to win the MAC title game over Toledo before falling to Appy State in the Cure Bowl, 13-9, to finish 11-3.

Senior QB Brett Gabbert (1,635 passing yards, 14 TDs, five INTs) keys their drive to win a second MAC title. He suffered an injury ending his season against Toledo in the title game.  Kenny Tracy returns as their top back who will be relied on to replace Rashod Amos’s 1075 yards and 13 TDs. The Top D among MACtion teams a year ago held opponents to 15.9 points per game. Returning Senior LBs Matt Sapolek and Ty Wise return with 144 and 122 tackles respectively.  This year, the Redhawks start off at Northwestern, vs. Cincinnati and at Notre Dame.  They will have four MAC games under their belt against teams we will see play before they meet Ball State who they defeated at home last season, 17-15. Like BSU HC Mike Neu stated, there’s not much different from top to middle among MACtion teams.

Where does Neu see his Cardinals?

Question is, does Neu see his team among the upper echelon here?  Ball State finished 4-8 a year ago with close losses against Toledo and Bowling Green as well as Miami. However, with six starters returning on offense and only one returning on defense, Neu definitely has his work cut out for him going into his ninth season at Ball State. 

QB Kadin Semonza returns as a redshirt freshman after only three starts. Four returning OL starters will be a strength for these Cardinals.  The top RB looks to be Indiana transfer Charles Spegal (71 rushing yards in ’23).  Top receiver Qian Magwood comes back to lead a passing attack that averaged only 18.3 ppg in 2023.  LB Kente Newson who led in tackles with 81 returns.  This year’s Cardinal crew of transfers includes several D-III players vying for starting positions on defense.  Will much defensive improvement be derived with one starter returning that allowed 24 ppg last year? 

Miami of Ohio stands at 2-1 in our history with last year’s win and a 14-13 win over Army at West Point in 1998.  They fell to Temple, 24-21, in a Thursday night game at The Linc in 2011.  Ball State fell hard on a blistering, hot day at Boston College in 2003, 53-29.   However, we also saw them under HC Pete Lembo defeat the Cadets of West Point at Michie Stadium, 30-22, in 2012.

The Redhawks leading tackler from last season, Matt Salopek, returns for his Senior season to lead this tough Miami defense once again.
The Redhawks leading tackler from last season, Matt Salopek, returns for his Senior season to lead this tough Miami defense once again.

November 6: Northern Illinois at Western Michigan; Broncos have some making up to do in Kalamazoo

Our November MACtion action continues the very next night at Western Michigan’s Waldo Stadium to check off another FBS stadium toward this crazy goal.   We were wondering where Waldo was.   Northern Illinois returns 30 seniors under their HC Thomas Hammock.  Games at Notre Dame and NC State precede our visit.  One of three QBs could be starting for the Huskies by the time we hopefully see them.  However, three top RBs from last season’s 7-6 team return including 1st Team MACtion RB Antario Brown.  He rushed for 1,296 yards and ten TDs.  Two leading pass catchers, Trayvon Rudolph and Grayson Barnes, come back with 951 yards and seven TDs between them.  Four experienced linemen return up front for this O to take the pressure off the new Husky QB.  Eight starters return on defense. DE Rashein Thomas and LB Jaden Dolphin tallied 72 and 61 tackles respectively. 

Northern Illinois – Their future and our past

NIU could challenge for the MAC title this season.  Toledo, Miami and CMU appear on their slate after this meeting against WMU.  In our first NIU game in 2004, we watched the Huskies lose to a good Ralph Friedgen-coached Maryland team on the road, 23-20, despite the Huskies losing their starting QB in that game.  They went on to a 9-3 record.  We actually got to attend a game at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb in 2018 for a night game on a business trip out that way.  They defeated Toledo, 38-15, on a cold night in front of a sparse crowd. We’ll prepare for MACtion weather traveling by car this season with all our winter gear packed!

In 2018, we attended our first weekday night MACtion at NIU. DE Sutton Smith (15) in pursuit of Toledo's Eli Peters, recorded a sack, a big hurry, a blocked punt, and a touchdown this evening.
In 2018, we attended our first weekday night MACtion at NIU. DE Sutton Smith (15) in pursuit of Toledo’s Eli Peters, recorded a sack, a big hurry, a blocked punt, and a touchdown this evening.

Woe to Western Michigan

The Broncos not only lost the only game we ever saw them play in, but they hold our record for the biggest trouncing we ever witnessed.  They fell to Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, 63-0, in 2004 on their first of ten straight losses that season. In addition, I actually got dumped on as well. We don’t anticipate a repeat of that happening this fall at Waldo in Kalamazoo. HC Lance Taylor’s Broncos come off their second season together with a 4-8 record.

NIU blanked them last season, 24-0, holding WMU to 206 yards of total offense.  Bronco returning experience includes four starters on offense and eight on defense. QB Hayden Wolff improved their offense last season after starting halfway through the season adding 211 more yards per game on average.  Soph Jalen Buckley returns at RB with 1003 yards and ten TDs a year ago.  WR Kenneth Womack led WMU with 76 receptions, but WR Anthony Sambucci found the end zone more times with five scores.

Two keys for Bronco success in 2024

Four top tacklers return with each garnering between 65-75 stops. Among them, returning senior LB Damari Roberson broke up six passes and picked a pass.  S Tate Hollock broke up five and intercepted twice.  The defense is key for any Bronco challenge to claim the MACtion title.  It seems wide open. The Broncos could be ready to make a move. After opening at Wisconsin and Ohio State, their slate looks very favorable to get to the title game.  After they face NIU, their biggest MACtion challenges come in games at Bowling Green and at Central Michigan the next two weeks.   Their biggest factor could be for Wolff to stay healthy at QB and to demonstrate continuous improvement over the course of the season. We will get a whiff of their direction against the NIU Huskies this evening.

November 12: CMU at Toledo; Two games in Ohio in two nights

We will see the Chippewas play for the second time in 2024 MACtion.  This time, they’ll visit Toledo at the Glass Bowl for our first visit there.  We’ve seen the Rockets (and Buffalo Bulls) play the most games among all Mid-American Conference teams thus far –four each. However, TU comes away with the most wins. In 2000, we saw them defeat Navy in Annapolis on a wind-swept day, 35-14.  In 2011, they defeated Air Force in Washington DC at the Military Bowl in an exciting game to the wire, 42-41.  Last season, we saw them defeat archrival Bowling Green in a 32-31 comeback victory. Only loss came at NIU mentioned previously.

At this stage of the 2024 MAC season, whoever remains healthiest and demonstrates good QB play among all these contenders will probably decide the outcome.  Will the Chippewas still be relying on Joey Labas at QB, or will they have replaced him by now based on his effectiveness?  How well does his replacement perform?

Toledo 2024

Rocket HC Jason Candle welcomes eight starters back. He’ll rely on QB Tucker Gleason to step in full-time to compensate for the transfer of last season’s QB surprise, Dequann Finn. RB Jacquez Stuart returns with 604 rushing yards and six TDs. Four top receivers return with 18 TD catches among them, but four new transfers come in to block upfront with little experience.  Big learning curve, but in November, they may have jelled quite a bit as a unit.  The Rocket defense is considered its strength with MLB Daniel Bolden, S Maxon Hook, DT Darius Hook and S Emmanuel McNeil Warren solidifying this unit right up the middle. 

A game against Mississippi State will be a barometer early in Week 3.  Their MACtion opener at home versus Miami and later at home against archrival BGSU, will be their biggest tests before we see them play. They can get a leg up for a title shot early in a very wide-open conference this season.

One thing for sure when it comes to MACtion on November evenings, dress warm!
One thing for sure when it comes to MACtion on November evenings, dress warm!

November 13: Eastern Michigan at Ohio U – November MACtion in the other FBS Athens

We’ll add Ohio U’s Peden Stadium in Athens as our fifth Mid-American venue attended this year.  Among the MAC, that will bring us up to nine of twelve stadiums attended.  Only Akron, Eastern Michigan and Kent visits remain.  Overall, this season, we will add 11 or 12 new FBS campus stadiums in the end.  With possibly 99 in total at season’s end, about 36 remain on our Bucket List. Plenty of travels still ahead. It’s a moving target though.  How many other programs are going to join the FBS with all the money being thrown at these schools?  The bubble has to burst at some point.

The Ohio Bobcat’s experience should be bolstered by the time we see them again with ten games under their belts. The EMU Eagles will only be on our slate for the second time. In 2002, we watched EMU get blasted by Maryland in Byrd Stadium, 45-3.  And it wasn’t even that close. At our upcoming game against OU, we look forward to seeing this team in action under their venerable HC Chris Creighton.

Fly Eagles! Fly!

Despite his 52-68 recorded over ten seasons in Ypsilanti, he’s brought respect to a very beleaguered program. In eight seasons prior to his arrival, the Eagles won only 20 games. Their only bowl appearance ever was in the 1987 California Bowl.  Despite the expansion of post season college football games, Creighton has gotten the Eagles into six bowls in the past eight seasons.  In most seasons prior, Eagle teams were well below the .500 mark.  He’s done great things for this program.  They generally hold their own now against the lower half of the MAC. However, they’ve pulled some stunning upsets under Creighton over the years.  He can always do more.

Like Ohio, EMU looks to find improvements under new QBs from elsewhere.  Creighton brought in Cole Snyder who played for three seasons at Buffalo and Drew Viotto from Minnesota to compete with him.  At RB, Delbert Mimms from NC State and Dontae McMillian from FCS Weber State with 1,683 yards over four years should jump-start the Eagle running attack.  Creighton also relies on five new transfers to add depth to his receiving corps.  Transfers shore up the two returning OL starters in 2024.  Lots of question marks and team-building ahead for this EMU offense.

Creighton is Key

Seven starters return on defense led by NT Peyton Price and DE Justin Jefferson. JT Killen from Coastal Carolina steps in to replace a big void where the best players on defense a year ago played at Linebacker.  S Quentavius Scandrett and Daquan White who totaled 9 pass break-ups will lead a good secondary.  The key to the success of this team though will once again fall on its HC Chris Creighton.  His capabilities to pull talent together quickly and effectively will most likely keep this team around the bowl eligible mark.

Tough sledding out of conference begins at Washington followed by Jacksonville State the following week.  Miami and the week before the Ohio game, Toledo visits Ypsilanti to be the greatest MAC challenges Eastern will face.  Our final MACtion game of the season will leave a few games left for each squad to determine the two top teams that will play for the conference title.  Most likely we will see one, but possibly to both of these teams during the month of November.  It’s something we really look forward to attending these games to witness great competition among teams close in talent to one another.

Though we won't see them in MACtion this season, look for Bowling Green to be right in the thick of this year's MAC title race as well.
Though we won’t see them in MACtion this season, look for Bowling Green to be right in the thick of this year’s MAC title race as well.

