Category: CFB

The top coaches are usually able to select the best players.

While five-star running back Rueben Owens defied the odds by committing to Louisville, the top athletes tend to gravitate toward the finest programs.

A variety of factors influence where a player will play college football. For recruits, NIL opportunities are unquestionably important. The location and culture of the school also play a role in the decision. The stronger the offensive system and track record, though, the more likely a quarterback will consider a school.

Coaches who have produced Heisman Trophy winners and first-round NFL draft picks are in high demand. Similarly, winning programs are taken into account while making recruiting decisions. Here are five of college football’s best quarterback destinations.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are the number one team in the country.

Getty Images/Jamie Sabau

The Ohio State Buckeyes usually get the quarterback they want. Quinn Ewers and Jack Miller III left Ohio State after a great season led by quarterback C.J. Stroud. Ohio State kept Stroud and five-star quarterback Kyle McCord despite losing two blue-chip quarterbacks. They also beat out another five-star quarterback, Devin Brown, in a recruitment battle. And though Joe Burrow is not an Ohio State-developed product, the LSU signal-caller was unable to crack the starting lineup for the Buckeyes. Players naturally gravitate toward become one of Ohio’s eleven warriors.

2 Trojans from USC

Kirby Lee is a sports reporter for USA TODAY.

For a long time, USC has been regarded as one of the best quarterback breeding grounds in college football. Lincoln Riley’s acquisition undoubtedly adds to USC’s recruiting appeal. Riley has a strong quarterback track record. Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, the Heisman Trophy winners and first overall picks, lead the way. Afterward, Riley fine-tuned Jalen Hurts’ skillset before sending Hurts to the College Football Playoff and NFL draft. His last two quarterbacks, Spencer Rattler and Caleb Williams, put up prolific numbers for Riley over the last two seasons. Riley may not be great at cultivating culture, but few coaches can draw up plays like the Trojans’ head coach.

3 Longhorns from Texas

Chuck Burton/AP Photo

Steve Sarkisian is fast propelling Texas to the top of the rankings. Nearly every quarterback Sarkisian coaches turns into the focus of an NFL scout’s weekend film session. In his short time at Texas, the Longhorns’ coach reeled in missile launcher Maalik Murphy and five-star Quinn Ewers. Sarkisian boasts perhaps the greatest track record of quarterback development considering the volume of first round picks sent to the league. He played a role in developing Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Jake Locker, Mark Sanchez, Tua Tagovailoa, and Mac Jones. Sarkisian and Riley figure to be the best business decisions for recruits.

4 Clemson Tigers

Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Dabo Swinney has been a popular choice for quarterbacks in recent years. His list of recruits includes DeShaun Watson, Trevor Lawrence, D.J. Uiagelelei, and now Cade Klubnik. Ignoring Watson’s obvious character flaws, that list is loaded with top level recruits. Despite being an Austin Westlake product, Cade Klubnik chose the Tigers over other programs. At the moment, Clemson is a school to watch in quarterback recruiting battles.

5 Alabama Crimson Tide

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama does not presently have a particularly great offensive play caller. The Tide had to overcome offensive lulls with offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien calling the plays. That didn’t stop Bryce Young from winning the Heisman Trophy last season. Since A.J. McCarron, Nick Saban has little trouble luring big time quarterbacks to Tuscaloosa. Alabama’s last four quarterbacks include Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones and Bryce Young. Even with Sarkisian departing for Texas, Saban signed five-star talent Ty Simpson. Alabama recently picked up a commit from Eli Holstein. Their quarterback recruiting is still strong.

While tackling has gotten less vicious in recent years, the CFB record books are replete with strong hitters who turned tackling into an art form admired throughout the world. Who of those tackling terrors has amassed the most career total tackles in college football history, both literally and figuratively?

Total tackles in a career in the National Football League (NFL)

It’s a difficult task to figure out who has the most career tackles in the CFB record books. Defensive statistics haven’t been kept as long or as thoroughly as offensive statistics. John Offerdahl of Western Michigan, for example, has the most career tackles in FBS history with 694 total tackles between 1982 and 1985. Between 1984 and 1987, Keith LaDu of DIII Oberlin racked up 712 tackles.

