2024 -25 College Football and College Football Playoff Thread

[JWags85]

Nebraska ran the I-formation and option offense with athletically skilled QBs.  Alvarez played at Nebraska before they ran that kind of offense.

Also, Alvarez cut his teeth as an assistant under Hayden Fry at Iowa.

The only thing Wisconsin had in common with Nebraska was the steroid use.

Yeah, funny enough, Osborne became OC and revamped the offense with Devaney LITERALLY a year after Barry graduated

[Uncle Rico]

Yeah, funny enough, Osborne became OC and revamped the offense with Devaney LITERALLY a year after Barry graduated

Wisconsin didn't run anything resembling a Nebraska offense other than they handed it off a lot

[The Sultan]

No, he wasn't. He was a Notre Dame assistant. He played at Nebraska...23 years before he got to Wisconsin and before Tom Osborne took the helm in Lincoln. Alvarez never coached above the high school level in the state of Nebraska.

ND assistant but spent most of his coaching career under Fry at Iowa. Recruited the hell out of Wisconsin back then.

But that was a long time ago.

[Herman Cain]

No, he wasn't. He was a Notre Dame assistant. He played at Nebraska...23 years before he got to Wisconsin and before Tom Osborne took the helm in Lincoln. Alvarez never coached above the high school level in the state of Nebraska.

Correction Noted

[Uncle Rico]

Correction Noted

He didn't bring a Nebraska system to Wisconsin. 

[Herman Cain]

He didn't bring a Nebraska system to Wisconsin.

Correction noted

[MUBurrow]

That said, I like Fickell and I think he will do very well. Maybe not CFP great but very good.

I'm interested to see what the new B10 does for expectations of the current B10 West. I would bet that 7 out of every conference championship games are going to be two of the west coast teams, Mich, OSU, and PSU. 3-4 loss conference seasons won't be "one game out of the B10 championship game" anymore.

[Dickthedribbler]

I'm interested to see what the new B10 does for expectations of the current B10 West. I would bet that 7 out of every conference championship games are going to be two of the west coast teams, Mich, OSU, and PSU. 3-4 loss conference seasons won't be "one game out of the B10 championship game" anymore.

Maybe I am misunderstanding your post, and I certainly stand to be corrected if wrong, but I understood the B10 was canning the East/West Divisions and going with one 16 team League. First place and second place play for the championship. Right? Wrong?

[PointWarrior]

The size and athleticism on display during the Washington vs Oregon will make Wisconsin miserable regardless of Fickell "improved" recruiting.

Wisconsin plays Alabama the two next years, yikes.

[MUBurrow]

Maybe I am misunderstanding your post, and I certainly stand to be corrected if wrong, but I understood the B10 was canning the East/West Divisions and going with one 16 team League. First place and second place play for the championship. Right? Wrong?

Yup, that's my understanding too. I just mean that proximity to the B10 championship in the current structure has helped make middling seasons at Iowa, WI, Purdue, etc look better than they are. Now those same seasons will just be afterthoughts in the standings of the mega conference, and I wonder if those fanbases will notice/care.

[Uncle Rico]

The size and athleticism on display during the Washington vs Oregon will make Wisconsin miserable regardless of Fickell "improved" recruiting.

Wisconsin plays Alabama the two next years, yikes.

Now's the time to play Bama.  They are on a steep decline

[Dickthedribbler]

Yup, that's my understanding too. I just mean that proximity to the B10 championship in the current structure has helped make middling seasons at Iowa, WI, Purdue, etc look better than they are. Now those same seasons will just be afterthoughts in the standings of the mega conference, and I wonder if those fanbases will notice/care.

You make an excellent point and one I've kind of been wondering about, too. So the B10 mega-conference makes a bazillion dollars from media rights. But if your team has lost 2 conference games by early October under the new setup you're pretty much screwed as far as championship aspirations go. At least under the current 2 division setup, the B10 West is competitive most of the season. Starting next year what interest is there going to be  in a Minnesota-Northwestern game in mid October when the only thing on the line is 13th place. 2/3rds of the B10 football fans will have nothing to root for this time next year ( notwithstanding, I'll sleep just fine).