-by Steve Koreivo, ed.  Member of Football Writers Association of America

Top teams Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Notre Dame on our 2024 slate

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Lebanon, TN – Despite Collegefootballfan.com’s multiple goals to 1.) attend as many competitive games as possible; 2.) to venture to 50 remaining FBS stadiums on our bucket list; and 3.) to continue seeing every FBS team including new additions play once, we still get to see seven Top Teams play this season.  We do our best to plan our schedule annually within our budgets and travel plans to see as many teams play as possible. As a result of this year’s plan with an additional goal to assure a particular game as our 700th game on October 26, we’ve slated at least seven top teams ranked among various 25-team polls.

We saw Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy lead the National Champion Michigan Wolverines over Penn State in 2023. The clash featured the game between the two highest rated top teams last season.
We saw Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy lead the National Champion Michigan Wolverines over Penn State in 2023. The clash featured the game between the two highest rated top teams we attended last season.

In two games, we see two preseason Top 25s (including two Top Tens) square off against one another. Two others take on an up-and-coming conference foe with a lot of returning starters and a new head coach with an outstanding reputation.  Two of our top teams slated will be playing home games on our schedule for our first time after 45 years.  Bucket List!  Finally, another plays in our 700th game ever. It will be a rematch of a rivalry attended 50 years ago before we officially started this endeavor back in 1979. 

Here are the seven top-ranked teams cited in various preseason polls with opportunities to earn bids in the first College Football Playoff (CFP) 12-team format to determine the national championship.

Wisconsin vies for a foothold in the Top 25

The Badgers start their second season under Head Coach Luke Fickell.  Previously at Cincinnati, he took over a 4-8 team in 2017.   Two season later, he guided the Bearcats to an 11-2 record and a Military bowl victory.  With 15 starters back, can he achieve a similar record at Wisconsin following a 7-6 record?

 After a year under Fickell, two experienced QBs vie as the starter.  Braelyn Locke returns after three starts, and Miami transfer Tyle Van Dyke comes in with starting experience.  RB Chris Mellusi returns and Tawee Walker joins him form Oklahoma.  Depth returns to the O-line.  Two top pass catchers return in Will Pauling and Bryson green.  Eight starters on defense return including leading tacklers from las year with S Hunter Wohler and MLB Jake Chaney.  CB Ricardo Hallman picked of seven INTs las season. 

Alabama, at USC, Penn State and Oregon take on the Badgers.  We visit Camp Randall for the first time. Wisconsin will host preseason Top Ten selection and Big Ten newcomer Oregon on November 16.  It would be great to see a Badger win here for our a very festive time at our first Fifth Quarter experience ever for our first game attended in Madison!

Like Badger RB Jonathan Taylor shown eluding Penn State with an early TD jaunt in 2018, we will finally catch up to see Wisconsin play a game at Camp Randall this season.
Like Badger RB Jonathan Taylor shown eluding Penn State with an early TD jaunt in 2018, we will finally catch up to see Wisconsin play a game at Camp Randall this season.

Virginia Tech may have the QB to earn a spot among the Top Teams of 2024

Expectations reverberate high in Blacksburg under third-year HC Brett Pry (former Penn State Defensive Coordinator).  He improved the Hokies in his second season from 3-8 to 7-6.  Optimism reins finishing last season on a 5-2 tear. It included a 41-20 win over Tulane in the Military Bowl (Green Wave QB Mike Pratt opted out making a significant difference in that one). 

The Hokies welcome back 11 starters on offense and 10 on defense. The key to success rests on the Jr. QB Kyron Jones who passed for 2,085 yards (17 TDs/3 INTs) and rushed for 818 yards and five scores. He became the starter in the third game last year.  RB Bhayshul Tuten returns with 863 yards and 10 touchdowns. Among six returning receivers, Da’Quan Felton led all with 667 yards and eight TDs. K John Love converted 22 of 24 FGs in 2023. Six of their eight leading tacklers from last season will start. OLB Keli Lawson garnered 80 tackles and six pass break-ups.  DE Antwuan Powell-Ryland led the D with nine sacks.

We will visit Blacksburg to see the Hokies host ACC foe Boston College on Thursday night, October 17.  Prior to that, their biggest challenge comes at Miami (F.) also ranked highly among preseason top teams on September 27.

Florida State ranked high with many new transfers, but a tough slate ahead

Though Florida State finished last season as ACC champs at 13-0 before the 63-3 Orange Bowl opt-out debacle against Georgia, HC Mike Norvell had to muster in some significant talent to plug some major holes.  His reputation precedes him as an effective recruiter. However, the question remains if he can pull his units together quickly on both sides of the football to start the season effectively?  The Seminoles open against Geogia Tech in Dublin, Ireland on August 24.  Then, we will see them host Boston College on Labor Day evening, September 2.

DJ Uiagalelei steps in at QB from Oregon State after three years at Clemson. We watched him lead the Tigers against Louisville for a 31-16 win. He started the game with an 11-yard run on the opening drive for the early lead and connected on a slant pass in the second period for a touchdown. He finished 19 for 27, 185 yards and one TD.  RB Lawrence Toafili gained 469 yards and scored four TDS for FSU in 2023. Roydell Williams transferred here from Alabama after four seasons to bolster the running attack. WR Malik Benton also joins from Bama after two years there.   DE Marvin Jones arrived from Geogia with one start a year ago.  DJ Lundy remains at MLB where he had 54 tackles last season. 

We will see Florida State face an experienced Boston College team under their new HC Bill O’Brien in the visitors’ season opener.  FSU’s opener in Ireland should give them time to make any early, necessary adjustments.  BC returns eight starters on offense and eight on defense as well. FSU defeated the BC Eagles last season, 31-29. This will be a good test early on Labor Day against a 7-6 squad with a returning QB. This contest should be a good indicator with so many new, but experienced, players to see where the ‘Noles are headed in 2024. Games with Memphis, at SMU, Clemson, at Miami (F.), at Notre Dame and Florida pose more top teams on a tough schedule ahead for the ‘Noles in 2024.

RB Trey Benson showed pass-catching skills out of the backfield for Florida Stat here against Wake Forest in 2023.
RB Trey Benson showed pass-catching skills out of the backfield for Florida State here against Wake Forest in 2023. Like many Seminoles from that team, he moved on, but many feel FSU will be in the hunt for the new CFP format in 2024.

Notre Dame faces long-time, traditional rival

We will see the Fighting Irish play for the first time under third-year HC Marcus Freeman.  Last time we attended a Notre Dame game, it came in 2016 when we saw (though with an obstructed view) them fall to Stanford at home.  Last time we attended a game with them against Navy in the Meadowlands in 2010, the Mids bested them under then Irish HC Charlie Weiss, 35-17.  It was the last time the Mids won in this series going into its 97th year.  Our most memorable of the seven games we’ve witnessed in this series though came 50 years ago.

 At Veterans’ Stadium in Philadelphia, I was a member of the Brigade of Midshipmen. The heavily-favored Irish scored two TDs in the fourth period to overcome a 6-0 Navy lead to win, 14-6.  The late, great Hall of Fame HC Ara Parseghian attributed that close win to his imminent retirement a year later. For more details, please order my book, Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good the Fun and the Ugly about this game and other fantastic memories of great games played by every Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team.

College football changes significantly now compared to back then with the advent of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) money and wide-open transfer portals.  The Naval Academy, and Military and Air Force academies, reap the football benefits of neither. If not for the traditional, significant payday for Navy football, it’s difficult to imagine this rivalry lasting.  From a historical perspective, this is Collegefootballfan.com’s 700th game since 1979 – a celebratory, big tailgate! 

This season’s Fighting Irish slate is lighter than usual. They visit Texas A&M in their opener; entertain Florida State two weeks after our game; and finish the season with their other more significant intersectional rivalry in USC at the LA Coliseum. Freeman reloads at QB with former Duke phenom Riley Leonard.  The O-Line returns two starters, but potential pro prospects fill in for the others. Defensively, nine starters return including Second Team All-American Howard Cross and First Team All-American S Xavier Watts. If the Irish hold off their three top team opponents this season, look for them to head into the new CFP format with a 12-0 record.

Penn State looks to improve game strategy and execution

As do many other Nittany Lion fans, we feel the Lions performance relies heavily on the game day leadership of HC James Franklin. He thrives on attaining talent. However, he has to overcome his 4-16 game day performances against the likes of Ohio State and Michigan.  We witnessed the 24-15 fall of the Lions to Michigan last season.  The Wolverines don’t show up on the PSU schedule this year. So, we will be at the battle against pre-season No. 2 Ohio State at Beaver Stadium on November 2.

PSU returns ten starters on their outstanding offense. They will look for improved play from Jr. QB Drew Allar (2,631 yards, 25 TDs, 2 INTs).  We hope that this season under new OC Andy Kotelnicki (from Kansas), he will break Allar’s habit of telegraphing his passes to a singular target on any given pass play.  They will also require some explosive plays from Jr. RBs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton who combined for 1,654 yards and 14 TDs a year ago.  Respectively, however, their longest runs went for only 17 and 24 yards. TE Tyler Warren returns as leading receiver with 34 snags and seven TDs.  A lot of improvement will be necessary from a young, inexperienced receiving corps.

Tom Allen, former HC at Indiana, replaces Manny Diaz as defensive coordinator. He needs to pull together a young but talented defense that returns only three starters. Preseason All American Abdul Carter moves from LB to DE. S Kevin Winston and MLB Kobe King return to lead what reports indicate should still be an outstanding defense. We hope to see an improved team on offense that can defeat USC and Wisconsin on the road in the two games prior to Ohio State in Happy Valley.  The Lions appear among everybody’s top teams to earn a CFP game this year.  We will see what James Franklin can do to get the most out of the outstanding talent he has recruited to State College on this particular game day.

It's one thing to delegate to your assistants for a time-out, but does it make sense for PSU Head Coach James Franklin not to work with his players during a critical time-out as shown here in the third period of last year's 24-15 loss against Michigan?
It’s one thing to delegate to your assistants during a time-out, but does it make sense for PSU Head Coach James Franklin not to work with his players regarding a critical time-out as shown here in the third period of last year’s 24-15 loss against Michigan?

From Pac-12 to Big Ten, Oregon remains among top teams

HC Dan Lanning’s Oregon Ducks move on to the Big Ten with huge expectations.  To earn that, they will get to challenge two traditional contenders in their inaugural Big Ten season.  They will host Ohio State on October 12.  Later, they visit Michigan at the Big House on November 2.  As reported earlier, we will attend their game against another formidable Big Ten defense in Wisconsin on November 16.

The Ducks, like Notre Dame, insert another experienced QB in Dillon Gabriel who transferred in from Oklahoma this year.  We saw him perform for Central Florida in 2020 in a 36-33 loss to Cincinnati in Orlando in a key American Athletic contest. Last season, Oregon averaged 501 yards and 38.8 ppg with now graduated QB Bo Nix.  Top WR Tez Johnson returns with 86 receptions for 1,182 yards and ten TDs. Oregon’s offense could be even more lethal with Gabriel.  

On the other hand, Big Ten defenses could be more formidable than what they faced in the PAC-12.  Nine defensive starters return to Eugene, and transfers from Kansas State and Ole Miss should shore up the secondary. The Badgers will probably pose the third toughest defense the Ducks face this season.  Could this contest in cold Madison on November 16 possibly become a defensive struggle?  We look forward to it either way.

