Our thread cries about our game times nearly every week. A lot of them are guys with no life who want to be chained to a tv past midnight and demand the 8pm prime time slot on a weekly basis. 3:30 is the premier time slot The lack of 8pm games is also why we’re terrible at recruiting, apparently
I prefer noon games. It’s probably better for recruiting for the night games given how hard it is to get to state college but I personally prefer noon
Ohio State wrapped up with its Spring Game this weekend. Starters play was limited, as it is every year, but basic highlights and spring recap: OL: We moved 2021 starting guard Paris Johnson to LT. He was okay, but also had problems with our young DEs. Starters return at C (Wypler) and RT (Dawand Jones). This unit has very little quality depth. QB/RB/WR: Limited action, but Smith-Njigba did have a TD. Backup RBs played a lot and were solid. Very few unknowns here. TE: Gee Scott led everyone in receptions. Royer caught a nice TD. No one knows who starts here. DL: The sophs are going to be great. This should be an excellent unit in 2022. LB: We still have a lot of unanswered questions here. DBs: This was the most encouraging part of Spring. True freshman Kye Stokes had great reports all spring and was the defensive star of the game at safety. CB Jordan Hancock also played well. S Josh Proctor is back from 2021 injury. This unit should be much better.
Sparty had its spring game this weekend too. O Line is injured and bad so it was impossible to have any idea what else was going on. Unless they get a serviceable tackle or two in the portal, they are in major trouble. Defense is better, but hard to know if that’s because they are improved or the O Line is so depleted.
Kimbrough (the worst corner I’ve ever seen/Florida transfer) moved to the slot and it sounds like he will be moved to the bench as soon as freshman Caleb Coley is ready. Corner will be a mix of Williams (started last year after transferring from Bama and greatly improved as the year went on), Brantley (true Soph who emerged late before he got injured and missed the last few games), and Speed (Georgia transfer). The starters should be much improved. The coaches are also saying that they will be incorporating more man concepts this year, and that the players just weren’t ready to handle man last year so they repeatedly got burnt in zone. I’ll believe it when I see it.
Also, this isn’t the recruiting thread but Tuck had the most talent on campus I’ve ever seen the last couple of weeks. We’ll see if he can land any of them.
Since no one posts in the Big Ten recruiting thread, what qualifies as the most talent on campus. Admittedly, I’m interested mostly because Notre Dame seems to be doing really well head-to-head against Michigan, and I appreciate both of you diluting what is available to them.
It was more 5 star kids than visited in Dantonios entire tenure (this is probably an exaggeration). I don’t think we’re competing with ND or Michigan for kids. Tucker set his sights on more competitive programs
I don’t remember all of their names but there were 8-10 top 100 kids on campus in the last week or so.
Colleyville (Texas) Covenant Christian Academy Top247 defensive lineman Enow Etta makes his second visit to East Lansing and the 247Sports Crystal Ball has moved in Michigan State’s favor. The Spartans are currently sitting on the 247Sports Composite’s No. 15 recruiting class (all five commits will be back for this one) and Etta is a guy they covet ultimately hope joins. Five-stars expected include two of Texas’s best in defensive lineman David Hicksand running back Rueben Owens, along with offensive lineman Francis Mauigoafrom IMG Academy. Top247 tight end Jelani Thurman, Top247 linebacker Jordan Hall (third visit to MSU) Top247 safety Ryan Yaites, four-star offensive lineman Knijeah Harris, Top247 cornerback Dijon Johnson, Top247 defensive lineman Jalen Thompson are some of the other big names.
That’s a summary from two weeks ago pre-spring game. I don’t think the guy you mentioned or Yaites came, but there were 7+ other top 250 kids who came instead. I was only providing a flavor of the big names because I didn’t remember any of them, but knew it was heralded as the biggest two recruiting weeks the program has ever had. We’ll see if any of them actually commit. For example, they’re supposedly flipping this Bama commit, which would be weird:
John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal reported on Monday that Fox may have a deal in place to continue as the lead network for the Big Ten’s football package when it renews after next year. Amazon, Apple, Turner, CBS, NBC, and ESPN all have or will make proposals to split the package with Fox as the lead. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2022/04/18/Insiders/Sports-media.aspx The 2017-2023 deal paid $2.64 billion, $440 million a year. Multiple reports are that the Big Ten is trying to put together multiple networks to reach $1 billion a year for the new deal.
Where else would we even play it? This isn’t the NFL, no thanks on playing this outside in December. Minneapolis? Hard pass on that too. Nobody would attend that. Indy is driving distance for most of the conference that actually competes
Indy just makes too much sense. Great location, facility I'm a Detroit stan, and I still don't think it makes sense.
I wouldn’t mind Detroit getting it if that helps a move by the playoffs to become more regional like the NCAA basketball tourney. Playing in Atlanta, Miami, New Orleans, Dallas and California doesn’t help the Big Ten schools at all.
I don’t see Detroit being awarded a national title game with or without hosting the B1G title game. Still surprised Indy got it. The warmer weather locations are always going to be preferred.
I’m thinking early games in an expanded playoff. If we go to 8 or 12 teams, we have to get these games closer than a 10-15 hour car ride for most Big Ten fans.
Personally, I think home games would be great. I also don’t think the SEC ever will agree to it. They love their neutral sites.
Lost a couple starters to transfer or dismissal this spring. That’s how it’s supposed to go for teams right
Has any other Big Ten AD commented on it? I honestly don’t know. My sense is that Gene Smith likes money and will vote whichever way brings the most money.
I have no clue. I just like to bring up how one loss to Michigan has made Ohio State people afraid of snow forever.