[The Sultan]

You make an excellent point and one I've kind of been wondering about, too. So the B10 mega-conference makes a bazillion dollars from media rights. But if your team has lost 2 conference games by early October under the new setup you're pretty much screwed as far as championship aspirations go. At least under the current 2 division setup, the B10 West is competitive most of the season. Starting next year what interest is there going to be  in a Minnesota-Northwestern game in mid October when the only thing on the line is 13th place. 2/3rds of the B10 football fans will have nothing to root for this time next year ( notwithstanding, I'll sleep just fine).

College football games are events upon themselves. There will be plenty of people in the stands and watching on TV.

[brewcity77]

ND assistant but spent most of his coaching career under Fry at Iowa. Recruited the hell out of Wisconsin back then.

But that was a long time ago.

Sure, but I remember the media coverage when Barry arrived. It was a BIG deal that they got him from Notre Dame.

[Uncle Rico]

Sure, but I remember the media coverage when Barry arrived. It was a BIG deal that they got him from Notre Dame.

Well, he was the DC of a national title winner at Notre Dame but he was way more a Hayden Fry guy than Notre Dame guy. 

[Herman Cain]

Yup, that's my understanding too. I just mean that proximity to the B10 championship in the current structure has helped make middling seasons at Iowa, WI, Purdue, etc look better than they are. Now those same seasons will just be afterthoughts in the standings of the mega conference, and I wonder if those fanbases will notice/care.

You make an excellent point and one I've kind of been wondering about, too. So the B10 mega-conference makes a bazillion dollars from media rights. But if your team has lost 2 conference games by early October under the new setup you're pretty much screwed as far as championship aspirations go. At least under the current 2 division setup, the B10 West is competitive most of the season. Starting next year what interest is there going to be  in a Minnesota-Northwestern game in mid October when the only thing on the line is 13th place. 2/3rds of the B10 football fans will have nothing to root for this time next year ( notwithstanding, I'll sleep just fine).

I remember the bad old days of the Big Ten in the late 60s 70s era of Bo and Woody domination. The other 8 teams games did not have much to offer and the games did not have much energy around them .   Every once in a while there would be an outstanding individual to watch but not much beyond that .

[The Sultan]

Well, he was the DC of a national title winner at Notre Dame but he was way more a Hayden Fry guy than Notre Dame guy. 

Alvarez left Iowa because Hayden Fry's longtime defensive coordinator had no desire to become a head coach. I actually believe that Fry encouraged Holtz to hire him.

brew is right that it was considered a huge get for Wisconsin. But Alrarez knew that Wisconsin had a ton of potential. As I said, he used to recruit the state heavily for Iowa and knew there was talent there.

[Uncle Rico]

Alvarez left Iowa because Hayden Fry's longtime defensive coordinator had no desire to become a head coach. I actually believe that Fry encouraged Holtz to hire him.

brew is right that it was considered a huge get for Wisconsin. But Alrarez knew that Wisconsin had a ton of potential. As I said, he used to recruit the state heavily for Iowa and knew there was talent there.

Yes to all that

[WhiteTrash]

Jim Harbaugh to the NFL next?
https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/38696639/ncaa-investigating-no-2-michigan-amid-sign-stealing-allegations

[Pakuni]

Now's the time to play Bama.  They are on a steep decline

Bama had the third-best recruiting class in history last year, per 247.

[Uncle Rico]

Bama had the third-best recruiting class in history last year, per 247.

Classes have all been good.  Development hasn't been good.  They've missed the mark at QB

[Pakuni]

Classes have all been good.  Development hasn't been good.  They've missed the mark at QB

I sense sarcasm.

[Uncle Rico]

I sense sarcasm.

No, I'm serious on the QB.  Ty Simpson was supposed to be the next star QB and he couldn't beat out Milroe and they brought Buchner in, who isn't exactly a star.  At this point, Simpson should have won the job.  He's looking like a miss.

They have a 5* in this class at QB and maybe he comes in and starts right away but the position isn't very good right now.

They've also had so much turnover on the staff, which has been a constant in the Saban era, but at some point, historically, that catches up to you.  Kevin Steele is the DC.  Woof

[Jockey]

Jim Harbaugh to the NFL next?
https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/38696639/ncaa-investigating-no-2-michigan-amid-sign-stealing-allegations

When he has his lawyer commenting - all I hear is 'guilty, guilty, guilty'.

[Uncle Rico]

When he has his lawyer commenting - all I hear is 'guilty, guilty, guilty'.

About time Michigan got serious about winning a national title