In 2020, QB Dillon Gabriel started for Central Florida in this 36-33 loss against Cincinatti. Four seasons later, we'll see him play for his third team from coast to coast, Oregon.
In 2020, QB Dillon Gabriel started for Central Florida in this 36-33 loss we attended against Cincinnati. Four seasons later, we’ll see him play for his third college team from coast to coast, Oregon.

Ohio State or Georgia top team overall?

By all accounts, with seven starters returning on offense and nine on defense, many first and second team All-Americans, with the latest HC Ryan Day has recruited through the transfer portal, the Buckeyes seem to be stocked up at every position in talent. Everybody selects them or Georgia as the last team standing at the end of the 2024 season. Games at Oregon and at Penn State will be most challenging. Possibly Iowa and definitely archrival Michigan at home will be season-determining contests.

At QB, experienced Will Howard from Kansas State steps in to play under new OC Chip Kelly after his stints as HC at Oregon and UCLA. All-American RB Treyveon Henderson returns as rush leader with 926 yards and 11 scores. WR Emeka Egubaka replaces Marvin Harrison as his top target. Nine starters return on their stalwart defense that allowed only 11.2 ppg. All- American DT Tyleik Willams and DE JT Tuimoloau return to lead the defensive charge.  Day brought in another potential All-American S Caleb downs from Alabama to join Denzel Burke to an already solid secondary.

With their games against Iowa and at Oregon in their rear-view mirror, we will see them invade Beaver Stadium on November 2 where the Lions haven’t beaten them since 2016, 24-21. We’ll see what James Franklin brings to this game against the Buckeyes who he has to improve upon with his 1-9 record against them. Despite his overall record of 88-39 in Happy Valley, this is the mark that puts him in a hot seat.

In 2016 in a much simpler time, Penn State defeated Ohio State, 24-21. As much as times have changed since then, this remains a major Big ten clash every season. It also has ramifications for top teams for the first 12-team CFP format in 2024.
In 2016, Penn State defeated Ohio State, 24-21. As much as times have changed since then, this remains a major Big Ten clash every season despite the Buckeyes’ domination since. It also has ramifications for top teams for the first 12-team CFP format in 2024.

Best if Best Top Teams guaranteed:  The Capital One Orange Bowl

With bowl games becoming more numerous, less significant to ticket-buying fans, primarily between mediocre teams and less entertaining due to opt-outs by key players, we decided to do fewer of these. Instead, we will now focus on a game or two that count toward the National Championship. 

With four Capital One Orange Bowls attended in the past, we’ve continued to support that.  We can take advantage of early notifications we traditionally enjoyed seeing CFP matches or a New Year’s Six contest.  We will do this in 2024 to witness two of the final four top teams battle in Miami Lakes to get to the championship in Atlanta.  In the future, we could consider another Peach Bowl in Atlanta as well. 

We will still consider some non-CFP bowls based on proximity to reduce costs to attend a CFP game and to seek games that look competitive between the invitees. For our purposes, the Liberty Bowl, Music City and Birmingham will always be under consideration.  Others that fall within budget, time constraints, competitiveness and team interests, we will take all these factors into account.

More previews to come

As our first game approaches on August 24, we have covered nine teams who enter the season under a new Head Coach and these seven top teams on our regular season slate.  Look for previews of remaining Power Four teams we will see.   We also plan to see interesting bunch of teams from the Group of Five.  With weekday games, we have more opportunities now than ever before to add more teams play on their home fields this season.  It wasn’t intended, but it looks like we will shatter our record of 27 games attended during 2017.  Check out our tentative 2024 schedule right here!   Can’t wait to get started!

edited by Steve Koreivo -member of Football Writers Association of America

In 2016, we attended CapitalOne Orange Bowl won by Clemson over Oklahoma, 37-17. Who will we see at the 2024 semi-final game to move on to Atlanta?
In 2016, we attended CapitalOne Orange Bowl won by Clemson over Oklahoma, 37-17. Who will we see at the 2024 semi-final game to move on to Atlanta?

Coaching debuts highlight our 2024 schedule for 11 FBS teams

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Lebanon, TN – Of 29 potential, regular season Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) games we plugged into our tentative 2024 schedule, 11 coaches will lead teams making their coaching debuts for a new team.  Most bring solid reputations to their new programs. Several we’ve seen lead former schools to successful seasons in recent years.

      One comes out of self-imposed retirement. Another returns from a network television analyst position. Several rebound via key coordinator stints following head coaching experience.  One makes the jump from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).  Several schools hired to rebuild.  Others hope to build on momentum left behind by others. 

      Questionable situations lie ahead for most depending on what players they may bring in through the transfer portals.  Even trickier, who and how many key players abandoned their new program to go elsewhere. We will have first-rate glimpses this season to see what each of the 11 brings to their new employers.  In the chronological order we plan to see each along the sidelines in 2024, here are brief summaries of the new hires and what we anticipate from each.

Our August-September coaching introductions

Bronco Mendenhall, University of New Mexico – In 2021, we watched Bronco coach Virginia against his former team, Brigham Young, in a 66-49 loss in Provo.  It was his farewell of sorts to both programs as he decided to ride off into retirement after that season.  He’s back! He performed as Defensive Coordinator (DC) at UNM from 1998-2002.  Next, he moved on to BYU where he became Head Coach (HC) after two years. He finished with an 11-year record of 99-43.  Thereafter, success landed him at Virginia to revive that program in 2018.  In his second season, his Cavaliers won the ACC before he “retired” after 2021.

 He brings both his former long-time offensive and defensive coordinators, Jason Beck and Nick Howell with him.   We will see his Lobos host tough FCS squad Montana State returning from an 8-4 season. They ranked 8th in the FCS in 2023. These Bobcats pose a formidable foe in Mendenhall’s New Mexico coaching debut. They return with many key players and their HC Brent Vigen, former North Dakota State OC. He will be hard-pressed to improve the Lobos record of 4-8 in his first year.  Give him a year to show some improvement to his new fans in Albuquerque.

Bronco Mendenhall bade farewell to college coaching when we saw him lead his Virginia Cavaliers agaisnt his formeer team, Brigham Young. We will see him making his coaching debut leading New Mexico in its opener in 2024.
Bronco Mendenhall (center) bade farewell to college coaching when we saw him lead his Virginia Cavaliers against his former team, Brigham Young, in 2021. We will see him making his coaching debut leading New Mexico in its opener in 2024.

Manny Diaz, Duke – Diaz left Miami with a 16-9 ACC record as HC after 2021 before landing the DC position at Penn State.  There, he displayed his defensive prowess with quality talent.  Here in Durham, he has his work cut out for him.  The Blue Devils return only five starters on each side of the football after an 8-5 season. Considered good in the annals of Duke football history.  Despite losing stalwart QB Riley Leonard to Notre Dame, Diaz picked up Texas phenom Maalik Murphy as his replacement.  Inexperience reins at RB, and seven transfers come in to bolster the one returning Offensive Lineman (OL) for Duke.

All five Defensive Linemen (DL) need to be replaced.  We attend a Blue Devils’ game at home for the first time in Durham. They open against 6-5 FCS Elon from a year ago.  Duke should handle them, and same goes at Middle Tennessee where we see them again.  MTSU (below) has a bigger rebuild than the Devils have pending.  We will see them host 15th-ranked Florida State later in the season.  How much improvement will Diaz bring to the Blue Devils?  That remains to be seen against a very tough ACC slate.

Derek Mason, Middle Tennessee – After taking over as HC at Vanderbilt to replace James Franklin in 2014, he recorded a record of 27-55 finishing 0-9 in Covid season 2020.  After a year as DC at Auburn and at Oklahoma State, he worked on the SEC TV broadcast team.  I expected the Blue Raiders to pick a younger, more energetic HC to build on former HC Rick Stockstill’s record over 18 years including 12 bowl appearances.  MTSU returns tough and talented QB Nick Vittiato. Preseason reports say the offense will be more run-oriented than pass-oriented.  I believe Vittiato can manage either efficiently, but the OL returns only one stater. Among experienced receivers, only TE Holden Wills (All-CUSA) returns. However, the DL lost all five starters.  Mason has a lot of work ahead of him in his MTSU coaching debut.

 Being a fan of the local team in nearby Murfreesboro, I plan to attend five Blue Raider home games. We’ll be looking for some new energy under Mason to power the Blue Raiders. They’ll face FCS Tennessee Tech, aforementioned Duke, new FBS member Kennesaw State, and top CUSA foes, Liberty and New Mexico State.  With Vittiato leading some experienced runners, they can hopefully weld an inexperienced line together to lead the way.  Without any experience up front on defense, will MTSU be able to hold back the enemy lines? Sounds like the Blue Raiders will need to control the clock to keep opponent offenses off the field as much as possible to earn some victories.

In 2024, former Middle Tennessee HC Rick Stockstill shown here, will return to his alma mater, Florida State, as QB Coach. Derek Mason will make his coaching debut at MTSU to replace the popular HC who garnered 1 bowl games in 18 years for the Blue Raiders.
In 2024, former Middle Tennessee HC Rick Stockstill, shown here, will return to his alma mater, Florida State, as QB Coach. Derek Mason will make his coaching debut at MTSU to replace the popular HC who garnered 12 bowl games in 18 years for the Blue Raiders.

Bill O’Brien, Boston College – Not too much need for introduction here.  We saw Tom Brady’s former New England Patriot QB coach lead Penn State for two seasons during the Sandusky-imposed sanctions. He kept the Nittany Lion program afloat under tough circumstances.  He then went on to lead the Houston Texans for six seasons before becoming Nick Saban’s OC. They made it to the College Football Playoffs twice at Alabama.  He signed on to start 2024 with Ryan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes. However, he jumped at the chance to take over as head man at Boston College in the ACC when Jeff Hafley decided to go pro.

O’Brien finds himself in a better position than most first-year coaches.  Nine Eagles return on offense including starting QB Anthony Castellanos who led the team in rushing and passing.  Three OL return and two of three leading receivers. Pro prospects return on defense, and new DC Tim Lewis comes in with pro experience. I think O’Brien replaces Hafley with a lot more enthusiasm for this squad. We see BC open at Florida State.  Look for a tougher matchup than expected by the Seminoles.  They may have invested in new talent to replace a lot of players who opted out before playing Georgia last season.  This could be a surprise at the start of 2024.

We look for O’Brien to make quick improvements.   We may also see BC on a Thursday night game at Virginia Tech in October.  O’Brien has learned a lot since he coached as HC at Penn State. In his 2012 coaching debut at Penn State, he lost his first two games to Ohio and Virginia before defeating Navy.

October coaching debuts in the right direction?

Gerard Parker, Troy – Parker will be filling big shoes at Troy. He comes in from Notre Dame as OC and TE coach the last two seasons.  Jon Sumrall left Troy for Tulane after only two seasons with a 23-4 record.  On top of that, only two starters on both offense and defense remain at Troy after an 11-3 season and the Sun Belt Conference Championship.  Inexperience among key positions will require a rebuilding year. In Parker’s inaugural head coaching debut at Purdue as interim HC in 2016, the Boilers finished 0-6.

