sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to Donald Duck Day!
Donald Duck made his cartoon debut in “The Wise Little Hen” back in the summer of 1934. But he wouldn’t meet Mickey Mouse until his second appearance in “Orphan’s Benefit” later that year. From there, it wasn’t long before Daisy Duck and his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie were introduced. In spite of their superior diction, they weren’t able to steal the spotlight from Donald. You can’t replace his grumpy, nearly incomprehensible charm, and it’s why the Donald has been in more movies (200+) than any Disney character. So, let’s celebrate on June 9 — National Donald Duck Day!
SU News
Springfield Central offensive lineman Jayden Bass received a scholarship offer from Syracuse following a workout with the team's coaching staff on June 4, 2022.
Central OL Jayden Bass receives scholarship offer from Syracuse (masslive.com; $; Nutter)
Springfield Central offensive lineman Jayden Bass picked up a scholarship offer from Syracuse over the weekend following an individual workout with the program’s offensive line coach, Mike Schmidt, and offensive coordinator, Robert Anae.
The scholarship is Bass’ first from a Power 5 program. He also holds offers from UMass, Eastern Michigan, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Army, Navy, Air Force, Akron, UConn, Maine, Fordham, Temple, Albany, New Hampshire, Old Dominion, Rhode Island, Monmouth and Bryant.
Bass was a Super 7 selection heading into last season and helped lead the Golden Eagles to a win in the Division I state championship over Central Catholic.
Getting a scholarship offer from a Power 5 program like Syracuse feels like a big step forward for Bass.
“It’s very nice,” Bass said. “I feel like it shows me that I can play at the highest level. … I’m proud of myself. It motivates me to work harder.”
The day leading up to Bass’ visit to Syracuse was a busy one.
The junior went to Central’s prom on June 3 and got up early the next day for the three and a half hour drive to Syracuse. The Orange football team was putting on a one-day camp the day of Bass’ visit, but he was not able to participate because his family needed the car he was driving back in Springfield later in the day.
Instead of participating in the camp session, Bass went through a workout that involved pass and run blocking drills with Schmidt and Anae. The last 15 minutes of the workout included one-on-one blocking drills against other high school football players that were on campus for the one-day camp session.
After the one-on-one session was over, Syracuse head football coach Dino Babers pulled Bass aside and let him know that he had earned a scholarship from the university.
If Bass were to commit to Syracuse, he wouldn’t be the only Springfield Central player on the roster.
Former Golden Eagles star Terry Lockett appeared in 11 games at defensive tackle in 2021 as a freshman for the program. He made 12 tackles and a pair of sacks in his rookie season.
Lockett was on campus during Bass’ workout and watched from the sidelines as the junior went through blocking drills with the team’s coaching staff.
The former teammates are in touch regularly and Lockett has let Bass know what to expect if he does end up committing to the Orange in the future.
“It’s very nice,” Bass said. “He can tell me about his experience.”
Looking toward the summer, Bass plans on attending the Best of New England football camp at Springfield College on June 17 and will look to take unofficial and official visits later in the summer in an effort toward narrowing down his list of schools. He doesn’t currently have a specific timeline in mind when it comes to verbally committing to a school.
“I’m figuring it out day by day,” Bass said.
Opponent Analysis: Pittsburgh Panthers — 2022 Syracuse Football preview - The Juice Online (the juice; Sears)
As we countdown to kickoff in September, we’re going to be doing a team-by-team opponent preview each week over the spring/summer. This week, we’re previewing Syracuse’s matchup with Pitt on Nov. 5 with their major storylines.
Furthering the trend of 2021 being a strange year for the ACC, we come to the Pittsburgh Panthers.
Coming off a 6-5 record in 2020, the Panthers were expected to be a competitive team but not much else. They responded with an 11-3 campaign (their most wins in a season in 40 years), an ACC championship, and an appearance in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans.
While they would lose that game to the Spartans 31-21, the 2021 season was undeniably a success beyond anything they could have imagined at the start of the year. Quarterback Kenny Pickett took a monumental leap forward, throwing for 4,319 yards and 42 TDs against only 7 picks, and nearly won himself a Heisman trophy in the process.
The defense was elite in many areas as well, ranking second in the nation in sacks at 3.86 per game and sixth in rushing defense, giving up only 89.3 rushing yards per game. Overall, the team performed well in nearly every area leading to a true “Cinderella” season.
WITH PICKETT GONE, WILL THE MAGIC REMAIN?
The biggest and most obvious question about Pitt heading into 2022 is whether the team can continue their success without Kenny Pickett at QB. Pickett was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the NFL Draft in April, the lone QB taken in the first round.
The good news for Pitt came via the transfer portal in former University of Southern California senior QB Kedon Slovis.
Slovis had his ups and downs at USC, his best year coming in 2019 when he threw for 3,502 yards and 30 TDs and his worst year being this past season when he split starting time with Jaxson Dart and ultimately suffered a leg injury to end the year. He finished 2021 with 2,153 passing yards, just 11 TDs and 8 picks.
Pitt also lost their top receiver from last year Jordan Addison (ironically, through the transfer portal to Slovis’s former team- USC), but returns nearly every other offensive starter which is good news for a team that ranked third in the country in scoring last year, with 41.4 points per game.
There’s a lot to like in Slovis as a talented prospect, but it’s concerning that his best years are seemingly behind him. However, with an experienced former NFL coach like Frank Cignetti Jr as his offensive coordinator and QB coach, it’s safe to expect a return to form for the former Heisman watch list candidate.
CAN THE DEFENSE CONTINUE OVER-PERFORMING?
While the offense was lighting up the scoreboard for the Panthers, the defense was able to pin their ears back and go into attack mode, and attack they did. Facing teams that were often in a huge deficit, Pitt’s defense was able to rank third in the nation in sacks with 54, as well as being the only team in the country to rack up over 400 sack yards.
The concern for the Panthers defense was more in the secondary, as they ranked just 115th in passing yards allowed at 264.3 ypg. Part of that can be blamed on having such large leads over teams and playing essentially prevent defense for many second halves of games, but you still would have liked to see some dominance there.
Pitt’s best corner from 2021 Damarri Mathis was taken in the fourth round by the Denver Broncos leaving the team without a true top option, but Marquis Williams returns with enough experience to hold his own while the other spot is determined over the summer.
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Who Needs to Step Up for SU Football in 2022? (toutube; podcast; Locked on Syracuse)
Matt Bonaparte and Brad Klein discuss which players need to make difference in order for Syracuse football to return to winning ways in 2022.