Is either of those tackling legends the NCAA’s career leader in total tackles? No.

It wasn’t until 2000 that the NCAA began keeping track of defensive statistics. Northwestern’s Tim McGarigle has the most career total tackles, with 545 between 2002 and 2005, according to the NCAA CFB records book. The NCAA, on the other hand, does not provide a comprehensive list, so we turn to sports-reference.com, which has extensive defensive data dating back to 2005.

1) Boston College’s Luke Kuechly

Luke Kuechly, a linebacker for Boston College, has enthralling numbers. Kuechly had 532 total tackles for the Eagles in three seasons, including 35.5 tackles for loss. From 2009 to 2011, he had over 150 total tackles per season, more than some linebackers will have in their careers. Over half of Kuechly’s total tackles were solo efforts, tallying 299 solo tackles during his three seasons on Chestnut Hill.

Meanwhile, Kuechly was a force in all phases of the game, tallying seven interceptions during his Boston College career. While the numbers alone earn him a place in the CFB records book, it’s the manner of Kuechly’s play that has earned him a place on the College Football Hall of Fame 2023 Class ballot. There are few players who possessed his terrifying blend of athleticism, football intelligence, physicality, and character.

2) Marcus McGraw, Houston

It’s a testament to Kuechly’s dominance of the game that the next man up in the CFB records book for career total tackles, Houston linebacker Marcus McGraw, registered his 510 tackles across four seasons. That’s not to denigrate McGraw’s achievements. The linebacker was dominant for the Cougars, tallying over 100 tackles every season. Meanwhile, he registered 37 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and forced eight fumbles.

A true playmaker, McGraw was tabbed as undersized for an inside linebacker but played much bigger than his diminutive stature. The Houston LB was also a highly intelligent football player who returned to the Cougars as a coach in 2015 after going undrafted in the 2012 NFL Draft.

3) Tyler Matakevich, Temple

Started by basketball coach John Chaney, Temple TUFF became inextricably linked with the Matt Rhule-led Temple teams from 2013. One player that exemplified that mantra was linebacker Tyler Matakevich. While he started his career with the Owls in 2012, he’d etch his name into the CFB records book during Rhule’s tenure with 493 total tackles.

Even in his first season, the Temple LB tallied over 100 total tackles. Meanwhile, in 2013, he’d register over 100 solo tackles while also forcing three fumbles. Yet, it was in 2015, when Matakevich was at his devastating best. Earning the AAC Defensive Player of the Year, Bronko Nagurski, and Chuck Bednarik Awards, he tallied 138 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and five interceptions. Pure dominance.

4) Quin Blanding, Virginia

Quin Blanding was, and still is, a football legend in Virginia. A former five-star recruit who opted to stay at home and play for the Cavaliers, Blanding’s made a name for himself with the local community at every stage of his football journey. Even within the annals of the CFB records books, he stands out amongst the crowd. Surrounded by linebackers atop the most career total tackles, Blanding stands alone as the only safety listed here.

Amusingly, Blanding reveled in the coverage element of playing in the secondary. While his 10 interceptions are testament to his ability there, it was Blanding’s impactful tackling fortitude that has immortalized his name. During his four playing seasons between 2014 and 2017, the Virginia playmaker tallied 492 total tackles. Of those, 259 were solo attempts. While he never found NFL success, Blanding returned to Virginia to help discover the next great talent.

5) Colin Schooler, Texas Tech

While an extra season comparative to the rest of the CFB records’ top five has helped boost his stats, Colin Schooler is very much deserving of his place in the history books. With experience at two different teams across two different conferences, the 6’1″, 230-pound linebacker’s success isn’t defined by defensive scheme or question marks over the level of competition. He’s just a flat-out competitor who routinely hustles to the football to make a play.

While at Arizona, Schooler averaged over 100 tackles per season. In his final season with Texas Tech, he recorded 106 total tackles. For his college career, he tallied 482 total tackles. Meanwhile, the linebacker made a habit of living in the opposition’s backfield with 58.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks. A disruptive force, Schooler has finished his career with eight forced fumbles and five interceptions.