The Trojans will have two tough meetings at Memphis and at Iowa early on before we see them host highly improved Texas State.  The Bobcats come in off an 8-5 record in 2023 under second-year HC GJ Kinne. He turned them into an offensive juggernaut last year.  They are expected to challenge for the SBC title with their high-powered passing attack in 2024.

HC Jon Sumrall's Troy staff works along sideline during victory over Western Kentucky in 2022. He and some members shown here will make their coaching debut at Tulane in 2024.
HC Jon Sumrall’s Troy staff works along sideline during their victory over Western Kentucky in 2022. He and some members shown here will make their coaching debut at Tulane in 2024.

Jon Sumrall, Tulane – Sumrall inherited 18 starters at Troy following three consecutive 5-win seasons there before he won two consecutive Sun Belt Championships with the Trojans. The Green Wave of Tulane returns 15 starters in 2024 following a 23-5 record the past two seasons including a 46-45 Cotton Bowl victory in 2022. A key Tulane loss will be QB Michael Prater. Kai Horton impressed in two starts a year ago, and some more depth has been added at QB.  Sumrall brings both his OC and DC from Troy the last few years. They will have the benefit of returnees such as leading RB Makhi Hughes (1,378 rushing yards), six OL with eight+ games of experience, and their three top tacklers from a year ago.

In both his coaching debut season at Troy followed by his second, his teams started at 1-2. At Tulane, his first three games come against FCS Southeast Louisiana and Kansas State at home followed by a meeting at Oklahoma. Deja vu’? We will see Sumrall’s team in their sixth game of the season. They will visit Alabama-Birmingham under second-year HC Trent Dilfer following his 4-8 debut.  We think that we will have a very good chance to see the Green Wave play in the American Athletic (AAC) title game on December 6.  Most likely, we see them going up against Memphis who they will meet on the road the previous week to determine who gets home field AAC advantage. UT San Antonio also figures to be in the mix for the AAC

Scotty Walden, UTEP – Having seen Walden’s FCS Austin Peay State Governors in action the past three years, we thought this would be a guy sure to bring a new level of energy to any FBS program who needs a boost. He took over APSU at the age of 26 four years ago.  He finished three full seasons with a record of 22-13. We witnessed UTEP lose twice last season in close games to Jacksonville State and MTSU.  If any program could use a boost coming off a 3-9 record and without a bowl win since 1967, Walden could turn out to be their man.  We’ve never seen a HC bring such enthusiasm to his sideline.  Hopefully, that will rub off on the Miners’ following as well.

In the past three seasons, we watched Austin Peay upset UT Chattanooga away, lose by two to Tennessee State, defeat Murray State, 47-7, on the road, beat a good Eastern Kentucky squad, and fall at FBS Western Kentucky, 38-27, in their 2022 opener.  With ten APSU transfers Walden brought along with him, we will see our Miners coaching debut for him once again visiting WKU. Only this time as a Conference USA foe on October 10.  It will be a good measure of how far along he’ll have UTEP for our comparison purposes.

Prior challenges for the Miners before our sighting will be at Nebraska in their opener and at Liberty who will be considered the C-USA favorite.  No doubt it will be a rebuilding year for Walden at UTEP. A foundation of players who followed him along with his DC and Special Teams coach from APSU should help in his inaugural conference schedule in the FBS.

Head Coach Scotty Walden and his staff keep their Austin Peay team charged up throughout the course of their games. We expect him to bring this same mentality to UTEP when his Minors take the field in 2024.
Head Coach Scotty Walden and his staff kept their Austin Peay team charged up throughout the course of their games. We expect him to bring this same enthusiasm to UTEP coaching debut when his Miners take the field in 2024.

Late season, first year Head Coaches: where will they stand?

Tony Sanchez, New Mexico State University – Former HC Jerry Kill improved the Aggies to a record of 10-5 last season including a big road win at Auburn, 31-10.  Kill, whose career has been impacted regretfully by health issues, decided to step down after 2023. Former NMSU assistant and former UNLV HC Tony Sanchez takes over in 2024. The strength of the offenses returns up front on the OL. Only eight starters return. 

Improvement will come from what Sanchez has learned under Kill since his days at UNLV with a 20-40 mark as HC.  No QB experience returns.  Diego Paiva led the team in rushing and threw 28 TDs last season.  The run game relies on lone returning RB Monte Watkins and a couple of transfers behind their team strength – nine of top ten OL including All-CUSA LT Shiyash Pete.  Defensively only three starters return to play for new DC Joe Morris.  He comes in from 3-9 Sam Houston after its first FBS season in C-USA.

We will see the Aggies for only our second time since 1999 when they played at Army. They will visit MTSU late in November when both teams enter their final weekend of play. Last season, the Aggies defeated the Blue Raiders in a 13-7 defensive struggle.   It will be a battle between Sanchez and Derek Mason who will probably both need a win for respectability in late 2024.

Major Applewhite, South Alabama – We saw Applewhite as HC twice before when he led Houston in wins against Tulsa and at Navy in 2018.  He coached the Cougars for two seasons before becoming an analyst at Alabama and then stepping in as OC for the Jaguars.  Last season, we saw his offense lose, 52-44, at Texas State. Gio Lopez returns at QB with five games under his belt where he ran and passed well.  A good OL and some experience at RB along with three of top four receivers returning should give USA some depth on offense. Applewhite’s DC Will Windham steps up from LB coach from their 7-6 season. Only three starters return for him from a year ago. Like everyone else though, positions will be filled with questionable transfers.

We will see South Alabama visit tough Appalachian State in week four in an early key barometer of Sun Belt strength. ASU fell to Troy in last year’s SBC title game at Troy. Under HC Shawn Clark in his fifth season (35-18) with his Mountaineers, their fans will be fired up on a Thursday night in Boone for the Jags. Then, we’ll see USA wrap up their season once again versus Texas State, though in Mobile this time. The game could have implications on the 2024 SBC title game.

Major Applewhite (white cap) along sidelines for His Houston Cougar win over Tulsa. We sill see him as HC in his first year at South Alabama against Texas State in November.
Major Applewhite (white cap) along sidelines for his Houston Cougar win over Tulsa in 2018. We will see him as HC in his first year at South Alabama against Texas State in November.

Dell McGee, Georgia State – In probably our last regular season game of 2024 and our first game at Center Parc Credit Union Stadium, McGee’s Panthers will display how well they overcame his late assignment as new HC when spring practice started – better than what happened to Lance Leipold at Kansas when he took over the Jayhawks in 2021. Dell McGee replaced Shawn Elliott who decided to return as an assistant at South Carolina.  

Only four GSU offensive starters return.  After a 7-6 season where they lost their last five in regular season, transfers with little experience will weigh in at QB.  McGee, who comes in from Georgia as their Run Game Coordinator for the last four years, will call on RB transfers with little experience filling in.  Top receivers transferred, and one OL starter returns.  With five of their top eight tacklers returning, they will rely on their defense early in the season as the offense comes together.  CB Gavin Pringle picked off four passes.

Five of their last six games come against some of the best among the Sun Belt’s top teams. We will see them finish up with Coastal Carolina. Under HC Tim Beck back for his second season with 66 transfers including several QB prospects, the Chanticleers to replace Gray McCall after four years.  Like last season, McGee risks a late season downfall that will make a bowl bid very difficult. The Panthers have a tough season coming up.

“Week Zero” not too far away

Our 45th season and 682nd game starts on August 24th; our first game ever in the state of New Mexico. Look for upcoming preseason reports regarding some of the top teams we will see play this year. Some of our traditional mainstays (some among the top), and a smattering of teams we will see play. This allows us to catch up with friends around the county, new stadiums to be visited, and some very competitive games among teams we don’t get to see play too often. We also have a couple of preseason pictorials in the works including “Cheerleaders.” Come back and check us out as we roll into our 45th season. Can’t wait!

ed. by Steve Koreivo- Member of Football Writers Association of America (FWAA)

College Athletes Revenue Sharing and Competition Equality

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Lebanon, TN – Ok, so per the House vs. NCAA settlement, college athletes will now be compensated by the millions in revenues football programs rake in already, but not all equally.  In my book, Fifty Tears of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly, I predicted all this was coming. However, I offered parameters that still need to be put in place to maintain and improve a more equal level of competition among 134 (and growing) Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs.  Realty is this can’t happen. It won’t despite what is referred to as “revenue sharing” in many articles including this article, “How historic House v. NCAA settlement will impact college athletics on and off the field for years to come” by Shehan Jeyarajah posted on cbssports.com on May 24, 2024, among others.

In NCAA football, a different context

To me, when I hear “revenue-sharing,” I think of the NFL model where all 32 teams divide and share equal amounts of revenues from media and merchandising sales, etc.  It’s how a franchise in Green Bay, Wisconsin or Pittsburgh, PA can compete equally with mega market teams in New York and Las Angelas.  They compete with comparable payrolls under league, agreed-to sanctions.  House vs NCAA pertains to schools now sharing revenues directly with the college athletes. Understood and needed to a point, but “sharing” is not equal among 134 different football programs.

Over the years there were opportunities to see Toledo and Bowling Green play against some top-rated FBS teams. However, we watched college athletes from both MAC schools play one another in a hard-fought 32-31 win by the Toledo Rockets.
Over the years there were opportunities to see Toledo and Bowling Green play against some top-rated FBS teams. However, we watched college athletes from both MAC schools play one another in a hard-fought 32-31 win by the Toledo Rockets last season.

Talent disparity too wide among college athletes already

However, Ohio State’s latest operating income, as stated in Jeyarajah’s article at $280 million, competes for the College Football Playoff against the likes of UL Monroe with an annual budget of $19.4 million.  The disparity varies significantly among all FBS teams in between. No doubt, the budgets determine the level of talent among college athletes attracted by these two schools. To put this in perspective, consider the top 134 rosters in all of professional baseball.  That’s like the New York Yankees scheduling the Carolina Mudcats of the Single-A Carolina League during the regular season to play to get to the World Series!

If revenue sharing cannot be implemented among 134 football programs, how can all have the same crack at recruiting rosters of equivalent talent?  This plan has to be developed even further.  I spell it out in Fifty Years.  How about starting with either a point system based on school budgets to determine strengths of schedules?  Or how about limiting programs to play only schools within a budgetary, determined level of play. How about not scheduling teams not playing for the same desired championship?  How about “picking on somebody your own size?”

Purple Raiders of Mount Union and Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders tend to always go deep into the D3 playoffs annually. The talent level may differ, but the desire to win here is just as intense as in the higher NCAA divisions.
Purple Raiders of Mount Union and Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders tend to go deep into the D3 playoffs annually. The talent level here among college athletes may differ from the FBS, but the desire to win here is just as intense as in the higher NCAA divisions.

More college football subdivisions make more sense

It seems to be going this way regarding the formation of Super conferences.  However, if that be the case, compete for championships within each level.  We already have the FBS and the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) and D-2 and D-III.  Once the Super Conference is determined, for the championship, they should only play equivalent competition for their College Football Playoff.  Others not attaining Super conference status should compete amongst each other for a separate championship. 