College Sports Chaos Raises Questions of Who Stays in the Game (sportico.com; Burton)
Today’s guest columnist is Rick Burton of Syracuse University.
As we approach the NCAA Division I Baseball Championships (June 17-27) at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, thereby concluding the NCAA’s calendar of competitive tournaments, but also observing the one-year deadline until Mark Emmert steps down as NCAA president, it’s worth asking if the schools involved in big-time college athletics truly want control over the NCAA or whether intercollegiate sport is becoming just a little too risky for them.
To be certain, the chancellors running major Power Five universities are all, in essence, running billion-dollar corporations that are equal parts cities unto themselves and educational institutions built on concepts like in-person teaching, research/discovery, faculty tenure and seasonal retention of customers (many of whom actually graduate).
It’s never an easy job.
At any given time, a university president can wake up to find she is dealing with a scandal, work stoppage, lawsuits, unhappy constituents (faculty, students, parents, alumni, staff, contractors, fans, etc.) or mounting pressure from trustees that something (anything) get built or improved. Sometimes those challenges all arrive on the same day.
So, we can, in our compassionate way, afford some empathy for a position that looks great on paper (and even better in multi-striped commencement robes) but must consistently stare down the barrel when it comes to keeping lights on and wolves from the door. This is where intercollegiate athletics makes its entrance.
Are college sports important to university presidents? And if so, how important?
Some maintain intercollegiate sport is the front door (or front porch) to the academy, the shiny bauble keeping many schools in the news and, in some cases, generating contemporary relevance. It may be costly, but nothing generates free publicity quite like a winning season or an unexpected tournament run.
Just ask Saint Peter’s, a small, private, Jesuit liberal arts school in New Jersey. In less than one month, the Peacocks received an estimated $70 million in brand recognition for winning some basketball games. Certainly not “chump change” for the school president holding court during that Cinderella season.
Or how about when a school, let’s say LSU, decides to pay its head football coach something approaching $100 million over 10 years. If said coach is the highest paid state employee by a wide margin, then, yes, the athletic department and its many stakeholders are important.
That brings us to the age-old question faced in professional poker dens nightly. If I’m at a high-roller table, how much can I afford to lose and when do I fold? When do I push away from the green felt (or green turf) because the stakes are too high, the risk unmanageable?
For many college presidents, that moment, that rider (to paraphrase Bob Dylan), is approaching.
When Alabama or Ohio State willingly push more chips into the middle of the table, does the president of Vanderbilt or Northwestern blink? Sure, those two private institutions know they will get healthy payouts from the SEC and Big Ten network deals, but at what point do those CEOs acknowledge they’re not drawing from the same deck?
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Syracuse Football: After visit, a 4-star, top-30 DB says his interest is higher (itlh; Adler)
Four-star defensive back Kenny Woseley II recently made an unofficial visit to the Hill, and according to a media report, following his trip to the Orange, his interest in Syracuse football is higher.
That’s a great sign, although as we noted in another recent column on the top-flight 2024 prospect, the competition is fierce for the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Woseley.
A rising junior at the Imhotep Institute Charter High School in Philadelphia, Woseley was offered a scholarship by the ‘Cuse coaching staff in April.
According to recruiting services and his Twitter page, Woseley holds around 20 offers, from other teams such as Michigan, Wisconsin, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Florida, Georgia Tech, Penn State, West Virginia, Cincinnati, Rutgers, Maryland, Ole Miss, Tennessee, UConn, Mississippi State and Temple.
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Get to Know Your Syracuse Orange Man: #84 Nate Wellington (TNIAAMl; Brown)
Name: Nate Wellington
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 186 lbs
Class: (Redshirt) Sophomore
Hometown: Skaneateles, N.Y.
High School: Skaneateles
2021 stats: Freshman year… didn’t appear in any games for the Syracuse Orange
2022 projections: Not really sure what we’re going to see from Wellington (if anything at all), but he had a promising high school career. He finished his senior year as a captain, caught 59 passes for 1,095 yards and 11 touchdowns.
How’d he get here?: He was a PWO for ‘Cuse football, but Hamilton College and the Merrimack FCS program had interest in him.
What’d recruiting sites say? No rating
Instagram feed: @natewelli
Interesting little fun fact: He was the Winner of the Al Vedder Scholarship, which is presented to the highest ranked high school scholar-athlete in the region.
Let’s get a look at ya: let’s drive down memory road to Skaneateles to see what he’s done
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Get to Know Your Orange Man: #85, WR Courtney Jackson (TNIAAM; De Guzman)
Name: Courtney Jackson
Position: Wide Receiver
Year: Redshirt Sophomore
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 175 lbs
Hometown: Monroeville, Pa.
High School: Gateway
2021 stats: Jackson started to break out in 2021, leading the Syracuse Orange in receptions with 37, receiving yards in 389 and receiving touchdowns with three. Jackson also served as the backup kick and punt returner, bringing one punt back for a touchdown.
2022 projections: While most fans probably hoped that Taj Harris would be the one to experience a career year in the slot, instead it was Jackson after both Harris and Tommy DeVito left the team. Short routes gave Garrett Shrader an easy target to hit, and Jackson might be relied on heavily in the early part of the season and in the early part of games to establish some confidence in Shrader and his arm before going deep.
How’d he get here?: Jackson’s offer list included West Virginia, Boston College, Kentucky and Baylor (among others).
What’d recruiting sites say?: Three stars from everyone except Rivals, who for some reason only dished out two.
Money quote: New wide receiver coach Michael Johnson is looking for a leader. That guy might be Jackson.
Get to Know Your Orange Man: #86 WR, Ja’Vontae Williams (TNIAAM; Wall)
Name: Ja’Vontae Williams
Position: Wide Receiver
Year: Redshirt Freshman
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 203 lbs.
Hometown: Belle Glade, Fla.
High School: Glades Central
2021 stats: After playing five games in 2020, Williams did not see the field last year.
2022 projections: It seems as though Williams has been passed on the depth chart, but with new offensive coaches and a team looking for receiver to seize the job everyone should have a clean slate. This is a position group to watch closely when camp begins.
How’d he get here?: Offers ranged from Oregon, Miami, Indiana, Illinois, USF, and FIU with a sprinkling of others.
What’d recruiting sites say?: Consensus 3-stars.
Money quote: Not a ton out there so we’ll stick to his commitment tweet.
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Get to Know Your Orange Man: #88, TE Steven Mahar Jr. (TNIAAM; Haller)
Name: Steven Mahar Jr.