Career total tackles | 6-10

6) Eric Kendricks

UCLA, 476 tackles

7) Keith Smith

San Jose State, 476 tackles

8) Nick Bellore

Central Michigan, 471 tackles

9) Travis Freeman

Ball State, 465 tackles

10) Greg Jones

Michigan State, 465 tackles

In the offseason of 2022, which college football teams performed the best in the transfer portal? The following are the eight that stuck out the most.

This offseason, which for some teams began in December, certain FBS college football clubs have scooped up key transfers.

Higher-tier Power Five college football programs are looking to compete for championships next season, while other programs predominantly from Group of Five schools look to become bowl eligible and in some cases make a statement next season in order to be selected for a New Year’s Six bowl game.

Some programs have lost a large number of players as they approach the transfer portal, while others have been able to recruit student-athletes who can help them compete night after night next season.

This summer, the various teams who have benefited the most in enhancing their programs for the 2022 season will be examined and determined by these team transfer portal power rankings.

Others student-athletes may continue to use the transfer site after spring ball has ended, and some will even graduate and transfer as graduate students. There are other reasons as well, and some football programs embrace the transfer portal while others are wary of the rules, procedures, and overall concept of what it is doing to the college football scene.

Regardless of one’s opinion on the impact of the transfer portal and how it is affecting the college football landscape, key players leaving a program can have a significant negative impact on a team’s chances of success in the upcoming season, or a team can add key players from the transfer portal to improve their chances of success in the upcoming season.

It’s important to remember that these offseason rankings are based on student-athletes who transferred between December, when most schools’ regular seasons finished, and the time these rankings were released. Despite the fact that student-athletes transferred during the season, the team transfer power ranking is for those who transferred within the calendar year.

The team transfer portal rankings for the 2022 offseason are shown below.

UCLA is ranked number eight.

Incoming Transfers: Jack Bobo (Duke), Laiatu Latu (Washington), Gary Smith (Duke), Beau Taylor (Ball State), Darius Muasau (Hawaii), Titus Mokiao-Atimalaia (UCF), Azizi Hearn (Wyoming), Raiqwon O’Neal (Rutgers), Jacob Sykes (Harvard), Gabriel Murphy (North Texas), Grayson Murphy (North Texas), Jaylin Davies (Oregon), and Jaylan Jeffers (Oregon).

Entered the Transfer Portal: A.J. Campbell (Kent State), Myles Turner (Indiana), Luke Akers (Northwestern), Parker McQuarrie (Independence CC), D.J. Warnell (Arizona), Sharmar Martin, Kajiya Hollawayne (Grambling State), John Ward, Keontez Lewis (Wisconsin), Tyler Kiehne (New Mexico), Tiaoalii Savea (Arizona), Chase Cota (Oregon), Jay Shaw (Wisconsin), Mitchell Agude (Miami), Josh Moore, Patrick Jolly (Abilene Christian), Caleb Johnson (Miami), Odua Isibor (Cal), and Christian Burkhalter (Georgia Tech).

Arkansas is ranked number seven.

Incoming Transfers: Cade Fortin (South Florida), Jadon Haselwood (Oklahoma), Landon Jackson (LSU), Drew Sanders (Alabama), Dwight McGlothern (LSU), Latavious Brini (Georgia), Jordan Domineck (Georgia Tech), Terry Hampton (Arkansas State), and Matt Landers (Toledo).

Entered the Transfer Portal: Solomon Wright (Oklahoma State), Vito Calvaruso (Wisconsin), Andy Boykin, JT Towers, Jermaine Hamilton-Jordan, Darin Turner (Alabama A&M), Ray Curry Jr., Kendall Catalon, Devin Bush, Jalen Williams (Southern Miss), Joe Foucha (LSU), Greg Brooks Jr. (LSU), Trelon Smith (UTSA), Andrew Parker (Appalachian State), Nick Turner (Toledo), Mataio Soli (Hawaii), Lucas Coley (Houston), Dorian Gerald, and Kelin Burrle.