House vs NCAA is only a new beginning

This offers only a start. If schools can offer compensation to play for pay, there should be contractual agreements between the program and the player for all four years.  At least one way to stop the transfer portal madness. Pundits talk about freedom now for the college athlete. What about his commitment to something other than himself? Like his team (this coach-player relationship irritates me to be honest).  If they want “pay to play,” commit to stay! Another question, should there still be scholarships? Why should anybody with an annual salary get the benefit of a totally free education other students can’t attain? Is it still “college football?”

 If “revenue sharing” is to be provided equally among programs, what happens to NIL revenues?  I will surmise that this be done outside of direct involvement by the schools.  Players can work directly with the agency that signs them, but not for play within a particular school. Long-term, I don’t think Name, Image and Likeness (NILs) revenues are sustainable any way. How many fans and alum will continuously throw money into their favorite football program if they don’t win a national championship? Each season, only one team can win it all. And if the players they attracted with donations transfer elsewhere, what’s the sense of donating?  There has to be better returns on investment for people with disposable income elsewhere.

Michigan won it all in 2023. Their NIL coffers will prosper. Will Georgia fans who expected to be there offer more or less toward their NIL in 2024?
Michigan won it all in 2023. Their NIL coffers will prosper. Will Georgia fans who expected to be there offer more or less toward their NIL in 2024?

Collegefootballfan.com: focus all about 60 minutes competing on the playing field

There’s a lot that has to happen to make this great game more competitive so more teams can win a championship. I have my favorite teams at all levels of NCAA play. I enjoy watching college athletes competing against comparable competition.  For my infatuation for all of college football, it’s the competition within each contest that makes this game so great.  When I select games to attend, the goal is to see a good, competitive game played wire to wire. Blow-outs are wastes of time.

 It may not always be the top-ranked teams in a struggle for conference championships or rankings like Ohio State vs. Penn State, or Oregon at Wisconsin, or the CFP Orange Bowl in my plans for this year. In 2003, I attended 0-6 UL Monroe against 0-6 UL Lafayette. Perfect!  The Warhawks defeated the Ragin’ Cajuns, 45-42, in a game where neither team left anything on the field. As long as games exist from week to week to provide excitement like these, I will continue to enjoy this great lifetime experience.  The efforts, the heart and the action on the field for 60 minutes (or more) are what college football should be all about.

Ed. by Steve Koreivo, member of Football Writers Association of America

Without NIL money and without inbound transfers, college athletes at Army and Navy will always display a fight to the finish annually. Doesn't get much better than this.
Without NIL money and without inbound transfers, college athletes at Army and Navy will always display a fight to the finish annually. Doesn’t get much better than this.

College football Tribute to Memorial Day 2024

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This post reflects on memory of those who served and died for our country. This week’s edition before Memorial Day 2024 honors them with displays of patriotic tributes witnessed at games over our storied history. Let’s cherish the memories and honors celebrated at college football games over the years. Many brave Americans made the ultimate sacrifices to allow the Freedom for college students to cherish and respect today. May students of today carry on such honorable traditions in the future.

Memorial tribute: Wounded Warrior delivers US Flag to 2015 Military Bowl.
Memorial Tribute: Wounded Warrior delivers US Flag to 2015 Military Bowl played by Cincinnati and Virginia Tech at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland.
View of Freedom Tower from SUNY Maritime Rheinhart Field at 9/11 tribuute in 2016 prior to game versus US Merchant Marine Academy.
View of Freedom Tower from SUNY Maritime Rheinhart Field at 9/11 tribute in 2016 at dusk prior to game versus US Merchant Marine Academy of Kings Point, NY, only a few nautical miles away along the Long Island Sound.
Liberty University halftime tribute to Iwo Jima Memorial during game against Louisiana on November 20, 2021.
Liberty University students pose at halftime in tribute to Iwo Jima WWII Memorial during game against Louisiana on November 20, 2021.
At UMASS, they still honor the Minutemen, the first fighters for American Freedom with their Continental Army Color Guard.
At UMASS, they still honor the Minutemen, the first fighters for American Freedom with their Continental Army Color Guard. This weekend of Memorial Day 2024, remember all this who made the ultimate sacrifice going all the way back to 1776.
Music City Flyover at Nissan Stadium before Auburn bombed Purdue leading 56-7 at halftime in 2018.
Music City USAF Flyover at Nissan Stadium before Auburn bombed Purdue leading, 56-7, at halftime in 2018.
In Navy-Marine Corp Memorial Stadium tradition, the Flag lands in front of the Brigade of Midshipmen before kickoff.
In Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, the Flag lands in front of the Brigade of Midshipmen before kickoff.
The Cal Berkeley Golden Bears still play home games at California Memorial Stadium opened in 1923. It was funded from public contributions, as a memorial to Californians who lost their lives in World War I (1917–18).
The Cal Berkeley Golden Bears still play home games at California Memorial Stadium which opened in 1923. It was funded from public contributions as a memorial to Californians who lost their lives in World War I (1917–18).
Named for Colonel Rutgers of the Continental Army and land donor to the University, a colonial gun crew swelters in the hot sun waiting for a score against New Mexico in September 2016.
Named for Colonel Rutgers of the Continental Army and land donor to the University, Rutgers colonial gun crew swelters in the hot sun waiting for a score against New Mexico in September 2016.
Huge flag unfurled before Military Bowl between Wake Forest and Temple, December 2016.
Huge flag unfurled covers entire playing surface before Military Bowl clash between Wake Forest and Temple, December 2016.
Samford Bulldogs race on to Bobby Bowden Field to take on SE Louisiana in FCS Playoffs in 2022.
The Samford Bulldogs race on to Bobby Bowden Field following Old Glory to host SE Louisiana in FCS Playoffs in 2022.
Boston College football plays in honor in honor of Welles Crowther, a former student who is credited with saving as many as 18 lives after the Sept. 11th attacks.
Annually, Boston College football plays a home game in honor of Welles Crowther, a former student and Lacrosse player who was well known for wearing a red bandana. He perished in The World Trade Center saving as many as 18 lives during the Sept. 11th attacks.
Lone Flagman carries the colors in the Lone Star State before the Tulsa at Houston game in 2018.
Lone Flagman displays the colors in Lone Star State before the Tulsa-Houston game at TDECU Stadium in 2018.
Navy enters Navy-Marine Corps Stadium under multiple flags on Veterans Day 2016 to clash with Tulsa.
The Midshipmen of Navy enter Navy-Marine Corps Stadium carrying multiple flags on Veterans Day 2016 to clash with Tulsa.
My long-time Penn State friends, the Massimilla's, help unfurl the flag at Beaver Stadium before the Maryland game in 2021.
My long-time Penn State friends, the Massimilla’s among others, honor America at Beaver Stadium before the Maryland game in 2021.
Army Cadets of West Point at attention before a game in Michie Stadium circa 2014. President Dwight David Eisenhower and General Douglas MacArthur played football as cadets at West Point.
Army Cadets of West Point at attention as Colors arrive from above before a game against Duke in Michie Stadium, 2015. President Dwight David Eisenhower and General Douglas MacArthur played football as Cadets.
The reality of terrorism right here in downtown Nashville. This is why we pay tribute to those who died both here and abroad on Memorial Day 2024.
The reality of terrorism right here in downtown Nashville. This is why we pay tribute to those who died both here and abroad protecting our Freedom on Memorial Day 2024.
Preparing to hoist the Colors at Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium where they honor Veterans every game.
Preparing to hoist the Colors at Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium where Veterans are remembered at every game.
Navy jets traditional flyover in Annapolis before Air Force game in 2023.
Navy jets traditional flyover in Annapolis before Air Force game in 2023.
Purple Mountains Majesty pay tribute to the American Flag with Mother Nature in Logan, Utah prior to Hawaii at Utah State kickoff in 2021.
Purple Mountains Majesty pay tribute to America with Mother Nature in Logan, Utah prior to Hawaii at Utah State kickoff at Maverick Stadium in 2021.
Military and First Responders honored at coin toss prior to kick-off between SUNY Maritime and NASS-Maritime at 9/11 Memorial.
Military and First Responders honored at coin toss prior to kick-off between SUNY Maritime and MASS-Maritime on 9/11 Memorial.
Brilliant, beautiful sunset at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium behind flag and USNA class monuments in foreground after high-scoring Navy-Houston battle on a stormy day.
Brilliant, beautiful sunset at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium behind flag and USNA class monuments in foreground after high-scoring Navy-Houston battle on a stormy day.

2024 schedule features Ohio State at Penn State, Oregon, Notre Dame, Florida State and Orange Bowl CFP Semi-final 

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Lebanon, TN – With our 2024 schedule, Collegefootballfan.com announces its 45th season of great college football travels and action. With our 700th game since 1979 slated among them, we frontloaded our early season schedule. We wanted to assure a timely celebration for that particular game.  Now in retirement, this slate prioritizes our “Bucket List.” We summarized it in our book, Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. Click here to review and purchase the book about this unique, fun lifetime adventure!  To view our entire upcoming 16-week regular season schedule, please check it out by clicking here for our 2024 schedule page.  Our 2024 schedule celebrates this season with a record-attending 29 games. It features 38 teams and 10 new venues to be visited for our first time.

Our highlight game of our 2024 schedule pits Ohio State at Penn State as seen here during the 2016 season.
Our highlight game of our 2024 schedule pits Ohio State at Penn State as seen here during the 2016 season.

Top Teams in 2024

Pre-season polls favor some Top Teams we’ve already booked for this season. Ohio State at Penn State on November 2 looks to be our biggest game of all. Oregon joins the Big Ten. We’ll venture to see the Ducks face Wisconsin at Camp Randle in Madison on November 16. It will be our first ever Badger home game. For our 700th game, despite a potential blow-out, the tailgate will be memorable when Notre Dame meets Navy at the Meadowlands on October 26.

Florida State appears on our slate as host for the first time at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 2. Boston College comes calling to Tallahassee. We also plan to possibly see the Seminoles visit Duke on Friday, October 18. To assure ourselves to definitely witness the best among the best, we booked a ticket for The Capital One Orange Bowl on Thursday, January 9.  For the first time with a 12-team playoff format, Hard Rock Stadium hosts the CFP Semi-final game. We’re sure to see a team heading to the 2024 National Championship!

RB Trey Benson showed pass-catching skills out of the backfield for Florida Stat here against Wake Forest in 2023.
RB Trey Benson showed pass-catching skills out of the backfield for Florida State here against Wake Forest in 2023. Like many Seminoles from that team, he’s moved on, but many feel FSU will be in the hunt in the new CFP format in 2024.

With the wide-open and soon to be better controlled transfer portal situation (NIL donors will require contracts eventually), we know we’ll witness a plethora of transfers in most contests.  However, we have proverbial, front row seats to many teams playing under new, and mostly better, head coaches. All enter their first seasons with their respective programs.  