Position: Tight end
Year: Sophomore
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 232 lbs.
Hometown: Rochester, N.Y.
High School: Aquinas Institute
2021 stats: None, he’s been on special teams each of the last two years, getting 10 games in last season. He’s got one tackle to his name in 19 games total.
2022 projections: We have two tight ends at this point in camp. He’s one of them, and the more likely to be a pass catching option if that’s the direction that Robert Anae and Jason Beck want to throw to. He’s likely to get some good run on the season and may even be the primary option as a receiving tight end.
How’d he get here?: Offers from Boston College, Indiana, Iowa State, Pitt, Rutgers and some others. He opted to remain close to home.
What’d recruiting sites say?: Three stars, all around. He was the No. 5 recruit in New York his senior year per 247sports.com.
Money quote: While he was recruited as a tight end, he was told there was an option to flex all over the place, per an interview with the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
Twitter feed: @smahar_jr
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ACC Football 2022 Predictions (athlonsports.com; Lassan)
Clemson's reign atop the ACC ended last season, and there's no guarantee coach Dabo Swinney's team returns to No. 1 in 2022. Although there are concerns in Death valley, the Tigers are Athlon's predicted champion of the ACC. Clemson returns a dominant defense, but major question marks remain on offense, and the ACC doesn't lack for other contenders with Wake Forest and NC State both capable of winning the division this fall. Florida State, Boston College and Louisville headline the next tier, while Syracuse should be fighting to get bowl eligible.
As usual, the Coastal Division could see its share of chaos. Defending champ Pitt lost quarterback Kenny Pickett to the NFL and receiver Jordan Addison, but coach Pat Narduzzi still returns one of the league's top defenses and a solid foundation on offense. New coach Mario Cristobal has Miami positioned to be the favorite in this division, especially if quarterback Tyler Van Dyke picks up where he left off in '21. North Carolina hopes to rebound after a disappointing season, while Virginia, Virginia Tech and Duke are breaking in new coaches. Georgia Tech returns only four starters in a crucial season for coach Geoff Collins.
How does Athlon Sports project the ACC for 2022? Steven Lassan predicts and ranks the Atlantic and Coastal Divisions in the ACC for this fall:
The Tigers had their streak of consecutive ACC titles snapped at six and failed to make the CFB Playoff for the first time since ’14 last season. A lackluster showing (5.2 yards per play and 26.3 points a game) on offense was the primary culprit for last year’s 10-3 mark and remains a concern going into ’22. A deep backfield led by rising star Will Shipley is the strength of this offense, but question marks remain at every other position. Can DJ Uiagalelei (55.6 [percent, 9 TDs vs. 10 INTs) take a step forward? Or will true freshman Cade Klubnik eventually take over as the starter? The Tigers need more out of an offensive line that brings back four starters and an inconsistent receiving corps losing Justyn Ross to the NFL. And as if those questions weren’t enough, there’s a new play-caller (Brandon Streeter) after Tony Elliott left to be the head coach at Virginia. While question marks litter the offense, the same can’t be said on defense. Coordinator Brent Venables left to be the head coach at Oklahoma, but new play-caller Wes Goodwin inherits a deep defensive line anchored by Tyler Davis, Bryan Bresee and Myles Murphy, along with rising stars at linebacker (Trenton Simpson) and safety (Andrew Mukuba). This unit could be the best defense in college football this fall.
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7. Syracuse
Dino Babers has won just two or fewer ACC games in five of his six seasons at the helm. After three consecutive losing records, a trip to a bowl game is likely needed to avoid the hot seat. However, getting to six wins won’t be easy with a tough schedule. The Orange return one of the nation’s top running backs in Sean Tucker (1,496 yards) but big progress in the passing game is needed under new play-caller Robert Anae. Quarterback Garrett Shrader (781 rushing yards and 14 TDs) struggled down the stretch and threw for less than 100 yards in three out of his last four starts. Mikel Jones and Stefon Thompson are back to lead a strong linebacker unit, and even though the secondary finished 12th in the ACC in pass efficiency defense last fall, five returning starters – including cornerbacks Garrett Williams and Duce Chestnut – provide confidence this unit will be better in ’22. While coordinator Tony White should feel optimistic about the back half of the defense, the line of scrimmage is a major concern. Syracuse must replace five key linemen, including Cody Roscoe (12.5 TFL), Josh Black (six) and Kingsley Jonathan (5.5). A bowl game should be within reach if the Orange can improve their passing attack. However, the second half of the schedule is tough, meaning Syracuse may need to start 4-1 or 5-0 to have a chance at six wins.
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ACC Football: Team records at home in last five years (247sports; Gates)
In college football, having home-field advantage is something that can drastically alter the outcome of a game one way or another. Even if the home team is an underdog in the game, the rowdiness of the home crowd can rattle the visiting team so much that they get upset on the road. In the ACC, there are a few home atmospheres that stand out among the rest.
Of course, Clemson is the stadium that most turn to when thinking of a loud, rowdy environment. The Tigers are a dominant program that packs the stadium on a weekly basis, but they are not the only fans that create a tough environment to play in.
When Florida State is on top of the sport, Doak S. Campbell Stadium is among the toughest environments to play in. Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium also stands out to the experts as one of the toughest places to play in across the league. But, what do the numbers say home field does for those teams?
Over the last five years, some ACC teams have found significantly more success at home than others. But which teams are those? And which teams have not been as strong at home? Here is a look at every ACC team’s home record over the last five seasons.
SYRACUSE, NY - SEPTEMBER 11: A general view inside of the Carrier Dome prior to the college football game between the Syracuse Orange and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Septekmber 11, 2021 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse,NY.
(Photo: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire, Getty)
The Carrier Dome might be an iconic stadium in college sports, but it has not been one that generated much of an advantage. Aside from a 10-win season in 2018, the Orange have never won more than five games in a season in the last five years. A 1-10 mark in 2020 really hurt this record. Syracuse was 3-4 on home turf last year, so this over .500 mark at home is hanging on by a thread.
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ESPN previews the ACC’s Atlantic Division (backingthepack.com; Muma)
Bill Connelly’s ACC Atlantic Division preview is out and it is a lengthy one, because there’s a lot going on in the division this year. Whole lot going on. A couple elite defenses, a handful of good quarterbacks, multiple teams realistically capable of breakout years, and on and on.
Here’s how SP+ stacks up the division:
Connelly rightly wonders how NC State’s offense will fare in the fall with the contributors it lost, in particular because the ground game was so ineffective in 2021, which limited the offense’s ceiling. There’s no large question mark on the team than that rushing attack.
