sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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- Aug 15, 2011
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Welcome to Slinky Day!
The Slinky—a ubiquitous toy-box favorite for several generations of kids and adults—was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2000 and made Time’s list of the All-TIME 100 Greatest Toys in 2011. It was invented in 1943 by Richard T. James, a Penn State University graduate and U.S. Navy engineer. According to the Hall of Fame, James was designing springs to stabilize naval equipment. He knocked a spring off his desk and watched it move across the floor, almost as though it were walking. He and his wife, Betty, decided to turn the spring into a toy. She came up with the name and later ran the business. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Seventy-five years after its invention, the Slinky is still available in the original metal coil design as well as giant, plastic and 14-karat-gold-plated ($153.99) versions. Slinky Dog remains popular, too, after its notable appearance in the Toy Story movies.
Random Slinky facts from Alex Brands, which produces the toys in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania:
‒ Sales initially were slow, but after the couple held a Slinky demonstration at Gimbels department store in Philadelphia in November 1945, they sold 400 in 90 minutes for $1 each.
‒ Slinkys were utilized as mobile radio antennas during the Vietnam War.
‒ It is the Official State Toy of Pennsylvania.
‒ Each Slinky contains 80 feet of wire.
‒ NASA has taken the toy into space for zero-gravity experiments.
‒ That catchy Slinky song is the longest-running ad jingle ever.
SU News
QB Eric Dungey looks to sway scouts this season (portlandtribube.com; Bartels)
Eric Dungey has shown he can play in the spotlight. At times he seems to live for it. Which is good, because now his entire final year at Syracuse is looking like crunch time.
The former Lakeridge High star has commanded attention since his very first game for the Orangemen, the high point coming last season when he quarterbacked his team to the highest profile upset in college football, over defending champion Clemson.
"When he's on the field, we're a winning team," says head coach Dino Babers. "When he's not, we're not a winning team."
And that's the thing. By the end of his sophomore year in upstate New York, Dungey's statistics were placing him among the top quarterbacks in the country and putting him in the company of his school's all-time greats. He seemed poised to return the SU football program to relevance in the highly competitive Atlantic Coast Conference.
When he played.
Injuries prevented the Lake Oswego native from finishing any of his first three seasons. For all the impressive numbers and highlight-reel moments, Syracuse finished 4-8 each time.
Now he has one last chance to change the story; one season to track down two huge dreams — a bowl game for Syracuse, and a job in the NFL.
And while the experts give his team little chance for success — with questions about his durability being among the primary reasons — his coaches, teammates and Dungey himself have other ideas.
Does he wonder if he can stay healthy?
"Not for a second," Dungey says. "It doesn't cross my mind.
"My freshman year, I took a hard shot. The next year, I could have played. Last year, just a freak injury (broken foot). I was actually going down when it happened. You can't play scared. If you slow down, that's when you get hurt."
...
2018 MAC Football Preview: Syracuse Orange @ Western Michigan Broncos (hustlebelt.com; Snyder)
...
When the Broncos have the ball
Look for quarterback Jon Wassink to be comfortable against the Syracuse defense. They aren’t particularly adept at rushing the passer, and the linebackers are all new. Also, his injury last year might actually be a blessing this season. He was starting to play well when it happened. Nothing beats game experience. However, he was able to get some last season, but was also given the time to process what was going on. Another boost is the Western Michigan coaching staff is very familiar with the Orange, with quite a few having coached there. Also, the Broncos are at home, and he has Jamauri Bogan behind him. In addition, Drake Harris, a 6’4 Michigan transfer, will be a solid target in times of trouble.
Look for Western Michigan to matriculate the ball down the field. Short passes will help open up the rushing attack, and the Broncos will have some success. Then, a big play by LeVante Bellamy or D’Wayne Eskridge could open things up. Look for either to get matched up with an inexperienced linebacker in Lester’s system, and then it’s off to the races. The Syracuse Orange defense wont get completely gouged, but they will give up some points.