  • Bronco Mendenhall, after two years off from head coaching, returns at our opener to New Mexico with a successful career record of 135-81 over 17 years – 11 at BYU and six at Virginia. 
  • Duke hired new Head Coach Manny Diaz, former Miami Hurricane HC and Penn State defensive coordinator.  We plan to see the Blue Devils three times this season.
  • The Boston College Eagles introduce their new HC Bill O’Brien. He brings New England, Penn State, Houston Texan, and Alabama experiences on his resume after leaving a new OC position at Ohio State. BC faces the FSU Seminoles to open their season. State HC Mike Norvell hired former Middle Tennessee State HC and FSU alum/star QB Rick Stockstill on his staff.
  • Speaking of Middle Tennessee, replacing Stockstill comes new HC Derek Mason, former Vanderbilt HC from 2014-2020.  We have season tickets for Blue Raider games at Red Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro.  We plan to see five games where they’ll host Duke and Liberty among others. 
  • Defending Sun Belt Conference champ Troy (11-3) starts under new HC Gerard Parker. He served as offensive coordinator the last two seasons at Notre Dame. We’ll see him face Texas State who improved significantly last season to 8-5 under first-year HC GJ Kinne.  
  • Willie Fritz left Tulane behind in great shape leaving a 54-47 record after eight seasons. He departed to take over the Houston Cougars. Tulane appears to be in good hands now with Jon Sumrall who Parker replaced at Troy.  Sumrall came from Troy after only two seasons posting a 23-4 record. He also achieved two Sun Belt Conference championships and a pair of double-digit winning streaks.  His Green Wave visits the Blazers of Alabama Birmingham on October 5.  They look to improve under second-year HC Trent Dilfer. 
  • Texas El Paso visits Western Kentucky on Thursday evening October 10 at Houchens-Smith Ltd. Stadium in Bowling Green for an interesting C-USA bout.  UTEP comes in with new first-year HC Scotty Walden, formerly of FCS Austin Peay who we’ve seen several times. Once, we saw his APSU squad fall to WKU.  Walden has a high energy level that he hopes to eventually instill in the struggling Minor program. 
  • New Mexico State visits Middle Tennessee on November 23 under new HC Tony Sanchez. He takes over from Jerry Kill who coached the Aggies last year to a record of 10-5 in his second season.  Kill had returned to lead NMSU after several missed seasons due to illness.  Sanchez served Kill as his wide receiver coach. Prior, he coached UNLV as HC to record of 20-40. Kill’s leadership brought new energy to State. Sanchez will need to keep that momentum headed in the right direction.
Head Coach Scotty Walden and his staff keep their Austin Peay team charged up throughout the course of their games. We expect him to bring this same mentality to UTEP when his Minors take the field in 2024.
Head Coach Scotty Walden and his staff kept their Austin Peay program charged up throughout the course of their games. We expect him to bring this same energy to UTEP when his Minors take the field in 2024.

Why this contest on our 2024 schedule for Game 700?

We wanted a game of significance and a great tailgate opportunity to celebrate the milestone of our 700th game.  Navy vs. Notre Dame fits the bill for us from among personal, historical and logistical perspectives. Despite the game not considered a competitive battle on the field since NILs and transfer portals greatly favor of the Irish program compared to Navy which can’t take advantage of either.  This long-time, intersectional “rivalry” should or could end soon. We’ve seen the Irish and Midshipmen meet eight times going all the way back to 1974.  Notre Dame defeated the Naval Academy in that one, 14-6, when I attended amongst the Brigade of Midshipmen. The late, great Hall of Fame HC of Notre Dame, Ara Parseghian, decided to retire based on the pressures of needing to win all games more handily.

We saw that game at The Vet in Philly.  Since then, most games attended among the neutral sites came in The Meadowlands.  I got to see Navy win one of their only two over the Fighting Irish since then in 2010, 35-17. The win eventually sent another Irish HC packing – Charlie Weis, thankfully. With many friends still living in New Jersey and many who’ve attended Navy games in Annapolis with me, at least 30 good friends will gather to tailgate in the Met Life Stadium parking lot.   A lot of fun memories going back there many years ago in this life-long adventure!

We expect a good tailgate turnout for Notre Dame at The Meadowlands in 2024 just as we did when we saw them play Syracuse there in 2016.
We expect a great tailgate for Notre Dame at The Meadowlands in 2024 just as we did when we saw them play Syracuse there in 2016.

The Road to Game 700 didn’t come easily if not for great friends and timely opportunities

To make this Game 700 “officially” though, the October 26 date raised challenges to make this our 19th game on the 2024 schedule starting from week “Zero” on August 24.  Focused now on a “Bucket List,” I thankfully have a lot of great friends (and nearby Conference-USA schedules) benefitted me to achieve this. Many will join and host me among the 19 necessary games to be attended (seven played on weekday evenings). For week “Zero,” mostly out of curiosity, my wife, St. Laurie, was all for a long weekend to visit New Mexico, our first trip there. Early season games, though FBS vs FCS, start with “Bugaluga” Harton at Wake Forest and with PSU grad Joe Massimilla living near Duke in Durham, NC allowed me attend two weeknight openers to accelerate my schedule to capture October 26.

Heading to Arkansas State and Wyoming on the following Saturdays for first-time adventures, I’m meeting up with Mike, one of my son-in-law Zach’s former colleagues at Texas State; and with my former Allied-Signal colleague and friend, Gary Groner.  Gary graduated from Wyoming and moved back out there in semi-retirement.  He responded he wondered what was taking me so long to get out there.

Our 2024 schedule isn't complete if we don't get to catch-up with Jim"Bugaluga" Harton and his Demon Deacon die-hards. We see them host North Carolina A&T in their season opener.
Our 2024 schedule isn’t complete if we don’t get to catch-up with Jim “Bugaluga” Harton (second from left) and his Demon Deacon die-hards. We’ll see them host North Carolina A&T in their season opener.

2024 schedule with old friends and new places: Games 692-699

I contacted another friend, Al Di Vite, who retired to western North Carolina. Last year, we went to see Navy at Charlotte. He and I ventured to Auburn back in 1978 to meet our friend Charlie Murren to see his Tigers tie Georgia, 22-22. This year, he and his brother Les will meet up once again with me at his place to see South Alabama at Appy State in nearby Boone.  We’ve talked about attending a game there since he moved down.  A week later, Duke conveniently visits MTSU. When Navy visits UAB in Birmingham the following Saturday, my first Navy roommate, Mike Malinack, and I will get together since he’s living in Alabama now.  I have a three-day tip planned after that for three games in a row.  Travel plans still need to be finalized for games in Bama and Georgia in early October.

Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee play a couple of weekday evenings sandwiched around my first trip to a Central Michigan game.  There, another good friend and retired colleague from BASF, Mike Meyer, will join me with his family to tailgate at their alma mater against Ohio U.  And to get to games 698-699, I have a couple of options for two games.  I tend to be leaning now to get back to Duke for a Friday night game against FSU.  The following day, I may follow that up with an interesting FCS rivalry of sorts, The Citadel at VMI in Lexington, Virginia – another first-time venue. Sounds frantic, but basically fun times with a lot of good people I’ve met over the years.

A bowl game that will mean something

Click here for our entire 2024 Schedule up through the Capital One Orange Bowl semi-final.  Tentative and subject to change if better opportunities become available on certain dates.

For the third year in a row, we attended the MTSU Blue Raiders meet the WKU Hilltoppers. In 2024, we're voiding this rivalry to Laramie, Wyoming to see the Cowboys host the BYU Cougars to fulfill a Bucket List wish.
For the third year in a row, the MTSU Blue Raiders met the WKU Hilltoppers in 2023. In 2024, we’re foregoing this rivalry to head to Laramie, Wyoming to see the Cowboys host the BYU Cougars to fulfill a Bucket List wish. Shows we have our priorities in order!

-Ed. by Steve Koreivo, member of Football Writers Association of America.

Collegefootballfan.com’s Top Draft picks of 2024: Seen in action.

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Lebanon, TN – Collegefootballfan.com’s ongoing adventure to attend as many games as possible year after year allows us to display more Top draft picks of 2024 in action than ever before! With the additional years of eligibility due to the 2020 Covid season and eligibility extensions by the NCAA, players in action seen have been around longer than the standard four to five years.

We may not agree with these wide-open transfer policies, but we recognize the opportunity to have seen many top draft picks of 2024 over the course of the last six years or more. Some playing for current schools, and some at previous ones. In addition, our diverse schedules from year-to-year have provided us with opportunities to see players before or after they transferred (too open for our liking). This provides us flexibility to catch players from many different teams over the years. We hope that the NCAA will halt the ability of players to move on to other programs for purely financial purposes. However, we still like seeing the best of college football talent wherever we happen to find it – on purpose or by default.

Top draft picks at Quarterback

QB Bo Nix performed before us for Auburn against Penn State in 2021 before he rose to become a top draft pick at Oregon. At Auburn for three years, he passed for 7,241 yards, 39 touchdowns and 16 INTs. For OU in two seasons, he threw for 8,101 yards, 74 TDs, and 10 picks. The Broncos drafted him 12th overall the first evening.
Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy’s stock has moved up as a top draft pick since the Wolverines won the national championship in 2023. Questions derived from Jim Harbaugh’s influence one way, or another, based on his new position as Head Coach of the LA Chargers. As a starter at U of M the last two seasons, McCarthy leaves behind a record of 28-1. The Vikings traded up to take him 10th overall.

Oh, those transfer QBs.

Michael Penix Jr. (9) seen in action for Indiana in 33-31 win over Western Kentucky in 2021.
Michael Penix Jr. (9) here in action for Indiana in 33-31 win over Western Kentucky in 2021. He moved to the top of the scouting charts with great success the last two years leading Washington to a record of 25-3. There, he averaged a 65.3 % completion rate, threw 67 TDs and 19 interceptions. He finds ways to win though he was slowed by late season injuries for several seasons. Many were surprised as the Falcons selected him at No. 8 after signing Kurt Couzens for four years. Great back-up and great long-term plan from our perspective.
In 2021, we watched Devin Leary at his peak in a 34-31 loss to Wake Forest. That season he threw for 3,433 yards, 35 TDs, and five INTs. As a grad student at Kentucky last season, he finished with 2,746 yards, 25 TDs and 12 INTs. He will probably be a late round selection for future development.
In 2021, we watched Devin Leary at his peak in a 45-42 loss to Wake Forest. That season he threw for 3,433 yards, 35 TDs, and five INTs. As a grad student at Kentucky last season, he finished with 2,746 yards, 25 TDs and 12 INTs. He will probably be a late round selection for future development. Despite his drop-off and reputation for folding under pressure, the Ravens selected him at No. 218.
South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler lets loose here against win over Kentucky in 2022. Strong-armed transfer from Oklahoma. Saints picked him up at No. 150 for good value as a back-up in the short-term.
South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler (7) lets loose here against win over Kentucky in 2022. Strong-armed transfer from Oklahoma. Saints picked him up at No. 150 for good value as a back-up in the short-term.

