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We’ve talked so much about Texas, the prolific offenses of the Pac-12 and the SEC’s down 12 months. It’s about time we verify in with the Big Ten. Penn State beat author Audrey Snyder joins us at present with an replace on the Nittany Lions, who’re approaching certainly one of their most essential video games.
But first, right here’s what’s occurring in school soccer Until Saturday …
Sideline Drama
Trent Dilfer vs. his assistants in C.F.B.
We’re again with one other version of C.F.B. (College Football Beefs). Next to courtroom: UAB coach Trent Dilfer vs. his assistant coaches.
What occurred?
Dilfer blew up on the sidelines after UAB was referred to as for an unlawful substitution, trailing 28-20 in the fourth quarter in opposition to Tulane. The name gave the Green Wave an automated first down on fourth-and-2 in their very own territory, though they didn’t rating on the drive. The broadcast reduce to Dilfer after the flag was thrown and confirmed the coach visibly offended at two of his assistants. Tulane finally gained 35-23.
This isn’t new territory for Dilfer. In 2021, he gained consideration on social media for grabbing certainly one of his athletes at Lipscomb Academy (Nashville) by the shoulder pads and yelling at him. Dilfer later launched an announcement on that incident, saying he “should have been a better leader.”
Who wins?
Until Saturday guidelines in favor of: Nobody. This is Dilfer’s first season at UAB after being employed in November, and he has the Blazers in the media for all the incorrect causes. Stephen A. Smith spent practically six minutes speaking about Dilfer and the outburst on ESPN’s “First Take” on Monday morning. The video of Dilfer’s outburst provides off a “This wasn’t my fault, it’s yours” vibe that definitely isn’t productive, particularly for a brand new employees. Players are actually dodging Dilfer as they run onto the area. I’m all for ardour, however there’s a line when it comes to maintaining the sport in perspective.
BTW: Last week’s C.F.B. ruling on Ryan Day vs. Lou Holtz clearly has not squashed the beef. Holtz moved Ohio State down 5 spots in his ballot after the Buckeyes’ bye week. Seems petty to me.
Next up, extra on Ohio State and its showdown with Penn State later this month with Audrey Snyder.
Penn State’s Focus?
The Ohio State ‘carrot’
Immediately after James Franklin mentioned the phrases Saturday afternoon, the Nittany Lions coach was fast to make clear.
“I’m kind of dangling this carrot, which I shouldn’t do, but we’re also going to get ahead,” Franklin mentioned Saturday after No. 6 Penn State dismantled Northwestern. “The coaches will get ahead on the schedule as well during this bye week. Next week will be totally on our next opponent.”
The Nittany Lions are off this week and subsequent play UMass. Theoretically, which means Penn State can be 6-0 when it heads to Columbus for a showdown with No. 4 Ohio State on Oct. 21. Yes, Penn State will use this week to self-scout and get a head begin on Ryan Day’s staff. No, it’s not the least bit problematic or regarding {that a} staff that has Franklin’s “1-0 each week” mantra plastered throughout the soccer constructing and even on a wall lining the follow area is beginning to look forward.
Penn State is aware of what’s at stake later this month and may’t waste any second of any day not making an attempt to get forward. Penn State has overwhelmed Ohio State simply as soon as throughout Franklin’s tenure. It has had the Buckeyes on the ropes just a few occasions throughout that span. This sport can be Penn State’s finest shot in a very long time to maybe lastly dethrone Ohio State. Penn State is aware of that is its likelihood. Penn State’s shot at crashing the College Football Playoff social gathering is on the horizon, and there’s each cause to imagine there can be nothing idle about this program this week.
The unhealthy information for Penn State? In all probability, Day’s coaches, coming off their very own idle week and with a sport in opposition to a sneaky-good and undefeated Maryland staff this week, in all probability spent a while final week beginning to put together for Oct. 21 too. Mark your calendars for the showdown. We know Penn State has. — Audrey Snyder
Heisman Race Heats Up
A darkish horse from Missouri?
Caleb Williams jumped Michael Penix Jr. for the high spot on this week’s Heisman straw ballot from our CFB employees; Quinn Ewers was the solely different participant with a first-place vote. Bo Nix remained third whereas beforehand unranked Brock Bowers made a bounce to No. 4. Nine QBs have been featured in the ballot, with one tight finish, one huge receiver and one operating again.
Each week, Until Saturday will choose an “Outcast Vote of the Week” and ask the Athletic employees member to anonymously make their case. This week’s outcast, with one third-place vote, is Missouri’s Luther Burden III, a five-star prospect who was a giant recruiting win for Mizzou.
Case from the voter: “Burden is a dominant force for the surprisingly 5-0 Tigers, with an FBS-high 644 receiving yards and a Power 5-leading 8.6 receptions per game. Eli Drinkwitz’s offense has capitalized on the amount of attention opponents must pay to his No. 1 receiver — just rewatch the Kansas State game to see how Burden’s highlight-reel plays set up teammates to shine. His nine receptions of 25-plus yards are tied for the most in the country with LSU’s Malik Nabers, whose Tigers go to Columbia for a potential track meet this weekend. If Mizzou continues LSU’s spiral and emerges as a true SEC contender, Burden’s eye-popping production will become impossible to dismiss.”
Quick Snaps
Max Olson and Sam Khan Jr. are joined by Gabe Ikard to preview this weekend’s Red River Showdown on our Until Saturday podcast.
At NC State, QB Brennan Armstrong can be changed by MJ Morris for the beginning job this weekend, coach Dave Doeren introduced on Monday. Armstrong transferred to the Wolfpack this season from Virginia the place he threw for 4,449 yards and 31 TDs in 2021.
Mark Richt made a shock return to the Georgia teaching podium on Monday and shared light-hearted regrets about the NCAA and the A.J. Green and Todd Gurley scandals that not can be scandals.
The NCAA is anticipated to vote on shortening its switch portal home windows this week in Indianapolis. Division I Council chair Lynda Tealer mentioned she believes the precedence can be to have home windows that “are closer to 30 days versus the 60 that currently exist.”
Conference USA midweek play begins this week, and identical to the remainder of CFB, every Group of 5 convention seems to be to be up for grabs. Catch up with Chris Vannini’s G5 mailbag.
Who’s this 12 months’s TCU? Based on how groups are constructed, Ari Wasserman says Washington is the reply. Read extra in his recruiting mailbag.
Pete Sampson has 9 ideas on Notre Dame, together with the case for why DT Howard Cross could be the staff’s finest participant.
Kenny Smith breaks down the movie from Alabama’s win in opposition to Mississippi State, which incorporates a number of enhancements on protection.
(Top photograph of Trent Dilfer: Jeffrey Vest / Icon Sportswire through Getty Images))
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