When the Orange have the ball
It will be a similar story for the Orange offense. QB Eric Dungey will do a good job moving the ball in short bursts. A very good Western Michigan defensive backfield should keep the big plays at bay, as Justin Tranquill and company bring a lot of experience and talent. The Orange will score, but not every time, and not quickly.
Prediction
It will be a plodding game where there are not a lot of top ten moments, but it there should be some pretty good football played. Syracuse has had a tendency to peter out at the end of the season recently, but I expect them to finish stronger this year, but start slower. Western Michigan is poised to make a run. They are at home, and the coaching staff is familiar with the foe. For all of these reasons, I expect a Broncos win, 35-24. Just like their win against Northwestern in 2016, I think it will be a confidence booster that could lead to big things on the season.
...
Opponent preview: What to know about Western Michigan (DO; Graham)
Syracuse kicks off its 2018 campaign on Friday at 6 p.m. at Western Michigan. Heading into Dino Babers’ first-ever year three as a head coach, the Orange aims to get out of neutral and avoid another 4-8 finish.
Here’s what to know about the Broncos.
All-time series: This is the first meeting between the two teams.
The Western Michigan report: The Broncos, notably, are coached by former Syracuse offensive coordinator Tim Lester. Though players are excited to go against a former coach, they want to avoid a similar situation to last year when Scott Shafer and Middle Tennessee beat SU in the Dome.
In 2017, Western Michigan racked up more than 2,600 yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground. Rushers averaged 4.8 yards per carry and ranked 21st nationally with 224.8 yards per game.
During the week, SU players noted how WMU loves the stretch play — running outside the tackles. In response, Syracuse worked on outside run fits all through camp and fully expect a heavy dosage of outside runs Friday.
The Broncos finished 114th nationally in total passing offense in 2017 after losing starting quarterback Jon Wassink to injury in late October. Led by its strong ground game, Western Michigan had the 25th-best scoring offense in the country a year ago, averaging 33.9 points per game.
Defensively, WMU also allowed 29.0 points per game, which ranked 81st. However, against Power 5 opponents, the Broncos surrendered 77 points in two games.
How Syracuse beats Western Michigan: Stop the run and air it out. This game has the makings of a Week 1 shootout. Despite questions at receiver, Eric Dungey has enough options around him to keep Syracuse’s offense moving forward, as long as his protection holds up. If the Orange slows the WMU rushing attack behind its talented defensive line, SU should be in good shape.
Player to watch: Jamauri Bogan, running back, No. 32
Last season, Bogan played second-fiddle to 1000-yard rusher Jarvion Franklin. Now, it’s Bogan’s turn to take the Broncos’ rushing attack on end. At 5-foot-8, 190 pounds, Bogan is a bowling ball coming out of the backfield. His diminutive stature keeps his pad level lower and makes Bogan harder to bring down. If he starts cutting loose, it could be a long opener for Syracuse.
...
Syracuse Football: Predicting the Orange’s 2018 record (itlh.com; Patrick)
Will this finally be the season in which head coach Dino Babers guides the Syracuse football program to a winning record?
Is this the year that the Syracuse football program gets back to a bowl game for the first time since 2013? Well, they definitely have their work cut out for them this year if they want that to actually happen.
Dino Babers is entering his third season as the head coach of the Orange and the program has not exactly seen an increase in wins since he arrived in 2016. He appears to have Syracuse headed in the right direction, but how much patience will the school have with Babers if the team finishes with a losing record again this year?
Helping in their quest to get back to a bowl game, the Orange have a number of talented players returning to the team this season including quarterback Eric Dungey, tight end Ravian Pierce, running back Dontae Strickland, defensive back Antwan Cordy, and corner Chris Fredrick.
Will the experience Syracuse has at some of their most important positions prove to be what leads the team to success in 2018? Or will it still not be enough to overcome a brutal schedule that the Orange have to deal with this year?