The best College Football Preview publications are jam-packed with team and conference statistics as well as expert opinion. Each magazine, whether in print or digital format, has information that contributes to the lively debate among college fans. The defending national champions, Georgia, are ranked in the top five in almost every poll, with Alabama ranked first in nearly every magazine this offseason.

As we reach the lazy, dog days of summer, our focus shifts to college football’s fourth season……preseason, where every school is a possible conference winner and every college fan’s hopes are high.

We’re down to only three magazines left: Phil Steele, Lindy’s, and Athlon. Both ESPN and Sporting News have since shifted to digital-only previews, but we kept their previews in the spirit of nostalgia.

We’ll also analyze the preseason forecasts and rate each magazine at the conclusion of the season as a bonus. So go ahead and indulge your inner David Pollack by picking up your favorite periodical.

Phil Steele, No. 1

Every year, the Phil Steele Preview examines every conference, every team, and every player in great depth in order to develop the best college football reference available. Returning starters and many unique metrics are used to analyze each of the 131 FBS clubs. This is a must-read for your summer reading list.

The Georgia Bulldogs are ranked No. 2 in Phil Steele’s preseason rankings. He thinks UGA will come in third place at the end of the season.

Georgia, according to Steele:

“Defense will be crucial this year.” The Bulldogs rotate a lot of players and were very deep at all spots on the D but do lose an amazing 9 NFL draft picks off the defense including five first rounders. Last year’s title win will give them confidence and they remain a title contender.”

2 Athlon Sports

Athlon provides an in-depth look at recruiting, returning starters, recent performance and how luck can impact a team’s success. Athlon previews many of the top units and coaching staffs.

They provide in-depth conference and team breakdowns and predict each of the bowl games. Athlon always puts together an excellent preview and the 2022 edition doesn’t disappoint.

Rankings: Georgia is ranked 3rd in Athlon’s preseason poll. Athlon has Alabama at No. 1 and Ohio State at No. 2.

Athlon on Georgia:

“Several key players from Georgia’s national championship team are gone – an NFL Draft-record 15 picks to be exact – but coach Kirby Smart’s program will reload and push for a spot in the playoff once again. Even if the defense takes a small step back, the Bulldogs don’t lack for firepower on the other side of the ball. Under coordinator Todd Monken’s watch, Georgia led the SEC in scoring offense (37.8 points a game) in conference-only matchups last year. Quarterback Stetson Bennett returns, with a talented group of playmakers on the outside, including tight ends Brock Bowers, Darnell Washington and Arik Gilbert, along with receivers Kearis Jackson and Adonai Mitchell. Kenny McIntosh and Kendall Milton headline the backfield, running behind an offensive line poised to be among the best in the nation. Helping Georgia’s case for another playoff trip is a favorable schedule that should it favored in all 12 regular-season matchups.”

3 Lindy’s Sports

Lindy’s does an excellent job in ranking current coaches and reviewing each of the FBS conferences. In addition, Lindy’s provides overviews of the FCS, Division II and Division III.

Rankings: Lindy’s has Georgia ranked No. 2. Alabama is No. 1 and Ohio State is No. 2.

4 ESPN College Football Preview

ESPN ceased paper publishing in September 2019, but it’s still ESPN, so of course it’s included here.

ESPN utilizes its Football Power Index to analyze each team and predict the order of finish in each conference. According to ESPN, the FPI is “a predictive measure of team strength that represents how many points above or below average a team is.”

Each team preview features a look at the offense, defense, projected roster and projected win total based on FPI. ESPN is synonymous with college football and their college preview is well worth the investment.

Rankings: ESPN has Georgia ranked No. 3.

5 Sporting News

In December 2012, Sporting News ended print publication and shifted to a digital-only publication.

The Sporting News previews more college divisions than its competitors, including the Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III, NAIA and junior college schools. The Heisman Trophy candidates profiles is an interesting feature. The top 10 pre game rituals every fan should experience, including the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is a must read.

Rankings: The Sporting News has Georgia ranked No. 3. Alabama is No. 1 with Ohio State at No. 2.

What Sporting News said about Georgia:

Where did all the top teams rank in the preseason top 25 USA TODAY Coaches college football polls in the 1980s?