Many of the top draft picks among our Offensive Lineman

Penn State LT Olumuyiwa Fashanu (74) blocked for potent rushing attack in 2023. Seen here against Michigan in 2023. A junior at 6’6″ and 319 lbs., expect him to be considered the prime prospect on the offensive line among top draft picks of 2024. Selected 11th by the Jets, but he was not top offensive tackle taken in 2024.
Bama RT JC Latham (65) protected Heisman Winner Bryce Young in the 2022 season. The junior will be called early on to make another quarterback successful in the pros early in his new career. Drafted by the Titans at No. 7, JC became the first offensive lineman selected.
Georgia Bulldog OT Amarius Mims (65) showed his blocking capabilities here against Kentucky in 2023. He'll be plugging and opening holes against NFL foes in upcoming seasons.
Georgia Bulldog OT Amarius Mims (65) showed his blocking capabilities here against Kentucky in 2023. He’ll be plugging and opening holes against NFL foes in upcoming seasons. Glad we posted this blurred picture of the 18th selection made by the Bengals.
Houston Cougar OT Patrick Paul (76) threw his weight around when we watched he and the Cougars defeat Navy in 2021. We will look to see how he does in the NFL as he lines up for the Dolphins who selected him at No. 55 in 2024.
Houston Cougar OT Patrick Paul (76) threw his weight around when we watched he and the Cougars defeat Navy in 2021. We will look to see how he does in the NFL as he lines up for the Dolphins who selected him at No. 55 in 2024.
Michigan G and team captain Zak Zinter (65) lined up here agaisnt PSU but went down in injury against Ohio State. The Bengals look forward to his healthy return as they selected him at No. 85.
Michigan G and team captain Zak Zinter (65) lined up here against PSU but went down in injury against Ohio State. The Bengals look forward to his healthy return as they selected him at No. 85.
Kansas OT Dominick Puni (67) signals touchdown in Liberty Bowl against Arkansas in 2022. Admired for versatility at different positions and for quickness, the 49ers selected him No. 86 overall.
Kansas OT Dominick Puni (67) signals touchdown in Liberty Bowl against Arkansas in 2022. Admired for versatility at different positions and for quickness, the 49ers selected him No. 86 overall.

Promising OL talent beyond the top draft picks as well.

Arkansas G Beaux Limmer seals the inside for a Razorback gain against Kansas in 2022 Liberty Bowl. He'll be a mid-round selection.
Arkansas G Beaux Limmer seals the inside for a Razorback gain against Kansas in 2022 Liberty Bowl. Projected to be a mid-round selection. With ample experience, draft aficionados project No. 217 by the Rams moving him to center.
Duke C Jacob Monk, 6'3" 320 lbs., goes after loose ball in Birmingham Bowl triumph over Troy last December. Look for him to get selected in the middle rounds.
Duke C Jacob Monk (63), 6’3″ 320 lbs., goes after loose ball in Birmingham Bowl triumph over Troy last December. Look for him to get selected in the middle rounds. Regaled for quickness off the ball, the Packers took him at No. 163.
Ragin Cajun OT Nathan Thomas (50) opened a hole for a gain against Texas State in their 2022 victory in San Marcos. Projected as a mid-round selection in 2024.
Ragin Cajun OT Nathan Thomas (50) opened a hole before halftime festivities for a gain against Texas State in their 2022 41-13 victory in San Marcos. At 6’5″, 334 lbs., pundits project him as a mid-round selection in 2024. Also known for his quickness of the line of scrimmage, the Cowboys selected him in the final round at No. 223.

Tight ends: Two Top Draft picks

Georgia All-American TE Brock Browers (19) will be called on to run-block as well as catch passes at the next level.
Georgia All-American TE Brock Browers (19) will be called on to run-block and catch passes at the next level. The two-time Mackey Award winner for best college Tight End caught 175 passes for 2,538 and 26 scores in his three seasons at Athens. Definitely the top draft pick at Tight End in 2024. Does he still get to keep his independently negotiated NIL agreement? If so, good for him! Good luck to No. 13 overall taken by the Raiders.
Theo Johnson (84) hauls in touchdown pass with 1:59 left before Penn State failed on a two-point conversion to put this game out of reach.
TE Theo Johnson (84) hauls in touchdown pass with 1:59 left before Penn State failed on a two-point conversion to put this game out of reach against eventual NCAA champ Michigan in 2023. With 73 grabs for 882 yards and 12 TDs over three seasons, he played a go-to role in short yardage situations. He went earlier than expected at No. 107 to the Giants.

Wide receivers: Some of the best

South Carolina WR Xavier Leggette (17) picks up more yards after a short pass at Kentucky in 2022. The Panthers drafted him at No. 32 to close out the First Round of the 2024 draft.
South Carolina WR Xavier Leggette (17) picks up more yards after a short pass at Kentucky in 2022. The Panthers drafted him at No. 32 to close out the First Round of the 2024 draft.
Georgia WR Ladd McConkey (84) is expected to go in the first round of 2024. Remember Phil McConkey of the NY Giants (and Navy)? No relation as far as we know, but similar skills at the same position. This elusive 6′, 185-lb. WR gained 1,687 yard and scored 14 times with 119 receptions for the Bulldogs during three seasons. The Chargers under new Head Coach Jim Harbaugh traded up with the Patriots to make him the second pick of the second round at No. 34 overall.
Texas TE Adonai Mitchell looks to go by fourth round. Seen here against Baylor in 2022.
Texas WR Adonai Mitchell looks to go by fourth round. Seen here against Baylor in 2022, he caught 93 passes over three seasons. With a strong running attack, he still averaged 15.1 yards per reception and scored 18 touchdowns. Colts selected him at No. 52.
Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley (11) fights his way into the end zone in his team’s 2022 win over Austin Peay. He impressed the Jets who selected him 65th overall.
Michigan WR Roman Wilson stopped here for a short gain by Penn State in 2023 victory. He stepped up in Michigan's championships season with 48 receptions for 789 yards and 12 TDs. This elusive playmaker sill probably get selected in the middle rounds of the 2024 draft.
Michigan WR Roman Wilson (1) stopped here for a short gain by Penn State in 2023 victory. He stepped up in U of M’s championship season with 48 receptions for 789 yards and 12 TDs. This elusive playmaker went to the Rams at No. 84 in Round 3.

Running backs: Top draft picks looking to shine

RB Trey Benson showed pass-catching skills out of the backfield for Florida State here against Wake Forest in 2023. In two seasons, he carried the rock 310 times for 1,895 yards, 6.1 yards per run, and totaled 23 TDs. He never fumbled. This versatile ball carrier also made 33 catches out of the backfield for 371 yards and TD. Good size at 6’1′, 223 lbs. Cardinals selected him at No. 66
Michigan RB Blake Corum (2) rips off big yardage here against Penn State in 2023. He''l take his 3,737 rushing yards and 58 TDs on the ground along with his 411 receiving yards and three TDs to the Rams. They selected him 83rd overall in Round 3.
Michigan RB Blake Corum (2) rips off big yardage here against Penn State in 2023. He’ll take his 3,737 rushing yards and 58 TDs on the ground along with his 411 receiving yards and three TDs to the Rams. They selected him 83rd overall in Round 3.
Re'Mahn (aka Ray) Davis (20), now at Kentucky, scores for Temple early in 2019 Military Bowl loss to UNC, 55-19.
Re’Mahn (aka Ray) Davis (20), who moved on later to Vanderbilt and to Kentucky, scored for Temple early in 2019 Military Bowl loss to UNC, 55-19. Will he commit to play long-term for any team who selects him? In five seasons at three schools, he ran for 4,026 yards and 29 TDs. On catches out of the backfield, he posted 762 yards and 12 scores. His teams posted a combined record of 23-34. The Bills will test his staying power selecting him at No. 128.
The Duke defense held Kamani Vidal (28) to seventy yards, but more importantly to a long run of only 12 yards and no TDs.
We watched Troy RB Kimani Vidal (28) explode for 233 rushing yards and five TDs on 26 carries to defeat a tough Appalachian State team, 49-33 in the Sun Belt Conference championship. The Duke defense held Vidal to seventy yards and no TDs in the Birmingham Bowl following a coaching change. His four years at Troy proved Vidal’s worth to the Chargers who added him as No. 181 in 2024.

Defensive linemen

Texas DL Byron Murphy (90) in pursuit of a Baylor Bear in 2022. He recorded eight sacks among 68 stops in three seasons. We look for him to go in the later rounds. Wrong we were! The Seahawks took him at No. 16.
Penn State Edge Chop Robinson (44) moves in to make stop against Auburn in 2022 win. The Dolphins landed him at No. 21.
Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson (44) moves in to make stop against Auburn in 2022 win. The Dolphins landed him at No. 21 to enhance their pass rush. He explodes off the snap of the ball.
Auburn decked Vanderbilt in Nashville in 2023 as DT Marcus Harris (50) applied pressure with others on this play. Probably a late round pick in the upcoming draft.
Auburn decked Vanderbilt in Nashville in 2023 as DT Marcus Harris (50) applied pressure with others on this play. Probably a late round pick in the upcoming draft. Exactly – No. 247 to the Texans.

Linebackers

Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner showed open field tackling capabilities here against Utah State in 2022.
Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner (15) showed us open field tackling capabilities here against Utah State in 2022. At 6’4″, 242 lbs, he could be converted to a linebacker in the NFL. He tallied 22.5 sacks for Bama. Should be top draft pick in Round 1. Taken by the Vikings as their second first round pick at No. 17, Dallas can play with chip on his shoulder.
Michigan LB Junior Colson (25) impressed his former Head Coach Jim Harbaugh so much, he wound up on Harbaugh's new team, the Chargers, as the 69th pick in the draft overall.
Michigan LB Junior Colson (25) impressed his former Head Coach Jim Harbaugh so much, he wound up on Harbaugh’s new team, the Chargers, as the 69th pick in the draft overall.
We caught LB Tryce Knight (10) of UTEP in 2023 against Jacksonville State in our opener. He averaged 113 tackles and picked two passes for the Miners his past three seasons.
We caught LB Tyrice Knight (10 in white) of UTEP in 2023 against Jacksonville State in our opener. He averaged 113 tackles annually and picked two passes for the Miners his past three seasons. The Seahawks pounced on him at No. 118.

A lot of depth seen in the secondary

Music City Bowl MVP and DB Cooper DeJean (3) makes one of his eight stops. He also returned a pick six for the Hawkeyes' third and final score of the second period and of the game.
2022 Music City Bowl MVP and DB Cooper DeJean (3) makes one of his eight stops against Kentucky. He also returned a pick six for the Hawkeyes’ third and final score of the second period and of the game, a 21-0 Iowa victory. Seven career picks, three for TDs, and 120 tackles for the Hawkeyes. Picked 40th by the Eagles on the second round, he became the second DB selected overall behind Quinyon Mitchell also selected by the Eagles in Round One.
Top Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell applies a solid stop here against Bowling Green in the Rockets’ 2023 win. Six career INTs, two for scores. 124 tackles. The Eagles grabbed him at No. 22, top DB of the 2024 draft.
Tight coverage like this by Kool-Aid McKinstry of Alabama will be called on to shut down prime receivers in the NFL. Two career picks and 93 tackles for The Tide. Selected by the Saints who traded up for him to take at No. 41.