The staff here at Inside The Loud House recently took some time to give their predictions for the upcoming Syracuse football season. Spoiler alert, no one picked the team to finish as the national champion in 2018, but some of the predictions should bring a smile to those who enjoy rooting for the Orange each year.
...
Local News | Battle Creek Enquirer (battlecreekenquirer.com; Buckley)
Western Michigan football kicks off the 2018 season on Friday at Waldo Stadium when it hosts Syracuse, beginning at 6 p.m.
Here are five things to know ahead of the matchup:
How to watch or listen
The game will be televised by the CBS Sports Network. The Bronco Radio Network can be heard on 94.1 FM WWDK (Battle Creek, Jackson, Lansing) and 96.5 WZOX (Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan).
Single game tickets can be purchased at wmubroncos.com or at the gate and cost between $18 and $30.
WMU is the underdog
According to Las Vegas oddsmakers, Syracuse is favored to win by a six-point spread. And ESPN's football power index gives Western Michigan a 42.3 percent chance of winning.
More: Western Michigan's Jamauri Bogan making an impact beyond football
More: Western Michigan's LeVante Bellamy among fastest players in college football
Familiar faces
'Cuse Countdown 2018 Football Preview: Out with the Old, In with the New | CitrusTV (citrustv.com)
This article is the third in a four part series previewing the Syracuse football team.
Click here to read the preview of the offense.
Click here to read the preview of the defense.
Next up in ‘Cuse Coundown’s preview of Syracuse football, analysts Mike Adzima and Corey Spector take a look back at 2017 and the players whose departures will have the biggest impact on the 2018 season. Then they look at this years roster, and the new faces who could define the season.
...
Syracuse.com's Brent Axe and Nate Mink run down their expectations of the 2018 season and hear what coach Dino Babers has to say about the Orange going into the first battle of the 2018 season against Western Michigan.
ACC looks for boost with 2019 launch of TV channel (triblive./com; AP)
When Atlantic Coast Conference teams open the season this week, their games will air on several television platforms, from ABC and Fox to ESPNU and the CBS Sports Network.
A year from now, that list will also include the ACC’s own channel.
League schools are working on production and broadcast space for the ACC Network’s launch in August 2019 . The conference is mulling football and basketball scheduling that adds extra zip to first-year programming for the ESPN-partnered channel.
The short-term goal is a good start amid industry-wide concerns about falling subscriber numbers for many TV providers as cord-cutters opt for standalone services such as YouTube TV. Beyond that, the ACC needs a reliable financial boost after falling behind its power-conference peers: the Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and Southeastern conferences.
“I think there’s some other things we can do (financially), that we are looking at,” Commissioner John Swofford told The Associated Press. “But none of those things would reach the ultimate potential that the channel has.”
Swofford said it could take four or five years to reap the channel’s full financial benefits.
Member schools are counting on that money.
“The single most important thing for the future of this athletic program financially is the success of the ACC Network, without question,” North Carolina State athletic director Debbie Yow said.
“We have maxed out on our multimedia rights deal. We have maxed out on our apparel deal. We have maxed out on our tickets sales in football, we’re close to that in basketball,” Yow said. “All the financial resources that are available for us to go get, we’ve done really well in. We’ve kind of hit the wall. … We have to have it just like the SEC and the Big Ten did.”
...
Episode 80- Syracuse Football, Western Michigan Preview! - Armchair All-Americans (aac; podcast)
Episode 80- Syracuse Football, Western Michigan Preview!
The latest episode of the Cuse Militia Podcast.
Analysis | Clemson football’s path through ACC isn’t a walk, but it should lead to playoffs (washingtonpost.com; Stevens)
...
5. Louisville (No. 43, 8-5): Yes, Lamar Jackson is gone after three seasons (and two resplendent ones), with Jawon Pass stepping in as the Cardinals’ replacement at quarterback. Remember, though, this is a Bobby Petrino team, and so long as the line holds up, it is going to score points.