If it doesn’t get any better, then I have a hard time seeing the offense going from good to great, regardless of Devin Leary’s efforts. Then again, maybe it’s possible he just gets that much better. And no matter what, the Wolfpack will have a strong defense to lean on.
Everybody’s got at least one big question mark, though—even Clemson, these days!—and I’d take ours over just about anybody else’s.
ACC Football 2022 Predictions (athlonsports.com; Lassan)
It’s a new era at Miami with Mario Cristobal returning home and incoming investments in the program for needed facility and staff enhancements. After winning the offseason, the ‘Canes can add to that momentum with a Coastal Division title in ’22. Although this division is always tough to project, Cristobal has the pieces in place to make a splash in year one. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was brilliant in his last six starts (2,194 yards, 20 TDs, 3 INTs) last season and should thrive under coordinator Josh Gattis. The ‘Canes have a trio of talented options at running back, and the line brings back three starters, including All-America candidate Zion Nelson. The only concern on offense likely rests at receiver after Mike Harley and Charleston Rambo departed after combining for 136 receptions and 1,715 yards last season. The defense is in need of repair after surrendering 28.4 points a game and struggling with missed tackles. Rising star tackle Leonard Taylor and a couple of transfers should boost the defensive front, but linebacker remains a concern. Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and safeties James Williams and Kamren Kinchens are three building blocks on the back end. With Pitt coming to Coral Gables on Nov. 26, the path to the Coastal Division title likely runs through Miami.
2. Pitt
Quarterback Kenny Pickett and receiver Jordan Addison leave big shoes to fill in the Steel City, but don’t count out Pitt from winning the Coastal Division once again. All five starters return up front, and a solid stable of running backs anchored by Israel Abanikanda, Vincent Davis and Rodney Hammond should be the strength of the offense under new play-caller Frank Cignetti Jr. USC transfer Kedon Slovis is the front-runner to replace Pickett, but Nick Patti will continue to push for the job into the fall. The Panthers are also strong on defense with seven starters back, including Calijah Kancey and Habakkuk Baldonado up front, along with SirVocea Dennis at linebacker. This unit held opponents to 5.1 yards per play, led the ACC in rush defense, and limited teams to 23.6 points a game last year. Replacing cornerback Damarri Mathis and cutting down on some of the big plays allowed in the passing game (11 of 40-plus last season) is a priority). The schedule features intriguing matchups versus West Virginia and Tennessee, along with a Nov. 26 showdown at Miami that could decide the Coastal Division.
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2022 Toughest Schedules (RX; HM)
I truly believe that Georgia Tech has the toughest schedule in the ACC - which does not bode well for Geoff Collins!
Interesting that they think Syracuse has the second toughest schedule in the conference, with Notre Dame one spot above the Orange. I'll give Syracuse this: they might have one of the toughest second halves in the nation (NC State, Clemson, Notre Dame, @Pitt, Florida State, @Wake Forest, @Boston College).
Interesting to me that they have Louisville and Kentucky neck-and-neck, too. And Florida State plays, essentially, the same strength of schedule as Ohio State and Michigan.
Graph of OOC Series (RX; HM)
This person took all of the P5 non-conference match-ups (2014-21) and graphed them.
Click on this link for the interactive version.
2022 Best OOC Games, by Month (RX; HM)
September
1. Miami at Texas A&M
2. Tennessee at Pitt
3. West Virginia at Pitt
4. FSU vs LSU (at New Orleans)
5. West Virginia at Virginia Tech
6. Texas Tech at NC State
7. Rutgers at Boston College
8. UNC at Appalachian State
#6 is sneaky good, as is #7, and App. State will have something to prove in that 8th game.
2. Florida at Florida State
3. South Carolina at Clemson
4. Boston College at Notre Dame
5. Louisville at Kentucky
6. Virginia Tech at Liberty
7. Coastal Carolina at UVA
8. Louisiana at Florida State
What other game could be #1 after the monster 2020 match-up? The Noles and the Gators are making a comeback, and the Gamecocks are improved. I think BC is good enough to give the Irish a game this season; ditto for the Cards and the Cats. Virginia Tech will have revenge on their minds, and #7 and #8 are just good G5 opponents.
What do you think of my picks? Do you have a different pick for September or November OOC games? If so, please leave a comment or send me an email.
Other
Onondaga County to spend $15 million on rural broadband (PS; Knauss)
Onondaga County will issue a request for proposals Friday asking internet providers for ideas on how to spend $15 million extending broadband service to more than 1,500 rural customers who don’t have it.
The county legislature on Wednesday unanimously approved spending the money, which will come out of $89 million the county received from the 2021 federal stimulus program.
The county is asking for open-ended proposals from companies on how best to reach and serve farflung customers with high-speed internet, County Executive Ryan McMahon said. The only specific requirement is that proposals include an offering for low-income households.
McMahon first proposed the rural broadband program more than a year ago. Working with Rochester-based consultant ECC Technologies and the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board, county officials since then have identified 193 miles of road and at least 1,471 households and businesses that do not have broadband available. Many are in rural areas where houses are far apart.
“The marketplace has strategically said to these communities, ‘We’re not going to invest because it doesn’t make sense,’ ‘’ McMahon said. “We believe, with what we’re about to propose, that this will incentivize the marketplace to compete to get this business.”
Proposals will be due in 60 days, McMahon said.
Legislator David Knapp, R-Lafayette, said broadband service is critical for students and work-at-home adults, among others. Many of the underserved areas are in his district at the southern edge of the county.
“This is very good news,’’ Knapp said of the initiative.
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Donald Duck made his cartoon debut in “The Wise Little Hen” back in the summer of 1934. But he wouldn’t meet Mickey Mouse until his second appearance in “Orphan’s Benefit” later that year. From there, it wasn’t long before Daisy Duck and his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie were introduced. In spite of their superior diction, they weren’t able to steal the spotlight from Donald. You can’t replace his grumpy, nearly incomprehensible charm, and it’s why the Donald has been in more movies (200+) than any Disney character. So, let’s celebrate on June 9 — National Donald Duck Day!
SU News
Springfield Central offensive lineman Jayden Bass received a scholarship offer from Syracuse following a workout with the team's coaching staff on June 4, 2022.
Central OL Jayden Bass receives scholarship offer from Syracuse (masslive.com; $; Nutter)
Springfield Central offensive lineman Jayden Bass picked up a scholarship offer from Syracuse over the weekend following an individual workout with the program’s offensive line coach, Mike Schmidt, and offensive coordinator, Robert Anae.