DB talent went deep into the 2024 draft

Penn State DBs halt Purdue ball carrier
Penn State CB Kalen King (4) halts Purdue ball carrier in third period in 2022. Deep secondary talent in this year’s draft. King tallied three picks for the Lions and 80 stops over three seasons. Value dropped senior year and Packers picked him up at No. 255.
Wake Forest CB Caelen Carson holds Florida State WR to a short gain here in 2023. e'll be the next in line among Demen Deac defenders to add some pop in an NFL secondary.
Wake Forest CB Caelen Carson holds Florida State WR to a short gain here in 2023. He’ll be the next in line among Demon Deacs defenders to add some pop to an NFL secondary. Carson hauled in three enemy passes and posted 119 tackles. Cowboys selected him at No. 124.
Penn State CB Daequan Hardy (25) picked five passes and recorded 5.5 sacks for the Lions in his career. Predict he will go in Round 5 or 6.
Seen here against Auburn in 2021, Penn State CB Daequan Hardy (25) picked five passes and recorded 5.5 sacks for the Lions in his career. Predict he will go in Round 5 or 6. Stood out against Ohio State in 2023. Became a Bill at No. 219.

Other top draft picks seen, but not recorded

Despite taking too many pictures, between missed opportunities, blurred pictures, and an inferior camera used early on, we missed some shots of some of the best. Among them, WR Marvin Harrison of Ohio State at Penn State in 2022. He caught 10 passes for 183 yards in that one. Zoom Lense broke! CB Terrion Arnold of Alabama against Utah State in 2022. I don’t remember Bama on defense too often – a lot of three-and-outs.

Disappointed I couldn’t capture any shots of Illinois DL Zer’zhan (Johnny) Newton in 2023 game against Penn State. Had to use my cell phone and missed shots of a definite top draft pick. Defective camera snapped all defective pictures to void shots of Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw, DL Darius Robinson and RB Cody Shrader in their win over Vanderbilt. Next season, I hope to be better prepared with a better camera and better strategy for top draft picks.

ed. by Steve Koreivo. member of Football Writer’s Association of America

Revenue sharing for college football? Way ahead of you, Nick.

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Steveo’s Salvos

Lebanon, TN – Believe it – revenue sharing qualifies as one of eight improvements offered in Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. In James Parks’s online article of March 12 on CFB-HQ Fan Nation, Nick Saban reiterates exactly what I proposed.  That calls for an NCAA augmented revenue sharing system.  Read “Nick Saban offers solution to NIL in college football to Congress.”  After that, purchase your copy of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales.  Read about this and seven other proposals made to improve the game of college football.  Many fans will lose interest in the game based on the direction the sport spiraling away from competitiveness.  I present solutions to other issues negatively impacting college football in my second of two essays at the end of my life-long adventure entitled, “For the Love of the Game.”

Revenue-sharing: the first step

Nick Saban presented his revenue-sharing idea to Congress.  In my book, under the subtitle “Revenue Sharing” in my final essay, emphasis highlighted, regretfully, the need for federal legislation.  It points out that the Name Image and Likeness (NIL) policy abused by Collectives makes only rich programs richer. The policy creates a greater imbalance of competition within college football.

In a recent “Steveo’s Salvo,” here on our site, we suspect “sustainability” of the NIL policy could impact this great sport even more negatively.  The NCAA seemed careless in controlling what it wished for.  The follow-up question to this however is, “What did it wish for?”  Seems like a few teams will really benefit while most others become “fodder” for the few elites.

Nick Saban can address some issues effectively for college football such as revenue-sharing. On the other hand, there are issues that he won't address because he used them during his career to achieve success.
Nick Saban can address some issues effectively for college football such as revenue-sharing. On the other hand, there are issues that he won’t address because he used them during his career to achieve success.

More steps to be taken, or else.

In the end with the combined changes taking place, college fan interest will start to dwindle.  Saban presented all the NIL issues adeptly to Congress. What Fifty Years also addressed includes other issues that also make college football less competitive. Other challenges remain ahead, and most likely, Nick Saban will not challenge them.   Strength of schedule evaluation, scheduling manipulation, playoff formats, budget considerations, graduate school questions, and post-season participation prevent leveling the play on the football field.  In addition, topics such as TV time-outs that minimize fan interest should be addressed.  Without further review and solutions applied soon, the spirit of this great game may terminate the interest it stirs will be gone.  Pay for play replaces what we savored as “the old college try.” 

We unload a broadside of revenue-sharing to offset the unfair power of NILs.

Steve Koreivo, ed. Member of Football Writers Association of America

Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales ranked No. 60

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My book Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly showed some encouraging progress this week. It landed at No. 60 among Amazon.com’s Kindle list in the category of “Guided Journals.” Still a long way to go in various football categories. We hope Tales will conjure up more interest among fans looking to understand the latest changes impacting this great sport. We address these issues as well as provide solutions to help improve this great game rather than destroy it. Released in September, the major media has only started to address and weigh in on some ideas that Tales already addresses. Like the last Salvo we fired off here last week, this book looks beyond the upcoming season as to how some of these changes will fare in the future.

Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.
Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.

Spread the word

Tell your friends to check out the Author page on Amazon.com, buy the book and submit a review. If Kindle is not their reading preference, it’s also available in paperback. It fulfills tastes not only primarily for sports fans. The adventure falls into genres of Humor and Travels as well. It’s also a story about work-life balance. The endeavor reaches into the author’s family, faith and career endeavors as well. The book tells the tale of enjoying a lifetime passion without sacrificing focus on life’s essentials.

-posted by Steve Koreivo, ed. Member of Football Writer’s Association of America

Is the NIL policy sustainable for college football?

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Steveo’s Salvos: A broadside on Donors’ Return on Investments

Lebanon, TN – Once the NCAA announced in June 2021 that college athletic programs could raise funds through contracted collectives regarding their newly implemented Name, Image and Likeness aka NIL policy, many donors, alumni and business organizations jumped on the bandwagon. Many sent forth vast sums of money to invest millions of dollars to allow their respective schools through newly formed Collectives to make offers to talented players to come to their schools once they signed a letter of intent to attend alma mater dear.  Well, that was the understanding originally.  However, much has changed since this started only a few years ago.

Since Collectives don’t have to abide by the NCAA Do’s and Don’ts that schools and athletes need to adhere to, the NIL policy now entices athletes to leave their current program to transfer to another.  Already, plenty of head coaches among many Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) competitors accuse others of doing this.  However, they rarely name names in order to keep the peace.  For they eventually fall into the same trap to enable their team to compete on the gridiron as well.  The demands needed to compete on the field cause the NIL policy to grow as a collateral competition in college football.   Survival of the fittest, or basically, the richest, depends on it.

Great NIL Policy Expectations?

Enthusiastic donors, alumni and business organizations aren’t holding back in the early going of the new NIL policy. They sink millions of dollars into these newfound war-chests. The media celebrates the hype of what players are moving on to new programs.  One has to wonder though, what is the expected Rate on Investment (ROI) anticipated for these significant donations?  For what donors invest into alma mater dear’s NIL policy, they must expect something in return.  It’s supposedly disposable income for most, but with the amounts being invested now, there’s got to be some grand expectations.

Of course, the initial feeling is the return of satisfaction or happiness in giving this money to one’s school to help them compete.  The short-term goal helps recruit the best team possible to play to win on the football field.  In the end, however, is that going to be enough?  For now, figure among 134 different FBS football programs, every season, only one is going to be crowned “National Champion.” 

Donors or Owners?

These donors, in reality, are becoming investors in their favorite school’s football program. Of course, few can’t afford to buy a professional franchise.  Maybe they see this investment compensating between their desire to own a real NFL team and owning a “Fantasy football team.”  The stakes are generally much higher than the latter, of course.  These are big money donations providing money for real teams with real people.  These real people, all on one real team and under one hired coaching staff, drop passes, miss tackles, jump offsides on critical downs, make questionable decisions on the sideline, sit out when injured, or just play poorly on a given game day. Things don’t always go the right way. Some players stay along the sideline.

Satisfaction variables

No satisfaction guaranteed. Are these investors all going to be satisfied over time if their school program has at least a winning season of 7-5 every year? Or is 6-6 to get into a “consolation game” (I refuse to call these “bowl games”) good enough to keep big spenders happy to re-invest the following season?  Will they be totally satisfied as long their school knocks off their cross-state rival more often than not?  Will they only be satisfied if their team wins their conference every year?  Can satisfaction be derived by becoming one of 12 teams to gain a bid to the new college football playoff (CFP) format?  Every season?  Once in a while? A few teams may dominate and achieve some, but not all, of these goals. 

Live and learn.

At what point does an NIL policy investor say, “That’s it!  It’s not worth my money.” The definition of happiness among all investors will vary.  Some will be more demanding than others. How great will the pressure be on coaches that don’t meet the investors’ expectations?  How many investors insist on firing their head coach? Fans already witness this among top, winning programs today.  How many good coaches will figure, “I’ve had enough.  I’m going to the pros where I have one major investor to deal with-the owner.” In addition to coaching a team, they are also primary fundraisers to keep donations rolling in. That’s a full-time job in itself. They already manage 85 players, assistant coaches and recruiting responsibilities to find new players to replace ones moving on. And with the current NIL policy and the transfer portal options, that could be half of a roster.

And what will happen when the players these investors provided money for decide to leave because they don’t start? Or perhaps, because the coach is moving on?  What kind of pressure are investors going to use then?  “If this player leaves, don’t expect any more money from me!”  Like everything else changing so fast in college football, this is when scholarships will morph into contracts.  Donors invest their money for collectives to “hire” players.  “The coach may leave, but that player better not be following him. I made my investment to bring that player into our program, not the coach’s.” Sorry NCAA.

The NIL Policy in a State of Flux

Oh yes!  Players, donors, coaches to some extent, schools, alumni associations and booster clubs are enjoying the NIL policy now.  However, when those investments kick in to satisfy a multitude of investors looking for their team to finish at the top at the end of the season, there will only be one team there. One hundred thirty-three others will have toppled along the way.  Some investors may remain satisfied with their investment. “At least we beat our cross-state rival!”  But how much did they donate? A few will still see a glimmer of hope for the following season, but there are going to be many more programs who are going to see the loss of benefactors fall out of line without a satisfactory return on their investment. 

$urvival

Only the “rich will survive.”  That will be because they will be the only ones to sustain more funds through the current NIL policy. Winners get more donations. When we witness a dynasty, it will be built on a mountain of money.  When that happens, there are going to be more disheartened than enthusiastic football fans in the collegiate ranks.

Money from the NIL policy won’t be expanding among the majority of collectives to build more competition in college football. Investors will find more satisfying options to use their disposable income. NIL donations will be contracting among most to leave a small group of elite teams left to play football among themselves. As I suggest in my book Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good the Fun and the Ugly, it makes sense now to break up the FBS.  It’s got to happen now.  Even Nick Saban concurs that what we have now is not college football.

Nick Saban sees the light. From his new view in retirement, he sees the impact of the NIL policy which calls for some changes to preserve "college" football.
Nick Saban sees the light. From his new view in retirement, he sees the impact of the NIL policy which calls for some changes to preserve “college” football.