Now, can the Cardinals stop enough opponents to get to their typical 9-3 or 8-4 level? It’s the reasonable question facing a team on its third defensive coordinator in three years (Brian VanGorder this time). Don’t draw too many conclusions from the opener; Alabama is going to do Alabama-type things. It’s what Louisville does after it deals with the Crimson Tide juggernaut that will dictate how its season unfolds.
6. Wake Forest (No. 45, 8-5): Coach Dave Clawson needed time to build the Demon Deacons back to relevance. He didn’t inherit much, but went about his job methodically. You’d think back-to-back bowl victories might qualify as a just payoff, but Wake Forest is poised to be even better in Clawson’s fifth season.
One problem: The rest of the Atlantic Division. It’s a neighborhood that’s grown much more competitive over the last three years, and while the Demon Deacons’ improvement is part of that trend, others have improved, too. And so, like Boston College, a team set up to be the best yet under its current coach might end up around 7-5 anyway.
The suspension of quarterback Kendall Hinton for three games doesn’t help, but there are two obvious strengths unaffected by that problem — an offensive line littered with veteran starters and a sound defensive scheme that keeps Wake in nearly every game. The final record might look a lot like last year’s, but no one is going to be eager to deal with the Demon Deacons.
7. Syracuse (No. 70, 4-8): Dino Babers has bagged a noteworthy victory in the Carrier Dome in both of his seasons with the Orange — Virginia Tech in 2016 and Clemson last year. Every now and then, things come together for Syracuse, which isn’t anyone’s idea of great but is vastly more interesting than it was in the previous decade and a half.
It’s safe to assume the Orange will score plenty against mid-tier-and-worse defenses. It’s also safe to assume they’ll give up a lot of points. Until Syracuse solves its defensive issues, it’s going to have a limited ceiling in the loaded Atlantic.
...
The Grand Ole' 2018 ACC Football Season Preview (acc.sportswar.com;l McDaniel)
The 2018 ACC football season is finally here.
There could not be more variation in conference expectations for the 2018 season, but it’s worth handicapping anyway to the best of our ability. Half of the fun in covering college football is trying to figure out the unknowns–and boy, are there a lot of them in this year’s ACC.
I have said it on multiple platforms and I’ll say it here again: there are at least six-to-eight teams in the conference this season that look like five-to-eight win football teams. That is a TON of variation that speaks more to the depth of the ACC than anything else. There are going to be several good football teams in the conference this year that may be scratching and clawing to make a bowl game–that’s how deep this ACC could be in 2018.
In fact, I think 11 ACC teams could end up making a bowl game in 2018. It’s certainly a high number that may not come to fruition, but I feel like it’s a decent guess after going through each team’s individual schedule. In reality, anything between 8-10 bowl teams seems to be a pretty safe number, while 11 is probably the ceiling.
I preview conference standings, the ACC champion, and a whole lot more in this preview, so let’s get to it:
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Other
CNY's newest park, waterfalls opens quietly; retired SU prof made it possible (PS; Doran)
Central New York's newest park - Delphi Falls County Park - is now open to the public.
The 60-acre park, which includes a spectacular two-tiered waterfall, opened without fanfare Sunday. The park, at 2006 Cardner Road in New Woodstock, plans a grand opening celebration this fall, Madison County officials told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard this week.
Retired Syracuse University professor Harold Jones purchased the park for $900,000 and then sold it to Madison County for $150,000 in January.
Jones, 77, said he was awestruck by the beauty of the waterfalls, and wanted the property to be turned into a public nature preserve so everyone could enjoy it. Prior to that, it was owned by a private individual and the public didn't have access to the falls.
Crews have been working to ready the park for public use, and have added handicapped parking, a parking lot, overflow parking and an handicapped-accessible trail that leads right to the base of the lower falls.
Madison County plans to take several years to fully develop the park, said Scott Ingmire, director of the Madison County Planning Department.
"Currently we are in the planning process, but we wanted to open the park for all to experience its wonder,'' he said.