Where were the top college football teams ranked in the preseason college football Coaches Polls?

Here are the USA TODAY Coaches Polls in the 1980s along with the combined preseason rankings.

USA TODAY Coaches Poll, All-Time Rankings

Greatest Programs of All-Time | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s

1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s | AP Top Programs of All-Time

USA TODAY Coaches Poll Final Top 25

1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989

USA TODAY Preseason Coaches Polls

1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s

All-Time Preseason Rankings

Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY: Preseason College Football Rankings 1980-1989 Combined

Take all the Coaches Poll preseason rankings and use our CFN scoring system – the Coaches Poll preseason No. 1 gets 25 points, the No. 2 team 24, No. 3 23, and so on down to the bottom.

1 Nebraska 222

2 Oklahoma 200

T3 Michigan 168

T3 Penn State 168

5 Ohio State 152

6 Auburn 148

7 UCLA 148

8 Alabama 140

9 Notre Dame 136

10 Florida State 127

11 Miami 118

12 Washington 109

13 USC 103

14 Georgia 102

15 Texas 99

16 Pitt 94

17 Clemson 85

18 Arkansas 84

19 LSU 82

20 Iowa 69

21 Texas A&M 65

22 BYU 58

23 North Carolina 57

24 Arizona State 39

T25 Florida 34

T25 SMU 34

T25 Tennessee 34

Others Receiving Votes: Maryland 29, Houston 28, Baylor 20, Illinois 16, Purdue 16, South Carolina 16, West Virginia 13, Boston College 12, Colorado 12, Oklahoma State 12, Michigan State 11, Mississippi State 11, Syracuse 10, Missouri 8

Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY: Preseason College Football Rankings 1989

1 Notre Dame

2 Nebraska

3 Auburn

4 USC

5 Miami

6 Florida State

7 Michigan

8 UCLA

9 LSU

10 Arkansas

11 Clemson

12 Penn State

13 West Virginia

14 Colorado

15 Alabama

16 Syracuse

17 Georgia

18 BYU

19 Iowa

20 Washington

Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY: Preseason College Football Rankings 1988

Story continues

1 Florida State

2 Oklahoma

3 Nebraska

4 Clemson

5 Miami

6 Texas A&M

7 Auburn

8 USC

9 UCLA

10 Michigan

11 Iowa

12 Notre Dame

13 LSU

14 Georgia

15 Michigan State

15 Penn State

17 Tennessee

18 South Carolina

19 Alabama

20 Texas

Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY: Preseason College Football Rankings 1987

1 Oklahoma

2 Nebraska

3 Ohio State

4 UCLA

5 Auburn

6 Michigan

7 Penn State

8 Arizona State

9 Miami

10 Texas A&M

10 LSU

12 Arkansas

13 Clemson

14 Florida State

15 Washington

16 Notre Dame

17 Tennessee

18 Iowa

19 Alabama

20 Florida

Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY: Preseason College Football Rankings 1986

1 Oklahoma

2 Michigan

3 Texas A&M

4 UCLA

5 Penn State

6 Alabama

7 Miami

8 Nebraska

9 Ohio State

10 Tennessee

11 Florida State

12 Baylor

13 Auburn

14 Arkansas

15 Georgia

16 BYU

16 Washington

18 Iowa

19 LSU

20 Maryland

Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY: Preseason College Football Rankings 1985

1 Oklahoma

2 Auburn

3 Ohio State

4 Nebraska

5 USC

6 Washington

7 BYU

8 Iowa

9 Maryland

10 Illinois

11 LSU

12 Notre Dame

13 Florida State

14 Oklahoma State

15 UCLA

16 Arkansas

17 Penn State

18 South Carolina

19 Georgia

20 Boston College

Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY: Preseason College Football Rankings 1984

1 Auburn

2 Nebraska

3 Texas

4 Miami

5 UCLA

6 Penn State

7 Pitt

8 Clemson

9 Ohio State

10 Michigan

11 Oklahoma

12 Alabama

13 Arizona State

14 Iowa

15 Notre Dame

16 SMU

17 Washington

18 Florida

19 Georgia

20 Boston College

Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY: Preseason College Football Rankings 1983

