Let's start with USC. The NCAA seems to have grown a pair as they handed down one of the stiffest punishments since 1995 against "The U" when they removed 31 scholarships from Miami. This reminded me of the old days when things like "The Death Penalty" were still able to be used by the NCAA to punish rogue programs like Kentucky and in the infamous SMU case. The damage for USC? They are banned from playing in a Bowl game for 2 years, on probation for 4 years, lose 30 scholarships over the next three years, vacated 14 victories from December 2004 - and the entire 2005 season (looks like Notre Dame DID win the "Bush Push Game" after all), and there's now discussion on whether or not the 2004 National Championship will be vacated as well.
That's a pretty spicy meatball Trojans! For people like me who have always found something rotten in Denmark or in this case University Park, Los Angeles, this is pretty impressive. After reading Tarnished Heisman
, while I was no doubt entertained by the details in it, I still had doubts if the NCAA would really be firm with USC, or if they would continue their recent history of slaps on the wrist. We got our answer today, and that answer is the whip is cracking. The only real question left for me is will they take Reggie Bush's Heisman Trophy back? Here's a good piece debating that possibility. I know there are certain legalities involved that don't leave this a cut and dried issue, but if I'm on the board of trustees at the Downtown Athletic Club I'd have to at least be uncomfortable with the now FACT a "professional" athlete won our award. Another favorite part for me is the reaction of Pete "Captain Happy"Carrol and Reggie Bush. They really want to have us believe they are "shocked" by these findings? That's up there with OJ searching for the "real killers". Go sell that somewhere else fellas...Now let's get to the Big 12. Colorado has officially made the first move to the Pac-10 from the Big 12. Nebraska is expected to announce they have made the move to the Big Ten on Friday. There are also rumors out of Kansas City that Texas, and Texas A&M have petitioned to join the Big Ten, and Oklahoma wanting to join the SEC. While that rumor is strictly unfounded at this point, the more realistic scenario is Texas, TAMU, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State joining the Pac-10 and making it a 16 team conference.
If that happens, doesn't Notre Dame HAVE to join the Big Ten? While obviously Notre Dame doesn't HAVE to do anything (don't believe me, just ask them and they'll tell you) personally I hope they do. I think it would be terrific for not only Notre Dame to finally stop playing The Military schools but it would also be fabulous for the conference to have 14 teams in it with Nebraska, ND, and Rutgers in the mix. Plus that silly National TV Contract ND has with NBC is not making NBC any money any more. In one felt swoop, Notre Dame can finally put away the argument of "They Don't Play Anybody", join a Big Ten that is suddenly going to be considered a Power Conference, have annual games with Ohio State, Illinois, Northwestern, Nebraska, and Penn State among others, they would also get a piece of the increased revenue the Big Ten is going to get with this new realignment.
While I still can't get an answer as to why all this conference realignment is all happening other than the short & easy answer of "money", this are historic events taking place right now. If the Pac-10 gets 16 teams, and the Big Ten gets 14 teams, how far away are we from having 4 Major Conferences divided by geography each with 16 teams in it for a total of 64? That would make a playoff scenario a little easier to structure wouldn't it???
Sthweet Sthdadium! No more Colorado-Nebraska Friday after thanksgiving games to make meatball comments like that. HA!
ReplyDeleteOne of the funniest comments ever made during a football game! Still makes me laugh!
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