...
The Slinky—a ubiquitous toy-box favorite for several generations of kids and adults—was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2000 and made Time’s list of the All-TIME 100 Greatest Toys in 2011. It was invented in 1943 by Richard T. James, a Penn State University graduate and U.S. Navy engineer. According to the Hall of Fame, James was designing springs to stabilize naval equipment. He knocked a spring off his desk and watched it move across the floor, almost as though it were walking. He and his wife, Betty, decided to turn the spring into a toy. She came up with the name and later ran the business. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Seventy-five years after its invention, the Slinky is still available in the original metal coil design as well as giant, plastic and 14-karat-gold-plated ($153.99) versions. Slinky Dog remains popular, too, after its notable appearance in the Toy Story movies.
Random Slinky facts from Alex Brands, which produces the toys in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania:
‒ Sales initially were slow, but after the couple held a Slinky demonstration at Gimbels department store in Philadelphia in November 1945, they sold 400 in 90 minutes for $1 each.
‒ Slinkys were utilized as mobile radio antennas during the Vietnam War.
‒ It is the Official State Toy of Pennsylvania.
‒ Each Slinky contains 80 feet of wire.
‒ NASA has taken the toy into space for zero-gravity experiments.
‒ That catchy Slinky song is the longest-running ad jingle ever.
SU News
QB Eric Dungey looks to sway scouts this season (portlandtribube.com; Bartels)
Eric Dungey has shown he can play in the spotlight. At times he seems to live for it. Which is good, because now his entire final year at Syracuse is looking like crunch time.
The former Lakeridge High star has commanded attention since his very first game for the Orangemen, the high point coming last season when he quarterbacked his team to the highest profile upset in college football, over defending champion Clemson.
"When he's on the field, we're a winning team," says head coach Dino Babers. "When he's not, we're not a winning team."
And that's the thing. By the end of his sophomore year in upstate New York, Dungey's statistics were placing him among the top quarterbacks in the country and putting him in the company of his school's all-time greats. He seemed poised to return the SU football program to relevance in the highly competitive Atlantic Coast Conference.
When he played.
Injuries prevented the Lake Oswego native from finishing any of his first three seasons. For all the impressive numbers and highlight-reel moments, Syracuse finished 4-8 each time.
Now he has one last chance to change the story; one season to track down two huge dreams — a bowl game for Syracuse, and a job in the NFL.
And while the experts give his team little chance for success — with questions about his durability being among the primary reasons — his coaches, teammates and Dungey himself have other ideas.
Does he wonder if he can stay healthy?
"Not for a second," Dungey says. "It doesn't cross my mind.
"My freshman year, I took a hard shot. The next year, I could have played. Last year, just a freak injury (broken foot). I was actually going down when it happened. You can't play scared. If you slow down, that's when you get hurt."
...
2018 MAC Football Preview: Syracuse Orange @ Western Michigan Broncos (hustlebelt.com; Snyder)
...
When the Broncos have the ball
Look for quarterback Jon Wassink to be comfortable against the Syracuse defense. They aren’t particularly adept at rushing the passer, and the linebackers are all new. Also, his injury last year might actually be a blessing this season. He was starting to play well when it happened. Nothing beats game experience. However, he was able to get some last season, but was also given the time to process what was going on. Another boost is the Western Michigan coaching staff is very familiar with the Orange, with quite a few having coached there. Also, the Broncos are at home, and he has Jamauri Bogan behind him. In addition, Drake Harris, a 6’4 Michigan transfer, will be a solid target in times of trouble.
Look for Western Michigan to matriculate the ball down the field. Short passes will help open up the rushing attack, and the Broncos will have some success. Then, a big play by LeVante Bellamy or D’Wayne Eskridge could open things up. Look for either to get matched up with an inexperienced linebacker in Lester’s system, and then it’s off to the races. The Syracuse Orange defense wont get completely gouged, but they will give up some points.