1 Nebraska

2 Texas

3 Auburn

4 Penn State

5 Oklahoma

6 Ohio State

7 Florida State

8 Notre Dame

9 Michigan

10 North Carolina

10 LSU

12 UCLA

13 Georgia

14 Alabama

15 Pitt

16 Washington

17 SMU

18 Arizona State

19 Miami

T20 Maryland

T20 Iowa

Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY: Preseason College Football Rankings 1982

1 Pitt

2 Washington

3 Nebraska

4 Alabama

5 Penn State

6 North Carolina

7 Georgia

8 Oklahoma

9 Clemson

10 Michigan

11 SMU

12 Arkansas

13 Texas

14 Ohio State

15 Miami

16 Florida

17 UCLA

18 Notre Dame

19 BYU

20 Texas A&M

Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY: Preseason College Football Rankings 1981

1 Michigan

2 Oklahoma

3 Alabama

4 Notre Dame

5 USC

6 Nebraska

7 Penn State

8 Georgia

9 Pitt

10 Texas

11 Ohio State

12 UCLA

13 Florida State

14 North Carolina

15 Mississippi State

16 Florida

17 Washington

18 Houston

19 BYU

20 Baylor

Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY: Preseason College Football Rankings 1980

1 Ohio State

2 Alabama

3 Oklahoma

4 Pitt

5 USC

6 Houston

7 Nebraska

8 Arkansas

9 Texas

10 Purdue

11 Michigan

12 Notre Dame

13 Penn State

14 Stanford

15 Washington

16 Florida State

17 North Carolina

18 Missouri

19 BYU

20 Georgia

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USA TODAY Coaches Poll, All-Time Rankings

Greatest Programs of All-Time | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s

1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s | AP Top Programs of All-Time

USA TODAY Coaches Poll Final Top 25

1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989

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ANN ARBOR, MI – NOVEMBER 28: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes watches warm ups before the start of their game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 28, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images/Gregory Shamus) )

Will Urban Meyer return to coach college football?

It’ll happen, according to one college football analyst. Meyer, according to 247Sports analyst Josh Pate, should coach.

“There is no doubt in my mind — no horse trading here — Urban Meyer will be a college coach again one day,” Pate said. “I’m not sure what year it is, but it isn’t far away.” Without football, this person isn’t whole. Urban Meyer has been a part of this game in some form or another for as long as he has been alive. He’s been coaching for years, years, and years. He is in his late fifties. For individuals like these, legacy is extremely important. If anyone in their right mind believes that the last thing you’ll remember about Urban Meyer is whatever we label what happened in Jacksonville last year, they’re insane.”

Meyer’s image on television, according to Pate, will be rehabilitated this year.

“Here’s what I would do if I was Urban Meyer, and I think it’s what he’s gonna do,” Pate said. “I’d get myself back on TV as quickly as I could, because he’s one of the best I’ve ever seen to come off the sideline and get in the booth or get on the desk on Big Noon Kickoff and talk football in ways that the mass public understands. Urban Meyer is a master at it. If you are in the camp that thinks he needs to rehabilitate his image, he’ll do it probably this year on TV. He’ll make a comfortable living doing that, and you’ll watch and see week by week, and you’ll start to soften on him.

“You’re not going to be alone there.” The rest of the country will, too, and you’ll remember this guy knows football, in case you forgot. Secondly, he’s got a little more personality than people realize. He has a great deal of screen presence. He explains this game in a way that I understand, and I start to remember more and more as I watch him and the weeks go by on TV that this guy was great when he was in college. I don’t need him to be a head coach in the NFL. If I need him to be a college coach, he appears to still have that passion.”

No matter where you stand on Urban Meyer, you can’t deny his incredible record of success at the college football level.

Fans are speculating now.

“Urban languishing at Vanderbilt would be poetic. But on a serious note, Urban staying in the booth until Cincinnati opens up seems reasonable…” one fan tweeted.

“The 2023 Auburn Tigers will be lead out on the field with Urban Meyer as the head coach,” another fan predicted.