The scholarship is Bass’ first from a Power 5 program. He also holds offers from UMass, Eastern Michigan, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Army, Navy, Air Force, Akron, UConn, Maine, Fordham, Temple, Albany, New Hampshire, Old Dominion, Rhode Island, Monmouth and Bryant.
Bass was a Super 7 selection heading into last season and helped lead the Golden Eagles to a win in the Division I state championship over Central Catholic.
Getting a scholarship offer from a Power 5 program like Syracuse feels like a big step forward for Bass.
“It’s very nice,” Bass said. “I feel like it shows me that I can play at the highest level. … I’m proud of myself. It motivates me to work harder.”
The day leading up to Bass’ visit to Syracuse was a busy one.
The junior went to Central’s prom on June 3 and got up early the next day for the three and a half hour drive to Syracuse. The Orange football team was putting on a one-day camp the day of Bass’ visit, but he was not able to participate because his family needed the car he was driving back in Springfield later in the day.
Instead of participating in the camp session, Bass went through a workout that involved pass and run blocking drills with Schmidt and Anae. The last 15 minutes of the workout included one-on-one blocking drills against other high school football players that were on campus for the one-day camp session.
After the one-on-one session was over, Syracuse head football coach Dino Babers pulled Bass aside and let him know that he had earned a scholarship from the university.
If Bass were to commit to Syracuse, he wouldn’t be the only Springfield Central player on the roster.
Former Golden Eagles star Terry Lockett appeared in 11 games at defensive tackle in 2021 as a freshman for the program. He made 12 tackles and a pair of sacks in his rookie season.
Lockett was on campus during Bass’ workout and watched from the sidelines as the junior went through blocking drills with the team’s coaching staff.
The former teammates are in touch regularly and Lockett has let Bass know what to expect if he does end up committing to the Orange in the future.
“It’s very nice,” Bass said. “He can tell me about his experience.”
Looking toward the summer, Bass plans on attending the Best of New England football camp at Springfield College on June 17 and will look to take unofficial and official visits later in the summer in an effort toward narrowing down his list of schools. He doesn’t currently have a specific timeline in mind when it comes to verbally committing to a school.
“I’m figuring it out day by day,” Bass said.
Opponent Analysis: Pittsburgh Panthers — 2022 Syracuse Football preview - The Juice Online (the juice; Sears)
As we countdown to kickoff in September, we’re going to be doing a team-by-team opponent preview each week over the spring/summer. This week, we’re previewing Syracuse’s matchup with Pitt on Nov. 5 with their major storylines.
Furthering the trend of 2021 being a strange year for the ACC, we come to the Pittsburgh Panthers.
Coming off a 6-5 record in 2020, the Panthers were expected to be a competitive team but not much else. They responded with an 11-3 campaign (their most wins in a season in 40 years), an ACC championship, and an appearance in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans.
While they would lose that game to the Spartans 31-21, the 2021 season was undeniably a success beyond anything they could have imagined at the start of the year. Quarterback Kenny Pickett took a monumental leap forward, throwing for 4,319 yards and 42 TDs against only 7 picks, and nearly won himself a Heisman trophy in the process.
The defense was elite in many areas as well, ranking second in the nation in sacks at 3.86 per game and sixth in rushing defense, giving up only 89.3 rushing yards per game. Overall, the team performed well in nearly every area leading to a true “Cinderella” season.
WITH PICKETT GONE, WILL THE MAGIC REMAIN?
The biggest and most obvious question about Pitt heading into 2022 is whether the team can continue their success without Kenny Pickett at QB. Pickett was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the NFL Draft in April, the lone QB taken in the first round.
The good news for Pitt came via the transfer portal in former University of Southern California senior QB Kedon Slovis.
Slovis had his ups and downs at USC, his best year coming in 2019 when he threw for 3,502 yards and 30 TDs and his worst year being this past season when he split starting time with Jaxson Dart and ultimately suffered a leg injury to end the year. He finished 2021 with 2,153 passing yards, just 11 TDs and 8 picks.
Pitt also lost their top receiver from last year Jordan Addison (ironically, through the transfer portal to Slovis’s former team- USC), but returns nearly every other offensive starter which is good news for a team that ranked third in the country in scoring last year, with 41.4 points per game.
There’s a lot to like in Slovis as a talented prospect, but it’s concerning that his best years are seemingly behind him. However, with an experienced former NFL coach like Frank Cignetti Jr as his offensive coordinator and QB coach, it’s safe to expect a return to form for the former Heisman watch list candidate.
CAN THE DEFENSE CONTINUE OVER-PERFORMING?
While the offense was lighting up the scoreboard for the Panthers, the defense was able to pin their ears back and go into attack mode, and attack they did. Facing teams that were often in a huge deficit, Pitt’s defense was able to rank third in the nation in sacks with 54, as well as being the only team in the country to rack up over 400 sack yards.
The concern for the Panthers defense was more in the secondary, as they ranked just 115th in passing yards allowed at 264.3 ypg. Part of that can be blamed on having such large leads over teams and playing essentially prevent defense for many second halves of games, but you still would have liked to see some dominance there.
Pitt’s best corner from 2021 Damarri Mathis was taken in the fourth round by the Denver Broncos leaving the team without a true top option, but Marquis Williams returns with enough experience to hold his own while the other spot is determined over the summer.
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Who Needs to Step Up for SU Football in 2022? (toutube; podcast; Locked on Syracuse)
Matt Bonaparte and Brad Klein discuss which players need to make difference in order for Syracuse football to return to winning ways in 2022.
College Sports Chaos Raises Questions of Who Stays in the Game (sportico.com; Burton)
Today’s guest columnist is Rick Burton of Syracuse University.
As we approach the NCAA Division I Baseball Championships (June 17-27) at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, thereby concluding the NCAA’s calendar of competitive tournaments, but also observing the one-year deadline until Mark Emmert steps down as NCAA president, it’s worth asking if the schools involved in big-time college athletics truly want control over the NCAA or whether intercollegiate sport is becoming just a little too risky for them.
To be certain, the chancellors running major Power Five universities are all, in essence, running billion-dollar corporations that are equal parts cities unto themselves and educational institutions built on concepts like in-person teaching, research/discovery, faculty tenure and seasonal retention of customers (many of whom actually graduate).
It’s never an easy job.
At any given time, a university president can wake up to find she is dealing with a scandal, work stoppage, lawsuits, unhappy constituents (faculty, students, parents, alumni, staff, contractors, fans, etc.) or mounting pressure from trustees that something (anything) get built or improved. Sometimes those challenges all arrive on the same day.