When the Orange have the ball
It will be a similar story for the Orange offense. QB Eric Dungey will do a good job moving the ball in short bursts. A very good Western Michigan defensive backfield should keep the big plays at bay, as Justin Tranquill and company bring a lot of experience and talent. The Orange will score, but not every time, and not quickly.
Prediction
It will be a plodding game where there are not a lot of top ten moments, but it there should be some pretty good football played. Syracuse has had a tendency to peter out at the end of the season recently, but I expect them to finish stronger this year, but start slower. Western Michigan is poised to make a run. They are at home, and the coaching staff is familiar with the foe. For all of these reasons, I expect a Broncos win, 35-24. Just like their win against Northwestern in 2016, I think it will be a confidence booster that could lead to big things on the season.
...
Opponent preview: What to know about Western Michigan (DO; Graham)
Syracuse kicks off its 2018 campaign on Friday at 6 p.m. at Western Michigan. Heading into Dino Babers’ first-ever year three as a head coach, the Orange aims to get out of neutral and avoid another 4-8 finish.
Here’s what to know about the Broncos.
All-time series: This is the first meeting between the two teams.
The Western Michigan report: The Broncos, notably, are coached by former Syracuse offensive coordinator Tim Lester. Though players are excited to go against a former coach, they want to avoid a similar situation to last year when Scott Shafer and Middle Tennessee beat SU in the Dome.
In 2017, Western Michigan racked up more than 2,600 yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground. Rushers averaged 4.8 yards per carry and ranked 21st nationally with 224.8 yards per game.
During the week, SU players noted how WMU loves the stretch play — running outside the tackles. In response, Syracuse worked on outside run fits all through camp and fully expect a heavy dosage of outside runs Friday.
The Broncos finished 114th nationally in total passing offense in 2017 after losing starting quarterback Jon Wassink to injury in late October. Led by its strong ground game, Western Michigan had the 25th-best scoring offense in the country a year ago, averaging 33.9 points per game.
Defensively, WMU also allowed 29.0 points per game, which ranked 81st. However, against Power 5 opponents, the Broncos surrendered 77 points in two games.
How Syracuse beats Western Michigan: Stop the run and air it out. This game has the makings of a Week 1 shootout. Despite questions at receiver, Eric Dungey has enough options around him to keep Syracuse’s offense moving forward, as long as his protection holds up. If the Orange slows the WMU rushing attack behind its talented defensive line, SU should be in good shape.
Player to watch: Jamauri Bogan, running back, No. 32
Last season, Bogan played second-fiddle to 1000-yard rusher Jarvion Franklin. Now, it’s Bogan’s turn to take the Broncos’ rushing attack on end. At 5-foot-8, 190 pounds, Bogan is a bowling ball coming out of the backfield. His diminutive stature keeps his pad level lower and makes Bogan harder to bring down. If he starts cutting loose, it could be a long opener for Syracuse.
...
Syracuse Football: Predicting the Orange’s 2018 record (itlh.com; Patrick)
Will this finally be the season in which head coach Dino Babers guides the Syracuse football program to a winning record?
Is this the year that the Syracuse football program gets back to a bowl game for the first time since 2013? Well, they definitely have their work cut out for them this year if they want that to actually happen.
Dino Babers is entering his third season as the head coach of the Orange and the program has not exactly seen an increase in wins since he arrived in 2016. He appears to have Syracuse headed in the right direction, but how much patience will the school have with Babers if the team finishes with a losing record again this year?
Helping in their quest to get back to a bowl game, the Orange have a number of talented players returning to the team this season including quarterback Eric Dungey, tight end Ravian Pierce, running back Dontae Strickland, defensive back Antwan Cordy, and corner Chris Fredrick.
Will the experience Syracuse has at some of their most important positions prove to be what leads the team to success in 2018? Or will it still not be enough to overcome a brutal schedule that the Orange have to deal with this year?