Where do you see Meyer coaching again – if anywhere?

ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 31: SEC Network TV/radio personality Paul Finebaum speaks on air before the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on December 31, 2015. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images/Scott Halleran)

Paul Finebaum, tell us how you actually feel…

The longtime ESPN college football expert has made it obvious that he despises the Clemson Tigers’ fan group throughout the years.

Finebaum chastised Clemson fans for their reaction to his comments on Kirby Smart vs. Dabo Swinney earlier this month. Finebaum said that he prefers Smart to Swinney at the moment. Smart, according to one ESPN college football analyst, is the game’s closest coach to Nick Saban.

Clemson fans were enraged, and Finebaum retaliated.

“Are you telling me that, despite that championship, Kirby Smart is one number behind Dabo Swinney? I promised myself I wouldn’t do this, but I’m going to do it anyway.” I don’t think I need to remind you, but take a look at the current state of the programs. Dabo Swinney, I believe, is yesterday’s news, and Kirby Smart is the man in college football right now.

“We’re looking for someone to take a risk and say, ‘You know what? I don’t care how many national championships Dabo Swinney has, Kirby Smart is a better coach. It’s something I’m saying right now. And, just for the record, I’m stating it right now.”

After that, Finebaum went after the fan abse.

“After reading social media (Wednesday), there is no doubt that Clemson has the most insecure, paranoid college football fanbase in America,” Finebaum remarked. “The Clemson Tigers take it to new heights. If you’ve never won a national title, it’s one thing. These folks, on the other hand, have won two in recent years and are desperate for recognition. They are starved for attention. They’re in such a desperate need to be loved.”

Oh, my goodness.

Fans have expressed their displeasure on social media.

One fan said, “I suppose Finebaum feels inferior to Clemson.”

“44-16 with a rookie qb destroyed finebaum brain, its never been the same since,” another fan added.

“I understand this is his job, but he covers the SEC.” Please explain how the answer isn’t anyone from the SEC’s second tier. One fan remarked, “Looking at you Auburn.”

Where do you stand on Finebaum vs. Clemson?

Fans of college football have been without an officially licensed game for almost a decade, but it appears that Electronic Arts plans to alleviate that drought in a year’s time.

Progress is being made on the anticipated rebirth of the dormant video game franchise, according to material received through a FOIA request by Matt Brown, the author of the “Extra Points” college football newsletter. Several queries for information about the video game’s release date from developer EA Sports suggest that the game will be released in the summer of 2023, according to multiple sources.

A summer release date for a college football video game would be consistent with EA Sports’ prior college football products’ release windows. Historically, the college football game was released roughly a month before EA Sports’ next iteration in the popular Madden NFL brand. College football fans who own a modern video game system will be able to jump straight back into the action, regardless of when the game is released.

In February 2021, EA Sports announced the comeback of a college football video game franchise with the working title EA Sports College Football. As a consequence of growing concerns about the handling of name, image, and likeness, as well as lawsuits related to legal issues, the former NCAA Football franchise was put on hold. But, thanks to the present NIL era in college athletics, all of that is now history.

It was thought that if student-athletes were able to profit off their names, images, and likeness, it would only be a matter of time until EA Sports returned to developing a college football video game. Although there may be more issues and commitments associated with making such a game now than ever before, EA Sports is apparently reaching out to schools to begin the process of obtaining music and audio rights in order to produce an authentic college game day experience.

Brown’s work;

This request implies that, in addition to marching bands, EA Sports wants to replicate the stadium atmosphere as precisely as possible for each institution. So, if your alma mater performed a specific song at the end of the third quarter, EA is attempting to incorporate that (if copyright permits) into the game. If your student section has a particular chant, EA is attempting to obtain everything necessary to duplicate it.

With a college football game, there is a significant market place to be captured for a servant fanbase that has been playing the same version of the game on a Sony PlayStation 3 for nearly a decade. It’s the sole reason some people still have a PS3!

At the very least, prior versions of NCAA Football 14 serve as warm recollections of past BCS controversy possibilities.

Are you looking forward to the official release of EA Sports College Football? What gaming system will you be using?

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