So, we can, in our compassionate way, afford some empathy for a position that looks great on paper (and even better in multi-striped commencement robes) but must consistently stare down the barrel when it comes to keeping lights on and wolves from the door. This is where intercollegiate athletics makes its entrance.
Are college sports important to university presidents? And if so, how important?
Some maintain intercollegiate sport is the front door (or front porch) to the academy, the shiny bauble keeping many schools in the news and, in some cases, generating contemporary relevance. It may be costly, but nothing generates free publicity quite like a winning season or an unexpected tournament run.
Just ask Saint Peter’s, a small, private, Jesuit liberal arts school in New Jersey. In less than one month, the Peacocks received an estimated $70 million in brand recognition for winning some basketball games. Certainly not “chump change” for the school president holding court during that Cinderella season.
Or how about when a school, let’s say LSU, decides to pay its head football coach something approaching $100 million over 10 years. If said coach is the highest paid state employee by a wide margin, then, yes, the athletic department and its many stakeholders are important.
That brings us to the age-old question faced in professional poker dens nightly. If I’m at a high-roller table, how much can I afford to lose and when do I fold? When do I push away from the green felt (or green turf) because the stakes are too high, the risk unmanageable?
For many college presidents, that moment, that rider (to paraphrase Bob Dylan), is approaching.
When Alabama or Ohio State willingly push more chips into the middle of the table, does the president of Vanderbilt or Northwestern blink? Sure, those two private institutions know they will get healthy payouts from the SEC and Big Ten network deals, but at what point do those CEOs acknowledge they’re not drawing from the same deck?
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Syracuse Football: After visit, a 4-star, top-30 DB says his interest is higher (itlh; Adler)
Four-star defensive back Kenny Woseley II recently made an unofficial visit to the Hill, and according to a media report, following his trip to the Orange, his interest in Syracuse football is higher.
That’s a great sign, although as we noted in another recent column on the top-flight 2024 prospect, the competition is fierce for the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Woseley.
A rising junior at the Imhotep Institute Charter High School in Philadelphia, Woseley was offered a scholarship by the ‘Cuse coaching staff in April.
According to recruiting services and his Twitter page, Woseley holds around 20 offers, from other teams such as Michigan, Wisconsin, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Florida, Georgia Tech, Penn State, West Virginia, Cincinnati, Rutgers, Maryland, Ole Miss, Tennessee, UConn, Mississippi State and Temple.
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Get to Know Your Syracuse Orange Man: #84 Nate Wellington (TNIAAMl; Brown)
Name: Nate Wellington
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 186 lbs
Class: (Redshirt) Sophomore
Hometown: Skaneateles, N.Y.
High School: Skaneateles
2021 stats: Freshman year… didn’t appear in any games for the Syracuse Orange
2022 projections: Not really sure what we’re going to see from Wellington (if anything at all), but he had a promising high school career. He finished his senior year as a captain, caught 59 passes for 1,095 yards and 11 touchdowns.
How’d he get here?: He was a PWO for ‘Cuse football, but Hamilton College and the Merrimack FCS program had interest in him.
What’d recruiting sites say? No rating
Instagram feed: @natewelli
Interesting little fun fact: He was the Winner of the Al Vedder Scholarship, which is presented to the highest ranked high school scholar-athlete in the region.
Let’s get a look at ya: let’s drive down memory road to Skaneateles to see what he’s done
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Get to Know Your Orange Man: #85, WR Courtney Jackson (TNIAAM; De Guzman)
Name: Courtney Jackson
Position: Wide Receiver
Year: Redshirt Sophomore
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 175 lbs
Hometown: Monroeville, Pa.
High School: Gateway
2021 stats: Jackson started to break out in 2021, leading the Syracuse Orange in receptions with 37, receiving yards in 389 and receiving touchdowns with three. Jackson also served as the backup kick and punt returner, bringing one punt back for a touchdown.
2022 projections: While most fans probably hoped that Taj Harris would be the one to experience a career year in the slot, instead it was Jackson after both Harris and Tommy DeVito left the team. Short routes gave Garrett Shrader an easy target to hit, and Jackson might be relied on heavily in the early part of the season and in the early part of games to establish some confidence in Shrader and his arm before going deep.
How’d he get here?: Jackson’s offer list included West Virginia, Boston College, Kentucky and Baylor (among others).
What’d recruiting sites say?: Three stars from everyone except Rivals, who for some reason only dished out two.
Money quote: New wide receiver coach Michael Johnson is looking for a leader. That guy might be Jackson.
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Get to Know Your Orange Man: #86 WR, Ja’Vontae Williams (TNIAAM; Wall)
Name: Ja’Vontae Williams
Position: Wide Receiver
Year: Redshirt Freshman
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 203 lbs.
Hometown: Belle Glade, Fla.
High School: Glades Central
2021 stats: After playing five games in 2020, Williams did not see the field last year.
2022 projections: It seems as though Williams has been passed on the depth chart, but with new offensive coaches and a team looking for receiver to seize the job everyone should have a clean slate. This is a position group to watch closely when camp begins.
How’d he get here?: Offers ranged from Oregon, Miami, Indiana, Illinois, USF, and FIU with a sprinkling of others.
What’d recruiting sites say?: Consensus 3-stars.
Money quote: Not a ton out there so we’ll stick to his commitment tweet.
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Get to Know Your Orange Man: #88, TE Steven Mahar Jr. (TNIAAM; Haller)
Name: Steven Mahar Jr.
Position: Tight end
Year: Sophomore
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 232 lbs.
Hometown: Rochester, N.Y.
High School: Aquinas Institute
2021 stats: None, he’s been on special teams each of the last two years, getting 10 games in last season. He’s got one tackle to his name in 19 games total.
2022 projections: We have two tight ends at this point in camp. He’s one of them, and the more likely to be a pass catching option if that’s the direction that Robert Anae and Jason Beck want to throw to. He’s likely to get some good run on the season and may even be the primary option as a receiving tight end.
How’d he get here?: Offers from Boston College, Indiana, Iowa State, Pitt, Rutgers and some others. He opted to remain close to home.
What’d recruiting sites say?: Three stars, all around. He was the No. 5 recruit in New York his senior year per 247sports.com.
Money quote: While he was recruited as a tight end, he was told there was an option to flex all over the place, per an interview with the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
If we can have this new regime on offense use him like what was sold to him, I think we’ve got a solid option here.