The staff here at Inside The Loud House recently took some time to give their predictions for the upcoming Syracuse football season. Spoiler alert, no one picked the team to finish as the national champion in 2018, but some of the predictions should bring a smile to those who enjoy rooting for the Orange each year.
...
Local News | Battle Creek Enquirer (battlecreekenquirer.com; Buckley)
Western Michigan football kicks off the 2018 season on Friday at Waldo Stadium when it hosts Syracuse, beginning at 6 p.m.
Here are five things to know ahead of the matchup:
How to watch or listen
The game will be televised by the CBS Sports Network. The Bronco Radio Network can be heard on 94.1 FM WWDK (Battle Creek, Jackson, Lansing) and 96.5 WZOX (Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan).
Single game tickets can be purchased at wmubroncos.com or at the gate and cost between $18 and $30.
WMU is the underdog
According to Las Vegas oddsmakers, Syracuse is favored to win by a six-point spread. And ESPN's football power index gives Western Michigan a 42.3 percent chance of winning.
More: Western Michigan's Jamauri Bogan making an impact beyond football
More: Western Michigan's LeVante Bellamy among fastest players in college football
Familiar faces
'Cuse Countdown 2018 Football Preview: Out with the Old, In with the New | CitrusTV (citrustv.com)
This article is the third in a four part series previewing the Syracuse football team.
Click here to read the preview of the offense.
Click here to read the preview of the defense.
Next up in ‘Cuse Coundown’s preview of Syracuse football, analysts Mike Adzima and Corey Spector take a look back at 2017 and the players whose departures will have the biggest impact on the 2018 season. Then they look at this years roster, and the new faces who could define the season.
...
Syracuse.com's Brent Axe and Nate Mink run down their expectations of the 2018 season and hear what coach Dino Babers has to say about the Orange going into the first battle of the 2018 season against Western Michigan.
ACC looks for boost with 2019 launch of TV channel (triblive./com; AP)
When Atlantic Coast Conference teams open the season this week, their games will air on several television platforms, from ABC and Fox to ESPNU and the CBS Sports Network.
A year from now, that list will also include the ACC’s own channel.
League schools are working on production and broadcast space for the ACC Network’s launch in August 2019 . The conference is mulling football and basketball scheduling that adds extra zip to first-year programming for the ESPN-partnered channel.
The short-term goal is a good start amid industry-wide concerns about falling subscriber numbers for many TV providers as cord-cutters opt for standalone services such as YouTube TV. Beyond that, the ACC needs a reliable financial boost after falling behind its power-conference peers: the Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and Southeastern conferences.
“I think there’s some other things we can do (financially), that we are looking at,” Commissioner John Swofford told The Associated Press. “But none of those things would reach the ultimate potential that the channel has.”
Swofford said it could take four or five years to reap the channel’s full financial benefits.
Member schools are counting on that money.
“The single most important thing for the future of this athletic program financially is the success of the ACC Network, without question,” North Carolina State athletic director Debbie Yow said.
“We have maxed out on our multimedia rights deal. We have maxed out on our apparel deal. We have maxed out on our tickets sales in football, we’re close to that in basketball,” Yow said. “All the financial resources that are available for us to go get, we’ve done really well in. We’ve kind of hit the wall. … We have to have it just like the SEC and the Big Ten did.”
...
Episode 80- Syracuse Football, Western Michigan Preview! - Armchair All-Americans (aac; podcast)
Episode 80- Syracuse Football, Western Michigan Preview!
The latest episode of the Cuse Militia Podcast.
Analysis | Clemson football’s path through ACC isn’t a walk, but it should lead to playoffs (washingtonpost.com; Stevens)
...
5. Louisville (No. 43, 8-5): Yes, Lamar Jackson is gone after three seasons (and two resplendent ones), with Jawon Pass stepping in as the Cardinals’ replacement at quarterback. Remember, though, this is a Bobby Petrino team, and so long as the line holds up, it is going to score points.
Now, can the Cardinals stop enough opponents to get to their typical 9-3 or 8-4 level? It’s the reasonable question facing a team on its third defensive coordinator in three years (Brian VanGorder this time). Don’t draw too many conclusions from the opener; Alabama is going to do Alabama-type things. It’s what Louisville does after it deals with the Crimson Tide juggernaut that will dictate how its season unfolds.
6. Wake Forest (No. 45, 8-5): Coach Dave Clawson needed time to build the Demon Deacons back to relevance. He didn’t inherit much, but went about his job methodically. You’d think back-to-back bowl victories might qualify as a just payoff, but Wake Forest is poised to be even better in Clawson’s fifth season.
One problem: The rest of the Atlantic Division. It’s a neighborhood that’s grown much more competitive over the last three years, and while the Demon Deacons’ improvement is part of that trend, others have improved, too. And so, like Boston College, a team set up to be the best yet under its current coach might end up around 7-5 anyway.
The suspension of quarterback Kendall Hinton for three games doesn’t help, but there are two obvious strengths unaffected by that problem — an offensive line littered with veteran starters and a sound defensive scheme that keeps Wake in nearly every game. The final record might look a lot like last year’s, but no one is going to be eager to deal with the Demon Deacons.
7. Syracuse (No. 70, 4-8): Dino Babers has bagged a noteworthy victory in the Carrier Dome in both of his seasons with the Orange — Virginia Tech in 2016 and Clemson last year. Every now and then, things come together for Syracuse, which isn’t anyone’s idea of great but is vastly more interesting than it was in the previous decade and a half.
It’s safe to assume the Orange will score plenty against mid-tier-and-worse defenses. It’s also safe to assume they’ll give up a lot of points. Until Syracuse solves its defensive issues, it’s going to have a limited ceiling in the loaded Atlantic.
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The Grand Ole' 2018 ACC Football Season Preview (acc.sportswar.com;l McDaniel)
The 2018 ACC football season is finally here.
There could not be more variation in conference expectations for the 2018 season, but it’s worth handicapping anyway to the best of our ability. Half of the fun in covering college football is trying to figure out the unknowns–and boy, are there a lot of them in this year’s ACC.
I have said it on multiple platforms and I’ll say it here again: there are at least six-to-eight teams in the conference this season that look like five-to-eight win football teams. That is a TON of variation that speaks more to the depth of the ACC than anything else. There are going to be several good football teams in the conference this year that may be scratching and clawing to make a bowl game–that’s how deep this ACC could be in 2018.
In fact, I think 11 ACC teams could end up making a bowl game in 2018. It’s certainly a high number that may not come to fruition, but I feel like it’s a decent guess after going through each team’s individual schedule. In reality, anything between 8-10 bowl teams seems to be a pretty safe number, while 11 is probably the ceiling.
I preview conference standings, the ACC champion, and a whole lot more in this preview, so let’s get to it:
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Other
CNY's newest park, waterfalls opens quietly; retired SU prof made it possible (PS; Doran)
Central New York's newest park - Delphi Falls County Park - is now open to the public.
The 60-acre park, which includes a spectacular two-tiered waterfall, opened without fanfare Sunday. The park, at 2006 Cardner Road in New Woodstock, plans a grand opening celebration this fall, Madison County officials told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard this week.
Retired Syracuse University professor Harold Jones purchased the park for $900,000 and then sold it to Madison County for $150,000 in January.
Jones, 77, said he was awestruck by the beauty of the waterfalls, and wanted the property to be turned into a public nature preserve so everyone could enjoy it. Prior to that, it was owned by a private individual and the public didn't have access to the falls.
Crews have been working to ready the park for public use, and have added handicapped parking, a parking lot, overflow parking and an handicapped-accessible trail that leads right to the base of the lower falls.
Madison County plans to take several years to fully develop the park, said Scott Ingmire, director of the Madison County Planning Department.
"Currently we are in the planning process, but we wanted to open the park for all to experience its wonder,'' he said.
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