Twitter feed: @smahar_jr
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ACC Football 2022 Predictions (athlonsports.com; Lassan)
Clemson's reign atop the ACC ended last season, and there's no guarantee coach Dabo Swinney's team returns to No. 1 in 2022. Although there are concerns in Death valley, the Tigers are Athlon's predicted champion of the ACC. Clemson returns a dominant defense, but major question marks remain on offense, and the ACC doesn't lack for other contenders with Wake Forest and NC State both capable of winning the division this fall. Florida State, Boston College and Louisville headline the next tier, while Syracuse should be fighting to get bowl eligible.
As usual, the Coastal Division could see its share of chaos. Defending champ Pitt lost quarterback Kenny Pickett to the NFL and receiver Jordan Addison, but coach Pat Narduzzi still returns one of the league's top defenses and a solid foundation on offense. New coach Mario Cristobal has Miami positioned to be the favorite in this division, especially if quarterback Tyler Van Dyke picks up where he left off in '21. North Carolina hopes to rebound after a disappointing season, while Virginia, Virginia Tech and Duke are breaking in new coaches. Georgia Tech returns only four starters in a crucial season for coach Geoff Collins.
How does Athlon Sports project the ACC for 2022? Steven Lassan predicts and ranks the Atlantic and Coastal Divisions in the ACC for this fall:
ACC 2022 Predictions
Atlantic Division
1. ClemsonThe Tigers had their streak of consecutive ACC titles snapped at six and failed to make the CFB Playoff for the first time since ’14 last season. A lackluster showing (5.2 yards per play and 26.3 points a game) on offense was the primary culprit for last year’s 10-3 mark and remains a concern going into ’22. A deep backfield led by rising star Will Shipley is the strength of this offense, but question marks remain at every other position. Can DJ Uiagalelei (55.6 [percent, 9 TDs vs. 10 INTs) take a step forward? Or will true freshman Cade Klubnik eventually take over as the starter? The Tigers need more out of an offensive line that brings back four starters and an inconsistent receiving corps losing Justyn Ross to the NFL. And as if those questions weren’t enough, there’s a new play-caller (Brandon Streeter) after Tony Elliott left to be the head coach at Virginia. While question marks litter the offense, the same can’t be said on defense. Coordinator Brent Venables left to be the head coach at Oklahoma, but new play-caller Wes Goodwin inherits a deep defensive line anchored by Tyler Davis, Bryan Bresee and Myles Murphy, along with rising stars at linebacker (Trenton Simpson) and safety (Andrew Mukuba). This unit could be the best defense in college football this fall.
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7. Syracuse
Dino Babers has won just two or fewer ACC games in five of his six seasons at the helm. After three consecutive losing records, a trip to a bowl game is likely needed to avoid the hot seat. However, getting to six wins won’t be easy with a tough schedule. The Orange return one of the nation’s top running backs in Sean Tucker (1,496 yards) but big progress in the passing game is needed under new play-caller Robert Anae. Quarterback Garrett Shrader (781 rushing yards and 14 TDs) struggled down the stretch and threw for less than 100 yards in three out of his last four starts. Mikel Jones and Stefon Thompson are back to lead a strong linebacker unit, and even though the secondary finished 12th in the ACC in pass efficiency defense last fall, five returning starters – including cornerbacks Garrett Williams and Duce Chestnut – provide confidence this unit will be better in ’22. While coordinator Tony White should feel optimistic about the back half of the defense, the line of scrimmage is a major concern. Syracuse must replace five key linemen, including Cody Roscoe (12.5 TFL), Josh Black (six) and Kingsley Jonathan (5.5). A bowl game should be within reach if the Orange can improve their passing attack. However, the second half of the schedule is tough, meaning Syracuse may need to start 4-1 or 5-0 to have a chance at six wins.
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ACC Football: Team records at home in last five years (247sports; Gates)
In college football, having home-field advantage is something that can drastically alter the outcome of a game one way or another. Even if the home team is an underdog in the game, the rowdiness of the home crowd can rattle the visiting team so much that they get upset on the road. In the ACC, there are a few home atmospheres that stand out among the rest.
Of course, Clemson is the stadium that most turn to when thinking of a loud, rowdy environment. The Tigers are a dominant program that packs the stadium on a weekly basis, but they are not the only fans that create a tough environment to play in.
When Florida State is on top of the sport, Doak S. Campbell Stadium is among the toughest environments to play in. Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium also stands out to the experts as one of the toughest places to play in across the league. But, what do the numbers say home field does for those teams?
Over the last five years, some ACC teams have found significantly more success at home than others. But which teams are those? And which teams have not been as strong at home? Here is a look at every ACC team’s home record over the last five seasons.
BOSTON COLLEGE (17-14)
With six or more wins for each of the last five seasons, home field has been a solid place for Boston College to find success. Last year, the Eagles split games at home, going 3-3. Ironically, they were 6-6 overall, which means that they were also 3-3 on the road. There was no strong lean for Boston College’s success last season.GEORGIA TECH (14-17)
Last year was brutal if you were a Georgia Tech football fan that liked going to games. The Yellow Jackets went a miserable 1-5 at home last year, leading to their third straight three-win season under Geoff Collins. Georgia Tech is really struggling under Collins, and it has to win this year in order to justify his long-term future as head coach. Winning at home would go a long way toward helping that happen.PITTSBURGH (22-11)
After winning just five games in 2017, Pittsburgh has rattled off six or more wins for the last four seasons. Last year’s 11-win season featured an impressive 5-2 mark at home, which played a huge part in the Panthers playing for, and eventually winning, the ACC title. Pat Narduzzi appears to have a good thing rolling with Pittsburgh, and winning at home is something he does well.WAKE FOREST (21-9)
Wake Forest might not be considered a football school to most, but a 6-0 record at home last year helped lift it into the ACC Championship Game. Somewhat shockingly, the Demon Deacons have been very solid over the last five years, with just one season under .500. Wake Forest might be finding a spark in football, and perfect years at home like last season will go a long way toward helping that.SYRACUSE (17-15)
(Photo: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire, Getty)
The Carrier Dome might be an iconic stadium in college sports, but it has not been one that generated much of an advantage. Aside from a 10-win season in 2018, the Orange have never won more than five games in a season in the last five years. A 1-10 mark in 2020 really hurt this record. Syracuse was 3-4 on home turf last year, so this over .500 mark at home is hanging on by a thread.
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ESPN previews the ACC’s Atlantic Division (backingthepack.com; Muma)
Bill Connelly’s ACC Atlantic Division preview is out and it is a lengthy one, because there’s a lot going on in the division this year. Whole lot going on. A couple elite defenses, a handful of good quarterbacks, multiple teams realistically capable of breakout years, and on and on.
Here’s how SP+ stacks up the division:
Connelly rightly wonders how NC State’s offense will fare in the fall with the contributors it lost, in particular because the ground game was so ineffective in 2021, which limited the offense’s ceiling. There’s no large question mark on the team than that rushing attack.
If it doesn’t get any better, then I have a hard time seeing the offense going from good to great, regardless of Devin Leary’s efforts. Then again, maybe it’s possible he just gets that much better. And no matter what, the Wolfpack will have a strong defense to lean on.
Everybody’s got at least one big question mark, though—even Clemson, these days!—and I’d take ours over just about anybody else’s.
ACC Football 2022 Predictions (athlonsports.com; Lassan)
Coastal Division
1. MiamiIt’s a new era at Miami with Mario Cristobal returning home and incoming investments in the program for needed facility and staff enhancements. After winning the offseason, the ‘Canes can add to that momentum with a Coastal Division title in ’22. Although this division is always tough to project, Cristobal has the pieces in place to make a splash in year one. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was brilliant in his last six starts (2,194 yards, 20 TDs, 3 INTs) last season and should thrive under coordinator Josh Gattis. The ‘Canes have a trio of talented options at running back, and the line brings back three starters, including All-America candidate Zion Nelson. The only concern on offense likely rests at receiver after Mike Harley and Charleston Rambo departed after combining for 136 receptions and 1,715 yards last season. The defense is in need of repair after surrendering 28.4 points a game and struggling with missed tackles. Rising star tackle Leonard Taylor and a couple of transfers should boost the defensive front, but linebacker remains a concern. Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and safeties James Williams and Kamren Kinchens are three building blocks on the back end. With Pitt coming to Coral Gables on Nov. 26, the path to the Coastal Division title likely runs through Miami.
2. Pitt
Quarterback Kenny Pickett and receiver Jordan Addison leave big shoes to fill in the Steel City, but don’t count out Pitt from winning the Coastal Division once again. All five starters return up front, and a solid stable of running backs anchored by Israel Abanikanda, Vincent Davis and Rodney Hammond should be the strength of the offense under new play-caller Frank Cignetti Jr. USC transfer Kedon Slovis is the front-runner to replace Pickett, but Nick Patti will continue to push for the job into the fall. The Panthers are also strong on defense with seven starters back, including Calijah Kancey and Habakkuk Baldonado up front, along with SirVocea Dennis at linebacker. This unit held opponents to 5.1 yards per play, led the ACC in rush defense, and limited teams to 23.6 points a game last year. Replacing cornerback Damarri Mathis and cutting down on some of the big plays allowed in the passing game (11 of 40-plus last season) is a priority). The schedule features intriguing matchups versus West Virginia and Tennessee, along with a Nov. 26 showdown at Miami that could decide the Coastal Division.
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2022 Toughest Schedules (RX; HM)
2022 Toughest Schedules
If you assume that the SEC is the toughest conference year after year, then you'll conclude that SEC teams play the toughest schedules... which means they're the toughest conference... which means they play the toughest schedules...I truly believe that Georgia Tech has the toughest schedule in the ACC - which does not bode well for Geoff Collins!
Interesting that they think Syracuse has the second toughest schedule in the conference, with Notre Dame one spot above the Orange. I'll give Syracuse this: they might have one of the toughest second halves in the nation (NC State, Clemson, Notre Dame, @Pitt, Florida State, @Wake Forest, @Boston College).
Interesting to me that they have Louisville and Kentucky neck-and-neck, too. And Florida State plays, essentially, the same strength of schedule as Ohio State and Michigan.
Graph of OOC Series (RX; HM)
Graph of OOC Series
Just a quick post today...This person took all of the P5 non-conference match-ups (2014-21) and graphed them.
It's a nice way to visualize who plays who (and who doesn't).
Click on this link for the interactive version.
2022 Best OOC Games, by Month (RX; HM)
2022 Best OOC Games, by Month
Top Non-conference ACC football games.These are fine; I have no problems with these games being the top 5 non-conference games for September, and there are hardly any OOC games in October, but what about November? and why stop at 5 when we can do a top 8? Here you go...
September
1. Miami at Texas A&M
2. Tennessee at Pitt
3. West Virginia at Pitt
4. FSU vs LSU (at New Orleans)
5. West Virginia at Virginia Tech
6. Texas Tech at NC State
7. Rutgers at Boston College
8. UNC at Appalachian State
#6 is sneaky good, as is #7, and App. State will have something to prove in that 8th game.
November
1. Clemson at Notre Dame2. Florida at Florida State
3. South Carolina at Clemson
4. Boston College at Notre Dame
5. Louisville at Kentucky
6. Virginia Tech at Liberty
7. Coastal Carolina at UVA
8. Louisiana at Florida State
What other game could be #1 after the monster 2020 match-up? The Noles and the Gators are making a comeback, and the Gamecocks are improved. I think BC is good enough to give the Irish a game this season; ditto for the Cards and the Cats. Virginia Tech will have revenge on their minds, and #7 and #8 are just good G5 opponents.
What do you think of my picks? Do you have a different pick for September or November OOC games? If so, please leave a comment or send me an email.
Other
Onondaga County to spend $15 million on rural broadband (PS; Knauss)
Onondaga County will issue a request for proposals Friday asking internet providers for ideas on how to spend $15 million extending broadband service to more than 1,500 rural customers who don’t have it.
The county legislature on Wednesday unanimously approved spending the money, which will come out of $89 million the county received from the 2021 federal stimulus program.
The county is asking for open-ended proposals from companies on how best to reach and serve farflung customers with high-speed internet, County Executive Ryan McMahon said. The only specific requirement is that proposals include an offering for low-income households.
McMahon first proposed the rural broadband program more than a year ago. Working with Rochester-based consultant ECC Technologies and the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board, county officials since then have identified 193 miles of road and at least 1,471 households and businesses that do not have broadband available. Many are in rural areas where houses are far apart.
“The marketplace has strategically said to these communities, ‘We’re not going to invest because it doesn’t make sense,’ ‘’ McMahon said. “We believe, with what we’re about to propose, that this will incentivize the marketplace to compete to get this business.”
Proposals will be due in 60 days, McMahon said.
Legislator David Knapp, R-Lafayette, said broadband service is critical for students and work-at-home adults, among others. Many of the underserved areas are in his district at the southern edge of the county.
“This is very good news,’’ Knapp said of the initiative.
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